Esme appeared in the Domain of God.
Or rather, what was supposed to be the Domain Of God… but was a completely different place.
This place was pure white, stretching endlessly as if it had no starting point or finish line. It was a blank canvas devoid of anything save for two individuals—Esme and one more person.
The Oracle.
Or rather, what was supposed to be The Oracle.
"Who are you?" Esme looked at the ghost in front of her, her trembling voice revealing her failure to suppress the overflowing emotions within her.
The person before her resembled her to an astonishing degree. She also resembled the last Oracle she had met the last time she was in The Domain of God. However, there was no way Esme was not going to remember the face of her own mother.
"Y-you are—"
"I am not The Oracle… or rather, I am what is left of The Oracle's will." The woman spoke in a monotone voice.
She was dressed in a pure white gown, almost as if she was a bride. Her outfit looked like the very extension of the world they were in, and aside from her pale hands and face, she was completely covered in white.
Her blue eyes were clearer than Esme's, but she appeared too pale… like a ghost.
Even as Esme cried, she showed no other emotion.
She wasn't real, after all.
"Listen carefully, Esme." The Oracle spoke. "I brought only you here because that is the bandwidth that this realm will allow. The 'me' that is speaking to you is none other than a remnant of my consciousness that I left in this place to communicate with you."
"H-huh? What happened to the real you?" Esme was confused.
"Dead."
"WHAT?!" Her eyes widened.
"I was killed by them… the ones who exist beyond this world, for the same reason why the Dragon Emperor was supposedly eliminated. We have reached the end of our purpose and have been derailed by the influence of the Singularity."
"I-I don't under—"
"We are a virus that must be cut out, and the same applies to this world. It will be culled… deleted… due to the influence of the Singularity. Not even the Elves will be spared, as the world itself will end."
"No way…"
"As evidence of this, at some point, the System will cease operation for the natives of this world, and before long… Skills will stop functioning as well. At the last moments, the very structure of this world will crumble and you will all disappear into nothingness."
"Can't we stop it?"
"I tried to halt the process, but my demise has left the erosion unattended to. It is inevitable at this point, which is why I created this small realm with the last of my power… to nurture you and reveal all of these things to you."
Esme was speechless.
The Oracle was indeed on their side, or perhaps it was more accurate to say that she was on the side of H'Trae. As such, their interests had always aligned.
However, despite realizing this, nothing could have prepared Esme for the next words she heard.
"I foresaw this happening, which is why I awakened the 'seed' within you." The Oracle continued with her emotionless speech. "You were touched by me back then, do you remember? It caused your power to surge, but it also made you ready to receive the power that I have stored in this place… the power of The Oracle."
"W-what… what are you saying?"
"I'm saying that you can become the next Oracle."
"…"
"Once you become The Oracle, your consciousness will be added to our collective and you will cease to be the Esme that you know. However, you will possess the [Clairvoyance] Skill, as well as the power to help save this world."
"I… I…"
"If you do not choose to become The Oracle, you will leave this place and it will crumble. I reckon, based on the marker left on you, that there isn't much time until the System begins to cease function in the world. Once that happens, you will become powerless to stop the destruction of this world."
"… I…"
"The choice is yours, Esme."
Esme was trembling violently, her eyes focused on the completely still expression of The Oracle.
If she chose to become The Oracle, this would be her fate.
She would no longer have the bandwidth to feel all the emotions in her heart, and she would lose herself in the sea of collective consciousness. However, in return, she would be able to help save her people and the world as a whole.
Most importantly, though… she would be able to help Rey!
"I'll do it!" Esme declared, her fists clenched in determination. "I'll become The Oracle."
"Excellent choice."
For the first time since the start of their conversation, The Oracle displayed an emotion.
She frowned.
Despite telling Esme that it was excellent choice, she didn't seem pleased with her decision. Perhaps she recognized the sacrifice she was making for the world and she disapproved.
"The selfish part of myself is telling me to reject this task… to enjoy the little time I have with Rey before this world faces its inevitable end, but… I have been selfish for long enough." Esme wiped away the tears that fell from her face.
"Rey gave me life… he gave me power… he gave me community… he saved me."
If Rey hadn't come for her back then, she would be dead at best, or living the most miserable life she could possibly imagine.
"If I can do this for him, and help save the world in the process… I will do it a million times over. It's time to give him back the life he gave me." She spoke out of gratitude, images of all her experiences with Rey flashing before her eyes.
Beyond gratitude, though… there was something more in her heart.
Something deeper.
—LOVE!
"I love you, Rey!" She screamed, hoping he would be able to hear her.
But he couldn't.
"I don't want to forget you! I don't want to leave you! I want to spend an eternity with you! I want…"
At this point, a bright light enveloped the blank room—even brighter than white.
Once it dimmed, Esme no longer spoke about her desires.
There were no more desires to be had.
She had become The Oracle.
********
Rey and the group watched the statue in panic, their expressions varied.
Rey was the most shocked, having an unstable expression that would cause anyone to think of him as a madman. The Fairy King appeared more concerned than upset.
As for Ater… he was calm.
"Master, calm down…" He finally spoke, unable to bear Rey's tortured expression any longer.
"Ater! Do you know what's happening?!"
"No, but I have my suspicio—" Before Ater could finish speaking, Rey rushed to him and grabbed his shoulders while speaking, his body trembling. If anyone saw him now, they would not be able to reconcile this image with the mighty Champion that they were promised.
"What is it? Is Esme fine? Is she—?"
"She's fine… or rather, I'd say there's probably no need to worry about her wellbeing."
"What? Why?"
At this point, the statue shone a bright light once again and Esme's figure descended into the Shrine. However, she was no longer garbed in her previous wear. Instead, a pure white gown covered her body from top to bottom, and an emotionless expression plagued her face.
"Esme! You're all right! You're—!"
"Your concerns are appreciated, Rey Skylar… but I am not Esme." The voice that answered Rey was calm, unperturbed and lull.
"I am The Oracle."