Magnificently Malcontent

Chapter 12

Marvin swayed on his feet. His body ached, and pain continuously shot up from his feet like a constant lightning bolt. He had been preparing the ritual for the past two days. It would have taken much less time to complete if the mute hadn't found them too early and caused him and his master to relocate.

Something itched in the back of Marvin's head when he thought about how the youngest ego found them. It felt as if he had forgotten something very important, but it was just outside of his reach. He shook the thought from his head. His master had already told him to ignore that feeling, that it was dangerous to indulge.

Marvin walked around the sigil he had repainted on the floor of the new hideout to put the finishing touches on it. Everything was perfect and in its correct place. Anti would be pleased. He looked around for him, but remembered he was out on business that he wouldn't share with Marvin.

His shoulders slumped with the realization of just how tired he was. The magician hadn't had any free time since he'd been taken by Anti in a long time. Marvin took another step and collapsed to the floor as his legs gave out beneath him. Marvin cried out, "Damnit! As if I couldn't get any more useless!" He slammed his fist against the ground and held back frustrated tears.

The magician took a deep breath and scooted himself over to the nearest wall. As he leaned up against the worn exposed brick, he closed his eyes and shoved his hands into his pockets. His tired hand ran over the rough edges of his cards. Marvin opened his eyes in surprise. He had completely forgotten about his tarot cards. He took the deck out and fanned it out before him. The familiar feel of the sleek plastic and buzz of energy radiating from them comforted the magician.

"I suppose a small reading couldn't hurt. I can't really do anything else until Anti gets back anyways." Marvin mumbled to himself and then laughed bitterly, "I can't really do anything." Marvin crossed his legs and tried to sit a bit straighter. He stacked the cards and began shuffling them with an expertise that came from years of dealing with them.

The sound of cards hitting against cards echoed through the room and filled Marvin's ears. It was so similar to the constant static that had been following Marvin around, and yet it was completely different. Both left him feeling relaxed and comforted. However, the static was dull and warm and soft. It carried everything away from him, every problem, every worry. The cards were sharp and cold like an ice bath. They shot through his senses and connected him to all the energy the universe provided. It shocked and excited and... itched.

A hazy memory dragged itself to the forefront of his mind. It was of himself surrounded by 4 figures, their faces blurred out. He was giving them a tarot reading with these same cards. He flipped over a card, the Fool. One of the figures in front of him seemed to take mock offense to the card as the others laughed. Marvin laughed alongside them- the memory glitched- him. There was only one figure now. His face was clear as day. It was Anti, only Anti. Had... hadn't there been others just a moment ago? No. No, Marvin would've remembered.

Marvin shook his head again. It didn't matter. He'd feel much better after a reading. At least he hoped so. Marvin took a cleansing breath and shook off any negative energy he had been feeling. He pushed all of his focus and internal energy into the cards and a question. It was a question he hadn't voiced for fear of invoking his master's wrath. What's missing?

Marvin flipped over the first card. The two of cups, the doctor's card. Marvin scrunched up his nose. Was he sick? Why would a doctor be missing? He thought maybe the next card would help clarify, but he turned over Justice. Normally he would associate this card with so-called heroes, but that made even less sense than the two of cups. The only connection the two have are that they can represent people who save others. Marvin doesn't need saving! He's fine where he is.