ANWA-Chapter 4: The Prophecy

Now that they were closer, she could see that the door was covered in elaborate carvings. Pictures of what she assumed to be the gods and goddesses Risu had spoken of earlier, along with strings of words in a language she couldn't identify. Not surprising there. She wanted a better look, but the door had already been pulled open. Standing in the doorway was a blue skinned figure with silvery hair. He, for Izzy assumed it was male by the appearance, wore black robes embroidered all over with gold threads. Obviously someone important. Risu hugged the man ecstatically. "Ashdelna!" he exclaimed. The robed man, Ashdelna, smiled and hugged Risu in return. "I'm glad you made it back my son. For a moment, I feared I might not have been able to pull you back. There was a heavy and dark magic interfering. It almost overwhelmed me."


Izzy's head reeled slightly at the way Ashdelna spoke. It was such a drastic change from Risu's, which she had sort of gotten used to at this point. Ashdelna reminded her of a college professor. Albeit a silver haired, blue skinned magical college professor. "I see you have returned with a guest." Risu grinned and tugged Izzy forward. "I is bringing her back from the Other Side!" he proclaimed happily. The blue skinned monk studied her for a moment. "Did you happen to inquire as to her name?" he asked, extending a hand to Izzy. She shook it nervously, feeling a slight tingle. "We were sort of in a hurry…" she explained. "I'm-"Ashdelna cut her off. "Izabella Silvers. Age seventeen. Youngest of three children, with two twin brothers."


Izzy stared in shock. "How did you know that?" she demanded. "Ashdelna is having the magical touch!" Risu explained. "He can see all about a person's life!" This was no real comfort to Izzy. If anything, she felt a little….exposed. "Welcome to Vibepuli, Izabella." Ashdelna said with a smile. "We've been trying to get you here for quite some time." Izzy nodded, slightly confused. "Risu said something about the 'Dark One'…who is he?" Ashdelna's features formed into a frown. "His name is Victor Corvus. He's an extremely powerful mage. Slowly but surely, bit by bit, he's been taking over Vibepuli. Any who resist are killed." He sighed and added, "Or worse." Izzy wondered what could be worse and found she really didn't want to know.


"We have a prophecy of such a thing happening….but no one wanted to believe it. Mostly because it meant that Aldemi, our god of the night…of darkness…it meant that he had declared war on the other gods and goddesses. He has chosen Corvus as his host, giving him powers in addition to those the mage already possessed." Ashdelna explained. Risu bit his lip nervously. "So why am I here?" Izzy asked. The blue skinned monk smiled slightly. "This prophecy spoke of a young woman who would decide the fate of Vibepuli. A woman who came from the Outside. The Outside is your world Izabella. And, seeing as how you're here…..you're the girl in the prophecy." Izzy paled. "You've got the wrong girl…" she whispered hoarsely.


He shook his head. "You are the one who can defeat Corvus and Aldemi. Naturally, he is most anxious that you do not hinder his plans for domination." Izzy glared. "This Victor guy is supposed to be a big powerful mage with the support of a GOD! I'm seventeen! How the hell do you expect me to do anything about this?" She was angry, pacing in a small line with her fists clenched by her side. A loud peal of thunder shook the temple suddenly. Outside, the sky that had once been sunny and inviting was now dark and flashing with lightning. The Ayek Sea, which had been calm and smooth when they arrived, crashed in angry waves along the shore. Both Risu and Ashdelna turned to stare at Izzy. "What?" she asked nervously.


"Have you always been able to do that?" Ashdelna asked, appearing genuinely surprised. Izzy frowned, giving a small sigh of exasperation. "Do WHAT exactly?" she demanded. Risu quietly pointed to the storm that was starting to kick into high gear outside. "You is making the weather change…" he whispered in awe. She shook her head, laughing nervously. "That's not me!" Ashdelna peered out the window for a moment. "Izabella, I want you to think of something happy." He instructed. Raising an eyebrow slightly, Izzy complied nonetheless. The priest watched as she closed her eyes and began to find her happy thought. He glanced outside. Just as he suspected, the weather began clearing. Within moments, it was back to its originally calm state.


"Well now...this is an interesting twist to things." Ashdelna said, grinning slightly. "Izabella, do you realize that you have the powers of Cyera, one of our major goddesses…and the quarry of Aldemi. Since the world was created, these two have been at odds. He desired her and she spurned his advances. It seems she has somehow given you her powers…" The room was silent for what seemed like an eternity before Izzy spoke up. "So what does this all mean?" Risu answered before Ashdelna. "You has to get to Culistula. The city of the gods…." Ashdelna's smile momentarily flickered into the briefest of frowns before it returned. "He's right. Only there can you be safe and fulfill the prophecy."


Just then, another figure ran in. This was a blue skinned, silver haired man like Ashdelna, but he seemed much younger. "There is a large boat offshore." He reported breathlessly. "A smaller one docked on the shore and there are footprints leading down the path…..both boats bear HIS emblem." Risu scrambled to Izzy's side. "Come now pretty lady! You hide now!" Ashdelna shook his head. "No time! Get her in a set of robes and mix her in with the others." He ordered. Almost instantly, a set of black and gold robes were thrust into Izzy's hands. She threw them on quickly, and not a moment too soon. As the other priests grouped around her, the door of the temple opened and a figure strode in leisurely.