Everyone is looking at me. I know they are wondering how a sixteen-year-old human girl is going to tell them what they need to know, but the truth is I’m not really human. I’m a special human, one chosen to do great things. I’m connected to the universe, but even more importantly I’m connected to the three beings that control life, death, and fate. I was destined to be an oracle.
I’ve been preparing for this moment ever since I came to the Coven’s manor. I knew that soon I would come here and would have to explain things to Emmy, Calder, the team, and well everyone else that is a part of this.
Ivy is my sister and I love her and right now Ivy is looking at me like I’m crazy. Ivy is always protecting me as my big sister, but what she doesn’t know is that I’m the one who really looks out for her. I have visions of the future along with being all knowing, it’s why I’m so smart, and why the humans think I’m a genius. My purpose is to give advice and help people, but mainly right now my purpose is to guide the team.
“There is no real easy way to go about this so please bear with me.” I sound so mature.
I am mature and I have the wisdom of a damn ninety-year-old human, possibly older. I may look sixteen, but that’s just my body, my mind is a different story altogether.
“The triangle on your arms is the mark of Fate, Life, and Death. They represent the three points of a triangle. The black circle in the middle represents earth. The lines are the connection magical and non-magical beings have to Fate, Life and Death. They are immortal beings, like gods. Each controls time as it pertains to their purpose. Oracles are their messengers. We are connected to these beings. They allow me to see visions of the future, they give me my wisdom, and they will help me guide you all in this important time. The symbols underneath the triangle represent your purpose. Emmy, Calder, and the team are like the three points of a triangle as well. Emmy, you have a sword under your mark; that is because you are the weapon. The weapon that will destroy the Enchantress. It’s why you transform when you tap into your dark magic. Calder, you have a key under your mark; that is because you are the key to unlocking the creature that will help defeat the Enchantress’s army, you are also the only one that the creature will listen to. The creature is a phoenix, and she will be your animal companion. The team all has shields under their marks because they are the protectors of this world. They protect both magical and non-magical beings. Together you all form the Reckoning. You think you came up with that name on your own because you didn’t. It was implanted into your thoughts by me. I can influence people's minds when the Three need me too. The Reckoning is what will save both worlds.”
“Okay let me get this straight. I’m the key to unlocking and freeing a phoenix. Isn’t that a mythical bird?” Calder asks. “Also why isn’t this in some prophecy? The team and Emmy have a prophecy, so why don’t I? In fact, I’m not mentioned in the prophecy about the team, but yet I’m a part of the team, or let me guess that was by accident.”
Calder sounds bitter and I’m sure he is. He is older than Emmy, but he lives in her shadow because she is the Chosen Child.
“The phoenix is real, but they are so rare that only three exist in the world. The one you will find has been trapped in a prison for a very long time. The Enchantress imprisoned the phoenix centuries ago. She cast a sleeping spell on the phoenix and only you can wake her up. There is a prophecy about you, it’s just that no one even knew it was about you, because it was written way before you were born.” I reply.
“What prophecy is that?” Calder counters, and I know he doesn’t believe me.
Calder and I have become close over the last few months. We are good friends and I know when Calder is skeptical of something. Calder is skeptical of most things because he believes that people pity him because of what happened to him. Calder feels he has a lot to prove and perhaps he does.
“The one who has the phoenix’s heart will rule the magical world.” I state.
“What the hell does that mean?” Calder asks.
“It could mean different things, but after a war-torn magical world, I would assume we will need a leader, or perhaps you will be the head of the Reapers Organization. You could even be the one to lead us into battle against the Enchantress. I don’t know the exact meaning to the prophecy, at least not at the moment I don’t. Time will tell as it always does.”
“So, Calder needs to find the phoenix?” Emmy asks.
“Yes, he does. He will need the team to help him. This will be a different kind of mission for the team. The team is used to helping the Reapers or the Warriors, but this time you will be on more of a quest. The location of the Phoenix is not going to be easy to find. The Enchantress will have made sure to not hide the phoenix in plain sight. Besides, I’m sure she will have set booby traps around the location.” I answer Emmy feeling that this is going better than I thought it would, except for Calder, he seems to not be taking this information well.
“Okay so where do we start?” Emmy asks, taking charge for the team as she should since she is their leader.
“You need to meet with Death, Fate, and Life first. I will take you to them in a few days when Ryan and Alice are better. In the meantime, you all should rest and prepare for a not so easy mission. I don’t even know how long it will take you to accomplish this mission. The Three will give you a clue where to start when we go see them. I will do my best to help you with everything that I can. I will be coming on this mission with you. Please don’t worry about protecting me because I assure you, I can protect myself.”
Emmy and Calder go to inform Alice and Ryan what is going on. The rest of the team goes to rest and recover from their last mission. Travis, Gemma, and Vivian go to Vivian’s office where I’m sure they will be discussing this newfound information.
Now it’s just Ivy and I. Ivy looks pissed. Ivy is sitting with her legs crossed and arms crossed against her chest. I’ve been dreading having to tell Ivy about who I am. I don’t think Ivy will understand. She’s a bit overprotective when it comes to my safety. I know she liked the idea of me safe and sound at boarding school.
“When were you planning on telling me all of this?” Ivy demands. She is using her older sister's authority voice.
“I couldn’t tell you, not tell the time was right. Unfortunately, that involved telling when the team found out. I would have told you earlier if I could have.” I keep my voice soft and even.
“Have you even been away at boarding school?” Ivy asks.
She is challenging me with the look on her face right now. Ivy isn’t one to get mad easily, but when she is mad it’s pretty hard to calm her down and make her see reason.
“No. I’ve been training. It’s a type of boarding school if that makes you feel better.”
“No, Lynden, it doesn’t make me feel better.” Ivy huffs.
“I’m sorry Ivy, but I didn’t have a choice. I had to keep this from you till I could tell you. I wish it had happened differently, but I’m not in control of my fate or anyone’s for that matter. I’m simply a messenger for the Three. They keep me safe and protect me. I’ve had plenty of training on how to protect myself along with so much knowledge. Ivy, I know you are mad right now, but I hope one day you will understand that I didn’t deceive you on purpose. I’ve been taken care of. There are others like me, and that is who I’ve been staying with. It’s a special school for oracles and other prophetic people, like the ones who take prophecies down for the covens. I have friends and a great place to live. I’m well cared for, and I love my life. Ivy you have your own abilities, and I have mine. You are a fantastic Warrior, mom and dad would be so proud of you. You use your abilities to help the Warriors and I use mine to help guide those who are assigned to me.”
“You can compliment me all you want, but I’m still mad at you.” I watch as Ivy’s expression softens. “I’m glad you love your life and that you are happy. I just want to make sure you are safe and cared for. If you tell me you are, then I believe you. I swear if something happens to you, I will be kicking Fate’s ass.” I laugh at Ivy’s words. Ivy gets up and hugs me. “I love you Lynden, you are the only family I have left.”
“I love you too Ivy.”
Ivy and I spend the rest of the day together. After dinner Ivy goes to spend time with Alice who is her soulmate, they just don’t know it yet. Alice is great for Ivy. Ivy is uptight and Alice is wild. Alice is spunky, and has no problem calling Ivy out on her controlling ways. Ivy always has to be in control, she has been that way since our parents died. I think because she couldn’t control what happened to them, she feels the need to control everything she can. This is why I always thought it was odd for Ivy to join the Warriors. Ivy’s job is very unpredictable, at least it is when she is out in the field. I know she much rather be an instructor because she has better control over things that happen.
I love my sister even if she gets on my nerves. I know it’s because she cares that she is always in my business which made keeping my secret that much harder. I practically had to beg her to let me go to the fake boarding school out west. I knew I wasn’t really going to a boarding school for smart girls. I’ve known about who I was since I was six years old. I was very good at keeping my secret, because I knew how important it was to make sure no one knew until the time was right.
It will take time for Ivy to fully come to terms with who I really am and what I will be doing with my life. I think part of her hoped I would live a normal human life. Like going to college, having a career, getting married, and having kids. I don’t have a soulmate, and I’m honestly okay with that. I know most girls would be upset, but I’m not. I’m proud to be an oracle, and I've accepted the fact that I will never marry or have kids a long time ago. I know that I will do great things in my life. I’m very self-confident and assured in who I am. I take pride in who I am. I love helping people and helping the team is my first task as an oracle.