Chapter 10: A Meeting with the Seer

The Seers' temple stood at the top of a jagged, wind-swept cliff, its weathered stone walls worn smooth by centuries of wind and rain. From a distance, the temple looked ancient and forgotten, a relic of a time long past. But as Elias approached, he could feel the pulse of power that radiated from it, a subtle vibration in the air that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.

Elias had traveled for days, driven by a sense of urgency he could not ignore. The whispers from the ancient tower, the warnings of the stranger on the road, and the dark vision of Arithria's destruction had all coalesced into a singular purpose: reaching the Seers' temple. He needed answers—about his gift, about the darkness that loomed over his future, and about the malevolent force that seemed determined to bring ruin to everything he held dear.

The path leading up to the temple was narrow and treacherous, winding through jagged rocks and steep inclines. The wind whipped around Elias as he made the final climb, carrying with it a biting chill. But despite the harshness of the landscape, the temple itself remained untouched, as if protected by some unseen force. Its tall spires reached toward the sky, and the massive wooden doors at its entrance loomed like sentinels, waiting.

With a deep breath, Elias reached out and pushed open the heavy doors. They creaked on their hinges, echoing through the vast, dimly lit hall beyond. Inside, the temple was unlike anything he had expected. The air was thick with the scent of incense, and the flickering light of hundreds of candles cast long shadows across the stone floor. Ancient tapestries hung from the walls, their colors faded with time, but still vibrant enough to hint at the stories they told—stories of fate, of prophecy, and of the Seers who had once walked these halls.

As Elias stepped inside, his footsteps echoed in the silence. The temperature dropped noticeably, and he could feel the weight of unseen eyes upon him. He wasn't sure what to expect—whether the Seers would welcome him or turn him away—but he knew this was the only place where he could find the answers he sought.

He continued forward, his heart racing with anticipation, until he reached a large circular chamber at the heart of the temple. The walls were lined with more candles, and in the center of the room stood an intricately carved stone pedestal. Sitting atop the pedestal was a single, unlit candle, and surrounding it were circles of runes etched into the floor, glowing faintly in the dim light.

Elias approached cautiously, his gaze fixed on the strange symbols. He had seen similar markings in the ruins, but here they seemed to radiate with a power far more ancient, far more deliberate. He had barely taken a step closer when a voice echoed through the chamber, low and resonant, yet filled with an undeniable authority.

"You have come far, Elias."

Elias froze, his heart leaping into his throat. The voice seemed to come from everywhere at once, reverberating through the air like a force of nature. He turned, his eyes scanning the room, but at first, he saw no one.

Then, from the shadows at the far end of the chamber, a figure emerged.

She was tall and regal, her movements smooth and deliberate. Her long silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, shimmering like moonlight against the dark robes she wore. Her face was ageless, with sharp, angular features that gave her an almost ethereal appearance, and her eyes—pale and penetrating—held a depth of knowledge that made Elias feel exposed, as though she could see straight through him.

"You know who I am?" Elias asked, his voice faltering as the woman approached.

The Seer inclined her head slightly, her gaze never leaving his. "I know many things, Elias. I know why you are here. I know the burden you carry. And I know the darkness that follows you."

Elias felt a chill run down his spine. "Then you know about the visions. About the destruction of Arithria."

The Seer came to a stop before him, her presence commanding yet calm. She studied him for a long moment, her expression unreadable, before speaking again. "You have seen a shadow of what is to come, yes. But visions are not always as they seem. What you have seen is only one possibility."

Elias clenched his fists at his sides, frustration rising within him. "Then how do I stop it? How do I change the future?"

The Seer regarded him with a mixture of sympathy and caution. "The future is a fluid thing, Elias. It is shaped by the choices we make, by the paths we take. But it is not so easily altered. The forces at work are powerful—ancient—and they do not take kindly to interference."

Elias swallowed hard, his mind racing. "I don't care how powerful they are. I've seen what will happen if I do nothing. Arithria will burn. People will die. I can't let that happen."

The Seer's gaze softened slightly, and she gestured toward the stone pedestal in the center of the chamber. "Come. There is something you must see."

Elias hesitated for a moment before following her to the pedestal. As they approached, the Seer raised her hand, and the runes etched into the floor began to glow more brightly, their faint light casting intricate patterns across the room. The unlit candle on the pedestal flickered to life, its flame dancing in the still air.

The Seer gestured for Elias to stand beside her. "Look closely," she said, her voice soft yet commanding. "What you see here is more than a flame. It is a reflection of the future—a glimpse of what is to come."

Elias frowned, his gaze fixed on the candle's flame. At first, it seemed like an ordinary fire, but as he stared, the flame began to shift and flicker, its shape distorting into strange patterns. Images appeared within the light—faint at first, but gradually becoming clearer.

He saw Arithria, its familiar towers and streets bathed in golden sunlight. For a moment, it looked peaceful, just as he had painted in his earlier vision. But then, the light shifted again, and the scene changed.

The golden light gave way to shadows, creeping like tendrils through the streets. The towers cracked and crumbled, just as they had in his vision. Flames erupted from the ground, spreading quickly as the city was consumed by fire. And in the distance, he saw her again—the woman from his visions, her eyes glowing with a terrible hunger as her shadow stretched over the city, swallowing everything in its path.

Elias's breath caught in his throat. "It's the same vision," he whispered. "The destruction… it's going to happen."

The Seer's voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable tension in her words. "What you see is one possibility, Elias. A powerful one, yes. But it is not set in stone."

Elias tore his gaze away from the flame, his mind racing. "Then how do I change it? How do I stop this from happening?"

The Seer turned to face him fully, her pale eyes locking onto his with a piercing intensity. "To change the future, you must first understand the forces that shape it. You have been given a gift, Elias—a gift that allows you to see beyond the veil of time, to glimpse the threads of fate. But that gift is not without its dangers. If you are not careful, the very power you wield could be your undoing."

Elias felt a weight settle over him. "Then how do I control it? How do I stop it from controlling me?"

The Seer studied him for a long moment, as if weighing his words carefully. "There is a way," she said finally. "But it will not be easy."

Elias swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. "I don't care how difficult it is. I'll do whatever it takes."

The Seer's expression remained unreadable, but there was a flicker of something—perhaps admiration—behind her eyes. "Very well. But know this: the path you seek is dangerous. The darkness you have seen is not just a force of destruction—it is an ancient power that has existed since the beginning of time. It has been waiting, growing stronger, and now it stirs."

Elias's mind flashed back to the whispers he had heard in the tower, to the voice that had warned him of the darkness that waited in the shadows. "What is this darkness?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

The Seer's gaze darkened. "It is a force that seeks to consume all. It feeds on fear, on despair, on the choices we make when we believe all hope is lost. And once it has taken root, it is difficult—if not impossible—to stop."

Elias felt a chill run down his spine. "So how do we fight it?"

The Seer's expression grew somber. "The battle against the darkness is not fought with weapons or strength. It is fought with knowledge—with understanding. You must learn to read the signs, to see the patterns that guide the future. Only then will you be able to alter its course."

Elias's heart pounded in his chest. "And how do I do that?"

The Seer stepped closer, her voice low but firm. "There is an ancient text—hidden within this temple—that holds the knowledge you seek. It was written by the first of the Seers, those who understood the nature of fate and the forces that shape it. If you are to change the future, you must find this text and study its teachings. But be warned: the path to finding it is treacherous. The temple is not what it seems. It will test you, challenge you in ways you cannot yet imagine."

Elias clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. "I'm ready."

The Seer's eyes gleamed with a strange light. "We shall see."

She turned and led Elias to a side passage that branched off from the main chamber. The hallway was narrow and dark, lit only by faintly glowing runes carved into the stone walls. As they walked, the air grew colder, and Elias could feel the weight of something ancient pressing down on him. It was as if the very walls were watching him, judging him.

After what felt like an eternity, they reached a large iron door at the end of the corridor. The Seer placed her hand on the door, and the runes on the walls flared brightly for a moment before fading into darkness.

"This is where your journey begins," the Seer said, her voice low. "Beyond this door lies the path to the text. But once you enter, you will be on your own. I cannot guide you through what lies ahead."

Elias took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever awaited him on the other side. "What do I need to do?"

The Seer's expression was unreadable. "You must prove yourself worthy. The temple will test your mind, your heart, and your will. If you succeed, you will find the knowledge you seek. If you fail…"

She didn't finish the sentence, but the implication was clear.

Elias nodded, his pulse quickening. He had come too far to turn back now. Whatever lay beyond the door, he would face it. The future of Arithria depended on it.

With one final glance at the Seer, Elias pushed open the door and stepped into the unknown.