The Port-O-Bea Prophet

Reaching the final step, Jamal couldn't even hear the crowd that well anymore, which was strange considering how far they really had climbed up. At least with everyone accounted for, none of them had to worry about a missing person. Because Jamal only intended to come up and down this entire flight once, with no additional round trip, as he did not have it in him to deal with more activity.

"You guys did knock on the door, right?" Sera looked at everyone.

"I did!" everyone looked down to see Laken smiling as if he had nothing but joy in his heart.

"Just now, he couldn't help himself." Ula explained, "I've never seen him so excited before."

"He did nothing wrong, as this was suppose to happen one way or the other." a voice shocked them out of nowhere, as the sanctuary doors had opened.

The group was greeted by four robed people, who were each in different colors, and looked towards the group.

"We are grateful to be in the Prophet's presence." Sera initially had gotten to one knee and bowed her head.

Quite literally everyone stared in a confused manner, as even three of the four acolytes stared in surprise, except for the sole one simply laughing at the situation. Looking back up, Sera could see that she was causing some type of commotion as she quickly straightened up.

"You guys are supposed to bow before entering such a building, I didn't do anything wrong." Sera stuck her head up as if she had done nothing wrong.

"No one has had to do that in over two hundred years, Sera Bonnel. You are fine." the previously laughing acolyte has said. "You guys may now come in. The Prophet is now ready. And your guards will no longer be needed."

"Oh." Sera surprisingly concluded after a brief thought, just as the remaining guards left the group for the chaos below. "I was always taught that was what you were supposed to do."

"It is all fine. Now we must hurry, as the Prophet doesn't want to hold this information from you guys any longer." the sole acolyte who had already spoken had said again before the other members moved for them to enter.

Jamal wasted no time to make his way in first, to be greeted by the large, but simplistic living space that they had set up. It appeared that the sanctuary was made up of three rooms, and there was barely any type of furniture or decor inside. Besides a few chairs and essential goods, was this structure for such people really barren. Except for the sole light was coming from the building's window, as it provided a subtle glow to the surroundings. It almost felt as if Jamal was back home in the mountains, as long ago as that was.

"It is this way." one of the robed acolytes continued forth towards the only opening to the main chamber.

With everyone moving inside, were they finally greeted by the Prophet herself. Noticing the old woman's appearance, Jamal himself had to be a bit unsure of the woman's ability to tell them exactly what was going on here.

"Welcome to our home. Once again, do we truly thank you for bringing peace back into the city." the Prophet brought her head down in a bow-like manner, to which the other acolytes followed suit.

"No worries about that. We're honored to be in your presence." Jamal spoke for the group, bowing in respect.

"You look like my napkin!" Laken blurted randomly, unable to contain his reaction of seeing someone so old.

Everyone in the room stopped moving, as even the acolytes were surprised at such a response. No one had spoken to the Prophet in such a manner in all of their existence, as such language would have been considered deadly mere centuries ago.

"Laken!" Ula hushed the boy, "I'm so sorry about our son."

"It is fine. It's not every day they see someone as old as me." the Prophet shot a smile, to which she still had all her teeth, "Please, sit. We have a lot to speak about and so little time."

Following her order, they didn't hesitate to take their seats, as Jamal sat directly in the middle. As well as knowing that there was no threat or incident the Prophet would be endangered of, Jamal took attention to the robed figures moving out of the room, leaving the rest of them be.

"Now then, the first thing that comes to my attention. Do you know why I summoned you here?" the Prophet started off.

"It was because of the things that you sent to me. About how everything is going to happen within a year and that-, well, one of us is going to no longer be with us." Sera explained what information got relayed to her.

"Ah, I see. So you guys want the good news first or the bad news?" the Prophet looked at all of them to see any type of sign.

"Bad news. Always get that out of the way." Leon didn't even wait for anyone else to ponder.

"I agree." Jamal nodded.

"Very well, let's get it over with." the Prophet took a deep breath, before moving her hands over the crystal ball.

Jamal just looked at the dull ball, showing no sign of activity. This didn't so legit, until it quickly started to glow a bright purple. Muttering a few words, Jamal stared as the Prophet continued onward speaking so strangely. In mere moments, the light from the ball was almost blinding before it faded almost instantly, leaving behind a floating purple cloud in the air.

"Now with that done, I can show you everything you must know." the Prophet began to blow the cloud around at certain angles, "But I must warn you, not everything will be one hundred percent accurate."

"I thought you said she knew it all?" Alice shot a quick look at Sera. "Were you lying? Really?"

"What, no! It's all true, right?" Sera glanced back at the Prophet, who was just about done with shaping up the cloud.

"As you probably know, the further into the future that we with the power wield, does that future usually become more clouded and different than from the first time it was looked into. It happens more often than not, whether it's because people change certain actions to attempt to gain a different result, or simply because we are wrong. Not everything is set in stone."

"We get it, can you get on wi-" Alice started to say, before everyone watched her carefully, "Sorry, I'm just ready to finally destroy Youden. After everything we've been through."

"Anyway, if it isn't clear already, an ensuing war is going to go down, and although I for certain can't say who will win, I can almost guarantee that the carnage that will ensue will be much worse than the battle for the city. It appears that thousands, maybe even hundreds of thousands may lose their lives through the ordeal." the Prophet took a deep breath.

"Wait, if you can see, let's say up to a year into the future, does that mean the war will end by next year?" Heskins assumed was to come.

"I cannot say for sure, as something so far out and rapidly changing by the day would take a considerable amount of time to process, even on my level."

"Like how long?"

"Probably a full month's worth of concentration and dedication." the Prophet answered after a lengthed pause.

"We don't have a month to wait here." Jamal shook his head, "As for one of us that is going to die, do you know who?"

"I'm also not set on that as well. I just know for sure that one of you is going to die within the next year or so. A lot of the information is changing by the minute, so in order for me to finalize it al-"

"There are no worries, if you don't have it, then you don't have the information available. Say now, give us what you do know." Hops stepped in.

"In case of good news, I can say that I can guarantee that you will all make great strides in taking back much Saputa, potentially even the capital city before next year's winter." the Prophet started to smile at the thought.

"So we can really do this?" Ula turned towards Jamal.

"We have to do this." Jamal firmly grasped her hand. "We are going to do this."

"The real reason and decisive factor behind all of this is going to be your quickness going against Youden's forces. The slower you go, the less like Youden will return with forces or send out reserves to hold you guys back, although it will cause him to prepare for the onslaught to come. On the other hand, if you move in quicker, you guys will likely be able to make major progress, but force Youden to rapidly respond to the situation, and depending on how dire things get, use unworldly force." the Prophet gave them their options.

"Such as the bomb." Brat concluded.

"That's correct."

With those words, the group stayed deep in thought. Except for Laken, who was breathing heavily in his sleep, with Ula straightening him up on her lap. They had to act responsibly or risk losing more than what they could ever hope for. It had to be worth it, or it would all be for nothing.

"I'm sure that we will come up with the proper actions to regain Saputa. Youden cannot stop the people from gaining what they truly need." Jamal responded in a defiant manner. "Now, we should all get to work at once."

Just as the others started to get up with the meeting clearly ending based on their leader's response, the Prophet cleared her throat, as if signaling that she had a bit more to say.

"Jamal, you've been to this city twice now. I believe you are forgetting something." she looked back at the man.

"I've forgotten nothing here since those days. If that is all, I thank you for providing us with this information." Jamal started to turn around.

"You mean you forgotten the best way to beat Youden?"

"My powers?" Jamal stopped just at the doorway, glancing back. "I will be far stronger than he will ever be prepared for."

"Wait, Jamal. Look!" Hops called at him, pointing at something.

Completely turning around, Jamal looked as everyone was staring at the purple cloud. The Prophet had finished shaping the cloud, as it appeared to be a glass cylinder object of sorts. As strange as it seemed, Jamal could notice the detail of the purple shades, creating an illusion of some liquid inside. It looked quite familiar, as Jamal took his time to process what he was seeing. Then it finally clicked.

"No way." Jamal gasped after realizing it. "I've left that here the entire time?"

"You've never looked for them in the first place." the Prophet chuckled at the man's reaction to what he now recalled. "After all these years, do they finally have a need. I can see those vials being essential in producing the outcome for your future. You best get, or if you haven't learned it yet, to swim as you'll need it now. The whole world's fate is now in your palms."