Burning Soul

Once the Oracle had spoken

"Theo! 

The-o-dore!

What happened? 

Wait a minute!" Vivian was running to catch him along with Nicholas.

After Theo left the dine abruptly they both chased him to his room. 

They both ran behind him shouting out to him, even the guards tried stepping in but he was too agile to be caught, "Brother, 

you know our father, please don't get upset by his words. 

Besides, what can even harm any of us?" 

Nic tried to pursue Theodore with his words but Theo kept running towards his room with tears in his eyes. 

"I knew he'd pull such a taunt, he knows I don't like talking about such a thing and yet he always tries to make me listen to those bloody Oracles.” 

His voice was heavy as he had cried enough, the words he spoke carried a hint of sadness. 

“Leave me alone! 

Hell, I shouldn't have come back…" Theodore cried out while slamming the door with a loud bang. 

.

Both were shut off on their face. 

"What's gotten in him?

I never saw him like this! Is there anything that stung him to this degree?”

Vivian looked at Nicholas with a confused look. After running behind him, they both ran out of breath and were standing out of Theo’s room.

“Why did he run brother Nic?" Vivian asked in a concerning tone. 

Looking at her worried face Nic took a deep breath before speaking up,

"It's all because of that damn Oracle." Nic seemed somewhat furious and irritated.

.

.

.

In this world, Oracles were considered as the divine calling,

After all, no one could predicate anything about oracles and what they could hold. 

To be honest, no one really knew what Oracles were and where did they originate from, or what caused them to appear. But everyone knew for sure that the words spoken in oracles are utter truth and were undeniable. 

Although understanding one was a different story.

The oracle was like some event where a deity from unknown lands would descent to the ground and deliver the divine message, a messenger of someone in simpler terms.

.

In the past oracles helped Arboria a few times as well. 

This time it was a warning about a grave danger. 

"It might sound rude but I hope you don't tell anyone, Vivi. 

We don't want our people to talk ill about anyone here! 

I hope you understand dear." Nic asked Vivian in a serious tone on which she gulped and nodded in agreement.

.

.

...

"When we were young, some 10 years ago, there was an Oracle that was bestowed upon us saying 'In about 10-15 years, the world and in particular Arboria will face the greatest calamity, many lives will be sacrificed. 

Royalties will suffer even greater, only an artifact known to legends will save. 

All will suffer but one who yields the weapon will be saved. 

One must take action as one would decide the future. 

The future is uncertain, but you hold the power to decide it, Theodore!' 

Theodore was shocked by its words. 

He is weak, has low Mana, and yet Oracle named him, this fact made him feel guilty." 

Vivian took a breath and looked at him.

"Guilty of what?" she asked curiously to which Nicholas replied with a serious tone, 

"Our death!"

.

.

Sorrow shredded her insides as she heard what he said,

"Death?

You are kidding me, right? That's not possible!" 

"Yes, our death. 

The Oracle said 'Royalties will suffer', that must mean we'd most likely die in the calamity. 

Father wants to entrust the kingdom to him, The Savior before that happens, 

but he feels that his existence is at the fault here. 

To change his destiny he's seeking answers in the ruins all across the Kingdom. 

We want to keep him safe and thus try to not let him go on his own.”

He took a sigh before continuing, “But he won't listen…." 

Nicholas's tone suddenly became a bit serious. His body felt leaden. 

"The first thing that the Oracle took was our Mother. 

Since then our father is desperately trying to crown him yet, he won't do it. 

With no choice left and threat being eminent I was crowned. 

But father would try to shake him every now and then. Thus he now even hates the title. 

Only the Gods know what is to happen next." 

Vivian was listening with a serious expression and a drop-full of a tear in her eyes. 

"Your father knows it as well, thus he always comes by to check on us." 

This took her by surprise as Jason never said so to her, his excuse was always trading and personal stuff!

"He never told me. Can't it be undone? 

The oracle? There must be a way right?" Vivian was now getting desperate. 

He replied with a hint of coldness in his tone.

"Who knows?" Nicholas sighed while walking past her, "See if he listens, I must attend the guests. 

It'd be rude if I didn't. 

And do tell him, I liked his gift the most." 

He showed a smile as he held the gift Theo gave him, a good luck charm!

With that saying, he left for the dining hall where all the guests were waiting in distress.