The boy lifted the fire stone gem that was kept in the corner of the room. This gem was his family's heirloom. He held it tight in his hand and prayed to the Fire God to gain the blessing of fire. A flicker lit in the corner of his house of hay, and the fire spread across rapidly through the hut. As his house scorched, the boy brought the young corpse near to the edge, and let it roast till it was ready to eat.

Though the fire was closer to the corpse, the boy was still affected by it. The fire brought sweat to his skinny bones and began hurting him. However, he refused to flinch or act on it. He was still because of the horrors he had witnessed. His eyes never straying from the fire.

After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, he plunged his pearly whites into the tender flesh of the corpse. This was the first time in a long time since he had eaten. With a single bite, as his hunger lessened, his mouth was oozing with saliva. His pupils dilated and his heart started beating as normal, once again. He bit the corpse's hand over and over, tearing open all the pulp, until all that was left was bones.

This day, two principles had cemented themselves in his head. One, that death was right and just. Two, that humans were merely meat.

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Once his meal was complete, he headed out of his burning hut, naked, with scalds across his back and his arms. This naked boy walked his way in broad daylight, miles and miles in dirt, debris, ash and wounds as the folk laughed at his bareness. He was not affected. He walked his way to the great parsonage.

The great parsonage was a building as old as the times of the first kings of the kingdom of Aramas. A dome-shaped construction so tall, that its top touched the clouds. Made entirely of brick, iron and copper, this structure held firm and unscathed for centuries. No one knew how this structure came to be, but it was respected and revered by all that stood before it.

It was kept empty before the Red King decided to open its gates and allowed it to be used as a library for the great priests of Aramas. Students all across the kingdom came forth to learn of its beauty and the knowledge it possessed. A hub for magic arts of healing and devotion.

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Six, large wooden gates served as points of entry. Each door was guarded by a single holy priest, gilded in chainmail armor with longswords sheathed in intricate, white covers. They dawned capes of white, to indicate their position and sacredness. Emotionless beings whose watchful eyes saw through the souls of all that wished to pass.

The boy stood in front of one such door, in front of a holy man. The eyes of the man stared down at the boy as he approached, but his face remained stationary. Short cut hair with a sharp jawline, the man looked to be the very incarnate of a giant. His eyes were red near the lids and brown in the center. At the sight of this sturdy man looking at him, the boy stared back.

The man spoke, "What business do you have here?" in his deep, brashy voice.

The boy replied in a whispery, cold mutter, "I wish to take the test."

"And what is your reputation?"

"I am to be Valeria's champion."

Valeria... the Goddess of Death. A young boy claimed that he would soon be champion to the motives and lessons of Lady Death. Without hesitation, the holy man lifted his sword high, and smacked the boy's head with it's iron pommel. The boy fell to the ground, as blood drained from the open wound. His sight was blurry and he temporarily lost the sensation of sound. Momentarily after, he lifted himself up with his shaking hands and stood back in front of the man.

The man asked once more, "What business do you have here?"

"I wish to take the test."

"And what is your reputation?"

"I am to be... Valeria's champion."

Another thud brought forth by the pommel of the sword. And the boy rose once again. This event continued, until the sun let the darkness begin. One hundred and twenty seven hits on his body. Twenty three bruises and eight wounds he was bleeding out of, yet the boy persisted. This time, when the boy stood in front of the holy man, the man flipped to the side. He was in awe of the boy's determination.

"Meet the priest named Rooge on the first level. He will guide you to the test."