I wasn't meant to die today. The Foretellers had shown me before as I eagerly awaited my turn to receive the wisdom of the Great Oracle. Each and any one of us, people of the mountains, were forced to go and listen to its prophecy of our own life. It was a custom from ancient times, and those who disobeyed were left to die in the pit so others could watch and learn from it. To fear.
And I was excited by this at the time, barely managing to suppress my exhilaration that fateful night. The moon was up in the pitch-black sky, with no stars as witnesses to my prognostication ritual. As I took my vows under the saint fire of the Goddess of the Moon, only the howls of wolves could be heard throughout the silver chamber. As I felt the harsh coldness of winter, goosebumps rose on my arms. Once again, I thought I was blessed with a fortunate night.
The Foretellers closed their eyes, listening to the wise whispers of the Great Oracle as I gave a few drops of blood to the lost souls from the shadows. Those poor, pitiful souls that had been left in our world with the sole purpose of deciding whether our intentions were pure or evil. They were the servants of the Goddess, her mystical tools crucial for the ritual.
When the moon aligned perfectly in the center of the sky, the never-ending hollow shined wonderfully in front of my eyes, stealing a quick smile for me. It was a sign that my blood proved to be pure.
Suddenly, a low, hoarse voice could be heard throughout the chamber,
"Your fate would be of great help to your people, as dark times would come. The suffering of hundreds would be spared because of you, for you would possess the wisdom and bravery to fight against the oppression of evil. You shall live another five years without knowing the rest until the evil forces are defeated. Rest well tonight, as your fate awaits you."
Lies. Painful lies that tore my soul to pieces now. Back then, I couldn't believe it. Now, however, I know the truth.
A small snowflake has landed on my palm as I am now sitting on a rock in the middle of the Dark Forests. I looked at it, tilting my head to admire its beauty. The last pure symbol of my people. It almost makes me reconsider my decision. But, in the end, nothing can.
"What a sad feeling," I murmured to myself as I was alone in this damned place.
I clenched my fist and sighed, closing my eyes tightly as remnants from my happy past appeared in my mind, flashing briefly as images. Images with the people I love, with the lake I once went to with such constancy, with the mountain I once prayed to, the only sacred symbol of my faith.
A soft miaow made me turn my head to the side. A black cat with yellow eyes approached me reluctantly. I extended my arm in the animals' direction, reassuringly. She came to me, purring and rubbing her head against my knee. I hesitated about touching its soft fur, as I was hesitant about offering my love ever again to anyone and anything.
I didn't rise until after I spent a few moments cuddling the animal, realizing that it was my last chance to show love to a living creature. Standing straight on my legs, I sighed again, took my sword, and got ready to go down deep into the darkened woods. I could hear the voices of hundreds of warriors approaching.
I laughed bitterly, thinking it had been only three years since I received my prophecy. Patting the cat on her back one more time, I started to walk to fight my last battle.
Note: Here. You got your cat.