HISTORY OF THE END OF THE WORLD: THE CARDS   The Master opened the deck of cards, as if he was greeting old friends. The cards seemed to come to life, grow and even interact. This sensation lasted only a second. Her host closed the deck again and laid them in front of him. Laura felt that this was a very special moment. For the man in front of her, who now seemed to meditate, sliding into a kind of trance; but also for her. They had been in her possession for quite some time and she felt an urge to learn more about the cards, to touch them en to manipulate. "To manipulate.", how could she think of that. She had hardly touched them in the last few years. But she felt too, that bringing the cards to this place, made her special and tied to these mysterious objects. "They were thought to be lost. But nothing is lost forever." Laura reacted immediately. It was El, who had spoke these words. One way or another, she had entered the room. While taking a seat to the left side of the Master, she bowed to the Master. He nodded. "This is very important information for the both of you. After I have finished, you will know enough to understand the battle you are taken part in." "A battle?", Laura was shocked. She had just left the urban battleground called Amsterdam. "The final battle has begun. We passed the point of no return. This world is coming to an end." He looked to the both of them " and these" and pointed at the cards, "are going to play an important role in that decisive confrontation." The Master got out of his chair and started walking around, while picking up books and leaflets, just to put them on another pile. While throwing some wood on the fire, after having checked the door, he sat down again. "I secured the room. No-one will hear or understand a word said here. The things I will say today must stay a secret. I promiss you to answer all your questions, but first I will give you some info about the cards; its origin and its destiny." He looked Laura straight into her eyes. "You can still leave, if you want to. If you stay, I can promise you the participation in an unique, worldwide conspiracy. A conspiracy to create a world of our own." Laura didn't hesitate for a moment. "I want to go on." "That's what I expected.", the Master said. "El will instruct you about our life here and the daily routines. You can stay if you want to." Laura nodded. She wanted him to hurry on, the cards seemed to look and to talk to her.