Decision

As Kayn floated in the nothingness, many thoughts were running through his mind. First and foremost, the last words that were spoken to him continued ringing in his head again and again.

'A chance to erase my regret. I wonder what that means exactly? Even resurrecting them wouldn't erase my regret completely as so much time would have passed.'

Kayn couldn't help but feel like he was at the whims of these mysterious beings. One offered him a new life in exchange for taking a cursed power, that he now knew the name of. The other offered to negate the side effects of said cursed power. He also stated that he was the creator who bestowed them on the other. What kind of nonsense was that?

On the other hand, he couldn't help but think that this second deal was a good opportunity, if not for himself, for his sister. The only way he could ensure that Lara lived a good and happy life was to have another family adopt her if he couldn't get rid of this damn curse. But that wasn't an option, as his mother would be extremely disappointed in him.

'I still don't fully understand everything about these sins they talked about, but I guess they also said it was essentially above my pay grade currently. I know I shouldn't, but maybe I can use this opportunity to gain insights while saying I need more information in order to complete the mission I was given?'

…

Kayn had no clue how long he had been floating and thinking inside the darkness, but he was starting to get worried because if it was too long his sister definitely wouldn't survive. As far as humans went, infants wouldn't last more than 3-5 days without food and water.

As a mixed race between three of the strongest races and after studying his own physique and testing its limits, Kayn determined his sister could probably last at most 9 days before suffering catastrophic health problems. He himself could last closer to a month without food and water at this point, but that would never be a problem as he could just form moisture using water attributed mana.

But this brought up another problem. How was he supposed to feed Lara even if he could give her water? His thoughts started to stray further and further from his current dilemma while he began thinking about how to take care of his sister.

Time passed and Kayn realized that the darkness was fading and light was starting to intrude on the space. He wasn't sure what it meant, but he was hopeful that it meant he could wake up soon.

As if answering his prayers, the entity spoke up, "So, have you made your decision?"

Kayn then shook his head as his sister was all that was occupying his thoughts. He needed to focus on what his decision should be. He really only had one choice if really thought about it, but he wanted more. He wanted a way to ensure his sister's life and protection, and to do that he needed the power to be able to.

"I accept, but I do have a request. As you seem to know more about my situation than I do, please grant me the insights into the black fire and lightning that I need to use them at will." Kayn knew that his request was unreasonable, but he hoped with how powerful this being seemed that it would be able to help him.

"Hmmm, that would be difficult. Actually, never mind difficult, it's impossible. I cannot help you with that as even I don't understand them as I told you before. I also can't grant you the feeling of using them, because I can't force your body to do it. However, a light in the dark would be that after this event, your body should remember the way they are used almost intrinsically. Thus, it should be much easier for you to learn once you can understand the foundations."

Kayn couldn't help but be disappointed with this answer, it didn't help at all. He would be stuck in the same position, only with better luck.

'Sigh, as expected. Damnit!' Kayn shouted in his mind as a frown formed on his face.

"On the other hand, your thoughts are valid about you needing more strength in order to complete my mission for you in any sort of a timely manner. As I'm running on a clock of sorts as well, I shall grant your request."

'My thoughts? He can read my mind? What the hell?' Kayn couldn't help but be startled as he was read like a book.

"Hell? Not quite. But yes, I can read your thoughts. Do you not remember where we are? Everything you think echoes around this space. Please use your head and think for once." The voice let out a long sigh, why did this child have to seem so smart, but was so idiotic at the same time?

"As for how I shall grant your request, I noticed a few spells that you are developing and thought I could give you a helpful hint without breaking the balance I have imposed."

"Oh, and you know my spells, excellent! Well, how can you help me then?" Kayn spoke sarcastically. He was tired of this being somehow knowing everything, yet not what he actually wanted to know, or wouldn't tell him.

"How contemptuous." The being stated as Kayn could feel his jaw and lips being clamped shut once again.

'God dammit, this is my mind and soul according to him! Why can he do this to me!?' Kayn shouted in his head.

"Ha that's more like it. Though that name has lost its meaning somewhat as there are beings classified as such now days. Anyway, when I first spoke, you tried to use spells that would extend several of your senses using individual elements for each sense. That is how I know your spells, not because I know everything running around that brain of yours."

'Oh.' Kayn only thought the one word. He would have spoken it out loud while exclaiming, but alas, he could only utter things in his head for now.

"As you probably realized, those spells didn't activate. Once again, let me reiterate, this is your mindscape. You only have to think to do things, mana does not work here. But why use mana when you can will things into existence here?" It was a flat response to his insults, but Kayn understood what he meant.

"Oh." Kayn exclaimed aloud this time as he realized the truth of the situation. Kayn sighed, 'Haaa, I should really use my brain more.'

The void that was surrounding the area began to lessen even more at this point, indicating that Kayn would soon wake up. The entity's connection would be broken at that point and he wouldn't have the opportunity to connect with Kayn again like this until after he completed his first hunt or by rare chance.

"Yes, you should. Now, listen. As I said, you're attempting to use different elements for each sense. Under normal circumstances, for regular mages who have limited affinities, this would be the right choice. However, you don't have this restriction, you are literally connected to all the elements.

"Think! All around you is mana that is attuned with every element. What you breathe, what you see, the very atmosphere around you is filled with this mana. You use it to expand your core, why not use that to your advantage in other things?"

Like a lightbulb had just flickered on, Kayn's eyes opened wide. "Of course! Why was I limiting myself!"

"Ah, that hurts a bit. It would seem that you've figured things out with that little hint. So much so that I'm actually suffering a bit of backlash for breaking the balance." The being complained after making a sound that seemed to stem from pain.

"Balance this, balance that. What are you even talking about?" Kayn asked as he was getting slightly irritated by this being mentioning it constantly. Frankly, it was pissing him off because it kept saying that everything that happened to him was due to an imbalance or some crap.

"You wouldn't understand, even if I explained it to you. In fact, the information would probably just slip out of your thoughts the moment they entered. Back to the main point before this connection is broken. As you've accepted and I've given you additional help, it is now time to fulfill your portion of our deal."

As Kayn heard this, he became more attentive. If his luck could really turn around because of this and his sister could grow up healthy and out of harm's way, it was worth it.

"You must travel to the capital of the Mancean Empire. Your target is named Marco DeMarco. That is all the information I can give you, the rest you must discover on your own. As much as I wish to spoon feed you the information, it's just not possible."

Kayn couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at this point as a slight smile appeared on his still downtrodden face. "Marco DeMarco? What an unfortunate name."

"Quite. It looks like it's time. Don't forget your part of the deal, otherwise I will remove the seal I've placed on Wrath during the last few days. Until we meet again young Kayn."

With that the presence that Kayn had just started being able to feel disappeared. As the brightness surrounding him became more and more luminescent, Kayn shut his eyes. When he next opened them, he was laying with his back against the dirt in a small crater.

Looking down at his chest, he saw an infant laying safely in his arms.