(Jasons POV)-Verse 3- Madam Mystics Pt.2

I gently pushed the door aside, hearing a subtle bell chiming from above as we entered. The first thing which caught my attention was the sweet aroma of burning spices lingering in the air. Compared to the slightly lukewarm breezy outdoor air, the trapped air inside this place felt surprisingly frigid and colder. Almost as though we were presently outside in the dark night.

The interior was much to what I expected of course, countless shelves stacked with short, sealed glasses filled with countless strange things. An empty counter with a rusty golden bell, and a glass of ink with a feathered quill propped inside of it. There was an open corridor stretching further into the stall front but judging by the placement of it. We were probably best staying here for now.

My eyes busied across the rows of oddities that I couldn’t even name what some of these things could be. Deep down I really didn’t want to know in truth.

I was however intrigued by the thick leather books aligned neatly on some of the lower shelves which were in reach. I walked over towards a random shelf, and carefully take a book away from its keep.

‘The Chimera & it's chameleon ways’ It’s titled, intrigued, I hastily flip the book open onto the first page where I find two double sided pages filled with illustrations of what looks to be a peculiar creature with countless heads, feet, wings and even different tails which don’t belong to it growing out from its backside. Against the second page there’s a diagram detailing each body part of the creature and the name of the beast it originates from. I was casually being drawn into the contents scribbled inside when I failed to hear someone other than ourselves emerging seemingly out from nowhere.

“You read it you buy it. Hmph everyone thinks I’m a damn charity these days don’t they.”

A sultry voice arrives from my rear, instantly forcing me to slam the book shut. I hear Tobi yelp in the far corner, he looked to have been caught red handed trying to reach for one of those glassed items placed on the highest shelf.

The voice belonged to a mature mysterious looking woman, she wore a lace materialled head scarf and was draped in black silks and garments with countless golden bangles, necklaces and jeweled studded items worn against her body and fingers respectively. Despite the reserved manner of her dress, I couldn’t help noticing the large bust shaped beneath her wears. Her skin was darkened brown like pecan nuts in the winter. Her eyes sharply poised, and a look of distrust filled her gaze whilst she beheld me.

I felt a strange need to cover myself, as though I was naked beneath those piercing almond shaped eyes. Those cold eyes of hers felt as though they were seeing directly through me.

After an awkward pause her mouth creases into a sly smirk and she says,

“Hmm...newbies? *sniff-sniff* with an interesting scent to boot. Oh, one is quite the handsome fellow whilst the other is...fat? But still...new customers I welcome you to my humble abode. My name is Nubia and how may I be of your acquaintance?”

Her voice is laced with a sultry allure to it. I can tell she’s mocking us but still, I cant help feel this weird subtle attraction to her. Well, given she is quite the beauty in her own right, it’s no real wonder I can't keep my eyes off her. She too can't seem to remove her gaze away, but rather than the sort of way I was currently looking at her. Her own stare was filled with a searching kind of look to it, she sized me up several times over and held this sort of questioning look about her. I remember that familiar gaze from somewhere before, I just can't quite place my finger on where that was right now.

I'm somewhat stuck in an awkward silence whilst we both stare at one another for a short while. Thankfully the silence is broken by the sounds of a voice nearby clearing their throat aloud.

Tobi appears in my vision, directly placing his stocky frame between me and Nubia.

“Ah hello there, sorry to intrude, by the way no hard feelings on the overweight comment. But we’re simply two local boys interested receiving the ‘free reading’ as promised in one of your flyers.” He explained cordially in his usual boyish manner.

Nubia’s brow arched a little in surprise, she turned her chilling gaze towards Tobi this time. Her eyes but lasted on him for a moment before returning to me again.

“Ah-of course. Let's start with you then shall we. Follow me...fufufu.” She beckoned me over with her finger. Just before she turned her own heels, she moved her narrow-shaped gaze towards Tobi again. “And you...try not to touch anything.”

Up close she smelt incredibly pleasant to the point it was almost bewitching. I felt a chilling feeling crawling up my spine as well as a brief swell of butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I followed behind her as she led me down a narrow hall covered with mahogany floors. We entered through the third door to our right, inside was dimly lit with a set of candles ceremonially circled around a short table placed in the middle. I looked around and saw a series of oiled paintings of disfigured creatures hung against the walls. I had a light bulb moment remembering the recent pictures inside of that book I saw. The thing labelled as a chimera.

Nubia’s sultry voice stroked my ears.

“The Chimera was a creature which was created by a deranged scientist who was so obsessed with the idea of making the perfect weapon, he decided to fuse a host of rare beasts into a single organism.”

“H-he fused different beasts...” I ask truly bewildered.

“fufufu you should know in this world to always expect the unexpected. Now come on in and take a seat.”

I obeyed her instructions and made my way towards the nearest vacant seat, which was basically a small cushion part of a set of four placed around the short table. I folded my legs into the lotus position and waited expectantly. She took her own seat adjacent from my own. Her narrowed hazel eyes beheld me again, I stared back into her own gaze brightened by the crackling embers lit on top of the surrounding candles. Drawn to the mysterious allure hidden beneath that veil. I sat patiently for her to supposedly reveal to me my fortunes.

“What’s your name young one?” she asked me in a curious tone.

“J-jason...” I stammer out eventually

“Hm, Jason-Jason...why do you seem so familiar and yet...so strange to me. Tell me Jason are you a marvel?”

For a strange reason I tensed up after hearing those words flow out from her mouth. But of course, I wasn’t new to answering those questions mind you.

“N-no, my parents are both Marvels, but my powers haven’t manifested yet.” I reply sheepishly.

“Fufufu yet? Still holding onto hope-well good for you.” she says before laying both of her hands against the table between us.

“Come, place your two hands here” she urges me with an expressionless gaze. I of course comply and place my hands against her own. I wasn’t exactly sure what I should be expecting but the moment our hands made contact I felt a surge of warm current rushing through my entire being. It wasn’t so much uncomfortable, but it felt different as though my blood was forcefully moving through my hands at an incredible rate. My brows narrowed to this, sensing something otherworldly to the whole ordeal. I was too focused on the strange feeling circulating through my hands that I didn’t immediately lift my gaze upwards to meet her own. The moment I did, I almost gasped in fright by what I saw. Her entire gaze was covered in a flickering purple hue, almost sparkling and crackling just like thunder. I felt my entire body stiffen and as I tried pulling my hands free, I felt her own tightening against my own. I winced in pain from the stern vice grip she suddenly applied to my wrists.

Nubia’s mouth slowly started gaping wide. She looked as though she was currently stuck within a trance of some sorts and looked utterly terrifying to say the least. The atmosphere around the room suddenly changed, and I felt the air turn so cold I was assured a layer of frost swept past my cheeks and subtly cut me.

“Shhhh...I...I see it all...Jason? Jason? So-so-so-son of...hmmm...He was perfect. The man from a far away place. The man who walked amongst the Gods. The man who clapped his two hands and created storms...The man who moved like s-s-s-s-s-s-sound. The man who...was considered perfect.

I have a story to tell...there was a boy who desired nothing more than to live amongst the clouds. He fought against the raging storms, the protectors of both the heavens and the earth. They tried to subdue him, but all met their pitiful ends by the sleeping power within the boy. You see the boy was covered in Gold, the threads of his fate already woven into place by the hands of the divine. A-and yet...the fate he suffered was one more callous than that of those who stood against him...

J-jason...Son of the one they called perrrrfect...You will be presented with a choice one day. A choice which will lead you down two paths. Either to atone for their mistakes and save them all. Or...you will be stricken down by so much pain that your heart will be hardened as a result of the truth you will one day unveil, you’ll allow the darkness to take control as you turn the rivers bloody from the rage birthed from all the pain inside. Whatever the choice, Jason...one day the entire world will know and fear...The son of the Perfect one.”

Once Nubia finally broke free from her trance she looked confused as to why I carried a pale face and wordless stare. She smiled at my response and informed me to go back and call Tobi. Once I arrived back outside I was still shaken and not many words escaped my mouth.

“Hey Jay so how was it! Did she give you powers? Tell me man how did it go?”

The constant swirl of many thoughts bombarding my head had actually drowned him out briefly. It wasn’t after Tobi actually lightly shook me that I was returned back to reality.

A look of concern flashed against his face.

“Hey? What's wrong.” He asked me,

I didn’t want to alarm him about anything in truth, after all, it was merely a reading and not gospel. Why was I even taking it so seriously. So in a bid not to rouse any trouble I merely nodded and creased one of my usual charming smiles.

“All good man.” I replied before giving him a thumbs up and a wink.

Tobi looked relieved; he slapped his chest in a bid to psyche himself up before making his way down the hall I had just unearthed out from.

“Wish me luck” He said before vanishing away.

Left alone I studied the strange traces of the incident which took place not too long ago. Something was missing. I knew that for certain but for the life of me held no recollection of what that was. I ended up walking aimlessly around the shop until I just so happened to lock eyes onto another book.

‘The cry of Gods- History of the world.’ It was titled, but unlike the previous book or better yet, any other book present here. There’s this bizarre iron chain wrapped around it. The sight of it spooks me initially, usually coming across such obviously eerie literature tends to spell bad news.

I traced the cold silver links with a finger and felt the sudden urge to pull away.

“Jason! Let’s get out of here!” I hear an abrupt voice arriving followed by a series of hurried footsteps. I turn towards the entrance of the narrow hallway where I see a disgruntled looking Tobi stomping out dramatically. Mumbling thing’s beneath his breath.

“W-what happened?” I asked sensing something had definitely occurred which pissed him off.

“Nothing! Well, it’s not nothing. Ergh let’s just forget about it, my fault for even thinking this hack was someone who could be trusted.”

“Hack?” Nubia’s words startle me as she slowly makes her way into the room again. Her expressionless gaze still ever present.

“I told you before, one should be very mindful when arguing with the eyes of fate. Whatever it was you were told, hold ire towards your own self for being such a human who would do that to his kin…”

“Huh?” I muttered aloud

“What is she talking about?”

“Forget about that madwoman this was a bad idea and i’m willing to take full responsibility ok. As always you were right and I was way off the mark.”

I must admit I was enjoying hearing Tobi continue to plead his case more and more. But on one hand I was never the type of guy to kick someone when their down.

“If you’re certain b-but what about…”

“Forget about it Jay, it was all a ruse an act a lie! She couldn’t give us powers if her life depended on it.”

“Ahaha oh so that was the true reason for your visit today then…how sly.” Her eyes seemed to trail towards me once she said those words. I felt that cold nervousness crawling down my back again.

“N-n-not quite. Forgive my friend here but he was under the assumption you were able to restore-I mean, give people powers. We simply just wanted to know if that was possible.” I explained trying my best to sound as genuine as I possibly could.

Nubia studied my facial features in silence for some moments, I could truly not gauge what she was thinking. But surprisingly the anger I expected never arrived instead her head turned to one side chillingly.

“Oh, well if that’s all then you two idiots should’ve led with that.” She turned her empty gaze towards Tobi who looked to have perked up somewhat all of a sudden.

We gave each other a knowing look whilst watching Nubia fiddling around with some boxes behind the counter.

“Ah here it is.” She lifted what looked like a heavy iron chest and slammed it onto the sturdy counter. The wood groaned in response. She pried the chest open and swiftly dipped her arm through the narrow opening. We couldn’t see what she kept inside it, she only brought out a smaller box before closing the chest once again.

Her eyes seemed to linger in the smaller squared wooden box in her hand.

“ you know it’s illegal to attempt to digest any kind of agent which stimulates the Marvel gene?” She said stiffly this time.

I gulped down harshly again. What do I even say in response knowing if we were ever caught we would spent a lengthy amount of time in prison.

“W-w-we know…we just wanted to see if you were telling the truth.” Said Tobi.

“Pfft, you two still don’t understand anything about the world.”

She says, “this place isn’t what it seems. And if you continue to think like children, you will certainly meet a calamity far worse than what you have encountered before. Oi, fatty give me all the cash you have. And you…here since you’re kind ill let you pick.”

“L-let me pick? P-pick what” I stammer uneasily.

In response to my question Nubia opened the smaller box in her hand. I see two different coloured vials sealed with a cork inside a crimson cushioned case.