The morning sun hung low in the sky, filtering through the dense canopy of trees that skirted the small village where Kaelen had spent his earliest days. The village itself was modest — wooden cottages with thatched roofs, winding dirt paths lined with wildflowers, and the constant hum of daily life. But beneath this quiet surface, Kaelen felt a storm brewing within himself.
He had always sensed a difference, an oddity about his existence that the other children never seemed to notice. Sometimes, he caught himself staring at the sky, wondering why, unlike all others in this world, he couldn't cross the barrier to the Otherworld, the ethereal realm where adventurers gained strength, knowledge, and power beyond imagination.
This inability gnawed at him — a constant reminder of a mysterious flaw implanted at his rebirth, the result of a divine oversight no mortal dared speak of aloud.
Kaelen's grandmother, a woman both revered and feared in the village for her ancient knowledge and commanding presence, had raised him with a quiet grace. She spoke little of the gods or the great powers beyond their world, but her eyes held secrets. She was a person of authority, though in the village she wore her wisdom lightly, more as a mentor than a ruler.
Today, her words echoed in his mind like a solemn promise. "The gods have their ways. What is broken now may be mended. But first, you must prove yourself."
The marketplace bustled with life — the rich scent of fresh bread mingled with the sharp tang of herbs and the earthy aroma of leather goods. Children chased one another, their laughter piercing the hum of the crowd. Yet Kaelen felt apart, a silent observer, his thoughts consumed by the trial that awaited.
A sudden chill swept through the air, and the sky darkened momentarily as a flock of crows took flight from the nearby forest. Kaelen's gaze followed them to the edge of the village, where the land grew wild and untamed — the ancient forest.
Stories told in hushed tones spoke of this forest as a place where spirits lingered, where magic was thick and unpredictable. Few dared to venture deep within.
Kaelen's footsteps carried him there without conscious thought. As he neared, a sense of unease gripped him — the shadows seemed to stretch unnaturally, the wind whispering through the leaves like voices just out of reach.
Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath him. From the tangled underbrush, a grotesque, malformed creature emerged — a twisted amalgamation of sinew and bone, its glowing red eyes fixed on Kaelen like a predator sizing up its prey.
Instinctively, Kaelen raised his hand. From the depths of his being, a dark mist swirled forth — thick and pulsing with an eerie energy. The shadows wrapped around the creature, draining its strength, until it collapsed into dust and disappeared on the wind.
Panting, Kaelen staggered backward. His heart pounded fiercely in his chest. Was this power... his? The power of necromancy — forbidden and feared?
Later, in the quiet warmth of his grandmother's home, Kaelen sat before the hearth. The firelight flickered and danced across the walls, casting long shadows.
His grandmother's expression was grave yet proud. "You have awakened to the legacy hidden within your bloodline. Necromancy is a path fraught with peril, but it is also a gift. One that links you to the very essence of life and death."
She extended a trembling hand, revealing an ancient scroll — its surface cracked, ink faded but still legible.
"There is a trial you must face, Kaelen. Beyond the eastern ridge lies the ancient forest. Within, a spirit guardian protects a relic — a key to your true power. To claim your necromancer class and the skill evolution that comes with it, you must retrieve it."
Kaelen's fingers brushed the parchment reverently. He knew this was more than a test — it was his destiny beginning to unfold.
The villagers may see only a boy, but soon, he would step beyond the boundaries of ordinary life.