The Quest and The Seer

Sorry if it's a bit clunky on info-dumping, I promise there won't be so much in the future! <3
Katie, Apex, and Coco made their way through the small town of Bargaine. It was a small settlement on the edge of the region of Greenhorne which occupied a large portion of the world, and was known to many a traveler and adventurers. The wizards, warriors, and alchemists of the world of Erdrea often traversed through the region, either on their way to a nearby destination, or to tour the many bustling cities that called this green, flower-filled region home. Even the monsters in-between towns were weak and manageable by even the newest of warriors.

Bargaine, like most towns, took advantage of all the tourists: with the sun shining down on the tops of open booths, food stands with unique monster-made delicacies, and some cheap, definitely rigged carnival games.

Katie, the slime mouse, with her brilliant pink eyes and dripping brown hair gawked at the sight, twirling around in circles around her other two companions in an attempt to take in positively everything around her. Her tattered brown clothes showed signs of the thiefs many adventures.

“I can’t believe I’ve never seen this before,” she said in her high-pitched voice, her mouth agape in awe, exposing her two large protruding teeth (a common sight for mice). “And I live here! Well, in the region, but…you know what I mean!” The sunlight reflected into her brown rounded glasses, making her squint slightly as she gazed at the crowd the trio was weaving through. Although no wrinkles could be seen on the squinting mouse thanks to her malleable, slimy form.

“Heh, well, remember you haven’t been around as long as the rest of us,” Apex, her blue doggo companion chimed, walking next to her, his short-cut hair waving gently in the wind, his blue cyan-tipped tail eagerly wagging in excitement similar to Katie’s, yet his suave, flexible voice did well to hide that excitement and keep his cool. He took his hands out of his pockets for a moment, adjusting the thick blue scarf around his neck, which paired well with his bandit-esque outfit nicely. Pockets lined his body, perfect for hiding small potions, weapons, or other goodies he might need. If he remembered to pack extra supplies at least, which he often didn’t care to. If his head wasn’t attached to his shoulders he’d most likely lose that too, but just shrug it off and move on. Katie shrugged, a bit of embarrassment making its way onto her face as she recollected her very short existence.

“Yeah, thanks for reminding me,” she said with a sigh, rubbing her arm. If only she had a home to call her own to stash all the precious gems she’s collected in her travels. Apex turned his head to face her, giving a sorry look as he did so. He scratched the back of his neck, his ears drooping slightly.

“Sorry, sometimes I forget too,” he admitted. “I know it’s a sore spot that you just kinda spawned into the world.” His demeanor brightened up as he continued.

“But,” he said confidently. “Me and The Seer go way back. I know you’re not big on magic, but I’m telling you, she’s amazing at what she does. If anyone can figure out your purpose, it’ll be her.”

“How did you two meet, anyways?” Katie asked.

“The Seer comes to town once a year here, in the summer,” Apex replied. “It’s the busiest season so she gets the most gold for her troubles. I used to come here all the time when I was a kid. My mom and I used to…” Apex stopped in his tracks for a moment, just a few seconds, but long enough for him to fall a few feet behind. When Katie and Coco realized this, they simultaneously stopped, turning to face him.

The dog’s eyes showed something different from his usual calm demeanor. It almost looked empty, like life left them for a few seconds, before his smug smile came back brighter than ever as he shook his head, quickly catching up to his friends.

“Well, we came here a lot before,” he said.“But we always had to be careful. Bargaine gets tons of tourists, and as soon as the people realized that, prices skyrocketed. Anything you see here, I guarantee you’ll get it for half price somewhere else.”

“But everything looks so goooood~” Katie replied, practically drooling as she looked at the stalls of food, some made of fine grains only found in the lush region, others made of suspicious monster parts like slime jelly or gryffon thighs. Katie found a particular stall offering a brilliant green jelly entree for 1000 gold, saliva leaking from the tip of her tongue. She didn’t need to eat to absorb nutrients, but food was always a weak spot for her.

“Uuhm…Katie?” Coco finally spoke, the brown-furred protogen walked over next to his friend, poking her gently on the shoulder with one of his claw-like fingers. The brown gentle boy’s faceplate showed his orange expression was that of concern, although it was a little hard to tell the way his features were sharp and pointy, like his mouth, making him look like a pumpkin-themed electric doggo. His tail was similarly sharp at the end, looking like that of a spade, with spirals on his shoulder pads and the sides of his knees. His design was brilliant for his species, and the white robes he wore hid his faceplate particularly well. Protogens were also rare, and since they were seen as less than people and more so objects, he didn’t want to take the risk and walk around in public undisguised.

“Isn’t like…they’re slimes, right? Isn’t that cannibalism in a way?” The shy boy’s face wasn’t great at displaying complex emotions but his voice more than made up for it, his synthesized lines doing quite well in portraying the high-toned nervousness he often exhumed. Katie scoffed and turned around, rolling her eyes.

“I wasn’t gonna actually eat them!” She defended herself at her furred, white-tipped friend. His big floof was a contrast to Apex’s shorter hair, and was also odd in its own way with his half-proto, half-mammal features.

“C’mon you two, we’re almost there,” Apex said with a small chuckle, waving his hand at the both of them. Coco immediately let out a small whimper and hurried to catch up with him, his white robe flowing behind him. Cocos himself was the most skilled at healing magic, a result of his need to protect and care for Apex. He might’ve been technological but magic came from the soul, which protogens still had. Apex himself was the better of the trio with magic, knowing all forms of ice-based stuff, which he used quite often, mostly to stay cool when it was warm out. Katie herself didn’t use magic often as she was weak with it, as most slimes were.

Katie picked up her own pace, getting back together with the boys as they neared a bright blue tent, outlined with gold, that hid under a booth, looking darker thanks to the protection of the shade, with the inside of the tent nearly impossible to see with no lights inside. The three stood in front of the doorway, almost as if waiting for an invitation. While Katie didn’t believe in such fairy tales of future-seers, she couldn’t help but get a strange feeling of dread, like someone was peering down on her from a large and intimidating throne.

“Well, what are we waiting for?” Apex asked, stepping inside ahead of the others, who took a bit longer to collect the bravery to venture inside. Coco let out a small gulp before heading in behind him, followed by Katie, who’s eyes squinted again as she adjusted to the sudden darkness. Stepping inside was like walking into another world entirely. A seemingly endless sky stood above them, the stars barely illuminating their presence. A candle lit itself at the center of the room, showing off a short gray wolf figure standing at the center of the room, the candle sitting on a wooden table with a blue cloth under it.

“Welcome back, heir to the Sniflheim throne,” the female wolf said, holding out a paw as she gestured to the blue doggo. Apex crossed his arms, leaning his back on the tent wall, which held surprisingly sturdy as he put all of his weight onto it. He gave a small nod of acknowledgment to The Seer, before she turned her attention to Coco. “And I see you have brought your significant other as well. Welcome, Coco~”

Coco shyly raised his arm, giving a small wave as he chuckled. “Uh, hi, I’m Coco,” he said. “Oh, I guess you knew that already, huh? How did you know me and Apex were-” The Seer raised a hand to her lips, shushing the proto’s question, before placing her hands back down onto the table. “I can see your heart, my child. Both of yours. I can see they beat faster the closer you are. Simply an observation.”

“Told you she was good,” Apex laughed, brushing his cyan hair out of his face. Katie rolled her eyes.

“You probably just told her you two were down bad for each other, right?” She turned her head to face the wolf, tilting it slightly as she awaited the answer. The Seer gave a soft smile, removing the hood that covered her fluffy ears, one of them having a piece torn out which itself told a heartbreaking story, the other ear pierced with a round gold earring.

“I simply read their souls, child,” she said, her voice soft and soothing, like a mother trying to comfort a small child. “And you, Katie Truthseeker. I’ve been expecting you for some time now.” The thief’s eyes widened at the mention of her name, and even Apex and Coco looked at her a bit confused. From the few weeks they’ve known each other, they hadn’t even learned their friends last name, and assumed since she was created by magical means that she didn’t have one to begin with.

“Hey, how-” she began, confused, until interrupted by the fortune teller.

“I saw it in your heart,” she said, giving a small wink to her. “It’s a good name, one that resonates with you and represents who you are. You did well to pick it for yourself. It’s become part of who you are.” Katie became a bit more agitated, being caught off guard by the name drop, and looked to Apex, who motioned for her to move closer. She looked to Coco, who smiled and gave a thumbs up, his tail wagging enthusiastically. With a bit of hesitation, she moved forward, kneeling down to The Seer’s level, locking eyes with the woman.

“You…knew I’d be coming?” she asked. The Seer nodded, motioning to the candle at the center of the table, which turned blue as her hand got closer to the flame.

“The universe tells me what it wants to. And today it told me you’d be here. For what purpose, even I am not certain.” Her answer was flat and almost seemed comical in nature, enough to make Katie crack a smile. It was hard to believe in universes and signs when she was born for a reason she couldn’t even find out.

“Tell me,” The Seer said, putting her hands down in front of her. “Is there anything you’d like to know?” Katie hesitated, looking back to her friends before actually thinking about her answer. It seemed too easy at this point. To just get an answer to all of her questions like this felt…unfair, somehow. After a bit of thinking, she decided on the only one she ever really had.

“What is…my purpose? Why was I created? Who created me?” The Seer giggled, brushing her long blue hair away from her bright orange eyes, as orange as the flame that stood in front of her.

“My, so eager, this one,” she replied, turning her head toward Apex, who gave a soft chuckle. Katie turned to where The Seer’s eyes were facing, confused.

“Yeah, sorry Seer,” he said, shaking his head, still wearing that iconic smile. “It’s her first time, so she might be a bit excited. Katie and The Seer locked eyes with one another again, The Seer giggling in response.

“Of course, child,” she replied, speaking again to Katie. “So curious about your purpose. The big ‘Why’ of all of your trials. I can tell you now that I have no answer for you, and that only you may define your purpose.” Katie sighed, somewhat understanding that the answer wouldn’t be so simple, before a thought dawned on her.

“But! I did have an original purpose, didn’t I?” she asked, her eyes wide and eager for a better response. The Seer hummed to herself, scratching her chin as she best thought of how to handle the topic.

“Yes, child, somebody gave life to you for their own purpose,” she finally replied. “However you are a person of your own volition, and exist of the universe's will. Your purpose should be your own.” The last part went unregistered by Katie, who’s eyes squinted at the mention of an original purpose. Somebody is responsible for her existence, and she was going to find out who. The Seer sighed, seeing that Katie had gotten the answer she chose to want, and not focus on the meaning behind it. Shaking her head, she asked a new question.

“If you are so desperate for a purpose,” she said. “Perhaps I can see into your soul’s future? The answer is always muddied and unclear, like watching a play in a dense fog. But I’m sure it will be enough to get the three of you started on your way.” Katie paused, turning her right hand over, eyeing it suspiciously before looking back to The Seer.

I’m…not sure,” she said nervously. “I’m not normal, y’know.” The Seer let out a laugh, actually making the three jump a bit from the sudden loud noise. She immediately covered her mouth with her hand, before clearing her throat.

“Forgive me, child,” she apologized. “I can promise you, monster, beast, or man, you have a soul, just like the rest of us. Now, hold out your hands.” Katie reluctantly sighed and did as she was told, while the boys watched on, their eyes wide with anticipation as The Seer joined hands with the thief, gently blowing out the candle light, leaving all four of them alone under the starts, the noises of bustling townsfolk outside slowly drawing out as the universe seemed to move around them, locking them all in a sea of stars that involved them, and only them. The world did not exist anymore, nor did the universe. It was just them. The Seer closed her eyes and concentrated. A few minutes went by before she softly spoke.

“I…see,” she said, scrunching up her face in confusion just slightly. Katie cocked an eyebrow, showing concern.

“W-What does that mean?” She asked, her hands clenching up slightly.

“I see one soul, divided between itself as though it were two. Not unusual during inner conflict. Yet I sense no conflict within you.” She rubbed her paws along Katies hand, gently feeling the smooth slime where normally there’d be lines, scales, fur, or anything else, before furrowing her brows more. “Indeed. Almost as though you had two souls within you. Quite interesting indeed…”

“Well, what’s my future?,” Katie said, avoiding the subject entirely as she refused to lock eyes with The Seer. She shrugged, not giving it much thought as she moved on, looking deep into a universe far ahead of this one’s time. She gave another “Hmm” causing Katie to grow irritated. “What now?” she asked impatiently. Apex let out a cough, making Katie turn to look at him. He gestured with his paw up high, before lowering it down, signaling for Katie to change her tone. “Sorry, Seer,” she apologized to the fortune teller.

“It’s alright, child,” she replied, holding tightly to the slime girl’s wet paw. “I normally see a fog surrounding one’s journey and yet… I see you. Clear as day.” Everyone’s eyes widened in shock, as Coco turned to look at his boyfriend, who shrugged his arms to show his lack of understanding as well. The Seer continued, unaltered.

“A dense fog surrounds you,” she said. “Like a void. Yet you stand, with something in your palm. An object, yes. It is bright, powerful. It lights the way to your future. It is tempting. Powerfully tempting, even to good souls, yet you hold it, perhaps from the power of two?” The Seer shook her head, ignoring her own speculations from her visions. “It protects you, no! You…protect it, from greedy men and women who would fight for it. I have seen no object as wanted as this, and yet…I can’t help but feel it is not the only one. Perhaps…they are the key to your journey?” Katie closed her eyes, trying to imagine the picture The Seer was painting for her, as her vision began to change.

“I see you,” she said. “Using this object, this guiding light to help others. I see many surrounding you, faceless, yet they stand by your side, as if they were family. Six, no, Seven. Yes, seven surround you. They stand with you. I feel a connection between you. Something stronger than I feel with most. Maybe they are to help you. Maybe you are to protect them. Maybe…you want to protect them? Out of love, yes, an overwhelming sense of love for these faceless, blurry individuals.”

The Seer opened her eyes, the candle lit itself and the bustling crowd began making noises once more, startling none other than Coco. Katie opened her eyes as well, her faith being tested as her future sounded so different from what she always imagined. She thought she’d live the life of a thief, traveling the world. The boys wanted to join her and even offered to help her find her purpose, but this…?

“I…don’t think I understand, Seer,” Katie said, taking her hands away from the table. The Seer chuckled.

“Most never do,” she replied. “Not now. Not soon. Eventually, the fog will lift, and the future will become the past. This is time’s curse. This is time’s blessing.” Katie rubbed her hands, still hanging onto that surreal feeling. The Seer stood up, her tall curvy body towering over the trio. “I have things to attend to, children,” she said solemnly. “But this experience…it is free. I feel as though somehow…it should be. It has enlightened even me.”

The Seer walked over to the entrance of the tent, holding it open for the three to exit. Katie reluctantly got up, and Coco and Apex soon followed.

“I told you she was good~” Apex said with a laugh as he left.

“That was amazing!” Coco said, bright-eyed. “It was like going to another world, if one even existed! Apex, can we please come back here again next year? Plese, please, please, please!?” As Katie made her way out of the tent, The Seer stopped her, holding out a paw.

“A word, my child,” she said, causing Katie to look at her companions confused, before nodding and coming back inside. The Seer knelt down, getting just below Katie’s eye level, locking eyes with her, as her voice became much more rigid and serious in nature. “I do not know what your fortune means. And I make it a point to not try and pry into my client’s lives, and yet…There’s something about you, Kaite.”

“What do you mean?” Katie asked, scratching her head. “I’m just a slime. A thief, even! I’m just-”

“Silence!” The Seer barked, her voice more commanding than ever before, before lowering back to a soft whisper. “You…you are different. I do not know how, and I do not know why, but you are. You are meant for great things, things bigger than you, or me. Take this to heart, find this object, and find these faceless people. I believe this is what you are meant for. Something big, something extraordinary. There are things in this world, people who can and will hurt you. There is much more to this universe than you currently know. But you must never look at them in fear. Remember this vision, for it will guide you. Remember…what it is you’re fighting for, my child.”

With that, The Seer motioned for Katie to follow her friends, who were gently kissing after finding a moment alone, before getting interrupted by their mouse friend.

“Alright, so” Coco said, an orange hue on his visor that he couldn’t hide. “Where to next?” Katie looked at her friends, holding hands as they stood in front of her, eagerly awaiting her response as though she were the team leader! She looked to the sky and the setting sun, before getting a sudden smile and newfound determination in her heart. She turned to her friends, excitedly.

“We’re gonna steal something valuable,” she finally decided. “And maybe make a few new friends along the way, yeah?”

If you liked this story, feel free to let me know so I can make more~ This is my first time writing a SFW story and while it is a bit clunky, I'll let up on the loredumping as I upload more, and I plan on making a lot more ;3