Early the next morning, I woke up to a searing migraine. Foolishly, I thought I could rid my doubts and confusion in my sleep, but even then, the events of that night haunted me in my dreams.
After days of surviving on very little food and water, I was absolutely famished. Thankfully, Desya brought Love and me out for breakfast; giving me a chance to explore the town. The streets were filled with crowds, like you would never imagine. Street vendors' yelling filled the atmosphere; promoting whatever it is they're selling. Busy housewives flocked around the streets eager to buy snatch the best deals as they let their kids roam around the town square where a majestic water fountain stood. It really was funny how the town could be so vibrant, clueless that the country they're happily living in stole the same happiness they have from Aolenoa.
Initially, the only reason I had to avenge Aolenoa was because of God placing me here and Love. However, as we had breakfast and Desya and Love joyously talked about their lives in Aolenoa- a deep and sick feeling grew in my stomach. I wasn't sure what it was I was feeling then, but dwelling on it now, I was probably riddled with anger.
At the very least; Mawrth and Burke could have spared the citizens. They could have made an example of their victory by killing the Royal Family and taking the throne. There were so many other things they could've done instead of spilling innocent blood- I bit my bottom lip. Aolenoans were innocent- they shouldn't have been killed. They were humans, people and yet those countries could kill them off so easily; it was sickening. How could someone decide to take innocent lives so easily? As I closed my eyes and recalled the bright streets, the welcoming people, the beautiful town; my heart ached. Love said Aolenoa was just as lively as Burke's streets and to imagine the massacre Love saw on those once exuberant streets- a nauseating anger came over me.
Upon seeing a frown on my face during breakfast, Love asked whether I was okay before blaming Desya for somehow ruining my morning. A rigid smile plastered onto my face as I vehemently persisted I was fine. Love worrying about me is something I didn't want to add to my already full plate. Desya and her had been arguing since the morning, pulling all my attention to mitigating their fights.
We were on the way back when I remembered my weird dream; I was so caught up in my frustration, and with Desya's and Love's constant bickering, that I almost forgot about it. I thoroughly thought out a plan before asking Desya whether there was a priest or saint or someone who can interpret weird experiences or feelings. Desya was curious about my sudden request, but I simply explained to him that if we're going to continue with waging war against Burke, I wanted to be enlightened about my 'spiritual state'. He didn't seem convinced by my impromptu 'explanation' but he asked no more questions. Aolenoa was a country of faith, so it wouldn't be weird if its ruler was curious about her spiritual well-being.
Of course, that wasn't the reason. I had already put all my trust in God so I couldn't care less about my 'spiritual state.' It was just a simple cover up. After all, how could I have told him about my weird encounter? Instead of being an Empress, I'd be a patient at a psych ward. So I lied.
Desya hesitantly advised me to meet the oracle; a 'mirror' that knows the past, present, and future. It grants a person the opportunity to ask a question every year. He didn't encourage visiting priests or saints as they needed to identify me before being able to be of help. And as we all know, being a refugee Empress that plans to bring about war to a country- that wasn't the best form of identification.
The oracle, in a sense, is a shady fortune teller. I had my fair share of conmen, so I asked Desya how this oracle came to be; to verify its credibility, but all he had to say was 'it just appeared and never left.' He tried to reassure me by saying that people who have heeded the oracle's guidance were led to a path of success. That even nobles and some of the Royal family members even pay them a visit, but I wasn't too convinced. I could only smile at him. This 'oracle' sounded more and more like a sack of horse shit. But alas, though I had my suspicions, I'll take my chances. The oracle wasn't ideal, but I'd rather try my luck than nothing at all.
Love wanted to tag along, sending me into a fit of stutters. How was I to say to her that she can't? Thankfully, Desya dragged her away, saying that they needed to 'catch up'. She didn't seem too happy; her face red and puffed up with anger. She was pretty frustrated with Desya yesterday and when I brought up Desya's sudden compliance with Love and I's plan; she got even more riled up. Even as Desya dragged her away, she persisted with her claims that Desya was 'taking war as a joke' and that he was 'not serious and is just trying to toy with us.' Frankly, I was tired of hearing that as her excuse for getting mad at Desya so I only nodded my head and smiled at her as she was swept away.
A short, dull, brown slab of wood stood in front of me. This is it. Desya had instructed me to the oracle; walking left from the fountains in the town square and then right when I passed a bar with a red cloth tied to its handle.
My hand was clammy from gripping the door handle. I doubted the reliability of this oracle, but the moment I had my hand on the door- anxiety hit me. What if what the oracle tells me isn't what I desired? I shook my head. No- who knows just how reliable this oracle is? Maybe it's like one of those zodiac horoscopes' predictions; a generic premonition that can apply to a majority of people.
Anyway, even if the oracle is real, who's to say I can't change my fate? God chose to save me; I believe They won't forsake me now.
I turned the doorknob slowly and walked into the room. Smoke lingered in the air; a sweet smelling haze. It smelled really similar to the smoke from Hookahs. My mind flashed back to my younger days when my parents used to smoke Hookahs- I shook my head. I couldn't afford to think of the past. My eyes looked straight ahead. I braced myself and walked; I didn't know where I was going; the smoke hindering my vision.
"Hee Hee!" I turned my head. Only the billowy walls greeted me. Slowly, I turned my head back straight and continued walking.
"Hee Hee!" There it was again! I turned to face the laughter- still nothing. I was definitely not imagining it; there's someone giggling. Goosebumps rode my skin.
I scanned the smoke filled room. Who was giggling? Where are they? Are they surrounding me?
My heart thumped against my ribcage as fear slowly crawled up my limbs. I took a deep breath in; letting that candy-like smoke engulf my lungs. Even now I remember the intensity of tobacco in the sweetness. I closed my eyes as I exhaled. When I reopened them; a calm wave washed over me. It is expected of me to be a ruler; so I have to act as a ruler. Something as meagre as this shouldn't even faze me.
I stared into the smoke as if waiting for someone to come out of it. Instead; the smoke cleared and in front of me stood a tall standing mirror. Desya wasn't lying to me when he said 'mirror'.
"You are quite a peculiar one!" A high feminine voice exclaimed.
"Ssh! You know we're not supposed to talk to them before She can relay the oracle!" Another voice filled with youth and worry reminded.
I eyed the mirror. It's directly facing me and yet, only my reflection didn't show. However, the contents of the room were. It perfectly illustrated every wisp and cloud of smoke on the mirror surface, but the mirror didn't show me. The voices, too, were clearly emitting from it. This must be some sort of magical instrument. Also, She? Who's She?
"Oh, what a pleasant surprise, Gatecrasher." An aged yet smooth female voice greeted me.
There it is again. 'Gatecrasher.'
"May I speak freely?" I asked politely.
Honestly, I felt dumb talking to the mirror. But I quickly cast that thought aside as I remembered my initial goal.
Magic wasn't a thing possible where I was from, so I wasn't sure on how to utilise it or its customs. If the mirror took offence in my words, what would happen to me? I'm playing the safe bet just to see my boundaries. I just tried my luck and see whether speaking freely was an option.
"Hmm, Hmm. Do so, Gatecrasher." The same old female voice sounded.
"I can only ask one question, right? Are the questions I asked so far in violation of my 'one question per year' rule?" I asked. My eyebrows creased as I worried how unlucky I would be if my wish had already been counted for.
The mirror shook as a loud guffaw came from it.
"Silly young one! We are not so petty as to count those questions, Hahaha!" The old woman exclaimed.
I sighed. The sudden laughter scared the shit out of me. Truly, I was ready to bolt out of that place.
The smoke, giggles- everything was giving me the heebie jeebies.
"That was the first time in centuries that a human could make us laugh. For that, we'll grant you two more wishes." The old woman declared.
Fuck.. I already thought out one question and now I need to think of two more? If I knew they could grant more wishes, I would've thought more about it as I was walking here.
I glanced up at the mirror, ready to express my displeasure, but decided quickly not to. I don't know who or what I'm talking to. There's no telling what they would do to me if I upset them. I don't want my journey to end by being turned into a frog or something.
I thanked them for their generosity before telling them the events of last night and posing my question.
"What was the meaning of last night?" I asked.
"Hahaha! It sounds like you have bathed in the River Nyx. The spirits of the dead dwell in there and you bathe in their souls. How unfortunate!" My face grew red with embarrassment. Did she just say I bathed in dead people? I held my stomach as I felt it grumble- I'm gonna be sick.
"It seems like you've peaked the dead's interest. Not very often do they reach out to the living.
The souls of the Ancient Ones are what you heard, only they are strong enough to meddle with the living. You could take what they told you as a prophecy or a warning. However, you can heed what they say and thread carefully or just continue as it is." The mirror advised.
Gee, thanks. The mirror literally just told me to do whatever- how is that going to help me? I shook my head. No, at least this leaves me somewhere. This must be a message from God telling me to be careful.
I thanked the mirror promptly and told them I would save my two other questions for another time. I turned around, ready to face the door, but only a dark cloud of smoke faced me.
"A tip from me, Gatecrasher. You have the power to bring pride and happiness to people, or misery and pain. Choose wisely." The mirror's smooth voice turned dark as it warned me.
Slowly, I turned around and nodded. And in an instant, the room brightened up and a clear path was paved for me that led me to the door I went through.
The dirty alley was never something I'd think to look forward to seeing again, but truly, anything was a better sight than that anxious, smoky room.
I looked down at my body, my face rucking up. The oracle's words rang in my head. God, I need to shower.