The Grand Elders eyes opened after a few moments and she looked at me, “Come with me” she said. Leaving no room for argument on the matter.

  I got up and opened the door for her before following behind her, not looking forward to having to walk down all those flights that we did on the way up. She seemed somewhat content to just walk along quietly, and I felt that she was doing this as some sort of test—perhaps to gauge my patience or resolve. It reminded me of the trials I had faced in my past, where endurance and composure often revealed more about a person’s character than any physical challenge could. Whatever her reasons, I was determined not to falter. I have swept water of the deck of a ship in a hurricane without complaint. If this lady thought, I would crack she had another thing coming.

  I followed along behind her just looking at the will-o-the-wisps or taking in fact that I was walking through the inside of a tree so large that it was able to have eighteen floors. I also allowed myself to just feel the comforting presence that had somewhat faded, allowing myself the time to relax.

  “Remarkable patience for one so young, though to be honest I thought you might try and use your skill for meditating. I was going to use it as a learning experience for you, but oh well.” She stated in a relaxed tone. “You might be surprised to find that most Elves will not envy you for you system. While it not only seems to make you stronger quicker, it gives you a range of abilities, that most your age will never dream of having. Which is all well and good, especially for the short lives of humans who do not push themselves to achieve more revelations. It leaves you lacking in the imagination department.”

  Hearing her words, I was happy that I had decided to trust her. Though I was a little surprised by what she was saying. I understood logically what she was saying, why push the limits of your skills when using them advances them and the skills are already really strong. Very few would be willing to try and fully understand the skills and everything about them.

  When I looked back at her and nodded, she smiled broadly, seeming to know that I had picked up what she was saying, “Take my talent analyze as an example. I used it when you walked in to get a deep understanding of you. Good job not lying by the way, I would have known. Then I used my talent again to analyze all the information that you gave me. That is two ways of using the talent, but what about this?” She said before lifting her arm and performing the most stunning display of magic.

  Water gathered from the air, spiraling up her arm in a cool, glistening ribbon that shimmered in the faint light. The soft hiss of evaporating droplets mixed with the faint hum of energy, while the spiral's surface rippled like molten glass, mesmerizing in its elegance. As the water rotated gracefully, a flame appeared from nowhere, its liquid-like tendrils weaving seamlessly through the water, their vibrant colors entwined in a surreal harmony. Wisps of earth joined the display, forming miniature figures that danced and twirled upon the river of fire and water, each movement a testament to the unity of elements that should have been at odds.

  I stood mesmerized by the sight before me, unable to grasp how, if her implication was true, it could be possible to use Analyze to achieve all of this. The intricacy of the display left me transfixed, my mind racing in an attempt to uncover the solution on my own, yet every theory I conjured fell apart in the face of its complexity.

  “Everyone can touch mana, fewer can actually use it. In order for this to work I had to change my way of thinking about analyze. If I know what I want the mana to do I can analyze mana doing that and it will. I know that is probably the worst explanation you have ever heard, but it is my talent and that is how I get it to work.”

  After that, she fell silent, giving me space to process what she had said. “That’s why you’re ascended within my System, isn’t it? Each revelation came from pushing your talent to its absolute limits and uncovering its true potential. Do you think there are still more revelations left to find?” I asked, my excitement barely contained. The idea that I might achieve something similar within The System was a thrilling prospect.

  The Grand Elder left me to my quiet contemplation and lead me back down all eighteen floors that we had previously climbed, only to stop in front of the door that was about midway down the hall of the first floor. There she pulled out a key that unlocked the door that opened on to a set of stairs.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  I didn’t know whether to be surprised that there were more floors beneath a tree the size of the empire state building. Or disgusted that there were even more stairs. Sighing as she walked forward down the stairs, I hung my head in defeat and followed after.

  We climbed down another two flights of stairs before reaching a landing that opened into an awe-inspiring cave. The walkway stretched forward, its surface submerged in water just deep enough to lap gently over my feet. The air was cool and damp, carrying the faint, earthy scent of minerals and stone.

  On either side of the walkway, clusters of dimly glowing green and purple crystals jutted from the walls and floor. Some stood proudly at three feet tall, their jagged surfaces reflecting the soft light, while others, barely an inch high, sparkled delicately like scattered stars. Interspersed along the path were candles with ethereal purple flames hovering above their wax, flickering softly as if moved by an unseen breeze, casting dancing shadows that seemed to breathe life into the cavern.

  Before stepping into the water, the Grand Elder removed her shoes, nodding at me to do the same. I followed her lead and made sure to make as little noise as possible to not break the sanctity of this place. The cave just seemed so majestic that I did not want to disturb the quiet and peacefulness of the surroundings.

  As I stepped into the water, it was as though the water pushed against my feet, making sure that no dirt or debris could enter the water. As I walked, memories surfaced—moments where I had chosen courage over fear, kindness over anger, or wisdom over impulse. In this life, the bonds I had formed and the small victories I had earned brought a sense of fulfillment. From my past life, I recalled the times I stood by my principles, even when it cost me dearly. These reflections wove together, grounding me in a deep sense of contentment and acceptance of who I had become.

  Smiling contently, I followed after the Grand Elder until we reached a giant crystal. The crystal stood around five feet tall and was just as wide, however it was set upon a mound that raised the crystal another three feet or so.

  “I have brought you here Jace because, while we Elves may not care for your talent, the abilities it could give to humans could be dangerous for us. We cannot allow such an ability to go free unless we know the one who wields it is not evil at heart.” The Grand Elder revealed.

  I stood there stunned, I should have known not to trust so easily. Everything that had happened, and the fact that the two Elves that I had used Identify on being so much stronger than me I had just accepted my fate. Deciding I would not go down without at least a fight, I got ready to use Arcane Armor and Arcane Step. However, before I had the chance she continued, “Calm yourself young one, you have already pretty much passed. It is not for me to decide whether you are worthy or not, but your past was made clear to yIgDraSIyl through the Waters of Remembrance. Now you intentions can be made clear by touching the Crystal of Clarity.”

  Realizing that she had no intention to do anything, mostly by the fact that I was still alive, I took a deep breath and tried to return to the calm that I felt from the waters before. Once I had achieved the feeling somewhat, I stepped forward and touched the Crystal.

  Before my eyes, the entirety of both my lives unfolded like a vivid tapestry. Whenever I faced a moment of choice, the scene would slow, allowing me to observe the ripple effect of my decision as it played out in intricate detail. Once the outcome became clear, the scene would rewind, offering me the chance to explore alternative paths I could have taken. Each scenario felt tangible and weighty, as though I were truly reliving those moments.

  These choices were not trivial, like deciding between chicken or beef for dinner, but pivotal moments that shaped my life. What if I had joined a different branch of the military, or chosen not to enlist at all? What if, back in school, I had mustered the courage to ask that girl out instead of backing down? Each question carried the weight of possibility and regret, leaving me to wonder: what could my life have been if I had dared to choose differently?

  This went on for what felt like hours. Each choice unraveled into an entire life, letting me witness the full spectrum of consequences before returning to the moment of decision. Once I had navigated through my first life entirely, we shifted to my second—shorter but no less meaningful. Each decision played out in vivid detail, revealing how even the smallest actions had shaped my path. By the end, I had revisited every choice from both lives, the weight of my decisions grounding me as I arrived at this pivotal moment in time.

  Then I was given another choice: the option to return to Earth, taking all my newfound power with me, but at the cost of dooming this world. The weight of the decision pressed down on me, each potential outcome flashing vividly in my mind. The allure of returning home was undeniable—a chance to reunite with the familiar, to wield power in a place where I once felt powerless. But the thought of abandoning this world, leaving it to suffer because of my selfishness. This world, for all its challenges, had given me purpose, forged bonds, and granted me a second chance at life.

  The choice for me was easy, and with a flash of light I was gone.