In Fate's Hands (Sinbad of the seven seas)

Chapter Four: Book Excerpt

An Introduction

by Aratonous

Oracles are a rare breed, if one can call them a breed for one cannot breed oracles. They are blessed by the gods and goddesses themselves. The behavior of these people is not like normal people. Due to their ability to see into the future they tend to choose a life of solitude or secrecy, for many people will threaten and kill anyone for control over an oracle. The oracles blessed in their gifts evolved to summon defensive shields of light. This not only protected themselves but also of those who saw greatness in their destiny. But shields can only last so long, and some relinquished their ability of defense for the ability to heal.

No oracle can use their gift for offense or use it to heal themselves, at least not without harm or death to themselves. As time passes on, oracles cannot gain either ability until they are claimed by one celestial being or another. But a rare few wildcards slip through the cracks and walk on a tightrope of unpredictability or inactivity. These wildcards usually die by the age of 16.

Yuki, Oracle of Justice: Oracle Encounter One

Yuki's whereabouts before joining the expedition crew of the Hydrixs remains unknown. She has given fragments of a wandering life protecting those in need and those who threaten others to maintain influence over the masses of people. She was stranded on a solo sailing boat with a sail rendered irreparable due to fire damage.

Yuki has joined our crew in exchange for passage to the next port. She made herself known as an oracle and not to be trifled with. It has been hard to generate conversation with Yuki, but she showed compassion through protecting each person from life threatening situations. On March 12th, two days ago from this entry, we encountered a pirate ship and we were almost murdered by it's crew but Yuki surrounded the entire ship in a hypnotic orb that shimmered with rainbows. Anything that threatened the ship was immediately bounced off of it and back to where it came from. It was ironically amusing to watch the ship fire a gigantic metallic harpoon shot from their ship only for it to clash and splinter the wood of their own ship. Sinking it into the bottom of the ocean.

I wanted to know more about oracles, so I asked her. The conversation goes as thus:

"Why do you want to know?" She said, her presence became intimidating. Her long red hair seemed to ruffle up like a predatory bird ready to defend its turf.

"So I can understand your kind more." I pleaded to her.

"My kind is not some animal you can keep in captivity to observe." At that point she started to walk away, and of course it's impossible to disappear on a ship but I knew she wouldn't let me have this opportunity again. I had to keep pushing for answers. 

"Please. I'm desperate to learn." She looked into my eyes and saw that I wasn't going to let the matter go.

"Where would you like to start?"

"Are there anymore of you out there?"

"Yes, I know of two other Oracles."

"Who are they? Do you keep in touch? Is there a guild of Oracles?" She chucked at my question.

"Their names are Sergio, Oracle of Eirene and Opal, Oracle of Hephaestus. No there isn't a guild, yes we keep in contact."

"Why don't you all start a guild? You could make a lot of money off of fortune telling." She rolled her eyes at me at the notion. "Why what's wrong with that idea?"

"One, we are blessed by the gods with this gift. To waste it away on some meek money is a grotesque crime against our patrons." She flicked away a piece of lint off of her black cloak. "Two, having a guild where many Oracles meet is a death sentence in itself."

"What do you mean by that?" I asked. She proceeded to roll up her sleeves, pants legs and then pull down her high cut collar to show scars where metal cuffs used to sit. She did not need to tell me that being kept as a foreseeing slave was a death sentence and I did not press her on the matter.

"You mentioned patrons earlier, Sergio's patron is Eirene, Hephaestus is Opal's. Who's your patron?"

"Dike."

"Goddess of Justice."

"Correct."

"Does a patron choose you after some heroic act or-"

"Not to my knowledge. The three of us, Sergio, Opal and I were all born with this gift and it was after a certain act we were claimed by a patron."

"Can I ask what was your act that made Dike claim you?"

"I sought justice for my sister who was taken by mistake when poachers were trying to take me. She was found dead along the shore line and I wouldn't relent until she got the justice she deserved." Yuki spoke with such a matter of fact that I almost forgot that she was a human with thoughts, emotions and loved ones. At this point in the conversation I had deemed the life of an Oracle a very miserable depressing one. 

"Is there such a thing as an unclaimed Oracle?"

"Yes, but they don't live past the age of 16."

"What do you mean?"

"They don't live past the age of 16. They have no direction in their life, no protector, not motivation to protect or help. They either melt from not using their ability or they burn for breaking the limitations of their abilities."

"So the best thing I can do if I ever meet another Oracle is to ask for their name and their patron so I may pay my respects to both Oracle and their patron." She looked intrigued by my sarcastic proposition of greeting.

"That would be nice etiquette to start teaching." She replied back before walking away from me, ending the conversation entirely. Yuki, as a singular person towards a crowd of people, is quiet but takes up the most space and the most attention. She tends to keep to herself while at the same time keeping an eye out for everyone. Not just to protect others but also to hold accountability. Yuki's keen eye is comforting and nerve wrecking. She's both inspiring and daring me to be a better captain.

If I was to meet any oracle in my life, I am glad I met Yuki. I am going to attempt to convince her to stay and be a part of the crew. I could use a first mate with attention to detail like her. If she chooses not to be a part of the crew that is fine. It is her choice.