Richard was back in his seat behind the table and resumed reading his scroll. All of what happened… I felt the anger rise in me as I said, "You knew?"
"What did I know?" he asked, eyes still on the scroll.
"You knew that this would happen."
"You have to be more specific."
Oh, I was angry now. The volume of my voice kept rising with every word I said, "You knew the identity of this person, you just wanted to see my reaction. So, you knew what was in that slope. You knew this would happen, and yet I was still sent to Isle of Prisons. Is this the outcome you wanted, Richard? Is it? Answer me!"
He calmly lifted his eyes to meet mine, and after a moment of silence, he replied, "I do admit that I was aware of what would happen if you were to go to that island."
I calmed down a bit, took a deep breath, and asked, "Why didn't you try to stop it?"
"Who told you I did not?"
"I happen to recall that you were the one who ordered me to go there in the first place."
"I did. But that does not mean I did not try to change the outcome. I know many things, Orion; however, for the well-being of the timeline and the universe, I try not to meddle."
"You are no seer," I stated, but it was more of a question than a fact.
"I am no seer," he replied in an extremely calm tone.
"And yet you know things before they happen."
"And yet I do." This time, I got the silent warning not to utter a word about one of his grave secrets… That book that contains all the prophecies in the course of history, Threads of Fate.
I gulped and forced myself to calm down. I looked back at him and started talking, "Set," I was able to say the name now, "is he gone for good?"
"Set is dead, yes."
I frowned and remembered the prophecy that I issued, "He is clearly the Prisoner who was mentioned in my prophecy. Does that mean that, with his death, the second part is completed?"
That didn't make sense, because it clearly said that the blade of Pangu shall light my path, that is, to save me from him. I very much doubt that this is what it describes.
"The future depends on the choices that you and others make to provide a certain outcome. Prophecies provide only one possible future out of many. Some have been proven to be wrong many times ever since the first seer appeared."
Before I could sigh in relief, he continued, "But, just in case it is correct, it is illogical to assume that the second part of your prophecy was fulfilled. I know you also suspect that things are not as they seem."
My heart sank, and my expression changed. It seems that I was not done with Set. I do not know how, but I might encounter that man again. The moment I remember what happened with the flame, and how he almost killed me when he was freed, made me slightly fearful.
My voice slightly trembling, I asked Richard, "What will he make me do?"
"Many things."
"Are you going to tell me?"
I knew the answer before he could even speak. Of course, he wouldn't. Just as I thought, he answered, "No. Perhaps you could seek Mimir."
Mimir also seemed to know something, and this confirmed it. I turned around and began walking towards the door. Just before I left the room, Richard muttered, "A choice shall be given."
I found Mimir with Farbauti in the latter's forge. They were discussing something when I approached them. Well, it was Mimir talking and pretending that the big guy was paying any attention to him.
With a grave expression, I greeted them both, "Senior Brothers. Mimir-"
"No," he answered before I asked.
"You do not even know what I was going to ask," I said, annoyed. Damn him and Richard for their attitude. At least this was able to spike Farbauti's attention.
"Oh, but I do, Junior Brother," he replied, his face sympathetic, "And I have the information that you seek. I am the Lord of Knowledge, so of course I do. But the answer will still be no, I will not tell you."
"Why not?" I asked, my frustration reaching new heights.
Mimir sighed and said, "I will offer you a choice."
I immediately remembered the last words that Richard had spoken before I left a few minutes ago. He said that a choice shall be given…
"Go on."
"I will let you decide if I am to tell you or not. But know that if you do know what might happen, you will inevitably, whether you intended to or not, try to change that said future. If that happens, not only might the changed future be worse than the one you changed, but it may have detrimental effects on history as well. Hell, you might even erase the universe, or you might not even be born, Orion.
"So, tell me, are you willing to put yourself, nay, the entire course of history, at risk? If yes, then I will tell you everything that Set would make you do."
I… I thought about it for a long time, and my Senior Brothers let me decide in silence. Mimir is right, if I knew it was inevitable that I would try and change things… But what if the changed future might be better? But what if it was worse? What if it really did put this reality at risk?
After some time, I made up my mind, "Do not tell me, Mimir."
Relief was apparent on Mimir's face. I didn't know he was stressed to this extent. "You made the right choice, little brother. And you have truly gained my utmost respect."
"For once," Farbauti said, "I agree with the Head. Such things are not to be taken lightly."
I nodded and replied, "I apologize for even asking you to consider such a thing."
I did not wait for their reply and walked slowly to my room. I lay down on my bed, lost in thought. Not long after that, someone knocked on the door. "Enter."
The door opened, and Tulip stepped in and came to sit beside me. I have never been so happy to see someone in my entire life as right now. I took her in my arms and hugged her.
I never realized how much I missed Tulip. It hadn't been very long since we parted, but so many things have happened since then.
"Can I enter too?" said an innocent voice as Zi was standing on my doorstep.
I smiled. Here I sat with my loved ones, and I pray that I made the right choice.
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Updated on 23/3/2026