Capítulo 36: Getting Ready
The next morning came and Lucas woke up to the sound of birds chirping near his window. "Good Morning", he said to himself as he let out a yawn. He stretched his body, as he got ready for the day. "Mustn't forget my Daily tasks", he thought. "Let me check if there are any changes", he thought as he opened up the window.
[Daily Task Updated]
[Do 150 push-ups 0/150
Do 150 sit-ups 0/150
Do 150 pull-ups 0/150
Run for 5 Km 0/5 Km
Meditate for 1.5 Hrs 0/1.5 Hrs]
[Rewards - +3 Strength, +3 Agility, +2 Perception, +2 Stamina]
"What? The tasks changed but the rewards are the same?", he thought. "Yes", said Valentine. "I still haven't gotten used to this guy in my head", he thought. "I am not some random guy! I am Valentine Heart! The First Ancestor of the Heart Family! The Wielder...", he ranted on as Lucas tuned out his voice and concentrated on the tasks at hand.
After four hours, He sat down on his bed, exhausted. "Man, although I have increased my strength, it still feels like I've been hit by a truck", he muttered as he wiped the sweat off his body. He then took a quick shower and left his room. "What shall I do for the day?", he thought. He then saw someone walk towards him.
"The King has ordered you to come to the throne room, Third Prince", he said and turned back. Lucas just nodded his head and followed behind him. After entering the throne room, he saw all of his family members present. "What is going on?", he asked. "Well, as you have completed the Test of Banishment, you have earned the right to leave this palace and explore this vast world", said Ben.
"But before that, you must have obtained the Map Of Beloved, right?", he asked. Lucas nodded his head. "I almost forgot about that one", he thought. He then summoned it out from his inventory and opened it up. There still was the riddle that he saw the first time.
"I hurt the most when lost, yet also when not had at all. I'm sometimes the hardest to express, but the easiest to ignore. I can be given to many, or just one. What am I?", he said. He then looked at his family. "Is there only one riddle to solve, or will there be a succession of riddles to solve?", he thought.
"So, let me think. If this is written by the same person as the one under the Northern Palace, then its theme is going to be Simplicity. And this time, there is a definite theme, as the item's name suggests, 'Map Of Beloved'. Something related to people whom we cherish", he thought. Martha was looking at his face and she smiled. "You can do this", she said within herself.
Lucas then read the riddle again. "I hurt the most when lost, yet also when not had at all". What is he trying to mean from this line? Companions? Well, it does make sense as when you lose a companion, it hurts and if you don't have one, you begin to feel lonely, which can be interpreted as a form of hurting", he thought.
"I'm sometimes the hardest to express, but easiest to ignore. This line is something that isn't relating to my answer, but maybe there must be something deeper within my answer. What does companionship share? Feelings. They are the hardest to express, and sometimes the easiest to ignore", he thought as he began to scratch his chin.
"I can be given to many, or just one. If feelings are brought over here, then it is one feeling in particular. Which feeling is it? Friendship? Brotherhood? Family? No, not all these. Something is missing. Could it be Love?", he thought. He then bit the tip of his finger and wrote his answer on the sheet. The whole Map lit up bright, making Lucas close his eyes.
After a few seconds, the light died down, revealing a map of the world. "So, now how do I add the people I want to locate?", he asked. In the bottom right corner, there was a count. "Currently: 0", it read. He then looked at his father. "Father, you must know how to add members, don't you?", he asked as he looked at Ben expectantly.
Ben nodded his head and came forward. He then placed a drop of his blood onto the Map and closed his eyes. His heartbeat became erratic for a second and went back to normal. After that, the number changed from zero to one. Lucas jumped in joy. Everyone then followed the same procedure, and the number increased. He looked at the corner and saw the number at five.
"If someone is in danger, it will notify you. If someone is dead, the number will go down, and their dot will disappear from the map. Do you understand?", asked Ben. Lucas nodded his head, and then they came back to the main topic at hand.
"This is a device that is used to reach you, even when you are in a dungeon. It's like your everyday mobile, but it has a few frequency modifications so that only we will be able to contact you and not the other way around. Back tracing is not possible", he said as he handed Lucas a device. Lucas put it into his pocket.
"So, today is the day I will get banished?", he asked. Ben and the others nodded their heads. "We have prepared everything for you. Clothes and necessities. Today evening, at four, you shall be banished from entering the palace. You will be...", he paused. "Why am I talking like I'm announcing it?", he muttered as he chuckled.
"I have some things to say before I leave", said Lucas. Everyone was listening keenly. Lucas looked at Ben. "Father, I need to thank you for taking care of me all this while. For giving me two amazing mentors, and allowing them to nurture me into what I've become now", he said.
He then turned to Martha. "And Mother, I don't know where to start with you. From being with me in all my ups and downs to bathing and taking care of me, or just sitting by my side, looking at the skies. I am truly grateful, to have had a mother that is so loving and caring as you", his voice began to croak.
"And Sam. For being my best friend, for defending me when I was weak, lifting me when I fell, and guiding me when I was confused about myself. For being the best damn Elder Brother. Maybe I might find someone like you, who will continue to guide me and make sure I don't make any mistakes", he said as he turned to Sam.
Everyone had tears in their eyes, but no one spoke a word as they let Lucas finish saying his goodbyes. "He won't be back for four years, after all", thought Ben. "And Kate. I thank you for being my fashionista. And as for the things I said to Sam, the same goes for you. I cannot find any better words to describe the things you have done for me", he said. Tears were rolling down his cheeks.
He walked towards the window overlooking the city. "And I promise, that I shall become strong. Strong enough to stand by your side, Sam and Kate. And Sam, you will make a damn fine king someday, but not today", he chuckled. Sam and Kate wiped off their tears as they pulled him into an embrace.
Ben and Martha just watched the scene in front of them, unable to contain the tears any longer. They began to cry. "Where is Master?", he asked after some time. "Ah, he is waiting in the room. He said he has something to tell you. I forgot about that", said Ben.
Lucas went to his Master's room and sat in front of Master. Leon looked at him and smiled. "It seems that the bird is ready to leave its home?", he teased. Lucas smiled. "Yes, Master. I thank you for all your teachings and guidance. I look forward to meeting again in the future", he said as he dropped to one knee.
"You, Lucas Heart, are my Third Disciple. You must have met with Anthony and Sally, I presume? They are my First and Second Disciples respectively", he said. "Then are you the one that taught them the Yin Yang Needle Technique?", he asked elatedly.
"Sadly, no. They learned it when they were outside. They do not know the name of that medical master and only met them on a fruitful encounter. The needle technique they used on you is the only technique that they know of", he said. Lucas was dejected, but he still didn't lose hope.
"Now, the important thing that I wanted to tell you about is related to your magic. As it, is an ancient one, the only ones who can train you proficiently are the Mystical Beings. I have only heard of the Mystical Being of Fire. It is said to be a phoenix. And it's rumored to live in the Hell Mountain Range in Dungeon's Island. Dungeon's Island is in Country Natuna", he said.
Lucas nodded his head as he noted the information in his mind. "I guess that should be my priority", he thought as he got up from his chair. "I almost forgot", he stopped and turned around. He then added Leon to his 'Map Of Beloved', and asked the question he had in mind.
"How do I use the Limit Breaker Potion?", he asked with a smile. Leon smiled wide as he was happy with the improvement Leon showed him. "Seems like you have reached D-rank", thought Leon as he smiled.
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
Tales_Within_Me
Tales_Within_Me Chapter 2/2
Well, it's all wholesome stuff for now. There might be some action soon. Maybe there will, maybe there won't? Just wait and find out! And don't forget to vote with your Power Stones!
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