The Oracle's Apprentice:
2. Kryss
Your POV
An old man with long white hair down his back and a long white beard and Chinese mustache stepped out from the shadows into the soft gold light coming from the sunset outside and the crystal ball. He was extremely hunched over and his skin was saggy and wrinkled with age. His long bony hands held a gnarled oak walking stick, maybe even as old as the man himself. He wore a white robe that nearly reached the ground and gold sandals and a gold habit draped over his shoulders, glowing in the golden light. His dark brown eyes twinkled with knowledge and wisdom and smile lines could be seen around his eyes. He may have appeared frail, but when he talked his voice boomed with authority. "Welcome, welcome. Please excuse my incompetent apprentice, she can be quite rude and foolish sometimes." At this some of the Organization snickered and you crossed your arms and stuck out your tongue at the back of his head since he had turned away from you to talk to Xemnas. "She's also quite childish as you can see." At this you rolled your eyes and started mouthing what he was saying. "She's also unable show any level of maturity whatsoever and acts like a kindergartener." This made you annoyed so you picked up your staff and pretended to be whacking the Oracle with it. "But she's fairly harmless even if she can be quite a chore. I hope that you can forgive her behavior and realize that she cannot help it, she is after all, the most immature 17 year old that I have ever met."
Xemnas let out a sigh and gave a quick little smile. "She has been a problem, but I guess we could try to forget her behavior… If we got something out of this…"
The Oracle turned around just in time to see you wiggling your fingers around your ears with your tongue sticking out and your eyes crossed. You quickly stopped and gave an innocent smile. The Oracle just shook his head as if he couldn't believe you and replied, "Oh don't worry Xemnas. I already have a deal in mind, and it's one that I don't believe that you will be able to refuse." And with that last ominous sentence, the Oracle shuffled over to the door leading out of the room, and while he was still on his way, he hit you over the head with his cane. "HEY! What was that for?" you asked, rubbing your head where he'd hit it.
Instead of answering, he just hit you over the head again. "Ouch! Will you stop that?" By this time, your head was starting to ache.
"I will only stop if you stop doing that really annoying thing that you can't seem to stop doing." The Oracle replied wisely.
"Well, how can I stop doing it if I don't know what I'm doing? I mean that's completely impossible! Why don't you just tell me what I'm doing so I can stop it? Well, I mean, if I want to stop it. Maybe I don't want to, maybe I like doing it, but I can't say that I do or don't because I don't know what it is and if I don't know what it is then…" you kept on going on and on and on and the Oracle was starting to look pretty annoyed by that time.
WACK! "Yeowch!" he'd hit you over the head… again! "Seriously! Why do you keep doing that?" you asked with a pout.
"Because you won't stop." He replied again.
"Stop doing what?!??!?!?"
"Your doing it right now."
"…Huh?"
Sigh "You have to learn the joys of silence."
"….Did you just fart silently?"
"….. SHUT UP!!!" he yelled and whacked you again, harder this time.
He hobbled out the door and it slammed behind him. 'What's gotten into him?' you wondered. He was usually so peaceful and tolerant. Maybe something was bothering him…. But what? "Is he always that violent?" asked the older spiky haired blond, "He scares me."
"Wimp…" you muttered, still rubbing the sore spot on the back of your head.
The blond winced and said in a whiny voice, "I do have a name you know. It's Demyx… and I'm not a wimp, just… paranoid."
You gave him a skeptical look, "Whatever helps you sleep at night, Demyx." He frowned at that and then turned around, he seemed to be thinking.
"Well, you'd know about helping him sleep at night, wouldn't you darling?" sneered the pony tailed freak. How old was he anyways? He didn't look that old, but he was already graying… now that's just plain weird.
"Do you always talk to yourself, or is this just a one time thing?" you retorted. You hated guys who were so full of themselves that they thought that they could get away with anything. And this guy seemed pretty perverted too. Plus, he was weird.
"Tch, tch. Denial is a bad habit, you should stop. I'm Xigbar by the way, I didn't happen to catch your name though." Was he TRYING to get on your nerves? Sheesh, this guy seriously needed to lay off.
"Name's Kryss. Pleasure to meet you." You said with your voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Great, and now that we're on a first name basis, how 'bout we share that pleasure?" he said in what he probably thought was a seductive, sultry voice, and wiggled his eyebrows. Seriously, was he deaf? Could he really not hear the sarcasm?
"I have a better idea, how about I go and relax in the hot springs while you figure out a way to stick your head up your ass?" you countered.
"Do I get to join you after I do?" he asked, still grinning.
"No, you get to stick your head up your ass." With that you started towards the door, just to be stopped by Demyx, who finally thought of something to say. He grabbed you by the arm and looking into your eyes with a fierce serious look on his face that you thought was extremely hot.
"I'm not a wimp, and I can prove it to you." He said in a strong voice that didn't waver or quiver or any of the things that it had done last time he spoke to you. He seemed like a completely different person, and you liked it.
"Oh? How are yo-" You were cut off by Demyx slamming his lips onto yours and grabbing your waist to pull you closer. You were so surprised by the kiss that it took you a few seconds to realize what was happening. And when you did, your eyes widened and you started struggling to get out of his grip. And when you did, you slapped his face and stalked out the door, heading for the hot springs. You seriously needed some alone time.
Demyx's POV
I didn't think that she'd actually slap me. I didn't mean the kiss to be perverted in any way, I just thought that maybe, if she saw that I'm not always so nervous, she might like me. And I'd thought that it had worked, until she started struggling, and now she probably hates my guts. Oh, why did I have to listen to Xibar's advice? I should know better than that!
"Woo-hoo! Go Demy!" Xibar drawled, "You should have seen her face! I think she liked it." He was grinning and applauding me.
I know that I should be flattered, but I can't help but feel that I ruined something good. Do I even have a chance now? Did I have a chance before? Oh! This is horrible; she hates me! "What am I going to do?" I cried.
"Do what I always do when I'm in doubt, my friend! Grab a chick, and bang her, hard! It always makes me feel better." Xibar looked off longingly, as if he were reliving a past event.
"You're sick!" I screamed. I suddenly knew what I had to do. I had to go apologize to Kryss. I quickly stood up from the chair that I'd been sitting in and ran out the door in her pursuit.
Before I was completely out of Xibar's ear shot I heard him mutter, "That Demyx, always on the run."
And it was true, I did run a lot, but usually it was away from something, something that I feared. This time, I was proud to say, I was running towards something. I still feared it, but at least I was going to apologize, I was going to make things better, get another chance. Yes, there was still hope.
The Oracle's POV
Kryss really did need to understand the responsibilities that she carried on her shoulders if she wanted to be my successor. She needed to grow up, to mature, and at the same time, her upbeat attitude, her boundless energy, could be a nice change for all dimensions. Life would probably seem more fresh and happy once she was the Oracle, but if she were to make a giant mistake because she was being careless or forgetful, I'm not sure that the dimension's balance could ever be fully restored.
And that's why I need Xemnas to let her stay with his organization for a while. To teach her responsibility and how meddling in other peoples affairs can lead to danger. I called Xemnas here to offer him the deal. It's a deal that I doubt that he can refuse, because, if she becomes more powerful and aware of her power she might be able to give them hearts. Its true that I would be able to right now, but there would be nothing in it for me. If Kryss learns to create hearts for Nobodies, at this age, then she could become one of the most powerful Oracles ever to rule the dimensions. It is after all, a well-known fact that female Oracles are more powerful than males. We do not know why this is, but I do have a few theories. A woman has strength in her that no man has, a will made of steel that cannot be bent. This comes from having loved ones and children that they feel they have the duty to protect. Men through out history have abused women multiple times, yet they still obey us and respect our wishes. A woman's heart is a most complex and mysterious thing. They can get attached to and love something that is not rationally lovable, or that cannot love back.
Take jewelry and clothes for an example. They are man made products with no hearts or unique abilities, yet a woman will love it only for its beauty and structure. And take a man for example, they might love a man for their good looks, and witty answers, or sweet-talking, and lovable gestures, but what mostly makes a man lovable to a woman is what is in the heart. Women have a unique ability to be able to look into someone else's heart and see their intentions, which brings up a very strange thing. Why do they ignore it? If they know that someone's intentions are less than kind, then why don't they protect themselves? I believe that it is our fault. Men's fault, because we have abused them in so many ways, they just seem to accept it as every woman's fate. Kryss has the power to look into someone else's heart too, and I do hope that she uses it to stay out of trouble. Because if she fails to become the next Oracle, if she fails her training or dies, then I have run out of time. I don't have enough time to raise another apprentice; I've already noticed some of my power starting to fade. If Kryss should fail, then all the dimensions and its inhabitants are doomed.
So when I heard a soft knock on my office door, I knew that it was Xemnas. "Come in." I said in a voice loud enough that he could hear. I intertwined my fingers, placed my elbows on the glass surface of the black marble desk, and leaned my chin on my fingers, watching the door intently.
Xemnas opened the door slowly and then swiftly walked into the room, taking a seat in the carved hickory chair covered in silk padding across from me. He sat with his arms resting on the chair's armrests and he met my gaze. He was all business. I sighed and leaned back in my chair, "I guess you're wondering why I had Kryss bring you here, and who exactly I am." I said. This was mostly guessing, since I had no idea what was going on inside his head. Oracles could probe around in other being's minds, but it is against our moral code to do so, but we still pretend as if we do to intimidate our foes and keep ourselves shrouded in mystery from the common human. Xemnas was no different.
His judging eyes never left my face as he nodded and replied, "I'd like to know that and what your deal would be."
A small smile appeared on my face, "What do you desire more than anything in else in the world?"
I saw surprise enter Xemnas's eyes, and then disbelief. Did he really doubt my power? Of course, he had every right to. He had probably already figured out that I was the Oracle since this was my mansion, but did he really know anything about us? Not many people did, only those who seek that knowledge will gain the answers. "You mean, you could give us hearts?" he finally asked, breaking the silence.
"I have the power to do that, yes." I wasn't going to make any promises. Once again, I didn't like meddling in other people's affairs, and this included creating hearts for others. This would affect the balance of the dimensions in some way, in what way, I was not sure, but I didn't really want to find out either.
Xemnas furrowed his eyebrows and seemed to be thinking about what to say next. He looked up and finally asked, "Who are you?"
"I am the current Oracle. Kryss is my apprentice, and when I come to pass, she will take my place as guardian of the dimensions, keeping balance and stability through all time and matter. Our power has no limits, we can keep on getting stronger and stronger, but it is not advised. You see, an Oracle's power comes from the amount of energy that they have inside of them. That energy can dwindle or grow, depending on the factors surrounding the Oracle. An Oracle grows stronger by replenishing the balance and creating new dimensions but looses power as they near their death or if the stability of the dimensions is greatly over turned. Oracles have always been there, manipulating lives and intertwining them. It is completely up to the current Oracle if they want to interfere in the affairs of others, and I have always chosen to stay out of it. We can twist time, matter, and the thoughts of others. We can turn evil to good, and good to evil. We can create tragedies, and perform miracles, all without anyone knowing. But our main job is to keep the balance, and if an Oracle doesn't go by that guide line, then they will become corrupt, and die, leaving all dimensions in turmoil." I don't usually talk much, since I hate to be a hypocrite, but explaining ourselves to others can't come in a few words. If Xemnas were to have asked Kryss the same question, she would have explained every little detail of our lives, strayed off of the subject several times, and probably would have kept talking straight for hours if not stopped. Sigh, she really needs to learn that peace and quiet can be nice sometimes, especially when I'm around.
Xemnas hadn't taken his eyes off of me once while I was talking, and when I finished he dove straight into I'd expected him to. "So if you give us hearts, then what do you want us to do for you?" He asked suspiciously.
"I won't give you hearts, as I've already said quite a few times, I don't meddle in other's affairs." He might turn down my offer, but still, it was worth a shot.
"Then why have you brought me here." Xemnas asked with anger in his voice. This was understandable, I'd just built up his hopes and then crushed them mercilessly, but there was a twist.
"Kryss needs to learn responsibility and maturity, and I have a feeling that she will gain both if she were to stay with the Organization for a while, in turn gaining knowledge, wisdom, and becoming more powerful. She will need to train every day, but that wouldn't be a problem since she has already learned the way of travel through portals. But she will need to spend time with people that can kill, hurt, and maim her. She has to learn the stability of things, the line between funny and annoying. She must grow up or else we are all doomed."
Xemnas's eyes flashed, "And what do we get out of this? You'd be the only one profiting from it." He snarled.
I sighed, talking really wore me down, "If she doesn't finish her training before I die, the worlds and dimensions will fall into turmoil and agony, no one will be spared. That will be your reward. And also, I have a feeling that Kryss is more empathic than I, if she gains enough power, she will be able to give you hearts. But that is completely up to her, I have no control over what she does, or does not do."
Xemnas was quiet for a while thinking over my offer. "So she will be able to give us hearts… And all she has to do is live with us. I think that it's a fair deal."
I smiled, this was perfect, "Careful, she can be quite a handful sometimes."
"So I've noticed. Now, if you would excuse me, I must check on the members of my Organization. They too, can be quite troublesome." He said as he stood up and strode towards the door.
"Then I have a feeling that they will get along fine." I replied, delighted that he had taken my offer.
When he reached the door he stopped and turned back to look at me, "What can I call you?" he asked.
I smiled again and softly closed my eyes, they were starting to get tired, "Oracle is just fine." You hadn't used your real name in such a long time that it just didn't feel right.
Xemnas nodded and slipped out the door, into the hallway, letting the door slam behind him. Finally, half of my plan was in place, all Kryss needed to do now was work hard, and maybe, we would be able to reach our goal before the deadline. Now I was going to take a nap, age had had its toll on me, and I could feel my energy seeping away day by day. As I closed my eyes I whispered softly, even though nobody could hear it but myself, "I'm counting on you Kryss. We all are…" And then so softly that I could only barely here it myself, "My darling, Princess Krystalia."
