Age of Darkness

Chapter 13: We See New Sights And Get In A Fight

We entered the town. It was a nice place. Pretty simple. It was like the Village, but larger. We walked around and talked to the locals. I asked one person where the Oracle lived.

''He lives in a large stone house near the center of town. Just take a left from there and walk straight ahead. You can't miss it,'' she replied. We did as we were told. Finally, we came to a large stone house with beautiful stained glass windows.

''What do we do?'' I asked.

''Knock on the door, genius.''

I did as I was told. No answer. I pushed the door open. The door was unlocked and opened easily. We walked in. I know, we're the most polite people. And humble too! Anyway, I looked around. We were in a dark room. There were two doors. The place felt weird.

Then, suddenly out of the blue, a guy jumped out of the shadows, tackled me, and pinned me to the ground. I quickly got a look at him. He had short black hair and looked in his twenties.

''What's your name, boy?''

''What's it to you?'' I threw him off me. I quickly got up, and he landed softly on the ground. He ran at me. This guy was fast as lightning. I blocked some of his shots and kicked him into the wall. He didn't stay down, either. He pulled a sword from his tight black clothing. I blocked his swing with my own sword and blasted his sword from his hand. I then blasted him with Divine Magic. He flew back into the wall. He stood up again, but this time surprisingly put away his sword.

''Th-that's Divine Magic!'' He bowed down. ''You must be The One! My greatest apologies, Master...?''

''Drake. Nicholas Drake. This is Elizabeth Storm. Call me Nicholas.''

''Of course, Nicholas. The great name of Drake is know far and wide in these parts. But you seem to be a bit young to be the hero, Alexander Drake.''

''I'm his grandson. We're here to speak to the Oracle.''

''Ah, yes. No need to explain. I know much of the events that are occurring as we speak. We needn't speak of the fate of your grandfather, or the Dark Lord, Zirkon.'' As he spoke his name, the room seemed to become darker.

''I am Sky, the protector of the Oracle. I will take him to you at once!'' He led us through one of the doors into a room with more doors. We entered another and walked down a set of stairs.

''Wow,'' said Elizabeth. ''I didn't realize that this place was so big.''

''Indeed, it goes underground as well.''

Finally, we came to a set of large wooden doors, which Sky opened with a wave of his hand. I saw a small room, with many candles and books. An old man with a long white beard sat on the ground. At our entrance, his eyes snapped open. I knew they had seen much.

''Greetings, Chosen One, Drake.''

''How do you know who I am?''

''I know many things. I know you're partner's name is Elizabeth Storm. I know her parents were killed by a Shadow. I know you were found on a doorstep. I know the fate of your grandfather and the fate of many things. I saw our meeting years before this moment.''

''What is it you have come to ask?''

''Should you not already know?'' Said Elizabeth.

''The future all depends on the choices we make, my dear. It is your choice of question, and I therefore cannot predict it. The future, people's destinies, all depends on the choices we make.''

''What is the path we should take?'' I asked.

''Ah, good question. You will cross the Thunder Seas, stormy seas, of which few are able to cross. From there you shall pass through the Permafrost Peaks, treacherous mountains of ice and snow. Then the Chasm Caves, a maze of stone where evil lurks. Then the Forest of Sleep, where all who enter fall under an eternal slumber. If you pass through those obstacles, you shall come to the shining city of Zaria, though it shall not shine much longer.'' Those last words troubled me.

''What do you mean?''

''The meanings of the prophecies are for you to discover. You shall discover soon.'' This guy was starting to get me upset.

''The only way this could be worse would be if you spoke in riddles,'' I said, which I soon regretted.

''Oh, that shall come soon!'' She smiled. No wonder Zelda didn't like him. This guy was weird.

''You should leave now and come back tomorrow. Then you shall discover more.'' I was glad to leave.

''Thank you for your assistance, Oracle.'' I bowed and tossed him some money, which we didn't have much of. Sky escorted us out. Elizabeth and I sat against the wall of a building.

''What's the plan?'' Asked Elizabeth. ''We shouldn't go see him tomorrow. Zelda told us not to ask too much.''

''Yes, but we must discover as much as we can. I know nothing of these places.''

''Yes. I agree.''

''Then we shall discover what we can and set out?''

''Agreed.''

''We need to find a place to spend the night, then.'' We walked around and asked the locals where we could find a place to sleep. None paid us much attention.

''I guess they don't like visitors,'' Said Elizabeth. Then she saw the woman whom we asked where the Oracle lived. We ran to her.

''Excuse me ma'am, but where could we find a place to rest?''

''There is an inn over there where you can spend the night.'' She pointed down the street.

''Thank you, ma'am.'' I gave her a coin, and she smiled at us.

''No, thank-you kindly, Chosen!'' Then she hurried off.

''That was weird,'' I said.

''Yeah, I wonder how she knew that...'' When we saw the inn, the thought quickly drifted from our minds. We walked in and spoke to the innkeeper.

''You need a room?'' He asked.

''Yes.''

''Names?''

''Nicholas Drake and Elizabeth Storm.'' His face lit up.

''Oh, your room is already reserved. You have one of the best rooms in the inn!''

'''How?'' I handed him some money.

''You don't need to pay.'' He handed it back. ''Your room is already paid for!''

''By who?''

''A Miss Zelda Grace.'' Elizabeth and I looked at each other. She smiled. Zelda had taken care of us before she left!