Chapter 7 The Introduction

Jill

My mother is the Oracle of the Air? Who would have known? After all these years, how is it possible that I did not suspect anything odd about her? Maybe it is because I have always thought of her as strange on her own. She did not need a mysterious title to her name to snag that image. But still, the thought is weird. I am the daughter of an oracle.

What is an oracle anyway? Isn’t it that he is the one who sees things? If so, why are there two of them so far? What’s the point of all the elements to have oracles? Is that even the proper name to call them?

Gosh. So many questions and I can’t even ask them. Where are we going anyway? I feel like I have been up here in the air for hours. Sure, I have a lot of responsibilities now that I know I am supposed to accomplish a mission, but I’m still human. I’m tired and frustrated. I want to sleep and pretend for a moment that none of this has ever happened.

“Stop complaining, Jill,” Mei said. “Consider yourself lucky. You’re better off than the others who lost their lives because of their unawareness.”

“Somehow you fail to comfort me,” I said dryly. “Were you reading my thoughts?”

Mei smiled. “It was hard not to. You were kind of shouting it out loud in your head. Anyway, keep quiet now. We have to be silent the whole way so that we won’t be sensed by whatever is out there. Besides, I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want Ken to get angry with me.”

Interesting. I saw how she looked at Ken. She seemed like a child who had just received a warm embrace each time she was with Ken. For the first time, I was happy that Mei was happy. I used to hate her, but now, she wasn’t really that bad.

“Pay attention, Jill,” Ken said. “We’re almost there.”

In a matter of seconds, we were already standing on solid ground. We were at what appeared to be a huge fortress built eons ago that had seemingly witnessed countless battles. On any other day, this sight would have made me excited, but under the circumstances, I’d rather be elsewhere. Somehow, this place seemed to be giving off an aura of caution. I hurried to Jack’s side so I won’t be affected that much by the cold wind.

We went up the never-ending stairs and finally entered a room where we were greeted by what looked like a little fairy. She told us to take our seats. Behind her, a woman wearing blue was silently approaching us. I could see that she was floating on air. Her feet barely touched the floor!

“Jill, honey,” the woman said, coming closer.

“Mom!” I exclaimed, surprised. I rushed to hug her. “I’m so glad you’re alright. Where’s dad?”

“He’s somewhere else now,” my mother said, her blue eyes betrayed her sadness. “It was something unexpected. We were not able to react as quickly as I had hoped.”

“Oh.”

“But the good thing is that you are here now,” she said as cheerfully as she could. “You have to be prepared for the worst to happen. This is not a game, and as much as I would have liked it that you be kept out of this, I can’t do anything to put things back to order. All I can do now is to brief you with who or rather what you are up against before you go.” She smiled her sad smile.

“We are against 5 major bosses here. Four of them represent the four elements of the earth, and the destruction each element brings to mankind. They do not see eye to eye in things so that could be our advantage if we play our cards right. However, I doubt that we would be able to do much damage because they have a powerful being in control. He is the one we should be on the lookout for. He wields a weapon so destructive it can easily disintegrate anything of this world. You have to be extremely careful for there is also a great risk your heart will be devoured by the darkness of his soul, if he had any. He will go to great extents to make sure you will not defeat his minions and reach him.”

“I understand,” I said, nodding. I looked at my three friends. They were counting on me.

“Here, take this.” My mom gave me something silver. “It’s your grandmother’s locket. It will protect you when your heart calls out to it. It has saved a lot of people, and it will save you. Remember that no matter what happens, stick to fulfilling your destiny. Do not be swayed by your fears and doubts. Do not let your emotions take full control, most especially if they are those of anger and of hate.” She paused a while. “I wish you peace and safety.” She bowed. “Now go before it’s too late.”

Chapter 6