Set Voland--a homeless young man who attacked a child in the midst of hallucinations--has been caught by the police and sent to a psychiatric hospital. There, he's stricken by a meeting with a Shining White Being who will completely overturn his lif...
"In war, there's nothing you can gain without precise calculations...
Chance by itself is never going to bring success."
Napoleon Bonaparte
Dee flinched at the sudden crack of thunder in his ears. His hand flew toward his right AirPod but stopped halfway—the sound quality was terrible and the weather didn't help—volume had to be high. His wolfish eyes squinted at the video.
Wrapped in a white velvet cloak, The Oracle* seemed to be a tall and slender man. The unloosened collar revealed Indian clothing—something fit for a traditional wedding—with sophisticated embroidery along all the hems. Despite his broad shoulders, defined collarbones, and obvious Adam's apple, his skin was smooth and unblemished, and the movements of his manicured hands as gracious as a geisha's.
Dee hummed, tapping his fingers on the dark desk before adding a note beside The Oracle's nationality line—despite his Japanese descent he probably had some connection with Indian culture. Unfortunately, the dim light combined with the grainy footage made his features hard to discern.
"Good morning. Today is a beautiful day, isn't it?" The Oracle's deep voice sang over the pitter-patter of rain.
"Well, I'm not really into this shitty weather." Norton sounded rough already, but it was probably his natural tone.
"I understand. Personally, I believe it would be better for you to enjoy every moment, but—" The Oracle took a break, well-timed enough to be calculated. "Never mind. The wind is going to change and you'll warm up soon."
"Unfortunately, we are on duty. We don't exactly have time to look at the forecast." Officer Norton turned toward his colleague. "Right, Will?"
"That's why, on this day, many people are going to die." The Oracle's ominous words, complemented by his cloak getting soaked in the rain, were in stark contrast with his calm, courteous tone.
Dee paused the video before he snorted, trying to suppress a chuckle. He shook his head at the absurdity of their conversation and tapped play again.
"What do you mean by 'many people are going to die'?" Norton's voice had grown suspicious.
"I mean it should be your duty to prevent that, but you will fail."
Officer Smith chimed in, trying to read the situation. "Is that so, Mister—what's your name again?"
