The Prophecy

“AAAAAaaahhhh,” Kaito released as he jumped back onto a bed.

Rachael and the untransformed Kaito were relaxing in their room at the inn Henry mentioned. They ended up in the same room because the others thought they were girls.

“I can’t believe I have to share a room with you,” Rachael complained.

“It can’t be helped,” Kaito responded. “At least this shows that they don’t suspect us.”

“I guess so…” Rachael agreed. “Just make sure you stay over there.”

“Whatever you say, goddess,” Kaito said sarcastically, rolling over on his bed.

Rachael didn’t look convinced, but she changed the subject.

“So what do you think about Gurkin?” she asked.

“Gurkin? He’s a cool guy, I guess,” Kaito responded.

“No, I mean as female Kaito,” Rachael led on.

“What are you getting at?” Kaito rolled to face Rachael.

Rachael giggled, “So you didn’t realize. He’s definitely in love with you.”

“What!?” Kaito said, surprised.

“It was like his heart skipped a beat whenever he looked at you. Especially in that elf dress,” Rachael taunted, “I think you two’d make a great couple.”

“Get real! That’s never going to happen!” Kaito defended his reputation.

Mid-conversation, the two heard banging on their door. The two panicked as Kaito was untransformed. Kaito quickly took out the hair that allowed him to transform, which rematerialized upon undoing his transformation, and activated Disguise again.

“I’m coming in!” a woman announced.

The door opened, and in came the elven caretaker of the inn. She noticed that the two were not present in the dining area, so she came to inform them that dinner was being served. However, as the two had already eaten with Estelle, they weren’t hungry.

“Let’s just call it a night,” Rachael suggested.

“Agreed,” Kaito answered.

____________________________________________________________________________

The next day arrived, and all the adventurers, with Henry leading, were in the presence of the Elven Elder. The Elder was the equivalent of the King of the Elves, so everyone was on their best behavior.

The castle they stood within contrasted with everything they saw yesterday. A grand marble building on a high hill that towered over the standard living area. It was covered in light greenery and on top of a body of water that cascaded down to the lower levels.

Everyone admired the throne room as they confronted the Elder and his wife. The Elder looked middle-aged, if he were a human, yet incredibly majestic. He had mint hair and vines encapsulating his limbs.

His wife sat on the throne beside him with her long brown hair, beautiful as ever… with Lessia in her lap? On the other side of the Elder sat Estelle? Kaito stared in shock, not expecting those two to be present.

Estelle got a small laugh in noticing Kaito’s shock, which prompted her to make a small wave. Lessia and Estelle were royalty.

“I welcome all you adventurers to Elvasia,” the Elder spoke. “And I thank you all for coming this way to aid us in stopping the demon’s invasion. I have already spoken with your leader, Hero Henry, and we’ve discussed our advance against the demons.”

The demons were approaching from their territory in the east, so the basics of the strategy were to isolate their entry point and slowly push them out of the elven forest. Afterwards, an elven representative would reestablish their barrier with their blessing, and a stronger one at that. The plan was simple enough to follow, so everyone started preparing to leave, until…

“OOOOOooOOOohhhHHh…” a voice howled from within the throne room.

Everyone turned to face a very old elven lady. She was slouched over and almost entirely covered in a white cloak.

“I see it… A PHOPHECY!!!” she shouted out mysteriously.

The Elder informed the group that the old elf was an oracle. As her prophecies were highly successful, even having predicted the Stampedes, the Elder aimed to hear her words.

The oracle began revealing her prophecy.

*            *            *

I-I see… a human boy.

He confronts many enemies, much stronger in power and titles alike.

Our role… we elves have a part to play in his success.

The royal blessing… it will play a significant role in his success. It will allow him to protect all of Taelesta!

This boy… I see more…

He is of the thief class…

Like you.

*            *            *

The oracle pointed at Kaito, her hand shaking from her age. Kaito stood there, shocked, not expecting the exposure he was receiving.

“I-I am of the thief class, b-but as you see, I’m a girl,” Kaito defended false identity, not expecting to utter those words.

“Indeed,” the Elder analyzed. “This is more extreme than I expected. It will be imperative that we repel the demons so that we can start to find this boy.”

“Everyone, prepare to move out!” Henry ordered the group, heeding the Elder’s words.

All the adventurers left the castle and started heading to the battlefield. Some forces were already on the battlefield, so the first mission was to join them.

“Hey! Kaito!” Estelle yelled and ran up to Kaito’s group amongst the adventurers. “I’m coming with you guys!”

“Estelle? Is it all right for you to head out into the battlefield?” Kaito asked now that he knew of her status.

“Hey! Don’t treat me like some princess, now!” Estelle pouted. “I’m supposed to be the one who inherits that royal blessing our oracle talked about, so I’m plenty strong already!”

Kaito felt bad and aimed to alter his statement, “I’m sure you can! That’s why I was talking about this squirt.” Kaito crouched down and pointed to Lessia, who was hiding behind Estelle.

“I’m not a squirt! I’m Lessia!” Lessia complained.

“Lessia!?” Estelle said in surprise. “Dang, I thought I snuck out without you. I guess I’m babysitting again…”

“You can’t sneak away from me!” Lessia said cockily.

“Wait, are you telling me she can actually fight?” Kaito asked.

“Eh… Kinda?” Estelle responded. “It’s more that my parents want me to keep her trained just in case she inherits the royal blessing.”

“Great, so she’s stuck with us,” Kaito complained, getting up from his crouched position.

“We don’t need your help anyway!” Lessia proclaimed to combat Kaito.

“Lessia!” Estelle disciplined her. She sighed, “Let’s just get that special weapon from Shale before we leave.”

“With pleasure!” Kaito responded.

Kaito, Rachael, and the two royal sisters went to retrieve his special weapon from Shale as Gurkin went ahead with the other adventurers.

“Here it is. You wanted a dagger, right?” Shale handed the special weapon to Kaito.

“Wait, did I mention a dagger?” Kaito asked.

“He’s not the royal blacksmith for nothing!” Estelle said confidently.

Without another word, Kaito slowly unsheathed the dagger to witness his special weapon.

The hilt fit into Kaito’s hands perfectly. The blade was about twice the size of his regular dagger, almost making it more of a short sword. The fuller of the blade was wooden, while the edge was sharp and of the same orange crystal material as the boss drop. It shone as Kaito tilted the blade.

“S-So cool!” Kaito admired the weapon.

“To activate it, it's just the same as using a skill,” Shale informed Kaito.

Kaito activated the special weapon just as Shale instructed. The wooden part of the blade extended and began swaying around like a whip. Just as Kaito admired it, Shale pointed towards the ground, gesturing for Kaito to stab it.

Kaito did so, and a large root sprouted within the blacksmith shop, knocking over a few weapons.

“Whoa!” Kaito was happily surprised before he realized the destruction he had caused. “My bad...”

“No worries,” Shale said nonchalantly. “The weapon allows you to control roots from the ground and your blade. Make use of it.”

Shale turned away from the group to continue his other work.

“I WILL!!” Kaito announced bowing to Shale in thanks.