The Oracle's Secret
857 Words
Chapter 8: The Oracle's Secret
The tunnel ended in silence.
For what felt like hours, Lucien, Seraphina, Dante, Scarlett, and the remaining guards walked through the narrow passage. Behind them, the roar of the First Shadow echoed faintly, a chilling reminder that the ancient prison had fallen.
No one spoke.
The only sound was the drip of water from the cave ceiling and the steady rhythm of their footsteps.
Finally, a beam of sunlight pierced the darkness.
"We're out," Dante whispered.
They emerged into a forgotten valley surrounded by towering mountains. Crystal-blue waterfalls cascaded from the cliffs, while silver-leaved trees swayed gently in the breeze. It was breathtakingly beautiful—yet strangely abandoned.
Seraphina looked around in awe.
"Where are we?"
Lucien scanned the landscape.
"The Valley of Aether."
"You've been here before?"
He shook his head.
"I've only heard stories."
Before anyone could say another word, an elderly woman's voice echoed across the valley.
"I wondered how long it would take you to find me."
Everyone turned.
An old woman dressed in flowing white robes stood beside a small stone cottage. Her long silver hair reached her waist, and her glowing violet eyes seemed to look straight into their souls.
Scarlett immediately dropped to one knee.
"The Oracle..."
Lucien's expression changed.
"The last Oracle still lives?"
The old woman smiled gently.
"I've been waiting for the Crimson Queen."
Her gaze settled on Seraphina.
"Welcome home, child."
Seraphina frowned.
"You know who I am?"
"I knew before you were born."
The Oracle raised her hand, and the cottage door opened by itself.
"Come inside."
"You have many questions."
"And very little time."
---
The cottage was far larger inside than it appeared from the outside.
Shelves filled with ancient books stretched to the ceiling. Strange glowing crystals floated through the air, illuminating dozens of maps and scrolls.
The Oracle poured tea into six small cups.
"No poison," she said with a faint smile.
Lucien remained standing.
"I'll pass."
"You still don't trust easily."
"I've lived longer by doing so."
The Oracle chuckled.
"Fair enough."
She turned toward Seraphina.
"You've already awakened your royal blood."
"I don't even understand what that means."
"You soon will."
The Oracle waved her hand.
A glowing image appeared in the center of the room.
It showed an enormous kingdom bathed in golden light.
"This was the Kingdom of Ravenwood."
Seraphina stared in disbelief.
"It was real?"
"It ruled both humans and supernatural beings in peace for nearly two thousand years."
"What happened?"
The image changed.
Fire consumed the kingdom.
Armies marched beneath black banners.
A monstrous shadow covered the sky.
"Betrayal."
The Oracle's voice grew heavy.
"The First Shadow promised power to kings, witches, and warlords."
"They betrayed your ancestors."
Lucien folded his arms.
"The De Luca family fought beside Ravenwood."
The Oracle nodded.
"Your bloodline swore an oath to protect the Crimson Queen."
She looked directly at Lucien.
"That oath still binds you."
Before Lucien could answer, Seraphina spoke.
"So... everything that's happening was planned centuries ago?"
"Not everything."
"What do you mean?"
The Oracle's smile disappeared.
"Someone changed the prophecy."
Silence filled the room.
Lucien's eyes narrowed.
"Impossible."
"So we believed."
The Oracle reached for an ancient scroll sealed with black wax.
"The original prophecy said the Queen and the Wolf King would unite to imprison the First Shadow forever."
"And now?"
She slowly unrolled the scroll.
"The prophecy has been rewritten."
Seraphina felt her heart sink.
"What does it say now?"
The Oracle hesitated.
"When the Blood Moon reaches its peak..."
"...either the Wolf King dies..."
"...or the Crimson Queen becomes the vessel of the First Shadow."
The room fell silent.
"No..." Dante whispered.
Lucien's expression remained unreadable.
"There must be another way."
"I've searched for decades."
"There isn't."
Seraphina stared at the floor.
"So one of us has to die."
The Oracle didn't answer.
She didn't have to.
---
Outside the cottage...
A hooded figure watched from the trees.
His golden eyes glowed beneath his hood.
He raised a crystal orb.
"My Lord..."
"They've found the Oracle."
A deep voice answered from within the orb.
"Excellent."
"Continue watching."
"The Queen must never discover the final page."
The hooded man bowed.
"As you command."
---
Inside, the Oracle closed the scroll.
"There is one more thing."
Everyone looked at her.
"The First Shadow wasn't acting alone."
Lucien frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"It has a master."
Scarlett nearly dropped her cup.
"That's impossible."
"I wish it were."
The Oracle pointed toward the northern mountains.
"Beyond those peaks lies the Black Citadel."
"No one who has entered has ever returned."
She met Seraphina's gaze.
"The one waiting there calls himself..."
"...The Immortal King."
At the mention of the name, the earth trembled violently.
Outside, the sky darkened without warning.
A flock of black ravens filled the air.
Then, from somewhere beyond the mountains, a chilling voice echoed across the valley.
"I've finally found you... my Queen."
The Oracle's face turned pale.
"He found us..."
Lucien stepped in front of Seraphina, drawing his silver blade.
The wind howled.
The mountains shook.
And for the first time...
Even the Oracle looked afraid.
- Writer
