Eiji squinted at the glowing medallion in his hand, its faint pulses lighting up the forest path. Somehow, it seemed to be pulling him toward trouble, which, by Eiji's standards, was perfectly normal.
"Pyra," he muttered, "how does every prophecy mission end with me almost dying?"
"Because, Oracle," Pyra said, sparks flicking lazily from her form, "your life is literally a chaotic prophecy in motion. And apparently, the Shadow Guild likes making dramatic entrances."
The glowing footprints led him to a narrow gorge, where glowing mushrooms lit the mossy walls. The medallion vibrated and lifted slightly, guiding him toward a hidden staircase carved into the stone.
Eiji paused. "Hidden stairs in the forest? Seriously? Why not a normal door? Or, I don't know… a welcome mat?"
Pyra rolled her glowing eyes. "Because, Oracle, the universe hates you. Let's move."
Cautiously, Eiji descended the staircase. The air grew colder, the shadows longer. Faint whispers echoed, like hundreds of unseen voices murmuring secrets.
At the bottom, he found a small, dimly lit chamber. The walls were etched with arcane runes and glowing sigils. The medallion floated toward a pedestal at the center, pulsing with increasing intensity.
"Uh… should I touch it?" Eiji asked nervously.
"Of course," Pyra said dryly. "Nothing could possibly go wrong when you follow glowing objects into mysterious chambers. Really."
He reached for the medallion. Instantly, the runes on the walls flared, and a portal of shadowy light opened in the middle of the chamber. From it, several small, mischievous-looking elementals zipped out, carrying tiny glowing spheres—the stolen livestock trapped in magical energy.
Eiji's eyes widened. "Uh… hi? I… uh… can we… negotiate?"
The elementals squeaked, darting around, zapping small sparks. One zipped under Eiji's foot, sending him tumbling backward into a wall, knocking over a small pile of magical books.
"Perfect," Eiji muttered. "I just triggered magical mayhem. Again."
Pyra hovered above him, flicking sparks. "Congratulations. You've now accidentally discovered the Shadow Guild's minor operation. Also, the medallion's magic is amplifying your 'bad luck effect'—basically, everything here wants to explode."
Eiji groaned. "Why is it always explosions?"
From the shadows, a voice purred. "Looking for these?"
A tall hooded figure stepped into the chamber, the air around him chilling with dark magic. The medallion floated between them, pulsing rapidly.
"Uh… nice to see you again," Eiji said weakly. "I guess you like dramatic entrances?"
The figure's eyes glowed faintly. "You're meddling in affairs beyond your comprehension, Oracle. Give me the medallion, and I may let you leave… unharmed."
Eiji gulped. "I… I really don't think that's an option."
Before the figure could react, the elementals zipped around, zapping both Eiji and the Guild agent, causing sparks and small magical explosions to fill the chamber. Books flew, runes glowed erratically, and Eiji found himself sliding across the floor while clutching the medallion.
Pyra hovered over him, exasperated. "Oracle… stop moving! You're breaking the magic!"
Eiji's only thought: I'm going to die. Or explode. Or both.
But, somehow, as always, his misfortune accidentally saved him: the elementals' chaotic energy destabilized the portal, sending the Guild agent tumbling back into the shadows, disappearing with a hiss.
Eiji collapsed onto the floor, panting, medallion in hand. Pyra hovered above him. "Congratulations, Oracle. You just survived your first real Guild confrontation… by accident."
Eiji groaned. "I'm going to need therapy after this."
The medallion pulsed again, faintly whispering: "The Oracle walks the path of calamity… the next step leads to truth… and danger."
Eiji sighed. "Perfect. More danger. Of course."