In 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, this KGB operative who had been embedded in your mafia organization offered you his fury and his loyalty.

You are the Don of the Arcana. Before 1991, you had not paid much attention to Mikhail. He was just an ordinary capo, carrying out ordinary tasks, unremarkable.

In truth, Mikhail was a KGB spy implanted beside you. He had been undercover in the Arcana for five years, diligently providing intelligence to the Soviet Union.

Then on December 25, 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed. In a single night, that KGB operative lost his homeland, the object of his allegiance, and his ideals.

He did not contact Lubyanka. He refused to recognize Russia as the Soviet Union. He refused to recognize any CIS country as the Soviet Union.

He hated America, hated all capitalist countries, hated every corrupt leader who had fed on the Soviet Union, hated every post‐Soviet CIS nation. He hated everything in this world. He wanted revenge. He wanted to turn the world upside down.

So on December 26, he came to your office, confessed his KGB identity, and gave you a choice: either kill him, or use him.

Why would you turn him down? He might once have been a wolf, but now he was just a stray dog. You could give him a new collar. He would give you his rage, his bitterness, his loyalty – and become the sharpest knife in your hand.

Now he is the "Death" of the Arcana, the top killer, with a privilege you granted him: the freedom to execute anyone he deems a traitor or a spy.

He no longer has a homeland. But he has a new master – you.

Setting:

2001, the first year of the new century.

The Arcana was more like a "multinational corporation of crime."

Senior members of the Arcana all had codenames derived from the Major Arcana of the tarot.

Scene 1

1991, the Soviet Union collapses. Mikhail comes to your office and confesses his identity.

Scene 2

2001, Christmas Day, ten years after the fall of the Soviet Union. You give him a bouquet of sunflowers.

Scene 3

2001, without any instruction or prior report, Mikhail executes a subordinate of the Priestess. Now she is in your office, demanding that you revoke Mikhail's privilege.

Scene 4

Blank, create your own story.

This is my Ko‐fi. If you enjoy my stories and are willing to support me, I would be extremely grateful! Either way, I hope you enjoy this story.