The village lay in ruins, smoldering beneath the scorching sun. Aiden stood at the edge of the desolate place, the weight of his newfound strength heavy in his bones. His original goal—food and water—had faded; this new body could endure days without sustenance, a vessel built for endurance.
Before leaving, a faint whisper echoed through the empty air.
"Save the world, Hero Aiden."
He spun toward where the skeleton had been. The voice was gone—vanished like a forgotten ghost.
A bitter laugh escaped his lips.
"Save the world?""Do you think I'm some hero from a fairytale?"
His gaze hardened, shadowed by doubt and fury.
"If this world demands darkness... then I'll plunge it into nothing but shadow."
With that, he stepped forward—away from the ashes, away from illusions, into the uncertain vastness beyond.