In her dreams, she saw flashes of a great earthquake—buildings crumbling, people fleeing in terror. A tall, masculine figure standing in the distance, its eyes seeming to bore straight into her soul. Chaos and destruction surrounded her, the world falling apart before her eyes.
With no way to escape. She tried to wake herself, but her body felt heavy and unresponsive, as though the dream world had ensnared her completely.
Thalia, Metis maid pushed open the heavy wooden door to her lady's room. She carried a tray with steaming tea and fresh flowers, her steps light on the smooth floor.
She approached the grand canopy bed, her breath caught in her throat. Her lady, was thrashing weakly, her face pale and glistening with sweat. Her lips trembled as she caught in a nightmare, and her breaths were shallow, almost gasping.
Thalia dropped the tray with a clatter, the porcelain shattering across the floor.
"My lady! My lady, please wake up!" she cried, rushing to the bedside. Her trembling hands reached out, gently shaking her lady's shoulders. "Please, open your eyes!"
Her voice cracked with desperation.
Suddenly, Metis jolted up from her dream, her heart racing, and her skin was drenched in sweat. She sat upright, glancing around her darkened room, trying to calm the storm within her. Yet the image of the dream still haunts her like restless ghosts.
"My Lady, are you okay?" Thalia asked gently. "Was it another one of those dreams?"
Metis nodded, relieved by Thalia's presence. "Yes," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "It felt so real, Thalia. It was like I was really there, living through the fear and chaos."
Thalia placed a arm around her shoulders. "It's just a dream, My lady," she said softly. "It's not real. Don't think about it."
But Metis couldn't shake the feeling that her dreams held meaning, a warning of something yet to come. "They're more than just dreams," she whispered. "I feel like they're trying to tell me something. Like something is coming— perhaps a tragedy is about to strike."
As the two sat in silence, a faint noise reached Metis's ears. It was soft, like a rustling in the garden outside her window. She tensed, a shiver running down her spine, and turned to Thalia. "Did you hear that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Thalia listened for a moment, then shook her head. "No, I don't hear anything," she said, her tone calm. "It's probably just the wind. Try to rest, My lady."
But Metis couldn't relax. A strange unease filled the room, as though something unseen was watching her. Her heart raced as she tried to brush off the feeling. Then, just as she began to drift back into an uneasy sleep, she saw the same man from her dream standing outside.
The stranger from her dreams stood in the garden, his intense gaze fixed on her window. Metis's breath caught in her throat. Her dreams—visions she had dismissed as nightmares—were becoming reality.
She froze, unable to look away from him. Her body felt paralyzed, her mind racing with questions. Who was he? Why was he here?
It was as if time itself had stopped. The world around her disappeared, leaving only her and this mysterious stranger standing silently in the shadows of the garden.
Thalia noticed the tension in Metis's expression and leaned closer, her voice soft with concern. "What's wrong, My lady?" she asked.
Metis didn't answer. Her hand trembled as she pointed toward the garden.
Thalia turned to look out the window, following Metis's gesture. Her eyes widened as she spotted a figure standing in the shadows. "Who is that?" she whispered, barely audible.
Metis couldn't form the words. Her mind raced. Could it really be him—the man from her dreams? And why was he standing in her garden?
The figure, as though sensing their eyes on him, slowly raised his head. His gaze locked with Metis's, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.
Then, without a word, the stranger turned and vanished into the darkness.
Metis exhaled sharply, realizing she had been holding her breath. "What just happened?" she murmured, her voice shaky.
Thalia shook her head, her face a mixture of curiosity and unease. "I don't know. But we should check it out."
Though apprehensive, Metis nodded. They made their way downstairs and stepped cautiously into the garden.
The night air was cool and quiet, the garden bathed in faint moonlight. Leaves rustled gently in the breeze as Metis and Thalia moved carefully, their eyes scanning the shadows.
Suddenly, a voice broke the silence, smooth and low. "Welcome, Metis," it said. "I've been waiting for you."
Metis froze, her heart pounding as she turned toward the voice. Sophos stood there, his figure illuminated by the moonlight. His eyes gleamed, full of mystery.
"Who are you?" Metis demanded, trying to steady her voice.
Sophos's lips curved into a faint, enigmatic smile. "I'm someone who knows you, Metis," he replied calmly. "Someone who knows your secrets."
Her heart skip a beat. Secrets? What secrets was he talking about? How could this stranger possibly know her?
Before she could speak again, Sophos turned and walked away, leaving her and Thalia standing in stunned silence.
"What's that about?" Thalia whispered, breaking the stillness.
Metis shook her head, her mind swirling with questions. "I don't know," she said, "I'm confused also."
"My lady, let's go back inside," Thalia suggested gently. "We can think about this in the morning."
But Metis shook her head, "No," she said, "I need to know what's happening. I need to know who that man is, and what he wants."
Thalia sighed, but she could see the determination in Metis's eyes. "As you wish My Lady." She agreed.
The two started following the path Sophos disappeared into, their footsteps echoing through the quiet and narrow way. They stopped to question anyone they encountered, piecing together fragments of information. But every lead they followed seemed to go nowhere.
Hours passed, weariness crept over Metis, and doubt began to take hold. She was about to suggest they call it a night when Thalia stopped in her tracks and pointed.
"Look," Thalia said softly.
Ahead of them was a small, tucked-away building with a faded wooden sign that read The Oracle's Den. Her heart pounding, Metis's spin as she stared at the wooden sign.
Without hesitation, Metis pushed open the door.
Inside, was filled with smoke and the scent of incense. Metis and Thalia approached the bar, where they saw an unfamiliar man standing and gazing at the entrance.
"Metis," The man called, his voice low and steady. "I've been expecting you."
Metis blinked, caught off guard. "You know me?" she asked, trying to keep her voice even.
The Man smiled, a knowing gleam in he's eyes. "I know many things, Metis," he said. "Including why you're here. You're searching for answers about Sophos."
Metis felt a jolt of surprise but tried to maintain her composure. "Who is Sophos?" she asked.
"The Man you've been seeing in your dreams."
Metis narrowed her face, "You know the man I've been seeing in my dreams?"
The Man leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Yes, Sophos is not what he seems," he said. "He's been watching you for a long time."
A chill ran through her at the words. Was Sophos truly more than the enigmatic figure she had seen in her dreams and now in reality?
Before she could ask more, she felt a hand on her arm. Turning, she came face to face with Sophos. He stood there, his presence as commanding as ever, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"I see you're looking for answers," Sophos said, his voice smooth and calm. "But are you ready for the truth?"
Metis's heart pounded, but her voice was steady as she replied, "I'm ready for whatever you have to tell me."
Sophos's smile widened, his eyes sparkling with something unreadable. "Very well," he said. "Let's talk somewhere private."
The narrow hallway leading to the private room of the tavern felt oppressively dark. Metis stopped abruptly, her heart pounding. She turned to Thalia.
"Do you think we should go in?" Metis asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Thalia's own unease was evident, but she masked it as best she could. "My lady, I'm frightened too. But we've come this far. We must hear what he has to say."
From inside the room, Sophos's voice carried out, calm but firm. "If you don't trust me, you wouldn't have followed me to this tavern. Everything is happening for a reason."
Metis hesitated, glancing over her shoulder at the door behind them. She whispered, "Thalia, I don't think I can do this. I'm a priestess. What will people think if they see me alone with a strange man in a place like this? My reputation would be in shreds."
Thalia stepped closer, her tone soft but insistent. "You're right to worry, but what choice do we have? If we leave now, we'll always wonder what he meant. What if this prophecy is real? What if he's the only one who can help us understand?"
Metis bit her lip, indecision written all over her face. "What if it's a trick?" she asked, her voice tinged with doubt. "What if he's setting me up for something terrible?"
"You insisted on following him because you felt you needed answers. We're here now. Let's see it through." Thalia said.
For a long moment, Metis didn't move. She stared at the floor, weighing her fears against her curiosity and sense of duty. Finally, she took a deep breath and squared her shoulders.
"Alright," she said. "But stay close to me, Thalia."
Thalia nodded, her expression a mix of loyalty and determination. "Always, my lady."
With a deep breath, Metis pushed open the door.