The Universe Beyond Ours

Chapter 6 (Part 1)

     Within an eerily quiet room, where one's breath is heard amidst the stifling silence, the oracle, Oracle Miriam, practises her Divination skills with some tarot cards. It seems like she is somewhat connected to magic and its force. Oracle Miriam's once sandy blonde hair has all transformed into a cap of snow, contrasting with her translucent black veil. Her green eyes gleam like jade, complementing her light skin and standing out from her sombre dress.

     With a hundred cards lying peacefully on the table before her, Oracle Miriam shuffles them in her hands. Then, she lowers them and channels her energy. As she closes her eyes and musters her power, she can feel the force striving within her. Once done, she grabs a tarot card and looks at its back. Behind it is an image of a skull, representing death and renewal.

     Oracle Miriam knows, without the tiniest doubt, that the card she picked means death to the past. But she wonders what the future holds. She then musters her abilities, preparing to make a vision. However, before she can summon her vision, the door swings open unexpectedly, and Harris, Chloe, Philip, Meredith, Presley, and Felix enter.

"Oracle Miriam...?" Philip called out with a hushed, steady voice.

"Oh! Dear children!" Oracle Miriam responded. "Welcome! Welcome! What brings you all here?" she greeted them with an eager but shaky smile.

"Oh, we have a small problem... and... we need your help," Philip stated.

"What seems to be the problem, dear?" Oracle Miriam wondered.

Philip took Denis into the room and introduced them to one another. "Denis, this is Oracle Miriam. Oracle Miriam, this is Denis."

"Why, ain't you just charming, dear?" Oracle Miriam complimented Denis.

In response, Denis smiled back and gave Oracle Miriam a firm nod.

"Oracle Miriam, you see... Denis is... uh," Philip prompted, placing a hand on Denis' shoulder. "He is from a different universe. He was somehow brought here. We wanna know why he got here."

Immediately, Oracle Miriam grasped her tarot cards and shuffled them like a master jester. Displaying the cards before Denis, she ordered, "Pick one."

     Denis' heart raced as he chose a card. He then flipped it around. Behind it, there was an image of a wheel adorned with intricate symbols and stars.

"My!" Oracle Miriam gasped. "It seems like your friend, Denis, is here not because of coincidence. He is brought here on purpose for a bigger intention. He is here to fulfil his destiny and change. But it's up to him to write how he'll end his story in this realm," she explained carefully.

"How do we get Denis back to his realm?" Philip inquired.

"Hold my hand, will you, Sonny?" Oracle Miriam requested kindly from Denis.

     Oracle Miriam joins hands with Denis, their fingers interlocking. Closing her eyes, she channels every ounce of her energy. Wind begins to blow within the room, despite the closed walls. Slowly but surely, Oracle Miriam lets go of her hold and releases Denis' hands from hers.

"There are nine lost totems made of special stones. Most of them are here in Asbranne. Some are in other nations. There is one in the Gloomy Forest, one in Rocheux Mountains, one in Versobert Woods, one in Syreign Island, one in Leighre Beach, which is outside Asbranne, two in Goblins' Den, and two in Geveria, which are also outside Asbranne," Oracle Miriam stated resolutely.

"How will we be able to remember them all?" Chloe asked politely, though bashfulness clouded her face.

     Oracle Miriam grabs a broad sheet of paper and uses her visions. While channelling her visionary abilities, she places a hand atop the sheet. Then, it begins to glow. As the lustrous gleam fades, a map is printed on the sheet's surface, highlighting the location of each totem.

"This map will guide you," said Oracle Miriam. "Once you have all the totems, bring them to me so that I may create a way back home for your friend. But be wary of the dangers. Each of you must be on high alert, considering there's a coven out there terrorizing Asbranne, especially your friend here, Denis, since he is still unfamiliar with our world."