"Ooo, look at this one Josiah!"
Nyx had been running from stall to stall, looking at all the merchandise from across the kingdom. Pelts from Wolfhaven the Northern city. Gems and jewelry from Sunvale in the west. Herbs and spices, along with silk and pottery from Mistwilde the Eastern city. And finally fruits and exotic foods from Elderfen in the south. The summer festival is a celebration of the sun god Helios, and all different kinds of people gather at the festival each year to buy and trade goods.
"I see my love, please do stay closer to me though."
Josiah was walking slowly through crowds and got mixed expressions from his people. Some looks of awe and trust. Some looks towards Nyx of envy and lust. But non the less, these were Josiah's people. He made sure to understand them and be kind as his father taught. Josiah gestured to his side, and Nyx came over wrapped her arm around his.
"Oh Josiah! Can we go there?"
Nyx pointed over at a darker stall. The sign reads 'The Future is Uncertain'.
"But why my love? I already know my future, I'm to forever be with you."
Nyx smiled brightly as he said that.
"Yes, but it sounds fun, come on please?"
Josiah was never good at arguing with her. And more often than not found himself fulfilling her request. Upon walking up to the stall a voice came from the shadow,
"A fortune for two? Or are your souls set on different paths..?"
The speaker makes herself seen. It was an old crone, hunchbacked and withered. Her skin seemed to be made of leather and her eyes deep set in her sockets. She wore a large black robe with strange symbols embroidered into it. Symbols Josiah had never seen before
"My name is-"
"Yes. Yes, let's get on with it"
Josiah cut the elder off. He thought it may have been rude but he had a gut feeling something was off.
The man paused his story, glancing at the boy.
"Perhaps in another life, a different choice was made.."
Noticing the boy's confusion, the Man began telling the story once more.
"It was after that, when Josiah and Nyx followed the elder into the stall…"
The crone led the pair inside, the stall was inconceivably larger inside than out. Filled with objects of unknown origin and mystery. Ranging from parts of beast, to stones. Some items seemed completely normal. While others had an otherworldly aura to them. Josiah shot a quick glance at Nyx. She was staring at everything in awe. Walking towards some stuff and giggling quietly.
'I guess if she's enjoying it...'
Josiah thought to himself. He got a strange feeling from the entire place and felt as if something was terribly wrong. Nonetheless the crone leads them deeper into the stall until they reached a table in the center. A crystal ball sat, floating in the center of the room.
"Now who would like to go first?"
The elder asked. Nyx stepped forward, eager to know what the future holds.
"Ah, sweet child what is your name?" The crones eyes started to look less and less human the more the more Josiah looked into them. Eventually looking away, as if he was perceiving something he shouldn't have.
"Nyx! What should I do?"
"Step forward and put your hand on the ball child."
Distorted. The crones voice started to sound distorted. Josiah almost stumbled, causing Nyx to give him a nervous look. But he waved his hand at her gesturing for her to go on. Josiah looked at her in a frantic manner after she turned away. Did she not hear this? If she did hear it, it didn't concern her. Nyx marched up to the ball, proud and brave. As beautiful as always, and placed her hand on the ball. From what Josiah could perceive nothing much happened when she did. But when Nyx stepped away she looked amazed. The crone smiled,
"Your future is full of love and happiness... a shame it will be cut short."
The smile on Nyx's face begins to fade into concern,"W-what..? What does that mean?!"
The crones smile, which seemed kind-hearted before, now seems cruel and perverted.
"It is as I say my child, I would never lie."
Nyx looked shaken, but she was strong, stronger than Josiah always gave her credit for. She stepped away then brushed it off as nothing.
"Your turn."
Nyx smiled at him and gestured to the crone. Any doubt Josiah once had was replaced by burning rage. He was deeply angered by the games the crone was playing on him and the trick she pulled with Nyx. He stepped up to the ball and placed his hand on it same as Nyx. It was then when the room began to fade...