Andor.
The room was dimly lit, and my head almost reached the ceiling. My mother was already seated on the floor, and I joined her.
The woman in front of us looked in her fifties; it was hard to imagine that she had been alive all this time helping my father. She looked too young.
"It is nice to meet you finally." She said. "I am Folka Egil. I served your father, and now I serve you." She declared.
It was almost dusk, and the thought of the full moon running filled my head, and I was a bit uncomfortable sitting on the floor. It made it hard for me to concentrate on what she was saying.
"Is there anything exactly that you would like to know? The readings can be general, so it helps to ask a specific question." Folks Explained.
"If you served my father, how are you still alive if you are a witch? It seems odd." I explained.
She laughed. "There are ancient practices that allow one to increase their longevity. I have an ancient grimoire that teaches me these practices."
"I see. I would also like to know about the prophecy to stop my birth. What did you see?"
She rubbed her hands together before she spoke.
"I saw your soul and that it was a dark one. Your soul attracts death and destruction; your wolf is a physical manifestation of your soul." She replied.
My mother adjusted her legs, and she was uncomfortable with her son being called a dark soul in her midst. I was sure that this was not what she had in mind when she asked me. But I was intrigued. I leaned forward and continued asking questions.
"If my soul is dark, then it is not my fault If I bring destruction to the world," I said.
"No, it is not." She continued. "In your last incarnation, you were an Emperor in Rome. But you were betrayed by your brother and killed. He has followed you to this lifetime, and your battle continues. But this time, your soul has asked for the power to be able to fight back." Folka explained.
"Your father has ignored my warnings, so now your soul is in the earthly plane, and the death drawn to your soul would come with it."
Her words felt like the truth to me, like my soul was a story she was narrating. I felt like she knew me. I took deep breaths to ensure I stayed grounded.
"How do you know so much about my soul?" I wondered aloud.
"My guides give me access to the Akashic Records." She replied.
"Must I achieve the dark side of my destiny?" I asked.
"The future is not cemented. We make decisions that create it with every decision that we make." She replied.
"Does this mean that you can't see the future?"
"I can only see where the current part you are on would lead you." She answered.
"Then tell me," I replied.
She responded by grabbing my hands abruptly. She licked my palms and started to chant inaudibly. After some seconds, she bowed her head to the hard floor and began to speak.
"There is a war coming. A river of blood would be shed, and as a result, you would come into more power than you could have ever wanted. None of these events would be your doing, even if they would be all to your benefit." She proclaimed.
I sighed. "I was kind of hoping for something more hopeful. Will I have any kids? Will my kids be called demons like me?"
"You will have two sons and a daughter. They will be your greatest source of joy, but they will always fight amongst themselves."
"I am the only child of my parents, but I am sure that siblings fight all the time. Will they inherit my power?" I asked.
"Yes." She replied.
I smiled. My mother was silent the whole time. She was not particularly pleased with the outcomes that were predicted for me.
But, even the seer said that the future is not set in stone. I planned only to manifest the positive side of my destiny. And the idea of kids with Iris made me very happy. All I ever wanted was a family.
I helped my mother stand up as a sign of courtesy. She handed me the basket of spices and ingredients she got from the market.
"It is customary to provide the spices and ingredients that the witch would use for her next ritual as payment for her work."
"Thank you, mother," I said as I handed the basket to Folka. On my way out, I turned to Folka and said.
"I am not going to fulfill the dark side of my destiny. Even if it's my soul's calling."
"I know." She replied.
My mother and I left the hut the same way we came, backward. We walked back to our village side, through the dirt, and back into the castle.
"Are you okay?" I asked my mother. "You have been quiet since we got to the seer's place and even on the way back."
"You don't seem to care that she said you'll be responsible for many deaths." She said.
"You can't fault me over a prophecy, mother. I have not even done anything yet." I explained.
She shook her head.
"It can only be averted if you work toward doing so, which is a conscious decision. You are not even bothered."
"We process things differently," I replied.
"I won't be here to guide you forever. You have to take responsibility." She said.
"What's that supposed to mean? You plan to wither away like father?" I asked.
"No. But anything can happen. I want to rest knowing you'll always make the right decision." She said.
"I promise to, mother. But, nothing would happen to you. Do not have sad thoughts on such a good day." I hugged her tightly.
"It's dusk. The feasting would soon begin, and for the first time, we'll go and run together as wolves. It's a good day, mother."
She smiled. "Yes, it is."