The Path of the Oracle

Cicilia’s revelation weighed on us like a tombstone. A fragmented god, asleep within me… those words haunted me. I couldn’t stop thinking that sooner or later, that presence would take control, and I would no longer be myself.
“There has to be a way to contain it,” I said firmly, breaking the silence in the library. “I won’t give up.”
Cicilia nodded gravely. “There is a possibility. To the east, beyond the forests of Seryon, lives an ancient oracle. It is said that his visions pierce even the veil of the gods. If anyone can tell you what that voice is, it’s him.”
“An oracle?” Nara repeated, raising an eyebrow. “Let me guess: he lives in some cursed place, surrounded by traps and monsters.”
Cicilia didn’t smile. “Something like that. His dwelling is known as the Sanctuary of Echoes. No one enters without being tested.”
Rei rested his arms on the table. “Then we’ll go there. If this oracle knows anything about what Kaoru carries inside, we can’t waste time.”
Lysbeth nodded. “The decision is made.”
Aria looked at me directly, her hand finding mine. “Whatever we discover, we’ll face it together.”

---
The next morning, we departed east. We left behind the castle walls, under a clear sky that seemed to mock our heavy spirits. The roads were quiet, but from time to time, rumors from peasants reached us: voices of strange creatures appearing in the forests, shadows attacking travelers.
“The oracle isn’t the only one living in those lands,” Lysbeth remarked as she led the group on horseback. “Something else is moving, something that doesn’t want us to reach him.”
Nara snorted. “Great. As if we didn’t already have enough problems with Kaoru being possessed by some forgotten god.”
Rei glared at her. “He’s not possessed.”
“Oh, no?” Nara replied, amused. “Then explain why his sword now splits walls like paper and why he wakes up screaming every night.”
I tensed but kept silent. I couldn’t deny the obvious: the voice inside me was growing stronger, more insistent. Sometimes it was a distant whisper; other times, a scream demanding control.

---
The forest of Seryon greeted us on the third day of travel. Tall, twisted trees blocked out the sky, and sunlight barely filtered through the branches. The atmosphere was oppressive, as if every leaf and root were watching us.
We advanced cautiously, alert to any movement. The first threat didn’t take long to appear: hooded figures emerged from between the trees, wielding curved daggers that gleamed with poison. Their empty eyes confirmed our fears.
“Devotees of Chaos,” Lysbeth murmured, unsheathing her sword.
The creatures surrounded us in a circle. The air filled with dark chants, and the ground began to tremble. From the shadows emerged a grotesque beast—a deformed wolf with three heads, each drooling black saliva.
“Seriously?” Nara growled. “I was hoping for some action, but this is just ridiculous.”
There was no time for jokes. I rushed to the front, my sword glowing with that energy I now feared more than ever. The strike I unleashed disintegrated two of the hooded figures in a single blow, and the dark wave forced the three-headed wolf to stumble back.
“Kaoru, control yourself!” Aria shouted, worried.
I tried, but the voice inside me rose, thrilled by the battle.
"Let me guide you… together we will tear them apart."
I clenched my teeth, refusing. “Shut up!”
The wolf lunged at me, jaws wide. With a roar, I released a burst of energy that pierced it completely, reducing it to ashes. The silence that followed was terrifying. The hooded figures fled, terrified by what they had witnessed.
When I turned, everyone was staring at me with tense expressions.
“That… wasn’t human,” Rei whispered.
Aria stepped forward, cupping my face in her hands. “Kaoru…”
“I’m not a monster,” I said with a trembling voice. “I’m not.”
She hugged me tightly. “You never will be.”

---
At nightfall, we camped in a clearing. The fire crackled as everyone tended their wounds. I sat apart, watching the flames.
Lysbeth approached, sitting beside me. “Don’t deny it. You’re changing.”
I didn’t know how to respond.
She went on. “I’ve seen soldiers corrupted by powers they didn’t understand. But I’ve also seen warriors who, despite carrying darkness, found a way to use it without losing themselves.”
I looked at her, surprised. “Do you really think I can resist it?”
Lysbeth held my gaze firmly. “I believe that as long as you have Aria and us, you won’t be alone. That’s your difference.”
Her words gave me a small measure of relief. Perhaps there was still hope.

---
The next day, after crossing a river shrouded in mist, we reached a clearing where the Sanctuary of Echoes rose. A white stone structure, covered in vines, emerged from the trees like a forgotten memory of another era.
“There it is,” Rei murmured.
Aria took my hand, her gaze steady. “Whatever we discover here, we’ll face it together.”
The echo in my mind laughed softly, as if it had been waiting for this moment.
"Yes… go on. The oracle will reveal more than you wish to know."
I shuddered, but squeezed Aria’s hand tightly. No matter what awaited us inside. I was determined to resist, even if the shadow within me refused to fall silent.
The true encounter was about to begin.