An Oracle and the Witch

Walking back into the throne room, I stop and bow to the king. Waiting for some kind of response before making any statements.

"Are we to expect another incident the same as yesterday?" Turning to the advisor who stepped forward and spoke, I quietly ground my teeth at his tone.

"I apologise for my actions yesterday that resulted in the injury of one of your men. I should have handled things better." Waving his hand, a wave of relief crosses over his wary face.

"I understand we uprooted your lives, and it is only natural for a father to want to protect their child. Jean is recovering well. I'll pass your apology along after we're done here. Now, have you both reached a decision?" Gesturing to Hannah, I take a step back as she steps past me.

"We have, your majesty. We will fight the Demon King, as you have asked of us." At Hannah's words, the king's shoulders relax as if a weight had been lifted off them. I guess I can't blame the man, he must have been under a lot of pressure to face the growing threat.

"You said something about an Oracle to Hannah yesterday?" Smiling, the king claps his hand and gestures to his advisor.

"Certainly. Sigmund here will scan you with the oracle stone and grant you the status card that allows you to learn and see your abilities. That is what we refer to as an oracle." Reaching behind the throne, Sigmund removes a small flat stone the size of a small notebook, with a rectangle indent in the centre. Looking at it as he walks down the stairs, it almost looks like a piece of obsidian. If obsidian had streaks of gold and purple running through it. Walking over to Hannah, he holds it out in front of her and waves his hand over the stone.

"Oh, goddess of the realm, grace this individual with your wisdom and reveal your blessings." As he finishes his chant, the stone glows blue and a glowing silver card appears in front of Hannah.

"Take the card, Miss Hannah." At Sigmund's instruction, Hannah takes the card and for a moment rainbow lights glow from the card, dazzling me. Blinking away the light, I watch as the card becomes solid in Hannah's hand. Looking at the card, she taps it twice with her finger and a blue box appears in front of her, listing all her stats. And under the title box, a single word is listed. Hero.

"Congratulations Hannah. You are the hero." Turning towards me, a look crosses Sigmund's face. The kind a person might get if they smelt something rotten or were forced to do something they didn't want to do.

"We shall present you with your card now, Mr. Oscar." As he takes a step forward, the throne room doors crash open and a sharp female voice echoes through the room.

"Don't you even think about it Sigmund." Turning, my chest tightened, an unfamiliar flutter stirring at the beauty of the woman walking towards us. Her long black hair fanning out behind her as she walked and her purple eyes glaring at the king. Looking her over, I noticed the battle scars on her black leather corset and armor. The long thin rapier at her side has wear marks on the hilt. Meaning she knows how to use the blade. Unsure of what was about to happen, my hand moved behind my shirt and clicked the safety off. Always better to be safe than sorry in situations like this I've found. Rising from his throne, the king grabs his sword and levels it at the woman.

"You have no place interfering with these proceedings, Ellavessa." From the background, I hear some knights talk to each other.

"That's the Raven Witch."

"What's that heretic doing here?"

"I do not know, but the King won't like this. First an outlier and now the heretic." Dropping silent as she stops next to me, I hear the knights ready their weapons. Placing her hand on her hip, Ellavessa looks up at the king.

"I have no right? Need I remind you, Elias, that if it weren't for me, you wouldn't even have the ability to summon a hero at all. Now, I will take the outlier with me, as you are ill-equipped to handle him." Rounding on me, her piercing gaze sends a shiver down my spine.

"You're coming with me Outlier. Had they granted you an oracle, it would have severely stunted your abilities and that would be bad." Coming down the stairs, the king waves his sword menacingly.

"You're not taking anyone anywhere, Ellavessa. I won't allow it, and I won't allow any outlier to run around unchecked in my kingdom!" Shouting the last few words, he swings his sword towards her. With blinding speed, the rapier comes free from its sheath and meets the king's blow head on with bone shattering force. Standing her ground, purple flames emit from her sword and the ground beneath her feet. Sensing something at the edge of my mind, my body moves on its own. Time slows, and I cover the distance between the king and the witch. Moving through the world like it was made of jelly. In my right hand, the handgun from Earth stops as it points to the king and in my left, an eight-shot revolver materializes and points at the witch as I come to a stop next to them. The barrels of both weapons only inches away from their faces.

"Enough! Both of you lower your weapons now." Turning, they both look at me with shock. Leaping back, both the king and the witch create some space between themselves and me. Keeping both weapons trained, I cock back the hammers on each one, slowly enough to emphasize my point. With a nod, the witch sheathes her sword. Uncocking the revolver, it disappears from my hand. Turning towards the king, I wait for him to lower his sword before clicking the safety back onto my gun and holstering it behind my back once more.

"That's better. Now, shall we discuss this like rational adults?" With a weary sigh, the king waves his hand, but before he can say anything, Sigmund rounds on me.

"You were already told weapons would not be tolerated in the king's presence. Guards seize them." From the shadows, the guards once again march forward with their weapons drawn. Words come from Elavessa's mouth that I don't understand and in an instant Sigmund and the guards all freeze in place, terror etched across their faces.

"Call them off Elias or I will end them all right now."

"Fine. You win Ellavessa. Guards, sheathe your weapons and return to your posts." Waving her hand, the guards and Sigmund fall to the floor. Watching this all unfold, a shiver runs down my spine. I've been in some hairy situations in my time, shootouts and standoffs, but this was something else. Something that even I was unprepared for. Slowly getting up or crawling their way back to their posts. Walking over to Sigmund, she crouches down and a fist full of flames appear in front of his face.

"If you so much as look the wrong way at myself or the outlier again, I'll make you wish you were never born. Do I make myself clear?" Nodding, he crawls away behind the King. Standing, she looks the king in the eye and waits for his nod.

"Take him and explain what you need to. In the meantime, I will have Hannah report to the guard barracks downstairs to start her training. As long as you are in agreeance?" Looking into the king's eyes, I can see the pleading written behind them.

"I have no issues with it." As relief washes over the king, I turn to Hannah, who has a bewildered look on her face.

"Go with the king to the barracks. I will catch up with you soon. I love you." Running to me, she gives me a hug.

"Love you too, Dad. Stay safe." Releasing me after a moment, she walks over to the king and begins talking to him in a low voice. Turning towards the witch, I find her looking me over with a bemused expression.

"Problem?"

"None at all. Please come with me. We have much to discuss." Walking over to her, I gesture to the throne room.

"We can't talk here?"

"Some things are best discussed away from the castle. Come. I know a place close , where we can talk with no interruptions. Your daughter will be in safe hands with the knights. I promise you." Giving one last look at Hannah, I follow the witch from the throne room.