The Last Oracle

Part 11

When (Y/N) pulled away, she spoke softly. "Why do you cry?"

I smiled sheepishly. "I had never thought to be so happy as I am, here and now, with you."

With that, I felt a droplet hit my eyelid. Thinking it from her still damp hair, I tried, gingerly, to brush it from her face, but found that had not been the source when I felt another of its kind. Confused, I asked, carefully, "I, I am sorry. I cannot see. Have I done so poorly that you, too, are crying?"

Fear and insecurity gripped me, but I was soon relieved. "No, it is not that. I weep because of the injustice that has been done to you." A few more tears hit my face, and I felt a warm feeling in my chest. "You must come with me now. I will see to it you have a life of splendor by my side. I only wish I could salvage your ey-"

I blinked. What was that?!? Alarmed, I realized I was seeing a vision! Of all the times and places! "-My queen, the sight has come to me now, you must get back!"

Concerned for her safety, I urged her off of me, and then crawled backwards away from her. I crouched as I waited for it to pass.

Shadows danced before me, brighter and more colorful than usual. I saw a pair of feet, near a floor... But when I blinked, the hallucination faltered!

Aghast, I waved my hand in front of my face. A large hand! A man's hand!

Totally flummoxed, I turned my head towards where I knew the Queen to be sitting. There! A comely woman! She was watching me!

Cautiously, I pointed at her. "(Y/N), is that you? Or... are you..."

The nude woman smiled, her tousled hair framing her beatific face. "You can see?"

I crawled towards her, overjoyed. "I, I can! You, you're so beautiful..."

I reached for her face, for the first time not having to go by sound and feel alone. Just as I remembered, her skin was soft, the curve of her cheekbone gentle.

Her smile widened ."Your eyes, they have cleared! They are the blue of the clearest summer sky!"

Overcome, I began to tear up again. "It is said that the tears of a sorceress, when they come from the heart, are a powerful magick." I held her face in my hands. "You have healed me, (Y/N)!"

She reached for me and brought me to her for a kiss. I saw her eyes were closed, so I closed mine, as well. I felt sublime! "Will you still come with me? Or would you rather return to your village?"

I grinned at her. "For the rest of my days, I will serve at your side. You are my Queen and you have my loyalty, but I fear you have stolen my heart away as well. And I'll not turn away from it, lest it die. You see that our paths are as one."

She shed a crystalline tear, and I wiped it from her smooth cheek. "Aye, Andrew. Come with me, and we can face the world together. It is plain that following my heart was the only path I could take that was true to myself, as it has led me into your arms. Let us bathe once more and then leave this place."

And thus, after 14 years, the last Oracle left the volcano. The temple stood empty of residents ever after.

~The End~

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