The marketplace in the town of Eldoria was a lively place, full of sound. Hawkers calling out their prices, townsfolk calling back in shocked haggling, and the mixture of smells—freshly baked bread, roasted meat, and the exotic spices in the air—all flowed into one. In between all that, a young man was navigating with practiced ease, guided by sharp, discerning eyes.
A trade thief, born in Eldoria's worst slums, Kael had spent his whole life using his escape ways, weaving the labyrinthine streets; today, this was going to be something much worthier than petty trinkets and stolen coins. Stories of an ancient artifact hidden deep within the vault below the Merchants' Guild; a relic that could change his life's fate were forever in turn.
Ducking into an alley, the narrowness of it sent Kael's hood back farther off his head, concealing his vivid green eyes and thick curls of unruly dark hair. He looked briefly around him to see that he wasn't being followed before darting into the lee of a towering stone wall. The guildwork spread before him: frowning stone edifices mantling the dark halls of riches, dominances of life caged within.
Kael's heart raced as he pushed toward the back entrance. He had studied the guard shifts for weeks and map-worked the floor plan of the building. Tonight would all be about the timing.
Picking the lock and then slipping inside, he stepped into a dimly illuminated corridor that extended silently and empty before him. Kael flowed quickly, his feet making hardly a sound on the polished marble floor. It was as though he instinctively knew each twist and turn, like a hunter stalking his prey, all the while eluding patrolling guards and servants.
To make things worse, he finally made it to the vault room itself. The gigantic iron door stood in his way, but he knew precisely how to outsmart it. He drew out a set of delicate lockpicks and went to work on the contraption. Minutes began to stretch into hours; each second seemed to tug at minutes. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he worked, his fingers a blur over the intricate lock.
The door swung open with a soft click. Kael, his breath caught in his throat, walked inside the vault. There was a treasure trove of gold, jewels, and priceless artifacts on the shelves running along the walls, but in the center, on the central pedestal, an object of his obsession: a glowing, dim red amulet.
Then Kael moved to the pedestal, his eyes glued to the amulet. So he reached for it with slightly trembling fingers and grasped the artifact. Instantly upon touching the cold metal, a sharp energy surged into his body, a shockwave of pain and power that flooded within. Stumbling backwards, he clutched the amulet close to his chest.
It was as if everything was spinning around the room within his own mind—visions of battles from ancient times, a kingdom in turmoil, and a figure cloaked in shadows. Kael gasped, trying to make sense of the images. The amulet pulsed with life of its own, binding itself to him in a way he could not understand.
Suddenly, the wind behind him blew open the door, and Kael was faced with a group of armed guards. Their burly leader—a man donning a scar across his cheek—held his sword out to Kael.
"Drop the amulet, thief," growled the burly leader. "Or face the consequences."
Kael was in a fast-paced stream of thought. The amulet had chosen him, but he didn't know why. All he could do was prevent the amulet from going to the guards. His hand closed more firmly on the artifact, his eyes now chiseled flint daring. Then he tightened his fingers around the artifact and muttered, "Not today.".
So, he whipped back into a sprint towards a narrow window at the far end of the vault. Alarms blared, followed by shouts and the sound of heavy footfalls—guards chasing. He jumped through the window as it broke into shards of glass cutting through his cloak. He landed in a roll on the cobblestone street below, the amulet still clutched in his hand.
Kael did not stop to catch breath. He could feel the guards right at his back. His feet made a mad dash through the twisted alleys, his heart pounding. The images from the amulet still fluttered in his mind, driving him on.
Kael rounded a corner and ran full-tilt into a figure completely decked in dark leathers. Both went down, the amulet sliding from Kael's grasp to bounce across the pavement. The figure was just as quickly up on its feet, hood falling away to expose the young woman's piercing blue eyes and fiery red hair.
"What are you doing?" she hissed, bending over to grab the amulet.
Kael reached out, his fingers brushing hers as the both of them grabbed the artifact. At the moment their contact was made, a ball of energy was released from the amulet that hit them both back. The woman gaped at Kael, her eyes wide and then aware.
"You," she whispered. "You're the one from the prophecy."
Kael's head throbbed. He had heard of the tales of this ancient prophecy before but had thought of none as the truth. Now, with the amulet binding them together, and the guards closing in, he had no choice but to face the cold reality of his destiny.
"Who are you?" Kael demanded, determination erupting in his voice.
She looked over her shoulder with a tension on her face. "No time for getting into it; we need to get out. Now."
Kael nodded; everything in him said he could trust her. As one, toward the night, they fled, the amulet between them shining brightly. And Kael, as he went deeper into the shadows, wondered what destiny would arrange for him and the mysterious woman beside him.
The adventure had only just begun.