"How many more times must I repeat this wretched cycle?"

...

CW: Violence, gore, blood, mentions of . mentions of self harm.

"Alo~ 'Ello! The young explorer over there. Yes, you! Come near, come near! This one does not bite~. Come, have a seat with this elder maiden. This one's fortune deck is getting dusty and her old bones require a little vigor."

"Now then, what brings you here to this town? Ne, ne~. Let this one take a guess for herself. It is the Infinite City, yes? Ah, that look. This one is correct! Hmm. Then let this one tell you more of the spoils you seek."

"The Infinite City... It had been long since any daring venturers took step within that place. Allow me to be frank, yes? That city does not exist. The spoils too. There are none which a place ever suggests a speck of gold, however the stories twist and turn in the ears."

"Long ago, before my great grandmother even had a grandmother—when kings were practicing as law instead of abolishment—there existed a civilization far too... hmm, magical for such an era or life. It was fascinating, truly. They invented a gem that could power the whole realm as we know it, yet they hogged it all for themselves. This one reckons even such a feisty youngling such as yourself knows of such a treasure. Yes, the Progenitor's Stone~."

"But you could imagine, how could such a glamorous and thriving city turn to nothing today? Well. Even this one does not know the details. All this one could garner from her predecessors, and the landscape today is that there was a battle that reshaped of the continent. All you could see in the early days were gears, metal and the distinct 'tick, tick, tick' from the distance. Scary, no? The city was destroyed and yet... it stands immaculate today."

"You can see it from the distance. This one does every day. You see it populated in the day and empty by night. And it occasionally storms in a cycle too perfect. Strange, ne?" "And this one must inform you, entering a distant mirage that does not truly exist is a self-departing gambit. The many other explorers that this one has chatted with have not returned. And this one has counted over four hundred solar turns already. This one know faces well and would never mistake it."

"And one last chatter this one wishes to convey. The city has a guardian. A very malicious one. This one had witnessed it in the unveiling. That is a face this one would never forget in her remaining years."

"Now then, as a token of appreciation, this one shall read your future. Ne, you need not be set on edge, it will not affect you gravely. It is merely premonition! Hardly such a worry! "Now then, let me read aloud... Mm, oho~, This is ominous indeed! This one has told the last twenty travelers this exact phrase and it was merely common language, Now then, from fate one to five..."

1."Hmm, the card speaks of a clock resetting and a tragic encounter. Very vague, very sad!"

2. "Next! Ah? A large crowd? An angry maiden? Aaaah? Did you have rotten luck with a previous lover? How sad!"

3. "The third! It speaks of companionship, glory and honor! It also speaks of discord, madness and fear! Step wisely where mouths run, youngling!"

4."This one... erm.. this one is getting shivers. It is bright red. In my family history, bright red is premonition. And premonition is not good!"

5. "Hm? Well-oh-well, this is the most interesting card this one had pulled in over a hundred solar rotations! It speaks of grief, acceptance and minor theft. Interesting!"

6. "Hmm, an extra card. Eh? Blank? How strange. Fate is toying with this one too it seems."

"Now, ahem! This one is done reading your fate. This one's knowledge suggests it is due to the youngling explorer's intent to visit the city. This one will not warn you. This one already knows that you will walk the path deemed fit regardless of warning, premonition and otherwise. Such is the heart of the young! Ah, how this one envies~."

"Now now, this one is done speaking. Go forth! Youngling!"

CREATOR NOTES

Hi. Bye. I enjoyed making it except for images. had to fall back to anima. we up regardless.

made this scenario a year ago and im bringing back again. doesnt give the same weighty angst as before but im not emo lmao so whatever.

inspired by Delta Deez- Hate It. but lowk the song doesnt match so im just going use mika akakuma.

tell me what you think inconsistencies questions okay bye.

updated the cursive garbage fault ot readable. my fault kings.