Chapter 9

My eyes almost fell out of their sockets. I kept staring mutely at the green-faced Hora. The white sand flowed back onto his waiting palm, leaving not a single grain behind. The Oracle stood, and for a long stretching moment, no one spoke.

The silence grew louder with the pounding of my own heart. I felt like I wasn't only stuck in this strange dimension, but also in an ancient madhouse full of creepy people. I had to get out of here before I went mad, too.

At last, I recovered my ability to speak again.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said and staggered back to my feet again. "You people are crazy! I just want to go home!"

Kesar looked worried. Her eyes glittered nervously as she stared at me. The Brahmin priests sat in silence.

"Indeed, there must be a mistake." The girl in red stood. "I request that the Oracle make another prediction again. There is no way this low-born mortal is able to lead us to the battle."

My face twisted in confusion.

"My vision is as clear as morning dew and as bright as the light of the sun," the Hora said. "The prophecy has come to me as you have witnessed so, my lady, I am not mistaken."

"But how could this strange girl be our leader?" the same mean-looking youth said, his thick bushy eyebrows knitted together in one fierce line. "I should be the one who leads everyone in the war!"

Murmurs erupted in the hall as if someone had just poked a beehive.

"Oh for the sake of the gods, Issarak, shut your mouth!" another girl growled out from the far left of the Pavilion. "The day you lead us to the war is the day of our doom. Get it from me, everyone either hates or secretly hates you. It would be a terrible mistake if you became our leader."

"Are you challenging my military talent, Tusita?" the boy spat back. "I am the avatar of Murugan, the God of War. Who else is more suitable than me?"

"By the grace of my Holy Father," the girl said. "Curse you and your eyebrows!"

"How dare you!" he growled.

"Stop all this bickering now!" the girl in green dress hushed them. "You both should know this is destined to happen. The Oracle of Pipaet has spoken the prophecy. We must heed his words. If she was nothing but an ordinary human, she couldn't be here among us, could she?"

"We do not need your opinion, Tepi," Issarak turned to hiss at the green-clad girl. "Only the trees and rocks would listen to you."

"How dare you insult her like that, you arrogant brat!" the boy in a golden outfit stood up in defense. His face glowed brightly with rage. Issarak bared his teeth back then rose from his seat and opened his arms wide. To my utter shock, a long shimmering golden spear and crested shield sprang from his hands. Gold dust twirled about from the effect of the manifestation. My jaw was on the floor again.

"How about I run you through with my spear, Atith?" He snarled.

"I fear you not!" Atith stepped forward. He tore the silk robe off his chest, revealing a golden armor vest underneath. A long spear also appeared out of glittering gold dust in his hand. Everyone was alarmed as their powerful energy began stirring in the air.

"Oh geez!" I cried, looking around from face to face in amazement. "What in the actual world is this? Who are you, people?!"

When they heard my voice, everyone turned back to me.

"Your Holiness," the Hora spoke. "You must know that standing before you, are no ordinary children."

"What does that mean?" I squeaked.

"These are the avatars of the Gods of Meru."

"Avatars?"

"They are the incarnations of the gods," Kesar whispered to me. I stared at them in disbelief and pure shock. This got weirder than I would like it to be.

"Now the Lord of Destiny has marked you as the Prophesied Child," the Hora went on. "You must save the race of the Nagas and restore peace to our land."

"But...But...I'm just a normal girl! I have no magic or power," I protested. "How could I do such a thing? Going to war? Save your Naga race? I think you must've gotten the wrong person!"

"I have a better solution to this matter," the girl whose name was Tusita said.

"How about you prove to us that you are worthy of being our savior?"

"Excuse me?" I said with a frown.

"Yes!" Issarak said. "Let there be a competition! Let us find out which avatar desires to lead. Whoever is in favor of me leading the war shall remain on my side, and those who are in favor of this ridiculous mortal girl—" he paused and stared at me and the two girls, Tepi and Tusita. "Well, they will regret it."

Everyone turned their heads between me and him, wondering who they would choose.

"Yes, a competition sounds great!" the twin brothers said excitedly at the same time. "Although the two of us will take no part of it, a competition is best to prove the strongest of us, is it not?"

The green-robed girl put a hand on Atith's shoulder, pulling him back gently.

"If you believe so," she said and glanced at me. "Then the girl is with us."

"Good," Issarak said with a smirk. "Once we get back to the capital, we will propose this idea to the Queens."

"And let the Hora set the game," the girl in red added.

"Hey wait!" I protested again. "Last time I checked I didn't agree to any of this!"

But nobody seemed to hear me.

"What do you think, my good Hora?" Tepi turned to the green-skinned Oracle.

The Oracle pulled the hood of his black cloak, giving us a full view of his terrifying face, which was a lot more terrifying than ever. The Hora's curved fangs resembled a pair of elephant's tusks, sticking out of his thick dark-green lips. His eyes were red and slightly glowing like burning coals. The Oracle might give me nightmares for weeks on end after this.

"The thoughts in your head are the whispers of the Lord," the Hora said. "I have already given you your long-awaited prophecy. If you wish to prove the Fate wrong, you are welcome to try."