SOULTALE | By ShadowNTS

(Chapter 45) Prediction.

The sun is shining bright through the window. You're woken up by the sounds of children playing outside.

RHT: I haven't slept this well in a long time.
CHAR: I slept so well too.
RHT: *startle* Don't scare me like that!
CHAR: Sorry, heh.
RHT: Who told you that you can sleep in my bed?!
CHAR: I thought we were buddies.
RHT: Stop making that face! You aren't fooling me!
CHAR: Hehehehe.
RHT: Anyways, I should get up. New day ahead of me.
CHAR: You going to talk to that old lady?
RHT: I don't see why not. I should change.
CHAR: Go ahead.
RHT: Look away!
CHAR: Don't forget I'm a ghost. We don't have backs.
RHT: You can see everything, can you?
CHAR: Yeah, sooooooo...
RHT: LEAVE!

You change into some new clothes the inn provided. Leaving your dorm, Charoline materializes again. You exit the Inn and step out into the street.

RHT: Now which way is that old hags' home?
CHAR: Maybe ask that kid?
RHT: Hey kiddo! I got a question.
KD1: Yes ma'am?
RHT: (Ma'am?!) Heh, uhh... do you know where's the town elders' house?
KD1: Down the street and to the left. You'll notice it right away when you see it.
RHT: Thanks.
KD1: No problem ma'am!
CHAR: They called you ma'am! I'm laughing so hard!
RHT: Shut it.

You follow the instructions that kid gave you. After a short walk, you stand before a ragged house. They weren't lying when they said you'd notice it right away when you see it. You approach the entrance.

RHT: Should I knock?
CHAR: Look on the wall. It says something.
RHT: "Ring the bell then knock twice."
CHAR: What a weird requirement.
RHT: Guess I don't have any other choice.
CHAR: You do that, I'm gonna go check out that ice cream stand I saw earlier.
RHT: Oh no you don't.
*PULL*
CHAR: No need to pull me that hard, jeez.
RHT: Shut it before I get some salt.
*CHIME*
RHT: And now to knock twi-
*SLAM*
ELD: Hello dear friend!
RHT: Hey?
ELD: Come on in please!
RHT: Sure...

You enter the old ladys' house and look around. It's filled with ancient relics and artifacts. The walls are covered in various paintings and art.

ELD: Why don't you take a seat?
RHT: Thanks a lot.

You sit down on one of the only two chairs in the room. The elder sits opposite of you. On the table in between the two of you sits a glass globe.

ELD: So what brings you here?
RHT: I've come here on a tr-
ELD: Travels! Fascinating! How do you like it so far?
RHT: Well, it seems pretty pos-
ELD: That's what I like to hear! As the town elder it's always nice to hear positive comments from tourists.
RHT: (why does she keep interrupting me?! And more, how does she know what I'm going to say?!)
ELD: Anyways, I'm not going to keep you for long. You came here for a reason, didn't you?
RHT: Tien told me you could predict fa-
ELD: That Tien boy, always so nice. I'm happy you got a good first impression from him. And yes, I can predict fate.
RHT: I'd be happy to see it in work.
ELD: Of course! Please, put your hands on this globe.

You gently set your palms on the globe in front of you. The elder covers your hands with a rag and then sets her palms on it too.

ELD: You ready?
RHT: I think so.
ELD: Then let me start.

The elder closes her eyes and looks up. She starts speaking a language you don't understand.

CHAR: She's full of shit.
RHT: Give her a chance.
CHAR: It's so not you to give people second chances.
RHT: I'm not the same Rhett as I was back then.
CHAR: What changed?
RHT: I was a mix of feelings. A mix of traits. I was filled with hate, determination, animosity, etc. Now I'm finally out of my shell.
CHAR: Understandable. Is the old hag ready yet?
RHT: I think she's almost done.

The elder stops her chanting and opens her eyes, whitened out.

CHAR: Spoooky~
RHT: You and your sarcasm.
ELD?: Listen carefully mortal.
RHT: The fun begins.
ELD?: You're heading down the path of no return. The actions you have committed are straying you further from salvation. Through sheer willpower, you will overcome. The obstacles you will face on your way, will become the way. Wings sprained from another mother, horns gifted from another father. You, Rhett Murdar, are our sa-
*TWITCH*
ELD: My head is dizzy. What happened?
RHT: Hey! No! Get back here! What am I?!
ELD: What are you talking about?
RHT: Heh... they're gone.
CHAR: So much for predicting.
ELD: So do you want me to predict your fate?
RHT: I think I'm good. I'll see you around. Bye.
ELD: Whatever suits you. Bye.
*SLASH*

You exit the elders house and stand in the middle of the street. Tien sees you whilst taking a stroll. Your soul is burning up with despair.

End of Chapter 45
"Prediction"