During the week-long Festival of Radiance celebration Emperor Marcel IX suddenly collapsed. Ceremonies were brought to a halt. Shocked gasps could be heard. The populace waited with bated breath as a health officials tended to him. After what seemed like an eternity, one of them spoke:

"The Emperor is dead."

For the first time in history the Festival of Radiance was canceled. Emperor Marcel IX was adored by many. He was fair and kind. He did his best to help the most destitute and always made time to hear everyone's praises, complaints, and requests. The people mourned his passing. There was never an Emperor like Marcel IX, and there may never will be another like him. They feared for the kingdom's future. Everything was uncertain now.

After a few days of grieving, a group of people came forward with a plan to gain clarity in the times ahead. They would head east to an abandoned town called Pelmer. There have long been rumors of an oracle living around that area. Perhaps she could guide them, tell them what to do.

And so they set out for Pelmer. They reached the town as night descended. It was certainly abandoned. The majority of buildings were falling apart. They called out for the oracle. After a time she revealed herself and invited everyone into her home. It was like stepping into another world, or even a dream.

She asked them to drink some tea with her, then began channeling Time itself. Reality seemed to warp and flex. Strange sounds faded in and out. One person swears they made out the voice of a woman faintly through the static like some kind of warning. Slowly reality became more firm again. The oracle gave them a prophecy. The kingdom would prosper once again, but not until another great tragedy befalls it. The townspeople beseeched her for more information. She refused to speak further.

The oracle invited everyone to stay the night in Pelmer. Though the houses looked bad on the outside they were still quite nice on the inside. Seeing as it was already dark outside the group agreed. They had planned on staying the night at The Dancing Frog. It was much too late to make the journey there.

Quickly they fell asleep. And dreamed. Or did they? Everything seemed so real. Too real. Happiness. Sorrow. Anger. Serenity. Constantly changing experiences. From her home, the oracle grinned. She had trapped them with her enchantment. They would sustain her life force. And there they would lie in vivid slumber until they were released from the spell.

Genre: Dungeon Synth
CBR013

released September 1, 2023

Album art by Jurica "Proklet" Tomić
www.metal-archives.com/artists/Proklet/1001903

Logo by blackupheaval
www.fiverr.com/blackupheaval

All music by Aveline Baudelaire