Chapter 31 — The Oracle

The monk led her up several flights of stairs and to a marble hallway decorated with blossoming plants in sculpted vases and wall-mounted planters.

Ria expected the hallway to be dominated by the pleasant smell of the fresh plants, but a smell of strong incense lingered in the air and grew stronger as they walked. Surprisingly, the scent wasn’t flowery or medicinal but metallic and acrid, like the air of a forge.

A glance in Ranger’s direction and a mental query confirmed he had also noticed the smell, finding it oddly empowering.

After a deeper breath of her own, Ria had to agree. The smoke had that hint of ‘ancient’ that had been tickling her senses more and more of late, and as she turned her senses inward her lungs seemed to be greedily absorbing the medicines in the scented smoke.

Curious, she used her energy control to gather and draw more of the smoke to her, collecting what was nearby into a visually dense cloud. Carefully confirming that the monk seemed unconcerned with her actions, she breathed in the collected cloud deeply and had to hold back a giggle when breathing it back out made smoke rings like a dragon. Even the monk couldn’t hide his amusement at her antics when he glanced back over his shoulder.

Ria soon no longer had time to pay attention to the monk as the larger concentration of medicine began activating processes within her body that reminded her of how she felt when calling up the molten metal smell. As she concentrated on the processes, she observed her organs drinking deeply of the medicine that was now flowing through her blood. Worryingly, wherever the medicine passed, her energy was becoming more and more unstable.

What would happen if she lost control of her energy here in the temple?

Taking slow deliberate breaths in an attempt to calm herself brought the relaxing scent of the plants but also more of the strange medicine. A brief attempt to push away the smoke and slow the process failed as her body was now actively drawing the medicine in without any way for her to restrain it.

Unable to do anything else, Ria circulated the energy she could control and tried to spread the medicine evenly throughout her body in hopes that if she kept it from concentrating in one place too much, her energy wouldn’t go out of control.

Unfortunately, there was little she could do to keep it from concentrating in her lungs. Her lungs seemingly hungered for the medicine and were the first to reach a critical point, changing in a way that caused energy to well up from them. Her heart was next, beating strong beats that further spread the welling energy.

“Please wait here,” the monk instructed and Ria looked up with a start.

The monk motioned to a marble bench situated against a wall and near an archway—an archway through which she now noticed a plethora of new fruit and flower smells that colored the haze of burning incense present in the hall.

Ria was feeling dizzy from the unstable welling of energy within her body and was grateful for the chance to address her growing crisis, lowering herself to the seat and focusing on her breathing. Ranger hopped up beside her, his nostrils flaring at the strange scents as he propped himself up in his silly meditation pose.

“Don’t worry. Adjusting to the energy density of the High Priestess’ garden can take some time and is expected.” The monk gave her a kindly smile. “Take your time. We’ll proceed when you are ready.”

As her breaths drew in denser concentrations of the powerful metallic incense, Ria began to suspect that the braziers on either side of the bench were the main source present in the hall, and with each breath, her body’s energy flared further.

Maybe the incense was set up for her to help prepare her for the denser energies of the garden?

Ranger probably had the right idea. She scooted deeper onto the bench and folded her legs, assuming the unified meditation pose as she circulated her energy and tried to get it under control.

With the addition of the scents from the garden itself, her skin began to tingle and flush. Her lungs seemed to breathe in more of what her body needed from the air to the extent that she felt light-headed and her bones began to itch—and not just her bones. The itching became a faint burning that spread through her blood to the rest of her body—almost as if she were becoming fevered from exposure to concentrated elemental energy, but she was almost certain the elemental energy was coming from within her.

Her brows rose in shock at the realization that the capacity of her energy reserves was gradually increasing as she watched. Though to call it ‘gradual’ was to understate the shocking change! If just sitting and meditating near the High Priestess’ garden could benefit a mage to this extent, how valuable was being invited to speak with her?!

Excitement began to win out over her worry, and with a gluttonous eagerness, Ria continued to draw in the medicines and essences around her, steeling her strength of will toward cycling the burning energies within.

Soon after the incense stopped coming out of the braziers, the monk cleared his throat.

Ah-! Even if he had told her to take her time, surely there were limits!

Ria opened her eyes, her face flushing with embarrassment at the unrestrained greed she had just displayed.

The medicine must have worked though, because the burning and itching had stopped and her energy was once again under her control. It seemed heavier and denser, viscous like a fluid, and she no longer felt light-headed from the scents and strongly spiritual energies coming from the archway. It was as if a pressure she hadn’t known was there had been lifted.

She did have one concern in that her energy was harder and slower to move, but that was something she could investigate more later.

Hopping to her feet, she informed the monk that she was ready.

Her body felt stronger too.

The monk observed her face for a moment before nodding. “Come this way. Remember to be polite and only do as directed.”

Ria rolled her eyes once the monk’s back was turned. Like hells would she risk offending a High Priestess!

Even after having experienced the Academy’s Garden of Elements, Ria still couldn’t help gaping at the sight and feel of the marble-tiered terrace before her, with its small waterfalls, exotic spiritual plants, and a clear pond providing home to what was probably the largest flowering lily pad in the world. The concentration of energy was almost blinding to her senses—the middle-aged woman meditating upon the lily pad was no exception, glowing strong enough by herself to force Ria to squint.

Poor Ranger let out a whuffle sound as his head bobbed drunkenly from the onslaught.

Ria patted his shoulder, sent him encouragement through the bond, and gave him a comforting rub. “Do your best to hang in there, buddy.”

Finding Ranger’s energy sight too distracting, she blinked it off and allowed her sense of touch to passively explore the garden. So many different attunements…

Each breath of the garden’s moist air invigorated her body and washed away the day’s stress, filling her with a gentle warmth that reminded her of Priest Dohan’s divination and Hemse’s shrine in Shadewood. Ria looked down at the lustrous glow of her forearm and brushed her fingers against her smooth cheeks, finding that the mist was making her skin softer and more resplendent than even the ointment that removed Oberford’s Stenchtastic Sludge of Permanent Staining.

The monk stopped a respectful distance out from the pond’s edge and directed Ria to continue.

When Ria and Ranger stood before the edge of the pond, the High Priestess continued to silently meditate long enough that Ria began to feel a bit nervous about whether there was some sort of etiquette required. Speaking first without being addressed was surely improper, wasn’t it?

Then again, the longer spent in this garden the better! So, there certainly wasn’t any reason to complain!

“Welcome, Ria of Shadewood,” the High Priestess greeted and opened her eyes.

After waiting a few moments to make sure there was an expectation for her to speak, Ria formally replied, “This unworthy apprentice is grateful to have been invited, High Priestess.”

The High Priestess' gaze drifted to Ria’s hair arrangement, and the woman smiled in amusement. “I see an elf has taken an interest in you.”

Ria nodded.

“Know that the friendship of an elf is a valuable thing that should be treasured—particularly for those loved by magic and destined to live a long life,” the High Priestess advised.

Destined to live a long life…? That aside, she was being rebuked for holding a grudge over the pranks, wasn’t she?

Ria closed her eyes a moment to work through her feelings before nodding again and letting her frustration with her elf friend go. She was more annoyed than mad at Orlisi, but if the High Priestess thought it important enough to gently prod about, then…

Unless it was because the High Priestess had foreseen that there were even more pranks to come...? No, wait. Of course, there were more pranks to come! But... even to the extent that the High Priestess would personally advise temperance and perseverance?!

The groan that escaped Ria upon realizing that even worse pranks would test her in the future drew a chuckle from the Priestess.

“Do you have an idea of why I asked to see you, Ria?” the woman gently asked.

Ria shook her head.

“What if I told you that Ellnys herself has taken an interest in you?”

A cold fear prickled up Ria’s spine. In the stories, attracting the interest of the gods was invariably a curse that meant great hardships for the main character. “But, I’m a follower of Hemse…”

“Indeed.” The High Priestess nodded. “You need not worry. The Divinity of Medicine and Healing has no intention of requiring your faith, as The Great Farmer has clearly claimed you as His.”

Ria tilted her head, feeling somewhat relieved but also further confused as to why she had been summoned.

The High Priestess laughed, the sound soft and pleasant in the mist. “Meeting you in person, it is hard to believe the path you walk and the Oracle that has been given.”

An Oracle!! The most famous of Oracles usually involved great heroes and times of terrible destruction and peril! Ria was stunned at the revelation, barely squeaking out a disbelieving question, “About me?”

“That is correct, young Ria,” the High Priestess confirmed and her face became serious. “A time of testing comes and a great many lives hang in the balance of your future choosing. You will know when the choice is before you, and your choice will create a great divergence in the path the peoples of this world will take.

“Only should you choose Power will you reach your full potential. A great many lives will be spared from the coming horrors, but as a consequence of your choice, you will no longer be welcome in human lands.

“Should you choose Trust and forego Power, you will likely never reach beyond A-rank in strength, and an uncountable number more people will perish. Even so, your efforts will make you a beloved hero of the people.”

Ria felt faint. Surely, she wasn’t someone so important?! How could the fate of uncountable people rest in her hands? How could anyone expect her to shoulder such a responsibility? A queasiness rose from her stomach.

A pair of delicate but strong arms wrapped around Ria to comfort her as her head spun while trying to comprehend what she had been told.

The sound of lapping water drew Ria’s attention to the now empty lily pad and the gently rippling pond, causing her to realize that the High Priestess herself was the one drawing her into a motherly hug.

After a suitable amount of time had passed, the woman stepped back while still keeping a light grip on Ria’s shoulders, and Ria looked up to meet the gentle eyes looking down at her.

The High Priestess gave her a wry smile. “It is a difficult burden to receive at such a young age. This reminds me of the time I gave Luventi his Oracle; he was similarly overwhelmed.”

“Archmage Luventi was?” Ria asked, her own concerns temporarily pushed aside by her surprise.

“He was!” the High Priestess assured with a grin tugging the corners of her mouth. “Honestly, you remind me a lot of him, Ria.”

Ria found that hard to believe. But… their similar newcomer attunement scores suggested that she might have more in common with the legendary hero mage than she would have ever imagined possible.

“Be wary of the other Churches, Ria. They aren’t directly aware of your identity yet, but be assured that the other gods and goddesses have their own plans for you. Plans that care little for your choice in the matter.”

Ria gulped and nodded.

“I was also instructed to inform you of the Church of Ellnys’ protection and support,” the woman told her with a smile.

Priest Dohan had said something similar back in Vorshan’s Hills.

“Um, thank you, High Priestess,” Ria mumbled. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Just a promise that you’ll come to us should you need assistance,” the High Priestess insisted, holding Ria’s gaze and clearly expecting an affirmative reply.

“I promise.”

A bright smile lit the priestess’ face and she pulled Ria into a side-hug. “Great! Since I’ve already taken a liking to you, Ria, before you leave, I’d like you to take a fruit or clipping for yourself and one for your familiar from any plant of your choice within my garden.”

Ria’s eyes widened. She couldn’t believe her luck!

…Or was it misfortune?