Vaelwyn leaned back, folding her arms. "A contradiction." "Yes," Kaelen agreed, eyes flicking to Jasen. "Jasen, do you know what this implies?" Jasen shook his head, feeling a little helpless. "I'm afraid I don't."
Kaelen gestured to the cards as he explained. "In our world, each Path corresponds to an archetype a way of gaining power and understanding the world and beyond. Most people resonate strongly with one of these such archetype, even if they haven't formally embarked on that Path. Drawing The Wizard upright as your first card suggests a strong potential in that Path: the Path of the Wizard. That is typically a path of knowledge, will, and creation of the arcane.
Those who tread it become masters of the arcane and the supernatural, using their willpower and intellect to shape reality around them. It aligns well with your shadow affinity, interestingly. Many investigators and scholars walk the Wizard's path or its close kin, the Mystic path."
Vaelwyn interjected for clarity, "The Mystic is another arcane Path, more focused on someone who seeks to understand or experience ultimate version of reality, often through direct, personal experiences that transcend ordinary mortal understanding.
Kaelen tapped the second card. "Now, The Lustful, this one is reversed. Each arcana also has a reversed path, essentially the shadow of the upright meaning. Reversed paths often represent a more dangerous or unorthodox route to power. The Lustful upright is the Heart. Which typically indicate a Path of partnership, harmony, maybe Leadership through bonds for instance, some nobles factions part of a organization follow a Path to unify people or a Knight ,Paladin or Warden might if sworn to a partner or cause.
Reversed, the Lustful can indicate addicted to the flesh or knowledge of something or someone. These paths can bring out great power and horrors depending on how they are used. Honestly, The Lustful reversed is less common and not as well-documented. It's concerning and intriguing in equal measure to see it here."
Vaelwyn's brow furrowed. "It might suggest that while one part of you yearns for unity or companionship, another part stands in conflict like two fates knotted in one person. Given your unique situation, does that ring a bell." She looked at Jasen gently. "You are effectively a soul from elsewhere occupying a body not originally yours. Two histories in one life. Perhaps that card reflects the dissonance or potential duality in you or a connection the body has or your soul is missing."
Jasen felt a chill at her words, but also a strange validation. Kaelen then pointed to the last card. "The Adventurer. That one is in many ways straightforward and not at the same time. It represents new beginnings, a journey started with great potential and uncertainty. The Adventurer's Path is one of exploration, adaptability, and yes, a fair bit of unknowable destiny, which is good and bad depending on how they walk their path.
On the other side, when reversed, as Kaelen flips the card, the image changes as well. The image looked like a cloaked figure descending down stairs into what looked like a dungeon. "In reverse, the card becomes the Conqueror. Is one who gains power by conquering monsters, foes, and trials. Those who walk this path embrace the hardest paths and end up walking through many harsh experiences while overcoming trial after trial. The power is worth it if you can succeed and live."
He gave a small chuckle, adding, "Fitting for someone who just fell into a new world and life, no?" Jasen managed a smile. Falling into a new world was almost literal. I still didn't know how I came here, what cosmic fluke caused my soul to land in a dead man's body. But The Adventure upright or Conqueror reversed certainly resonated with my fresh start.
Kaelen's expression sobered as he gathered his analysis. "Taken together, these cards paint a complex picture. You have a strong arcane inclination (the Wizard), an underlying duality or inner conflict (the Lustful reversed), and an overarching theme of a new journey into the unknown (the Adventurer). In our terms you don't have to follow a set path yet. It is your decision especially after you discovery the abilities of most paths." Jasen look at Vaelwyn, curiously on what she meant by abilities.
Jasen spoke. "What do you mean abilities." Vaelwyn, pulled a what looked like a wooden cigarette from her coat pocket and it lit automatically when it touched her lips. The smell that came off it didn't smell like tobacco, it smelled like cinnamon. Vaelwyn exhaled blowing out large amount of vapor then she spoke. "Each path once certain conditions are met can give a person powers, the arcane and supernatural kind that normal magic and innate abilities cannot give."
Jasen looked even more curious. "What do you mean?"
Vaelwyn added quietly, "In some official paths like the mystic you can gain abilities and magic like being able to see in the dark, or enhanced strength, reflexes, and godlike abilities. Each path is different and unique. Until you are part of a organization like ours, unfortunately, due to the order of secrecy and supernatural I cannot divulge more." Jasen relaxed himself and, focused on the details Vaelwyn was saying.
"What is the order of secrecy and supernatural?" Jasen asked. Kaelen spoke up saying it is a special decree that the royal family, and every major organization and religious order that has access to the paths agreed to. It is a mystical code saying we shall not divulge the path's abilities and methods for ascending them until someone joins our order or the royal family."
Vaelwyn looked stoically outside the window. "This is to stop the everyday ordinary person from getting their hands on power they do not understand. These paths are not a guarantee to power; if done incorrectly, death would be a mercy if you're lucky. But if done correctly, every time you could have the same power as the "Primordial."
"What is the primordial?" Jasen asked curiously. Vaelwyn spoke, putting her wooden cigarette away. "The founder of this world and the ones connected to it, or some call it the Supreme god or the father or mother of all gods. If you want to know more, go to a library or listen to a cleric from one of the churches. They all speak the same thing about that being just in different platitudes."
Kaelen nodded. "Indeed, let's save that for another time, though. Jasen, these path's can great chances for other worlder's to gain great power's, mind you it is not the only path you can take. But this is the path that our society has found to be the most stable.
Jasen felt the weight of Kaelen's words. He hadn't even begun to grasp what one Path fully meant. Then there is regular magic and other ways of gaining power as well, hard to say, I don't feel overwhelmed. "I understand," I said quietly, though truthfully, I understood only in concept, not in how I was supposed to live with this. "Is it… dangerous to use multiple sources of power along with the Path's?"
Kaelen exchanged a glance with Vaelwyn. "Not inherently," Kaelen said carefully. "There have been extraordinary individuals who have. But they're extremely rare, like 1 in every 100,000. But you will have to discover the methods yourself, but be careful. Death would be a luxury if you fail any path from the arcane."
"What do you mean?" Jasen asked, sipping his tea.
Vaelwyn spoke coldly, looking me in my eyes. "A failed path way ascension or even a failed path initiation can cause the death of the person, but if you're unlucky, you will become an eldritch monster of nightmares. These things become bigger problems, especially the higher one ascends a path. It's even worse if you're an otherworlder. You lot can become something known as a calamity. Your mind can be warped and go insane with madness and despair. So far in this world, there have been twelve calamities. "
Jasen paused after hearing Vaelwyn's explanation. "If these calamities keep appearing, then why allow me another otherworlder to choose a path anyway? Why lock me away or kill me if these are the cases?"
Vaelwyn spoke in a cold tone. "Those calamities appeared decades apart, and they were all bad. But the number of heroes and legends this world has received from other worlds has far outnumbered that by thousands. That is why the royal family and powerful organizations of this world have made regulations to restrict the information about the paths from public knowledge.
Kaelen then spoke. "That is why we also tell you to keep your other world status confidential. Not that you can't tell anyone but be mindful of who you tell. Like Saris not everyone has good experiences with other worlder's. Some don't become calamities but some do become monster's drunk on their own power.
Jasen sat with that explanation trying understand if he could truly connect with other who will not judge him if not try to kill him for being a other worlder.
Kaelen then continued. "The Sixth Eye will keep this confidential from other's while some organization and the royal family within the order will know your status but I promise that is a formality. While Saris by necessity, know of it because she handles the paper work and orientation of most members. Even the path initiation and their overall knowledge which she can explain better then we can.
Kaelen began collecting the cards and returning them to the deck. "Luckily, the Paths are a private matter. As far as the world is concerned, you're simply a new recruit with a shadow affinity and a lot to learn."
Vaelwyn nodded. "Of course I will handle your instruction when your not in the academy and on some cases. Don't worry, Jasen. You're not alone in figuring this out."
Jasen found himself releasing a breath he hadn't realized he held. I have to remember to take this all one step at a time and not think to hard about it. Even though I feel like it would help if I had some of my memories to help me center myself. I feel like a newborn with full consciousness I know right from wrong and certain things but I don't know who I am really and that's the most nerve racking part.
Kaelen set the deck aside and picked up a small clay seal from the table. It bore the Sixth Eye emblem. "Now, onto practical matters." He pressed the seal to a blank parchment and murmured a quick incantation. Purple sigils flared under the seal and then faded. He handed the parchment to Jasen. Upon it was now an imprint of the eye symbol, surrounded by a circle of official text and today's date. Jasen's name just his first name was written in elegant script beneath it.
"This is a Temporary Identification Sigil," Kaelen said. "It will serve as your papers within Velduros for the next fortnight. In that time, we'll get you properly registered with the city and issue a permanent ID. But for now, carry this with you at all times. It marks you as under the supervision of the Sixth Eye, which should prevent any awkward questions by guards or officials about your citizenship status."
Jasen accepted the parchment. The seal's ink shimmered faintly. He traced a finger over the text; it listed him as "Jasen (no surname), Probationary Investigator, Sixth Eye Division, Velduros Branch – Temporary." A small thrill went through him at seeing it in writing. He truly existed here now, at least for the bureaucracy. He had an identity, however nascent.
Kaelen wasn't finished. "Jasen, given what we've learned and your… unique arrival, I am prepared to offer you a position with the Sixth Eye, effective immediately." He clasped his hands behind his back and began standing up to pace slowly back behind his desk, speaking in a formal tone.
"Understand, normally we would conduct a thorough background check on any new recruit and have them undergo months of training. You wouldn't be the first person who we have done this for especially a other worlder."
He paused and looked Jasen in the eye. "However, this is not charity. I see potential in you and from what Vaelwyn tells me you have innate talent not just power, but a perspective outside the ordinary. The Sixth Eye could use someone of your potential, and in return, we can provide you with protection, resources, and a purpose."
Vaelwyn added softly, "Plus, you'll have a roof over your head, colleagues to rely on… and you'll be able take your time and gain more knowledge until find out your next step. It's meaningful work." She gave Jasen a knowing look, as if to say this is a good offer take it.
Jasen realized he'd been holding his breath again. This was it: the crossroad offered plainly. He had no family here, no identity beyond what they gave him, and little knowledge of the world. The alternative to joining Sixth Eye would be walking out of this tower utterly alone into a foreign city, with strange powers and stranger fate hanging over him. That was no choice at all.
"I… accept the offer," Jasen said, voice firm. "I'm grateful for the opportunity, and I'll do my best to become an asset, as you say." He straightened in the chair, a flicker of that stoic bearing coming through.
A faint smile touched Kaelen's lips. "Good. Then consider yourself employed." He extended a hand across the table, and Jasen stood to shake it. The Head Investigator's grip was strong and steady. "Welcome to the Sixth Eye, Probationary Investigator Jasen." The weight of those words settled on Jasen's shoulders in a good way.
Vaelwyn actually clapped quietly, pleased. "I'm glad, truly. I'll continue to mentor and guide you, of course."
Kaelen released Jasen's hand and gestured toward the door. "Now, we will have Saris handle the orientation and necessities; she's excellent with the details. Please bear with her attitude, she has to get to know you, especially as an otherworlder. Should she go too far, let me or Vaelwyn know we shall handle it." Jasen nodded, "Yes, sir, I understand."
Then Kaelen continued taking a seat. "You already know Vaelwyn will be responsible for your field training when the time comes, but for today, paperwork and basics. She and you will handle the in between. I hear you are going to take the entrance exam for the AMRS, or Academy of Mystical and Rational Sciences. So you and she will handle the scheduling between classes and cases. "
He gave Jasen a final nod. "We officially convene at noon for briefings. I expect you back here by then with Saris. Now there's a matter of a case I must speak with Vaelwyn. Here is a pass scan this in the elevator it will take you back to the lobby and give this letter to to Saris." Kaelen handed Jasen a parchment and badge with the Sixth Eye logo, which he placed on his vest.
With that, Jasen gestured to the two and left for the elevator. Kaelen then looks to Vaelwyn as the elevator doors close. "You were right, Vaelwyn, that man's aura is nothing special, but his destiny line is untraceable even by my path's level."
Vaelwyn leaned on the Head Inspector's desk, pulling out the wooden cigarette again, taking a huge inhale with cinnamon-smelling smoke coming out of her mouth. "I figured you might say something like that. If your abilities at your level can't see it either, then we must keep a close eye on him."
Kaelen rubbed the bridge of his nose while sighing. "Great, not like we don't have enough to deal with, the missing men in the red light district, and the ripper, along with the commissioner trying to start a war in the city."
Vaelwyn placed the same puzzle box Jasen had solved the night before on the Head Inspector's desk. Kaelen noted a stoic look. "Testing your skills again? What's the point in showing me this I know you can solve a puzzle of this level."
"It's not mine," Vaelwyn said coldly. "Jasen solved it last night after I found and saved him from almost being the next victim of the owner of the Radiant Pearl." Kaelen looked interested in picking up the box. "What level is this one set to?"
"Level thirteen!" Kaelen's eyes slowly opened in realization. "That's impossible, no one in the last 300 years has been able to solve a puzzle on this level since the founder of the Sixth Eyes and the last Empress." Vaelwyn took another hit of her cigarette, then stared heavily at the outside of the tower through the window.
"This was just a practice puzzle, mind you, but he might have what it takes to open the vault back at headquarters. But we have to make sure this stays a secret, in case a noble faction finds out or worse, the royal family." Kaelen picked up the open puzzle box in his palm, and it disappeared in a black flame.
"You're correct, we must keep this hidden for now, but why did you test him on the hardest difficulty. Normally, when recruiting, levels 1 to 3 will be good enough. Occasionally, we will find someone like you who can solve all the way up to level 10, no problem. I mean, none were as young as you when they did it." Kaelen remark.
"I had an instinctual feeling that he was different, was all. Just for my instincts to be right. Now I'm trying to figure out if he will be as great as the last Empress or the last calamity." Vaelwyn eyes started hard as she gazed into the distance, not even blinking.
Kaelen breathed hard with frustration. "To be either that last great pioneer or the last great calamity this world has seen in the past 300 years. It's the flip of a coin. Kaelen said as he plays with a gold coin between his fingers and flips it. "Heads, he becomes a pioneer; tails, he becomes a calamity. Which side do you think it will land on ?" Before the coin landed back in Kaeln's hands it disappeared.
Kaelen looked behind him to the window to see the coin in Vaelwyn's gloved hands. "Let's not make bets yet on this one." Kaelen nodded, saying yes, I understand, no after the last one we had. So can I have the coin back?"
"No I won't. Not until the time is right," Vaelwyn said, still looking at the window, eyes locked on the beyond.