THE MOMENT
"This is no time for a party!" Alrick mumbled to himself. He stood in a quiet, dim corner that allowed him to both avoid chatting with guests and see all entrances. Unlike the rest of the guests in colorful, elegant robes, Alrick was dressed like a guardsman. He wanted to be ready to fight. The Dark Witch was ready to invade the kingdom at a moment's notice and Alrick was the only one that seemed concerned. Her horde of undead had the kingdom surrounded. Everyone assumed that meant the 'chosen one' would fulfill his destiny soon. Alrick's parents decided to celebrate their son's imminent victory even before it happened.
Alrick noticed several guests that he didn't recognize and was doing his best to keep an eye on each of them. He tried reminding his parents that the Dark Witch was a master of disguise and would likely show up when they were distracted. The worst part was they believed him.
"That just means Baldric defeats her sooner!" was his dad's reply. While he fumed, he noted a teenager with bright green hair talking to his brother. She was unknown, and her hair was so bright seemed to glow. She was definitely suspicious; Alrick took action. He left his corner and approached his portly, younger brother to see what he and the girl were talking about.
"Alrick!" his brother gave a broad smile. Despite his anger at their destinies, Alrick tried to never be angry at Baldric. He was slow-minded but a good person. Alrick tried to bolster the training others gave him by training with him. Unfortunately, their parents spoiled Baldric non-stop with treats. He could not endure a single minute of sparring without becoming winded. Even now, he sipped on a decadent dessert drink that left his black mustache coated with cream. "This is my new friend, Outbreak'," he said.
"Nice to meet you, Outbreak," Alrick said. He offered her a handshake. She smiled and shook his hand; Alrick relaxed when nothing happened. The gauntlets he wore were lined with silver and blessed with holy water. If she was the Dark Witch, she would have reacted.
"Wait here," Baldric said suddenly. "Getting another, would either of you like one?"
"Sure! That looks delicious," Outbreak said.
"How many have you had, Baldric?" Alrick asked.
"Three...," Baldric replied with a sigh. He knew his brother asked out of care.
"Try some water, please?" he asked.
"Be right back," Baldric nodded and left them alone.
"I've never seen you before," Alrick looked at Outbreak. She shrugged.
"I enjoy traveling. I saw the festival and assumed it was for everyone." Alrick nodded.
"I'm sorry, of course, it is. I did not mean to suggest otherwise. It's just that being the Chosen One's brother comes with a great deal of stress.
"Oh?" Outbreak asked. "Why" Alrick sighed. Maybe it was because he felt at ease suddenly; maybe it was because he expected to never see her again. But, at that moment he let it all out.
"Because look at him!" He gestured at Baldric who was patiently waiting for another dessert drink at the bar. Fate chose that moment to illustrate Alrick's point. Baldric was leaning on the bar and somehow, his hand slipped. He dropped like a sack of oats and banged his chin on the bar knocking himself unconscious. The bartender immediately hopped over the bar and began trying to rouse him.
"Yeah...," Outbreak nodded. "...poor guy. But, what's that got to do with you?" Alrick turned and narrowed his eyes at her.
"What's that got to do with me?" he asked. His voice pitched high in obvious offense. "He's too incompetent to carry out the prophecy!" he managed to drop his voice to a whisper to avoid attracting attention. "The Dark Witch is going to slaughter the kingdom to make more undead, I think it has very much to do with me." Outbreak giggled.
"You're not like everyone else here," she said. "What's your favorite number?"
"12," Alrick replied. It seemed an innocuous, if out of place question. He saw no reason to withhold his answer. Though, on reflection, he wondered if he could have withheld it. The answer seemed to spring forth on its own. Outbreak nodded.
"Well, that explains that," she said.
"What's explained?" Alrick asked. Outbreak shook her head.
"A lot. Way too much to go into right now," she said. "But, I'll tell you this. I feel bad for your brother." Alrick glanced back to the bar and saw his brother was on his feet again, with a creamy drink in hand. But, instead of returning to them, he wandered off in another direction.
"Because he's gonna get himself and all of us killed?" Alrick asked. Outbreak shook her head.
"Because he's the Chosen One," she said. "His destiny is already set in stone, and he can't do a thing about it. Unlike you and I; we can make our own destiny."
"What are you talking about?" Alrick asked. "You seem to think that he can actually defeat the Dark Witch."
"At this point it's not a matter of can or can't; he will," she said. Alrick had more questions, but Baldric appeared suddenly.
"Your drink, M'lady," he handed Outbreak the dessert. "And, water for me," he showed a small glass off to his brother. He took a sip, then made a face.
"Ugh, it's not fresh. That'll teach me to drink from fountains."
"From a fountain?" Alrick asked.
"Yeah, I couldn't find water anywhere, I had to look outside. I found some in the small fountain between here and the church." Alrick rolled his eyes.
"You fool, that's holy water."
"Oh. That's not for drinkin'" Baldric said. He flung his hand to the right to empty his glass. The water landed on another celebrant passing by, and she instantly screamed in agony.
Alrick recognized her as another strange face he meant to keep an eye on. Her screams attracted everyone's attention. Her pale skin began to blister and fall off. Her hair ignited into flames. She waved her hands wildly but could not move. Her feet and legs began to melt onto the floor.
"NOOOOO!!!" She screamed. "HOW DID YOU KNOW!??" The crowd watched in morbid fascination as the Dark Witch melted completely into a puddle of blood.
"CHOSEN ONE!" Alrick and Baldric's father shouted; the crowd cheered. They lifted their hero on their shoulders to parade him around. Alrick and Outbreak were left alone again.
"It's all downhill from here," Outbreak chuckled. Then, she knelt at the puddle and held a small glass rectangle to it. The rectangle flashed with golden light for a moment, then she stood up.
"Who are you?" Alrick asked. Outbreak pulled out a black card, then dropped it at her feet. A black hole opened in the stone floor and she began to sink into it; but, she stuck her hand out.
"I'm making my own destiny. I'll teach you how," she said. "Come with me and you'll get all the answers you need."