The sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange hue over the vast plains of Darkwood Valley. Aarik trudged through the dense underbrush, a battered hoe slung over his shoulder. The day had been long, and the fields had yielded little, but hunger was a relentless companion.
As he approached his village, he noticed a faint glow emanating from the forest's edge. Curious, he ventured toward the source, his heart pounding with both fear and anticipation.
There, amidst ancient, crumbling ruins, a peculiar artifact floated above a stone pedestal. The object was a crimson orb, pulsing with a fiery light, surrounded by intricate runes that danced in the air.
Unable to resist, Aarik reached out, his fingers grazing the orb's surface. A surge of energy coursed through his body, and his vision blurred. When he awoke, a fiery sigil blazed on his chest, and whispers echoed in his mind:
"The Eternal Flame has chosen you."
Before he could comprehend what had happened, the ground trembled. Shadows emerged from the ruins—beast-like creatures with crimson eyes, drawn to the artifact's awakening.
Aarik stumbled back, fear gripping his heart. He had no weapon, no training, but something inside him stirred. The sigil on his chest burned, and flames erupted from his palms, incinerating the nearest creature.
Breathing heavily, Aarik realized that his life would never be the same again.