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CHAPTER 3 Lunar New Year at the Oracle

Drew

United States

"Up the steps, Drew. Go on now. The oracle is waiting for you," my mother said, ushering me up the one hundred steps towards the temple. I shook my head indignantly. I didn't want to climb the stairs.

"No, Mama. I don't want to. There are so many steps. I'll feel tired after," I whined. "And the Oracle...she scares me. She reminds me of a bloodsucker in Grandma's stories."

"Drew, you know bloodsuckers aren't real," my mother said while fixing the collar of my red polo shirt. She bent down and combed her fingers through my unruly brown hair to make me look presentable. She gave up after a few tries, her frustration etched on her usually serene face.

"Drew, we do this once a year, every year. And for each year, you always, ALWAYS, give me a hard time. I don't ask you to do this every day. Just this one time, on the day of the Lunar New Year," my mother scolded me as she stood up.

When I turned five years old, my mother began bringing me to see the oracle. During the previous visits, the oracle would take a look at my palm and say she didn't see anything remarkable in my future. I couldn't understand why my mother would want me to see her again. I had a distinct feeling this Lunar New Year wouldn't be any different. I would only be reminded of how unremarkable I actually was. The oracle was right anyway; I was just a chubby eight year old kid who liked to stay in the kitchen more than the outside.

I slowly made my way up the steps to the temple. I would glance back at my mother from time to time, hoping she would change her mind, but she had the same stern expression on her face each time I looked at her. Halfway to the top, I heaved a sigh and accepted my fate. My mother wasn't going to budge. I had to go see the oracle.

After what seemed like forever, I finally reached the top of the stairs and walked towards the entrance of the temple. A bald headed old man in red and gold robes was waiting for me so he could assist me in cleansing my hands and feet before I entered the temple. I washed my hands at the sink near the entrance, then took off my sandals so the old man could pour water over my feet. After I had toweled down my hands and feet, I entered the temple and proceeded inside, towards the direction of the guidance room.

I was glad the temple was almost empty. The flock of people who had come to usher in the new year by participating in midnight worship was already gone. The clouds of smoke from the numerous lighted incense sticks offered by the devotees in hopes of prosperity had begun to dissipate, yet I could still smell the sweet jasmine scent of the incense sticks lingering in the air.

I stopped at the white door of the guidance room and hesitantly knocked, waiting for the oracle to allow me to enter.

"Come in," said a raspy voice from inside. I took a deep breath, turned the door knob and entered the room. Seated on a red cushion in front of a low wooden table was the oracle.

She looked the same. Her face was weathered and wrinkled, her shoulders drooped, weary and battled, her salt and pepper hair was tied up in a tight bun, while her fingernails were dark with age. She was wearing a red robe and her only accessory was a jade bracelet on her thin wrist.

"Oh, it's you again. You come here every year and for every year, your reading is the same. Drop your money in the basket, light an incense stick and let's begin," she said, shaking her head at me for my stupidity. I wanted to tell her I came because of my mother who thinks by doing the same thing over and over again, may produce a different result. It wasn't me, it was her. But I didn't want to embarrass my mother.

After putting some money in the basket and lighting a red incense stick, I sat down on the cushion infront of her and placed my upturned hands on the table. She took my hands in hers and traced the lines of one of my palms with her finger.

"Hmmmm, there seems to be a change from the last time I saw you." She looked at the other palm with a bewildered expression on her face. "There will be a great many perils in your quest to find true love, but with her, you will overcome it," she uttered carelessly. Love? Her? What was she talking about?

"I don't understand, Madam Oracle. Why is there a drastic change in my reading?" I asked meekly, hoping she would answer me.

"It can only mean one thing, child. You have been blessed by the gods and goddesses," she answered absent-mindedly as she continued to study my palms. "As you grow, comes wealth and prosperity even after the..." Her voice trailed off unexpectedly like she was hiding something from me. I was about to question her about it, but she suddenly cupped both of my hands in hers and lifted her face towards the ceiling, closing her eyes.

"Oh my!" She exclaimed, releasing my hands. I jumped in my cushion, startled by her reaction.

"What is it, Madam Oracle? What did you see?" I asked anxiously. I wanted to know what she saw, but I also felt scared of what her answer might be.

"I saw your dreams, child," she said as she opened her eyes to look at me. "How long have you been having those dreams?" That was what she saw? And here I thought it was something worse.

"About six months ago," I replied.

"Do your parents know? Your father?"

"I have told my mother and grandmother. My mother said it's just a phase, but my grandmother has enrolled me in martial arts and combat training. My father is currently in Asia handling the businesses while I study here," I answered.

The Oracle reached forward, lifted my chin roughly with her fingers and stared into my eyes. I felt shy under her intense gaze and I wanted to jerk my face away but I couldn't move. Thankfully, after a few moments, her eyes softened and she let go of my chin. "It IS you!" I looked at her puzzled. What did she mean?

She stood up from where she sat, walked towards me and bowed. "Little master, you may seek my guidance at any time. If you and I cross paths in the future, I vow to assist you. Now, you must go. Tell no one of your dreams and what has transpired here. But, little master, remember my words, you must find her before it is too late. She and the golden-eyed one are key to saving humanity. I know fate will bring you together, but even fate has no control over the evil that lurks. May you be blessed in all your endeavors."

I exited the guidance room, shocked at everything the oracle said. I needed to find a girl and overcome a great many perils. I looked back at the closed door. She said she saw my dreams. I have been dreaming of an army of bloodsuckers and a gorgeous woman with blue eyes and a tall handsome man with huge biceps and toned abs fighting side by side against the army of bloodsuckers. Does the oracle believe bloodsuckers are real?

I shook my head and hurriedly walked back to the entrance of the temple to put my sandals back on. Bloodsuckers aren't real. If they were, the population of the human race would dwindle. I should ask my grandmother to stop telling me stories about bloodsuckers and have her read me a fairy tale for bedtime instead.

My mother was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs with a big smile on her face. I could tell she was proud of me for going to see the oracle alone.

"You were up there for quite some time. So? What did she say to you this time?" My mother asked, bending down on one knee to straighten my shirt.

"That I'll fall in love and become wealthy," I said, shrugging my shoulders. "I didn't have the heart to tell her that we're rich to begin with." My mother laughed, ruffled my hair affectionately and stood up.

"Let's get some noodles. I know a place that serves the best biangbiang noodles and since it's Lunar New Year, you can have all the fortune cookies you want," she said, offering her hand. "You can even give some to your friend, Alexander."

I took her hand and smiled at her, the words of the Oracle now forgotten at the mention of food. My mother always knew what I wanted.

Little did I know, my future with her would be cut short.


The Oracle

The ancient prophecy is true. He will come knowledgeable of the worlds around him, destined to mate with the Enchantress, and they will unite with the golden-eyed wolf to bring the cursed ones back to the evil from whence they came.

I saw his future. In time, he will return to the cradle of civilization after he has found his mate at the pearl of the orient seas.

I took my walking stick, exited the room and proceeded to the courtyard where the office of our priest master was located. I knocked three times to convey that it was me. The door opened and the priest master ushered me in. He assisted me in a chair before speaking in our language.

"What have you discovered, Oracle?" He asked.

"The ancient prophecy of the Red Dragon...it is true!" I exclaimed. I was about to say more when he lifted his hand to shush me.

"Tell me no more, Oracle. The less I know, the better. You leave at first light," he told me. "I have gotten word that the Duke is scheduled to arrive here. However, I have been informed his plane will be making a stopover in the Philippines. My worst fear has come to light."

I gasped in shock. "They know! Priest Master, how is this possible? They have been shielded by our ranks for two generations."

"You know the answer to your question, Sister. The Enchantress lives once again. The stars had aligned themselves a few years ago to welcome her birth as they did just recently to welcome the birth of the golden-eyed wolf," he explained. "It is no secret. However, you are correct in thinking there must be a traitor. This is why you must leave. I will book you a plane ticket for Manila with a connecting flight to Cebu. You know where to find them. Make sure the Enchantress lives." I nodded my head. I was armed and ready to fight.

"I will call ahead and have a priestess wait for me," I said.

"No. They must not know of your arrival. I am sorry, Sister Oracle, however you must fight this alone. I would come with you, but I fear there is someone keeping a close watch. As for you, they will not suspect. To them, you are but an old woman who tells people's fortunes for money. Now go home and pack lightly. Do not make anyone suspect your plan to leave."

I bowed my head and left his office. I had to hurry to the Philippines. A massacre was inevitable.

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