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The Prophecy

This is part one for the Ethereal Star AU story.

Word count: about 7,100 Audio-book - Part 1

Still and motionless was the figure sitting on a padded mat. The room was darkened by the lack of windows and almost pitch black if not for the soft orange glow from the sacred white candles that surrounded the figure who was in deep meditation. Incense burned from hanging lanterns, filling the room with a herbal but sweet smell. Gentle whispers echoed off the glistening smooth stone walls from observers.

"How long have they been like this?" One of the Scholars asked in a quiet tone, just now arriving at the domed room. "Hours." Another one ushered. "I have never seen them this long in meditation before."

The Scholars murmured as they wondered what their oracle was meditating on. All the Scholars were dressed in long robes covering their entire bodies, letting no skin show other than their hands. Their hair was covered by a white cloth that had been loosely wrapped around. They bore carved stone masks that hid the details of their faces and only allowed for their eyes to shine through. They all wore a smoothed stone tablet that curved to the shape of their head with writing made of light that had sacred scripts of prayer, worship and protection. The oracle was dressed in more elegant and complex robes compared to the scholars. They were decorated in small stone jewels that glowed only in the dim light. Their headdress was more complex in design and stuck out from their layered robes.

The scholars only stopped their chatter when they saw the oracle rise up from their meditation as if they were floating effortlessly off of the ground. The group of scholars watched closely as the oracle moved their hands, affecting the candle light, brightening it and pulling it in towards themself. The light flowed quickly in strings, changing from the soft glowing orange to a brilliant purple.

The light sparkled like glitter around the oracle, surrounding them in a swirling tornado as they manipulated it. Their movements became more complex as they scattered the light, painting it onto the walls of the domed room. The Scholars stepped back in awe. Though they have seen this many times before, it was always a breathtaking sight for them. The oracle contorted their body as they etched the light into the walls like an artist in an unwavering trance. When the last of the light was placed on the wall, the mural was complete and the oracle fell to the floor, kneeling down in exhaustion.

The Scholars briskly walked up to the oracle and gently pulled them up to their feet. When the oracle was stable, the Scholars took their time looking at the mural that was just painted with elegant speed and precision. They began to whisper, some gasping and others in disbelief. The detail of the mural was like nothing they had seen before produced by the oracle.

"What does this mean?" A scholar asked as they tried to take in the full complex detail. The oracle leaned into one of the scholars and they held their arm to keep them balanced, "I have foreseen something like I have never before." They began to speak, their voice weakened for the strain they had put on their body from painting the mural.

"A child will rise from the four sacred trials, he will lead our people in unification and rule over us as king. He will bring us technologies like we have never dreamed of and his rule over us will bring prosperity." The oracle levitated a stone tablet towards herself and inscribed writing into it, copying down what was on the walls.

"A child king?" A Scholar looked towards the oracle, "But... There has never been a Ruler over our kingdom before like you have spoken of. The last attempt sent us our separate ways. We are as divided as the knowledge we store. How would a king, a child, lead us to unification?"

"I do not know. I only saw him unifying us, all five realms and making a sixth realm with all of our cultures and people in one place." They handed the finished prophecy to one of the Scholars, "We must send this to all corners of the realms. This isn't something we should keep to ourselves this time."

"Where should we send it to?"

"The sacred light temples. And the prophets of the elements. They must know first." The oracle gripped onto the arm of a scholar while walking out of the domed room. The scholar made sure she kept balanced as they made their way to the main floor and workplace of the knowledge keepers.

"The elemental prophets will laugh at the idea of a child going through the trials. They are dangerous and even more so for a kid." The scholar glanced at the oracle.

"Do you doubt my vision?" She asked rhetorically, "They will find it amusing, I know for sure, but when children are the only ones coming in for the sacred trials, they won't find it so amusing any more."

"True... every realm values your word and respects you. Therefore many will send their children off for the trials..." The Scholar sat the oracle down at a table where other knowledge keepers were eating.

"I do not need food-"

"You need your strength returned to you. Don't be stubborn." The Scholar left and returned with two plates of food.

"Don't scold me as if I were a child." She took a plate from his hand. She removed the stone carved mask from her face and sat it down right next to her plate. The Scholar did the same.

"Then take better care of yourself. You may be the oracle, but you're still my little sister." He began to eat.

"If we weren't related, you would be minding your own business and not be talking to me like this." She said with slight amusement in her tone as she began to eat as well.

"You wish." He spoke in a teasing fashion.

As the two of them finished up their meal, a small group of scholars came up to the oracle, "We have replicated your new prophecy and we are ready to spread the word through the realms."

"Good." Lamed slipped her mask back onto her face, "I will be traveling with you." The scholars were stunned.

"But you haven't left the vault in centuries." Her brother sounded as if he were protesting her statement.

"More a reason why I should go out. I haven't been seen in the realms for so long, I only leave when such an event is important." The scholars murmured at her reasoning.

"Then we must bring protection with us. Someone as valuable as you can't leave the vault without it." One of the Scholars advocated. Lamed nodded, "I have a friend in golden city who could help with protection."

"Then we set out tomorrow at sunrise?" A scholar asked. The group agreed. "We can discuss the route tomorrow morning." The group chattered for a bit before dispersing to continue the rest of their duties before heading off to their personal quarters. Lamed made her way back into the meditation room and sat on the padded mat. She stared at the mural and studied it. Though she did create it, she was under a meditative trance and didn't think about what she was doing. Her brother came into the room and kneeled beside her.

"Are you sure you want to leave the vault tomorrow just to deliver your prophecy?" His voice carried a hint of concern and worry.

"Yes. Like you have said, it's been centuries since I've left the vault. The prophecies I've delivered before, they weren't as important as this one, they didn't require me to leave." She didn't break her gaze from the mural.

"When word spreads that you have left... you will gain a following."

"That's why we will be heading to golden city tomorrow. As I've said, I have a friend there who can provide protection." She placed a hand on his shoulder and turned her gaze towards him, "I will be safe. You don't need to stress."

"I just want to make sure since... you know... we are the only family we have left."

She leaned in and pulled him into a hug. He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her tightly, "You overthink so much. This is coming from my foresight; no harm will come to me while on this trip. I will be safe." Lamed gave him a gentle pat on his back before pulling away.

"As you say... you've never been wrong." He put an arm around her shoulders and turned his sight onto the mural, "Never been wrong about your predictions that is. You have been wrong about many other things before." He teased.

She scuffed at his comment.

"What? Someone here has to keep you humble. Don't want your ego to get too big." He teased again and got up, "I'm heading to bed, all of my duties have been fulfilled for today."

"Alright. I'll see you in the morning before I leave."

He nodded and left the room. Lamed stared at the mural once more. "A child king..." She uttered to herself. She stretched her arms, her back and her legs. She wanted to remember this mural with all its fine detail. It will be needed for tomorrow. As time passed, she felt her eyelids growing heavier and her body feeling weighted. She closed her eyes just to rest them, but slowly, the room faded to black and everything fell silent.

𓆩✧𓆪

Lamed awoke from the stone floor, sluggishly sitting up. She groaned as the right side of her body stung from soreness. Slowly, she moved her neck side to side to loosen up her tightened muscles. All the candles in the room had burnt out, leaving behind hardened wax puddles. The incense in the lanterns were all used up and the mural on the walls had dimmed. Lamed stood to her feet, stretching what she could before leaving the room.

Everything was silent in the vault. She couldn't tell how long she had slept or what time it was. She needed to head to her personal quarters. As she walked through the clean and glistening halls her mind trailed off to the child king...

Why specifically a child? Would he be gifted with abilities? What would he look like?

She didn't know. The purple undertone of the vault had always been comforting to her, but now, it felt different... she couldn't pinpoint what it was. Feeling so uncertain, filled with questions, it made her uneasy. Quickening her pace, she made it to her personal quarters in a hurry. She closed the heavy stone door behind herself, encasing herself inside. Walking to the small stone clock, she checked to see what time it was.

4 am?

She sighed.

Might as well get ready for the day.

Taking off her mask and headdress, placing them on the counter of the main living space, she still couldn't shake the uneasy feeling she had.

Maybe a bath would help.

Lamed unwrapped the cloth that had kept her hair hidden and tossed it off onto the floor of her bathroom. She looked at herself in the large mirror, noticing the dark rings around her eyes. She touched them and remembered how her brother nagged her about needing to take better care of herself.

Sighing, she took off all the layers of clothes from herself, tossing them aside. All the weight from the cloth had been lifted from her body, forgetting just how heavy all that fabric was. The air seemed really cold without all of the cloth on her to keep her warm.

Has the vault always been this cold?

Turning on the water and plugging the drain, she sat in the tub and watched as the water slowly rose. The hot water against the frigid cold air made her shiver. Once the water had filled the tub, she turned it off and sunk in, only leaving her face sticking out. Her eyes were staring at the ceiling. The hot steam from the water felt nice on her face. She sighed, laying in the water for a while before she began to wash herself.

After getting cleaned up and dressed for the day, she carefully packed what things she needed for the trip. At most, she planned to be gone for 4 weeks. Traveling the kingdom didn't take too long if you had the right transportation. She went over everything she packed, making sure she had everything. Once she was satisfied, she looked at the time again.

6 am...

The uneasy feeling came back to her as she sat on the corner of her bed. What was nagging at her? She grabbed a small mat and laid it on the floor, taking a seat on it. Closing her eyes, Lamed took a deep breath in and sighed out. Concentrated, letting all thoughts fade away, her body tingled. Starting from her hands and feet, slowly making its way to her chest. Floating, feeling light... fading... fading... fading...

The weight began to fall on her as an image appeared in front of her. She kept her breathing steady, kept her mind clear from thought and feeling as she focused on this image. She saw... a creature, effortlessly flying through the air. But there was something off about this creature... it was black and sickened, something she has never seen before. She reached out to the image to try and get a better look but this dark creature turned to face her with a single eye. Burning red with rage, a passionate rage. The image pulled her in and the scene became overwhelmingly clear.

She could feel fear creeping in as she saw the ruins of a long forgotten civilization. Pools of sludge, long pipes sticking out from walls, tall walls and plants that seemed to have withered but were alive… alive but sick. Destruction, death, darkness... the sickly creature stared at her with its burning eye and released a horrible piercing scream of agony as it charged at her. Lamed jolted back and gasped. Her head hit the floor. She opened her eyes to see her room a cluttered mess and a desperate, sloppy light mural painted across her walls. She sat up, shaking and confused as she stared at the mural. It was the creature. The sickened creature. Everywhere.

Lamed stood up, not understanding what she just saw, what she just had a vision of. "What is this?..." She uttered to herself as if someone would give her the answer. She looked at the mess she had created. She's never done this before... the creature, it was so angry, so full of hate, so full of rage... and full of hurt. An aching hurt.

"Who did this to you?..." She touched one of the many paintings, feeling sorrowful for it. She closed her eyes and got her breathing under control. She turned to the mess and levitated the items back into place. The nagging feeling was gone, but now she wished she still felt it.

What did this mean?

Lamed's head hurt from thinking about it. She looked at the time, remembering she had to meet up with the scholars.

7:56!

How did time go by so quickly?!

She grabbed her things and quickly left her room, leaving behind the aching creature on her walls.

𓆩✧𓆪

"A child king still sounds so strange." A Scholar was loading up luggage onto a large manta.

"Right? But the oracle Lamed is never wrong." They were making sure all items were secured to the manta.

"I know, I know. I would never doubt them. But this is the strangest prophecy she has foreseen by far." They handed the other scholar the last bit of the luggage.

"Speaking of the oracle, where is she? It's 8." A third scholar looked at their clock.

Right after finishing their sentence, Lamed exited the vault's doors. "I apologize for my untimely manner." She apologetically bowed. She was slightly out of breath. The Scholars hastily placed her luggage on the manta as they forgave her. They all stepped onto the back of the manta, taking a seat on its fitted saddle. Her brother had been helping the other scholars place luggage onto the manta.

“It's not like you to be late. Accidentally sleep in?” He chuckled.

“Yeah, something like that.” She thought about the sickened creature. The image of it haunted her.

“Well, be safe. I would come with you if I could, but I have lots of things to get done that I've been putting off. I'll see you later.” He waved at the group and they waved back. He headed inside of the vault.

"Everyone's here now?" The birostrian looked back at the small group. They nodded.

"Alright. Where to first?" They grabbed the lead of the manta.

"Golden city." Lamed adjusted herself in her seat. The birostrian clicked and flicked the lead on the manta, signaling for it to start flying.

"Tikevoyu, have you, Noganiz and Pejagon decided on a route yet?" Lamed asked.

"Oh, yes we did. We decided the first stop, besides golden city, would be the ferryman's village since the trial prophets aren't too far from it. Plus the ferryman can spread the word of your prophecy a lot faster than we can due to how many travelers come to the village on a regular basis." Tikevoyu pulled out a map with a couple of spots marked on it, showing the whole route to Lamed.

"Ah, the ferryman. I've recently heard they made a holy light temple above their village."

"It's been there for a couple of years. Ever since it was put up, there has been a lot of activity there." Pejagon grabbed a couple of stone tablets, "There is a camp outside of the village that's used for the preparation of trial participants. I have extended family living in the village and one of my cousin's just recently went through the trials."

"You have my congratulations. What trials did they succeed in?" Noganiz asked.

Lamed listened to the scholars talk amongst themselves. She found it fascinating how they had family all around the realms. She smiled under her mask, enjoying their chatter like how you would enjoy the chirping of the early-rising birds of the morning.

The manta began to fly slower as they entered the golden city. Lamed guided the birostrian to where she wanted to head. They stopped at the enforcement building that belonged to the center of the city. The scholars helped Lamed to step off of the manta. She could feel the stares coming from the city folk but she paid them no mind. She hadn't been to the city ever since it was founded... that was centuries ago.

She walked in the enforcement building with her scholars trailing behind her. Before she could get too far into the building, two large enforcers stopped them.

"What's your business here?" He had a hostile tone to his voice.

"Yeah, did you take a wrong turn trying to get back to the Vault?" The other one sneered.

"You knowledge slopsuckers are known for getting lost." The two enforcers laughed.

"Do you know who you're talking to-!?" Raising her hand to silence them so as to not cause a scene, Tikevoyu was cut off by Lamed.

"We are here to speak to High Enforcer Tsadi." Lamed was soft spoken but firm.

"Tsadi?" The enforcers looked at each other and laughed. "Get in line lady, there's many who want to see him." The enforcer gestured to a group of angry cuffed people.

Tikevoyu was about to say something when some commotion started happening farther behind the enforcers. They immediately ran over and yelling could be heard from a room. A slim enchanter came running out, dodging the two large enforcers who had been making their way to the room.

"DON'T LET THEM ESCAPE!" A thunderous deep voice boomed which made the scholars flinch. Lamed used her telekinesis to trip the enchanter which allow the enforcers to grab them before they could get any farther. A built enforcer twice the size of the other enforcers came out of the room where the enchanter tried to escape from. They were wiping away a yellow powder from their face.

Lamed started to walk towards the massive enforcer but she was stopped again by one of the rude enforcers. She stayed silent as they threw insults at her again. The large enforcer caught a glimpse of Lamed, rubbing their eyes to see if it was the yellow powder messing with their vision, but it wasn't. Once the shock of seeing Lamed wore off, they then saw one of his enforcers talking down to her.

"SOMULOX, HOLD YOUR TONGUE! DO YOU NOT KNOW WHO YOU ARE SPEAKING TO?!" He stormed his way over and slapped the back of the enforcer's head, "THAT'S THE ORACLE!"

Somulox's face went pale and they began to stammer, "I- I was just-"

"Shut up. I don't want to hear an excuse from you." He growled.

"You don't need to be so harsh. It was an honest mistake." Lamed looked up to Tsadi.

"They should know better." His words were filled with venom aimed towards the enforcer. Somulox got down on his knees and lowered his head to the ground in front of her, "please forgive me. I didn't know- I wouldn't have-"

"Get up, you are forgiven." She sounded sincere.

Tsadi pulled the enforcer up by their arm from the ground. He whispered something in their ear and they walked off with their head low.

"I am so sorry- Also what brings you here? Lamed, I haven't seen you for so long!" He opened his arms and Lamed went in for a brief hug.

"It's alright, really. I've come here to ask for protection. I'm going to be traveling the realms to bring news of my latest prophecy." Lamed gestured for one of the scholars who brought her a stone tablet. She handed it to Tsadi for him to read.

"This... this is big." He said after reading the prophecy, "Of course, of course! Yes, you can have my protection." He handed the tablet back to her, "I will have one guard for each of you. And if you wouldn't mind... I could come with?"

He leaned over Lamed and whispered, "I really need an excuse to take some time off of my duties here."

Lamed chuckled, "Sure, you can come."

"Amazing. Wait outside and I'll have my guards get ready." Tsadi smiled.

Lamed and her scholars went back to the manta and waited for a while before Tsadi and three guards came out of the building. One of them fetched a manta for the four of them to ride on for the journey. Once they were all ready, they headed out for the sacred caves.

𓆩✧𓆪

It only took 2 days of constant travel to reach the sacred trial caves. When they reached the camp outside of the cave, they began to unpack since it was already nightfall. Some of the camp members alerted the prophets of the stranger's arrival, which the overseer went to see who had appeared at such a strange hour.

“Well, this is surely a surprise. Welcome!” A slender and tall Prophet walked up to the group. The scholars and the guards turned their attention to them. As the overseer got closer to the group, they recognized Lamed, “You all must be famished. Come, join us for dinner. We just got done serving.”

The group followed the lengthy Prophet to the camp where they were served a warm meal. In the large tent where they were sitting, the camp members stared and glanced at the guests. The slender Prophet sat right beside Lamed with a bowl in their hand.

“So, What brings the Oracle herself all the way out here?” They began to eat.

“I have foreseen someone of great importance arising out of your trials.”

“Is that so? Another realm protector?” Their curiosity was peaked.

“A king.”

They stopped eating, “A king?” They echoed her words. They glanced at the people who were listening to the conversation. The slender Prophet stood up and gestured for Lamed to follow. They walked outside of the tent and headed to a smaller tent where the other four Prophets were. They greeted Lamed as she walked in.

“Tell us about your prophecy.” The slender prophet sat on the floor in front of the small fire pit.

“A child will succeed in all four of your trials. He will unite all realms and create a city built off of great technologies we have never seen before. He will be our child King.”

“A child? In our trials?” Some of the prophets laughed, “The trials aren't for children.”

“It is what I have seen.”

“Even if a child can get through all the trials, what makes you say he will become a king?” A bulky prophet asked.

“I do not know. But you all know very well that whoever succeeds in all four trials, they will become a great leader as foretold. Unless one of us is wrong.” She looked at the slender prophet who seemed to take offense from her comment. Silent tension was building up between them.

“Let the children come… But if any of them perish in MY trials, I won't accept any more to enter.” They sighed, “The trials are dangerous… And the spiritual death of a child, I do not know how they will be reborn. Their soul flame, it wouldn't have had enough time to develop… there might be consequences.” Their tone turned from anger to worry.

“Your ability to see the future is greater than mine, Lamed… I have many concerns…”

“I can't look for specific outcomes. The visions come to me when it is time for me to see them. I'm sorry Anubis.”

“Shame… I was hoping you could put your old teacher's worries to rest. I guess we will have a lot of new materials to study if an influx of younger people will be coming here.” They stood up, “Until we have what we need, stay here for a while. We need the head start.”

“Understandable. How long will it take for you to gather what you need?” Anubis led Lamed out of the small tent.

“Only a couple of days. At most, a week. Can you stay here for that long?” They led her back to the large tent where everyone else had been eating.

“Yes. I did plan to be gone from the vault for a while.” Lamed sat down where she had left her food.

“Good. If you and your scholars would like, you can observe the trials. We start the water trial tomorrow. Or, you can visit the ferryman's village. I heard there have been some exotic merchants down there selling their goods.”

Lamed nodded, “We will see what we feel up for tomorrow.”

By now, everyone else had finished up their food and Lamed's bowl had grown cold. She didn't mind eating a cold meal.

Her group set up their tents for the night and started a small fire pit. The scholars were the first to go to sleep while the guards stayed awake. Lamed changed into her night clothes, laid on her padded mat and tried to sleep.

She turned and tossed, trying to get comfortable, but she couldn't. After what seemed like hours, she got frustrated. She wrapped her white cloth around her head, not bothering to put her mask on. She went outside of her tent to see Tsadi tending to the fire. She sat down right next to him and he looked surprised to see her still awake.

“Can't sleep?”

She shook her head as she got closer to the fire. The air was very frigid at this hour of the night. They sat in silence together for a while.

“So, what’s been happening in the vault? Besides the usual.” Tsadi poked at the fire with a rather scrawny stick.

“Not much… Well, there is the expansion that's being worked on. I told you about that through letters already… um.. I can't think of anything else.”

“How about you? How have you been doing? I don't think I've asked that yet.” He glanced down at her.

She thought for a while, “I'm… I'm honestly not sure.”

“You don't feel excited, scared or anything like that?”

“I don't know. But you know me, I'm never sure how I'm feeling.”

He chuckled, “Right. I forgot.”

“What about you? You and Teth still together?”

“No. We haven't been together for a couple of months now.”

“Oh, why so?” She looked up at him.

“You know Teth… she's all about her work and crazy inventions. Plus…” Tsadi placed a hand on the back of his neck, “When we did get together, she was way too demanding. She always went from not speaking to me for weeks at a time, to suddenly needing all of my attention every second. It stressed me out after a while.”

“Oh… yeah, that would be pretty stressful. You're doing better now, right?”

“Yeah, much better. I mean, we did have our good times, but… yeah… it got too much for me.” He poked at the fire again, moving the wood around.

“Understandable.” She shivered when a sudden breeze blew by. Tsadi took off his cloak and placed it on her. It was like an extra large blanket for her.

“I've missed chatting with you in person.” Tsadi gave Lamed a side hug.

“Same…” She sighed, “If only we were children again.”

He chuckled, “If only indeed.”

Lamed and Tsadi stayed up chatting for hours before she decided she would try sleeping again. By then, the sun had already started to come up over the mountain. She returned his cloak before going back to her tent.

𓆩✧𓆪

Quiet whispering could be heard outside of the tents. Tsadi had passed out after the fire died and the sun rose over the peaks of the mountain. Everyone was asleep in their small camp.

“You go touch them.” One kid whispered and shoved another forward.

“No, I'm not gonna! What if they get angry?” They whispered back. A third child pushed them off to the side, “out of my way cowards.”

The third child slowly crept up towards Tsadi while the other two hid behind a large rock. Tsadi was laying on his back with his cloak covering his torso, deep in sleep. The child froze when Tsadi rolled to his side. The two kids behind the rock peaked over and motioned for them to come back.

The child looked back to see their two friends and shook their head. The kid turned their attention to Tsadi once more, creeping closer. They stood over Tsadi, holding their breath and realizing just how massive he was. The kid quickly poked Tsadi and hid behind one of the tents close by. He didn't move. The kid peaked. Feeling a little more confident, they grabbed a small stone, walking over to him once more. They placed the stone on the side of Tsadi's face, snickering.

The kid turned to look at their friends. The two kids suddenly ran away from behind the rock, leaving the kid confused. They turned around, looking up at Tsadi. The kid let out a gasp and bolted, joining their friends. Tsadi grinned and then chuckled, “Kids.”

He stretched before putting on his mask. He woke up the guards who had fallen asleep. He spoke with them briefly before heading towards the village. It wasn't too far from where they were camped. The village was already lively with activity. Seems they are a village of early risers.

Tsadi was hoping to find firewood for sale and maybe a hot breakfast for himself. The merchants and vendors becond for Tsadi's attention, trying to get him to buy what they were selling, but he wasn't interested. When he made his way towards the center of the village, he could smell food being cooked which made his stomach growl. He debated with himself whether or not to get food, but in the end, he let his temptation get the best of him.

He entered the village's small café. A few of the villagers and some travelers were already seated and eating at the stone carved tables. Tsadi grabbed a menu and sat himself down at an empty table. His stomach growled again as he read through the food items on the menu. He ordered 3 large items from the menu and waited as they were being prepared for him.

As he waited, he watched the people in the café. An old and slender man with a long beard came walking in. The villagers greeted him with respect as if he were a realm leader. Tsadi noticed that the same kid that had messed with him earlier was following behind the old man. The old man was going around the café, starting up small conversations with the travelers and the village folk. He eventually made his way to Tsadi, “Greetings. You seem like you're far from home.” The old man had an upbeat tone in his voice. The child recognized Tsadi and shyly hid behind the old man.

“I am.” Tsadi didn't feel like talking, but he wanted to be polite.

“Where are you from?”

“Golden city, in the golden dunes.”

“Oh, the golden dunes. I've heard many things about it but I've never been. I must know, is It true that enforcement there is brutal? I've heard about how harsh they can be.”

Tsadi slightly frowned under his mask, “Yeah… the enforcers can be brutal at times, but that's only with the newer recruits. More seasoned enforcers are often relaxed after being in the position for so long.”

“I see. Must be all the energy they have. Oh! I almost forgot, how rude of me. I'm Daleth, and you are?” He reached out his hand.

“Tsadi.” He shook Daleth's hand.

“And this here is Alef.” He gestured to the kid hiding behind him.

Tsadi chuckled, “Your kid is a prankster. He woke me this morning at my camp.”

“Oh! I'm so sorry-”

“It's fine.” A waiter brought Tsadi's food to the table and he thanked them.

“It was nice to meet you. Again, I'm so sorry.”

“It's alright.” Tsadi took off his mask and began to eat. Daleth left and quietly scolded Alef on his way out of the café. Once Tsadi was done eating and paid for his meal, he left to go find that firewood. Once he obtained it, he headed back to the camp.

By now, the scholars were awake but Lamed was still asleep. He placed the firewood right next to the firepit. He chatted with the scholars for a while. The camp outside of the trial cave was starting to become active as well.

“Should we wait for the oracle to wake up?” Pejagon asked the other two scholars.

“She was having trouble sleeping last night and didn't go to bed until the sun began to rise.” Tsadi butted in on their conversation.

“Ah, so she probably won't be awake until later in the day.” Noganiz handed Pejagon and Tikevoyu some bread.

“Then we should go and observe the trials without her.” Tikevoyu gnawed on the bread.

“But didn't she want to observe them as well?” Pejagon held the bread in their hands, not feeling hungry for it just yet.

“She needs her sleep. Plus the trials are going to last the whole week since they are starting with the water trial first.” Noganiz was quick to eat.

The scholars talked back and forth with one another for a while before they decided to head to the trials for observation. Tsadi and one other guard stayed behind at the camp. Lamed woke up around noon and got herself ready for the day.

“Where are the scholars?” Lamed walked up to Tsadi who was playing a strategy game with the guard.

“They went to observe the water trial since they didn't know when you'd wake up.” Tsadi was focused on the game.

“Ah…” She watched him play for a while before becoming bored, “I would like to go to the village and look around.”

“After this-” Tsadi stopped mid sentence when the guard pulled a winning move. “YOU SNEAKY BASTARD!” Tsadi yelled. The guard laughed, “pay up.” Tsadi grumbled as he handed some currency to the guard.

“Gambling? You haven't changed.” She chuckled.

“I know… I just can't help myself. Anyway, the village you said?” He stood up.

“Yeah. I'm curious about the merchants Anubis mentioned last night. I haven't been in a marketplace for so long.”

“Alright. Let's go then.”

The three of them left their camp. Lamed took her time looking around at the merchant's products. She was tempted to buy many things, but she restrained herself. When she got to the end of the market, it led right into the village. She wondered her way around, taking in the smells, sights and sounds. A musician played as people passed by. Lamed stopped to listen to the music. She smiled under her mask, nodding her head to the upbeat song.

Her stomach suddenly rumbled. She hadn't eaten yet. So they went to a vendor who was selling food and Lamed chose a small meal for herself. She sat down at a bench and removed her mask to eat. She watched the children play in the center of the village.

“I'm going to check up on the scholars. Anumoh, keep her safe.” Tsadi said as he left. The guard nodded.

As she ate, Lamed noticed three kids looking in her direction. They seemed to be discussing something. One of them eventually walked up to her.

“Are you some kind of fancy vault worker?” The child asked sheepishly. Lamed gave a soft smile, “Something like that, yeah.” She spoke in a gentle tone.

“My friends said there's no such thing as a fancy vault worker because they all dress the same.”

“Well, my job is different from other vault workers. That's why I'm dressed differently.” She got done eating and placed her mask back on.

“What's your job?” The kid slowly became a little more confident.

“I'm a soothsayer.”

“What's that?”

“Someone who can foresee future events.”

“Whoa… so you can see the future?”

“Yes.” Lamed thought this kid was quite adorable. She didn't mind all the questions they were asking. The kid asked a few more questions and Lamed answered them. The other two kids who had stayed back came towards their friend. They too began to ask questions. The youngest one had to be at least 6 while the oldest was probably around 8.

After the three kids were done asking questions, the leader of the trio introduced themselves, “I'm Alef, that's Veluboga and this is Kizuna.”

“It's nice to meet all of you. I'm Lamed, and this is Anumoh.” She gestured to the guard.

“They're big!” Kizuna stared at the guard, “Why are you so big?”

“I ate my vegetables.” Anumoh said with a straight face.

The kids chatted more with Lamed. Eventually they wanted to go somewhere else, so they said goodbye and left. Lamed continued to wonder around in the village before heading back to their camp.

𓆩✧𓆪

The week went by quick. Some of the days, Lamed observed the trials and training the elemental prophets were teaching. Other days, Lamed wondered the ferryman's village. Every time she went back, she found something new that fascinated her. By the end of the week, the prophets had what materials they needed if they were going to have to teach a younger audience.

At the end of the week, all of those who had gone through the trials, a ceremony was being held for them and their succession. The scholars and Lamed attended it. Another group of the recent generation, now adults.

And now that elemental prophets were prepared for what's to come, Lamed and her scholars could spread the news of the prophecy. They started by going to the ferryman's sacred temple of light.

Before entering the temple, Lamed prayed to the deity of light and balance. It wasn't a custom, but it was something Lamed always did before entering any sacred space. Upon entering, the group was hit with strong incense that smelled of herbs and lavender. White candles lined the temple floors and light murals were painted all across the walls. The temple was much smaller than the other ones across the realms, but it wasn't cramped.

The Ferryman was in the back of the temple, sending people off in boats. Tsadi recognized the ferryman, it was the old man he had met in the café earlier that week. It now made sense to him why the villagers treated him with such respect.

“Hello travelers!” The old ferryman greeted, “Where is it you would like to go?”

“Hello,” Lamed greeted, “We are here to deliver a prophecy, actually.”

“Oh, a prophecy? From who?” The ferryman walked up to the group with his staff in hand.

“From myself.” She didn't know why, but she felt a little bit awkward saying that.

“Are you a Prophet?”

“She's the oracle.” Tikevoyu spoke up.

“The oracle?... The oracle?”

The scholars nodded. The ferryman grew flustered and he bowed, “I heard a soothsayer was camped outside of the village, but I had no idea it was the oracle. My eyes don't work like they used to… But please, enlighten me about your prophecy.”

Lamed explained the prophecy to the old ferryman, to which he expressed great shock and interest. One of the Scholars handed the ferryman a stone tablet that had the prophecy engraved on it.

“Keep this in your temple and let the travelers who pass by see it.” Lamed said. Daleth nodded, “I will.”

They talked for a while afterwards and once done, they left the light temple. They packed up their tents and adventured off to the next realm. It took 3 weeks to visit the other realms and their holy light temples. Some people had followed the oracle along the way, but none had done anything against her. By the end of the journey, everyone was tired and ready to go back to their daily duties. The scholars and Lamed in the vault, Tsadi and his guards back at golden city.

Lamed's prophecy spread quickly to every corner of the realms and a flood of children, from 5 to 16, came for the elemental trials. As the prophet Anubis feared, many of the children got hurt during the trials, but none perished. Years went by but no child succeeded in all 4 trials. Less and less children showed up for them.

Until one fateful day…

𓆩✧𓆪

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