"Impressive indeed," Vlad said, his gray eyes gleaming with interest. "Tyler, I felt that power as soon as I entered the room, but now its presence is stronger. When you make a core, it might become even stronger." He folded his arms, the three green orbs at his waist pulsing in rhythm.

  "Okay, you pegged my interest enough, so stop with the intrigue. By the way, are you some kind of psychic or something?" Tyler asked, studying the tall, pale figure.

  "No, not really. I acquired a few items that granted me psi abilities. Reading someone's soul print is one." Vlad gestured to one of the orbiting spheres. "It helps with my true core, which is a Nurture Core which gives me empath abilities, allowing me to help guide people."

  His expression turned serious. "Now, let's get back to the topic at hand. You have many choices, young Human."

  Tyler thought silently: Is this dude not human? 'Cause he could have fooled me, besides the whole skin of a dead man thing.

  "I'm going to start with some less potent affinities that resonate with you, that I think would fit you well," Vlad continued, circling Tyler with measured steps. "You are a complex person, Tyler, with many flaws but also many virtues that you try to hide even from yourself. You have a very interesting soul and nature."

  He held up one long finger. "Your first affinity is Anarchy. You have an anti-law, anti-order quality about you, and your pathways feed off it. You are very suitable for a Chaos Core." He raised another finger. "You also have Mutation and Flux as minor affinities."

  Vlad paused, a smile playing on his lips. "Now, this is interesting, Tyler, and it goes with your strange, contradictory nature. You also have an affinity for Structure. You like rigid rules when it comes to problem-solving; you enjoy taking things in a step-by-step manner even when your mind is falling apart. Which means an Order Core would also suit you well." His voice was measured, clinical. "You also have a minor affinity for Harmony."

  His steps took him behind Tyler, who had to turn to keep him in view. "You have a strong Will and Spirit, with a Courage affinity which often gets you into trouble. So a Spirit Core will also be a good choice."

  Vlad waved his hand dismissively. "Now this core seems bad, but trust me, it's not as bad as it sounds coming from your world—it just has a bad rap. You have an affinity for the Night. Unlike most of your kin, you enjoy the night; it fills your pathways even now in this place. An affinity called Night Stalker. It's a vampiric core affinity, but it can also be attuned to a different core."

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  His eyes locked with Tyler's. "Now this is the kicker. This world is called the Void Realm for a reason, and in your absence of mind—like you often have—you have an affinity for Nothingness. Now this might sound boring for a person like you, but not only is it not boring, this affinity will win you favor in this realm."

  Vlad's voice dropped to a near whisper. "Your last affinity—that is a greater affinity—is the one I think you should go with, of course."

  Tyler was almost salivating; he knew it already. He had experienced it all his life.

  "You have a Fortune affinity," Vlad pronounced with gravity. "Your life has been gilded by fate for as long as you've been alive. You being here isn't a coincidence—you manifested it, knowingly or unknowingly. Your minor affinities are Chance and Divination."

  Vlad's expression turned serious, almost concerned. "Now, Tyler, this Core, this Fate Core is very dangerous to you. I've only known one other being who possessed such a thing. You can bend chance, changing outcomes at will. People will seek after you. Kingdoms will fall at your feet. Gods will try to use you, harvest you. If you choose this path, it will be a decision you cannot change."

  "You already know what I'm going with, right? Is it even a choice, to be honest?" Tyler said, feeling the excitement coursing through him.

  Vlad chuckled again. "Yes, I know you very well already." He held out the shifting, multi-colored potion. "This will help stabilize your threads. It will keep your pathways open and ensure that as your core forms, you will receive the best possible outcome."

  He gestured for Tyler to take the bottle, and to sit. "Now, hold out the potion with your hands. Think about when you placed the ring on your finger. Try to think about all the times you became lucky, all the times you didn't, all the times you wanted to see a friend and how they appeared, all the times you needed a break and someone called. All the times you wanted something and you got it. All the times you made mistakes and somehow that led to the answers."

  Tyler's hands trembled slightly as he held the bottle, mind flooding with memories—the twenty-dollar bill he found just when he needed it, the winning scratch ticket, The 4090. His Job. Sandy giving him her real number when others got fake ones.

  "Hold those thoughts," Vlad instructed. "Look inward again. Do you see the light, that golden light, that thread? Hold it there. Hold the thoughts, hold it all together."

  Tyler concentrated, feeling something shift within him, a resonance that seemed to connect with the bottle in his hands.

  "Now open your eyes."

  Tyler's eyelids fluttered open. The bottle had transformed to a brilliant golden yellow, shimmering with inner light that seemed to pulse in time with his heartbeat.

  "Drink it," Vlad commanded, his voice carrying the weight of destiny.