Opening his eyes, the skeleton felt different. His bones were enveloped in some sort of soft casing. Reaching for his head, the skeleton froze as he saw an unfamiliar hand. A human hand.

  "So this is what flesh and blood feels like," the skeleton murmured.

  'Wait a minute,' the skeleton thought 'I can speak?' The skeleton realized that while flesh brought many weaknesses, it also came with some boons. Never before had the skeleton experienced such vivid senses. He could feel the earth beneath his feet, he could feel the rusted armor rubbing against his skin, he could see a myriad of colors that would have been unfathomable before this moment today. The skeleton knew what he must do. Standing up and grabbing his zweihander, he walked forth with purpose towards the surface where much more awaited him.

  To be able to feel the pebbles, the dirt, and the stone beneath his feet, the skeleton was like a blind man seeing color for the first time. Each of these new sensations was like a world of knowledge entering his head. Even the dull shades of gray and brown that filled the cavern seemed to pop with vibrance.

  As the skeleton walked, he quickly realized that though flesh was soft, the sinews bound to his bones could move him in far more dexterous and precise ways than a mana powered skeleton could. Never before had his armor felt so light. His greatsword could almost be wielded in one hand. Swinging his sword, he could hear it tear through the air. The skeleton then noticed an amulet hanging from his neck. Upon further inspection, it was a black ouroboros that surrounded a purple eye. The skeleton then remembered the words of the voice,

  "...You must bear my colors and be a champion in my name..."

  'This must be his symbol,' the skeleton thought. He stopped moving for a moment before kneeling down. Grasping the icon in his hand, the skeleton took this moment to pray to the entity which has given him this newfound strength. First, he cleared his mind of all the wonderful sensations he had been feeling until the only sense in his focus was the cool touch of the amulet.

  "To you my lord, I give many thanks for this opportunity," the skeleton began, speaking from his new heart, "I pledge to you, upon the bones from which I was, to be of your kin and fight for right in your name."

  Upon finishing his simple prayer, the skeleton felt the presence of his lord creep in. Like a fog rolling in from the sea, the presence grew thicker and stronger. When grew so strong that he could almost taste it, the serpentine voice spoke,

  "I accept your fealty my champion," the voice began, seemingly emanating from all sides it continued, "And to mark you as such I shall name you."

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  After a short pause, the voice continued,

  "From this day forth you will now be known as Salias of Skeles. Now go, make your destiny and prove your worth."

  With that declaration, the presence dissipated like water down a drain. The skeleton, now known as Salias, stood up reborn. Glancing at a puddle of water, Salias saw his face, complete with long jet black hair, deep purple eyes, and pale white skin. Familiar with himself, Salias moved on.

  "Salias... I like this name," he spoke to himself as he continued on his way out of the dungeon.

  Passing more piles of dead monsters and burnt-out dens, Salias remembered why he was to embark on this quest and continued toward the surface. Upon reaching the top, Salias faced a massive stone door, using all his strength, he pushed it open and was momentarily blinded by the brightest light he had ever seen.

  When his eyes adjusted to the new constant light, he took another look outside and was stunned by the massive open plains covered in lush green vegetation. Above he saw blue skies and a great white sphere of light that seemed to illuminate the world. This world was full of so many colors that he had not known to exist. Before Salias was a completely new world that was almost alien to him. Salias was so absorbed in his view of the overworld that he did not notice the approaching presence until it spoke out to him,

  "Halt! What were you doing in the dungeon? The city has declared this place restricted," said a man clad in studded leather armor and a metal cap. The man was brandishing his pike in an almost threatening manner.

  "What are you talking about? I have been in the dungeon for months. You dare enforce the claims of some outsider?!" Salias retorted, prepared to strike should this man get too close.

  "Months?" the man retorted, "That's impossible, no one goes into a dungeon for months. Now tell me, what were you actually doing there?"

  "You accuse me of lying? I tell nothing other than the truth as it is. Who are you to doubt me?" Salias responded.

  taking a step forward the guard responded with a sigh,

  "I'm going to have to take you in. Please don't res-" The guard was interrupted by a sword cleaving into his side.

  Salias was done with this nonsense, the moment the guard stepped forward, he struck. With an upward strike, he swung his sword which cut deep into the intestines, only stopping upon hitting the spine. Ripping his sword out, the man fell over in a growing puddle of his own blood. Just as Salias finished dispatching the man, another person rounded the corner.

  "Alright Ralph, I've finished taking a-" the second man stopped upon seeing the bloody mess that had been made moments ago.

  "What have you done! Y-you k-killed Ralph!" The man stuttered.

  "And? He threatened me." Salias responded.

  "...I've gotta report this," The man said before sprinting away.

  Salias felt that it was unnecessary to chase and walked off into the forest in the other direction.