Burning Soul

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“Tame it he says,

Is it some animal?

Gosh, why can’t these people be a little bit specific when it comes to such things.” Theo felt a slight discomfort building up as he rubbed his forehead.

‘Let’s deal with whatever comes at us!’

Looking at the place again, it was really exaggerated, rather grande.

He glanced at the tree in the distance and walked towards the sword.

‘What is this?’ From up close he could clearly see the sword was certainly not a normal-looking one.

Its blade was made from the crystal as its translucent texture and rough cuts spoke for themselves. It was rather forged from some truly pure crystal and would have been difficult to even forge it.

The blade’s ocean blue colour was so striking one couldn’t simply overlook it.

The handle was rather ordinary looking with a wooden centrepiece which was covered in leather to add grip. At the head, there was a small insignia of a cat.

‘Does it mean anything?’ Theo wondered looking at it.

He had never heard any description of such a weapon, let alone a sword! His brother Nicholas was the one who was obsessed with exotic swords, ‘Umm hmm, I can show this off to him’ thinking this he giggled.

“What are you waiting for, go for it kid!” Lumiere shouted from the corner of the stage.

“Yeah, sure, it’s always a good thing to not check for traps, right?”

Theo replied with a pout shutting him,

“He’s cautious.” Aeneas showed a peel of laughter to Lumiere.

After looking around for a brief period of time he finally decided to touch the sword,

“I can’t see anything wrong at all,

Let’s hope for the best!”

He then closed his eyes and touched the handle of the sword,

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…

Nothing happened!

He felt nothing out of ordinary,

‘So it’s really that easy huh!’ He let out a sigh and pulled the sword,

Though it didn’t move,

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.

In distant he could see a small light,

slowly and steadily it was closing in him.

A sudden burst of light engulfed him causing him to shut his eyes as the light was getting brighter and brighter.

.

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…

“Theo,

Wake up, dear!” A soft voice followed by the warmth of someone’s hands on his head and he opened his eyes,

“Mom,

Cmon it’s so early, Let me sleep!” He pulled his blanket going deep in its cover.

“Wake up! You don’t want to miss the leftover story, do you now?” His mother tried baiting him.

“Don’t,

I’ll wake up

Look,

I’m already awake!”

He jumped from his bed in her arms.

“There you go!

Now let’s get ready and head to the hall, shall we?” she pulled his cheeks softly and ruffled his hairs.

.

Taking his sweet time he got ready and went to the hall where everyone was waiting for him.

As he entered Nicholas jumped on him tackling him and making him lose his balance,

With a thump, they both fell on the ground,

“Oh, God

It hurts brother!” Little Theo was crushed under Nic.

Even though Nic was just 15 years old, he was rather huge compared to even younger and weak looking Theo who just turned 11.

“Why are you always acting so boisterous Nic?

Look at your sister, you’re scaring her!” Lyra pointed toward Merida who was hiding behind her.

“I’m sorry mother.” Nic stood up and lowered his head while replying in a little saddened tone.

“So the little scoundrels are up to no good as always huh!” Evan walked with a burst of loud laughter.

“What can you expect from your kids?” Jason, who was with him this morning to discuss some matters, hit him in his back making him cough.

“Damn you!

Be a bit gentle dumbhead, you tryin to kill me or something?” He turned to him and shouted at him,

“And who was being chaotic again?” Lyra poked him with a smile.

The whole environment of the room just got lighter. Everyone was laughing what was going on

“Okay okay, I have something for the kid who just had his birthday,” as Jason said this Theo jumped to snuggle him.

“I always look forward to gifts!” Nicholas pouted at him,

“You little rascal, come here I have something for everyone!” Jason replied with a wide smile.

“M..me too?”Merida peeked at him from behind Lyra.

“Yeah, how can I forget our little princess!” Hearing him she took a step and walked to him with her hands behind her back.

“First I got a strange looking relic for you, Theo, I know you love these spooky things so I went out of my way and conquered a whole….”

“This is so cool, I saw it with the merchant that day but I couldn’t buy it,” Theo replied with excitement interrupting Jason’s story.

“Conquered?” Evan narrowed his eyes

“Merchant?” Lyra pulled Theo’s cheeks making his cheek turn red

“How many times I’ve told you not to step out of the palace on your own? ”she went to continue scolding him.

“Ahem!

Now for you, this custom made sword Nic!

No longer wooden swords, now you can practice with the real stuff!” Nic’s eyes were twinkling looking at the sword, it was the first sword he had been gifted which was not wooden.

“And,

Finally for our little wizard here, have this grimoire, it has some absolutely cool and old spells!

Do check it out,” he patted her head gifting her the thick Grimoire

She took it and rushed back to safety.

“Why don’t you ever bring your family?” Lyra asked him curiously.

“You know I travel a lot so taking them with me is not ideal, also unlike me, Amara, my wife is extremely good at handling kingdom affairs. She rarely steps out of the castle, I’ll bring her over sometime.

“Oh and don’t forget to bring your girl too, Merida gets so lonely, it’d be great if they could get to know each other.

She’ll have someone of her age around as well, don’t you think?” Lyra added softly patting Merida’s head.

“Haha, she’s just as feisty as those,

Sure I’ll bring her too sometime.” he assured.

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.

…

Thud!

A guard came in running, “Your Majesty! We request your attendance for an urgent matter!

I’d like to suggest you come quickly, wasting any moment would cost us dearly?”

Hearing him speak up to his king in so urgency Lyra replied, “let’s get going, Evan! But what’s happening?”

“An oracle!” The guard replied with a shivering voice.