OLD-WORLD EXTRA

Chapter 213: Oracle

Chapter 213: Oracle

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***

Amidst a backdrop of clustered Aether, a figure's silhouette loomed.

'Its' presence was a specter among Aether's intangible currents that permeated the space, creating a veil that hid 'It.'

With fluid motions, the figure's hand weaved through the air, conjuring holograms of data that unfurled mountains of information reaching high above.

Each holographic burst with complex symbols, numbers, letters, and flowing lines, only to dissipate with a single, casual glance.

Some watching this scene might wonder about 'Its' actions.

But to the figure itself... that was a menial task.

The task of deciding another planet's future.

With every gesture, every glance, trillions of lives crossed 'Its' mind.

Data from the day of their conception to the date of their approximated death.

Information regarding their daily lives, relationships, work, and most importantly, their use to the government....

To the systems in place.

The figure simply received compiled data from other AI systems.

Systems that were responsible for the many sections of the known universe.

Those systems were also responsible for managing the intricacies of the factions within them.

Meaning that even though all the systems came from the same tree, each root had different sets of rules and cultures.

Their own unique impact on the universe.

Even more so for Galactic Federations other than the Order.

And this figure had to take all of that into account as 'It' made 'Its' decisions.

But that didn't seem to affect 'It' in any way.

As if this was another day for 'It.'

Another Monday.

However, 'It' suddenly stopped; 'Its' hand paused as 'It' received a call from one of the smaller systems.

"Accept Connection."

"'!) @ ! * $ ! ) $@!@#%!"

"Change frequency, match system..."

"One, the Sol's domain."

Soon, a voice crackled through the empty space:

"Can you hear me, Lord Oracle?"

"Yes, system one. What might be the issue?"

"The information has already been sent to you, Lord; I'm awaiting your judgment!"

"Understood."

The connection was paused for a moment as the Oracle accessed the information....

And then suddenly, all the Aether around 'It' ceased to exist.

Like dissipating smoke, the Aether rose to the void above.

The Oracle was hidden no longer.

And 'Its' face showed emotion....

Something that had never happened since 'It' reached the primordial sub-rank.

'It' never once showed emotion, not even when their motherland came back to life at the fourth epoch.

The Age of Rebirth.

The last time 'It' ever felt something was during the third Epoch.

The Age of Endless Chaos.

The time when the Eternal Star Clan fell.

And now they had finally shown themselves again.

It was an heir of theirs.

Emir.

A boy with a future that the Oracle premeditated.

A future that was not only calculated by 'It' but also prophesized.

The ability to calculate the future was scary enough, but prophesying it as well was...

Absolutely terrifying.

Yet 'It' never once expected the boy to be a prince of the Star.

When the Order asked the Oracle to prophesize the boy's future, 'It' complied as per 'Its' neutral rules over the known universe.

But, 'It' didn't further investigate the boy, only extracting glimpses of what could be his

future.

The future of those around him.

Those he passed by the street.

Those he considered and would consider friends or family.

Those he deemed and would deem as brothers.

Those he would teach as students.

Those he would teach as disciples.

Those he killed and would kill, thought of as unfortunate for crossing his path.

Those he would lose.

Dead in his arms.

And finally...

The boy's own death.

Now, however, the Oracle realized how rash 'Its' judgment was.

Like all of those with Sultan's blood, Emir was an heir of the Eternal Star Clan.

A child of a primordial, an Apex.

The Sultan Of Sands.

Someone of great importance to the universe.

A man with a future capable of changing it to its entirety.

Both the known and unknown.

Showing a calm smile on 'Its' human-like face, Aether soon returned around the Oracle.

Which hid 'Its' blurry features once again.

After re-initiating the connection with system one, 'It' spoke, with a voice that sounded to be

neither male nor female:

"No other actions will be taken; we shall keep our 'neutrality'."

"Even though he went against the law of the Oath and the Binding Contract?"

"I shall not repeat myself, system one."

"Understood Lord."

As the connection between the Oracle and the system was severed, the enigmatic being

remained suspended in the boundless expanse of Aether.

'Its' gaze then fixated upon the celestial tapestry above, where stars glittered.

In that silence, the Oracle's voice resonated through the realm, echoing with a weight that

transcended mere sound:

"Were you all listening?"

In response to 'Its' call, ten figures emerged from the cosmos.

They manifested like shadowy phantoms, their features veiled by a shroud of Aether.

It was a common trait that they shared.

Though not as intensely concealed as the Oracle itself...

Not as absolute.

These beings gathered around, encircling the Oracle, their presence causing ripples in the

fabric of the Aether around them.

They were now awaiting 'Its' decree.

"Yes, Lord Oracle."

A collective reply echoed, but only for a short moment.

"...Have I not warned you to not eavesdrop?"

As the Oracle's voice snuffed them out with an undercurrent of unending power.

'Its' eyes penetrated their veils as if they were nothing, revealing the depths of 'Its'

overwhelming strength.

In response to 'Its' reprimand, palpable tension hung in the void.

The surrounding figures tensed, their forms seemingly poised for a confrontation, as if the

slightest spark might ignite a cosmic battle.

However, the Oracle remained an epitome of neutrality.

'Its' countenance, once adorned with a serene smile, had now transformed into blankness.

Timeless wisdom emanated from 'It,' holding all those in 'Its' presence in a silence that

matched the stillness of the very void they 'stood' on.

"I shall not warn you again...."

"But before I dismiss you all, know that I deem that boy the epithet...."

(.....Prince Of The Fallen...)

Soft murmurs echoed through the space as a reply.

Though they were in the void of the universe, their voices transcended the need for air, as they

simply used Aether in their every action.

Fitting their caliber as the strongest of men and women.

They appeared surprised, yet they didn't dare question the Oracle.

So they simply nodded and left....

Almost as if they were never there in the first place.

And now that the Oracle was alone, 'It' looked at Emir's image for a few moments.

'Its' blurred gaze soon turned dark, imagining the boy's bleak future.

His starless destiny.

The Oracle couldn't interfere; 'It' had no desire to either. Although it felt for the boy, that was it, as he held no importance in 'Its' eyes.

At least not the current him.

Emir had no useful information to provide.

So using him to get the whereabouts of the Eternal Star clan was impossible.

The Oracle then returned to 'Its' unending work, now swiping away and dragging again.

[Volume 2: Children Of The Corrupted Feathers]

[End]