The air felt heavy as they stood in front of the towering palace, the moon casting eerie shadows across the ground. Elara took a moment to steady her breath, trying not to let the anxiety overtake her.

  "You sure this is it?" Elara asked, glancing at Ai. "No tricks, traps, nothing...?"

  Ai shook her head. "I can sense the spell barriers around the place, and it's clear. No guards, no traps. If Rubina's here, she's alone…”

  Elara gritted her teeth, feeling the weight of the moment settle on her. "Alright, then. Let's do this."

  She took a deep breath and started to step forward, but Ai put a hand on her arm, stopping her.

  "Hey."

  Elara turned to look at her. "What?”

  Ai's gaze was piercing. "Before we go in there, there's something you should know."

  Elara's eyes met hers. "And that is...?”

  Ai took a sharp breath. "It's about... Rubina. Specifically her power."

  Elara tensed slightly, a shiver running down her spine at the mention. "What about it?" She braced herself for the worst. "Who even IS Rubina, anyways?"

  "A clairvoyant. Her prophecies have never been wrong, and every prediction she makes plays out with frightening accuracy.”

  Elara stared at her. "So what you're saying is… she already knows we’re here?"

  Ai nodded. "She’s known since the moment we stepped onto palace grounds.”

  Elara let out a sharp sigh. "Great...so she probably knows exactly what's going to happen next, huh?"

  "That much is true," came a velvety smooth voice on the other side of the wooden door, which opened, revealing Rubina in all her glory.

  Elara nearly jumped out of her skin at the sudden voice. "How long… have you been standing there?"

  "Oh, long enough," replied Rubina nonchalantly, taking a step closer. With every graceful stride, she looked as regal as ever: every hair perfectly in place, golden jewelry and taupe skin glinting in the soft moonlight, gaze sharp as a hawk's.

  Elara felt a shiver pass through her as Rubina's gaze swept over her. "You knew we were coming even before we got here, didn't you? Ai said you c—"

  She was cut off by Ai elbowing her arm, shaking her head as she realized her slip-up. "...Ahem...Akamatsu," she corrected herself, "...said you can see the future. Every move, every action. That everything plays out exactly the way you say it will."

  Rubina smiled, eyes gleaming softly. "That is correct.”

  Elara clenched her jaw. "Then why haven't you stopped us already? If you know this would all happen, then—"

  "Why would I wish to interfere?" interjected Rubina. "This is what destiny has foretold: your presence here, tonight. To try and change that would be foolish and pointless.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Elara swallowed hard. "So...you're saying this is supposed to happen? That I'm supposed to be here, talking to you?"

  Rubina's smile deepened a fraction. "Indeed. Every step you and I have taken since time began has led us inevitably to this point: a meeting under the light of the stars. I'm here to reveal your fortune and map out your future from this point. I only need your cooperation.”

  Elara hesitated. She glanced at Ai, who gave a small nod.

  "Okay," she said reluctantly, "so...you're going to tell me what the future holds? What will happen?"

  "I shall," agreed Rubina, "But first... come inside."

  She gestured to the open doorway, a silent command. Elara took a deep breath and followed her inside, Ai right by her side.

  The palace interior was just as richly decorated as the exterior. Plush red carpets, tall ivory pillars, intricate gold patterns covering every inch of the marble walls...the opulence was staggering.

  Before Elara could fully register the lavishness, however, Rubina turned to face her once more with a raised eyebrow. "You are Elara, correct?"

  Elara was slightly taken aback. "...Yes," she said, wondering if there was an ulterior motive to the question. "How did you, "

  "I simply know, dear.”

  "...Right," Elara mumbled uncomfortably.

  "Come," said Rubina again, gesturing for them both to follow her. Ai did so immediately, but Elara hung back for a moment. When she caught up, she leaned in to whisper to Ai, "Does she always act so creepy?"

  Ai nodded, giving a low huff as they walked. "All the time," she whispered back.

  The trio traveled down corridor after corridor, each one just as ornate as the last. Finally, they reached a large, open courtyard at the center of the palace.

  In the center was a grand pool, reflecting the starry night sky. Rubina took her position at its edge, then gestured for the two others to join her. "Sit."

  Elara glanced at Ai, then sat down next to Rubina, trying to ignore the lump forming in her throat.

  Elara shook her head, denying the vision. "No... that can't be my future. That's not me up there!"

  Rubina turned to her slowly, gaze sharp and unwavering. "Isn't it?"

  "I don't want that! I don’t want power like that!" she exclaimed, fear beginning to creep into her voice.

  Rubina sighed softly, almost sadly, and placed a hand on Elara’s shoulder.

  “You already have it,” she said quietly. “The Void sings in your blood. It has chosen you… long before this night.”

  Elara froze at those words, the weight of them pressing down on her chest.

  “Chosen me?” she repeated hoarsely. “For what?”

  Rubina looked back into the pool as ripples stirred once more beneath their eyes...

  And now the vision changed again.

  This time, it wasn’t destruction.

  It was ruin reborn.

  The burning city began to rebuild, tower by tower, from within shadow itself rose gardens of black crystal, rivers flowing with starlight… people returning, not fleeing, but kneeling in reverence…

  And still, the crowned figure stood at its heart.

  Not a tyrant… but a queen of void and silence.

  A ruler forged in loss… who gave rebirth from nothingness...

  “The Void doesn’t destroy,” Rubina murmured like wind through ancient trees.

  “It transforms.”

  She turned fully to Elara now, one hand gently lifting Elara’s chin so their eyes met under moonlight:

  “You will fall.

  You will break.

  But when all light is gone…”

  Her voice dropped lower,

  “...you’ll be the one who brings back dawn.”

  Silence fell between them, thick and sacred, as stars shimmered above like watching gods…

  Then Ai broke it with one soft word:

  “Damn…”

  Elara sat in stunned silence, her breath shallow. The vision… the words… they clung to her like frost.

  "I..." she began, voice cracking. "I don't know if I want to be some... some chosen queen of nothingness."

  Rubina gave a knowing look, soft but firm.

  "Few ever do," she admitted. "But wanting has nothing to do with it. The Void does not ask permission."

  Ai leaned forward slightly, curiosity finally overcoming caution.

  "So... what happens next?" she asked, glancing at both women.

  "How does this 'destiny' stuff actually work?"

  Rubina turned toward her, and for the first time, her lips curved into something almost warm.

  “Ah,” she said gently, “Now that…is a much better question.”

  And just like that, Rubina had drawn in even Ai's interest. She leaned in as Rubina continued.

  "You see," the Prophet began, pausing a moment to let her words sink in, "the world is governed by certain laws. The laws of Fate. The laws of Chaos.

  "Those laws guide our movements, lead us to where Destiny wishes us to go."

  "And where," Elara asked, barely above a whisper, "do they lead me?"

  A breeze stirred, just enough to send shivers down their spines as Rubina drew tarot cards from her dress…