Crimson Bloom (COMPLETE)

Prophecy

                “Ander, there are some things you should know.” Cora spoke as if to brace me. “As you know your family has been crucial in the success of this city for eons.”

                “I recall.” I said cautiously.

                “And I’m sure you’re aware of their distance in recent years?” She said with a short nod.

                “Most duties have been left to me because they’ve become…older.” I said straightening my spine.

                “The duty of observer has been left to you to keep you away from the city.” Lesley said bluntly.

                There was a silent pause and then Cora cast her eyes down and away. I looked to Lucas who returned a confused glance. Phyllup let out an uncomfortable whine.

                “Why would they want him away from the city he’s been assigned to protect?” Lucas asked with a hint of annoyance.

                “Because it’s believed he will destroy it.” Lesley said.

                “When the time comes to abolish a great evil, the ember of a great fire will diminish into smoke, he will fail us all and terror will reign.” Blithe recited almost trance like.

                “So something horrid is coming and you all believe that I’ll just drop the ball?” I said in disbelief. “I have always put this city first.” I breathed.

                “I believe it may be time to do some reflecting on those you stay close to.” Cora said heavily. “There is a reason you’ve always been shuttled towards solitude.”

                “Being alone merits little distraction.” I said furrowing my brow with a shrug. “It’s never been about avoidance.”

                “Hasn’t it?” Lesley said with a raised brow.

                I had to sit and reflect, trying to piece together what I was being told with what I felt was my life, my perspective didn’t reflect such a…betrayal. Sure from childhood my parents had kept me away from Ollie as much as they could but, she was my best friend. Always had been. They simply were at odds with her parents, right?

                Was I really clueless to a larger issue? Could it be possible that everyone chased off by my parents was due to this prophecy? Even Seph and I had been close as children. Until one day he stood behind his mother as she sadly told me ‘He’ll not befriend you further.’ I could see her heart break as she closed the door to my face.

                Even Lucas’ family seemed to frown on our friendship. It was he who laughed and asked, ‘Do you not see them slam their shutters as you walk past?’ convinced that I had slighted those in our pod in some way. I was suddenly finding myself on the outside.

                “How could I not have known? All this time?” I huffed.

                “You weren’t meant to. Wouldn’t want you to circumvent a happening. To alter fate invites chaos.” Blithe attempted to soothe.

                “Is it not a move against fate to have told him any of this?” Seph snapped. “The hypocrisy that built this very table is what damns us!” He slammed his fist to the table and earned a hiss from Phyllup.

                “You’ll watch your tongue.” Blithe snapped. “You have a seat and a position but make no mistake you have no power and no claim to sway this council.” Her deep brown eyes took on a full black and her usually masked aura peeked through in a flash of aquamarine.

                Samwell flinched with her outburst and patted the hand rested on his arm. “Calm yourself.”

                “To the depths!” Seph spat and stood abruptly.

                After cursing her to hell in his own way he exited the hall and slammed the door behind him. Cora swallowed and picked at something on her cloak. After a moment she sat up straight and placed her palms on the table.

                “We all know his displeasure comes from the way his life has been molded to this councils will.” She blinked and spoke again. “His claim is not entirely misguided.”

                “It was most certainly ill mannered.” Blithe quipped with a harrumph.

                “What exactly was done to mold his life?” Lucas asked in an acidic tone.

                “Your presence is tolerated.” Lesley seethed. “You would do well to show some respect yourself.”

                “Well old man that goes both ways.” Lucas scoffed. “So quick to make the demands but it seems our elders can never uphold this level of respect they’ve become accustomed to blindly receiving.”

                “Please stop.” Cora pleaded quietly.

                “The antics will cease when the children have grown.” Lesley snapped.

                “From a dusty old goat wearing the face of a man younger than I! You humor me.” Lucas laughed.

                “You think I fear to show my true self?” Lesley stood, his feet slamming to the ground and the room burst into a surge of the brightest green known in an aura.

                His mask of youth gone, his balding head and sagging skin like mud off of stone. His ears so withered they were hardly visible upon his head. His back had a horrible hunch that caused him to turn his head to the side to make eye contact.

                “Brother please.” Blithe said throwing her hands to her eyes with a sigh.

                As abruptly as she spoke, she screeched in terror. Her connection to real sight broken when she took her hand from Samwell, she again saw something of the future. Cora stood to console her as she howled.

                “What is it?” Cora said with a furrowed brow. “What have you seen?”

                “It’s here!” She screamed in an unearthly groan.