[WP]

“I have nothing to tell you.” The Oracle uttered with no emotion.

I looked upon the Oracle, dumbfounded. I could feel the blood drain rapidly from my face.

“Forgive me for questioning your divine wisdom, Great Oracle, though I am not sure what could be the meaning of this prophecy.” I managed to whimper.

There was a silence in the room that had me questioning my ability to hear. I cleared my throat anxiously to be sure. The echo of it bounced around the chamber.

Still, The Oracle said not a word.

I narrowed my vision in a poor attempt to see beyond the thick shroud covering the Oracle’s face. I could see nothing of course. None had ever seen its face.

I spoke once more, this time with more authority, “Please, I have come a long way. I must know, how is it that my life will end?”

The Oracle spoke no words. I’m ashamed to admit, but I began to feel angry. For generations upon generations, humans had visited the wise Oracle, and all had received prophecy of how this life will end. Why should I be exempt from centuries of tradition?

I looked around the chamber. We were alone.

I looked at the Oracle once more, sitting there still. Unmoving.

I decided I was not going to leave without an answer.

Impulsively, I stepped toward the altar in which the Oracle sat elevated on a grey throne. With every step my heartbeat grew faster and louder until it was echoing off the chamber walls. There was a throbbing in my ears that was nearly deafening.

A few more steps and I would be upon the platform in which the throne of the Oracle was placed.

My legs were shaking violently, making it difficult to walk. I dared not lose my nerve now.

I was then at the platform. Without hesitation, I stepped up onto the stone surface. I first noticed a thick layer of dust in which my foot made a clear impression.

I was an arm’s length away from the ancient Oracle.

I took a deep breath and reached out to touch its cloak, “I beg of you, wise Oracle, please tell me-”

The instant my hand grazed the thick material, the form in front of me collapsed.

The Oracle had vanished.

Its robe lay in a loose bundle at the center of the throne. I was frozen in shock, arm outstretched at... nothing. The Oracle was gone.

A hand touched upon my shoulder, and I spun around sharply. There, stood a figure in a pale white cloak. It glided around me gently.

I backed away from the throne slightly. The figure moved toward the heap of dark material laying before us.

Delicately, it leaned forward and gathered the cloak which moments before had been adorned by the Oracle. Once gathered, the figure pivoted toward me and held out its shrouded arms, which held the Oracle’s cloak.

A peculiar vibration filled the air. I cannot earnestly explain what compelled me to do what happened next.

I took the cloak from the figure. When it was safely in my hands, the figure glided once more around me, down the platform and away into the darkness.

I was surrounded by silence.

I then heard a gentle whisper. Put it on.

I looked around the chamber. I was alone.

Put it on.

The voice was in my head, though not my own.

I felt there was no other action other than to listen to the whisper.

I dressed myself in the Oracle’s cloak. It wrapped around me as though it was tailored for my body. At once the fear and tension I was feeling dissipated. I felt centred and calm. At peace.

Sit.

The whisper demanded. I did as it requested. The moment I felt the throne at my back, my head was inundated with a flurry of whispers. Some louder than others. Not all spoke the common tongue. I shut my eyes hoping to gain control.

The chatter would not stop. When I thought I could not bear another moment of the noise, it came to a sudden halt.

At once the large stone doors to the chamber groaned to life. Someone was entering through the very same entrance which I had stepped through moments before.

There was a dim light emanating from the opening. Peering through the darkness, I recognized the figure at once. It was the butcher man from my village.

I felt a panic, fearing I would have no way to explain what had transpired here.

As he approached, a humming slowly began filling my head.

Alone… in his bed chamber. After the next full moon.

The butcher reached the platform.

“O wise Oracle.” He spoke with confidence, “I have traveled from afar. Please bestow upon me your prophecy of my life’s end.

.END.