Evan sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the wooden box in his hands. The carvings seemed to shimmer faintly in the moonlight streaming through his window. It had been three days since the stranger had handed it to him, and tonight was the full moon.
He glanced at Lila, who was sitting on his rickety wooden chair, arms crossed and eyes narrowed.
"You're really going to open it?" she asked, her tone skeptical.
"I have to," Evan replied, his voice tinged with both excitement and nervousness. "What if it's something important? What if it's... I don't know, a map to treasure or a magical artifact?"
Lila rolled her eyes. "Or it could be a prank. Or worse, a trap.
"Evan hesitated. Lila had a point. The stranger's sudden appearance and cryptic instructions were suspicious, to say the least. But curiosity gnawed at him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that this box was connected to something bigger.
"Well, there's only one way to find out," he said, taking a deep breath.
Lila sighed but didn't stop him. "Fine. But if it explodes or curses you, don't come crying to me.
"Evan chuckled nervously and carefully lifted the lid of the box. Inside, nestled on a bed of soft velvet, was a small, glowing crystal. It pulsed with a faint, otherworldly light, casting shifting shadows on the walls.
"What is that?" Lila whispered, leaning closer.
"I... I don't know," Evan murmured, reaching out to touch the crystal. As his fingers brushed against it, a surge of energy shot through him, and his vision blurred.
Suddenly, he was no longer in his room. He stood in a vast, dark chamber, surrounded by towering stone pillars. At the center of the chamber was a throne, and on that throne sat a figure cloaked in shadows.
"Evan Larkspur," the figure said, their voice echoing through the chamber. "You have been chosen."
"Chosen for what?" Evan asked, his voice trembling.
"To fulfill a destiny greater than you can imagine," the figure replied. "The Hero's Party is not what it seems. They are pawns in a game much larger than their quest to slay the Demon Lord. And you... you are the key to uncovering the truth.
"Before Evan could respond, the vision faded, and he was back in his room, gasping for breath.
Evan! Are you okay?" Lila asked, gripping his shoulders.
"I... I think so," he stammered, still reeling from the experience. He looked down at the crystal, which now glowed brighter than before."What happened?" Lila demanded.
Evan explained the vision, his words tumbling out in a rush. Lila listened intently, her expression growing more serious with each passing moment.
"This is bad," she said when he finished. "Really bad. If what you saw is true, then the Hero's Party—and the entire kingdom—could be in danger.
"Evan nodded, his mind racing. "But what can I do? I'm just a C-rank adventurer. I'm not a hero."
"You might not be a hero," Lila said, her voice firm, "but you're not alone. We'll figure this out together.
"Evan smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude. "Thanks, Lila. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Probably get yourself killed," she quipped, though her eyes softened.
As they sat there, the crystal's glow dimmed, and Evan felt a strange sense of resolve settle over him. Whatever was coming, he would face it—not as a hero, but as Evan Larkspur, the ordinary adventurer who stumbled into extraordinary circumstances.