Revolution

Chapter 9: Prophecy

"Come sit down," Chief helped her into her chair, "I'll explain everything."

"You?" Aadya interrupted, her brows furrowing at the idea. "What about the rest of us?"

"I think it would be easier for Althea to come to terms with the situation," he planned his words carefully, "if she wasn't overwhelmed by so many strong personalities." Aadya looked as though she was about to contradict him, but thankfully Sabella grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the room before she could, the little man waddling behind them.

"Aadya may seem a little intimidating," Chief assured once the door was fully closed, "but her heart's in the right place."

"She looks at me like she wants my head nailed to a mantelpiece."

Chief gave her a stern look, but made no effort to cover up his chuckle.

"I suppose you want answers," Chief guessed after sitting in pleasant silence, "anything in particular you would like to know?"

"The light." That thought had been nagging at her mind ever since she awoke from her dreams. "What was that?"

"Truth be told, we don't even know ourselves." He sighed, looking out the window to avoid her disappointment, "We think that it might be some sort of divine power granted to the leaders of the four villages. It lets us foresee glimpses of the future and form a prophecy. Usually when we include other people, it gives them the ability to see it as well. What happened with you was surprising, to say the least."

"The prophecy," Althea muttered, her back straightening with apprehension, "how many people know about it?"

Chief grimaced, his jaw tightening. "To help maintain public morality, we exposed the news of a saviour among the people. Nothing else. Only the leaders know the real prophecy."

"Can you tell me then?" Althea prodded. Chief's shoulders tensed and she began to wonder if he always had streaks of grey hair, or when the wrinkles on his face and bags under his eyes had become so severe and unforgiving. He was only in his mid 40's, yet Althea had never seen him look so aged.

"Yes, but before I do. I must strongly advise against you sharing this with anyone." His expression was serious, "We believe that there is a spy among us who has leaked your details to the Royals. There has been an increase of public deaths and security has gotten tighter in the village centrals. Soldiers are wandering everywhere."

"I didn't know." Her throat tightened.

"It doesn't matter, it isn't your fault."

"But it is!" She pushed her sat back and shot up out of her seat, "Can't you see? People are dying because they're trying to find me! Because I'm not doing my job fast enough!"

Chief gave her an exasperated glance and beckoned for her to sit back down. "We went off topic, let's get back to the prophecy. Before I tell you, I want you to know that prophecies aren't direct with their meanings." Althea gave him a reassuring nod, but felt her face paling with every word that escaped his mouth.

"A child from heaven descended to earth,
Eyes of gold blessed with a curse.
Promises of love that can only cue,
A path of hardship with much to lose.
A cry to start a world of confusion.
If what you crave is the blood of revolution."

*** 

"So what you're trying to tell me," Tate cogitated, throwing stones into the river and watching them sink with a satisfying 'plop',"is that the leaders can do magic?"

"No, well-- Yes, I mean no." She groaned in frustration, magic certainly wasn't the word that she'd use to describe it. "I don't know! It felt like the light was crushing me."

"That sounds quite impressive actually." Her turned around to her, his signature carefree grin etched across his face, dimples and all.

"Aren't you surprised?"

"Nah," he laughed upon seeing her distressed expression, "I've always known there was something up with those guys. I mean, they predicted that you would be the 'chosen one' didn't they?"

"Yeah," she confirmed, looking past him and distractedly into the water.

"Hey," he looked concerned, "what's got you so down?"

"Nothing." She dismissed, taking a rock from him and tossing it into the water. Tate thinned his lips with suspicion and snatched her hand away before she could grab another one. She shook away from his grasp.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"I could ask you the same thing." He replied nonchalantly as he took a step towards her. She practically jumped away from him and his features flashed with hurt.

"Tate, what are you doing?" Althea repeated, softer this time. She felt a strange sense of déjà vu as he eventually backed her into a tree, caging her in his tall frame and leaning down until they almost nose to nose. His curly brown hair fell into his eyes and Althea felt a strange urge to run her hands through it. He sighed with concern and pressed his forehead against hers. His eyes fluttered shut, warm breath heavy on her skin.

"I had a dream that you hated me," she blurted, stifling a sob, "it seemed so real."

Tate opened his eyes in surprise and moved his arms to bring her into a consoling hug.

"Now that's just silly," he reassured, sitting her in his lap and wiping her tears away with his thumb, "Dream-me needs to get his ass kicked for being so stupid." Althea laughed and swatted his hand away. Tate knew that Althea didn't like to cry, so when she did, it was usually a big deal and he did everything he could to cheer her up. "No matter what you do, I will always stick by you. I solemnly swear it."

"Even when I screw up really bad?" She inquired teasingly.

"Wait." He gave her a look of complete seriousness, "How bad are we talking here?"

"Tate!"

"I'm just kidding." He chuckled, "Even when you accidentally blow up the world, I will always be on your side." He perched his head onto the corner of her shoulder and she turned slightly to give him a friendly kiss on the cheek.

"It's not that I wouldn't do the same for you, but you know, if I did blow up the world, we'd all be dead." She replied after a moment of thought.

"Shhhh," he laughed, jokingly covering her mouth with his hand, "just enjoy the sentiment."