As the executioner's blade descended, a mysterious force surged through the courtyard, engulfing Leander in a blinding light. In an instant, he felt weightless, as if the ground had vanished beneath him. When the light subsided, Leander found himself in a dark room, disoriented and unable to see anything clearly.
Confusion gripped Leander as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. Before he could gather his bearings, a colossal prompt appeared before him, seemingly carved into the air: "Awakening Lord Talent - 37% Completed."
"What is this?" Leander whispered, his voice echoing in the darkness. He reached out his hand, but it met an invisible barrier, preventing him from moving any further.
As he stood there, contemplating, flashes of his past experiences and the events leading up to his execution raced through his mind. He recalled the resentment and jealousy he sensed from Cedric, the fear in the eyes of the nobles during the emergency meeting, and the sorrow in his parents' faces as they faced their untimely demise.
Amidst the chaos of his thoughts, the prompt continued to change. "38% Completed." It flickered, indicating some sort of progress.
Leander's mind raced, trying to understand the meaning behind this cryptic message. "Lord Talent? What is that? And why is it awakening now, at this moment of despair?" he questioned himself.
In the depths of his despair, a faint glimmer of hope sparked within him. "Could this be the key to unlocking my true potential, to reveal the truth behind my supposed misfortune?" Leander wondered, his mind grasping at the sliver of possibility.
With determination burning in his heart, Leander began to reflect on his life and the journey he had undertaken. He recalled his tireless efforts to harness his powers, his relentless pursuit of self-improvement, and his unwavering resolve to prove his worth to the kingdom.
"39% Completed," the prompt flickered once more, encouraging him to delve deeper into his memories and experiences.
Leander recalled the moments of joy and triumph, the friendships he had forged, and the times he had felt a profound connection to the elements. He remembered the glimmer of hope he had seen in Lady Eveline's eyes, the same hope that had sustained him through the darkest times.
As his thoughts coalesced, the percentage on the prompt continued to rise. "40% Completed."
Leander realized that this was not just a test of his abilities but also a test of his spirit. It was a chance to confront the inner demons that had plagued him throughout his life, the self-doubt and the belief that he was cursed by misfortune.
With newfound determination, Leander embraced the darkness around him, embracing the uncertainty and the fear. He resolved to prove to himself and to the world that he was not defined by a prophecy, but by his actions and choices.
"45% Completed."
As the prompt continued to rise, Leander's conviction grew stronger. He embraced the awakening Lord Talent, knowing that it held the key to unlocking the truth of his existence. With every passing moment, the dark room seemed to pulse with energy, responding to Leander's resolve.
In the face of adversity, a newfound strength began to blossom within Leander, a power that surpassed anything he had experienced before. The room around him seemed to tremble, as if acknowledging his awakening.
"50% Completed."
"65% Completed."
"78% Completed."
"100% Completed."
With a woosh of otherworldly energy, Leander felt himself being transported through the void, and the world around him blurred into obscurity. Moments later, he found himself awakening in a vast land of barrenness. The ground beneath him was rugged and desolate, and the air felt charged with mystical energy.
As he rose to his feet, he heard the voice from before, resonating through the air once more. "Welcome, Lord Leander. You have been successfully transported to the Land of Celestial Harmony."
Leander's eyes widened as he tried to comprehend the situation. "Land of Celestial Harmony? Defend my territory?" he questioned aloud, the words still echoing in his mind.
The voice spoke again, its tone solemn yet determined. "Yes, Lord Leander. You have two days to prepare. In two days' time, earth lizards will launch an attack on this territory. It is your duty to defend it."
Leander felt a mix of emotions swirling within him - confusion, excitement, and a newfound sense of responsibility. He knew that he had been brought here for a purpose, and it was up to him to rise to the challenge.
As he took in the barren landscape, he noticed a faint glow emanating from the ground beneath him. He looked down to find a pop-up display materializing before his eyes, showing him a profile of himself as if it were in a game.
[Leander] Race: Human Lord Talent: Lord of Fortune (Unlocked) Level: 1 Health: 100% Attributes:
Strength: 80%
Agility: 70%
Wisdom: 60%
Endurance: 75% Skills:
Elemental Manipulation (Beginner)
Swordsmanship (Novice)
Astral Awareness (Novice)
Luck: Mythical Misfortune(??)
Leander blinked in amazement, realizing that the profile displayed his attributes, skills, and a new section called "Luck," which described his mythical misfortune. He also noticed the unique power of his Lord Talent - to obtain 100% loot from any dead entity, a power that could prove invaluable in this land filled with unknown dangers.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Leander took a deep breath and committed himself to the task at hand. The Land of Celestial Harmony was vast and filled with wonders he had yet to discover. It was a realm where harmony and magic interwove, and he knew that he had to harness its power to protect it from the impending attack.
As Leander explored further, he found himself in front of the only house on the vast barren land. As soon as he entered, a prompt appeared before him, asking, "Claim this territory as your territory?"
Leander knew he needed a base to defend against the earth lizard attack, so without hesitation, he answered, "Yes."
A shimmering pop followed, and an interface appeared before him, asking him to name his new territory.
"Fortune's Haven," Leander decided, a name that held meaning for his newfound power and the refuge he hoped it would become.