"You have been waiting for us?" Asks a baffled Prince Jahan, looking at the fortuneteller with confused eyes.

She was in more womanly garments now, wearing a long violet skirt with patterns he recognizes that gypsies often use. The woman wore a white blouse with the middle of the neckline cut in a vertical line. Around her waist was a small black corset. Unlike earlier that day when the woman wore a pair of black, high-heeled laced boots, but now she wore simple sandals for her feet. Prince Jahan found it somewhat relieving to find her shorter than him since they were about the same height when they first met. Both men found her really attractive, especially the way she smiled. Her lips gently curled upwards that brought warmth to them, feeling compassion in her gleaming, violet eyes. His companion, Azad, though he did see her as someone attractive, looked at the woman with suspicion in his eyes. He remembered that she was rather sly when they first met.

The fortuneteller was leaning against a counter as her skirt cascaded down from her waist down to her ankles. In her arms was an elegant looking feline, which the men recognize as a Zianese cat. Her owner was stroking her lovingly and she mewed happily, enjoying her master's attention on her. Clinging on her master's shoulders, a monkey looked at the men with curiosity in his eyes. He scrambles down and tugs on the bodyguard's cloak as he glances back at his master from time to time. She just smiles and tells him not bother him. Being fond of monkeys himself, Azad kneels down and brings out pack of nuts, offering them to the monkey. It didn't immediately take the gift, much to Azad's surprise.

Chuckling, the woman says, "Shandor is trying to practice not taking things without my permission. He has the tendency to randomly rob people, much to my inconvenience."

"You trained him?" The man asks, looking at the creature in awe.

"Not really," She replies. "I'm more like his second master, so he is just getting advanced training from me."

"Amazing." The man remarked. "Could you allow him to take my treat?" He asks.

Nodding, the woman calls on to her pet, "Shandor, you may take the man's gift, but be sure to have manners."

Gratefully the monkey grabs the pack then reaches out his hand towards Azad, baffling the man. "What is he trying to say?" A curious Jahan asks the fortuneteller, kneeling down to examine the monkey.

"It's his way of saying if you could be friends." She replies.

Azad nods then shake the monkey's hand. "It's a pleasure my friend." He enthusiastically tells the monkey. It simply grins at him then scurries away out of their sight.

"It's amazing!" Exclaims Jahan in awe. "I'd love to have a monkey. Travel the orient seas! Travel the world, have adventures!"

The woman just smiles at the two foreigners and nods in reply. "With that heart of adventure of yours, you'll go places, Jahan." She remarked, baffling the two.

Scowling at the woman suspiciously, the prince's bodyguard immediately comes and shields him while he kept his eagle-eye gaze at the fortuneteller, wondering what she was up to. But more importantly, he wondered how she knew the prince's name. Did she overhear their conversation earlier back at the shop? "What do you want?" Azad asks sternly. "Are you here to rob us? Sell us into slavery?"

The young prince tugs on his friend's sleeve. "Don't you think that part was a little over exaggerated?" He calmly asks.

"It may seem," Azad admits as he suddenly started unwinding the bandages on his arms. "But it is never unwise to take extra precaution."

"True to that, but are you truly willing to fight a woman?" Asks the fortuneteller, placing her hand on her hip.

Scowling the man hesitantly nods. "If I have to. But if you're not scheming anything against my friend over here then there's no need." He adds, hoping not to fight the fortuneteller. Seeing her calm smile remain on her lips, the man knew that she was conniving something under her sleeve.

After a short moment of silence, four men walked into the lobby alarming Azad. They were unarmed, however. The youngest looking among them seemed curious, scrutinizing the two men. Then one seemed more amused than curious, the remaining two had composed expressions but somewhat pompous. The men simply just stand close by, watching their companion at work.

"Actually, I'm always scheming." Admits the woman, remaining calm with her witty grin curled on her lips. "I'm always contemplating on the options that come into mind whenever a certain circumstance comes my way. Don't you plan on winning life's game?"

"You speak riddles, woman," Azad replies calmly. "Such language I don't speak."

Chuckling in amusement, the fortuneteller just smiles patiently. "I believe that amongst all these men here you have the most complex mind. You know exactly what I'm talking about. . . Azad."

The man grits his teeth, bewildered that she knew his name. Suddenly the hair on his skin started to tingle as he sensed an unknown powerful aura around the girl and her companions. "Anlyqtn." He whispers. Suddenly his eyes glowed allowing him to see the powerful energy that manifested around the woman. There was some around her companions as well, but theirs was weaker in comparison. The man narrows his eyes when realized from what basis their energy came from.

"You wield Arcana cards?" Azad asks.

Smiling the fortuneteller crosses her arms across her chest. "Oh? So you're familiar with such things?"

Feeling a hand gently land on his shoulder, Azad turns his head to a shocked Jahan whose eyes were wide with surprise. "I didn't know that you're aware about these things!" The boy exclaims.

"My grandmother herself was a fortuneteller," He explains. "As a little boy I used to watch her throw sand on the ground then predict whatever image she sees. Then during the night she would stare into the fire."

"Were you fascinated?" Asks the woman. "It would be a shame if you didn't."

"I was, of course," Azad replies. "Even before we left, I actually consulted her about my future. I thought that it was foolish, but you may never know."

"What did she say?" Asks Jahan.

"Well—"

"She told you that you would meet a woman with eyes that swallow you up, yet shine like stars." The fortuneteller interrupts, baffling the visitors again.

Wide-eyed, Azad felt stunned for a moment, finding himself out of words. He didn't even tell Jahan about this! "How did you—?"

"I'm a fortuneteller."

"Your prediction was not completely accurate though. Grandmother also said, 'And she will resemble an angel which she is as well called'." Thought Azad, but he decided to push the thought aside. "Fortunetellers can't tell someone's future or past like they're gods!" He exclaims.

The four men suddenly snickered, making the woman look at them darkly. "Let's just say that I'm no ordinary fortuneteller." She cooed.

"Fortunetellers aren't even normal to begin with." Azad points out.

The woman chuckles, "That depends on your definition of normal."

Opening his mouth to speak, the man was suddenly interrupted by the bespectacled man among the four who pushed back his glasses as he spoke, "Ann, if you would be so kind to start your little game? The Festival of Lights will be opening soon." He coldly tells her.

She just chuckles in response. Turning to the counter, she takes a small box and opens it. The woman empties its contents onto her palm then adjusts it to be orderly. She straightens up as well and faces her palm downwards. "Let's begin."

********

Tobacco-scented smoke emitted from the man's pipe. His teeth bit tight on it while a grin curled up on his lips. His eyes scanned the paper he held in his hands as he read the letter's contents. As he read on, his face suddenly scowled in frustration. Sighing quietly, he places the letter down on his desk, as the man started to ponder on what he should do. He clasps his hands together, gazing into space.

"No more visions, hm?"

The door suddenly opens, making it creak. Lifting up his gaze, he meets the eyes of his beloved wife. A warm smile was planted on her face as she gracefully approached Mondo. "Neh? Why that look of distress on your face, dear?" Sumire asks gently as she shut the door close behind her.

The man sighs, "Nothing really."

"Then what is it?" She calmly asks. "What is Angelica's latest report? Is she in trouble?"

Mondo chuckles, "No, no, no. She's doing just fine."

"Then what seems to be the trouble?"

"Seems that she only perceived to find five contractors," The man calmly explains. "Then that will leave two bare."

Her face saddens at the news. "I see. But wouldn't that take a toll on her since she connected to you and—"

"Yes. I know."

She sighs. "Then what should we do now?"

"We'll let her do what she think is wise."

Chuckling, the Giaponese woman walks over to her husband and embraces him lovingly. He embraces Sumire as well. "You sure have faith in the girl, even if she lied and didn't have faith in us at all." She remarked.

Her husband just smiles. "Of course. She's one of us after all."

A knock suddenly raps on the door, interrupting the couple. Quickly they break away to see who it was. "Papa? Mama? A letter just arrived." Announces Felicita.

Strolling into the room, the redhead had a rather excited expression written on her face. She was rather cheery with her lips curled into a smile. Her hair swayed as she took each step towards her parents with a letter in her hand. Politely she places it on her father's desk, which the man immediately picks up and examines. His eyes twinkled in amusement at the sight of the seal that kept the letter secured. Without saying anything, his wife brings him a knife to open it. Mondo thanks her as he gratefully took the blade and his wife smiled in response.

He opens the envelope and draws out the letter inside it. Reading the message, a smile curls up on his lips, and the man suddenly chuckles in delight. "Oh, my. Circus, eh? Coming over at the maximum of two months time?"

His wife glances at him with a confused expression on her face, baffled at his remarks. "Circus?"

"Yes, my dear." Mondo coos as he takes the pipe out between his teeth, tapping out the ashes it held. "It says here that they come afar and has set their eyes to entertain the people that reside in here. How courteous." He remarked.

"Well, I guess you're allowing them?" Asks Sumire.

"Allowing them? Hah! They aren't looking for permission to entertain us with their tricks and hoops," Points out the man. "They're simply telling us beforehand."

Sumire chuckles in amusement. "I see." Turning to her daughter, the woman says, "If you're wondering about Angelica, the latter is doing just fine. As a matter of fact, my crystal ball showed me that she might be coming back quite soon."

Felicita's face brightens in delight. "Really?? That's wonderful!" The girl cries. "I'll go tell the others!"

With that the redhead turns on her heels and runs off before her parents could say anything else. Unknown to the girl, her mother had a distressed look on her face. Though the woman kept a calm demeanor, her heart was pounding on the inside like she foretold that something horrible would happen in the future. However, this could not be hidden away from her husband who immediately detected her troubled mind. "Is something troubling you?" He asks. "I presume that it is about Angelica."

"Many trials will come her way. She will have trials also within her new circle of friends or should I say. . ."

"You mean—?"

"It's not just her," Continued Sumire. "We all will. Together as a famiglia and it will be coming very soon."

"Are there any details?"

Sadly shaking her head, Sumire spreads out her fan as she concealed half her face with her accessory. "Unfortunately no. Isn't the unknown what makes life exciting?" She slyly asked her husband.

Mondo gives her an incredulous look as he smoked on his pipe. "This woman. . ." He muttered. Diverting his eyes towards the window, the man stares at the setting sun. things have been quite peaceful, but in his bones he felt something exciting stirring in the shadows. He grins and mutters, "It's about time."

* * * * * * * *

Beads of sweat rolled down on the man's forehead as he stared at the board before him. His mind was racing as he tried thinking of strategies, but it was like his opponent saw through him with every move. He was sitting cross-legged on the marble-like floor of some unknown hidden dimension where everything was purely black except for the star-like objects on the sky above them that formed the constellations. The constellations above them reflected on the floor like a mirror. It made him recall a time on one of his travels with Jahan when the water of a lake was perfectly still that it reflected the sky above, it was truly beautiful. It made him feel like he was on top of the world, up above the clouds and on the sky.

Across him was the fortuneteller who had refused to give out her name, saying that only those who stay by her side will know her name. It somehow irritated him despite her kind hospitality towards him and his friend. The woman was quite a strange one, especially her unwavering smile. She was resting her elbow on her leg while her chin rested on her fist. He couldn't tell whether the woman was bored or amused. He was getting beaten. Azad was able to maintain a calm demeanor despite the fact that the woman reveals minor secrets about him after every loss he has. But the secrets become darker as the piece on his side become less and less. He would take pieces from her, and in return she tells something about herself.

Approximately she revealed seven secrets about herself. The latter confessed that she has this mischievous trait in her ever since she was a little girl that she often had to restrain herself from pulling pranks on people. And when she does she was never found out because of her perfect masquerade. Another secret was that she has been playing abstract games ever since she was a little girl, simply being a toddler at that time. This secret stunned Azad, but it baffled him that she knew his country's version of chess. The third secret was that her mother was a fortuneteller herself. So as she was growing up, she had become familiar with such things. Living with gypsies for four years was her fourth secret. Falling in love with three men on different occasions and ending up losing them in the end was her fifth. She explained that those experiences traumatized her to give her love to someone again when she lost them consecutively.

This secret stunned the boys, because she was explaining it like it was nothing. Her smile just remained on her lips, unwavering. It surprised them, but they couldn't really read her no matter how they looked at her. She was just another puzzle they'll need to solve.

Her sixth secret was that she used to use other people to survive, because she used to believe that everyone wanted her to get hurt and suffer, because all her life she got hurt and suffered. As she told them this, the boys tensed, feeling skeptical of her story. If she really did suffer, why isn't she acting like she had suffered? Why is she always smiling like her life was all good? One of the men ask her and she told them that even if one suffers, he or she does not have the right to make others suffer by worrying them. Then her last secret was she killed an entire guild. At this they gasped in shock, even her four companions were clearly baffled. However, they decided that it was best not to ask her why. At least at the moment.

As the game went on, the woman was impressed that they were competing each other neck by neck, taking one step ahead of the other, but they would catch up to each other in no time. The foreigner was good enough to be her rival. But the one who constantly falls back was Azad after every time he would glance at her, only ending up getting distracted by her grin.

"For a fortuneteller, you sure do have many dirty secrets." Remarked Jahan, looking at the strange woman in curiosity.

"Don't worry," She cooed. "I know yours, too. All of you. Nothing is hidden from me." The fortuneteller continues, smirking at Azad.

"Is this woman for real?!" Thought Azad, feeling stunned. "There's no way—!"

"As a matter of fact, you're going to move that piece over there and think that it will help you turn the tables." Continued the fortuneteller.

Azad stiffens, "A-Are you some deity?!" He exclaims.

Her smile suddenly drops, looking at the man incredulously. "No. I'm simply stating the obvious." She replies.

"The obvious?!"

"Take it that everything that is happening is happening within my hands. . . pulling the strings of this game."

"I see."

"Anxious?"

"Please stop reading me."

She chuckles, "Don't take my words too seriously."

"Saying those words don't help."

"That's because you're thinking too much."

The man sighs. "It cannot be helped."

Smiling the fortuneteller watches him make his move, and then she does her turn afterwards. Her choice of movement caused him to grit his teeth, seeing his king finally surrounded with no moves left to turn to. The pieces may no be side-by-side with the king, but he no longer saw any open door. He still had a few pieces left, but his hope of winning was no more. Sighing, he gives up and then turns to surrender. "What are you doing?" His opponent asks with a look of disappointment on her face. His gold orbs locks into hers as he replies.

"I have no more moves left," Azad calmly replied. "I might as well give up already." He adds as he averted his gaze.

"Don't be a fool." The woman tells him bluntly, surprising him just by hearing her change of tone. "Just because it seems that you're out of moves, doesn't mean that you have to give up already. You cannot just surrender your king!" She sternly tells him. "If you give up, you'll never win life's games! What is the king? He's the most helpless, yet most important piece in the game. Why is the king so important, Azad?"

"Because the game revolves around the king," The man obediently responds. "If you take it to life, the king is the one who keeps things in order. Are we not the king in out own game?"

"That is. . . if you look at it too closely." Says the fortuneteller. "But if you look at in a bigger picture maybe you'll be a different chess piece. Reflecting on chess to how we live, we make decisions that will either put us to an advantage—or otherwise."

"Wait. . . is she. . . has she been planning this all along?"

"Often people rather give up instead of thinking of new moves," She remarked. "It's pathetic."

"I don't know what you are trying to get at, woman."

She sighs and straightens up her back and replies, "Then I'll put it in simpler terms. You still have pawns or should I say choices and options you could turn to! You simply haven't figured it out yet. Don't give the game up just yet. . . fight to the end."

Azad was stunned at her encouragement, seeing how it reflected on his life. He remembered that he had beaten several times, made mistakes several times. And often he gave up instead of seeing things through. It made him feel guilty for several decisions he made in his life. Gritting his teeth, Azad stares at the board one more time, determined to defeat the fortuneteller and show her how he could do things by turning the tables on her. Suddenly as he was contemplating, he received enlightenment on which move he should do and even saw new patterns and strategies that he will use to crush his opponent. A smile instantly curls up on his lips, exciting the fortuneteller.

He clears his mind, removing everything that has been distracting him from the game. Then after a moment of silence, his hand finally hovers over the board and makes his move. He no longer glanced at the woman to see her smirk, making her happy. After moments of thinking and moving, the two finally reached the point of winning with Azad being the victor in the end.

Astonished, the fortuneteller's companions stiffened, seeing her lose to someone for the first time. They barely matched her when it cam e to these kinds of games. Clapping, the fortuneteller gets up from her seat and beams at the bodyguard. "No wonder Jahan told me that you were unbeatable in shatranj." She enthusiastically remarked as Azad gets up as well.

"The lad did so?"

"Now, now no need to be upset over a little boast," She cooed. "Just be happy that your friend had some faith in you."

He sighs. "Then I shall."

Chuckling in amusement, the fortuneteller waves her arm in the hair, making the chessboard disappear along with its pieces. "By the way, I am Angelica and if it's possible, would you like to join our little league?"

Baffled, the man steps back in surprise. "The young master?" He asks. "What are you—"

"Well, before either of you could do that, you'll have to be tested a little." Angelica interrupts as she waved her hand in the air. Mystically the small box from before appears in her hand and the woman immediately placed its contents into the palm of her hand. She suddenly swings her arm in a one hundred and ninety degrees as she lets go of the cards. They floated into a circle, surrounding all seven of them. "Do you recognize these?" She asks.

The young prince shook his head no, but his friend nodded yes. "They are Arcana." The latter replied.

"Yes, they are." Angelica confirmed. With that she explains to them their situation, the power the Arcana cards hold and require. She also tells them the importance of why they have to have all the cards have contractors. All these information baffled the two men, but Jahan seemed fascinated by it all. Azad was reluctant to join the group, but the prince thought likewise and begged him to think about the adventure they'll surely be having. His entourage then points out about the boy's dream, asking him if he was ready to give that up. The boy just smiles at the man, saying that something more interesting had come their way and he wishes to seize the opportunity for something more worthwhile.

"All these cards already have contactors, the Major Arcana that is. Only three remain." Continues the fortuneteller.

"I see. So you want to see if any of the three picks either of us?" Asks Jahan, getting excited.

Glancing at the four with her, the woman chuckles, "Right, Jahan. But unfortunately only one will be picked." She replied when she turns her gaze back to them.

"One?"

Angelica nods, snapping her fingers that made the cards disperse with only three remaining. She snaps her fingers again, making the cards speed towards her then they float in place when she holds out her hand. Again snapping her fingers, the imagery of the cards enlarged, allowing everyone to see the pictures it had. Everyone immediately knew why only one would get picked. The remaining only consisted of the twelfth, third and second cards: L'uomo Impicerato (the Hanged Man), L'imperatrice (the Empress), La Sacerdotessa (The Priestess).

"Do you understand now why?" Angelica asks.

Before anyone could say a word, the bodyguard falls on his knees in front of Jahan, baffling him. "My prince, I step down as a candidate from being a contractor of this card." He tells the young boy with his gaze on the ground.

Jahan grimaces at this, looking at his friend incredulously. "A-Azad. . ."

"I cannot bear the thought of wielding such power, I already have my skills that I am content with." The man continued humbly.

Getting down to his bodyguard's level, the prince gently places his hand on Azad's shoulder. The latter looks up to the prince who was beaming at him. "You know. . . that's not for me to decide." He says, and gets up. Reaching out his hand towards Azad, Jahan continues, "At this point. . c'mon, my friend. Our new journey begins."

Without another word, the man gets up on his feet and meets the warm gaze of the fortuneteller who stood by them. Her arms were crossed across her chest with the unwavering smile curled on her lips. Seeing the men done with their chat, she snaps her fingers, making herself and the other four disappear from their sight, surprising them. The only thing that was left with them was the floating card, making Azad and Jahan wonder what was going to happen next. Suddenly the card spoke, immediately calling out Azad's name. Without a second thought, both men knew who the chosen man was. With a deep and gentle masculine voice, the card asks if he was ready for the path already laid out for him. Hesitantly, but calmly the man replies yes.

"Azad of Dvorak, are you willing to become my contractor?"

Azad nods.

"Then I hope that we will get along, contractor."

* * * * * * * *

Slowly every home darkened, but gentle lights quickly replaced them. The sun had already stepped down from its place up in the sky with the moon in its stead and the stars as its subjects. Excited laughter filled the air as walked out of their homes and walked towards the harbor with their lamps at hand. They were shaped like cylinders with a symbol of the sun printed on it. There were hundreds of lanterns with hundreds of people holding on to one. It was so crowded that not everyone decided to head to the docks to release their floating lantern. At the pier, the mayor of the town stood by a pulpit to say some remarks about their tradition. He tells them that releasing the lantern meant change and enlightenment. After his words he drew out a pistol and with it he shot at the air, indicating the permission to release the illuminating lanterns.

Cheers and laughter filled the air as the townspeople released their lanterns. Happy and excited expressions occupied everyone's faces, saying to themselves a happy new change and enlightenment. Amongst them was the mysterious fortuneteller with her companions, having let go of their lantern. The prince was gaping in awe as he stared at the still sea that reflected the sky above them. Glancing at Angelica, he notices a smile of relief on her face. She appeared like a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders, making him wonder who she truly was.

Walking to the woman's side, Pietro steals a glance. "So what was so significant about today other than getting a new contractor?" He asks as he averts his gaze.

"The sun printed on the lanterns signifies hope and a new beginning," Explains Angelica. "The Festival of Lights also signifies that, but the people here decided to turn it into a tradition so now everyone is accustomed to this like it's just some event that we should enjoy. But to me, it is very much important with a deep meaning."

"Why is that?"

"Tiburio actually has two Festival of Lights. One signifies the moon, the other the sun," The fortuneteller patiently explains. "Last year, I came here during the Moon Festival of Lights. At that time I was still in a confused state, wondering where I should turn to. I was already given the power over the cards to allow me to find new contractors, but I was hesitant. I thought that if I don't get through what I was going through that time, I would return the Arcana cards and break my contract with La Stella. However, that was not fate had planned for me. Along my travels I met a precious old friend. She knew that I was running away from my troubles, which she highly objected. She told me that I should stop clinging to my past and move forward. The past cannot help; it is only a mirror that reflects your mistakes. The future reflects on the decisions you make now. She asked me what I wanted. Power? Freedom? Both I wanted, but with a purpose. I wanted to be free from the past that tied me down and I wanted power to protect the people I cared about."

"And then what happened?"

Angelica smiles, as she looked up to the sky above them with the lanterns slowly disappearing into the sky above them. Sighing, she replies, "I received enlightenment. Now I am here with all of you. . . Our journey has begun."