"Love?" I voiced outloud.

A blizzard bellowed violently in my mind, and lost of words and sane thoughts I froze.

"Elizabeth?" She called out in concern as my eyes blanked.

"Yes?....What, why are you suddenly asking me that? He is my employer!"

I looked at her in utter bewilderment. In return, she smiled at me softly, and said quickly to calm me down. "Sorry then, its just that my powers aren't working on you."

"Your powers?" I could see myself in her almond eyes, and the pride accompanying joy within them.

"Yeah, most demigod have powers that are attributed to their respective parent. And in my case, like many of my mother's children, can use enchantment. It is rather helpful you know, we can have people do what we want them to, if you are powerful enough."

"You can make someone fall in love?" I asked feeling uncomfortable by the strange gift.

"Love? Geez no. Just think of it as hypnotism." She rebuked, but I couldn't make out if by it she meant love was something silly or sacred.

"Why did you use it on me?" I folded my hands, and asked, but I couldn't bring myself to suspect the kind hearted woman of evil intentions.

"I wanted to know if you were actually a goddess, sorry." She apologized, and sounded dejected when she continued. "I am not really good at it for it work on gods anyway, or on a demigod for that matter, but i still tried it without your consent. I am really sorry."

Her face was face downcast, and I felt my heart drop to the floor. "Hey, its fine. And just so you know, you have me enchanted enough. Have even seen me take my eyes of you from the time we met? Your personality is enough to make people do your bidding. "

"Really?" Like cheery blossoms in spring her face bloomed, as if the soft petals had settled on her cheeks.

"Mmm."

My body leaned to her side as she pulled hard on my hand. "I think I know why my powers doesn't work on you. Its actually not supposed to be effective on people who are already in love, and since that's not the case, your special bloodline as you spoke of might be the reason or Lord Hades must have made you immune to all sort of enchantments before sending you on the quest."

It was as if my brain processing had slowed like a rolling stone up a hill, and before it fell down to utter chaos, and dilemmas I willed my tongue to speak.

"Yes, that must be the case."

"I have something to ask you about. Do you know Demeter?"

"The goddess of harvest? Of cource. I have even seen her in person once by chance." She smiled affirming that her impression on the said goddess was favourable, and I bit back a frown.

"Oh. See the thing is, one of my friend told me that she is kinnda cold and hard to approach, is she really like that? I am just asking because I tend to be annoying without intending to be, so just wanted to know if I should keep my distance if I ever meet her."

"You are not annoying!" She nearly screamed before her expression turned polite with a smile as she apologised to a startled passerby.

It was so adorable that I was tempted to hug her.

"I think your friend got the wrong impression, most of the people I know think that Demeter is exceptionally sweet, and the most kind out of the goddesses. My meeting with her was very brief, but she came off to me as someone warm."

The sun' light was suddenly dulled behind dark clouds, as if to represent the murky feelings in my heart. The goddess I met did not seem to fit her descriptions in the least. "Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yeah...but there is something I have heard from someone." She turned to me, noticing my sudden change in mood. "I don't remember who exactly told me, but I think that person told me that the goddess's personality changes with the season, like how the harvest is bad during winter."

"Hey watch out!" With a sharp cry Sakura pulled me by my arm, as my steps detrail from the the pavement, and onto the road.

The fingertips digging into my flesh made me flinch, and immediately brought my mind to focus on my surroundings.

"Sorry." I apologised reflexively. "I was lost in thought."

And naturally other people's trivial misfortunes always arouse the interest of the everyday people, and I strained my eyes on Sakura' face to avoid the unnecessary attention of judgemental gazes.

"Its alright." She lets go and walks around me to stand to my right, and becomes a human wall between the road and I. "Just in case."

I nearly wept from the kindness behind the sweetest of smiles. "Thank you." I moved my laptop to the other hand to let her continue leading me by the hand.

Her eyes crinkled, but with a false temper said. "There' no need for formality, and we are almost there."

"Hey, before we go in. What does the Oracle actually do?" I had almost forgot that I knew nothing regarding this crucial info.

"The Oracle is one who can see the future, its a remarkable ability. " She enthusiastically explained. "And the one you are going to meet, took charge of her duties over a hundred years ago after her predecessor, so you might find her a little...cold, but its fine." She stopped herself in time from saying what might have sounded too offensive.

"We demigods seek her out before going on quests. And trust me when I tell you that you will understand little to nothing from what she is going to tell you, but when the whole overdue she predicted of is over, it will start making perfect sense." She promised as we came to a stop before a two storied building without a fense or name board, between a crowded coffee shop, and a boutique.

The latter's manager keenly peeked out through the glass walls, but did not seemed bothered by two teenagers entering the abandoned looking building, and instead seemed to judge my fashion choices.

"Are you sure this is the right place?" I questioned as she pushed open the door after strange sound came from behind it.

"Yep, this is the place." She motioned for me to enter, and I found the door directly leading onto a small staircase descending down to a hall.

"Do you think she will she be able to get me back home?"

She thought about it for a moment and replied. "Yes, but you would have to be really persuasive."

"I think I can manage that."

"This is where I have to leave you." She said without a warning.

My head snapped back to look at her when I descended down onto the third step. "You can't come with me?"

"This is a path you have to walk by yourself." She dramatically said looking close to a commander sending off her best soldier into battle. And before I could respond, a sly grin appeared on her lips, "I could come if you are scared to go by yourself."

"Haha." I narrowed my eyes. "No, thank you...what is happening?" The door slowly started to close, and she stepped back with her hands tied behind her back, but it moved on its own. And the sudden separation did not settle well with me to even say goodbye.

"Remember Elizabeth, whatever she tells you. It's always much worse than it sounds."

I narrowed my gaze at the smiling maiden. "Aren't you an optimistic fellow." I chided, but I was at a loss when she waved.

"I hope I see you again." She smiled, and I knew I could never again forget the face of this woman like a dewy lily when the door fully shut.

I turned away, and clutched my laptop hard as I walked down the remaining steps and proceeded through the halls with oil lamps of gold lighting the way.

There was something unnerving to the well lit path, maybe because of how the blue carpet matching the walls, and roof sucked away the sound of my steps and left only my shallow breaths to keep me company.

The path finally ended before an arched door without much twist and turns, but it turned out firmly shut from the inside when I pushed for it to open.

And then in the hall with both ends now sealed off, I began to feel anxious knowing of the suffocation that was to come with the burning torches and walls without windows.

But as I approached the closest source to extinguish its light, a creek sounded and I turned back to find the door ajar.

I neared it, and with a silent prayer opened it further to enter a room filled with a light fragrance that reminded me of vineyards, with deep floral notes, and underscored by earthy charecters.

And the first, and foremost sight I beheld to feel shaken undeniably was the chair by the pendulum clock rocking on its own as I stepped further in.

I shriveled at the sight, thinking involuntarily of the possible reasons why.

How wonderful...

I sighed, and tactically put some distance between the assumed haunted item, and my body.

The room was spacious with rows and rows of shelves packed with books on one side, and numerous stands of candle holders on the other, each of a unique origin and shape.

Dark and think curtains were drawn open over french windows that were the only souce of lights beside the candles that turned the floor white with scented wax.

And in this room, in my pajamas and barely attended hair I felt like a square left on a circle, completely out of place.

Then suddenly my heart leapt up to my throat when my eyes caught a small movement in the eerily silent room. And I was thoroughly surprised for not having noticed the person who was sitting back in her chair not far from where I stood earlier on.

The woman was engrossed in the material before her on the table, and her head was bowed hiding away her facial features, all expect for her long unrestrained hair.

My eyes were drawn to the graceful movement of her fine hands, and slender wrists that held an ink pen over a green bordered page. And without making a sound I stood for a long time to have her complete her work, but by the first seconds of the fourth minute to come, I was about to open my mouth and interrupt, but she raised her pale hand. "Welcome Elizabeth Rain Airlea."

A stool slid over from the side, and stopped before the table, and understanding the indication I said. "I am fine standing." Truth be told the warmth of the fire place I stood near to was too comfortable to move away from ever since the sound of raindrops came knocking at the window glass.

"Why have you come?" The same calm voice as last time clung to the silence of the room.

"Ahh, to know about future, I think." I fidgeted, feeling strangely nervous.

"What is it that you seek." The shrill like voice sounded again, and finally the woman raised her head, and my eyes widened.

Over a hundred years, Sakura had said but the woman before me was hardly in her thirties.

Her complexion was paper like, as if not a drop of blood flowed under the glass like skin. And rather pale were her hair and brows with accompanying features of a profound sense of mystery, both breathtaking and cold.

I stumbled for words as she set down her pen, but I kept my feet from scurrying back the way I came. "I don't honestly know what I am looking for. I was sent here by a goddess who only told me to meet the Oracle."

"I know of those matters, but why have you come?" Under long silver lashes, a pair of indifferent red eyes glowed with a hint of gold from the burning lamps. "Only speak the truth." She warned, and having a natural sharp gaze it felt as if she was searching for my flaws as she looked at me.

"I want to help someone." I said after taking a calming breath.

She did not respond immediately, and sat like a carefully crafted sculpture, seemingly in equilibrium with all that was around her. "Never forget your purpose." Her lips moved, and I didn't know why exactly she said so.

But then something highly unexpected happened. The high wooden chair fell down clumsily after a rough screech as she got up. "Let me get my phone, I will email you my predictions."

This came as a huge shock to me. Since, I had even prepared myself to face shining magical words written in air, and even prepped talked myself to not freak out if the method of communication she had chosen was creepily whispering it to me close to my ears.

"What..." Her short figure was revealed from behind the long table, and I couldn't bring myself to finish.

The A-line gown with a sheer overlay that I thought complemented her complexion perfectly was stuffed into dark demin shorts in a messy bump at one side, as if the wearer had felt too hot inside the lengthy fabric.

In one worn out slipper she neared the shelf on the wall, and from in between thick books fished out her phone with a sleek black cover. To judge the woman while I myself was barefoot, clashed against my conscience, but either way I was shocked speechless.

"Do you want to memorize it then?" She asked sending me a sidelong glance with her distinctly long-slitted pupil.

"I will tell you my email."

"I already know."

Oh, how silly of me. "Thank you then."

What happened to sophistication!!

Getting ahold of my thoughts, I figured there was no reason to remain, and I decided to ask her for her help to get back home. "Lady Oracle, if you aren't too busy..."

"I am busy, there are a lot more unfortunate souls seeking my knowledge, I cannot keep them waiting." From underneath her calm persona like a frozen river was revealed the spirit of a dancing peacock.

"Its alright..."

"Do you even know how much a second in my presence actually would cost you. You wouldn't even believe me if I told you, but be thankful that I am doing this for free." She said, standoffishly raising up her chin while the phone was wiggled between her fingers.

"Okay..."

"To predict the future is not a mere gift, it comes with great responsibilities."

The initial built up almost had me pass out in surprise.

"Not to mention being the high priestess of Apollo is an honor no one can refuse, and I have spent over a one-twenty years guiding you buffoons to your perilous future, but my job is my pride and joy no matter how small the paycheck is." She went on, and my ears had started to bleed from when Apollo was mentioned.

"Lord Apollo has once even descended to the mortal realm just to....Wait, are you leaving?"

I was already halfway to the door and hoped to leave before it was shut again.

"...I can get you back home." She called out when I was a step away from the threshold.

I turned around immediately, but my smile at the sight of her expression, fell, and the victory I thought I had achieved fell bleak when the red orbs wavered.

"Sheesh, why you mortals always in a hurry to run away?"

She asked and her eyes did not meet mine while tapping at the table as if meaning to drill a hole through with her nails. "Can't you be at least be thankful to me for being generous enough to waste my time to enlighten your mortal brains?"

Her jaws clenched when she looked up as if she was trying hard to keep her emotions in check, and only then did I realise the strangeness to this room. Everything building it up was kept in the same systematic pattern, seemingly never put much to use, but regardless cleaned spotless by the one who had arranged it as so.

There were no signs of the presence of another in the spacious room, and even when she had talked of the many that visited her before going on their quest seemed to have left like how I was about to follow, and thus nothing in this silent room was ever disturbed.

Was she lonely? I had a sudden thought, and I opened my mouth on an impulse.

"I will visit in the future."

Then a red pair of eyes looked at me, casting a stunned sight. "You would?" But awfully quick she shook her head vehemently that her hair swung. "I mean, are you really that greedy for knowledge?"

"Yep." I confessed without shame. "Knowledge is wealth isn' it, and I plan on being filthy rich. So would you let me come back someday?" I pieced my words in a manner that did not sound her out. "When you are free, of course."

She nodded her head, quite pleased. "You seem to be a sound mortal, so I will let you be in my presence again."

And oddly enough whatever words that sprouted out from her pale lips seemed cute to me now. "Thank you. But can you sent me back soon, I didn't tell anyone back home of this trip, so they must be worried."

"I do not care about what your mortal family thinks, but its not like I want you to stay." She put down her phone, and raised the staff set leaning on the wall, and though what she said otherwise her actions were hurried, like she did not want me to be delayed further.

But when the time to cast the spell came at hand, she paused for a second, and I smiled. "See you later."

The red eyes that met mine then were not frighteningly aloof, but charmingly captivating. "Yes." She nodded.

And then a cold sensation flooded through my body before I closed my eyes. A second later the sound of a new notification buzzed, and I opened my eyes to my room with the laptop still in hand.

I slid off the bed, and unlocked my phone that was on the nightstand. A new email was found in my inbox, but it strangely did not show the sender's address.

Frowning, I downloaded the pdf and then opened the document to find a writing in italics.

A jealous heart in the hide,

only blood ties can decide.

And the beloved of merciless time,

shall take away a soul by crime.

For a lock forged for all of hell,

broken with the piece no one can sell.

I read the lines over and over again, however only little could I conjure from the riddle like wordings.

But it sounds like I am in for an adventure.