The Death of the Oracle

She lay on her deathbed. The young man stayed by her side. She was the only one who cared about him. Now, he was going to be alone again. She reached out for his hand. The young man lifted his head. He could barely see her face from under the sheets.

“Do not mourn for me,” she said. He stared at her with big eyes.

“But…” he said.

“No,” she said in a raspy voice. Her tone tried to tell him to shut up and listen. She coughed for a about three minutes before speaking again.

“You will carry on my work,” she said. “I will be gone. You have to be the one to do it.”

“But…” he said.

“Do not doubt yourself,” she said. “I have taught you well. You are much stronger than you think.” He lowered his head.

“I don’t feel like it,” he said to himself. She used what little strength that she had to hold his hand.

“You have to be stronger than that,” she said. “Look up at me, boy.” The young man lifted his head.

“I have one more gift to pass on to you,” she said.

“Yes, of course,” he said. She closed her eyes. A low hum came from her lips. The young man froze. He started to see stars, lights, and sounds from the ground. His body started to feel like it was flying. He started to move faster in the stars. Was he screaming? He didn’t have time to wrap his mind around what was going on. Before he knew it, he was back in reality.

The young man didn’t have to question what just happened. He looked down at her. She had already passed away. He rose to his feet and bowed his head. He would bury her by morning.

Now, her duties fell to him. And he was okay with this.

That’s way you are here, isn’t it? Of course it is. What do you wish to know?