The mist around the Celestial Marsh curled like ghostly serpents, swirling in rhythm with the ancient whispers of prophecy. Deep in the heart of the marsh stood the Temple of Whispers, a place no man dared tread lightly. It was said the Oracle who lived within could see the threads of fate... and tear them if she chose.
Priyanshu had no fear of fate.
He walked the moss-laden path toward the temple, his robes untouched by moisture. Behind him, shadows followed—none of them his.
[System Alert: New Encounter – High-tier Fate Sensitive Being Detected]Oracle: Althea of the Thousand VisionsDanger: HighOpportunity: CriticalHidden Quest Triggered.
Inside the temple, a delicate figure knelt in a circle of runes. Her silver hair floated unnaturally, as though underwater, and her eyes were covered by a blindfold embroidered with stars.
"You finally came," Althea whispered before he spoke a word.
"Did you see me coming?" Priyanshu asked, amused.
"I saw the shadows shift," she replied. "You are not meant to walk among mortals. You are the forgotten calamity... the villain no world dares name."
He smiled faintly. "And yet here I stand."
Althea rose, her eyes still covered. She reached out, fingertips glowing with celestial essence, and touched his chest. "Your fate is sealed in ten thousand threads—most end in blood. But one... one ends in ascension."
The system chimed:
[Oracle Althea has attempted to glimpse your future.]Result: Partial success.Reaction: Oracle is overwhelmed by your soul's density. Bond formed.
Althea gasped and staggered back, trembling. "You... your soul... it is stitched with lies. It laughs at destiny. You cannot be seen."
"Correct," he said softly, stepping forward. "And yet you tried."
Her lips trembled. "I had to know. The dreams… they kept coming. A king cloaked in villainy, with righteous hands-stained red. A man loved by devils, feared by angels. You…"
"Will you tell the world what you saw?" he asked.
"No," she said quietly. "No one would believe me."
"Smart girl."
[Optional Choice: Silence the Oracle permanently or Bind her fate to yours.]Reward (Bind): Oracle Vision Support + 2000 Fate PointsReward (Silence): Eternal Secrecy + 1500 Dark Points
He knelt and placed his palm on her forehead. "Althea, from this moment, you belong to me—not by force, but by choice. I will burn the skies for those loyal to me. Will you walk the edge of fate… or be consumed by it?"
Her breath hitched. "I will walk with you… to the end."
The runes flared, and the system confirmed:
[Oracle Althea has been bound as a Fate Companion.]Status: LoyalEffect: Enhanced prophetic awareness. Future threats appear in dream-visions. Relationship Status: 3/5 (Curiosity/Obedience)
As he left the temple, shadows writhed behind him.
A villain. A savior. A master of destiny's threads.
And now, an Oracle stood by his side, blind to the world, but seeing only him.