An Incomplete Ritual (Bonus Chapter for Subscribers)

Sifa's smile froze.

What's going on?

Isn't this formula sound? Why can't it help me advance to Sequence 5?

What's missing?

Reviewing the wording of his Divination, Sifa quickly spotted the problem. "I only asked whether there was anything wrong with the two formulas. That's too vague. I need to be more precise."

"I should change the question."

He took out his coin again and changed the question to: "The formula in my hand is incomplete."

Sifa tested both the Conspirer and Reaper formulas. Both times, the numbered side landed faceup. The formulas Latiz had given him were complete.

Next, Sifa held the Conspirer Formula and said, "This formula can help me advance to Conspirer."

He tossed the coin. The side bearing the warlock's hat landed faceup, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

But when he performed the same Divination on the Reaper formula, he got the opposite result.

Three times in a row.

"Strange. Divination says the Reaper formula is complete. So why can't it help me advance to that Sequence?"

Sifa frowned. After some thought, several possibilities occurred to him.

Reaper is already Sequence 5. Could this Seer Coin be too low-level to give me an answer?

No. If that were the case, it should stand on edge to show that it couldn't give me an answer, not give me a negative one.

Then is it because I haven't become a Conspirer yet? Are there too many variables between Pyromaniac and Reaper for it to tell?

No. The same reasoning applies.

"Hmm..."

"I remember the Watcher saying that advancing through the later stages of every Sequence requires a ritual. Could rituals be necessary starting at Sequence 5?"

"Latiz only gave me the formula, not the ritual. Does that mean the formula alone won't let me advance?"

Sifa