9- The Vision
Everly
“Did
say my name?” That melodious voice rang in my ears. I turned around in my seat, looking over my right shoulder since Atticus still had firm grip on my hand, and my breath stopped for a moment. In front of me was the incarnation of a deity. She was indescribable in her beauty and grace. She wore a beautiful floor length pink satin maxi–style dress. Her black hair was pulled back into a simple updo, her features flawless of age and blemishes. Although her appearance was youthful, she still had an elder dominance and held her head up high
“Gracie,” Lucien said. His tone was respectful but neither friendly nor combative.
may be over
She came up to me and gave me a sweet, small smile, “I am what your kind refers to as The Oracle. That’s a little ancient if you ask me. I may ten thousand years old, but I don’t look a day over thirty–five! These old lugs call me Gracie. You can, too. It’s nice to meet you, Everly.” She stuck out her hand, and I happily shook it, chuckling at her sincere and humorous introduction.
Before I could utter a “Nice to meet you too,” the strangest thing happened. I heard Gracie gasp loudly, and her eyes clouded over instantly. They began to glow white like the bulb of a flashlight. I am not the smartest in the house but a decent student. I could deduce that she must be getting a vision. She is supposedly “The Oracle,” after all. But I didn’t expect the sudden and intense pressure that began to expand inside my head. I felt my physical body buckle over, trying to relieve the pressure, but my vision went to pure hack darkness. The pressure in my head was no longer present, and 1 felt light a feather. Suddenly, a pure, blinding white light encompassed my being
Moments later, my vision started to clear. I found myself standing next to Gracie. Her eyes were no longer white, but her vision was transfixed on something before her.
A young woman with red hair is holding a swaddled newborn baby; she is crying and looks to be in pain. She is in a tent with old iron chains around her wrists. I wanted to go to her, but Gracie pulled me by my arm, not even looking at me. She shook her head, and I returned to watching the scene before me. The soft voice of this woman was like a lullaby. It was almost transcending. She kissed her child and uttered a blessing: “May your blood bring peace upon the realms. May the Magic of Old forever protect you, my sweet child. May we meet again one day.”
My heart felt like it was lifted from my chest, and new life was breathed into me. Those words were powerful. I saw a beautiful golden dragon tattoo on the mother’s wrist glow bright, and then that bright light appeared on the baby’s tiny wrist. It then disappeared as quickly as it came. A gasp from the mother was heard, and I could feel her relief. She kissed her newborn babe once more before a maiden, cloaked in a dark cape, took the swaddle in her arms and hurried out of the tent and into the darkness. I heard the mother begin to weep as I looked at Gracie for answers.
The white light returned, only for the scene to change suddenly.
Theard Gracie take a quick to my knees in fright.
breath and exhale it slowly. Pain and sorrow graced her perfect features. I followed Gracie’s line of sight and almost buckled
The land before us was not of the palace but a vast open field; grass beneath our feet was burned, and ash floated from the sky. The sky was black, and the only light around was a raging blue and orange fire surrounding everything. The land was full of armored soldiers, many lying motionless. Different colored blood seeped from wounds; ear–piercing screams of anguish filtered through my ears. I didn’t even notice I was crying until Gracie reached up and wiped a tear away from my cheek. There was so much darkness, and I felt like I was breathing in death. It was cold and calculating, so thick in the air it felt suffocating. Shivers ran down my spine, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread and despair.
Gracie took my hand, and we silently walked through the bloodshed. Soldiers passed us and through us as if we were ghosts. I tried to speak, but no words could be formed. Soldiers, men, women, beasts, and creatures were all around. So many were not moving on the ground, others wailing in agony. Some were fighting with weapons, and some were clashing in their creature forms, skin, and bone, in the distance around us.
