"Good choice," the Voice said as the remaining cards dissolved into the darkness.
Once again, only Rio, Filip, and the small Soul Dragon—Oathkeeper—remained. The little creature rested quietly in Rio's arms, its wings twitching now and then as if reacting to the unseen world around them.
After a brief pause, the Voice spoke again.
"Are you ready to choose your Talents?"
Rio and Filip nodded. Oathkeeper hesitated, then nodded as well, clearly unsure what was happening but eager to follow their lead.
The darkness stirred.
Countless cards emerged once more, filling the void in every direction. They floated silently, each one carrying a different possibility—a different future.
Rio took a slow breath.
"Remove all cards below Legendary rank," he said.
Almost instantly, the vast majority of the cards vanished, fading back into nothingness. What remained was still an impressive number, but far more manageable.
The two friends studied the cards carefully. Time slipped by unnoticed as they considered each option, weighing survival against power, instinct against ambition.
When they finally stepped back, their choices were made.
Filip went first.
Talent: Danger Sense
Rank: LegendaryAllows the bearer to detect threats long before they manifest.
Talent: Lightning Speed
Rank: LegendaryGrants bursts of extreme movement speed for short, controlled moments.
Talent: Battle Observer
Rank: DivineAllows the bearer to identify enemy weaknesses and maintain heightened awareness of allies during combat.
Rio blinked.
"That's it?" he asked. "Nothing flashy?"
Filip shrugged.
"I picked a Class I don't fully understand," he said. "So I went with talents that keep me alive."
Rio shook his head, a small smile forming despite himself. Leave it to Filip to be practical at a time like this.
Then it was Rio's turn.
He revealed his cards.
Talent: Portal Storage
Rank: EpicAllows the bearer to store items within a personal spatial portal.
Talent: Healing
Rank: DivineGrants the ability to restore wounds and mend the bodies of others—and oneself—through magic.
Talent: Magic Arrow
Rank: HiddenDescription: ???
Filip studied them, then nodded.
"Yeah," he said. "That fits you."
Rio didn't reply, but he felt a strange sense of reassurance settle in his chest.
Once their Talents were confirmed, the Voice spoke again.
"You may now choose your starting equipment. Each of you may take one weapon, two tools, and two training manuals related to your abilities."
Rio glanced at Filip. Still holding Oathkeeper, he shifted the little dragon to one arm as they discussed their options.
They didn't hesitate long.
Fire was essential. So was food.
A lighter and a portable cooking stove.
When Rio informed the Voice, he noticed Filip's slight hesitation—but neither of them argued. Survival came first.
Choosing weapons was easier.
Filip, with his class, took a sword.
Rio chose a bow.
Then Rio remembered something.
"Our clothes," he said. "What about them?"
"They will be adapted to your Classes and Talents," the Voice replied. "They will be identical in function. However, you may request a specific style."
A brief silence followed.
Then Filip cleared his throat.
"Could you add a small emblem?" he asked. "Something that looks like Oathkeeper."
The Voice paused.
"…That request is acceptable."
Oathkeeper fluttered its wings happily, glowing a little brighter.
At last, the Voice spoke once more.
"It is time. You will be sent to the new world."
The weight of those words settled heavily on them.
"Before you go," the Voice continued, "is there anything else you wish to ask?"
Rio and Filip stood in silence for a long moment.
Then Rio spoke.
"If there's anything you can do to make us stronger," he said quietly, "do it."
The Voice considered this.
"I may have an idea," it replied. "I will reflect on it during your transfer."
The darkness began to shift.
"Know this," the Voice added. "The nearest civilization lies south of where you will arrive."
Then, softly—
"Good luck."
Light erupted around them.
And the dark world vanished.