Morning sunlight filtered through the trees as Eiji, Lyra, and Pyra trudged along a dirt path leading to the nearest town, Elowen's Crossing. Birds chirped peacefully, unaware that chaos was about to follow in the form of one confused Oracle, a snarky flame spirit, and an overenthusiastic alchemist.
Eiji groaned as he walked. "Remind me again why we're heading straight toward people after destroying a secret Guild hideout?"
Lyra twirled a vial between her fingers. "Because the town's next on their list. Someone needs to warn them."
Pyra flickered beside them. "And clearly, sending the man who causes disasters by breathing too hard is the logical choice."
Eiji frowned. "You're just mad I survived another day."
They reached the town gates just as a group of merchants were opening their stalls. The scent of baked bread and roasted chestnuts filled the air. It was peaceful—until Eiji opened his mouth.
He stood in the town square, raised his medallion, and announced, "People of Elowen's Crossing! You're all in great danger!"
The crowd froze. Then someone laughed.
A baker pointed at him. "Great danger? What are you, some kind of wandering doomsayer?"
Eiji blinked. "Technically… an Oracle?"
The baker laughed harder. "Well, Oracle, maybe predict if my oven will burn the bread again!"
The crowd erupted in laughter. Lyra facepalmed. Pyra muttered, "Spectacular. You've gone from savior to street performer."
Eiji sighed. "Fine, don't believe me. But the Shadow Guild is real. They're stealing magic from the land itself!"
At that moment, the medallion pulsed. The ground trembled slightly, and a nearby fountain erupted with glowing blue water that shot twenty feet into the air. Everyone screamed.
Eiji froze. "Okay, that wasn't me this time… I think."
Lyra leaned closer. "Actually, that might have been the potion I dropped earlier."
The fountain sprayed wildly, soaking half the square. People started running in circles. A guard blew his whistle, shouting, "Arrest the troublemakers!"
Pyra groaned. "Fantastic. From Oracle to outlaw in ten minutes. A new record."
The three bolted down a side street, slipping through the narrow alleys as the guards chased them. Eiji's robe snagged on a clothesline, and he dragged half a sheet down with him as he ran.
Lyra laughed breathlessly. "You're definitely famous now."
They finally ducked into an abandoned inn, panting. Eiji slumped against the wall. "So much for warning the town."
Pyra floated near the window, watching the chaos outside. "You did warn them. Just… loudly. And explosively."
Eiji looked at the medallion, which glowed faintly again. "Why do I feel like it enjoys this?"
Lyra grinned. "Because it does. And so do I."
The medallion pulsed, whispering softly in Eiji's mind.
"The Oracle's voice will shake the world. Whether it listens or not is another matter."
Eiji sighed. "Perfect. Even my magical artifact has a sense of humor."
Outside, bells rang through the town as guards searched for the so-called Prophet of Panic.
Eiji looked at his companions. "Well, looks like we're fugitives now."
Pyra flickered. "Congratulations, Oracle. You're officially infamous."
Eiji groaned. "I hate this world so much."