“Is this some kind of sick joke!” I yelled. My eyes had turned red not only by the tears but also through blind rage. “Is she even dead? Answer me!” My answer came in the form of an eclipse. The shadowed sun, and black robed, body of the thing that’s been appearing to me through out the trials materialized in front of me. Without thinking I marched straight for it and swung my fist at it’s head. My punch fell on nothing but gray wisps of smoke and burning anger. The unexpected lack of content pulled me forward and caused me to phase through the creature and land on the floor behind it.

  “Time is of the essence,” The thing spoke. It’s voice like a stone waterfall echoing an eternal hallway. “You have been tested. You have been pushed. You can no longer wait for others to come to your aid. Destiny is required of you. Make your decision. Claim the Trinity’s power and let these child notions leave you behind. Death will come for many you care about. If you cannot allow yourself to learn and grow from other’s sacrifices than you will never fulfill the future we have planned for you.”

  “What do you mean, what future?” I demanded as I stood.

  “The future is one of many possibilities, unforeseen paths, and unknown endings.” The figure said.

  “Bullshit!” I walked up and stared it right in the center of the black sun of it’s head. “You can’t tell me to not mourn the loss of people I care about and not tell me a good reason why. So what is it?”

  “The future is unpredictable and full of branching stories, however…” There was uncertainty in it’s voice. It filled me with fear. What could this god-like thing be uncertain about. “A convergence will emerge. All paths clashing together. Every distinct possibility becoming one. And at the center of the collision is you, Warden Pierce. We do not know why, only that you must make it to the end. Choose your Pathway now and finish the Trials.”

  “Of course,” I scoffed. “Never a straight answer when talking to a cosmic god. Fine I’ll make my decision.”

  Eclipse-head nodded slowly then vanished as if it never existed. No smoke. No lights. Only nothing. I was left alone surrounded by seven possible futures for myself. I took in a long breath then started my way around the room. I had an idea of the kind of class I wanted to be and the pathways I wanted to avoid. As I walked between the different versions of me I noted the classes and the pathways they each had.

  The first Class Pathway was [Scavenger] with [Farming], [Trade] and [Crafting]. This version of me was wearing dirty jeans with a white shirt and various tools sticking out of a leather tool belt. He had on a backpack with a mess of items protruding out of the top. I knew I didn’t want to choose this as my pathway. As much as I loved and respected my father I didn’t want to become the next [Master of Harvests]. It was a dull job. A safe job hidden in the darkest rooms of The Quarters. I no longer wanted that safety. I needed power and freedom. I moved on from that future.

  The next Pathway was one I had little interest in as well. The Class Pathway was that of [Preacher]. The Specializations that appeared above this version of me were [Faith], [Medicine], and [Politics]. It sounded extremely boring to me now. Don’t get me wrong I think what those supporting survivors like Dr. Matthias and the burden they carry in keeping those around them alive. But like the [Scavenger] it was more about helping others rather than fighting back against the darkness that was drawing ever closer. I didn’t bother paying attention to what this future me was wearing and simply walked past him.

  I stopped at the next possible future for me and truly considered running through the appraisal. It was a powerful choice and one I had already seen a glimpse of here in the Trials. The Pathway of the [Magus] and its Specialization of [Thaumaturgy], [Elemental] and [Chaos]. After reading it’s title I was about to activate the appraisal but then I saw something in the eyes of my opposing self. Hatred and anger, mixed with a violet light of electrical energy. This magical version of me pulsated with power and confidence. It was enticing to see myself so assured however, there was something wrong about the look in my eyes. Somewhere, swirling behind the visage of pride and authority there was selfishness. There was evil. This version of me didn’t care about anyone else. They only cared about becoming more powerful. I wanted to gain power but to protect others not simply to be the best. I left the [Magus] Pathway behind me.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  I didn’t bother stopping to inspect the next Pathway of the [Scholar] as standing next to this one were the two Class Pathways I was most interested in taking. The [Soldier] and [Thief] Classes. The two choices were standing right next to each other and couldn’t look more different. The [Soldier] looked old, much older than any of the other versions of me. There was gray in my hair and in the roots of a shaggy beard. Deep crow’s feet carved their way out of the corners of my eyes, and there was a distant look in my eyes. He had a riot shield strapped to his back that was marked with burns and deep scratches. There were also strange tattoos on my neck and scars webbed across my forearms and hands. This version of me looked tough. Tough enough to kick anyone’s ass, but he also looked tired. Like he had seen too much death. Too much pain. All held within the bleak color of his eyes.

  The [Thief] Pathway was almost the complete opposite. There were still scars across my arms and hands with a deep one crossing over my left eye. Looking in my eyes I still saw the same weariness of the [Soldier] but there was something else. I saw honor and determination. Strange qualities to see in the Pathway known as the [Thief]. This version of me had a clean face, a thinner build and was wearing a deep black hoodie over blue jeans. He had two long blades attached behind his back and he was holding a bow in his hands. I took the time to summon up the different Specialization and read their titles. The three choices were [Blades], [Archery] and [Shadows]. I recognized the power of the [Archer] option. It was the Pathway the [Midnight Ranger] had chosen. He was the most powerful survivor in our colony. It was a tempting option.

  I let the red display fade away on the [Thief] and went back to the [Soldier]. As I turned away I noticed something out of the corner of my vision. It made me turn back quickly but whatever it was, it was gone. I wasn’t sure what I saw. It looked like a tall figure was standing behind the [Thief] version of me, but now it was gone. I rubbed my eyes and felt a round of fatigue come over me. I wanted this Trial to end. I wanted to be back in my room or with my dad. I needed some rest or else I would lose my sanity.

  I summoned the [Soldier] information and saw the three titles of the Specializations appear. I had the choice between [Firearms], [Explosives] or [Defense]. I knew about the [Firearms] specialization as I had talked about it with my father. It was a choice I wasn’t sure would even be possible for me to choose, but it was standing here among the other paths. It made me wonder if how the others chose their Pathways was the same. All of us seeing differing version of our future selves.

  I focused my attention on the red display and commanded it to start the appraisal process.

  [Class Pathway: Soldier]

  [Do you wish to appraise this Class Pathway?]

  I told the notification yes but nothing happened. I attempted to materialize the display when the soldier version of me suddenly grabbed my wrist. “I can’t… I can’t go on.” His voice was harsh and his tone desperate.

  “I… I…” I didn’t know what to say. This me was actually talking. He was talking to me. I thought these were only visions or some kind of strange illusion. That notion vanished as soon as he stopped me.

  “I failed them. I failed all of them,” The solider continued. His eyes wide with despair. “I could have done something. Anything to save them. Maybe if I had… No that wouldn’t have worked. Wait! Stop! Stop!” The soldier let go of my wrist and his expressions disappeared. He was standing like a statue once again.

  What the hell was that?

  These versions of me. They aren’t simply illusions. They were actually me from some alternate future. Brought back here to show me the results of my decision. The affect it would have on me personally. As I contemplated what the soldier had said to me I received a notification.

  [Do you wish to appraise this Class Pathway?]

  I held off from testing out the class and returned back to the [Thief]. The red text appeared before my eyes and asked if I wanted to appraise the pathway. I agreed and the world began to fade to white. As my vision started to change I noticed a new look in the face of the [Thief]. He was smiling.