Stefan blinked in surprise as the stranger approached, a net full of wriggling fish slung over his shoulder. The man's easy demeanor and friendly smile put Stefan somewhat at ease, despite the unfamiliar surroundings.
"Hey there," the stranger greeted, his voice warm and inviting. "Never seen you around here before. Name's Verani. What brings you to these parts?"
Stefan hesitated for a moment before responding, still trying to process everything that had happened. "I'm... new here," he admitted finally. "I'm not quite sure how I ended up in this place."
Verani raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Well, welcome to the Kingdom of Onus, my friend. This here's Soor, a small village nestled on the outskirts of the kingdom."
As Verani spoke, Stefan couldn't help but notice the way the villagers went about their business, casting curious glances in his direction. It was clear that he stood out like a sore thumb in this close-knit community.
Verani chuckled, as if sensing Stefan's discomfort. "Don't worry about them. They're just not used to seeing new faces around here, especially ones that look like they've seen a few battles."
Stefan glanced down at himself, suddenly aware of the scars that crisscrossed his skin, souvenirs from a life he couldn't quite remember. "I suppose you could say I've been through my fair share of challenges," he admitted, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his voice.
Verani nodded thoughtfully. "Well, you certainly look like a warrior to me. Say, are you one of the new heroes in town? There's been talk of powerful individuals with extraordinary abilities showing up lately."
Stefan's heart skipped a beat at the mention of heroes. Could Verani be referring to him? Was it possible that his newfound abilities had drawn attention..?
"I... I'm not sure," Stefan replied cautiously, his mind racing with possibilities. "But if there's a chance to make a difference, I'm willing to lend a hand."
With that, Stefan followed Verani into the heart of the village, his mind buzzing with excitement and anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead.