Chapter 8 - Revelation of Fate

All things considered, my confidence was severely shaken seeing how Cassie ended up after her meeting with the Oracle. I glanced backwards one last time, not sure if I would be changed for the better or worse after this meeting.

Something about the meeting was offsetting, it made me nervous and slightly anxious. I glanced back at Delia giving her a quick look. She had come this far with me and I knew that both of us had to face the truth, whatever that might be.

I looked back towards the priestess and followed them into the inner chamber, I felt my heart racing, the quick methodical thumps in my chest as I tried to slow my breathing. The Oracle was a mystical figure that was cast in an otherworldly light. I wasn't sure what I should expect, or be expecting. The inner chamber was dimly lit, with a soft glow from candles casting eerie shadows on the walls around me. The scent in the air was both exotic and otherworldly, it overloaded my senses and made it hard to breathe.

In the center of the chamber stood the Oracle, shrouded in a white robe with intricate golden markings of Apollo. Her eyes were covered by a blindfold, yet I could sense her gaze penetrating deep into my soul. It felt like nothing was hidden from her.

"Perseus," the Oracle's voice was ethereal, a soft whisper that seemed to echo within the chamber. "You seek answers, do you not?"

My heart was hammering, I slowly nodded, and tried to answer but my voice caught in my throat.

Finally after a steadying breath, I answered her, "Yes, Oracle. I seek to understand my past heritage, my future path that lies ahead, and my current purpose in life."

The Oracle gazed upon me, silently; as if she were judging if I was worthy to know. With a slow chuckle she said, "So the first demigod wishes to have the knowledge of the past, the present, and the future? Very well… Apollo has granted you this knowledge.."

Her eyes turned a shade of green, no words left her mouth as she slowly extended her hand and placed it in mine. A jolt of energy coursed through me, and I felt a connection to something ancient and a being of great power. Perhaps this was Apollo… or something else… Before I had time to consider, images and emotions flooded my mind, overwhelming my senses.

I saw the great city of Sparta, where I had been born and raised. I witnessed the moments of my childhood, where I was training next to my fellow warriors. The space around the images seemed to ripple as they changed from images of me, to complete strangers from the past. Then the flashing stopped, it settled on a mountain, the mountain glittered gold, and silver, flooded with beautiful gems and delicacies. I glimpsed an image of a throne room, with blurry images of men and women's faces. Suddenly the flurry of images came to a halt and disappeared from my vision.

"The council requests your presence on Olympus, for something is going to happen that shapes the godly world. " the Oracle's voice whispered in my mind.

The images disappeared at once, the Oracle retracted her hands letting me stumble backwards as I tried to process what had just happened. My father was calling me to the ocean, and the council, the Olympian Council considering the context, was awaiting my arrival?

I looked at the Oracle as she turned away from me, the priestess approached me silently and showed me back out to the exit.

The sunlight was extremely bright as I walked out of the chambers and back to where the main group was. I didn't feel pale or stricken, but I couldn't hide my anxiety perfectly. Delia noticed but didn't say anything, I saw her eyes lock with mine and she gave me the 'we'll talk later' stare. I could only nod slightly before looking away.

I watched Aris go in next as I stood next to Delia and Cassie. I didn't really know what to say as I stared at them both. Cassie hadn't said much, and I wasn't sure what to say. It's not like I had a complicated prophecy to share, in fact I had our next destination. Well at least, I had my next destination.

Aris soon came out, and Delia looked up at me, I gave her a confident smile as she turned to follow the priestess into the inner chamber.

"How was your.. Hearing Aris?", I asked as I looked at him. For once, it seemed that he wasn't sure what to make of the situation. His brows were furrowed in thought, and he stared at the ground.

It took a few seconds before my words registered to him, then he looked up at me and just simply shrugged.

"How was yours?" I heard Cassie say from behind me.

"It was… something alright.", I told her as I turned to face her, "The Oracle showed me pictures… in my mind, they flashed across my view, like I was really there seeing it. In the end the Oracle said that the gods are requesting my presence on Olympus."

Cassie stared at me for a short moment before saying, "I wonder if that goes for all of us, or just you..?"

I shrugged, "Well if you don't have anywhere else to go, I could use the company; and I suppose you can all meet your parents… or something" I finished lamely.

There was a moment of silence as each individual around me thought about the prospect of meeting their parents, which had been absent from their lives from nearly the moment they were brought into life.

I looked at my sister and smiled, she was already on board and ready to set sail with me, on whatever journey lay ahead.

Aris and Cassie gave each other a look before Cassie nodded at Aris and he said, "I was told that my journey would end with those that it began with, whatever that means. So I don't think I really have a choice in this matter, I'll come."

I smiled at them, this odd bunch of people including me really did form a good team. Perhaps by chance, or fate, but they were friends and I was glad that we were sticking together.

"Well we should get some rest, it is going to be a long day tomorrow.", I said as I looked out at the city.

Aris and Cassie started walking towards the city as we left the Oracle behind us.

End of Chapter 8

Hopefully you enjoyed,

~Nyx