Age of Darkness

Chapter 17: It's A Trap! Or Is It?

Like I said, Elizabeth was flipping out. She though the Oracle killed me or something. Then she yells at the Oracle, and he waves his hand over her face, and she falls asleep.

''What the hell is wrong with you?! You can't just keep on making us sleep! Honestly!''

''It's fine. She needed a rest. And we need to talk.''

''About?''

''Zirkon. I can see that you can control your dreams. Good job, actually. But we need to talk about him.''

''How do you know so much about him anyway?''

''I- I see many things...'' Something about this just didn't strike me very well...

''Well, lay it on me.'' He sighed. ''Oh, and uh, is she going to wake up soon?''

''Yes. She'll be up soon, so I need to talk now. Right now, Zirkon is taking over the capitol. He's taking over Zaria. The King is dead. Zirkon is gaining his power back. Once he is at his full power, little will be able to stop him. He will soon be hunting for you. You are his only threat, his only obstacle. He will sense your presence, and he will come here. When he comes here, he will destroy this beautiful town.''

''Then I will stay and protect it.''

''No. You must leave. You must strengthen your skills, and face your obstacles, and you must go to Zaria.''

''But isn't that where Zirkon will have his army?''

''Army? Yes. He will have an army. But there are survivors in Zaria. Those who wish to oppose him. But they are in hiding. And they need a leader. They need you.''

''So I have to go?''

''Yes. Leave this place as soon as possible. I will face him, and I will most likely lose, but I must. If I lose, this town will perish, and he will continue on his hunt for you. By then, you must be deep in the Permafrost Peaks, where he cannot find you.''

''You want to fight him?''

''I can challenge his power. I can at least slow him down. And Nicholas, you need to know something.''

''Yes?''

''He... He will kill you in Zaria... He will kill you, and he will not die... Though that does not mean that the war will be lost. Will you still go on?...'' Me? Die? I- I don't know. My mind goes blank. I'm going to die? Why would I run right to my death?

''You want me to run to my own death? You want me to sacrifice myself for the rebellion?''

''Yes. I foresee it.''

''How can you truly know this?!'' He cringes.

''I-''

''Who are you?!''

''I... I am... Damus. I was once Damus, the Dark Lord...'' Damus... The Damus... The Dark Lord of old. The man who started all this.

It seems that Elizabeth has woken, and heard what the Oracle had to say, for she lunges herself at him.

''You started this,'' I say. ''If not for you, Zirkon would not be who he is. None of this would have happened.''

''Yes, but-''

''But what?! Now you expect me to trust you?! How can I trust you?!''

''I've changed! I'm on your side now!''

''What?! You think you can just change sides whenever you please?!''

I storm out, with Elizabeth right behind me. I hear the Oracle yelling behind me.

''You must go, regardless of what could happen! You must face Zirkon! Go! Go before it's too late!''

I walk faster.

''Nicholas. Don't listen to what he said. You won't die. Remember what he said? It's about choices.''

''What he said? How can I believe what he said?''

''Are you still going?''

''I- I don't know... I have to. I have to stop Zirkon. I have to go to Zaria.''

''Then I will come with you.''

We walk to the sea, which is on the edge of the village. It looks stormy, alright. The mountains can be seen on the horizon.

''How to we go across it?''

I see a boat. I don't care who it belongs to. I grab my sword, cut the rope, and we get in. I'm to upset to care. I manipulate the winds to blow us out onto the sea. The wind howls. The waves crash. And Elizabeth and I have set out. To Zaria. To my death...