Touch of Fate

Sera spoke in a quiet, defeated voice. "The Cabal has nearly finished their ritual. Soon, all of us will die."

She paused, and in a pained whisper muttered, "I can't see it."

"What can't you see?" Mike asked, trying to coax her into explaining further.

She shook her head. "I can't see how to stop it. Every vision I have had is more horrible than the last, nothing but death and destruction."

She clutched at him then, anger and grief warring in her face. "No matter how many times I go through it, we die....we all die......we're destined to die." She trailed off, sinking once more into her depression.

"I'm going to need more than that. What exactly is going to happen?"

She sagged back, her momentary energy once again subsiding.

"...Once the ritual is complete, The Cabal will summon a demon prince of the highest order. One who is but a step away from godhood. It will destroy, kill, and consume everything in its path. Nothing on this continent can stand against, and its unclear if anything in this world can stop it."

"Sounds like a serious problem, but we just need to stop the ritual, then. Do you know where its being held?"

She shook her head with sullen anger, "It doesn't work like that, I can't just summon visions on command-"

A sudden convulsion passed through her. She gripped her head and fell over sideways onto the ground.

[Is she having a vision? Or is it a seizure? What am I supposed to do when someone has a seizure, again? Something to do with raising the feet?]

After a few minutes, Sera opened her eyes with a groan, and fought her way back up into a sitting position. She looked at Mike with an astonished expression. "I know where it is. I just had another vision, and it showed me exactly where to go. I can't believe it."

[Well, it seems my protagonist powers are still fully active.]

"That's convenient, where-"

Another voice broke in, "When do we leave?"

"F***! Stop doing that you damn ninja dog!" Mike exclaimed as he tried to calm his heart rate.

After a few deep breaths, he glared at the beastman. "How much of that did you hear?"

Brenden just grinned unapologetically, "We heard pretty much all of it. Everything from all of us being destined to die, to the point when she figured out where to go." He motioned towards Tal who had apparently followed him up. "Don't worry, though. We'll keep her secret. You, of all people, should know very well how good we are at that."

Mike looked between the two of them. "Are you two sure?"

Brenden merely smiled in a relaxed way, obviously not concerned with the danger of the mission.

The elf returned Mike's gaze with a look of determination, probably. Not showing a hint of doubt, or so he could tell.

The two of them were apparently willing to follow him on this potentially lethal quest. He wasn't sure how to feel about it. As far as he was aware, he hadn't done anything to inspire that kind of loyalty.

His heart was filled with an odd mix of gratitude and guilt.

Sera broke in at this point, "As touching as this moment is, we will need to move fast if we want to stop that ritual."

Mike nodded, "Agreed, but I think we should at least make contact with the Guild first. There is a strike force made of high ranking adventurers operating as we speak. If we can get them to redirect towards the ritual site, it might make the difference."

"That makes sense," Sera agreed, "But anything we do needs to be fast."

They moved as a group to speak with James, who was still overseeing the defense of the barricade, and quickly explained the situation.

"So your telling me that unless you four go off into enemy territory, this world and everyone in it is destined to perish. That about right?"

Mike nodded, "Yeah that pretty much sums it up."

James sighed. "And you got this information, which no one else has, from a source that you can't disclose?"

"Yep."

Sighing again, the older adventurer shook his head. He looked Mike in the eyes. "I hope you know that this sounds insane. Do you really believe it?"

Holding his gaze steady, and speaking with conviction, Mike answered simply, "Yes."

James nodded resignedly, "Alright, I'll pass the word along, but I can't guarantee that the Guild higher ups will actually listen."

"Do you mean it?" Mike asked, bewildered by the veteran's sudden acquiescence.

He'd been keeping the origin of the information a secret, in order to protect Sera, but he had been prepared to reveal it should it prove necessary. He would have felt some guilt about doing so, but that was a small price to pay compared to saving the world.

"Listen, son. In the last hour I've seen you throw around magic that would put most senior mages to shame, kill a Tier 3 warrior with your bare hands, and heal that girl's fatal injury in minutes. Even though I have a few guesses, I'm not really sure who or what you are. That said, its clear that you have been put here for a reason. My instincts tell me that you're our best hope of survival right now, and I want to do everything in my power to help."

"Thank you, James. That really means a lot."

"Don't thank me yet. Even if I pass the message along, it may not make a difference. The strike force has already started moving. The last I heard, they were heading towards the highest concentration of enemy activity. They may not be in the position to help."

He glanced around the barricade, "I can lend you a few adventurers from the crew here, but after watching the three of you in action, I'm not sure how much of a help they'd be."

"Thanks all the same." Mike replied.

Sera pulled on his sleeve, urgency in her face.

"Anyway, we need to go. Good luck, James." Mike said as he led the group into a nearby alleyway.

The old adventurer nodded, "May the gods watch over you."

As he watched them vanish into the night, a small smile crept across his face.

With a quiet voice James muttered, "Good luck, Hero."

-----------------------------------------

Nash kicked open the door of the Cabal safe house. It seemed the members stationed here had already joined the general assault, or were guarding other sites.

With an air of familiarity, he started navigating his way through the cramped tannery that served as the front for the Cabal's activities. Moving aside one of the vats, he descended into the darkness of a hidden stairwell, while Joran followed closely behind.

The pair eventually came to a door, leading into a dank basement, deep beneath the city streets. A supernatural gloom draped over the room, one that not even the enhanced senses of the Chosen could fully penetrate. What little could be seen, filled them with dread.

As the warriors entered, a soft chittering filled the air.

Thrusting aside his fears, Nash spoke with confidence, "I am Nash Jal Benkith of the Chosen. I am in need of one of the treasures in your keeping."

A long hiss answered his statement. One that brought with it a hint of quiet anger.

"I am on a vital mission. If I do not get what I came for, then the Cabal's plans will be in jeopardy."

The hiss grew louder, and more furious.

Knowing that he needed to act fast, Nash laid all of his cards on the table. "There is an Oracle at large in this city as we speak. I don't think I need to remind you of the danger she represents."

The hiss stopped, silence falling on the room

A soft, silky voice spoke from the darkness. "What you seek.....demands a price......"

"I am aware, and I have brought the payment."

For a time the voice was silent.

Finally, it issued a quiet, "So we see."

A portion of the darkness parted revealing a small wooden box. Massive steel chains were wrapped around it, sealing it shut.

"Take your item......and go."

Nash stepped forward and gingerly picked up the box. He could feel the pulse of the dark power sealed inside. It beckoned him with inaudible promises. With an effort, he placed the box in a leather sack he had prepared specifically for it.

He stood upright, and walked back out the way he came, pausing at the doorway.

Joran moved to follow, but found himself unable to do so. An intangible force held him in place.

Nash looked back at the warrior that had been a comrade in arms for decades. "I'm sorry its come to this, but you have to understand its for the good of the Cabal."

As always, Joran was silent.

"Your sacrifice will be remembered." Nash said while closing the door, thoughts already turning towards how he would make use of the treasure.

As he was ascending the stairs he heard the soft rustle of scales on stone, and the subtle sound of groaning metal.

Then there was only silence.