Beginners Luck Intro: 3

Jogging to keep up with the Librarian, who was now making his way towards the peak that flattened into a plateau, Fluke had thousands of questions but no words to articulate his curiosity. There at the peak, was two stones for sitting, and an old weathered treasure chest. The Librarian let out a prolonged sigh and sat on one of the stones, gesturing for Fluke to take the stone opposite of him. As Fluke sat he took a quick 360 degree look at the area round the village. They were on an island, forest towards the rising sun. A stream ran from the hills down to the ocean, and on the opposite side of the forest was what looked like a stone field and quarry. The sky was a canvas of magnificent colors, painting an idyllic morning coast. Racing across the sky was what looked to be a glowing ripple of magnificent colors changing from blue, yellow and a hint of red. They slowly churned off into the distance beyond the horizon, where in the distance there appeared to be dark rain clouds forming.

"Fluke. Before I explain anything else, I am curious to see an answer to a question I have. I want you to open that chest over there and choose an item." The Librarian swept an arm over gesturing to the weathered box between them.

Fluke hopped down from his seat, and walked over and inspected the chest. The copper corners were green, and the brass latch looked to be worn and used. The wood was in good repair looking to be waxed or sealed by some form of preservative. Fluke reached out for the latch and felt the lid assist him in opening to reveal the contents.

The chest opened before him and revealed an odd assortment of objects: A silver coin, a pair of shorts with hearts on them, two glowing crystals on an a block of slightly shimmering blue metal, a book with runes, and a short sword sheathed in leather. Fluke looked up at the masked man as he sat there staring intently, trying to divine a clue. But no answer came.

The older man had pulled his legs up onto the stone, crossing his leather pants and boots underneath him. He had a grey cape that wrapped his arms and shielded him from the breeze. The slight movement of breathing is only indication that the man was living, for the mask shielded all other normal human forms of expression.

Fluke looked at the box and felt himself drawn to the silver coin and the crystals with glowing metal. He was torn, but ultimately felt he should grab the coin. Upon touching the coin, it glowed and rising out of the box, and down into his hands. Fluke flipped the coin over, one side had a dragon fly, and the other side a rabbits head and torso.

A dry chuckle came from the Librarian. "Fluke is a good name. I get the sense that nothing will be simple for you. The rabbit is the head side, the dragon fly is the tail side. Toss the coin up in the air and call out "heads" or tails".

Fluke tried to balance the large coin on his hand but couldn't find the right spot, instead opting to use his whole hand, pinching his thumb and four fingers slightly and flipping it in front of him.

"Heads!" The coin spun rapidly and landed in the dirt. The Librarian and Fluke both peered down at the coin: a rabbits head could be seen. The old man let out a short loud bark of a laugh slapping the boy roughly on the shoulder. Fluke shrugged his shoulder noticing that the mask of the Librarian now had a black grin and closed eyes in place of the black rectangles.

"HA! Now you've done it boy. Things were about to change! The moment you arrived to our village." The Librarian stood casting his gaze about in all directions. Fluke looked up at the man with his back turned to him, when he heard the unexplainable: a woman clearing her voice. Knowing they should be alone on the hilltop, both slowly turned around to see a beautiful woman with white hair and caramel skin lounging in a dress that was not suited for the frigid air. A form fitting blue silk dress ran down her form with a slit revealing more of her legs. Her smile was one that seemed to say that she knew more than she was letting on. The breeze did not seem to move her hair or cause her to react. Fluke glanced up at the Librarian, just as the man suddenly fell to his knees. His mask now showed black circles for both of his eyes and his mouth in apparent shock. Fluke was confused and did not bow before the lady, who chuckled and cleared her throat once again.

"Heh he.. ahem. I am the goddess of Luck. Lady Luck is what most people know me as. Fluke- you are my champion. Your future is full of wonderful possibility, and I cannot wait to see what you accomplish." She licked her lips in a way that made Fluke uncomfortable. She nodded slightly at the coin on the ground.

"Pick up my talisman. And because you guessed correct you may choose another gift from the chest."

Fluke bent and picked up the coin which now hummed with warmth. Turning, he opened the crate and examined his options yet again. Strands of white hair brushed his cheek, as he felt the warmth of the goddess slowly invade his space, just up to the point where she should have been pressed against him, but she did not. The warmth of her breath brushed past his ear as she whispered to him.

"I am curious what my champion will choose. And this time I will give you a clue: the book unlocks the tree of knowledge, the sword will aid you in combat, the romantic themed undergarments will protect you, and the crystals will help you train." He felt her turn and come to the side of the chest to face him. Fluke reached and grabbed the crystals with the metal slab, they rose up out of the box and landed in his hands. The weight of them was not as much as he expected. The goddess raised her eyebrows and subtly shook her head.

"You would not believe how many people choose those shorts. But you are the first to choose the training golem." A smirk raised slightly on her mouth, and she lifted her right hand and a small bag appeared.

"Your last gift from me, for now, is this bag which you will find essential in holding most of what you need." A black leather back pack floated down and found its way onto Flukes shoulders.