The Oracle

Chapter 32: Shifting Waters

AKARI

Evory, Darius, Merrick, Clea, Raciel, and I follow Aikaterina through the streets of Saria, the runestone having been safely secured in Evory's possession and the dragon subdued. We follow Aikaterina until we come to a small pub and she leads us around the back of the pub where the back entrance is. She glances around before she pulls open the wooden door and steps inside. The rest of us exchange a few glances before we continue after her and follow her to a back room beyond the bar where we find Gambit and Sekai, to our surprise.

"Gambit!" Clea exclaims in surprise and Gambit raises an index finger to her lips in a shushing motion.

My eyebrows furrow as I scan over their appearances, Gambit's typical combat outfit having been updated to the same black armored tube top but with black pants that have a gold cross-stitch pattern up the sides that leaves the skin open where they cross, as well as a pair of high black Timberland boots that lace up, her purple sash around her waist, her black and purple gauntlets being traded out for silver and gold ones, her long wavy black hair pulled into a ponytail, and a black duffel bag draped over her shoulder, while Sekai has his shield strapped to his back, a black short sleeved hoodie with white plated armor, ripped black jeans, and black combat boots.

"What's going on?" Merrick asks as he looks between Gambit and Sekai. "Carmin refused to tell us anything."

"I've been exiled," Gambit says quietly, her eyes flickering between all of our faces as Sekai reaches for her hand and squeezes gently to reassure her. "I was going to be exiled after Carmin had me finish his dirty work, but I wasn't having it. So, I broke his nose and I quit."

"That explains it..." Raciel mumbles in thought.

"Dirty work?" Evory furrows her eyebrows. "What're you talking about?"

"Carmin is...planning something," Sekai starts, having exchanged a glance with Gambit. "We're afraid if we tell you too much that he may find out you know and hurt one of you. But, please promise us that you'll be extremely cautious. And whatever you do, you can't let Carmin have all of the runestones."

"What?" Darius frowns. "Why?"

"He's going to use them," I breathe out, realization dawning on me. "He's going to use them."

"Use them for what though?" Clea asks, her eyebrows furrowed.

"I think I know," Merrick breathes out with wide eyes and Raciel nods in agreement.

"As do I," Raciel pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs heavily.

"He's going to eradicate Wrath," Gambit confirms, her expression grave.

Merrick, Clea, Raciel, and I exchange silent but breathless expressions of fear for Sora before Clea speaks up.

"What?" Clea says with wide eyes, "he can't do that! If he does..."

"If he does, the balance of the world will be uneven," Evory breathes out, pale. "Darkness and light must always coexist, for without one, there would be no other."

"And that's not fair for him to judge the next Wrath based on the actions of the previous one," Darius frowns.

"That's complete bullshit that you got exiled," Merrick scowls. "This whole thing is a mess and Carmin has no excuse for his actions or his intentions, any of them."

"I promise that we'll both continue looking after everyone at Aria, but you have to promise me you'll stay safe and on guard," Gambit says, frowning. "You all should get going soon. Carmin originally was going to send me on this mission, so I wouldn't be surprised if he suspected that I would try and talk to all of you. We can't linger for too long. Sekai and I will be in touch. I promise."