“This is embarrassing,” Mark muttered as Miss April examined his bare body, her eyes tracing over every inch until she stopped, noticing something etched into his skin. On the back of his right leg, a small crest had appeared.
“There it is,” Miss April chirped, clearly pleased with her discovery. “You can get dressed now.”
As he hastily pulled his clothes back on, Mark couldn't help but ask, “What did you find?”
Miss April gave him a serious look. “News of what you now possess,” she said, her tone almost too casual for the gravity of her next words. “You have the same creation ability as the Almighty. Unfortunately, my rival sacrificed your gender to Yesh to get you this power. So, it’s yours—forever.”
Mark’s heart raced. “I can create things? Like God?”
“There’s a catch, though,” Miss April said with a sly smile.
Mark sighed. “Here it comes…”
“Do you really want to hear it?” she teased.
“Just hit me with it.”
Miss April’s expression darkened slightly. “Metaspawn, the power you now have, is something mortals were never meant to wield. While the Almighty has an infinite reserve to draw from, you, as a mortal, don’t. Every time you create something, it requires sacrifice—parts of you. Fortunately, trivial things can work at first, but the stronger the creation, the greater the cost. That’s the balance.”
Mark stared at her in disbelief. “How is that a good thing? I’m just going to lose more of myself!”
“Sucks to be you,” Miss April said with a snort, clearly not one for sugarcoating.
“But what about... being with a woman?!” Mark exclaimed, his face flushed with panic.
Miss April raised an eyebrow. “Welcome to the club,” she said nonchalantly. “I sacrificed my chance to become a full woman to God when I became a Sage. That was 43 million years ago. It’s been lonely, but that was the price I paid to live forever and wield the powers I do.”
Mark’s frustration momentarily softened. “I’m sorry…”
“Hehe, no need,” Miss April said with a dismissive wave. “I’ve long since owned my choice. But as for you, your choice was made for you. Get over it and own it. Last I checked, you humans have a knack for overcoming adversity. Crying about it won’t bring your gender back.”
Mark swallowed hard. “But what can I do? How do I get it back?”
Miss April leaned in slightly, a knowing glint in her eyes. “That depends on what price you’re willing to pay.”
Mark hesitated, quickly realizing the weight of her words. “On second thought…”
“Seems you’re starting to mature,” Miss April said with a smirk. “But I like you, so I might be able to pull a few strings.”
“You mean… I could become a boy again?”
“Not today,” Miss April said with a soft laugh. “But I know someone. If you’re willing to work for them, maybe—just maybe—you’ll have a chance.”
Mark raised an eyebrow. “Oh…?”
“You’re catching on,” Miss April said, the smirk still lingering on her lips. “But tread carefully. Powers like yours come with responsibilities and prices that most can’t even begin to comprehend. Make sure you're ready for what’s ahead.”
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Mark and Katie returned home, the quiet hum of the television filling the room as Katie lounged on the couch, now in her true form. She flicked through the channels lazily, her otherworldly features now fully visible—sharp eyes, a presence that seemed to weigh down the air around her.
YOU ARE READING
Xeney
ParanormalMark, an ordinary teen, stumbles into a realm humans were never meant to enter-a secret market in the heavens. In a careless trade, he sacrifices his gender, waking the next day to a body that's neither male nor female. What he gains, however, is fa...
