Arcanum(On Break)

Chapter 2 Ruins

At exactly 7:00 AM, Aspen wakes up feeling great as a new day starts. He goes to dress up for the day with a maid helping him  like usually and after that, he goes downstairs  and greets his father like any day. Aspen went to his seat at the dining table and begin to plan what to do today since he doesn't have tutoring as his tutor is in the capital. He thought and thought about what he should do. But then an idea pop out of his head that maybe he should explore the forest behind their upper middle class house. 

But he couldn't go without telling his parents and asking for their permission. Aspen turned his head to ask his parent if he could go to the forest and his father was not there all the sudden. Aspen now confused where his father had went and then out of nowhere, his father and mother came into the dining room. After they sat down, they explain why they were gone for a bit, as it was because Aspen's mother need help choosing an outfit. Aspen nod his head and then ask if he could go into the forest behing their house.

His parents stare at him and giving him the face of ok what!? They ask him if he is sure that he said that he want to go into the forest and Aspen of course confirm that yes he did say that. They  then ask why he wants to go into the forest. He answered that he just want to explore a bit and see what in the forest. They sighed and  say he could go if he promise them one thing. Aspen ask what does he have to promise and then they say that he have to come back before 2:50 PM and please don't get hurt. 

Aspen sigh and promised his parents that he will be back before 2:50PM. But first, they need to finish their breakfast. After Aspen finished his food,  he pack up a bag that only have food, water ,a 3.5 inches knife, five small boxes and a book about plants that were discovered and mostly finished documented five years ago.  He show the bag to his parents and it got approved. Aspen wave bye to his parents as he head to the forest. At the entrance of the forest, he look at the tall trees and marvel at their beauty. After spacing out for a few secs, he went into the forest and of course it is a bit dark as the trees tightly together. He mark some of the trees and that after wander around the area looking for anything that he never seen before or maybe something rare.

So he continue looking for stuff, he went deeper into the forest and as he was about to take a break, he saw a bright and sparkly mushroom. So he went closer to it and pull out the book to see what the mushroom is. The book told him that it is a Jade Lantern Mountain Mushroom which could help cure a lot of diseases and could be used in a certain ritual. Aspen then took out a box from his bag and put up the mushroom into the box. Aspen smiled happily and then frown a bit because he is pretty deep in the forest which means he is probably lost. 

He then remember that he had marked some trees on the way, so he went looking for the trees he marked. On the way there, he found a beautiful stone that is dark red with a void like design, so he pick it up and it felt warm to touch. Aspen then heard a deep and echoing voice which told he that the ritual had started. Aspen being confused, turn his head around but saw no one there. He thought nah it was probably nothing and continue walking. As he walk, fog slowly appeared and it started to get darker and darker. Aspen even more confuse, he try to find his way but he just keeps on getting more and more lost.

Then all the suddenly, torches appeared out of nowhere and Aspen jump in surprise as one of torch came pretty close to him. Aspen got curious where the torches lead to and so he follow the trails of torches which lead him to an strange and ancient door. He considered opening the door but he was stop by a rich looking boy. He give the boy a surprised face and asked why he should move?

The boy answered that he need to a ritual to get greater power and then Aspen notice that the  boy have a bigger version yet duller version of the stone he found. Aspen then showed the stone he found and asked if the older boy also found the stone and maybe heard a voice. The  boy surprised that Aspen also was candidate of the ritual and then answer yes he did. Then the boy said that he will be chosen to the one who inherent the mark and Aspen being confused about he means. The boy then said oh the person who got chosen will inherent the mark of The Abyssian Tree Dragon and if there is more than one, the other one might get something else.  

Aspen now intrigued by this, when he then asked how the ritual is done and what is the boy's name. The boy answered that his name is Enkidu Erebus and since there is two candidates, they will both have to drink the sap of The Abyssian Tree and then the trial begins shortly after. So then both enter the room and of course the door close behind them. They look at each other and agreed on that they should spilt up to look for the way to the ritual room. So they spilt up and began to find the ritual room.

Aspen look around the dark maze like hallway which gave out a cold and eerie feeling. Aspen continues wandering through the hallway and soon found a room that had a mosaic roof. Aspen wander into the room, wanting to see what inside of the room and so he examine the room. The design of the room seems very antique but still strangely pleasant. Aspen seemly examining all of the room, went near to the door but then he trip on something. After he trying to pick himself up, he looked at what made him to trip and he saw a dusty orb thing. Aspen being curious, went to pick the orb thing up and examine it. But when he pick it up, it begin to float out of his hands and causing a wave of light. When Aspen is finally not being blind by the light, he see that the orb have stuff attached onto it, but then something appeared out of the orb. Aspen jump back, but seeing that it is not harming him, he came closer. Aspen see that semisolid thing had writing that Aspen couldn't understand on it. 

Aspen then saw the writing in front of him beginning to change into an language he could understand , so Aspen read it which it says:

Owner: Aspen Arcrushia 

Hidden Talents(s): ??-______________________________________________________________                                       ??- _____________________________________________________________

Titles: Abyssian Tree Dragon's Candidate- (You are chosen to complete this test, You will either succeed or fail)

Second Heir of Arcrushia Familia- (Second heir of the Familia)  

Stat: -(buzz buzz.....please put energy into the machine)

Aspen blinked and thought maybe he will power it later after he finish this trial. So, he pick the orb and placed it into his bag. Then, he continue walking to find his way around these hallways until he finds a weird garden with a giant tree in the middle as there is rivers of red and black liquids surrounding the borders. He look at the ground and just see different kinds of flowers. He thought huh I guess I can enter the place...so he enter.