His Dark Obsession

The Right Question

can feelon me. “Furthermore, if I find out that anyone who is part of this contest or anyone acting on their behalf is behind this, rest assured they will be expelled from the tournament immediately and punished severely.” A silence follows, and the king continues after a couple of moments. “Thank you and congratulations to you all. Tonight’s match will be one that I’m certain we will all enjoy. Hand-to-hand combat between the Alphas!”Claps and cheering break out behind us and I hear Zedkiel mutter ‘foolish’ and I can’t disagree. Do they realise the winner of this contest shall take the throne? Is this really a wise way to choose? We need a king who cares for his people, one who will be best for the kingdom. Is this tournament really going to prove that? Is this contest just to please the people, when we need to choose a king, not a champion…I keep my thoughts to myself as the eight alphas look at one another. The rules and time for the matches for the evening are announced and the excitement builds. The opponents will be paired randomly tonight. “Prepare to eat dirt.” Zedkiel says, turning and walking out. I follow, trying not to run but still trying to keep up. “You don’t need to follow me.”I freeze at the coldness in his tone, but after what I said to him last night, I can’t blame him. I need to apologise for that.“Zedkiel… about last night… I didn’t mean what I said. I don’t even know why I said it.” I whisper softly.“Yet you said it, but you’re not wrong. I am basically a cold, heartless monster.” He sneers, walking off.” Stay away from me.”I sigh softly but don’t follow him. I need to go to see the Oracle, and if Zedkiel needs space, then I’ll give it to him. Until tonight, when I’ll be here to support him.Glancing around the hall, I head down the hall toward the Oracle’s quarters. It’s time I got those answers.I reach the Oracle’s room soon enough, however, with every step I take, I begin to doubt myself strongly.“You’ll regret it.’ That voice again.‘No. I won’t, and I know what I’m going to ask.” I say coldly.I knock on the door lightly, taking a deep breath. ‘Turn around!’“No.”I can feel the pull from inside of me, the determination that she wants me to turn back.‘No, I actually have something very important to ask her.’ I say with determination.“You need to listen to me Evangeline, you owe me!’ She hisses.‘No, I don’t.’ I reply, knocking again.Please answer…‘Don’t trust her. She isn’t who you think she is. I’m trying to look out for you, heed my warning.’ She whispers menacingly.“Enter” The Oracle’s voice comes, and it takes all my willpower to reach for the handle and open the door. Almost as if some force is trying to stop me.I have so many questions I want to ask the Oracle but right now the one that seems to scream at me is what is the voice in my head? What am I? Isn’t that what Zedkiel wanted me to ask?Suddenly I wish he was here. I feel so alone and the unease that is eating up at me is becomingsuffocating.The Oracle is standing there, her long hair open, and she looks almost… pale…“So you have come.” She says, her eyes boring into mine.“Were you not expecting me?” I ask, shutting the door behind me.My head is hurting, and a dull ache is beginning to form at the nape of my neck.“I came to ask you my one question.” I say, unable to walk closer. Something is stopping me.She observes me silently, and I feel as if she’s looking into my soul.“There’s something inside of me…” I begin, knowing this sounds crazy.“What is your question?” She asks, not bothered about what I just said.My question.‘Let’s leave.’ The voice comes again, but beyond the anger, I can feel a glimmer of panic. 1The question…I close my eyes, trying to think of everything I knew, what Zarachiel has said… of Zedkiel killing me… Zarachiel hating him for killing me. The darkness within me, the darkness that I truly believe, starts with that voice that makes me feel uneasy. Zedkiel’s ordeal. Who I am, and where do I come from… The mystery of my past and I suddenly realise what my question is.It may not be the one that will give me all the answers, but I believe it’s the right one….“H-how do…”‘What are you about to ask?!” The voice hisses.Can’t she hear my thoughts?I try to close my mind off, hoping I’m doing the right thing.“You have your question… just remember every truth comes at a price.”I nod slowly, determined that my question is the right one..“How do I stop history repeating itself by breaking this curse of whatever it is that is casting its shadow. upon us?” I whisper h****ly, suddenly feeling a painful tear through my head. I clutch it, crumbling to my knees, but I continue to fight. I’m so close to getting some answers, I can’t let anyone stop me from getting the answers I seek! 1“She’s awakening.” The Oracle murmurs. “But I applaud you for asking the right question.”My heart thunders and I know by ‘she’, she means the voice in my head who is fighting so hard to take control of me, but I refuse to let her. With desperation and determination, I force myself to listen to the Oracle.“Go back to where it all began. Do not run from the Gemini Bane, for only then do you have a chance. You are a curse and a blessing, and only one may survive. To break the centuries-old calamity, learn who you truly are. When that answer comes before you, only then can you rise from the earth and take your true place. Pay for the Goddess’s crime and the cycle shall end, but remember… you must do so before the stars align or your time shall come to an end.”Her words resonate in my mind, and I’m suddenly being ferociously pulled from my body.A scream of panic leaves my lips as I feel darkness enclosing around me.ORACLE.Evangeline stiffens when I stop speaking, her head hanging and I turn away, I know what’s happening.“There. You have your answer.” I say emotionlessly.“I do… but that was supposed