Chapter 10
Varian, Hugo, Cassandra and Eugene had reached a village between this forest and another, which was rumored to be haunted, but that one led to Evashar. "Now why are we here again, Cass?" Eugene asked. "We need to visit a friend of mine, he's a prophet named Sage, he can probably help us know what we're facing in the Ghost Woods ahead.." She told them. "W-Wait.. Did you just say g-ghost??" Hugo asked, his face now pale as snow. "Hugo.. Are you? Afraid of them??" Prince Varian teasingly asked. He snapped his head to Varian, exclaiming, "N-No! I just.. I'm not fond of paranormal trash." The Prince grinned, saying, "Whatever you say.. I personally find apparitions to be quite fascinating.. I mean.. I'm totally not scared of them either.." But that was a lie. Cassandra knocked on the door to the prophet's temple, to reveal that no one was inside it. "Hello??" Varian called out, "Is someone here??" "Who's there?" A booming voice asked, "Who disturbs the temple of the Prophet?" Eugene whimpered. "Eugene, you're such a coward." Cass muttered to him under her breath, then said, "Don't worry Sage, it's me, Cassandra, and I've brought some friends, Hugo, Eugene and Varian." There was hesitation, but then an older man, revealing to be blind, came out saying, "My apologies, it's good to know you're around again, Cassandra.." She nodded, assuring, "It's alright Grandfather.." The other three gasped, "GRANDFATHER?!" They all shouted in unison. She looked back at them, "Yes, he's the father of the Captain of the Guards." Cass informed. "Why are you in need of me?" Sage asked. "Sir, me and the others are on our way to Evashar, but know we must pass through the Ghost Woods to get there, we would like to know what we're facing." Varian told him. The Prophet nodded, "Very well.." He said, "Everyone gather around and join hands, I'll tell you what I see through the tapestry above." They all got closer to the middle, looking up at the ceiling to see a plain black tapestry with nothing but tiny white stars everywhere on it while Sage removed his blindfold. "Are you all ready??" He asked. All five of them held hands while the Prophet began chanting in Latin, his eyes now black instead of white, saying, "I see a battle between flesh and soul, then a trial of terror and acceptance, next an imprisonment in a realm of evil and finally a large serpent made of bones.." The challenges shook Hugo to his core and it made Varian sad to see him this disturbed. "Thank you so much, this was a huge help, Sage." Cassandra thanked. "Of course.. Anything for my granddaughter." He mumbled, putting his blindfold back on. He sent the team out of the Temple, and the four of them slowly made their way to the Ghost Woods, Prince Varian reaching for Hugo's trembling hand.. TO BE CONTINUED..