"Rise Sovereign, born anew", a commanding voice speaks to an unconscious Sovereign. It has been two days since the incident at his home, yet it no longer matters, for his wish has been granted. He was transported to a faraway land, the world of Lumen. A fantastical land where life has both prospered and declined due to magic. This world is inhabited by numerous intelligent species and magical beings, some live in harmony while others in conflict. "Thy tale hath but begun" was the last thing Sovereign heard before regaining consciousness.
Opening his eyes, he groans in pain trying to sit upright. Confused and disoriented he looks around himself only to find trees and greenery as far as the eye can see. He starts examining himself, he sees both of his hands have gained a single long jagged scar extending to his back, his body also appears healthier and more physically fit. All of his clothes burned in the fire save for his charred pants. He attempts to stand up, but his legs feel weak, causing him to collapse back on the ground. He sighs and crawls to a nearby tree trying to use it as support. "come on" Sovereign says to himself as he struggles to stand up again. After successfully standing up while leaning on a tree, he looks around once more. "where the hell am I?" He says as he tries to walk forward.
"Sonny! Sonny! Where are you, Sonny!" Sovereign calls into the distance hoping his brother might answer him, but he is met with the silence of the forest. "All of this feels too real, this can't be a dream." Sovereign thinks to himself as he approaches a moving body of water. "Sonny! Sonny!" Sovereign yells once again however he still receives no reply.
"A river- I have heard online if you are lost follow a river. I might find someone to help me." Sovereign thinks as he looks at his reflection on the water. His eyes have turned crimson and his pupil a vertical slit like that of a predator, with no other changes to his facial features. He washes his face and reluctantly drinks some water to quench his thirst, "This is a nightmare, where the hell are you, Sonny." Sovereign mutters as his eyes will up with tears.
As the sun retires taking with it its warmth, the moon reclaims the sky and a haunting chills weave through the air. Walking across the river bank, he stumbles upon a small cave and seeks refuge within, to escape the biting cold. "I hate cold," Sovereign says through chattering teeth attempting to sleep off his hunger and fatigue.
In his state of slumber Sovereign starts recalling the past events, his wish, and the mysterious voice. It finally dawns on him, that he might be the cause of all this trauma. Only for him to be unceremoniously awakened by a foul stench and a loud howl. For the cave's inhabitants have arrived, and they weren't expecting any visitors. Sovereign freezes at the terrifying sight. A pack of dire wolves tower over him, looking directly in the eyes. He tries sprinting for the exit only for one of the wolves to claw his right shoulder. "damn it all!" Sovereign groans in pain as the wolves pursue him.
"That's the biggest dire wolf I have ever seen, no wonder our friend here stood no chance", a man speaks to a woman with a troubled look. "Poor guy, should we report him to the guild?" The woman asks the man in a somber tone. "Yeah, we might need to report to the guards as well, from the looks of it, this man might have been more than just a victim of a wolf and a bad fall". The man answers as the two adventurers approach for a closer inspection.
The corpse lies on the grass near the cliff it fell from, while the wolf's body was thrown few meters away from it. The woman moves her face closer to the corpse and takes a look at its opened lifeless eyes. "Jackie come take a look," the woman says to the man with a concerned expression. "What is it?" Says Jackie curiously. "Look at the eyes, is it me or do they look….. demonic?". Jackie sighs, then nods in confirmation. "Yet he is no demon, quite the strange encounter", Surprisingly, the corpse moves and grunts in pain causing the woman to scream in fear.
"Maya, what's wrong!?" Jackie asks the woman while holding her in his arms. "It….. it, moved!" She tells him while pointing at the deceased man. "I don't…. want to die," says the supposedly dead man as he gasps for air. "He's alive, how in god's name are you alive?" Jackie exclaims while reaching to the man attempting to carry him. "Maya, some help?" Jackie asks. "Sonny, is that you?" The man whispers to Jackie before falling unconscious once more.
Along the road, Maya casts a few healing spells on the man to prevent his condition from deteriorating. "We will be going to my mother right?". "Yes I think it's for the best, stop overexerting yourself now, you have done enough" Jackie answers as he speeds up his pace to reach the village before dark. It took a few hours for the two adventurers to reach the small village of Chlora, a village known for its healers and doctors.
They are stopped by one of the town guards in front of the gates. The gates are small made out of wood and are surrounded by a small stone wall to keep outsiders away. "Oh Jackie, Maya, what are you two up to, new patient?" The guardsman kindly spoke to the adventurers and opened the gates. "Say hello to granny Liana for me," the guard says as he waves to the adventurers getting through. "Sure will Leon" Maya answers the guardsman as she and Jackie walk across the paved path of the village.
The two adventurers finally arrive at an old shack that is beautifully maintained and decorated with the finest plants in its garden. "Mother!" Maya yells as she loudly bangs on the door. An old short lady opens the door in haste and without a word, she takes a look and points at an empty table. Jackie hurries to the table and places the unconscious man on it. "Let's see what we have here," the old woman says as she stands next to the table. She hovers her hands over the unconscious man as light begins to glow out of them.
She keeps at it for a little while in pure utmost concentration, suddenly something grasps her hand. "The pain, it is no more" a faint voice speaks to the old woman. The man on the table has regained his consciousness and opened his eyes staring at the roof. He turns his head to the old woman and releases her hand from his grasp. "Your hands they glow, why?" The man asks. "It's my gift" the old woman answers. "What is your name dear?" She asks him gently. At that moment, the man became certain that he was no longer home and his brother was no longer with him. The man looks at his hands, then back at the woman and says "Sovereign, my name is Sovereign".