"Okay. I should tell you. I already told you that every time I evolved I received the prophecy skill and I never got any option to evolve into something not prophecy related. However, by immediately sacrificing the prophecy skill whenever I got it, I managed to get a lot of time without it. I always thought that unless I evolved, I was save. I was wrong.
"When the experimental branti used carrion cry I completely failed to realize and wished I knew the way to escape this. That triggered the reawakening of my prophecy skill which allowed me to see what Guy had figured out, breaking free of the hypnosis. I was very incensed about getting that damn skill without evolving and I wanted to really mess the experimental branti up.
"That once again triggered the prophecy skill which made me give a prophecy, that I would kill that monster. To facilitate that happening, the skill then showed me the future where Guy helped me learn a new skill. Through that vision I learned the skill and then used it to fulfill the prophecy."
So that's why my instructing skill acted up. It must have somehow detected that Maribelle learned something from future me. But something is bugging me.
"That seems awefully convenient for a skill you just got. I thought prophets usually can't see much of the future. Aren't those seers and scryers? And isn't there usually a restriction that you can't use your ability for yourself."
"You know a lot. But that's for normal prophets and I am not like them. I hate saying it because it makes me sound arrogant but I was destined to be the prophet of prophets. I delivered my first prophecy at two years old and essentially announced myself as the ultimate prophet. Pleople didn't believe me until everything I said became true."
"And you complain about being a prophet? Why would you throw that away?"
Pascal suddenly interjects. This must be a remaining thing from their earlier fight. However, Maribelle doesn't lash out at Pascal, instead she answers with surprising determination.
"Because I want to be a free woman! Do you know how agonizing it is to know everything that happens? I don't see possibilities like others, I see certainties! I can't help people unless I am meant to help them in which case they were never in any danger in the first place. They didn't even see me as a fellow human being anymore! My own parents stopped using my name!
"They all called me supreme prophet and only interacted with me in a formal capacity! I spent most of my time locked in a room so I wouldn't be kidnapped. I was left alone so I wouldn't accidentally give out a bad prophecy! When I prophesied good things it was destiny and when I prophesied bad things I was told to work harder! Every problem or mishap became my fault.
"Why didn't the supreme prophet say something? Why didn't she protect us? Why didn't she change what she must have inevitably seen coming? I heard those questions day in and day out. It ripped me apart because I couldn't do a thing, I was a puppet of destiny and nothing I did would change any of my prophecies. But no one believed me, they thought me some stuck up prophet who was too good for herself to help them."
"Then how did you manage to die?"
"Phrasing, Pascal."
"It's fine, Guy. I am already spilling my guts so there's not much worse. I made a prophecy that I truly couldn't stomach so I decided to comply maliciously and got myself killed in a dungeon. Destiny must have gotten complacent to give me a prophecy that was so easy to twist in a way that suited my needs. Or it was always meant to be me and I played right into its hands by trying to change it."
Prophecy, huh. I guess even I have the urge to ask her about some things that may happen. But hearing that she has never managed to change her prophecies even when telling people, I'm probably better off not knowing.
"So, I don't understand half that prophecy is bad stuff but seems like it really bothers you. Do you need to take a trip to HQ and get that skill sacrificed again?"
"You can be surprisingly nice about things so long as I overlook your phrasing, Pascal. Thank you for asking but no, sacrificing it won't mean a thing now. I already know everything that will and has to happen for the next few days along with a few major events in the future. Sacrificing it now or later won't make much of a difference."
"Oh, do I get really strong in the future?"
"Not telling. Even if you were to keel over and die permanently tomorrow I wouldn't say a thing. I can't change it and knowing does no one any good."
"But I won't die tomorrow, right?"
"Not permanently, no."
"Phew, good. I still have to try on the dress I ordered yesterday."
That's what she's worried about? And why did Maribelle take ihr deaths as an example. Navi, can we die?
"Guy, no need to overthink this. You are a great father, and an even better teacher. Mishaps are bound to incur but ultimately, you can't make everything work out. It's not your fault."
Don't I know that. So far my instructing has gone a little too well and I know sooner or later one of my charges will not get as good of an outcome as I would like. But that's part of the job. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink.
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