If you read my fortune, I’m pretty sure it would say that I was a doomed twink who cared more about his abs than the world.

  But would it be wrong?

  I can’t say for certain, but I do know for a fact that my abs look great, I’m tanning my cheeks, and there is currently a guy throwing up overboard; it’s the perfect journey.

  “Explain it again.” Avis demands of our informant from Zodiac.

  Prior to setting sail, we sought out a member of the Minor Arcana who was currently stationed in Zodiac. Their primary purpose as an organization was to combat the Order of The Saint, but they thought it prudent to keep an eye on The Zodiac as well.

  My immediate thought was why? They’re primary goal was to focus on the Order so why worry about some rich assholes? Well, it’s the only country in the world where The Order is not the primary power. It’s not to say that the Order rules over the entire world, but they hold enough power to sway monarchies where they aren’t actually in charge.

  Zodiac, on the other hand, has no attachment to the Order whatsoever. No churches, no Blessed, and no influence in the slightest. Which the Minor Arcana finds quite suspicious. I couldn’t see why initially, but I think we have established I’m not always the brightest star in the sky.

  “The Tournament of The Zodiac is held annually in the capital. One hundred individuals face off through five trials, the winner of the tournament is granted a seat in one of the twelve families.” Art explains again for probably the twelfth time in the span of a few weeks.

  Art was our informant from Zodiac. He was sexy, but in a nerdy sort of way. He had a swimmers build, you know strong but not a bulky kind of physique. His skin tone was a rich golden color, both naturally and by spending many hours in the sun. He sported dirty blonde hair that swept to one side, perpetually looking like a sea breeze was blowing through it.

  I know, you’re like well, he’s on a boat of course he will have wind swept hair. Nope, that’s how his hair looks on land too. Add some slutty glasses and boom you have Art.

  At first both Avis and myself would get very flustered when he spoke to us. He has such a smooth voice, with just the right amount of rasp to it. He’s extremely intelligent, and I am getting way off topic here. I’ve spent too much time on this boat and my mind has taken to wandering off in crazy directions. I think I might be losing my marbles.

  “Do we know what each round entails?” Avis leans back in his chair. It’s like he’s trying to perfectly plan out this journey, but I don’t think it really works that way.

  “Unfortunately no. The Zodiac holds the information regarding the tournament extremely close to the chest. Only those in the family have any knowledge of what each trial entails, and even then, only those working the event are allowed that information. Trying to prepare for it is impossible.” Art closes his book with all his notes, tucks it under his arm, and stands up. “Sorry, I really do wish I could be more help.”

  Art bows slightly before making a swift exit and heading down into the cabin. He was very polite in that way, which is interesting because apart from Prisha, the rest of us, well aren’t.

  Avis meanders over towards me, lays down next to me on the deck and nudges me gently.

  “Your ass is hanging out.” Avis pointing out the obvious.

  “Well duh, I’m trying to get a tan.”

  “Why would you want to burn your ass?” Avis rolls over, tucking his arms behind his head and stares up at the empty blue sky above us.

  “I want my butt to look as golden as Art’s skin. It’s just sexy.” Look, I don’t know why I do what I do. I’m a cliche gay guy from a first world country who considered his biggest problem was when his iPhone died. Don’t ask for logic here Avis, you’re not going to get it.

  “I think you just like being naked.” Avis turns towards me and smiles gently, also blushing slightly at the same time. I won’t point it out because every time I do, he stops making jokes and I don’t like when he’s brutish all the time.

  “So, I’m excited for like another adventure that doesn’t require us go up against Godrick, but do we really need to enter the tournament?” I inquire.

  “Not sure yet, Dardania and Prisha think it might be necessary. The current running theory is that the Saint is hiding behind the Zodiac. So, we need to find a way to get in with the rich assholes to get access to him.”

  “Ah… speaking of Prisha.” I raise my head to see Prisha sitting up towards the bow silently mediating.

  “It’s all she’s done the last week or two.” Avis says, rolling over to lay on his stomach, propping his head up with his arms tucked underneath him.“She’s trying to reconcile the new memories. According to the Hermit, the memories will come first followed by the skills and then lastly, the personality. It happens one person at a time from most recent, all the way to the beginning.”

  “I can’t imagine what that’s like. She’s probably feeling like she’s going bonkers.” Avis says flippantly, not really thinking.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “Only when you talk too loudly and distract me.” Prisha shouts from the front, clearly having heard Avis. She spins around in place, pushes herself to her feet and walks over to us and sits down opposite the two of us.

  “You can just ask if you have a question Avis.” Prisha crosses her legs and flips her braid over her shoulder and onto her back. She stares Avis down who shrinks under her presence.

  “Nah I’m good.” Avis chickens out and rolls back over to face the sky.

  “I’m not going insane, though I do understand how others before me have done so. One moment you’re just you, and the next, memories appear from an experience that you know for a fact didn’t happen to you. It’s unsettling at first.” While talking Prisha is gently flipping the card over in between her hands. I would guess that she is just trying to reconcile this as a new part of who she is now.

  “So, Avis, did you know that in the other world The Zodiac is a series of constellations and for centuries people have used those stars to read fortunes and hopefully predict their futures.” Prisha leans in to Avis and hovers over him.

  “I did not.”

  “Read my fortune.” Dardania says as she climbs up from the cabin and onto the deck. This journey has been great for making my ass browner, but for Dardania, she has come alive.

  Rather than keep her nose in a book like normal, she has taken the opportunity to learn a new skill. The captain has taken Dardania under his wing and taught her everything he knows during our passage, so she’s pretty much an expert sailor now.

  Plus, I’m pretty sure she’s put on some muscle during the trip, which is more than I can say for me. Also, the siblings practically radiate under the sun and I’m envious of their beauty.

  Dardania has formed some freckles on her face, with her sea swept hair thrown back into a messy ponytail. She’s got a whole Xena vibe about her now. I’m massively digging it.

  “Unfortunately, I am unable to do so. The calendars operate quite differently there, and I haven’t tracked the constellations here to be able to line the two up together.” Prisha frowns. I think she was excited for her new knowledge but because of her lack of knowledge here she isn’t able to put it to use.

  “I’m a Capricorn.” I say lightly as I roll over, using a towel to cover myself so as not to flash everyone. I sit up and cross my legs to sit opposite of Prisha and Dardania. Avis shifts and rests his head in my lap.

  “How should I put this?” Prisha pauses for a brief moment, “Um, you don’t seem like the goal oriented type. I mean—”

  “I’m aloof. I think too much. I’m completely lost and confused.” I scrunch my face as I decide to analyze myself and just confess all my flaws to the group. Though, I’m pretty sure they are entirely aware of those flaws, they are quite glaring.

  “I am quite driven, I just never knew where to put that focus. Honestly, being the Magician is the first time I felt like I was moving in the right direction. That’s why I have spent so much time overthinking it all. I want to succeed and be the best damn Magician this world has ever seen.” I puff my chest up and form a superman pose.

  I do though. I want to succeed and be helpful and make a difference in the world. I just never knew how to do that. It felt like every time I turned around, the world was turning against me rather than turning with me. So, I was constantly fighting against it and never knew where to put my energy. Eventually, I stopped fighting it and became the gym and Grindr obsessed guy that fell into this world.

  “I can see that.” Dardania smiles gently before quickly gasping. She flies to her feet and rushes to the edge of the boat. “Look, there it is!”

  I fly off the deck and stumble my way to the edge to lay my eyes upon the—

  “Holy fuck that is the most glorious thing I have ever seen in my life.” I blurt out.

  I’m not sure I even have words to describe the sight that is front of me.

  Several extravagant ships sail in and out of the harbor, with several more lining up at the dock.

  On shore, you’re greeted with what could only be described as a palace. It’s a large stone building with golden accents and columns that stood at least three stories tall. In all honesty, the aesthetic of the building reminds me of the Parthenon in Athens, except not as large, though it was just as regal. Sitting atop the building was a stained glass dome made with twelve panels, each holding the crest of one of the Zodiac.

  On either side of this magnificent building were regular stone buildings, but what set it apart was the sheer amount of vendors and shops set up along the harbor. People were bustling about with wagons and carts full of fish, packages for trade, and every type of item you could imagine. It’s clear that this was a trade hub, and an extravagant one at that.

  Several of the cities I’ve seen before were beautiful but this, this doesn’t even compare.

  “Welcome to the richest nation in the world.” Art says as he approaches the edge of the ship to look out at our destination. “Just be on alert while here. You need not be concerned for the things you traditionally would have, such as sins, but to ensure you do not walk away having lost your entire net worth in a single day.”

  “I’m broke, so all good.” I’m literally standing here naked with a cloth covering my junk, I only can go up from here.

  * * * * *

  “I am representative of the Taurus family and I humbly welcome you to Zodiac.”

  The representative bows deeply moments after we disembarked. The women snaps back up before plastering on an extremely fake smile. She is dressed in an all black pants suit, perfectly pressed and tailored. Her bleach blonde hair is pulled back into the perfect bun, not a single hair out of place.

  “We were informed of your arrival by the organization known as the Minor Arcana prior to your departure from Sirius. May I inquire as to whether this visit is for business, pleasure, or political asylum?” Seemingly out of nowhere she whips out a stack of documents and a writing utensil to fill out her forms.

  “Political asylum?” I lean over to Art and whisper.

  “Yes.” The woman quickly responds, having heard my question apparently. “Zodiac remains neutral from all political and religious affairs of the Order. We are very aware of the organization known as the Minor Arcana and their political war with the church. Any asylum requests must be approved by at least one of the families, but we must inquire as to whether that is your purpose for setting foot in our lands.”

  “No, we are not seeking political asylum. I am a resident of Zodiac, and my friends are here predominately for pleasure.” Art responds, eyeing the woman intensely. She stares him down, a smile still plastered on her face. After a few beats, she makes a note, and again bows.

  “Welcome to Zodiac, please do enjoy your stay.” She stands up straight, almost rigid. “Any political violence with the Order on our soil will not be tolerated.”

  She spins around, and almost as quickly as she arrived, she was gone.

  “Was that a threat?” I ask, very taken aback. Like, it had the cadence of just normal conversation but the tone of a threat.

  “It was indeed.” Art says as he grabs his back off the dock, throwing the strap over his shoulder. “Every blood member of the Zodiac has the ability to use their family’s magic, so tread lightly when dealing with any of them. Well guys, welcome to Ophiuchus, the capital of Zodiac.”