To the Ancient Ruins

Campaign: Bound

Chapter 5 / 1-1

To the Ancient Ruins

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What Defines a Hero

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Invitation to Darkness

Summary

Guided by the mysterious woman who shares Zethia's face, the prince arrives at the Binding Ruins, where his sister and Emperor Aurelius await. The party follows them deeper into the ruins.

Dialogue

The woman with my sister's face came to us again and claimed that Zethia and the emperor were waiting in the Binding Ruins. And so we made for the location where Father once sought a new Shard. What is the emperor's aim in all this? And are the ruins also home to the last of the Six Greatwyrms? What awaits us in this ancient place so deeply tied to the Alberian line of kings?
On the road to the Binding Ruins... Bloody 'ell! The cursed Empire put our fields and 'omes to the torch, and now there ain't nothin' left but ash! Nowheres to go, and no food for our bellies? We'll soon be ashes too, we will! Take heart, everyone! This road leads to the Mistholt, where an old castle awaits. If you have nowhere else to go, you can make that place your refuge. The Empire will not be able to harm you there. Now make haste for the Mistholt. And may the goddess guide your travels! Oi! Who're you, then? Just some good neighbors doin' good neighborly things. Well...all right, then. Society is starting to come apart at the seams. I fear the human bill for the Empire's coup will soon come due. We have to make this right, and soon. It's not just about Zethia anymore—all of Alberia's people are waiting for a rescue. Hurry! The Binding Ruins lie ahead. Don't need to tell me twice. We're here. This place is one of many sealing sites scattered across the continent. Inside each is a great slumbering evil. And to keep that evil sealed away, there is a Sacred Shard. Be ever watchful in this place. The mana here is warped—it's far too dark and stagnant to be natural. What could possibly have happened here to make the air so foul? Oh, how I loathe this place. It's the same feeling that king gives off. It sets my scales on edge. The man who resembles King Aurelius, you mean? Was it not after he came here that he underwent his transformation, Your Highness? It was. Then perhaps something happened to King Aurelius here, and we are bearing witness to the result... You're certain Zethia is here? Yes, provided my memory holds true, she should... Aaah! Whoa, the look-alike went all...flickery! You all right, lady?! My mana nears its limits. Go! Waste no time on me. I will follow as soon as— Gone again. Ain't nothin' about that woman what makes a damn bit of sense. No, but she was right about not wasting time. If Zethia's here, we need to hurry. *cough* Cleo wasn't kiddin' about this joint. Just bein' here feels lousy! We barely walked inside and I'm already gettin' woozy. Plus my legs feel like they're made'a stone. I fare no better. Something is clearly amiss in this place. How do you find yourself, Your Highness? Well enough to keep moving. But thanks for the concern. And you're correct that this place is wrong. But I don't understand why the royal family took such pains to keep it secret. I would assume it holds something of grave importance to the bloodline. Or to the entire kingdom. Everybody shut your yaps! I hear someone up ahead! ...Still have grave reservations about leaving the two of them without an escort. What if something were to happen? Those were his orders. We were bade wait for His Highness and Lady Zethia to return, so here we wait. Zethia! She's really here, Euden! Along with whatever is pretending to be my father. Let's go. We oughta be able to circle 'round these chumps without bein' noticed. C'mon!