CHAPTER 1047: THE DREAM

Eccar’s eyes lingered on the oracle longer than they should have, caught by the strange and solemn beauty of her owl-like form and the quiet strength she radiated.

Then it struck him that staring so intently was likely rude, perhaps even uncomfortable for her.

He tore his gaze away, while hoping that no one would see him staring with strange fascination like someone seeing exotice creatures for the first time.

Krono bowed his head slightly and spoke with an even voice. "Oracle of the Arakocra kind, greetings."

The oracle’s golden eyes blinked slowly, a soft gleam within them that spoke of recognition.

She had already known about their coming. Her eyes passed over Krono, then Aesa, then Eccar, lingering only long enough to affirm what she had foreseen.

Then she raised a hand and spoke to the guards. "Leave us. I will speak with them alone."

The guards stiffened in alarm. The captain stepped forward, feathers bristling.

"My lady, forgive me, but this is reckless. These creatures are dangerous. We should remain at your side," he said.

The oracle’s unblinking eyes fixed on him, calm but unyielding. "It is all right. There is no danger here... not now."

The captain’s beak clenched with frustration, but he could find no argument that would sway her.

With a sharp click of his tongue he bowed stiffly and signaled the others.

Reluctantly, they all withdrew from the room.

The heavy doors closed behind them, leaving the room quiet.

Now there were only four within the room.

The oracle lifted a hand again, gesturing to the stone floor before her. "Sit."

The three Dragonborn obeyed.

Krono lowered himself without hesitation, Aesa settling with her usual air of disinterest and Eccar dropping cross-legged with an ease that suggested he didn’t much care for the formality.

"I have had dreams. In them, the Elves came forth from the mountain range, not alone but with companions. Because of this, I sent my warriors to intercept them. Because they are our enemies." The oracle’s voice was measured, her words carrying a steady rhythm.

The Dragonborn said nothing. Krono’s expression was unreadable, Aesa leaned on one elbow with a distant weary look, and Eccar merely rested his chin in his palm.

"And then?" Krono asked, breaking the silence.

The oracle’s gaze flickered, her feathers shifting faintly.

"Then... a new vision struck me. It showed me that the three companions with them were no ordinary beings. They were mighty far beyond the Elves themselves or us. I understood that you would seek me."

Krono gave a single nod. "That is why we are here. To ask about this dream. Is it common to have such visions?"

The oracle tilted her head. "It is not uncommon for me to dream. But this one... this one is different."

"Different how?" Krono pressed.

Her voice lowered. "It felt as though the vision was sent to me directly. As though something—or someone—interfered with my usual sight and pushing the dream into me. It was... not my own. And that is why I am feeling troubled."

The three Dragonborn exchanged silent glances. It was just as they had feared. It was not a mere dream but an intrusion. A message for them, a warning from their enemy.

"What is it, truly?" the oracle asked, her talons flexing faintly.

Krono’s golden eyes burned steady at her. He said, "There is a powerful entity behind this. Tell me, do you know about Dragonborns?"

"Yes," the oracle answered softly.

"Then know this, the ones who sent you that dream are stronger than us."

The oracle’s feathers ruffled faintly, her eyes widening a fraction before her composure snapped back into place.

She had lived her life mastering the composure and attitude when facing distress, so it returned to her quickly despite her shock, though the flicker of shock had not gone unnoticed by the three Dragonborns.

"I see..." she said, her voice almost hushed.

Krono leaned forward slightly. "Tell me everything about this dream."

The oracle nodded slowly, her golden eyes reflecting dim light as she began to recount. It was all still clear in her mind.

"I saw myself walking across a land of cracked earth. It looks dry and broken. From the horizon, I saw a black tower rose impossibly tall. Its shadow stretches endlessly across the barren ground. At its base I saw a large pool of red liquid with a surface that rippled. When I drew near the pool, I saw it was not just liquid but blood. A sea of red that churned as though alive. And from within that pool I saw that vision... I saw the Elves leaving the mountain range and with them were the three companions."

Krono, Eccar, and Aesa listened intently. Even Aesa who had shown nothing but disinterest since they arrived found herself drawn into the oracle’s words.

The vision was too clear and deliberate. There was no need to question whether it was sent by their enemy, it could be nothing else.

The three Dragonborn exchanged glances in silence.

"The tower again," Eccar muttered, his voice low, his eyes narrowing. "And the blood around it. This is the same being."

Krono gave a slow grim nod.

Aesa still had no explanation for any of this so she chose silence, folding her arms and waiting. Her eyes were sharp and fixed on the oracle.

"Can you describe more about the tower?" Krono asked.

The oracle tilted her head slightly, as though reaching back into the vision.

Her golden eyes flickered and grew distant. Feathers along her head ruffled.

For a few seconds she seemed lost to the dream again.

Finally, the oracle spoke, "The tower was made of black stone, but not entirely black. It shimmered faintly. There were many doors and windows scattered across its height. And it was tall... so tall that it reached the sky itself."

She paused, her eyes tightening. "The sky was not still. It circled around the tower, as if the sky were being pulled into its grasp and spiraling endlessly."

A shiver ran down the chamber. The more she spoke, the heavier the air became.

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