The sun's golden rays spilt over the Village of the Golden Sands, casting a warm glow over the sand-swept streets. In the aftermath of the temple incident, the village had gained a new protector, but many questions remained unanswered.
Scion had spent the last three days recovering from the strain of his first use of newfound powers. His injuries had healed surprisingly quickly, a testament to the temple's mystical energy that now coursed within him. As he stepped out of Sira's home, the villagers watched him with a mixture of awe and curiosity. They believed that his connection to the Sun God Ra was deeper than they could comprehend.
He couldn't help but notice their eyes on him, their whispers of speculation. Scion was an enigma to them, a stranger with extraordinary abilities. Yet, he was also their protector, chosen by fate and guided by the divine hand of Sun God Ra.
*This is quite awkward, I've heard from Sira that everyone knows that I have some connection with Ra, but the info about me being Ra's champion still hasn't been revealed.*
As Scion walked through the village, he felt the weight of their expectations. He longed to discover the true extent of his powers and to find a way to defend the village against the impending threat of the bandits. But he was also aware that he needed guidance and training to achieve his full potential.
A voice called out from behind him, and he turned to see Sira approaching. She wore an expression of both gratitude and determination. "Scion, the village is indebted to you for what you've done. But we need to ensure our safety against the bandits. My father, the Village Chief, has requested your presence. He believes you might hold the key to our defence."
Scion looked a bit surprised, "You mean your father is the chief of the village?"
Sira nodded in agreement.
"Don't worry, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to protect this village."
Sira led him to the Village Chief's residence, a modest building that stood out amidst the golden sands. The Village Chief, a man with a grizzled beard and a wise expression, awaited their arrival.
"Scion," he greeted with a nod. "I've heard about what happened at the temple. You saved my daughter's life, I am forever grateful to you."
Scion didn't want to say anything out of line, in a humble tone, he said "Don't worry, it's thanks to Sira that I'm still alive."
The village Chief examined Scion's body and awkwardly "You are quite an interesting man, Scion. As a reward for protecting our village, would you like to marry my daughter?"
Scion's face went red and turned to Sira and she wasn't in a better situation than Scion.
"There's no need for that Village Chief, I'm content with what I'm doing. But that's beside the point, I've got something to tell you Village Chief, I don't want anyone knowing about this."
The Village Chief looked at Sira, telling her to leave for a moment.
Scion looked all around his surroundings, then decided to reveal himself.
"You may not believe me but I am Ra's chosen champion, sent here to protect the village. But I'm still learning to harness my abilities. I need your guidance and the knowledge of the temple's relics to defend this village."
The Village Chief's eyes glinted with recognition and approval. "I had suspected as much. I, too, possess limited control over the sun's energy, but age has made me weaker. However, I can offer you training to harness your powers effectively."
Scion's determination burned brighter. "I accept your offer, but first, we need to gather information about the bandits and their leader. Only then can we prepare for their arrival."
The Village Chief nodded and rose from his seat, leading Scion to a room where the bandit they had captured was being held. The bandit, dishevelled and bruised, sat on the floor, his expression a mix of defiance and fear.
Sira, who had been silent until now, spoke with authority. "Tell us about your group and the bandit leader. What are your intentions?"
The bandit, realizing the dire situation he was in, decided to cooperate. "Our group goes by the name of the Mauraders, bandits who have been roaming these lands for years. Our leader, Voren, is a user of Mystic Energy. Although he isn't an animal tamer, he tamed the Mystic Beasts that once guarded the Sun God's temple."
Scion's eyes widened with concern at the mention of Mystic Beasts. "Mystic Beasts? Tell me more about them."
The bandit continued. "The Mystic Beasts are ancient guardians with powerful abilities. They were once in harmony with the Sun God's temple. But Voren somehow managed to control them and now uses them as weapons. They are loyal to him."
Sira interjected, "How far is your hideout from here?"
The bandit smirked, "A good fifteen days' journey. One way."
Sira frowned, calculating the time it would take for the bandits to reach the village. "So, they will arrive in about thirty days. That gives us a limited window to prepare for their attack."
The bandit then cast a wary glance at Scion. "And you, Ra's champion, you're the reason we targeted this village, aren't you?"
Scion nodded. "I am. But I'm here to protect the village and its people."
The bandit's eyes widened with fear as he glanced at Scion's features, the subtle but undeniable aura of the divine power surrounding him. "You… you are Ra's chosen one."
Sira couldn't hide her surprise, realizing the truth about Scion's identity. Her voice was filled with wonder. "Scion, you truly hold the power of the Sun God within you."
The Village Chief, still recovering his composure, spoke. "We must act swiftly. Scion, I can offer you some training, but we need to prepare the village's defences. We'll gather the villagers and do everything in our power to protect our home."
The meeting concluded with a sense of urgency. The village was now aware of Scion's true nature, and the responsibility that rested upon his shoulders had grown heavier. The impending confrontation with the bandits and their tamed Mystic Beasts loomed large on the horizon.
In the days that followed, Scion threw himself into training under the guidance of the Village Chief.
Scion resolved to train diligently for the next 27 days to become the champion the village needed. He would harness the power of the Sun God Ra to protect the sacred relics and scriptures and ensure the village's safety.
But lingering in the back of his mind was the question that had arisen in the temple. Who was he, and what was the true extent of his connection to Sun God Ra? As he embarked on his training, he knew that the answers to these questions held the key to his destiny and the village's survival.