He opened his eyes, clawing at his ragged clothes, the melted flax fused to his skin in a gruesome cauterization. The fires raged around the village, a house collapsed then another, fluttering embers swirled around a robed figure, icy blue eyes piercing the darkness, and from their outstretched hand a blazing inferno swirled forth, licking away at the surroundings. As his festering skin was consumed by the fire, the man screamed.

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A sharp grating sound echoed through the cavern, as Kai threw himself clumsily to the side rolling over a splintered bone. Thinking quickly he gripped the makeshift weapon and pressed his back against the wall, knuckles whitening under the pressure. It wasn't much but it would have to do

‘If I mess this up I'm screwed’

The beast lurched towards him once more and he dove forward under the maw of the beast, its inertia carried it forward smashing its snout into the stone wall, and the cavern shook. A warm feeling of pride swelled up in Kai’s chest, but he shoved it down, adrenaline coursing through his veins as the beast roared once more. Its snout crumpled and its eyes shut, ears tucked back as it thrashed out blindly, Kai stepped back to avoid the beast's claws and launched the fragmented bone at the beast, nailing it right in the eye with uncanny accuracy— then, he started running.

The blood pounded in his ears as he sprinted, the warm feeling from before rushing through him once more, he nimbly leaped over a log and scrambled up a short outcropping his muscles built from long hours cutting wood and climbing trees to harvest straining as he propelled himself forwards. The rich air filled his lungs and heart with an almost euphoric sense of relief. His mind was a mix of fear and something else, a hint of confidence. His eyes darting ahead he spotted a large outpost, fortified walls, and a gate just ahead, small and most definitely not the main entrance, most likely a barracks gate. His eyes darted to the soldiers stationed outside the barred opening,

“Help! There's something back there”

The two men turned to me and the right post guard grit his teeth.

“Third time this week Ron I can’t believe it, the priestess was correct”

The soldier waved his hand and the gate started to ascend, the shorter man on the left gripped Kai’s shoulder and led him through.

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“I'm Ron, and you?”

Breathing heavily Kai smoothed out his linen tunic before replying,

“Kai, Kai…. Rolland”

“Rolland… sounds familiar but I can’t quite place it, anywho, given your generally distressed state and the fact that you haven’t stopped viewing everyone with suspicion I assume something happened back home”

Kai’s voice caught in his throat,

“Yeh… yes.”

The man nodded,

“I'm taking you to the priestess but first the inn, I'll get you a room and a bath ordered… and some clothes too…” He chuckled at the handsome youth's disheveled appearance, “Any colors you prefer or should I surprise you, according to my wife I am ‘competent enough’ at colorization for a man” He smiled warmly at Kai before his gaze turned somber “It’ll all be okay kid”

Kai turns away, facing the street, an imperceptible trail left behind on his smooth skin as a single tear falls and splashes silently against the stone.

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Kai let out a satisfied groan as the steaming hot water poured from the aqua reservoir, his youthful build still holding onto some fat despite his active lifestyle, his fair skin glistened under the flow, his dark hair unknotting under his handiwork, eventually he stepped out, wrapping a towel around his waist in one fluid motion before retreating to his room, smiling sadly when his gaze fell upon the fresh clothes laying on the bed, they were well made, out of moderately expensive material for a town like this one, of course, Kai was none the wiser. Once fully dressed he turned to the crystal wall mirror, finally taking a good look at himself, he was on the slimmer side, but by no means scrawny, a childhood of forest exploration and manual labor for his folks caused him to grow, and he stood at around 6 foot 2, some of his youthful roundness remains, handsome features underneath failing to be concealed, in the face as well as around his other features, his torso was well balanced with his legs and his arms hung balanced, with broad shoulders and a slender neck. Tugging at the shirt he just slipped on, the coarse forest green fabric comforting him, his legs clothed in beige pants with lots of pockets.

Breathing deeply Kai set his jaw and turned the doorknob.

It was time for his appointment with the priestess.

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Kai honestly didn’t expect this… looking forward at the cheerful young woman in front of him,

‘I thought she’d be older…’

Her smile faltered for a second, then she broke out laughing.

“Great Zenith, it happens every time, and it’s never stopped being amusing,” the clergywoman said, noticing Kai’s surprise.

“Pardon my rudeness-“

“Oh no it’s nothing don’t worry, I quite like this”

Kai swallowed, he was used to dealing with people from the village who were mostly reserved but in front of this casual and unrestrained woman, he was helpless.

“So, Kai what’s your visit supposed to be about, one of the city soldiers filed you for an awakening quest as well as… oh, counseling”

Her posture shifted, legs unfolding and back straightening, her lively cadence taking on a more cordial tone.

“Tell me everything starting from the beginning”

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