"We're officially a league now, Psyche, partners in uncovering the truth." As I said these words, I sparked up a smoke and handed one over to Psyche, then lit hers.
"Trust is a slippery slope, especially when it comes to revealing one's true colors. Yet, something about our meeting feels fated, like we're two puzzle pieces meant to fit together. So, against my usual cautiousness, I'm laying my cards on the table, quite literally.
I'm holding the Magician tarot card, a symbol of mysticism and potential. My ability, dubbed The Freak Show, draws its inspiration from the beautiful creepiness of the circus. It's a place of illusion and wonder, but peel back the layers, and you'll find a darkness that rivals the deepest pits of the abyss.
My power relies mainly on imagination and creativity, the more twisted, the better. To bring my visions to life, to make them real, that's where my strength lies. It's a fine line between creation and destruction, and I'm walking it with eyes wide open due to my creative yet devious mind.
Check out this cigarette, for example. Looks ordinary, right? But with a simple thought, it transforms into a small serpent. Slippery little devil, isn't it? Then, just as easily, it returns to its innocent form.
Notice this symbol etched into my palm? It's called Ouroboros. Destruction and rebirth, a cycle I'm all too familiar with now.
But me? I like to add a little creative terror to the mix. You'll see soon enough, should we cross paths with another hostile contract holder.
Although, I prefer to keep my abilities under wraps, using this katana as a decoy, so to speak. People tend to underestimate a man with a sword.
As for my power, it has its disadvantages, it's a real drain on the ol' mental faculties. It ain't easy summoning things from thin air, let me tell you that.
And as for you, Psyche? What's your story?"
Psyche took a drag from her cigarette, then slammed her palms together as if trying to rip open the fabric of space itself.
Before my eyes, a tear in space appeared, a literal hole in the air and It was a mesmerizing display of power.
She turned to me and demanded to know my address. I obliged, and with a quick motion, she tossed one of her rings into that hole.
"That's a gift from me," she declared, settling back into her seat. "I hold The World 21 tarot card, and I've been holding hints of these powers long before signing any contract. As you can tell I am quite the nerd, I am obsessed with mythology, witchcraft and basically anything related to the supernatural.
In the past 3 months, I learned about shifting, or quantum jumping which is a term now used to describe the act of moving one's consciousness from this current reality (CR) to one's desired reality (DR).
This idea uses the multiverse theory, stating that every decision or action we make shifts us into a new reality, with every possible decision or action we could've made creating an alternate reality.
To traverse the shifting planes requires a trifecta of preparation:
First, there's the scripting – writing your desires on paper, mapping out the contours of your realm. It's all about coaxing your imagination to paint the landscape of your dreams.
Then comes the meditation – a simple ritual to have a cleansed mind, to focus only on your envisioned reality. It's a very crucial step.
Lastly, the method – a choice among many, but for me, it's the ones that are linked to going to sleep. There, amidst your dreams and thoughts, lies the portal and the key to the shifting lands.
After weeks of tireless practice, I finally achieved it – the shift. It's similar to a lucid dream or astral projection but with a twist, and a different tempo. I've become a master of these arts, an expert of realms beyond our physical world.
Yet, with mastery comes a disadvantage, a draining of the mind so profound that I found myself sometimes fainting randomly in my daily life, sometimes even nosebleeds and chronic migraines can occur.
But, such is the price for wielding such strong abilities, and I believe that you can relate too when you use your Freak Show.
It looks like our abilities rely on mental energy heavily."
I feigned surprise, though her abilities were no secret to me. Looking at her with a mix of admiration and caution, I remarked, "Impressive, quite impressive indeed. I've heard about these talents of yours, especially the lucid dreaming part—something I've mastered myself subconsciously.
Always had a talent for bending reality within the palaces of my own mind.
As for your ability, I'll name it 'Alice In Wonderland,' a fitting name for an ability that traverses the unknown, the rabbit hole, whether it be within or beyond our world."
But I pressed a finger to my lips, a gesture of secrecy. "Now, my dear, Hush.
You must keep our abilities secret. There are others out there, fellow contract holders, who may not share our noble goals.
They'd sooner exploit your ability and know its weaknesses if you tell them about it.
So, when we encounter them, remember: silence is your shield, and deception your armor.
Let them believe your talents are but a simple teleportation ability, and as for me, well, they'll know me as nothing more than a swift swordsman with sonic speed.
And remember, our identities are our most fragile treasures—conceal your face and weave lies about your abilities. It's the only way we'll survive in this uncertain world."
She gave a nod of agreement, and I followed up with, "Good girl. Now, while the clock's still ticking, let's finish our drinks and start cooking our plans or at least give our thoughts some form..."