The path of a vagabond is one hardly a soul would willingly walk. But the hands we are dealt are indiscriminate. This lesson was one Ardris had learned by trial. He was raised in a small farming village by a loving family alongside his two brothers. Life was picturesque. His father never spoke much of their past though he had found out through time that he was a talented sorcerer in his younger days. With the ability to level entire capitals with immense bursts of arcane power. Or at least supposedly, as his elders had told him. One day, he met a girl with eyes as pure as snow and hair as glistening as the rising sun. Her name was Stelidris. This fated love led to him abandoning the harsh profession of a battle-magus, and deciding to settle down. And from that peace. Ardris was born.

One day, upon returning from delivering grain to the nearby capital. His hometown was eerily silent. He approached the fields he had tended his entire life and saw their cows, casually trotting towards the fence to greet him. But the streets were empty. All the doors in the small town were creaking back and forth in the subtle breeze. He sprinted full force towards his home and found... nothing. His mother, father, brothers, every member of friend and family he had ever loved. Completely absent. In the corner sat a small, glistening orb. Adorned with his family crest. Beneath it lay a piece of parchment.

"Through grove and through vine, it's my gift that I leave you. The strength to lift mountains, don't let it deceive you."
"Calamity comes if it's will is fulfilled. So bind it to yours and find power instilled."
"I'm here no longer, but never too far. Do not seek vengeance, but douse it like fire. I love you, my son, but this is my penance, make right what I wronged, and take it as a lesson."

Ardris fell to his knees and wept at the loss of his family, the disintegration of his childhood in one fell swoop. It was like the moment his eyes had scanned that paper the innocence within him had died. The tears fell and blotted the note. And a sketch shined through it. A map, and within it. An obelisk, although crudely drawn he saw his family crest emblazoned across its center. He knew this was what his father was referring to. A focus of power that his father seemed to know well. But those words unnerved him. Calamity if it's will is fulfilled? If this essence was as powerful as his father had said. Perhaps it would be too dangerous for even him to control. But as he gazed at the empty walls of his family home. He pondered whether there was indeed anything left for him to lose. And with that realization, he set off towards his destination. Seeking communion with whatever unholy power his father had steered him towards.

After hours of traveling, he found himself at his destination. His skin was streaked with the dew of untouched leaves and freshly drawn blood from the deep gashes of thorn bushes. And as he arrived. He saw it. A towering stone monument, ingrained into the flora and mosses of its surroundings. As he approached the monument, he felt an overbearing presence within his mind. It subtly hummed within his ears, and as his hand touched the markings, he felt his skin set ablaze. Hands charred and flaked away, hair blown back in the face of overwhelming power. And just as the pain reached a level he could no longer bear, he awoke. His body intact, yet his mind felt, conflicted. Like there dwelled another mind within his own. As he stuck his hand into the air, he saw sparks of lightning arcing between his fingertips. Invigoration filled his body. Power unending was within his grasp. His mind focused, and suddenly an immense pillar of flame tore through the undergrowth, leaving nothing but ash and cinders in its wake.

He felt a newfound pension for destruction, but as he began to laugh a crushing pain overwhelmed his head. He fell to his knees, grasping his face, and between his fingers, he saw an unholy visage. A crimson spirit sat before him. And before he could ask a word, it spoke.

"Good evening, my master. It's a pleasure to meet, Khk'taal is my name. I'm the power you seek."
"Speak not so quick; my mind dwells within yours. I granted your wishes, just as you implored"
"Use me as your own for my mortal is frail. But we'll meet again soon. Now I bid you farewell."

As quickly as the being came, it faded into mist. Ardris rose from his knees and after a second composing himself. Began to set out on his journey of discovery. Both discovering the power that now lived inside of him, as well as discovering who, or what; took his life from him. Whatever it may be, it was sure to bask in flame as all who wrong him are destined to.