Chapter THIRTY-ONE: Unspeakable Prophecy-DEVIN
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The Oracle looked at each of their faces before she went on. Alicia felt her heart begin to beat faster than ever because of the expression on the Oracle's face. Everyone else remained silent, eagerly awaiting her words of wisdom.
"…Months ago, several prophets and I began having visions of great importance. We decided to remain quiet for fear that more damage could be done than prevented, if we expressed our predictions to the public... Until now, I was not sure to whom the foretelling for Thais pertained to, but I suspect… that it is your daughter's," the Oracle paused as she looked down at the sleeping newborn in her mother's arms. "…It has been foretold that a child would be born and that this child would defeat a great demon. Though it was believed that the prophecy was stopped several years ago, I am afraid…Ahriman lives..."
"No...no…NO! We killed the bastard! I helped do it with my own two hands!" Devin exclaimed, furious. He stood up to feel for the hilt of his sword. "It's impossible! How?!"
"The demon was weakened by your attack, but not destroyed. However, Zorom's summoning was successful. As we speak, Ahriman is becoming stronger and more powerful," the Oracle said with dismay.
"Oracle, what does this have to do with us? I demand that are daughter not be a part in any of this!" Alicia snarled harshly, not wanting to know at all what her daughter had to do with the prophecy any further. Tears began to swell in her eyes as Devin sat back down to comfort her.
"But it may not be us? It maybe someone else's prophecy, Oracle?" Devin said defensively, shaking his head.
"I will have to do a reading, then we will know for certain…I see a strange aura over her…" the Oracle sighed, and then glided closer to Alicia who attempted to cover the baby and shuffled helplessly to get away. Devin grabbed her arm, knowing that the reading had to be done as much as he wished it not to be so.
With one bony finger, the Oracle gently poked the baby's arm. Her pupils turned bright white.
"Indeed. She is the one: the Chosen One who will defeat the demon…Her future, seems uncertain to me; however, so much can happen," the Oracle stopped and began to pant. "Thais…Thais will fall! All the kingdoms will fall until the child is safe…THE CHILD MUST BE SAFE OR ALL HOPE WILL BE DESTROYED!"
"Nooooo! Say it isn't true! I don't believe YOU!" Alicia screamed in anguish. "My daughter?! My kingdom?!...ALL OF YOU, LEAVE NOW!- LEAVE! LEAVE! LEAVE!"
"Alicia, calm down!-We defeated the demon once, we can do it again!" Devin uttered as he embraced her tightly. "I promised your father that I would protect Thais…I plan to keep my word."
Devin turned his head to look at the others and paused. The news numbed him and the rest of his present party.
Alicia continued to weep and wail on his shoulder, but then looked up at the Consort.
"Consort!-My ring, the kingdom… all of it is hers, understand?!" Alicia screeched through her tears as she held her hand for him to see the Pendragon Sigma Ring.
"Yes, your majesty," the Consort mumbled obediently. "I am very much familiar with the Sigma Ring."
The Oracle's eyes turned icy blue again. Both priestesses at her side bowed their heads low. Tailor walked closer to them, ready to escort them out, if he was ordered by either queen or king.
"…I must leave and inform the empress of this new prophecy.—-Priestesses, you will accompany me to the east. Sun Priest, you may go back to your temple, if you please," the Oracle commanded.
"Wait! What are we to do?! How long?..." Devin asked panic-stricken.
"Months, perhaps, but it is to be known…You must consider hiding her…However, I sense a decision has already been made," she ended as she looked intently at the king.
Aydan caught a quick glance from the Oracle, which spoke to him. He knew he would come back again.
"I SAID GET OUT!" Alicia yelled sourly at them all. The baby began to cry from her mother's furious sobbing. "ALL OF YOU-NOW!"
"You heard my wife, Oracle. Please leave us," Devin said to calm her down; though, he felt like there was more to be said, particularly about the Sun Priest, who he looked at with rigidness.
Aydan glared back at Devin in response to his stares, as he teleported away to the High Realm.
The Consort and Chancellor ushered away hurriedly, with Tailor who urged them to follow him.
Alicia glanced up at the two priestesses and looked carefully at Leana, who was furthest from the Oracle, and stared at her and then back to the Oracle, waiting for them to leave. They finally did in three separate portals.
Devin watched the last star of Trin's portal fade. "It looks familiar," he thought briefly, but then quickly put all his attention on Alicia, who he wanted to rest.
He cradled the baby in his arms as Alicia fell asleep, and thought that despite all that would come their way, the baby made him happy and that would be worth the fight.