Shine Eternal

The air screamed in revulsion as it split asunder. Peeling apart, the atmosphere alight by friction's merciless kiss as the comet wretched hell-bound into its terrestrial decent. The star-bound traveler introduced to the green world racing to meet it. Deep into the land it plunged, ensconced into an earthen womb until its discovery by a collection of protohumans, who would give it the reverence its power deserved.

A millennium later the temple door slid open at the persistent hammering of heavy equipment and the protests of men held at bay by the barking of mercenary rifles.

Inside the ancient chamber lay the artifact. The fated Idol of Stars. Its touch said to bring immortality and knowledge infinite. Herald Vendant had spent decades searching, and the moment had arrived none too soon. He was no longer a young man. This was his chance of salvation from the ravages of time. The Idol would grant him powers beyond imagining. He grasped it in his weathered hands. A feeling unlike anything he’d ever experienced surged through him, alighting every cell. Its touch burned and inflamed his spirit, opening his mind to new possibilities. His life would be changed forever, as would the world.

So that's how my estranged father died. Turns out the idol wasn’t magical. Just unbelievably radioactive. It didn’t grant powers unless incontinence and ARS are superpowers. However, to my surprise he was obscenely rich and I’ve inherited more money than I thought existed. I shouldn’t be surprised considering he hired a private army to help plunder cultural artifacts. I’ve sworn to put the fortune to nobler uses. Heroic even.

I’ve organized multiple social support systems and non-profits across the country that should sustain themselves indefinitely. What were you expecting? Real heroes don't wear capes.