The Final Prophecy (The Oracle Series Book 3)

by N. J. Cooper

  The scent of pine and saltwater was replaced by harsh smoke and as she looked around the vision she had summoned, she couldn’t tell where she was. The forest was not normal. The ground was rough, not wet like any of the others she had been in, and patches of sand littered through it with every kind of tree making up its thicket. Pine, cacti, oak, cypress. Every kind. She frowned and looked ahead to where smoke was billowing from. She moved towards it, the trees growing sparser apart. When she came into view of where the smoke was coming from, she gasped. Her mind tightened. It was a huge concrete fortress with centaurs guarding every inch, onyx bars on the windows and it was in chaos. Fires were lit around the fortress, centaurs shouted and screamed, swinging swords, shooting arrows, stomping their hooves as they tried to regain control. Kyla knew where she was. It was Onyx’s prison in the Outlands. She ran forward, she had to see where Onyx was and how he was going to create this mess. Half the prison had collapsed, and she ran through the rubble, dodging the creatures that fought each other. Onyx had help from other creatures and their darkness had her body shivering. Her spine tingled, her stomach turning as she ran through the building. It sensed Onyx and the creatures that surrounded her had been warped by the Outlands, their auras dripping with black goo as whoever they were before, was non-existent. Kyla coughed as the smoke grew thicker and her lungs clenched. She squinted through it, using the senses in her body to find the electrical fissure that would tell her that Onyx was there. She followed it through the concrete halls that were filed with screams and wails as creatures died at the hands of frantic centaurs. Kyla ran around a corner, halting as she was met by a wall of fire. She shrunk back from it, about to run down the other hall when the fire began hissing and sputtering. She looked back, squinting through the blaze as it parted in the middle, a dark shadow breaking the flames. Kyla gasped, backing up against the wall as Onyx came through, grinning and clutching her amulet. His dark eyes swirled, his blood-red cloak flaring out behind him, flames falling off it like oil on water. Onyx stared at her as he walked forward and she swore he could see her, but she begged that not to be true because that meant he could hurt her, he could touch her. Instead of attacking her though, he turned down the hall and moved towards the open side of the broken prison. She ran after him, following his every step, cringing as he electrocuted centaurs, her amulet glowing in his hand as he drew from it. Kyla cursed under her breath and tried to call him, not caring if she had to fight him there anymore, she just didn’t want him killing anyone else, but her voice didn’t carry, which meant what she was seeing was going to happen. It was the future course that Onyx was on and her seeing it meant he was close to getting there. Kyla wanted to see where he was going, what he was going to do once he got out, but her mind was pulling away, her grasp loosening as the smoke grew thicker. She lost sight of him as he disappeared in front of her, the smoke making her cough harshly as her body was drawn backwards and out of the vision.

  She snapped back into the darkness of her mind; the edges of the vision gone. Her eyes flung open and she gasped as her body shuddered, heavy with smoke inhalation. Her eyes stung and her lungs heaved, she coughed and hacked as her body expelled the smoke. Finally, it left her, and she stood on shaky legs, leaning against the banister with heavy breaths. She had to get to Zarek. She had to tell him what was coming. She had to get into that prison and get the amulet before Onyx used it against them.

  ~ 2 ~

  Kyla waited in line, her foot tapping on the concrete outside the Academy, as the students in her year all piled in the silver bus that was taking them to the High Council Ceremony. Everyone in the realm was invited to attend and for the seniors of the realm schools, it was compulsory. Apparently, most of the realm usually stayed in their own areas and watched it as a broadcast so they didn’t have to be stuck in a stadium with other creatures but she was glad her year had to go, it meant she didn’t have to sneak out or lie to get there. The first few buses had already left, and Kyla wanted to hurry up and get on one of them. She checked her watch for the millionth time that morning then sighed. It was still early morning and she had ages until nine at night; she knew that logically, but she still couldn’t stop checking. Finally, she stepped up onto the bus, appreciating that they weren’t like the ones in the human realm. There was no stale feet smell, or the chewing gum stuck to the handles, no sweaty footballers bullying the ones who dared sit near their back seat. This bus was definitely better. Cushioned white, velvet seats, gold handles. It was spacious with marble flooring. But she was quickly learning that the supernatural realm didn’t do anything by half measures, why would they, when money wasn’t an issue? Kyla zeroed in on the seat she had been hoping would be free; the one next to Wyatt. He looked at her stare and rolled his eyes, looking out the window with a clenched jaw as she sat down next to him, three rows from the back. She had to admit, he looked better today than she had seen him in a while but then, so did everyone. They were going to a royal ceremony after all. They all had uniforms. White blazers, white pleated skirts, white ironed pants and shorts with gold silk blouses. Polished tan shoes. Slicked back hair. Wyatt had his tied in a tight bun at the back of his head with a single strand loose at the front, and his face was even looking less pale, so she was guessing he was wearing foundation to hide the shadows there. Kyla had even made the effort to blend in but hers was for another reason. She was going to see Zarek. She had tied her hair back since that was the rules on the trip and it was tied in a ponytail, with her fringe out and a few loose wavy tendrils hanging by her face. Most of the others that didn’t have their hair cropped, had chosen a tight bun and Elanor had taken the crown by pulling her voluptuous blonde curls into an intricate twist on her head, without a single loose wisp of hair. Her dedication was admirable. She had tight white slacks on, her gold blouse was tucked in and her white blazer was pristine with the gold symbols of Imperium Academy on the front standing out. But for some reason, she just looked cleaner than the rest, a talent that Elanor had down. She was a perfect princess. She even had the ability to walk in her tan stilettos. Kyla bit her lip, second guessing her decision to wear her white Converse. They were a little worn, but they were her only white shoes. She shrugged it off, it was too late now, and patted down her white pleated skirt. She turned to Wyatt in his white shorts and gold blouse with his white blazer that was undone and had the sleeves rolled up quarter of the way up his arm.

  “Don’t start.” He whined before she could utter anything. Kyla smirked, looking at all the students getting on the bus, instead of him.

  “I was just going to say that I think you clean up well.” She shrugged. He eyed her doubtfully.

  “Sure, you were. Why did you sit here then?” He asked. Kyla scoffed.

  “Because you’re my only friend left in this place and I didn’t want to sit next to a stranger for the next few hours.” Kyla shrugged. Wyatt grew silent at that and Kyla knew it sounded sad and he probably felt guilty but for her, it was just the truth.

  “Fine. Just don’t bring up the Oracle stuff.” He said. Kyla nodded.

  “Okay.” Kyla agreed just as the last person filled up the seat, a teacher got on board and they pulled away from the Academy before another bus took their place. Once they were moving and Wyatt couldn’t kick her out of the seat for bringing up stuff he didn’t want to talk about, she turned to him, “How’s the whole drying out thing going?” Kyla asked. Wyatt scoffed and rolled his eyes.

  “I don’t want to talk about that either.” He bit. Kyla shrugged.

  “I’m just trying to help.” Kyla said. Wyatt spun to her with a glare, lowering his husky voice.

  “Well it’s not helping!” He urged through a stiff, quiet voice, “Kyla, most days I feel like my body is on fire. Every single thought I have is of getting rid of it. And the only way to do that, is by letting a vampire drink my blood. Talking about it does not help because then I can’t try to ignore it. Every guy and girl that I use as a distraction here, is just a distraction and that urge to
volunteer, is still just as strong. So no, Kyla you are not helping by bringing it up. I don’t want to talk about it, I want to ignore it.” He snapped then turned to look back out the window as her jaw clenched. She hadn’t known it was that bad. She rested her hand on his shoulder.

  “I’m sorry, Wyatt.” Kyla whispered. He nodded once but didn’t look at her. Kyla clenched her eyes shut to stop from crying, she didn’t know how to help him, and she hated that she couldn’t. Sighing, she knew it was something he had to do for himself. She bit her lip and let him sort through his thoughts while she pulled out her own problem in the form of the King’s note. She uncrunched it and felt over the words. Secrets, close to home and be there for Zarek. She was getting closer, but she knew there was more to do and find out. Once it was all over, all she could hope was that her friends were back to their normal lives before she was even a part of it. Wyatt peered over her shoulder at the note. He sighed and grabbed it from her.

  “Hey!” She growled, trying to snatch it back. He stopped her from getting it with his elbow and read over it then handed it back.

  “What does it mean?” He asked. Kyla frowned.

  “I thought you didn’t want to help?” She asked.

  “I thought you wanted me to?”

  “I do.”

  “Then what does it mean?” He repeated. Kyla sighed and leaned back, grateful that the back of the seats were high so the people either side of them couldn’t see anything.

  “I’m not entirely sure. I have two visions to go on, but both are just as crappy as the next and I’m hoping that I find out what I need to, to stop it in time.” Kyla answered vaguely.

  “What visions?” Wyatt frowned. Kyla shook her head.

  “I can’t tell you here. It’s too crowded. The end result is the same though. I have to go to the Outlands.” Kyla clenched her eyes shut at the idea. Wyatt gasped and leaned in with wide eyes.

  “Are you insane?! You can’t go there!” He snapped. Kyla shrugged.

  “I have to. Onyx has something that is going to help him get out and I have to get it before he uses it otherwise, he gets out again.” Kyla said, tucking the King’s note back into her breast pocket.

  “And you were just gonna go on your own?” He demanded. Kyla nodded.

  “Yeah. You weren’t going to come, you made that clear and I can’t get near Zarek, so it’ll probably just be me, which I’m sure will make the Queen and Elanor very happy.” Kyla admitted wistfully. Wyatt clenched his fist.

  “I’m coming with you.” He promised. Kyla chuckled.

  “It was only yesterday that you were saying the opposite.” Kyla reminded. Wyatt shook his head.

  “Forget what I said yesterday. The Outlands is a whole other ball game.” He pressed. Kyla looked at him, trying to decide whether he meant it or not and whether he was going to flake on her.

  “Fine, but you have to be all in. You can’t be pulling that crap where you don’t let me in and then I’m left alone to deal with the stuff that you promised you would help me with.” Kyla said. He nodded eagerly.

  “Fine, what do you need me to do?” He asked. Kyla chuckled.

  “Nothing at the moment. I sorted the thing that I needed help with.” She cringed. He narrowed his eyes on her.

  “How?”

  Kyla blushed a little at having to admit who she went to, “I got Elanor to help me.” Kyla said, her voice dropping. Wyatt’s jaw dropped as he stammered for words.

  “You did not.” he eventually said. Kyla laughed and nodded.

  “Yeah, I did. She was the only one left. She got me five-ish minutes alone with Zarek tonight to tell him what is going on.” Kyla explained. Wyatt frowned.

  “And what does she want in return?” He asked.

  “Not much. Just to know what I was telling him afterwards. She doesn’t want to be left out of the loop.” Kyla shrugged.

  “And you agreed?” He asked incredulously. Kyla nodded.

  “I had to. I saw something in my vision that means I can’t let certain people know what I’m doing, so Elanor is the only one I could go to.” Kyla admitted trying not to give too much away. Wyatt blew out a breath.

  “Well, now I feel like an ass. Sorry for making you go to that extent. I should’ve just helped. I knew that yesterday too, but I was spiralling, Kyla. Sky and the vamp stuff pretty much make me this shell of a person, that I promise I’m not trying to be.” he admitted. Kyla nodded with a soft smile.

  “It’s okay, Wyatt. I understand.” She said. He smiled back then his face lit up, his eyes crinkling. He leaned in close by her ear.

  “Now’s the part that we have an epic kiss to make up.” he whispered with a wink. Kyla chuckled and shook her head.

  “Not going to happen, but nice try though.” She teased, and they fell into a comfortable, easy conversation about her mom, about Sky and everything in between.

  Hours later, they finally made it into the crowded city. Kyla had never seen it so lively. Creatures lined the streets that the bus moved slowly through, stores were open and busy, as centaurs guarded everything with narrowed glares. They pulled up outside the mansion that had lines waiting to get in. The bus moved around the corner into another line of buses from other areas. Kyla gasped, leaning over Wyatt to get a better look at the students getting off. The vampire academy, Sangius was emptying their students and each one was tall, pale, and undeniably elegant. They wore the same realm colour uniforms, but their ‘S’ emblem was a bright metallic red. Each vampire carried a red umbrella and wore dark sunglasses to shield from the sun and entered through the side gates of the mansion. The road for the academy buses had been closed off and centaurs guarded it with guns. They separated to let another bus through, and Kyla watched in awe as more students got out. It was the witch and wizarding academy, Exponentia with their ‘E’ emblem in dark purple. The students came in all shapes and sizes, but they all had the same purple capes, wands strapped to their hips in a belt and amulets glowing from their necks.

  Another bus pulled up and a bunch of surly big students got out with narrowed, glaring eyes and every single one of them had talons. Kyla gasped.

  “What are they?” She whispered. Wyatt chuckled.

  “They’re from the enchanted creature’s area. They’re dragons from Dracones Academy.” Wyatt said. Kyla’s jaw dropped further as she looked back at them with their orange ‘D’ emblem on their uniforms. Dragons were real. It was impossible and yet right in front of her. She looked at Wyatt.

  “What other creatures are real in that area?” Kyla asked.

  “Every myth and legend you’ve ever heard of.” He answered.

  “Are you telling me that I have been in this realm for months and in that time, I have only been three areas over from meeting an actual Unicorn?” Kyla demanded. Wyatt laughed deeply.

  “Yeah kind of. Unicorn shifters are real, but we can’t get in their area. It’s where the centaurs live when they retire from the guard. But it is also where the dragons guard the elemental stones, so no one is allowed in that place.” Wyatt explained.

  “Elemental stones? What are they?” Kyla asked.

  “You know, you should at least try and read the history books that the teachers give you Kyla. I get that the whole school thing has kind of been hard to keep up with considering everything that has happened, but you might actually learn something useful,” He laughed then sighed and answered, “They are the stones that keep that area attached to the pentagram. So, they are gems, all representing each element and they are embedded in their ground. The dragons train in their academy and the ultimate honour they can get, is being a guardian for them. They hold the pentagram together. If one of those stones goes missing, then the area will collapse and in turn, collapse the veil.” Wyatt explained. Kyla blew out a breath. They were guardians? She looked back at them. They looked lethal with hardened stares towards their surroundings. The dragon-shifter’s bus shuddered beneath their feet as they got off, stepping onto the footpath with broad bo
dies and tight white leather uniforms.

  Finally, it was Imperium’s turn and the bus began to empty. As they waited to file out, she turned to Wyatt.

  “Does every creature have their own Academy?” Kyla asked. Wyatt nodded.

  “Yeah. But I heard the teachers talking and the goblins and giant’s area was uninvited, including their Academies. Inferis is always left out of the invites but the others aren’t allowed because it was their Elders who betrayed us.” Wyatt whispered. Kyla frowned.

  “Then how are the vampires here?” She wondered.

  “I have no idea, but the Queen is the one stipulating the others not come, so maybe she has a reason.” Wyatt shrugged. Kyla narrowed her eyes. It always went back to the damn Queen. Kyla walked down the aisle of the bus then out on to the street where the students were being ushered into the mansion through the side gate, and up the steps into a giant grand hall that was the size of a stadium. It was a stadium. The same one that she had trained with Zarek in. Kyla quickly slammed her mind closed on the door to those memories and sat down with Wyatt in their labelled sections of the crowd. A stage was set up in the middle of the stadium with a tight circle around it reserved for the High Council, then it was the Elders, then the Academies and then the public that had come into the city. Soon the entire stadium was packed with creatures and Kyla’s mind was in overdrive. Most of them looked normal but her instincts were going crazy. Her head was pounding with all the auras. She clenched her eyes shut, holding her closed fists against her head. Her jaw tightened as she tried to breathe through the stabbing. She wasn’t used to having to sort through the mess of creatures and keep their intentions and emotions out of her. She wasn’t looking at anything, her head down when her mind exploded, pain shooting from her brain like bullets from a gun. She winced and cried out, the crowd silencing to stare and glare at her. Kyla blushed and tried to slide down in her seat as Wyatt grabbed her hand.