Zoran Drakos trudged through the muddy forest trail, his boots caked with grime and his adventurer's pack digging into his shoulders. The promise of a warm bed at the inn in Goldhaven was the only thing keeping him moving. Years of grinding away as a mid-tier adventurer had dulled his enthusiasm for the job. Goblin infestations, caravan escorts, treasure hunts—it was all routine.
The forest around him was quiet, too quiet. The absence of birdsong or rustling leaves pricked at his instincts, setting him on edge. Then it happened.
A sudden pulse of light lit up the woods like a bolt of lightning. Zoran froze, his hand instinctively gripping the hilt of his sword. "What the—?" he muttered, squinting into the light.
At its center was a small stone tablet half-buried in the dirt. Strange runes etched across its surface glowed with an otherworldly energy, pulsating rhythmically like a heartbeat. Zoran felt an inexplicable pull toward it, like the artifact was calling to him.
"Bad idea," he muttered under his breath but knelt down anyway. Curiosity had always been his greatest weakness. The moment his fingers touched the stone, an intense heat surged through his chest.
"Ahhh!" he cried out, clutching at his shirt. The heat turned into a searing pain that brought him to his knees. The runes on the tablet flared brighter, and before he could pull away, the artifact dissolved into a stream of golden light, rushing into his chest.
His vision blurred, and the world around him faded. The last thing he saw before darkness claimed him was a glowing mark spreading across his chest like wildfire.
---
The Awakening
Zoran woke to the soft chirping of birds and the gentle rustling of leaves. He groaned, his head pounding as if he'd been hit with a sledgehammer. The morning sun filtered through the treetops, casting a golden glow over the forest floor.
"What the hell just happened?" he muttered, sitting up and rubbing his temples.
He glanced down and froze. A glowing, intricate mark now adorned his chest, just above his heart. The strange symbol pulsed faintly, as though it were alive.
"This can't be good," he said, tracing the edges of the mark with his fingers. It felt warm, almost comforting, but he had no idea what it meant.
A rustling noise snapped him out of his thoughts. His hand flew to his sword, his body tensing as he scanned the bushes. From the shadows emerged a woman—no, a vision of beauty. Her golden hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, and her emerald-green eyes seemed to pierce through him.
Zoran's grip on his sword tightened. "Who are you?"
The woman smiled, her expression equal parts alluring and unreadable. "You're marked," she said, her voice soft but firm. "The prophecy spoke of this day."
"What prophecy?" Zoran demanded, standing up but keeping his distance.
Instead of answering, she stepped closer, her gaze fixed on the glowing mark on his chest. Without warning, she reached out, her fingers brushing against the symbol. Zoran flinched at the contact, but the sensation was strangely soothing.
"It's true," she whispered, her cheeks flushing. "The Mark of the Harem King."
"The what?" Zoran said, his voice rising in disbelief.
"You'll understand soon enough," she said cryptically. Before he could press her for answers, she turned and vanished into the forest, leaving Zoran with more questions than answers.
---
Arrival in Goldhaven
By the time Zoran reached Goldhaven, the sun was high in the sky. The bustling town was a welcome sight after the strange events of the morning. Merchants lined the streets, shouting over one another to advertise their wares. Children played in the alleys, and adventurers clustered around notice boards looking for their next job.
Zoran made his way to the inn, eager to rest and process everything that had happened. But as he walked through the crowded streets, he noticed something unusual.
Women were staring at him.
At first, he thought he was imagining it, but as he passed a group of maidens, they broke into giggles, their eyes lingering on him longer than was polite. A merchant woman leaned over her stall, her smile almost predatory. Even the innkeeper, a stout older woman, flushed as she handed him his room key.
"Uh, thanks," Zoran said awkwardly, retreating to his room.
Once inside, he locked the door and leaned against it, his heart pounding. "What the hell is going on?" he muttered, running a hand through his hair.
He glanced down at the mark on his chest. Was this somehow connected to the strange reactions he was getting? And who was that woman in the forest?
Too many questions, not enough answers.
---
A Mysterious Visitor
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Zoran lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Sleep eluded him as his mind churned with thoughts of the tablet, the mark, and the strange woman.
A soft knock at the door startled him. He sat up, his hand instinctively reaching for his sword. "Who is it?"
"It's me," came a familiar voice.
Zoran's blood ran cold. It was her.
He opened the door cautiously, finding the woman from the forest standing there, her expression unreadable.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice low.
She stepped inside, closing the door behind her. "You're in danger," she said simply.
"From what?"
"From yourself," she replied, her gaze locking onto his. "The mark you bear isn't just a symbol. It's a curse and a gift. You've been chosen, Zoran Drakos, but with that choice comes responsibility—and temptation."
Her words sent a chill down his spine. "Chosen for what?"
She hesitated, her eyes softening. "For a destiny unlike any other. But if you're not careful, it will consume you."
Before he could respond, she turned to leave, pausing at the door. "This is just the beginning. Be ready."
And with that, she was gone, leaving Zoran alone with his thoughts—and the weight of a destiny he hadn't asked for.