The stars shine brightly, searing their brilliance into your eyes. For a moment all goes white, but as the light fades, you’re faced with an amorphous, iridescent cloud. You’re floating in a dark space - only you and the formless figure seem to exist on this plane. 

“[i]Greetings.[/i]”

You respond, hailing the figure. It chuckles lowly. “[i]You look confused. I am a Titan, one of the 8 that created your world. In the passing millennia, the other Titans have grown weak, and now, together, we will set the world free from their ignorance and complacency. You shall be my champion, and we shall rule Earth together![/i]” 

You look down and see brightness swirl into your arms. It courses through your veins and pulses powerfully. A warmth takes over you - you’re being Blessed. 

The cloud shrinks away, as suddenly the warmth fades from your body. You’re returning back to consciousness. A million more questions swirl in your mind, but you hear the voice calling. “[i]Do not fret. I shall see you when you slumber. For now, fight, my champion! Bring us glory![/i]”

You’re jolted awake. Looking around you’re still where you were when you fell asleep. Despite the vision, nothing seems out of the ordinary. Your dream has ended; your journey has begun.

===============================================================================================================


You walk across the water. The ocean swells around you, and as you take another step towards the horizon, your stomach lurches as you’re sent cascading into the depths below. Submerged, you are greeted with nothingness. 

Your eyes open. There is blackness all around--you close your eyes again but there’s no difference. A deep laugh pervades the shroud of darkness. You feel a twinge of fear, but it instantly dissipates. For some reason, the entity does not seem hostile.

“[i]Youngling,[/i]” It begins. You can’t tell whether it’s male or female, but you know for a fact that it’s powerful. “[i]You’ve amused us. To defy the power of the Titans is no easy feat--they selected you themselves from the millions that exist in your world. And yet, the path you walk is so firm and you remain steadfast, even with their influence. For that, we commend you.

“Thus! We have decided to give you a mark. You shall become Branded, excluded from the afterlife your short mortal coil would inevitably succumb to, and you will remain forevermore on earth. We desire entertainment, and you have provided us with a new source.[/i]” 

The entity cackles again and you feel confused. [i]Entertainment?[/i] You feel you will not have any say in the matter. From the darkness, pain sears into the back of your neck. You try to scream--but are stifled by an unseen force. The burning escalates; the voice sounds again. “[i]You have been tethered to the mortal realm--no matter what happens, your soul shall prevail. Reborn and reborn again. Entertain us well, youngling. Or you’ll find yourself living to regret it.[/i]”

Abruptly, you find yourself awake. You’re still as you were when you fell asleep--a tentative hand to your neck reveals no discernible injury. Nothing around you seems to have changed. However, you can’t shake the feeling that you’re being watched.