The Life I Gained From Dying

Chapter 23 - Conflicting Intentions

"Wait so you can use all four of those different essence?" Aaron questioned.

"Yeah, but right now I could only use wind." Kaden answered.

"Oh so you're basically right on par with me for the time being. Speaking of which, I think it's about time I get my payback for earlier." Aaron said as he raised his hand towards Kaden.

"About that, listen bro I'm sorry, I didn't do it on purpose."

"Looked like it was on purpose to me."

"That was before I actually knew that you were, yanno you." Kaden exclaimed. "I wouldn't hurt you for real."

"There's a very sensitive joke I could make about that statement." Aaron said with a chuckle.

"Yeah yeah I know, you don't have to say it."

"Heh heh, I'll always have that on you... Seems like you've been getting by fine for the most part."

"What made you say that?" Kaden questioned.

"Well just before I came here, I ran into a girl that seemed to really care for you and said you were her friend."

"That means I was getting by fine?"

"The Kaden I knew only ever talked to girls if he was interested in cutting them down."

"Who said I'm not?" Kaden questioned with a sly grin.

"You really asking for it." Aaron said as he raised his palm towards Kaden again.

"I'm joking. I didn't really have a choice but to talk to her with how she found me in that cave... She's a strong person though. I respect her."

"Oh yeah this is definitely another world." Aaron playfully said.

Kaden chuckled briefly before going silent and gazing at the roof.

"...Things were going pretty good."

"So how did you get in the state I found you in?" Aaron questioned.

"...You see there are these trials, seven of 'em. Apparently if we pass all then we could possibly go back to our old world."

"What!? Are you sure that's possible?"

"I don't know but it's what they told me." Kaden answered.

"There's so much questions I have about that. Ever since I've found out multiple realities exist, it's been easy for me to believe a lot of the extraordinary things happening in this world. Maybe time flows differently between the two worlds, so if you were to make it back, it may be a case where only half a second passed in that world."

"Yeah yeah, theorize all you want I don't have the mental capacity to think about it to that extent." Kaden stated.

"No no, you're just lazy and don't wanna think about it. So what happened during this trial? Elder Aira told me you took on one of them."

"...I saw my old man."

Aaron's eyes widened from disbelief of what Kaden told him.

"He was just like the way he was years ago, maybe even worst." Kaden explained. "He told me that you dying was completely my fault and I never deserved anyone like you in my life. He pressed me about how I treated mom, about how stupid it is for thinking anyone wants me to come back to that world. About-"

"I don't care about what he has to say, and you shouldn't either." Aaron stated. "That guy only ever used you as an outlet to release his anger and never actually had a care in the world for you."