Eiji crept down the spiral staircase, the medallion glowing brighter with every step. The air grew colder, the shadows longer, and a faint humming echoed like hundreds of whispers woven into the stone walls.
"Pyra," he whispered, "I feel like this is… definitely bad. Like, life-threatening bad."
Pyra hovered lazily above his head. "Yes. But also, apparently, ridiculously important bad. Your specialty, remember?"
At the bottom of the staircase, Eiji entered a vast chamber. Strange machines pulsed with magical energy, each connected to glowing spheres—the stolen livestock were trapped inside, floating and glowing softly.
Eiji blinked. "Oh no… that's… that's a lot of goats."
Pyra's tiny sparks flicked nervously. "And cows. And a floating loaf of enchanted bread. Congratulations. You've found the Shadow Guild's main storage room."
He tiptoed closer to examine the machines. Symbols etched on the walls glowed faintly. The medallion pulsed faster, almost like it was reacting to the arcane energy.
"Uh… how do I stop this… without dying?" Eiji muttered.
Before Pyra could answer, he tripped over a glowing cable, landing face-first on the floor. Sparks flew, and one of the machines short-circuited.
"Oops."
The livestock blinked, floating uncontrollably. Sparks shot everywhere, illuminating the chamber. Then, a loud CLANG! echoed through the room—the Shadow Guild had arrived.
From the shadows, hooded figures emerged, wielding staves crackling with dark magic. One stepped forward, pointing directly at Eiji.
"You've meddled enough, Oracle," the figure said, voice cold and sharp. "Hand over the medallion, or face annihilation."
Eiji scrambled to his feet, holding the medallion. "Uh… no. I kind of need this… and also, I'm already in trouble, so maybe don't make it worse?"
Pyra hovered above him, sparks flying. "Good plan, Oracle. Run wildly while explosions happen around you. That usually works."
And so, Eiji ran—straight through the chaotic chamber. The floating livestock scattered, the magical machines short-circuited, and the medallion pulsed wildly, unleashing a burst of chaotic energy that knocked the Guild members back into the shadows.
Eiji skidded to a halt, panting, medallion glowing faintly in his hands. "I… I think I survived…?"
Pyra floated down, looking impressed. "By accident, yes. You may actually be the only Oracle who can survive their own prophecies… or make them explode in your favor."
The medallion pulsed again, faintly whispering: "The path forward is dangerous… but the Oracle will uncover the truth. Prepare for calamity."
Eiji groaned. "Prepare for calamity? I live calamity. I am calamity. And apparently, I'm also their worst nightmare."
Pyra smirked. "Exactly. Welcome to your life, Oracle."
As Eiji carefully herded the livestock out of the chamber—tripping over one glowing cow in the process—he realized that the Shadow Guild's secrets were just the beginning, and his accidental heroism would soon shape the fate of Zorynthia itself.