Burning Soul

An introduction to the Ruins long forgotten

"I'm sorry for leaving with such rude manners,

I hope I am not being a bother to you all." Vivian apologized to all at dining with a bow. 

She looked no less beautiful than a goddess. The posture and her manner almost blushed everyone. 

With her charm, she was able to pull Jason out of the awkward situation.

"Don't let it concern you, Lady Vivian and even your father have been attending us. 

What more could we ask?"

One of the nobles replied to which she nodded. 

"With that being said, Brother Nicholas, what did he gift you?

What good luck charm you talked about?" Vivian asked while sitting on her chair. 

Hearing her question Nicholas took out a very fragile looking cylinder, engraved in gold, and looked like a portable telescope. 

His eyes turned watery in a moment. His expressions were quite visible. Warmth filled his chest.

She could easily see that he was overjoyed. 

"When I was young, our mother once brought a device like this from a merchant from far away land. It's said that you can see life even colourful through it. 

I loved it the instant I saw it. 

It was my treasured good luck charm. 

One day on a journey, I forgot it somewhere. I cried day and night, but we couldn't find it. And the merchant was long gone as well.

He must have remembered that incident while buying it." 

Nicholas replied with a slight smile and watering eyes.

.

.

…

The rest of the dinner went smoothly as Jason and Nicholas along with Merida and Vivian handled the guests. 

Nicholas had left earlier as he said he needed some space, maybe he was overflowed with all the emotions coming together.

.

After everyone was done with dinner Vivian made her way to the library only to find Theodore already being there, reading some random book in his favourite corner. 

"Hmm, 

I thought you'd have gone to sleep by now.

Seems like you really were interested in my Intel. Anyways." Vivian spoke to him while patting his head. 

"So, 

where's the map?" Theodore asked as she sat next to him. 

"Hmm, I wonder! 

Wait." Vivian was clearly enjoying his enthusiasm. 

His expressions were quite fun to look at. He was so easter to hear her out. This made her burst into laughter.

After teasing him a bit she took out a piece of paper, seemingly old, torn at edges, from her pocket and handed it to him, 

"Here, I don't really know how authentic it is but you can trust the map. 

If what it says is true, there is a dungeon, deep in the jungles near the borders of Arboria.

It's said to have existed for over 600 years. Or should I say, it’s been there since the great war? 

Their treasure is greater than mere gold and jewels. 

There is a statue that talks. Not only talks but it has some connection to oracles and stuff"

Hearing that "A statue that talks? Are you kidding?

Oracles? I’m interested!" it made him intrigued. 

"Yeah. 

Here you can have a look at the ruins, once the current matter is settled. 

It's a freaking dungeon, don't go running like this time as it's definitely dangerous." 

Vivian handed him the map with a worried look. She knew if she took her eyes off him, he’ll go running after the dungeon.

Theodore didn't seem to get the warning part that much and he didn't care about it as well. 

"This sounds interesting. 

Where do you get these maps? 

Thanks a lot, Vivi, I owe you a lot" he replied with his sparkling eyes. 

Hearing him she had a smug expression,

‘What is this, she looks like some spy!’ He thought to himself. 

"Hmph,

No need to. And don't be reckless, okay." Vivian tried to warn Theodore again of the potential threat. 

She knew, he was the kind of person who’d not care about the dangers. 

Theodore grabbed her hand and thanked her, making her blush. 

With the excitement of getting a new quest in mind, Theodore left the Library hurriedly thanking her.

As his figure left, she stood struck, ‘Aww he touched my hand, gosh I could die in embarrassment!’ 

.

"You believe he can wait that long? 

He's not a patient one!" That sudden question startled Vivian and she jumped from her seat only to see Merida at her back. 

It was the second time in a row that she had startled her.

"Can you please not do it again?" Vivian asked her as she tried to grasp her breath. 

After taking a few deep breaths and settling her anxiety down she replied, "I know he might not, but that's the only way to cheer him up, right?"

"Hmm,

You are right though. He wouldn't have finished his dinner too.” She sighed 

“Well, 

I hope my silly little brother doesn't end up in some big trouble. 

You'll be watching it too right? I'll get going. 

It's getting late.” She raised an eyebrow and put up a sarcastic face before continuing

“You should rest too, or you going to stay up looking after him?"

“N.n..n..o.nooo! Of course, I’m gonna sleep, 

Why you sis!” Looking at her flustered expression Merida let out a peal of laughter before bidding goodbye.

‘Gosh!’ Vivian almost ran out of breath.

She then left the library after a while, murmuring, "Yeah, I will, who’s going to do it after all!

.

.

…

After returning to his room, Theodore took out the map and the book about the ruins that he had sneaked out of the library, not that he needed to but it always felt adventurous to him. He was the youngest, after all, no way no one’s gonna spoil him. 

He began checking on the facts about the details about the artifact on the map.

He found out that the ruin did have a statue that talks but, it wasn't just any statue. It was said to speak Words of Oracle. 

To be able to triumph the trials set by an Oracle were just enough to get knowledge un-parallel to others, being able to summon one would be considered a godly thing. 

Also,

it was said to be a legend level object, which meant whoever possessed it would at least be an expert legend, thus there could be a way to look into the legendary weapon as well. 

More or less there was very little information about it as the dungeon had existed for over 600 years.

Even the oldest scripts were difficult to come by, no wonder there was very little information, although what he read was more than enough to intrigue him.  

After learning the truth about the statue and having a map to locate the spot, he could hardly contain his excitement, 

yet he had to wait for some time as he was not clear to leave the mansion yet, and with that many people in there, now was more difficult than ever. 

.

After thinking a lot he finally went to sleep with a frowny expression, he wanted to leave right away! 

‘For now, I should not do anything reckless or Merida will catch me even before I could climb down the window, 

And she’ll enjoy the hunt for sure!

I have to try it tomorrow.

Yeah! 

Let's give it a shot tomorrow.’ Saying this to himself Theodore went to sleep, somehow containing his excitement.