Minagh stepped back as the light within the Source grew brighter, to an almost blinding level, then faded immediately. In front of Minagh was a man now, with snow white hair that had a streak of red through the left, scars over the visible parts of his body, and violet eyes. He wore what appeared to be jeans, that new trouser, belted with a silver fox buckle. A loose fitting shirt hung limply over his wiry muscled frame, and a leather jacket was thrown over that. The man smiled at Minagh, who blinked. He knew the man, absolutely and completely.

The man was him.

'So you agreed to go to the Source too, huh?' he said. 'Don't worry, it's going to make sense eventually.'

'Are you my future?' Minagh asked in awe.

'Sort of,' the other Minagh said. 'I can be your future. Technically, only under the right conditions. The Source is showing you what you can be if you decide to stay upon the path of good. But if you do, things get a little... difficult. Let's lessen the confusion here, so we're not calling each other Minagh. I'll call you Minagh, and you call me Avery. Sound good?'

'Our middle name?' Minagh said. 'Alright, if you like.'

'Great,' Avery said. 'Now, I can't give you huge insights into the choices that lead you to me, but I can give you... a little nudge. But ask anything you want and if I can answer it, I will.'

Minagh thought hard. Here he had the opportunity to know anything he wanted about his future, if Avery deigned to answer. Only one thing really swam in his mind. The big question, the reason why he had done this in the first place.

'Does it matter?'

'The powers?' Avery asked. Minagh nodded. 'Yeah, it matters. There are a few arseholes that try us, and some get one over us, but you'll make friends, good ones, who will help you. If you go the way of Avery, so to speak, the entire world will know and respect your opinion of the world's defense. Villains will think twice because doing so means they might have to deal with you. Plus, your immortality keeps you kicking for hundreds of years.'

'Hundreds of years... What about a family? What about love? What about-'

'Hey, hey, hey, whoa,' Avery said, smiling widely. 'Like I said, I can't give away the game, but... You have a family. You find love. Often in places you don't expect.'

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Minagh blinked and looked down for a moment, just a moment, and noticed two familiar rings on a chain around Avery's neck. Minagh looked at his hand, seeing his wedding ring. Why was Avery wearing Clementine's? That sounded extremely informative, so Avery was unlikely to tell him.

'Alright,' Minagh said. 'And if I don't pick you?'

'That's for the other guy to go over with you.'

The blinding light flashed upwards again, and another man appeared. He was wearing a silver suit with a purple tie and golden cufflinks. His black hair was smoothed back and his eyes were violet. He, too, was Minagh, but he felt... wrong.

'Ah,' the newcomer said, spotting Minagh. 'So another one chooses the path. Greetings, young man.' The man bowed performatively, grinning as he rose back to stand.

'You're me as well?' Minagh asked.

'Yes,' the man said. 'I am you if you decide to use your power for what you're supposed to. Protecting Earth is noble, but stupid. The world almost always whispers about you, assassins come for you, and no matter what you do, you are always a villain to a good chunk of humanity.'

'True,' Avery admitted. 'But how you roll with those determines who you turn into.'

The newcomer sneered at Avery. 'I suppose you should have a name for me as well. Let's go with Kennedy.'

'Our last name... Alright.' Minagh muttered.

'My path has your power grow to a point no one will fuck with you.' Kennedy said. 'And if they do, they get what they deserve. People might call me a villain, but Earth has never been safer since I took over. I have stopped entire wars with other worlds, and every single day I get to enjoy the fine things of life... No more potato farms for us, Minagh.'

Minagh blinked. Whatever had happened to Kennedy must have twisted him greatly. But if what Avery had said was true, then Minagh could very well turn into Kennedy if he chooses poorly.

'What's the point of this?' Minagh asked. Both Avery and Kennedy laughed in response.

'I love when we ask that,' Kennedy said.

'Every single time,' Avery agreed. 'The Source just wants you to understand what this power is capable of. You could be the hero of Earth you want to be. But it wants you to know that power corrupts, and if you let it, it can turn you into the worst villain this world has ever seen.'

'I disagree with the notion I am a villain,' Kennedy said with a huff. 'Everything I do is to protect Earth.'

Minagh understood. Right now he was being given a gift of foresight. He had chosen to take these powers so no one had to feel like him again. Kennedy's promise of no more wars was tempting, but Avery's future seemed peaceful in it's own way.

The decision was huge.

'Alright,' Minagh said. 'I understand. I still want the powers.'

Avery smiled. 'Attaboy.'

'Yes,' Kennedy said. 'I eagerly wait to see what you become, Minagh.'

'So do I,' Avery said, giving a thumbs up. 'Say hi to Frostpetal for me.'

Then both were gone, removed from existence by the Source. Minagh walked over to the now dimly glowing pool of souls and rested his hand on the side.

'Thank you... I understand. I want... I want to be the hero, but I know it's a fine line I walk now. I'll be careful. I have Frostpetal and Wyld to help me right now... and whoever else in the future.'

Minagh smiled when the Source hummed in approval, then he heard a gunshot outside of the cave. He turned quickly, then bolted out.