The No, the thirst for water!

Cross The Ages  introduces a special rare card of a different style. It tells the haunting and strange story of a very special character, The No.

This name designates a legendary creature and feared, which is the living embodiment of water, both fascinating and deadly.

In the imagination of nomads From the Rift, this entity represents an ultimate threat, sucking water from its victims to feed. The No literally dries them up, both literally and figuratively. It deprives them of all water and therefore their existence.

Between fear, ancient belief and admiration, The No comes to life in these two versions (standard and alternative) to tell us the story of this creature who oscillates between beauty, sensuality and absolute danger.

These SR cards, reveal a tale that is both intimate and universal, in which water, a vital element, becomes a source of threat and fear for young children. Let's dive into the depths of The No's story and explore these two captivating representations.

In the standard version From this SR map, we discover The No in a scene that is dominated by a feeling of confusion. What kind of embrace can be so brutal that it takes a life? Does this creature, made of water in its most living form, give this woman love or death?

This young woman, with dark hair and a horrified expression, is the victim of the water's unleashing power. The No threw himself at her neck to suck out her water, her life essence. His sharp fangs, made of condensed water, pierced the tender skin of his young victim, without any qualms, without making a fuss.

The tension is palpable, the fatal bite visible on her neck, she has definitively given in to this aquatic entity. A visual metaphor that insidiously illustrates the comparison with vampirism.

What does The No represent? Why does he act this way towards humans? How does absorbing water feel when he is made of it?

The No's translucent, constantly changing body is a fascinating spectacle.

Within it, an aquatic microcosm is stirring, visible due to its transparency. 

An orange-gold octopus moves gently among swaying seaweed and other fish that swim in a silent ballet within its entrails.

Is The No a mere predator, or a natural force regulating a balance we don't yet understand?

The background of this SR card leaves us in doubt: is it a sky dotted with shining constellations, witnesses to this fatal embrace?

Or does this scene take place in the depths of the water, plunging the spectators into a dreamlike, enchanted atmosphere?

The No transcends worlds, existing both in reality and in the imagination of the Rift nomads.

This version highlights the predatory aspect of The No, reminding us that this creature is a threat, to which we must pay attention.

In the alternative version, The No reveals itself in its most gentle and tranquil form. A more soothing side, which captivates us. We cannot think for a moment of any danger, watching it dance so peacefully. The No, this graceful creature, launched into a water ballet like a lively courtship, cannot have bad intentions.

Her slender, transparent silhouette, made of pure water, seems to float, carried away by the magic of this ballet. The No's arms undulate with unreal elegance, commanding the aquatic currents all around the creature.

Its beauty is mesmerizing and captivating, so much so that it is impossible to realize the danger involved. The beauty of this dance inevitably attracts us, but it would be better if it were not the last...

The No's translucent body always reveals its small ecosystem: the orange-gold octopus, the lush algae and the colorful fish can move harmoniously within it.

This show shows us the richness of life, but also reminds us how ephemeral this life is and depends on very little. This body can only exist at the expense of those on whom it feeds.

The underwater environment of this alternate version contrasts with the terrestrial background of the standard version.

Light rays gently filter through the water, illuminating the rock walls that frame the scene. This soothing setting masks a sly threat.

The No is just as dangerous in its calm as in its agitation.

Its graceful movements are not innocent, but rather a deceptive invitation to approach... the better to capture its prey.

The No is more than a legendary creature; it is a living embodiment of human fears and fascinations with water, that vital element that can, under certain circumstances, become destructive.

In the standard version of this SR card of The No, water dons its predatory mask and shows itself in its most terrifying, implacable light. The No sucks the water and therefore the life out of its victims.

In the alternate version, The No becomes an aquatic dancer, seductive, charming and hypnotic, but just as deadly.

This duality exposes the very nature of water: apparently soothing, but capable of awakening uncontrollable forces. The expression “You have to be wary of still waters, even more so of living waters.” takes on its full meaning in these cards.

The No is the water that sleeps, which is better not to wake, because it is also the water that lives, constantly changing, elusive and devouring.

Water is life, but it can bring death.

The No reminds us that appearances are often deceptive, and that the most beautiful things can also turn into great threats.

So, remember our recommendations when you come across this creature on a Rift path, because living water is elusive.