The Window to the Soul

Walking through the castle behind Ella, we quickly make our way through to the library. Walking in, Ella heads over to the librarian and, whispering to her quietly, she gets a key from around the old woman's neck.

"Follow me, Oscar." Leading me deeper into the library, past shelves of dusty old tomes, she reaches a small door set into an alcove that I've never seen before. Using the key, she turns it in the lock and pushes the door open with a squeal of hinges that haven't been used in a long time. With a whisper, a small white light appears above her hand, banishing the darkness beyond the door. Leading me inside, we walk quickly down a flight of stairs coming to a round chamber at the bottom. In the centre of the chamber, a white crystal orb sits on top of a pedestal. Walking over to it, we stop just in front of the orb.

"What is that?"

"What I brought you here for Oscar. This crystal is known as the Window to the Soul. It has the unique ability to reveal a person's gifts and, in some cases, their future. But that is rare indeed. Come here and place your hand on it." Walking forward, I stop in front of the orb and raise my hand.

"It's perfectly safe, right? Like nothing bads going to happen? Seems magical shit has a way of malfunctioning around me recently."

"It is perfectly fine. Place your hand on the orb."

"Alright." Reaching out my hand stops just before it touches the orb, and a piercing pain sears through my head as white light erupts from my fingers. Falling to the ground, my eyesight goes white for a moment, and all sound disappears, and a woman's voice fills my mind.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot let you reveal yourself. Apologies outlier."

"Oscar!" Coming back to my senses, I cry out as the pain in my head lessens but pain in my hand starts. Turning my hand to look at it, I watch as blood runs down it, dripping onto the floor. Looking up at the pedestal, fear fills me as the shattered remnants of the orbs sits above on the pedestal.

"What the hell was that? You said it was safe." Leaning down, a tear falls from Ella's eye as she falls to her knees.

"I have no idea. I've never heard of that happening." Carefully pushing myself to a sitting position, I wince and look at the wreckage of my hand. Holding my left hand above it, I try to concentrate through the pain.
"Healing wave." Watching as the golden light covers me, I breathe a sigh of relief as the pain lessens, and the skin knits itself back together. As the spell fades away, I flex my hand and look at the flawless skin. Getting to my feet shakily, I hold my hand out to Ella, helping her up when she takes it. Looking back at the wreckage of the orb, a thought hits me.

"So, this orb thing… you've got another, right?"

"No. That was the only one of its kind. It's a national treasure."

"Was. It's um… in bits now."

"I can see that, Oscar. How the hell are we going to break it to the king?"

"We could always not tell him."

"Oscar!"

"I'm joking. There was a voice when I went to touch it. It said it could not let me reveal myself." Looking into her eyes, a look of fear and uncertainty fills them.

"I've never heard of anything like that in all my years, Oscar. I've met other outliers, but there is something unique about you. I said that when we first met. Come. We had better inform the king." Following her up the stairs, I stop and take one last look at the jagged remains of the orb before following. I've never been one for believing in fate or destiny, but something is definitely working behind the scenes in this world. And as much as I hate to admit it to myself, it's working through me. Following Ella through the library, we make our way out into the hall and start making our way towards the king's throne room. Looking at the forlorn look on her face, I wrap my arms around her and pull her into a hug.

"Turn that frown upside down, sweetheart." Laughing at my sudden words and movement, she curls her hands around me and rests her head on my shoulder.

"Honestly, I have no idea what I would do without you now, Oscar."

"Be a raging mess for sure. Look, it's like my nanna used to say, Worry is like a rocking chair. It's great for passing the time, but it doesn't get you anywhere. So, chin up. We'll work it out." Laughing louder, she looks into my eyes before closing them and giving me a kiss. Closing my eyes back, I open them suddenly as a throat clears itself behind us. Letting go of Ella slowly, I turn to find Jean standing there.

"Sorry for interrupting. The King needs to see you immediately."

"What for?"

"I'll explain on the way. Please follow me." Looking at Ella, I shrug and take her hand, gesturing for Jean to lead on. As we make our way through the halls quickly, he talks over his shoulder.

"The Demon King has struck." Squeezing my hand tightly, Ella responds.

"Struck where?"

"The federation. A group of Assassins attacked the central council."

"Oh, no." Looking at them both in confusion, I ask Jean.

"Wait, who's the Federation?"

"The Federation is a country comprising the elder races. Dwarves, elves and demi-humans. They're the second-largest country on the continent next to us. The elders are not happy. King Elias has been negotiating with them all morning to prevent them from launching a full-scale attack against the Demon Kingdom."

"That doesn't sound like an ideal situation."

"It's not. We are here." Stopping in front of the King's Throne room, he bows to us.

"This is where I leave you. I have other tasks to attend to. The king is currently in the middle of negotiating with the Council. I think he's hoping that the two of you can add some depth to his arguments. Good luck." Hurrying off in the other direction, I watch as Jean disappears around the corner. Turning to Ella, I look at the door.

"Shall we?" Linking her arm through mine, we walk up the stairs and into the throne room. Seeing the king sitting on the throne in front of a group of old men and women that all glowed blue, I nudge and whisper to Ella.

"What magic is that?"

"Astral Projection. It's so we can have meetings without everyone needing to be in the room." Spying Hannah standing over to the side, we make our way over to her as the king steps off the throne and bows to the group assembled. As the projections wink out, he sighs and rubs his head.

"Bad news, I take it?" Looking up at me with dark eyes, he has the look of a broken man.

"The worse. They will not be dissuaded from their vengeance. This is the worst turn of events I could have ever imagined."

"What does that mean for us?"

"It means… we go to war."