Peace of Mind

“Asley’s in the dungeon, John’s in the infirmary. If she’s going to die, I want to know about it.” Isabelle’s voice left no room for argument, even against her superior.

“You should know as well as anyone else that some things are only for those at the top, those most trusted. Even in circumstances such as this, Asley Ardyn’s case may warrant such details being hidden even from a King of Swords. An Ace on the other hand…” The Emperor hadn’t just seen this coming, he had been relying on it. Isabelle would want to see the boy she saved when he woke up.

“You know my answer for that already, Old Man. Aces have no fun. Don’t waste my time with that shit.” Isabelle grit her teeth as she spoke, glaring daggers at the Emperor.

“If you were to head the Springfield base, you would have first pick of all the contracts that flow through it. It is on Earth, and in a peaceful city at that. You wouldn’t be requested there except when strictly necessary. If you are ever to become an Ace and keep the freedom you seek, now is the time, Isabelle. You have fourteen of the Major Arcana’s support, that doesn’t guarantee you keep it. Take this seriously and consider it. Tell me your answer in a week’s time.”

She meant to growl out a reply, but he had already hung up. Son of a bitch. Aces always get bossed around, but… I may not have any other choice. Fuck it, I can think about that later.

She looked out of the window of the penthouse apartment, seeing outside of the barrier to the river beyond. The murky waters of the industrial district flowed ever onward, and she worried that her spacious apartment would feel more like a prison if she accepted the Ace position. “What a view,” she deadpanned, “Aces really live the high life.”

The square she stood in was surrounded on all sides by black and white cushy sofas and armchairs, enough to seat at least two dozen people. Aside from the scattered seating and tables, there was little furniture to speak of. Isabelle didn’t think she was keeping the apartment, so she didn’t care to furnish it much beyond what it came with.

She rang a silver bell, and Adelaide entered the room. Soon after Isabelle joined the guild, she was given her pick of prospective One of Wands to assist her. Adelaide’s aura was grounding, distinct, and a little cold. Perfect for locking onto over long distances. She was a plain looking girl, the maid outfit she was dressed in did her figure no favors, the numerous pockets signaled that its purpose was more functional than stylistic. “Stay here for a few minutes, I’ll need you.”

She felt a small wave of nausea ripple through her as her senses took in the hundreds of strong auras so close together. She sought the weakest ones, those recovering in the infirmary. His is… skin tight. Golden. Firm. Warm. Another champion, or just awoken? It’s so fuckin’ weak. Is he really that weak? It didn’t seem like it…

Though Gamer’s Body confused the healers at first, since John seemed to be improving with a few preliminary healing spells and because his condition seemed stable, they settled on a low regenerative spell.

The urgent care wing of the infirmary was quiet as a lone healer attended to her patient. Iaso stood above John, mumbling a sweet song with her hands pointed at him. Healing yellow energy washed over him, and John woke up as his health passed triple digits. “Where am I? What’s going on?”

He bolted straight up in bed, pain shooting through him in the process. His entire being felt sore, as though he had been pushed through a taffy puller. He rubbed his arms and stomach, remembering the feeling of the tiny blades as they carved him up, and shuddered. He shook his head to bring his thoughts back, and noticed there was a hand in his face, healing energy emanating from it to him. The hand pointed at him was partially covered, the sleeve ending in a finger loop. He looked up to see a young Asian woman with cyan hair in a navy and crimson robe mumbling slowly, the clothing hugging her torso. At least that still works, John commented as he felt blood rushing downward. “Hello?”

“You are in a Rider-Waite infirmary. Please save all questions until you are healed. Now that you are awake, I can switch to a stronger spell if you’d like.” Her voice reminded him of his mom patching up a scrape when he was a kid.

“That works,” was John’s simple reply as he laid back down, pulling up his character sheet. With her healing, his HP regeneration had temporarily increased from forty per hour to eight hundred per hour.

She exhaled slowly, extending her left index and pinky fingers forward, a ball of golden light appeared in the space between her digits as she exclaimed, “Svzo!” A cone of energy projected out of the sphere, her mana slowly draining and his health refilling nearly instantly. “There. Now I can answer any questions you may have.”

“Thank you. So… will I be charged for this? How does it work? Can I use this any time I’m injured?” Those were the first questions on his mind. He had never been seriously injured before being introduced to the Abyss, but he had heard horror stories from people with poor health care and enormous hospital bills.

“As a member of the Swords, you have an excellent health care plan, and its cost is taken out of the first contract you complete every month. Specifically, you may report to any Rider-Waite infirmary and some participating Apothecary locations before and after every contract to be fully healed of all surface level injuries and easily curable diseases. Broken bones, aesthetic damage, and blood loss aren’t much of a problem to deal with. If you contract a specific illness or curse during a contract and such a risk wasn’t disclosed to you before you accepted it, we will do our best to cure it free of charge as well. For personal injuries, at all Rider-Waite infirmaries, the cost of care will be comped by around ninety-five percent for most general injuries, though special circumstances such as permanent curses and diseases with no known or difficult cures may differ. Apothecary locations vary, and some, mostly those in the Asian regions, may not take your plan at all. For more information, please ask the desk attendant, or use the app if you have it.” The speech seemed robotic in how easily she rattled it off.

Without waiting for a response, she turned to the patient in the bed next to his. She adjusted an IV pouch filled with a red liquid, feeding into… Is that Mandruzzo? I thought he would have failed automatically after I took his ID card during the third trial. Apparently not.

Rolling his shoulders, he cracked his neck and looked around. There were no other healers in the room, but two other patients. “Well… thank you for healing me. I’ll try not to be in here too often.”

Isabelle appeared at the foot of his bed, and he flinched in surprise, freezing in the process of getting up. “Is he healed?” She had come down for John; she was supposed to bring him to the bottom floor for his opinion on Lucille’s trial, but she had her own questions to ask.

“As far as I can tell, all his wounds have been healed. He may need a little time to physically recover from exhaustion, so I recommend no strenuous activity,” Iaso replied, looking at the unscathed woman who had brought him here.

“What are you-” John began, but was interrupted by Isabelle taking his hand and teleporting both of them back to her apartment, locked on to Adelaide inside. “What’s going on?”

“You need a major attitude adjustment. You were a dumbass in Jarako. You’re not as strong as you think.” The fluidity of her movements belied her strength as she whacked him on the head with the handle of her sword. It did fifty damage, and John staggered back in shock and pain.

“I had to do what I did! If I didn’t, One and Jackie would have died!” John clenched his jaw and crossed his arms, standing by his decision. It all turned out fine anyway!

“No. You acted out of turn. I could have saved all three of you. Your little stunt messed with my battle plan, and should have cost you your life. Even if there were no other options, it was a shitty idea. Would saving two people you hardly know really be worth your life? You can’t save anyone if you’re dead. Why are you here!? Why are you in this guild!?” Isabelle yelled, red with anger. The maid, recognizing the anger of a large tirade, slipped out quietly.

“I need to get stronger. I want to protect people. People I care about, and people who can’t protect themselves.” Though he didn’t fear for his life, not arguing with the woman exponentially stronger than him seemed to be the best course of action.

”He could be valuable to you.”

Her eyes widened at his response, and her Goddess’ voice lingered in her mind. You’re right. I’d be a fucking hypocrite to do anything but encourage that goal. He’s a little weaker than I was at that age, but just as reckless. He wants the same thing... “Alright. That’s something I can work with. No more excuses for the decisions you make. You’re living your own life. I think you have potential… but I need to know something first. Are you the Champion of a god?”

It was as though he was looking through her when he really saw her aura for the first time. The ethereal silver spread throughout the room; it filled his eyes and his mind.

He saw a boundless purple sky, dotted with stars, peaceful and unconcerned with the world below it. He saw an imposing black sky burdened by a meteor shower, the anger of the heavens raining upon the arrogance of man. He saw her being. He saw the balance between them. Her sword, the meteors, her, her mind, the stars, the fine line between justice and vengeance.

She stepped closer to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. His aura refused to expand outward as hers did, but instead flowed through her. She watched as his gold mingled with her silver.

She saw the planet they stood on, obdurate and resolute to give rise to man, and his struggles. She saw the beginning of life and the power Earth bestowed on the creatures Gaia nurtured. She saw his being. She saw the potential he had, nigh limitless, provided by the Mother of Everything.

They were floating in an endless iridescent abyss. All around them the magic and fabric of reality itself shifted and pulsed. Only the light of the stars filled this place, guiding Isabelle toward the fledgeling champion. She reached out toward him, moving as if through water. Their fingertips brushed, and reality overcame them again.