Soulforge Legacy Series

Even as the doors slammed shut behind us, Xander did not stop or slow his forward charge. His pace cut through the corridors. It was so fast that I nearly missed the transition of the cold crystal walls to a section that was subtly different. It almost felt warmer, more welcoming.

Unlike the last section, the people here were not in a rush. Some even looked like they were relaxing. Well, most of them. There were a few here and there that looked a bit on edge. And then there were the guards.

I say guards, but they didn’t look any different than the rest of the people here. In fact, everyone looked like they were armed with some sort of weapon. From small knives to a massive hammer in one case.

What set the guards apart wasn’t quite so obvious. I couldn’t even guarantee that I was correct. It was just that they seemed to carry themselves in a way that said they were watching everyone. Tracking everything that was going on around them.

“Hey Kai,” one of the guards stopped in front of Xander, forcing him to either step around or stop. “What brings you into the palace?” His smirk gave away the joke. While this place was opulent, I doubted anyone called it a palace.

Xander almost sounded strained as he answered. Like he was trying to not snap at the man. “My friend here needs to see an Oracle.”

The two guards gave me a once-over before practically dismissing me. Like they thought I wasn’t a threat. “Was she assigned the Oracle, or are you trying to break yet more rules?” He made it sound like this was a common issue with Xander. Not that I would be all that surprised.

“I will have you know that I got permission to pick an Oracle for her to see.” Xander sounded annoyed by the insinuation that he was breaking rules.

“I am sure you did.” The guard’s lips pursed as he gave a tiny nod. “And I am guessing you are taking her to see Philipa?”

“Of course I am taking her to see Philipa.” Xander’s annoyed tone morphed into something closer to offended. “Do you know of any better Oracle for the job?”

“No, no.” The guard shrugged. “If I had a choice, I would take him over anyone else. Unfortunately for you, the Oracle section of this wing is off-limits without an appointment and escort.”

That seemed to stop whatever Xander was about to say. “How many?” His tone was cold, calculating.

“Three.” Three what? What had Xander and the guards on edge? “Small explosive in the bathhouse. It was lucky that one of the women was throwing a baby shower. The three that had been there had just gotten back from a trip to the capital and just wanted to relax.”

That was horrible to think about. I mean, sure, the three of them would come back. To think that one could be somewhere they thought they were safe, only to be killed without warning or even a chance to defend themselves.

“Have they respawned yet?”

The guard shook his head. “No, and just like all the other deaths, there is no evidence that an intruder had even entered. Apart from the way they died, that is.”

Wait, wasn’t this quite a bit more information than the public knew? Assuming the government wouldn’t want to let the general population know that they were seemingly unable to protect those in the heart of its power. So why was he telling Xander?

“While I know you don’t have a contract with the city, I ask that you, or one of those under you, try to find out what is going on.” Ah, now it made sense. They wanted to use him to get the information they needed to take down whoever was killing people in the heart of the city.

“Send all the information you have to Gabrial. He will go through it and determine if we can help and who best to send.” With that, Xander pushed past the guards. And they let him. Not a single person seemed to care that we were heading into the Oracle wing without an escort or an appointment.

While the number of people moving around didn’t change, the rooms shifted. The large spaces shrank and the various amenities vanished as doors started to line the path. Beside each was a single name and a single word. Oracle.

It was as someone, a Louis Valentine based on the nameplate, exited the room that I got a look beyond. To see the bed and desk. Both messy and seemingly well used. Especially as it looked like a person was still in the bed, moaning something about hurrying back with some food or something.

Honestly, I didn’t want to know and instead rushed to catch up with Xander. Just in time for him to stop and move to knock on the door. Only, the door opened before he could.

Standing in the open doorway, in what could only be considered pajamas, was a young teen. Albeit one with kaleidoscope eyes. “XANDER!” The kid screamed with joy as he launched himself forward.

Xander didn’t hesitate to catch the little rocket. “Philipa Liminous Beatrix, what have I told you about jumping on people?” While he lightly scolded the boy, his arm moved to support the kid as the little arms wrapped around Xander’s neck.

“Not to.” The boy didn’t sound all that remorseful. “But I don’t jump on anyone else. Only you.” Xander’s eyes hardened as he gave the kid the look. The look that most parents seem to master. After a minute, Philipa broke the stare off. “And the caretaker, as well as a few of the other Oracles.” His voice perked up as he tried to defend himself. “But I always know who it is and how they will react. So why can’t I?”

Philipa’s lower lip pushed out as his eyes started to glisten. “Because it is rude.” Xander looked ready to melt and chose to change topics. “But enough of that. I brought a friend with me today.”

As soon as those eyes latched onto me, I felt as though something was peeling me apart. No, not peeling, stripping the very essence of me from my body as they analyzed it. Looking for something, and nothing, in an effort to see everything.

Then it was gone, and I found myself gasping for air. “This is Kyren.” Xander didn’t seem to notice any of what had just happened. Not that I knew what it was or how the kid did it. “She is new to the city and needs to get her Oracle reading and an assignment. Do you think you can help with that?”

Almost as soon as Xander finished, the boy started to talk. But unlike before, the voice was deeper and seemed to cause the very air around me to vibrate. “Two sides of a coin that were never meant to be mixed, forced to join in a single vessel without care for the consequences of tampering with their own spell. A child of both demonic and heavenly magic. Never meant to be yet inevitable.”

“What do you see?” Xander’s voice was soft. Guiding the boy more than anything.

“I see love and pain. Death and betrayal. Graves line both of the paths forward. Between which a choice must be made. A choice that will either help balance the world, or throw it into the chaos.”

Even as I knew that most future sight was iffy and mostly riddles that could mean anything, my heart stuttered at his words. Take the whole love aspect as an example. I could find my love for money or for fighting, and that would fulfill that portion of the telling without the need to find someone for me.

As for the whole death and betrayal. I had no clue how to take those words. Sure, fighting monsters meant that there would be deaths, but that couldn’t be what he was talking about. Unless we started to bury the monsters we killed. A practice that would waste the materials and waste the creature's life.

Then there was the rest. Apparently, I would, in some way, be presented with two paths. Likely when I wasn’t expecting it. Yet the choice would affect more than me or those around me. It would affect whole worlds. Either leading them toward balance or chaos. Though at least the word help in that part meant that it wasn’t all on my shoulders. That others would play a part.

“What group does she belong in?”

“Mysticism would do well to teach her to use her heritage, but her class would do best in the Magic Formations branch. Slippery Shades could help her hone her skills as a cunning fox, but her impulsiveness and skills might make her an asset to the IPAS group. Then again, she might be best used in the central government as a mediator with various non-human groups.”

“So, you are saying that she could be a part of any group?” Xander let out a soft growl of exasperation.

Philipa paused before answering. “Yes, however, for her to truly flourish, she must be placed on the front lines. All other paths lead to nothing but death and destruction.” Oh, great. Out of the frying pan and into the fire, I guess. “For this, she will be put into a training crew where she will learn the skills necessary and grow in ways otherwise not possible.”

With those last words, Philipa’s body turned into a mist and flowed back into his room. “What was that?” I asked, more confused than anything else.

“The reason I hate Oracles.” His voice was a low rumble as he turned back the way we came. “Lets get out of here. We have a few things we need to get you before you are assigned a group to train with.”

The path back through the facility was oddly fast. It wasn’t like we dawdled or anything. But something about the distance felt wrong. Almost as though the space in the structure was twisted in some way.

As I followed Xander through yet another doorway, I found myself looking at the entry hall. Albeit from one of the side doors. Doors that just so happen to be concealed by the pillars that lined the sides of the room. And in the center of the room stood Ginger and Pendragon.

Albeit, while they were no longer wrapped up inside of Pendragon’s wings, they were still focused on each other. Ignoring everyone and everything that happened around them.

“Ginger!” Xander’s call managed to finally break the two apart. As she turned to look at us, her cheeks were pretty red. “We are heading back, and I would like you to come with us.”

While she gave a tiny nod, Pendragon chose to speak. “I would like to come with.”

“Why?” The question was cold. Like Xander was pissed at the man for some reason.

“Is it so wrong for one to wish to stay near their mate?” There was a concept I knew from various books and movies. A form of marriage, but not. Sometimes they were more permanent, other times not so much. And let's not forget the ones that are practically predestined. Though usually stories that included destined mates either resulted in the main character getting rejected or fighting the bond.

So what was it here? In this new world of gods and demons. Where a system and magic both run rampant through the world. Was it something he decided or that they both agreed to? While I could ask her, I would have to wait until we were alone. Where he couldn’t interrupt, answer for her, or start an argument.

“Fine,” Xander rolled his eyes as he made to leave the building. “But remember that she can kill you just as easily as I can.” While Pendragon didn’t respond, he did let out a chuckle as the two of them followed Xander. Which left me to rush to catch up.