John awoke with a groan and rubbed his eyes. From the dim light flickering from a torch on the far wall, he took in his surroundings. Trapped in a dark dungeon, he had little hope of escape. Judging by the embers of the torch and the small remaining flame, nobody had come to check on him in quite some time. He was nearly certain that he had been locked away and meant to be forgotten again: just like his imprisonment underneath Buckingham Fountain back on Earth.

What shall I do without my master?

John felt startled by the voice that had suddenly entered his consciousness. Over the years he had gotten quite accustomed to hearing the thoughts of others, however what startled him now was the fact that he thought he was entirely alone.

"Who's there?" John called out into the darkness.

Silence.

"I know you're here." John pleaded, "Please help me."

Who is this man with white hair?

"It is I, John." he explained, "Don't be afraid."

Ah, yes. 'tis the Apostle John. Perchance he shouldst become my new master?

"I can hear your thoughts." he looked around in the dim light, "I can sense that you are very close. Where are you?"

Thou couldst hear me?

"Yes." John nodded, "Every thought."

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

Pray tell, art thou an Oracle?

"No, I do not possess that gift. However, I have been a Seraph, a Prophet, a Seer and a Revelator."

Ah, yes. Verily, I doth understand. Wilt thou become my new master?

"I am not worthy of such a title." John spoke humbly.

Verily, but lest I shall perish, wilt thou take care of me as thine own?

"Who are you?" John began to feel somewhat unnerved by his seemingly invisible visitor, "Are you a follower of the Leviathan?"

No. I despise the beast. My former master and I didst refuse to yield up our souls for consumption.

"Then you are a follower of Light and Truth?"

Verily.

"Show yourself."

Yea, I am before thee.

John looked around in confusion. He could feel the close presence, but could not see the visitor anywhere.

I doth stand at thine feet.

John looked down. The flickering flame reflected off of an eerie-looking pair of eyes staring up at him. Startled, he jumped back when he recognized the scaly skin.

"Snake!"

I pray thou insultest me not. I doth come from the reptilian order of Squamata, family of Iguanidae.

"An iguana, eh?" John breathed a sigh of relief, "I had no idea I could read the thoughts of animals!"

Verily, most reptiles and mammals cannot process thoughts in the same manner as humans.

"Really?" John sat down and offered out his hand, "What makes you so different?"

My name is Chacham. My former master wast an Oracle. Yea, I wast his Spirit Animal.

"Where is your former master now?"

His body hast returned unto dust.

John stared into the reptilian eyes before him, and read the iguana's most recent memories.

"I see." he nodded, "High Priest Abner was your former master."

Verily, 'tis so.

"But if his body has returned unto dust, wouldn't that mean his successor has Awakened?"

Yea, 'tis a woman from Earth.

John studied Chacham's memories for several minutes, and his eyes lit up in understanding.

"Lily... I had no idea..." he stammered, "This is wonderful news! We still have hope! You must help me break free from this cell. We need to find the Last Oracle and help her fulfill her destiny."