The pacing footsteps of the Fool remain uninterrupted as Julien passes two of the pillars and steps in front of the circular arrangement of gates.
Pinching his cheek with one hand and tracing the cold marble with the other, he stammers, “R-real. It’s all real.”
The Fool suddenly stands next to him. “Well, of course it is. Although reality and its perception are rather subjective.”
“Argh!” Julien flinches. “How did you get over here so quickly?!”
The Fool ignores his question and rambles on. “So are choices. A good choice for one might prove to be terrible for another. Choices. Funny things, they are. Speaking of which, have you made yours?”
“No. People like to know a bit more about their options before making a choice. I’m no different.” Julien crosses his arms, glaring at the transparent man next to him. “But first, I want to know what the hell is going on! Where is Tarotia? Wait! Never mind that. What is Tarotia?! Why am I here?”
“Are you sure you want to know the complete answer now? It is rather long and elaborate. I’m not even sure I can explain it properly in the time we have left.”
“So?” Julien raises an eyebrow.
“So?” The Fool mimics him. With crossed arms and a raised eyebrow, he nods to Julien’s left side. “Once that meter is empty, we lose contact. I disappear, along with all my knowledge. You stay behind and have to make an uninformed decision.”
Julien sighs. “So, your advice is?”
“Look at the arches one by one. It will become clear.”
Julien grumbles something about stupid, cryptic ghosts as he walks to the archway closest to him.
The Fool follows him with his eyes, a smile on his lips.
Two smooth, large, cylindrical blocks form a base that seamlessly connects to the mirror-like floor. Rough-hewn blocks of differing sizes are stacked on top; a procession of warriors is chiseled on each one. Whether mounted or on foot, they each wield a bladed weapon of widely differing size and form. The blocks move ever so slightly inward until they connect with the central stone at the top, the touchstone. It is carved in the form of a shield. Upon it, a winged sword is chiseled.
As if prompted, a screen appears.
“The Kingdom of Blades. Home to Tarotia’s ‘sharpest’ minds. The finest warriors and battle tacticians are waiting to join your cause if you manage to impress them suitably. Do you think violence solves everything? You might be right. You could also be wrong. Do you dare take up the challenge?”
Okay? Julien waves away the screen as he walks towards the next arch.
Instead of processions, he sees two figures carved from the rocks. Two young women in dresses. Each holds up a chalice to catch separate streams that cascade from the archway. The water flows down a series of cups, though it originates from a single stream pouring from the large chalice chiseled into the touchstone at the top.
“The Kingdom of Cups. Filled with those who practice empathy in excess. But if you are near death, you want them at your side. Healing hands will save you. But who will save them? Combat is not really part of their vocabulary.”
Seems like a bad start to me, Julien thinks, as he moves on.
Carved into the third archway seems to be a mere collection of sticks surrounded by vines. The sticks sport leaves and, in some cases, flowers. From their ends erupt collections of ribbons. They twist in quite intricate patterns that support the touchstone. In that central stone, another stick holds a large sphere at its top.
“The Kingdom of Wands. Mastery of magic is the only concern here for those talented enough to be permitted training. A squadron of mages led by a mage-knight can be an unstoppable force. Until they run out of energy, that is.”
That seems cool! Still, I don’t like that last sentence. Julien walks to the fourth arch.
The entire arch is covered with pentacles, the largest located at the top in the touchstone. The blocks leading up to the arch are covered by muscular figures laboring away, either in fields, gardens, or some type of workshop.
“The Kingdom of Pentacles. A vast territory where Tarotia’s strongest people live. Physically, that is. Disciplined, they toil patiently and tirelessly for a bountiful future. Do you have the patience to whip them into shape?”
Probably not. I’m not a drill sergeant. Julien turns away.
The final archway does not sport any obvious motif. On the touchstone, there is a strange symbol. A few circles intersect, surrounded by a square and another circle.
“No idea. Zip. Nada. Let’s call it the Fifth Kingdom. Do you like mysteries? We could unravel this one together.”
“And, has my infinite wisdom helped clear the fog from your brain, airhead?”
Julien snorts as he walks back to where he started his circle. “At least I know a bit about four of my options. But if you don’t mind, I’d like to pick your brain about the fifth.”
With his ever-present grin, the Fool shrugs. “I don’t mind.”
“Great, so–”
“But he does.”
He nods to the meter floating at the left corner of Julien’s vision. It’s empty.
“Out of energy! Bonding compromised! Shutting off now!”
Before an astonished Julien can form a thought, the Fool begins to fade away, feet first. By the time his neck disappears, Julien has recovered. “Wait! I have questions! Don’t go!”
The Fool seems to respond with, “Good luck.” Either that or “Oolong.”
“Well, shit. Guess I need to make a choice.” Julien walks back to the first arch. “What did it say again? Something about warriors?” He stares at the archway. When did the screen appear again? Right, it was when I looked at the top.
He glares at the winged sword. Come on! Nothing.
“Fuck! Are you kidding me?!”
Julien starts pacing, the thoughts in his head racing far ahead of him. No Fool, no info. Crap! Okay, calm down. What do we know? A choice set before him at the threshold of what the Fool had called Tarotia, another world. A meter emptying over time. Info screens. The similarities to the start of a video game are not lost on him.
Reviewing what information he has memorized, Julien visits the gates again in reverse order. Apparently, I can get people from these Kingdoms to join me on whatever adventure awaits. The themes depicted help fill in some gaps. Mystery, strong people – defenders? Mages, healers, or warriors, he summarizes.
He discounts the Kingdom of Cups immediately. A support-oriented role could not be the first cornerstone of his team.
The Kingdom of Pentacles does not appear to be that much better. Hardworking and physically strong as they may be, they would be quite unskilled in combat, he reasons.
The Kingdom of Blades seems an easier start. But something stops him. It seems too easy.
The Kingdom of Wands, then? In most games, magic has a drawback. There’s always a limit, some energy source, like mana. And when it runs out…you’re screwed.
So, the Kingdom of Blades?
Julien glowers. He is back where he started. Between the gate with the swords and the blank one. Somehow, he is drawn to it. No obvious strengths or weaknesses there. What if…? He shakes his head. He must be crazy. No sane person would pick an unknown over viable, good options. And yet… He stares at the question mark, thinking that going down the unbeaten path in many games he had played often led to unexpected, game-changing benefits.
He feels as if the question mark is mocking him from its central position. Taking a quick step back, Julien looks at the strange symbol through new eyes. It’s made up of four circles intersecting with a fifth central circle. They are boxed in a square that is surrounded by the largest circle.
Is that the answer? Obviously, he needs all the roles of the other gates together to succeed. Is the fifth gate the shortcut to such a team?
Julien grits his teeth, sets his shoulders, and, before he can change his mind, he charges through the mystery gate.