Marseilles

Marcel was an ordinary office worker: every day was the same: the subway, paperwork, coffee from the vending machine. He dreamed of adventure, but the reality was far more prosaic. One day, on his way home, he was hit by a car—and everything around him suddenly went dark.

Marcel woke up neither in a hospital nor in heaven, but in the middle of a meadow of purple grass. Three suns shone overhead, and creatures resembling butterflies with iridescent wings fluttered through the air. A short old man in a long, hooded cloak stood nearby.

"Welcome to Elarion," he said. "You are the chosen one, Marcel."

"The Chosen One? For what?" Marcel asked, confused.

"To complete missions and restore the balance of magic in our world. In return, you will receive the chance to find a new life—full of wonder and meaning."

The old man handed him an amulet in the shape of a silver dragon:

"This artifact will prompt you for quests and help you along the way. First mission: find the Tears of the Moon in the Caves of Whispering Winds and return them to the Guardian of the Forest. The fate of the entire kingdom depends on it."

Marcel swallowed. He'd never fought, never wielded a sword, and certainly never sought magical artifacts. But he had no choice.

He headed north, following the faint glowing marks that appeared before him thanks to the amulet. Along the way, he encountered a talking fox named Finn:

"Oh, new guy!" he exclaimed cheerfully. "I'll be your guide. And don't be afraid: the first missions are always the hardest, but you can handle it. Just don't trust anyone who's too friendly."

A few days later, they reached the entrance to the caves. Silence reigned inside, broken only by whispers that seemed to come from everywhere. Marcel felt the amulet vibrate slightly—it was guiding the way.