One day at an inn, there was an innkeeper who was lacking people coming in ever since the Barthornian invasion. Most people prefered to go to the other inns that accepted NBM and join in the bandwagon or there was a fear that there were rebels in this inn. Either way, it made the innkeeper bored and slept on the very counter that she should be manning.

As she dosed off, the innkeeper could have sworn that she saw some rainbows. She shrugged it off and went back to sleep only for a alarming tap on her shoulder that gave her a wake up call.

"I'm up! I'm up!" the innkeeper said.

"I'm looking for a room for me and my cart," the customer said.

The innkeeper had a better look and saw a cloaked figure with rainbow patterns on it. Behind said figure was a large cart that somehow fit through the door. To make sure she isn't dreaming, the innkeeper wiped her eyes one more time but still saw all of this right in front of her.

"Hmm, we never experienced anyone bringing an entire cart into a room before," the innkeeper said. "Due to circumstances however, I can make it work."

"Great! Sleeping in a cart is alright but it lacks a bed. Until I can find the right bed for me, an inn will do," said the figure.

"You can take the second to last room on the left. It should fit you and your cart. It will cost extra if I provide additional services," the innkeeper said.

"Of course. I'll simply pay with a story if you don't mind," the figure said.

"I don't think that's how it works," the innkeeper said. "Wait, none of this works at all!"

"Trust me, it's worth it. I am the Head Chronicler and it usually cost a single coin for a story. Based on the services you may provide, I can offer you a story and a lifetime amount if your services are really good," the figure said.

"I am getting rather bored around here. Perhaps some entertainment will do. It better be worth it or else you be paying in coin," the innkeeper said.

"Gladly," the Head Chronicler said as she scurried into her cart and went back out with the thing she needed.

"Okay, I think I'm still asleep," the innkeeper said.

"Oh no, it's reality. You are in fact seeing a legitimate living disembodied head. I am known as the Head Chronicler for a reason," the woman said.

The head in question clearly looks like someone from Alu-Dhaba minus the accessories. Her black hair looks really fluffy like a sheep with very soft expression. Her eyes were blue which was strange for a person hailing from Alu-Dhaba.

"Greetings. I am known as the Seeker. I would have given you my name but it's hard to pronounce and I doubt anyone cares," the head said.

"Gaaaahhhhhhh....." the innkeeper said. "Mind if I touch your hair, it's so FLUFFY!"

"No thank you," the head said. "At least let me be mentally prepared."

"Her story can clear up things about her," the Head Chronicler said. "Now Seeky, tell her your story."

The Seeker bit her lip and looked rather upset being called that. She then took a deep breath and prepared to tell her story.

...

From birth, I remembered having this curse to see the future. My eyes would illuminate whenever I randomly gain a vision or if I concentrate hard enough. The problem was that I was raised in a slave family and only used my curse for work and others around me. At first, it was for minimal tasks such as determining the weather, potential accidents, or the gender of a new born. Eventually, I ended up getting the attentions of the guards.

"You there! Yes you! I need your services," said a guard.

I winced at the very fact that I was called on since I have not done anything wrong. Of course, I obeyed and approached to the guard who was looking impatient. When I did get to him, I was in for a surprise.

"Do you think the next harvest will go well? I need to know because our lord is worried about our progress," the guard said as he knelt down.

I never had a guard looking desperate nor bowed down for me. I had to comply and concentrated with my eyes glowing blue. In my vision, I see that our work was fruitful if we prepare for an upcoming drought to take care of the spices and take advantage of the river system to preserve both our spices and sources of fish. When I did tell him what I saw, the guard looked happy.

"It is as the rumors have foretold! I must consult the lord on the matter immediately," the guard said. "If what you said was true, you shall be rewarded handsomely."

The guard left and I went back fishing as usual. As slaves, we spent most of our days fishing as fish is our main source of food besides spices. There were some of us that had experience in harvesting them when called on. Our land was a desert but we have a large river known as the Wake. It remained a mystery as to why the water never dries up besides our crops, but we all assumed that it was from the will of the gods.

Anyways, I simply thought that it would be like how it always been afterwards. I helped people with my curse and they thank me. Sometimes I am offered gifts but I rather not be treated like a god. At least the other slaves treated me like a person, but that will all change. It started off small when trade from Elios has become more frequent than usual to the point where tools were provided to us slaves.

The same guard from before pointed at me and said. "You there! You have the honor to use this instead of a net from here on out! Fish with this!"

The guard handed me what appeared to be an artifact of sorts. I assumed to just have my hand reach out to the Wake and fish will appear. Much to my surprise, that was the case. Without even trying, I saw a hill of desperate fish coming out of the water, much more than what we were able to harvest under a day.

"Amazing," I said.

All of the other slaves stopped what they were doing and were transfixed on the device that I held. It was a sight to behold when I first saw this along with the others. However, we had no time to take it all in as we were slaves after all.

"Get back to work!" the guard said.

I sometimes wonder if this was a reward from the guard or just him following orders. It was odd that he picked me specifically of all people since the amount of work I have done was average at best. Though, this all implied that I was getting noticed.

"Doesn't that entail a promotion?" the innkeeper asked.

I wished it was but this is not a story where good things happen often. In fact, it was my undoing instead. I called my visions a curse for a reason. In the next few days, a messenger interrupted our work as he shouted from the top of his lungs.

"Our lord demands the one who can see tomorrow!"

I knew he was referring to me, even if he did not called out my name. Not that anyone cared to begin with. I had to step forth and followed the messenger to my lord's palace since disobedience can mean capital punishment, especially with someone carrying power.

"And I thought Hilvania had issues with obedience," the innkeeper said.

Trust me, it was much worse. The cruelty of our rules and punishments were so severe that it created the stereotype of what most people know of Alu-Dhaba. However, the only inaccuracy there is that this cruelty is ordered by the Pharaoh, not the common people or thieves. Not even the lords were spared from this if they make one mistake. We do not question the Pharaoh as he and his ancestors were chosen by our gods.

"By the founders, I question if King John is worse than this Pharaoh of yours and that man is the biggest bigot I've ever known," the innkeeper said.

When I did approach to my lord's palace, I was stunned with the amount of wealth the place had. With the marble work for the structure and gems to shine with the sun, it was the shiniest place I ever seen. To think that there was so much wealth here, I cannot imagine what the Pharoah's palace was like.

I was escorted down the artistic looking hall as I saw my lord sat in his throne. He looked rather excited as his many wives were beside him. I was so nervous that I kept my head down the entire time unless he spoke to me.

"The seer of tomorrow... no no too long, the Seeker! Yes! I have heard of your talents and how you advised a guard who advised me about the next harvest. What you offered is very helpful. I would wanted to reward you by being my wife, but I just had to open my mouth and now the Pharaoh wants you!" my lord said in his flamboyant voice.

"I am very honored," I said.

"I cannot say no to him of course but he did allow me to take advantage of you before he goes on his concubine collecting phase," my lord said.

I shuddered on what he meant by that but I had no choice on the matter. I had a good idea when his many wives gave me woeful looks. I just need to deal with it until the Pharaoh retrieves me. Though being the Pharaoh's wife also scared me since our current Pharaoh is known to be very cruel despite the riches that he offered. Then again, what Pharaoh never acted so cruel?

For the next few days, I spent it as a personal slave to my lord. While I did deal with the typical violating of my body, what his wives fear the most is his personality and petty needs. It was annoying at best, but infuriating at worst.

"So does this robe make me look fat or I should go for the other?" asked my lord. "Use your future seeing thing to make sure or something."

My eyes glowed blue as I tried to not be frustrated and said. "No one would mind much of either robe. They will praise you regardless. Though I advised against the leopard robe since it was from one of the Pharaoh's stolen pets."

"Perfect but I want to wow people! Any robe you can think of that can wow people," my lord said. "Perhaps change the future a bit."

"While my visions can be alter by the knowledge of the future, changing it is all up to you. I can only peak into it," I said.

"Making me do all the work why don't you. I order you to do something about it," my lord said.

My abilities do not work that way but I cannot disobeyed. I needed to think of something quick. I can see the future, but not potential futures at the same time. The visions will change if something is done.

"I uh... how about greeting everyone you pass by. They would notice you and admire your sense of fashion," I said.

"Hmm, maybe if I make people notice me by talking to them! Yes! I'm a genius!" my lord said.

"Oh screw that guy!" the innkeeper interrupted.

I rather not correct him on the matter. Especially since he had more power over me. To make things worse, he had to stroke my hair out of nowhere. People found my hair to be fluffy and I rather be prepared for people to touch it rather than randomly. This was pretty much my life for a while and that is not the worst thing that has ever happened.

As expected, I was gathered up with the other women that were yet to wed with the Pharaoh a week after. The women tried to offer something to the Pharaoh to gain his favor since he only had to choose one lady for the season according to the gods. If there was one thing the Pharaoh knelt down to, it's either them or previous Pharaohs. All I had to offer was my curse which was the main draw to begin with. My hair was fluffy but everything else was plain in comparison to the others.

"Come now, you look really cute for a disembodied head. Adding any make up would only ruin you," the innkeeper said.

Thank you, but I rather continue the story. I can't keep on blushing for too long since it is very distracting. I was told by the Head Chronicler that I am very sensitive on a lot of things.

"Sorry," the innkeeper said.

As I was taken to the Pharaoh's palace, it is as I thought it would be. Much grander than the palace that my lord resided in as there was gold all over. It was obviously bigger too with more gems coated onto the marble. In fact, some parts of the palace is made of mostly gems or gold. I expected that the wealth is from the people or trade, but I personally thought that it didn't belong to him.

We were all ordered to remained silent until we went to a room where we were to await to be called on. All I did was stand in a corner while the other girls started grooming themselves. I really had no sense of fashion but I just had to make do with what I got. I'm at least at the age of marriage, so that's something. I had considered using my curse to see what will happen next but I never been able to predict my own future. It always seemed to be about things outside of my control or for someone else.

"A slave?" I heard a voice said. "You must be very special to be here in the first place."

I noticed one of the concubines looking down on me which was to be expected. They might be lower class but they knew more about beauty than a slave. I could only look at her with woe as she gave me a seductive smile.

"No need to be afraid. I know what it's like. How about I help you get dressed up? You have to be at your best for the Pharaoh," she said.

I might as well trust her since I really do not know what to wear that would be appealing. I just wore whatever makes me comfortable for work. So the woman guided me to a mirror as she first picked a simple dress for me.

"Hmm, I would go for something that is much more but this one seemed to fit you better," the woman said.

I was for once happy that someone is willing to help me with something or showed some form of affection outside of family. At least I thought that what it was as I simply agreed or give my own input on what to wear. At home, there was some affection but it was more work and some sleep with little interaction.

"Maybe these sapphires work well with my eyes?" I asked.

"Now you're getting it," the woman said.

I was too invested that I ignored what was going on around me with each woman being called on. It was so much fun trying on new looks and experimenting on what works. I never did anything like this before. I have heard that this was a feminine stereotype, but keep in mind that I never did this before in my life.

"I ain't judging. You were happy and you definitely deserve it," the innkeeper said.

It was fun until the worse part of the story which lead me to this state. I regretted for the rest of my days of lowering my guard over these women who used deceit to get what they want.

"My my, you look really pretty. Even without make up," the woman said.

"Thank you," I said.

"You might be a cute gift for the Pharaoh if you ever get to meet him," she said.

"I do hope so. I wouldn't like to displease him," I said.

"I got an idea how to make the both of us happy," the woman said as she pulled out a knife.

"What?" I asked.

Before I could react, she immediately stabbed my neck and twisted it around. I was scared as I start to lose all feeling from the neck below. My head was lifted up as I was grabbed by my hair. I was then forced to turn and face the woman.

"You would make a wonderful gift to the Pharaoh while I get to be one of his many wives," she said. "I know of your abilities as well and you would obviously get an advantage. I might as well use it too."

"No!" I cried.

"The trading system here is very useful. I got this knife from some man that hailed from Elios who got it from Barthorne," the woman said. "All for a single night with me."

I was powerless to do anything about it. Especially when the woman was called up. I tried to plead to the guards but then the woman... she had clearly planned this for a while. Any time I tried talking, she would cover my mouth with a free hand and attempted to crush my jaw.

"She's a gift for the Pharaoh. Trust me, he would love this," the woman said. "You know how he wanted an excuse to get more wives than usual?"

The guards looked at each other with a nervous look. Trying to not be tempted by her beauty, they pulled out their weapons onto the woman. However, the woman did not flinch at the slightest.

"I could tell the Pharaoh that you two failed to check my knife here," the woman said as she pulled out the knife.

The guards took back their weapons and let the woman proceed. At this point, you expected me to know her name. However, I never even asked since I had other things to worried about. As I expected, the woman carried my head to the Pharaoh and he was shocked at my appearance.

The Pharaoh sat at his throne looking rather bored and unsatisfied. His discontent fueled when he saw my head carried by the woman as he rubbed his forehead and shouted.

"I was about to pick her over all of these whores! Who dares ruin my future wife for me?!" the Pharaoh shouted.

"I did my lord and I did it for you. If you choose to marry me, you can also have her as well. I heard that you been itching for more women in these times. Perhaps having a wife that is incapable of betraying you?" the woman said.

"Well said," the Pharaoh said. "I did fear that a woman would have more divinity than me. You made her more vulnerable and less significant. As a reward, I will not execute you."

"Thank you my lord," the woman said.

"Instead, only your body shall be my wife as your head will be used in my new NBM stash," the Pharaoh said. "I must punish you somehow. Just be glad that you get to be my wife. Even without a head."

"But wait! Please have mercy!" the woman cried as a bunch of guards took the woman away while my head was handed to a guard.

"Be honored that your head will be the first in Alu-Dhaba to be decapitated by Elios new traded goods," the Pharaoh said. "Or rather second after what you have done."

The Pharaoh looked at me with scorn. I can only look in terror as I was stuck in the hands of a guard. From the trembling of his hands, I felt that the guard had the same amount of fear as I.

"As for you Seeker, you are technically not a wife. You have been reduced to only a thing. I have no place for things in romance. A body is mostly a person but a head is not. But you are useful. You are to be placed in my treasure room and do as I say with your magic!" the Pharoah ordered.

"Yes my lord," I said in woe as I was carried to the Pharaoh and pet my hair.

I could not object as always and was forced to be another form of wealth to the Pharaoh. I spent my disembodied days sitting in a room filled with gold, money, and artifacts. I was at least treated like a valuable object, but I rather be seen as a person. I only used my powers for the Pharaoh until the day the kingdom fell. Even then, I was left all alone and the gold cannot comfort me. There was no one to consult to besides my thoughts and random visions of the future.

"I would have gone insane if I was surrounded by goods and not being able to use them," the innkeeper said.

To make matters worse, the Pharaoh kept getting more treasures either through exploitation or trade. I ended up being shoved further in the back without any care. I was not allowed to speak unless spoken to which dehumanized me more. The only form of care was when I was used to use my curse and "giving head" according to the sexual language.

"Well I'd be damned. You must be glad to be able to be here right now," the innkeeper said.

I am but I'll explain more later. In fact, the moment I got a vision of the kingdom's demise was when I felt some sense of happiness as well. I knew it was coming all along and I kept having many visions of it. Part of me was glad since the man who kept me like this is getting punished. On the other hand, I am still only a head so there was not much I can do if I have my freedom. Of course the Pharaoh did not take the news well when I warned him about the invasion of Barthorne.

"What is this nonsense you speak of?" the Pharaoh asked.

"I speak nothing but the truth. You will be decapitated and the Alu-Dhaba will fall. The kingdom of Barthorne will take over and all that you have will be lost," I said.

"Lies!" the Pharaoh said. "I known that you have been dissatisfied with your position. Typical of a woman not knowing her place. You think because of your powers that you deserve more!"

"Of course not!" I objected. "I never wanted any of this in the first place!"

"Silence! I never told you to speak!" the Pharaoh said. "Guard, dispose of this thing! It has no place for my kingdom anymore."

With that, I was thrown into the Wake. The river carried me around as I was alone again but swimming. This is why I believed my powers were a curse. It led me to this state and I was forced to be viewed as a thing for the rest of my life. The crocodiles were expected to eat me but the current always prevented me from giving me death. In fact, the crocodiles helped me move forward as if they felt pity for me. Maybe I did deserve this but fate had something else in mind. It was not a punishment that I was heading towards to but a reward for enduring so much pain.

As I was swept away, I felt someone fishing my head out of the Wake. I was surprised that someone was willing to pick me up. When I had a good look at my savior, it was the Head Chronicler herself.

"She was a poor little thing! I wanted to wash her up and take care of her!" the Head Chronicler said.

I was happy to be taken cared of and be with other heads that I can talk to. Most of them were friendly and it was the first time I did not mind being a disembodied head. In fact, I like to remain this way so that I have a reason to stay with the Head Chronicler. I was allow to choose when I can look into the future for customers or pet my hair. I was given a choice!

...

"Okay, I think I ready for you to pet my hair," Seeker said.

The innkeeper proceeded to do so and was satisfied with how soft and fluffy the hair is. The fact that even royalty love this was something. This was the most valuable moment the innkeeper had in her life.

"Oh my, it's very soft!" the innkeeper said.

"I am glad that you like it. I do not mean to be boastful but everyone seems to love my hair," Seeker said.

"Thank you for the story and that. It must be really rough. Is there anything I can do for you Seeker?" the innkeeper asked.

"Some water would be nice," the head said. "I might not have a body but it's the thought that counts."

"There is also my other heads in the cart as well. Think you can manage it?" the Head Chronicler said.

"These heads look like they need something good in their life. I might as well provide since you did pay in full," the innkeeper said.

"I'm glad you think so. The other inns prefer coin over stories which is expected," the Head Chronicler said. "But I insist that we offer you more since I assume that it does cost a bit more than one story."

"That is true," the innkeeper said. "How about during your stay, you can tell me those stories of yours until you got to go?"

"It's a deal," the Head Chronicler said.

...

Inside the cart from the Head Chronicler, it looks bigger in the inside than the outside because magic. Though it is mostly just shelves filled with all of the heads that the Head Chronicler collected over the years. The deeper end is filled with skulls or barely alive heads that needed magic stimuli to awaken them. As it progresses to the door, the heads are more vibrant and living thanks to NBM.

It was getting late as the Head Chronicler placed the Seeker's head back on the shelf. The Chronicler gave a kiss to the Seeker's forehead and strokes her hair off of the head's face.

"Good night Seeker. You did well today," the Head Chronicler said.

"I'm glad to be of service," the Seeker said. "But is the kiss necessary?"

"I just want to show you some love and care. I know there are some things that will trigger you, but I can't resist it sometimes!" the Head Chronicler said.

"Oh well. At least it's out of love instead of lust," the Seeker said. "I told you many times to warn me."

"Sorry about that, I just get carried away. I'll much be going, though. I can finally sleep on a bed after so long," the Head Chronicler said as she left the cart.

As the Seeker was getting ready to make herself comfortable, she felt something nibbling onto her hair. She wiggled side to side to get rid of the thing but it continued to persist. She looked to her side and found that it was the head next to her that was doing it. That very head was of a girl of Parathi with long silver pony tailed hair.

"Eerika, please stop," the Seeker said.

"Never!" Eerika said.

We have the child's head biting and chewing onto the Seeker's hair as the Seeker was feeling uncomfortable. Eerika looked happy with how soft the hair is and how fun it was to chew on it.

"I don't like this," the Seeker said.

"Then fight back," Eerika muffled before spitting out the hair. "You're weak and I'm strong. I can do whatever to you."

"I didn't accept being a head here for this!" the Seeker said.

"Tough luck! You're a grown woman who can't beat a partially trained kid! You don't even show pride in telling me your name!" Eerika said.

"If you like to know my name, I might as well. It's actually Ramla!" the Seeker said.

"Huh, I thought it would be more complicated," Eerika said.

"I really thought other nations will struggle saying my name so I stuck with Seeker," the Seeker said. "Then again, no one cares about my name to begin with."

"Then make them care!" Eerika said. "Being a head is no excuse. Stop making excuses and tell us all your name! Then I'll stop chewing for a few minutes."

"I don't know," the Seeker said.

Eerika showed off her teeth as a way to threaten the Seeker. The Seeker really had no choice on the matter as always as she was scared on what more Eerika can do to her or if it will be the same as always.

"MY NAME IS RAMLA!" the Seeker shouted.

All of the heads were shocked from the scream but Eerika looked really glad. The child's head tilted herself to pat the Seeker on her achievement that Eerika made her do.

"There you go Ramla! That's one step on getting stronger! How about I give more pointers from here on out?" Eerika said.

"I rather not," the Seeker said.

"Hey now! I left one moment for my sis and I see you two acting like that."

The heads noticed what appeared to be a maid with two twin loops for her dark hair and a gothic outfit and dolly. Her face clearly showed that she was of the Dawn Creed, especially with the red eye shadow that she had. She was carrying a head with long dark hair with a flat twin tails and wore blue eye shadow. Said head looked similar to the maid in terms of looks and accessories.

"Yang! Thank you for saving me!" the Seeker said.

"I guess this is the perfect spot for me to take my break Yin," said the maid as she used a free hand to take her head off and placed herself next to Eerika's head.

The maid's body then put on the head that she was carrying. Said former head bowed and said.

"Take care Yang. I can handle myself from there. Please get along with those two," Yin said.

"You sure about that?" Yang said with a concerned look.

"I feel a bit disoriented but today will definitely be my day!" Yin said as she went off to work only to trip.

Eerika looked in disappointment and asked Yang. "So why do you take care of her?"

"She's my older twin sister of course," Yang said.

"That is very sweet," the Seeker said. "She is so polite and humble. It makes me wonder if she is a queen at all."

"Oh she is. The position was kind of thrust upon her you know," Yang said before she remembered why she is here. "Oh right! Eerika, I got something for you."

"Oh boy, what is it?" Eerika asked.

Yang's head proceeded to bite onto Eerika's hair and send her hanging off the shelf. Eerika's head screamed as the Seeker's head looked very concerned. The child's head was bouncing up and down by her ponytail with Yang's mouth deciding her fate.

"Now apologize!" Yang muffled.

Eerika, now beaten, had to obeyed the one who has bested her.

"I'm sorry Ramla!"

"It's alright! I am thankful for the concern of making me a stronger head. I'm just afraid of you hurting me," the Seeker said.

Eerika's head was taken back up to the shelf as the head now looked at Yang's head in fear. That fear quickly turned into anger since a child of Parathi isn't going to back down that easily.

"Just you wait! I'll get stronger and make you submit to me someday!" Eerika said.

"You can try but you'll never know how," Yang said as she then noticed Yin tripping again. "Oh come on sis! We been through this!"