Josiah had thought about what to ask briefly. But most firstly he knew that he wanted these accursed nightmares to end. So for his first question, that is what he asked,
"How do I stop these nightmares? They have caused me nothing but stress, and I haven't slept properly in days."
The Crone stared at him then offered an emotionless smile. "They will end, as soon as the events come to pass."
Josiah shook his head, "No, these events won't ever happen as long as I rule. Peace has always been what united us all. No one would ever go against that."
The crone nodded thoughtfully, and simply answered "It is as you say child, what is your next question?"
Unfortunately, that was Josiah's purpose for coming was to find a way to end these nightmares or as the crone claims them visions. But what the Crone claims is nonsense.
Seeing as he won't get a straight answer he considered leaving. Nothing good would come from staying in such a place. He turned to leave but before he stepped away he saw the crystal ball from before perched on a shelf. And the crones warning as he left flashed into his mind.
'When the Reaper comes for you, you'll still be alive' Due to the sleepless nights because of the nightmares he had almost forgot about the most chilling experience of his last visit. Josiah hesitantly turned back to face the crone, and asked his second question.
"You told me before, that when I die I will still be alive. What does that mean?"
The crone chuckled, and the room seemed to darken and he felt heavier. But as soon as Josiah blinked everything was as it back to normal once more. 'Strange…'
"I only told the truth child, as for the meaning. Only time will tell."
Josiah was beginning to get frustrated. He had been promised three questions and two had been avoided entirely. He was going to lash out at the crone for these tricks when something felt off. Josiah was frustrated yes, but had never been quick to raise a hand at another. His anger didn't feel like his own. Deciding to try to calm himself. He asked his final question,
"Fine. Then at least tell me this. For my last question answer me, who are you? And where have you come from."
The Crone smiled, "That, I cannot tell you child. Some things are better left unsaid."
Josiah's patience had finally run thin. He was allowed three questions, and all three had been avoided and wasted! He grabbed the crone by the front of her robes and lifted her up slightly. He heard whispers in his ears, saying… something. He was too consumed by his own rage to try to make out the words.
"I have grown tired of your games witch. I demand you tell me your name!"
The Crone still being held up, showed only calmness. Then spoke softly, like a mother soothing her newborn.
"As you wish child..."
The Crone then said something. But Josiah couldn't understand what. His head warped at the sound of the word. As if his mind couldn't comprehend. He released the crone and fell to the ground screaming. His nose and eyes bleeding profusely and his mind threatening to break. He tried to stand but couldn't find the strength and instead was stuck cradling his head. He tried to shut his mouth to silence his screams but almost bit his tongue off. The whispers he heard before were now shrieks in his ears
"Help… Help. HELP. HELP HELP HELP!"
All Josiah could do in the end is lay and scream with the voices in his head. The crone only watched as Josiah suffered. Standing in silence and observing.
'Why, Why won't it end?!'
After what felt like an eternity, the pain began to subside. And the voices began to grow weakier, until he barely heard them. His breaths still hoarse and strained. He weakly stumbled to his feet and looked at the Crone.
"What.. did you just do.?"
All she did was stare distantly back at him. As if he wasn't even there.
"I asked what you did to me!"
But again he found no response. He was furious, but couldn't muster the strength to speak to her, let alone fight her. Every word he spoke caused his head to split. Just as Josiah began to ask again the crone finally spoke.
"There isn't much time left child. Wake up."
'Huh?'
Suddenly everything began to fall. And his vision went black.
"Josiah! Wake up!"
'What?'
Josiah began to raise up only to realize. He was back in bed. In a daze he looked around his room. His head no longer hurt, and the voices were gone entirely. The sun high in the sky, it appeared to be around noon. Standing in his doorway his wife stood calling for him. But.. was he not back in the crones stall? How did he get back here? Josiah moved to check his clothes only to find he had never changed out of his sleeping clothes. He frowned finding them stained crimson.
'Strange. I was sure these were white...'
Then he heard a scream. He jumped up and saw his wife covering her mouth, her face pale and full of dread.
"What?! What has happened to you!"
Josiah was taken aback.
"Happened to me? What caused you to shriek like that?!"
But she didn't say anything else, instead she raised a shaking finger to point at his bed clothes. As he looked down he realized the entire front was covered in blood. He felt his face and it was also still wet with the crimson fluid.
"What... did that witch do to me.."
"So what was her name? The Crones?" The boy asked. He had been growing impatient with the story. He was hoping to learn something about the man from these stories, or the past in general. But had learned close to nothing.
The man looked at him and raised his brow. "Were you not listening to the story child? Some things shouldn't be answered."
The boy frowned. Surely he wasn't stronger than this king by any stretch. But this is sounding more like a fairytale than anything. Nobody possesses powers that strong. Well. Except for maybe this mysterious man he's been talking to. But it doesnt sound like he can begin to compare.
"So how did she do it? How did she make it all a dream?"
Now it was the man's turn to frown.
"I'm not sure. But powers like that are always strange. Besides that time is short, and we haven't much left. I believe you'd want me to finish the story before the end comes."
The boy stared, "The end? The end of what"
The man answered calmly, and without worry. As if stating the weather.
"Oh, the end of my life of course..."