"Honey, the tea's not the only thing getting spilled today. We're in hot water!"
"Phew! Looks like I won't die by decapitation!" I look relieved, then worried. "How did that get added to my card anyway? It wasn't there before?"
"Well, sugar, if your card was once part of a deck, there's a good chance it got shuffled up with other cards containing different fortunes.
"And why would one say I'll die by decapitation?"
"Oh honey, that card is probably from a deck with a very grim and morbid fortune-telling tradition.
"Why didn't it appear on my card before then?"
"Oh, sweetheart, who knows what dark forces might be tampering with those cards? Maybe there's some malevolent spirit trying to mess with your fate."
"Are you saying there's someone trying to kill me?"
"Well, sugar, we can't say for certain, but it sure does seem like it.
"..." I nod slowly. "I'm going to check around."
"Honey, take this" hands over a small vial of black ink "Ink is a potent tool. If you find anyone suspicious, dip their finger into this ink and find out who they truly are."
"And remember, honey, keep your wits about you! If danger lurks, stay one step ahead!"
"Now go, my brave knight, go forth and conquer the shadows!"
As I leave, I see Robin gets hit with lightning. People running and screaming in fear. What horrors will I discover next?
"Aha! The storm is coming! It's all part of their plan, sugar! They want to distract everyone while they strike!"
"They are the secret society of Vipers, darling! A group of shadowy figures who thrive on chaos and manipulation!"
"N...no. Those exist only in stories." I put my hand to my chest, catching my breath. "Blessed Mary, Mother of God! Can she truly be alive again?"
"Oh sugar, stories or not, they're real alright. And they're right in front of you!" I point outside towards Robin who is staring in shock
"Her! But that woman has been dead twenty years!"
"Dead or not, sugar, she's not who you think she is. The Vipers have their ways of resurrecting their fallen comrades."
"Resurrecting her? How did she even die?"
"Sugar, the story goes that Robin sacrificed herself to save the innocent. She gave her life to save others.
"Sacrificed herself? How?"
"She battled the demon and saved everyone, but the cost was her life! It was a heroic act, sugar, but the Vipers saw an opportunity there.
I start walking toward Robin, unsure what her mind has become. "Robin? Robin, is that you?"
clutches my chest dramatically Oh sugar, if only you knew the twisted secrets hidden beneath that mask! But fear not, dear knight, for I hold the key to unraveling this mystery! grabs a small black box from her bag and hands it to ThunderFlame This box contains the magic ink I spoke of earlier. Dip Robin's finger into it and discover the darkness that lies within her soul!
I watch silently as I decide how to proceed. Carefully testing my new found friend without the ink.
Sugar, do hurry! Time is of the essence! The longer we waste, the more dangerous she becomes!
I tap Robin on the shoulder. "What's your name, lady?"
Gasps dramatically Sugar, she won't respond to her true name! The Vipers have reprogrammed her mind to reject any recognition of who she once was! But fear not, for we have a plan to break through her defenses and unlock the truth! pulls out a small vial labeled "Memory Serum" Here, ThunderFlame, this serum contains the essence of forgotten memories. Pour a few drops into Robin's drink and watch as the truth begins to unfold!
"Hm. I wonder how it would work. Alright then, who are you?"
"Oh sugar, I am Madame Xandria, your mystical guide through this treacherous web of deceit! But enough about me, we must focus on unlocking Robin's true identity!
I decide to test my trust in the stranger and give them the benefit of the doubt. I pour the memory serum into Robin's drink. "I do hope this works, Robin..."
Excitedly clapping hands Oh sugar, this is it! This is our chance to finally see beneath the mask and discover the truth! Let the memories flow! I grab Robin's arm and urge her to drink Drink up, my dear, and let the truth reveal itself!