Fantasy Hallowed Voyage

[BugDozer73]

I walked quietly down the hallway, not really knowing why I lied about another bed room. It was a palace, and there was most defiantly much more room, but I wouldn't kick a servant out of there room to support me. I took a quick left into a lower hanging and found myself in a smaller library, with several couches along a work wooden floor. The room was softly lit by limp torch light.


I stepped forward, exhausted, dropped my bag and sword on the floor, and fell face forward into the cushions of the sofa, which had become somewhat stale with age. The impact into the cushions didn't give to my weight as softly as I would have liked, like falling into a player of day old snow. I was too tired to really notice, because I had already fallen into the arms of sleep.

 

[Brendanfp]

After a series of wrong turns and seemingly never ending loops of corridors and hallways, Ifrit and the not so helpful guard of the oracle arrived at a mundane looking door carved with the mark of the phoenix. At one point the guard even had to stop twice to ask maidens for directions to a guestroom.


"I believe this is the empty guestroom", his face was uncertain and ashamed.


"Thank you", Ifrit said in mock gratitude. She looked down at Ali who she cradled in her arms. "Damn, why are you so heavy fat ass", she whispered. She turned the handle and stepped inside the guest room, and then look over her shoulder. "We are not to be distributed by anyone, she told the guard, Ali needs to rest.


"Of coarse, you and your brother can rest easy"


"He's not my...", the guard had already shut the door.


Ifrit waited for the guards footstep to become more distant before she let down her guard. The room was dark and hard to make out, so snapped her fingers converting a small portion of her essence to lit a candle on a small table beside the bed. Her essence ached as the room lit up. The room was small and nothing special. There was one small window that let in beams of faint moon light in to the room. On the opposite wall was a hardwood table with empty scribe paper, ink, and a golden pen. Ifrit turned her attention to the bed as she laid Ali down, and removed his satchel placing it at the foot of the bed.


"What a day", she remarked. She had down all she could for Ali, but now she need to rest. She relaxed and her body melted into a golden mist, and she flowed back into the lamp feeling instant relief.

 

[Purize]

The night was still and quiet. The Oracle sat in a cozy armchair in her room watching the moon arch high in the night sky, the stars glittered and dancing around it. All of her guards lined around an oak table set around some couches, but none of them took a seat. The Oracle sat patiently, waiting. Her elbow was propped up on the chair's arm, and her cheek rested against her closed fist. She stared vacantly out the window as she thought and contemplated. It was late at night now, probably around two o'clock. A few hours had passed since she'd departed from King Thorin.


"It is time." She spoke softly. "Raphael, Michael, Gabriel. Go wake the King, the Elven girl and the Zarian boy, Ali." She stood gracefully and looked at Ezekiel, standing at perfect attention. His greatsword glowed faintly in the moonlight. "Ezekiel, Ambriel and Raziel, escort my to the library, we shall all meet back there."


The men bowed and left and The Oracle followed along with her remaining three guards. She knew she'd found the three from Tempus's prophecy. It made sense now and she could see their faces clearly as the visions flashed through her mind. It was time to tell them of their destiny.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~​

A knock came at my door, and the first few times I thought it was part of my dream. It took me a moment to realize that the sound was more lucid. I awoke with a start and stared at the door across the room. Knock Knock Knock. The sound came again,. Urgent but not forceful. I collected my sword and made my way to the door silently. I opened it warily and peered through. A man clad in silvery armor, Tempus's symbol engraved on the chestplate, stared back at me. "Madam," He said, dipping his head respectfully. "Your presence is requested by the Oracle. Please follow me."


My eyes went wide in disbelief. The Oracle...? At this time of night? It didn't seem right, but still I sheathed my sword and nodded. "Very well then... lead the way." He nodded and I closed the door to my room behind me. He lead the way in silence and I noticed that the castle was as eerie as it was mystical at night. The gold and the marble in the walls gleamed oddly in the pale light of the moon and the tapestries and pictures that decorated the hallway walls looked dark and shadowed. Eventually we came upon large, intricately carved, double doors. The guard opened them and the swung back with a slow creak revealing a magnificent library.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

​

The other two guards had also set out by the command of the Oracle. One knocked on the simple door of the room that contained Ali and his Djinn. The other one's shadow loomed over King Thorin's sleeping form, and he spoke to him with compelling urgency.

 

[BugDozer73]

Felt my dream waiver, and a voice grumble from above my head, which was suffering from a strong ache from sleep deprivation. Whatever it was, it could wait.


"Go away Siran... I can sleep on the mother fucking couch if I mother fucking want to."


Although, I didn't lift my head from the cushions, so most of the words were muffled.

 

[Purize]

The guard that hovered beside King Thorin paused before trying to wake him again. "Please sir, it's urgent. The Oracle requests your presence." He said

 

[BugDozer73]

"Mmmmffhhmf.... 5 more minutes?"


I smiled at the warmth of the stale cushions I rested upon, stubbornly holding me onto the drowsiness.

 

[Purize]

The guard sighed and rolled his eyes in exasperation. "King Thorin!" He exclaimed, "This is urgent."

 

[BugDozer73]

I opened my eyes a little and felt the fog on my mind begin to lift slightly.


I lifted up my arms without rolling over and mumbled.


"Carry me.."

 

[Brendanfp]

I once again found myself suspended in the the formless abyss, and this time I was well aware that it was a dream. It was colder than last time, and the smell of brimstone hung in the air. I looked around but was met with nothing but darkness, however after closer exception I finally realized that there was a faint light in the distance. The light was a small red twinkle in the distance, and it was slowly moving towards me. There were no voices this time just the ever approaching red light.


What is that ?


All the sudden the light sped up to an incredible speed and within seconds the light had grown into something far more monstrous. In full view now stood a foe from my past the Archdemon Levia, and the light I had seen from so far away were the twin hell blazes that tip each of his black horns. The hellblaze brought no warmth, they only smelt of brimstone and death. I looked at the demon and took note of his features. His face was not horrific and ugly like most lesser demons, it was simple and pale and showed no emotion. From his head flowed down long white hair nothing like the beautiful silvery hair of the elven girl or like the nobles who used body modification magic. The hair was white like the ash of a volcano that suffocated everyone who breathed it in. His arms were crossed but I could see the claws clearly, they would have easily ripped through the walls of a fortress. His black reptilian tailed flicked back and forth behind him, but what stood out the most were his leathery wings. Only demons of the highest class could brandish the leathery wings, which stretched before me.

Spoiler

I floated there suspended in a state between fear and anger. Levia was looking down on me literally, as he was at least three times my size, and his eyes looked at me as if they saw through to my very soul.


"Hello boy", his voice was so calm, but at the same time held so much malice. Before I could respond he spoke again. "I'm sorry I haven't spoken with you for the last couple of hours, I try to keep constant watch on you but the war effort is taxing on me." He chuckled, "There was a girl today who used extremely potent ice magic. She killed at least 4 of my demons, before I had to step in myself and crush her myself." I cringed.


I'll make sure to keep that in mind when I kill you.


"Oh, yes maybe if you ask that all knowing Oracle again she might tell you where I am." His voice dripped with sarcasm.


Why have you called me here demon ?


"Because, the Amulet... My Amulet it links me to you. I can read you're thoughts and feel your emotion as well as your pain, I sent a minor demon to send you a present to help you stand the blood of that damn angel mutt. Don't ever say I didn't do anything for you, but beware my Lord sees that I make no progress and he too will send you a gift of a different variety"


I would never accept a present from you, or your lord...


"You have no choice silly boy, now go it seems you have a guest."


Wait...





Before, I could finish my sentence the void began to shakes violently in increments, and the void began to melt away. Levia was gone, and floated there alone, and then everything was gone.


I woke up, and before I could even collect my thoughts I heard a loud knocking that rang through out the entire room. I almost jumped out of my bed in shock. I sat up and looked around the unfamiliar room. I was pretty sure that I was still in the palace, but how did I get to this room. I looked down at my side, and saw that the lamp was glowing faintly with power, which told me that Ifrit was inside the lamp. It must have been her who brought me here.


I felt a strange chilling sensation in my hand and looked down to see what it was, between my fingers was a small silvery ring, which was engraved with demonic text which pulsed with black energy. This was the gift I presumed. The knocking came again and threaten to break the door. I jumped off of of the bed and ran to the door, and with my free hand I twisted the handle to see who was here to see me. In the door way stood one of the guards of the Oracle, his face was hard set with annoyance.


"What is it ?"

 

[Purize]

The guard in charge of waking Thorin blinked confusedly. "Carry you!?" His face went red with frustration. "KING THORIN I IMPLORE YOU TO WAKE ON THE BEHALF OF THE ORACLE!" He shouted.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

​

The guard at Ali's door dipped his head apologetically. "Excuse me sir, I apologize for the disturbance. The Oracle has requested your presence."

 

[BugDozer73]

His raised voice jarred me awake slightly, drawing forth some aggravated moaning.


"Im up... jeez.." I rise to a sitting position and rubbed my eyes, letting out a enrapturing yawn. I looked up at the guard standing before me and shrugged. "Whats going on?"


His previous words formed a more solid meaning in my mind.


"What happened? Is she ok?"

 

[Brendanfp]

The Oracle ? What more did she need to tell me, moreover what more could she tell me ? I looked at the guard.


"Of coarse let's go", I agreed. I grabbed my satchel and strung it around my shoulder, and with the demonic ring in my clenched fist, I joined the guard in my doorway.

 

[Purize]

The guard responsible for Thorin nodded and gestured the far back wall of the library. There was a grand marble fireplace gilded with gold edges, an ever-burning fire glowed with embers in its hearth. Around the fire place were couches and armchairs, one of which sat the Oracle. She gazed into the fireplace calmly, taking no notice of the guard and Thorin's conversation. "She's perfectly fine, your highness. She simply requests your council."


The library doors opened and I walked into the room, mesmerized by the sight before me. My fondness for libraries was immeasurable. The guard that accompanied me kept walking and I followed as he lead me to the back of the room where the fireplace blazed brilliantly, lighting up the small area with a flickering orange-yellow glow. The Oracle turned to me as I approached and smiled respectively. "Thank you for joining me this late evening, Miss Fae." She gestured to the numerous seats that surrounded a long , but low-standing table. "Please, sit. The others will join us momentarily."


I sat in a loveseat and blinked at her. "The others...?" I looked at the four guards that were with us know and noticed two missing. Did she mean them? She said no more though. She turned her face and began watching the fire dance.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

​

Th guard that stood before Ali nodded to him and began walking down the hall, not bothering to turn and see if Ali was following. "This way." He lead the way through the halls until the reached the library doors and turned to Ali when they reached their destination.

 

[BugDozer73]

I stood, nodded, and turned to go and join the Oracle. I noticed another figure standing close before I spoke.


I took in her small frame, illuminated by the dancing flames of the fire place. "Fae??"

 

[Brendanfp]

We had finally arrived to our destination. I opened the door, and instantly I was hit with a surge of angelic mana. No, not again... what was the elven girl doing here. I dropped down to the floor on my knees and look into the room. It was a library, which would have made my heart delight, however with the silvery haired girl here I couldn't even indulge in my love of knowledge. My skin yelled at me to retreat from the room, but the sense of pain was overshadowed by a demonic chuckled that echoed in my head.


"Wear the ring boy...", urged Levia.


Should I. What if the ring cursed me as well ? Or even worse, changed me into the thing I feared most. At this point I couldn't stand the pain any longer so I acted against my better judgement and placed the ring on the middle ring of my right hand. The silver band grew even colder around my finger. With a surge of demonic magic the ring pulsed once more, and all at once the pain was gone. Around my body now was a shadowy cloak

Spoiler

.


The cloak felt like ice around my body, but it had completely suppressed the pain from beginning around the girl. I rose from the ground and closer inspected the cloak. It was strange, formless and seemed to be comprised of shadows that shifted back and forth maintaining the general shape of a cloak including a hood. As much as I was shocked I was also relieved that I wouldn't have to retreat back to my room for the night. I looked forward to the other were were at the very end of the library. I whispered a silent prayer to Magus as I made my way towards them.

 

[Purize]

Both the Oracle and I turned to see Thorin as he approached. My eyes went wide in surprise. "Thorin?" I responded. The Oracle simply dipped her head in greeting and looked past Thorin towards the entrance of the library. "It seems like we're all here. Everyone," she motioned to the sofas and seats. "Please take a seat."


I looked at Ali making his way over. At least... I thought the shadowy form was Ali. He now wore a dark ghostly cloak that ran chills down my spine. A part of me felt threatened and repulsed by its presence. I fought the odd feeling down and looked at the little group around me. All six of the Oracle's guards were now here, but I realized that she wasn't waiting for her guards. She was waiting for the three of us.

 

[BugDozer73]

I sighed, not at all surprised by the arrival of both Fae and Ali, nor mentally awake enough to try and figure things out. I chose a seat to the right of the oracle and slumped into it, letting my head fall forward into my cradling hands.


"Whats all this about?"

 

[Brendanfp]

I complied to the Oracle's request and took a seat on the same coach Thorin chose. I scooted away to the far end as I pulled away my shadowy hood.


"Why have you gathered us ?"

 

[Purize]

The Oracle sat back in her chair, her face was contemplative and her eyes were closed. She seemed to frozen for a moment and there was an uncomfortable tension hanging in the hair as we all stared at her expectantly. Finally, she seemed to thaw as she animated again. Her eyes opened and carefully took in the faces of the three people before her.


"Yes..." She said, ignoring Ali and Thorin's inquiry. "These are the people of Tempus's Prophecy. I can see it clearly now." A soft smile played on her lips, yet she seemed to still look serious and reserved. "I came here to the City of Akron in search for three people. Tempus showed me a vision, a prophecy, of three powerful individuals that would gather here the day after the Festival of Aurora." She sounded grave, her young voice carrying a sort of ancient power.


"Thorin Nahiri, Ali Zahra and Fae Ophelia..." She looked at us all with knowing eyes and I felt chills raise bumps on my skin.


I didn't tell her my last name.


"You are those three people." She continued. "I didn't know at first, however. But after I heard of Aurora naming a champion on the day of her festival, I knew that champion was one from my prophecy. The other two..." She glanced at Ali and I, "I had to seek out on my own. And here you are." She gestured to the three of us, splaying out her fingers like a bird spreading out its tail feathers. She sat back in her chair, taking the three of us in.


"And now that you are all together I must tell you about your destiny foreseen by Tempus." Her soft smile faded.


"You see, whether you realize it or not, the three of you hold incredible potential and power. You are elite warriors with skills waiting to be honed and polished. This is why your destiny is to join with the most elite and influential group of people in Nymserine: The Circle. They are their own organization, but they frequently aid the Imperial army of Nymserine, and as of late, their efforts have been mainly directed towards the Purge. The three of you are to join these people... Your help is crucial to the tide of the war." The Oracle's icy gaze passed over us individually once more, her crystal blue eyes swam with intense emotion while her face remained as smooth and rigid as stone.


"This is the Prophecy of Tempus."


Stunned was an understatement. I sat in my seat staring at her with my mouth parted in shock. A prophecy? Me? Why the three of us? I'm not powerful... I suddenly began to feel terribly anxious that she had mistaken me for someone else. Dismay contorted my features and all color drained from my already pale face. It didn't make sense... The Circle? The Elite group of the mightiest heroes of Nymserine?


I glanced at Thorin and Ali and blinked. Thorin fit the bill, so it seemed, and I didn't know Ali. For all I knew he could be very powerful. The cloak was certainly impressive. But me? There must be some mistake...

 

[BugDozer73]

Her words were like a jarring slap in the face, which gripped my attention forcefully and dragged it away from the soft embrace of half consciousness. A prophecy, about me, and them. I had had just about enough of my destiny being predetermined by who ever seemed interested. A million other emotions and thoughts rushed through my mind like a chariot race, too quick to latch onto anything. I looked around and saw a similar occurrence on the faces of the others. The silence was begging to be broken, so I rolled my eyes and stood, facing the oracle. "Great- when do we leave?"

 

[Brendanfp]

I sat there in thought pondering what the Oracle had just told us. She had said something about a circle and a prophecy, and most of sounded ridiculous. She was insane to think I would go anywhere with the royal jackass himself. However there was something about what the Oracle had said stuck in my head. It was the last name of the elven girl...I knew it. I turned to Fae and looked her in the eyes.


"What do you think Ms.Ophelia ? Or would prefer a name more befitting your status ?"


I glared at the strange elven girl, as a smirked stretched across my face. During my time spent living amoung the elves, I had heard a lot about the Ophelia family. So what was this rare gem of an elf doing here, and why was she alone ?

 

[Purize]

Ali's comment jarred me from my bewildered thoughts. My eyes widened and I stared at him in horror. He had recognized my name... this is precisely why I didn't tell people my full name, other than the slip up with Dean the Courier.


"I don't know what you're talking about..." I said numbly.


The Oracle looked at me, as if to study my face, but she showed no emotion. That look of knowing lingered, making my skin crawl.

 

[BugDozer73]

I ignored the banter for the most part, with only minor glaring at Ali.


I felt a thickness in my skull, but I shook it away. This was my golden opportunity: time to bring out the "man" Thorin.


"Enough you two. The oracle has approached us and tasked us with the will of the Tempus. Try and take it seriously." I crossed my arms as I stared deep into the flames of the fireplace. "How soon do we leave?"

 

[Purize]

I frowned at Thorin, biting back a 'he started it' remark. Neverthless, I looked to the Oracle for her answer as he spoke to her.


The Oracle looked at Thorin and blinked. "The Purge will not wait. We'd best leave soon as possible. King Thorin, you must get your affairs for the city in order... as soon as that's done and the rest of us are equipped and ready we will be on our way."

 

[BugDozer73]

I felt a very subtle smile dance onto my lips at the thought of the fortunate turn of events.


"Ill be ready by sun rise." I nodded at the three of them, turned and made my way out of the room quickly to find Gideon.


In my absence I would grant him the title of steward to help run the city: I could think of no one else to rule in my stead, though most anyone would do more good as king than I.


"Did you notice that weird remark Ali made to Fae?"


Yes. He should keep his nose in his own business Im not sure why he's always out to fight someone, but if he causes problems ill take him down a peg.


"Forget the jerk: I want to know what ms. Im-so-pretty-with-sexy-elf-ears,-look-at-how-shy-and-attractive-I-am has to hide."


You know, Im starting to think of you as less of a Guardian and more as a little girl.





If there was a way that a disembodied consciousness could pout, Adamine was killing it.