Chapter 10: - Choice.

Amara then raised her left hand, revealing it to be different from her right. It looked like metal, a prosthetic arm crafted with intricate designs and glowing with faint, ethereal light. The metallic surface was adorned with elegant runes and symbols, pulsating softly as if alive with mana.

"I lost my left hand that day," Amara continued, her voice steady but tinged with sorrow. "Normally, we would have been able to regrow it with potions, but none of them worked. So, in the end, I had to settle for this prosthetic arm, forged with the finest magic and metalwork. It serves its purpose, but it's a constant reminder of the cost we paid."

Welkin looked taken aback. These were clearly the most powerful individuals he had ever seen, but even they didn't come out unscathed. Just how powerful was this Stellarum? He turned his gaze to Elder Thalos, a question burning in his mind.

"Elder Thalos," Welkin began, his tone somewhat lacking in manners but filled with curiosity, "you said that Stellarum is a sort of parasite. How?"

Thalos, ignoring the lack of formality, continued with a grave expression. "When the seven pieces landed on the surface, each hit some of the most populated cities of that time. But as you would have heard, when they hit the surface, it shook Grofal. The real reason behind that shock was different. Those pieces landed without causing any initial destruction. No one was hurt, nothing was destroyed. But in just a few moments, they all simultaneously released a wave of energy that eradicated all the humans in the area, leaving only empty structures. The inherent energy present in all living beings was left behind and absorbed into the pieces, but that wasn't enough to satisfy them."

Thalos paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in before continuing. "Those pieces then sent tendrils of energy directly to the core of Grofal, creating pathways for the mana to leak to the surface. The sudden creation of those pathways was the reason for the earthquake. This process created seven new mana geysers on the surface, making mana leak into the surface and awakening the inherent ability to use mana in humans and animals, mutating them."

The revelation not only stunned Welkin but Harrison as well. Whatever he had learned until now was never the complete knowledge. The Stellarum not only annihilated the population but also fundamentally altered the world by creating these mana geysers. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on both of them.

"So," Welkin asked, his voice steadier, "what does this mean for me and the shard within me?"

Amara looked into his eyes, seeing the resolve there as if he would accept whatever fate had in store for him. "That's one of the reasons why we called you here. There are many things to tell you about, mainly the entity inside you, but it won't be appropriate to discuss those things here. That information is classified and will be told to you privately. For now, we will be asking you some questions, and you should answer honestly."

Welkin looked at her for a second, a puzzled expression on his face, but understanding the situation and his need for information, he nodded.

Amara then looked to her side at Varys and nodded. He stood up, and the atmosphere in the room changed, becoming more serious, almost like a court hearing.

Varys asked the first question, "Welkin, do you consider yourself to be a good person? Someone who values the lives of others?"

Welkin straightened up, his expression guarded. "I don't know if I can call myself a good person. People die every day, and you can't feel guilty about everything. I try to do what's right when I can, but I wouldn't say I'm particularly good."

Varys raised an eyebrow, but continued, "And if you found yourself in a situation where you had to choose between saving a loved one and saving a group of strangers, what would you do?"

Welkin hesitated, then spoke with more conviction. "I'd choose the person I know. I'm not going to lie about it. Strangers... they don't matter as much to me. It's not like I can save everyone."

Varys's expression remained serious. "If the entity inside you were to take control and endanger those around you, would you be willing to do whatever it takes to stop it, even if that means sacrificing yourself?"

Welkin's eyes widened slightly, but he held his gaze steady. "I want to live. sacrificing myself?, I am no hero But I don't want to hurt others who are close to me. And if there's no other way, and I'm too weak to stop it myself... then I guess I don't have a choice."

Varys asked another question, "Would you be willing to be put down if the necessity arises? If the entity proves too dangerous to control?"

Welkin's jaw tightened. "No, I wouldn't. I want to live. But if it comes to that, and I'm too weak to do anything about it, then... then I guess it won't matter what I want."

Varys leaned forward a bit, his expression unreadable. "You understand the seriousness of your situation, Welkin. The entity within you is a great power, but it comes with great responsibility. We needed to know that you are prepared to handle it."

Welkin nodded, feeling a bit pressured. "I understand. I want to learn more about this power and how to control it, to ensure that it doesn't harm anyone. But I won't lie—I'm not doing this out of some noble cause. I just don't want to die."

Amara observed Welkin carefully throughout Varys's questioning, noting his candid responses and his demeanor. As she considered his answers, a flicker of relief crossed her mind. If Welkin had answered with overly altruistic sentiments, it would have raised concerns about his ability to prioritize his own survival in critical situations. However, his acknowledgment of the value he places on his own life, while still recognizing his responsibility to manage the entity within him, suggested a pragmatic understanding of survival. In her experience, those who solely focused on self-sacrifice often struggled to navigate precarious situations unscathed. Welkin's clarity about his priorities hinted at a mindset that might help him endure the challenges ahead, where decisions would undoubtedly carry major consequences.

Varys asked the last question, his tone grave. "Welkin Silverhelm, now you have two choices. Would you like to come under Elder Amara as an official disciple, or be imprisoned eternally while encased in ice to prevent the entity inside of you from finding a new host?"

Before Welkin could respond, Harrison spoke up, anger seeping into his words. "What the hell are you talking about? Is that even a choice? You can't just imprison him like that!"

Kellian and Carl looked flustered, glancing at each other with concern. This wasn't how they had expected things to go. They had brought Welkin here for answers and guidance, not to face such a stark ultimatum. The sudden change in the elders' demeanor was baffling. Why were they being so harsh? The shift in their attitude had come out of nowhere, leaving everyone but the elders themselves in confusion.

Amara and the other elders didn't mind Harrison's outburst. They understood the gravity of the situation and the necessity of their approach. if it weren't for the debt and the contract, they wouldn't have given an option at all. There wouldn't have even been a need for a discussion—they would have simply imprisoned him. As Amara reflected on this, as a vivid memory surfaced.

"You understand what you are saying, right?" she had asked a masked individual standing before her, his face obscured but the hint of a smile evident in his posture.

"I understand quite clearly," he replied, his voice carrying a mysterious confidence. "In the near future, you might—no, you will certainly—encounter a shard bearer. I ask that you teach him, let him come under your guidance. If he refuses, then simply help him with whatever he needs. Support him, that's all. That should be considered my payment for your arm."

He paused, his eyes meeting hers through the mask. There was an intensity in his gaze that made her uneasy. "You won't go back on your word now, would you?" he added, his tone almost teasing.

As those words lingered in the air, he turned and walked away, his figure fading into the shadows. Amara watched him leave, a sense of foreboding settling over her. Welkins voice bringing her out of her stupor.

"It's okay, Harrison. Let me handle this," Welkin said as he placed one hand on Harrison's shoulder, calming him down. He then looked at the elders, feeling the weight of the situation press down on him. There wasn't really a choice here. The elders' power was immense—far beyond anything he and Harrison could hope to challenge. Even if they tried to run, they wouldn't get far. These people could track them down effortlessly.

Welkin's mind raced as he considered his options, or rather, the lack thereof. The idea of being imprisoned in ice, cut off from everything, was terrifying. But becoming a disciple of Amara, while daunting, at least offered a path forward. It was a slim hope, but it was hope nonetheless.

His eyes met Amara's, and he saw the determination in her gaze. There was no malice there, but there was an unyielding resolve. She believed this was the only way to manage the threat he posed. Welkin gave a wry smile, the reality of his situation sinking in deeper.

He took a deep breath, accepting that his fate was not his own to control. "There really isn't a choice here, is there?"

Taking a deep breath and making up his mind, Welkin turned to Amara and said, "Alright then, Master." With that, he went down on one knee and bowed. "I accept."

Amara's expression stern remembering the words of the masked man. "Rise, Welkin. Your journey will be difficult, but you will have our guidance. Welcome."

The tension in the room eased, and the other elders nodded in approval. Welkin felt a strange mix of emotions—fear, determination, and a sense of purpose. His journey was just beginning, and he was ready to face whatever lay ahead.

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