Chapter 5: The Oracle’s Prophecy
Inside the Oracle’s glowing cave. Lan Yue and Li Feng sit cross-legged before the Oracle, who floats slightly above the ground. The air is thick with the hum of magic.
Lan Yue / FL
(whispering) Is she... levitating?
Li Feng / ML
Focus. This is important.
The Oracle
Silence, children. The prophecy I speak of is not one to be taken lightly.
Lan Yue / FL
Right, no pressure. Just our lives and the fate of the world, I assume?
The Oracle
(smiling faintly) Your wit will serve you well, Moonlit Maiden.
Lan Yue / FL
About that. Can we clarify? I’m just a village healer, not some mythical figure.
The Oracle
And yet, the pendant chose you. Do you not feel its pull?
Lan Yue / FL
I feel a lot of things. Mostly confusion.
Li Feng / ML
Let her finish, Yue.
Lan Yue / FL
Oh, so now you’re the voice of reason?
The Oracle
The banter is amusing, but time is short. Listen well.
The Oracle gestures, and the glowing orbs around her converge into a map-like projection of stars and symbols.
The Oracle
The pendant is one of three keys needed to unseal the Celestial Gate, a portal that binds the heavens and the mortal realm.
Lan Yue / FL
Unseal it? That sounds ominous.
Li Feng / ML
What happens if it’s unsealed?
The Oracle
Balance will be restored... or chaos unleashed. It depends on the bearers of the keys.
Lan Yue / FL
Great. No pressure.
The Oracle
The path you must walk is perilous. The second key lies within the Forbidden Lake, guarded by the Beast of Shadows.
Li Feng / ML
And the third?
The Oracle
Patience, Prince. You will uncover it in due time.
Lan Yue / FL
Let me guess. This Beast of Shadows isn’t a friendly neighborhood guardian, is it?
The Oracle
It feeds on fear and thrives in darkness. To face it, you must confront your deepest regrets.
Lan Yue / FL
(grimacing) Fantastic. Just my kind of challenge.
Li Feng / ML
We’ll manage. We have to.
The Oracle
You are bound by destiny, but beware—even destiny can be swayed. Trust in each other, for division will lead to ruin.
Lan Yue / FL
Trust? We just met.
Li Feng / ML
Yet you’ve saved my life twice. I’d say trust is building.
Lan Yue / FL
(smirking) Don’t get used to it.
The Oracle’s light dims, signaling the end of the prophecy.
The Oracle
Go now, children. The moon’s path awaits.
They walked out to the cave entrance. The pair steps outside into the cool night air. The forest is eerily quiet.
Lan Yue / FL
So... Forbidden Lake. Any idea where that is?
Li Feng / ML
About three days’ journey north.
Lan Yue / FL
Three days? With you?
Li Feng / ML
Charming as always.
They begin walking along the forest path. The pendant around Lan Yue’s neck glows faintly, illuminating their way.
Lan Yue / FL
So, Prince Li Feng, what’s your deal? Why are you really after these keys?
Li Feng / ML
(hesitating) To reclaim what was lost. And to protect those who can’t protect themselves.
Lan Yue / FL
That’s surprisingly noble. Almost makes me think you’re not a complete pain.
Li Feng / ML
Don’t let it go to your head.
As they walk, a flashback sequence begins, showing a younger Li Feng in royal robes, standing before an imposing throne.
Li Feng (younger)
Father, the people are suffering. We need to act.
Emperor Li Ming / ML's Father
You speak out of turn, boy. Know your place.
Li Feng (younger)
My place is with my people, not hiding behind palace walls.
The flashback fades as Li Feng’s expression hardens, his jaw tightening.
Lan Yue / FL
(noticing his silence) You okay?
Li Feng / ML
(smirking faintly) You’re observant.
They share a brief smile before continuing down the path, the moonlight guiding their way.
Comments