Chapter 4: Ruins of the Past Part 1: The Oracle’s Revelation

Summary: Jungkook and Taehyung escape the cave, but their path leads them to an ancient, crumbling temple hidden deep in the Forbidden Forest. There, they encounter the Oracle of Ruins—a blind seer who unveils the darker truths of their shared destiny and the prophecy tying them together.

The morning light filtered dimly through the cracks of the cave ceiling, casting faint rays on the rough stone walls. Jungkook stirred first, his instincts pulling him awake. He rose quietly, his eyes adjusting to the dim light as he surveyed the area. The fire had burned out, leaving only cold ash in its place.

Taehyung lay nearby, his breathing slow and even, the tension in his features softened by sleep. For a brief moment, Jungkook allowed himself to watch him—this strange, infuriating prince who had somehow worked his way into Jungkook’s carefully guarded existence.

He shook the thought away, nudging Taehyung’s shoulder with his boot.

“Wake up,” Jungkook said curtly. “We need to move.”

Taehyung groaned, blinking blearily up at him. “Do you always have to be so charming first thing in the morning?”

Jungkook smirked faintly but didn’t respond. He turned toward the far end of the cave, where the faint sound of running water echoed through the tunnel.

“Come on,” Jungkook said. “If we follow the stream, it might lead us to an exit.”

Taehyung pushed himself to his feet, groaning as his muscles protested. “Do you ever get tired of being right?”

“All the time,” Jungkook said dryly, moving ahead.

The tunnel twisted and turned, the sound of the stream growing louder with each step. After what felt like hours, they emerged into the open air, blinking against the sudden brightness.

The forest stretched before them, dense and unyielding, but something about the air felt different—charged, almost electric.

“Where are we?” Taehyung asked, his voice hushed.

Jungkook didn’t answer immediately. His gaze was fixed on the structure looming in the distance, partially hidden by the trees. It was a temple, ancient and crumbling, its stone walls covered in thick vines and moss.

“We’re close to something,” Jungkook murmured, his tone cautious.

Taehyung followed his gaze, a sense of unease prickling at his skin. “That doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence.”

“Let’s go,” Jungkook said, already moving toward the temple.

The temple was massive, its sheer size intimidating even in its ruined state. Carvings covered the walls—spirals, glyphs, and symbols that seemed to pulse faintly in the dappled sunlight.

Taehyung’s eyes widened as he ran his fingers over one of the carvings. “These symbols… they’re the same as the ones I saw in the forest.”

Jungkook glanced at him, his expression unreadable. “Then this place might be connected to the prophecy.”

As they ventured deeper into the temple, the air grew colder, the light dimming as the trees thickened overhead. The sound of their footsteps echoed off the stone walls, the only noise in the oppressive silence.

At the heart of the temple, they found a circular chamber. In the center stood a raised platform, its surface inscribed with more of the glowing symbols.

But what drew their attention was the figure seated atop the platform.

It was an elderly woman, her form frail and bent, her eyes clouded and milky white. Despite her blindness, she turned her head toward them as if she could see them clearly.

“Welcome,” she said, her voice soft yet resonant.

Jungkook’s hand went to his sword, his stance wary. “Who are you?”

The woman smiled faintly. “I am the Oracle of Ruins. I have been waiting for you.”

Taehyung exchanged a glance with Jungkook, his unease deepening. “Waiting for us? How could you possibly know we’d be here?”

“Because it was written,” the Oracle said simply. “In the threads of fate that bind your souls.”

The words sent a chill down Taehyung’s spine. “What are you talking about?”

The Oracle gestured to the symbols carved into the platform. “The prophecy. The shadow and the flame. Two forces destined to collide, to reshape the world.”

Jungkook stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. “What does the prophecy mean? Why are we tied to it?”

The Oracle’s smile faded, her expression turning grave. “Because you are the bearers of balance—and destruction. Together, you have the power to either save this world or destroy it.”

Taehyung’s breath caught. “Destroy it?”

The Oracle nodded. “The bond you share is both your strength and your curse. It will bring you closer than you can imagine, but it will also tear you apart. And when it does, the world will feel the consequences.”

Jungkook’s jaw tightened. “What are we supposed to do?”

“Follow the path before you,” the Oracle said. “But beware. The journey ahead is fraught with peril. You will face betrayal, loss, and sacrifice. To succeed, you must learn to trust each other completely—or risk losing everything.”

Taehyung’s chest tightened at the weight of her words. “And if we fail?”

The Oracle’s blind eyes seemed to pierce through him. “Then all will burn.”

The silence that followed was deafening. Jungkook and Taehyung stood frozen, the enormity of the prophecy sinking in like a stone in water.

Finally, Jungkook broke the silence. “We’ll succeed.”

The Oracle tilted her head, her faint smile returning. “Confidence can be a blessing—or a curse. Only time will tell which it is for you.”

Taehyung swallowed hard, his mind racing. “Is there nothing you can tell us to help? No clue, no guide?”

The Oracle’s gaze softened. “You already have what you need. Each other.”

Taehyung’s breath hitched, and he glanced at Jungkook, who remained silent, his expression unreadable.

“Go now,” the Oracle said. “The path awaits.”

As they left the temple, the weight of the Oracle’s words lingered heavily between them. Neither spoke as they walked, the forest closing in around them once more.

Finally, Taehyung broke the silence. “Do you think she was right? About… us?”

Jungkook glanced at him, his dark eyes serious. “I don’t know. But if the world depends on us working together, then we don’t have a choice.”

Taehyung nodded, his resolve hardening. “Then we won’t fail.”

For the first time, Jungkook allowed a faint smile. “We’ll see.”

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