"Chronicles of the Ember Sovereign"

Chapter 2: The God of Fire

Yuuto stared at the raw meat given to him, his stomach growling despite his fear and confusion. The tribe's people loomed nearby, watching him with wary eyes. Their language was incomprehensible to him, but their body language screamed suspicion. It was clear they saw him as an outsider—a potential threat.

He glanced at the crude tools and weapons scattered around the area: stone knives, wooden spears, and basic woven baskets. He realized he was dealing with people who had not yet discovered many fundamental aspects of civilization, including one he could easily introduce: fire.

With trembling hands, Yuuto looked around his cage and spotted dry twigs within reach. Grateful for the survival lessons he had seen in documentaries, he began to strike two rocks together, creating sparks. The process took longer than he expected, but when the dry kindling finally caught, a small flame flickered to life.

The tribe members gasped audibly. Some backed away in fear, while others leaned in, mesmerized by the sight. Yuuto instinctively fanned the flame to keep it alive, warming his hands over it. For the first time since his arrival, he felt a flicker of control.

Suddenly, one of the tribesmen—a burly man with scars across his chest, who seemed to be the leader—approached cautiously. He gestured to the flame, his tone a mix of awe and questioning. Yuuto, though he didn't understand the words, could feel the shift in their demeanor.

The leader barked an order, and moments later, the cage was opened. The tribe members kept their distance, still unsure of what to make of him, but the tension in the air had changed. They were no longer treating him as a prisoner.

Later that night, Yuuto used the fire to cook the raw meat, eating it in front of the tribe. The smoky aroma filled the air, drawing the people closer. When Yuuto gestured for them to join, the leader hesitated before taking a cautious bite of the cooked meat. His eyes widened in surprise and delight.

As the tribe gathered around, Yuuto realized they had begun to revere him—not just as a man, but as something extraordinary. What he didn't know was that the flames responded to him more than they should have. Sparks danced unnaturally, and the fire never seemed to burn out, even when left unattended.

Unbeknownst to Yuuto, the god who had brought him to this world was watching from above, satisfied with the unfolding events. Yuuto's journey as a deity of fire had begun, though he was still oblivious to the power that coursed through him.

The tribe's leader knelt before Yuuto, bowing his head. The others followed, murmuring words he couldn't understand. It was clear they now regarded him as more than just a stranger.

For the first time since waking in this strange world, Yuuto felt something other than fear—he felt purpose.

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End of Chapter 2