<h2>Chapter 1</h2>


    The cold seeps in, even through the furs. They tell me it is Summer. But all I feel is the coldness of my body.


    They call me Genghis Khan. Khan of Khans. The world trembles at the sound. Seven hundred thousand warriors marched under my banner. Did I build an empire, or a monument to death?


    Bokhara. I can still smell the smoke. The screams. They pleaded for mercy, yet my heart was a stone. Was it justice I sought, or the echo of those who wronged me? Vang Khan, Yemuka… their betrayals carved ice into my soul.


    Idikut sought my protection. Offered me tribute, and I gave him my daughter’s hand. A web of power, spun across a continent. Did it bring peace, or only a different kind of war?


    The caliph called me an infidel, yet he sought my aid against the Sultan. Faith, it seems, is a fickle thing. Bending to the winds of power like the grass of the steppes. Even now, I hear whispers. Plots. Will my sons hold to the unity I commanded? Or will they tear my empire asunder, fighting for scraps like wolves over a carcass?


    Jughi…. My son. He is gone. The first to leave me. The pain of it is a blade that never dulls. They say I am merciless. But what is a father without his sons? What is a khan without an heir?


    They speak of my victories. The cities taken, the lands subdued. From the China Sea to the Caspian, my name is whispered in fear and awe. But what is conquest, if not an endless hunger? Each victory only fueled the desire for more. A fire that consumes all in its path, leaving only ash and silence.


    Is that my legacy? A world in flames?


    The darkness deepens. The cold takes hold. I am Temujin, son of Yezonkai. Not a god. Not a devil. Just a man. And even Khans must die.


    * * *


    The darkness closed in, a suffocating shroud that wrapped around my chest. I felt my heart slow, the beats growing farther apart like the last embers of a dying fire. My vision began to blur, the edges of the world growing hazy. I was Temujin, son of Yezonkai, and I was dying.


    But then, in an instant, I was not.


    I stood upright, my legs trembling beneath me as if I had been plucked from the jaws of death itself. The air was different, the scent of incense and something sweet, like honey, filling my nostrils. I blinked, my eyes adjusting to a light that was both fierce and gentle.


    A figure stood before me, radiant as the sun. Her skin was like alabaster, her hair a tumble of gold that cascaded down her back like a river. She wore a gown that shimmered and flowed like the silk of the finest Chinese weavers.


    "Who are you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.


    The woman smiled, her eyes sparkling with a light that was both warm and distant. "I am a goddess," she said, her voice like music. "And you, Temujin, are a curiosity."


    I stumbled forward, my eyes drinking in the sight of the realm around me. The air was filled with glittering motes of light, like a thousand tiny stars. The ground beneath my feet was soft and spongy, like the moss that grew in the secret places of the forest.


    I saw creatures moving in the distance, beings of light and shadow that moved like the spirits of the land. I saw trees that shone like crystal, their branches reaching up towards the sky like the fingers of the gods.


    "What is this place?" I asked, my voice full of wonder.


    The goddess smiled again, her eyes glinting with amusement. "This is my realm," she said. "A place beyond the mortal world. And you, Temujin, are my guest."


    * * *


    Temujin''s eyes narrowed, his brow furrowed in confusion. "But... I died," he said, his voice laced with uncertainty. "I felt my heart stop, my vision fade. How is it that I stand here, alive?"


    The goddess''s smile never wavered. "You are not alive, Temujin," she said, her voice gentle as a summer breeze. "At least, not in the way you think. You have passed beyond the mortal realm, into a place where the rules of life and death no longer apply."


    Temujin''s face twisted in frustration. "I do not understand," he said, his voice rising. "What happens to us when we die? Is this some sort of afterlife?"


    The goddess nodded, her golden hair rustling with the movement. "In a sense, yes. When a mortal dies, their spirit is released from the body, free to move on to the next stage of their journey. Some are drawn to the light, where they are judged and either rewarded or punished for their deeds in life. Others... linger, trapped by unfinished business or unfulfilled desires."


    Temujin''s eyes widened, his mind racing with the implications. "And what of me?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Why am I here, in this place?"


    The goddess''s smile grew, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You, Temujin, are a special case. Your life was marked by great deeds and great violence. Your spirit is... complicated, torn between the light and the darkness. And so, you have been brought here, to my realm, where you will be given a choice."


    Temujin''s face leaned forward, his eyes locked on the goddess''s. "A choice?" he repeated, his voice full of curiosity. "What kind of choice?"


    * * *


    The goddess''s words hung in the air, a tantalizing promise of possibilities. Temujin''s eyes never left hers, his face a mask of intensity. "A choice?" he repeated, his voice low and husky.


    The goddess nodded, her golden hair rustling with the movement. "Yes, Temujin. You have been brought here for a reason. Your spirit is strong, your will unbroken. And so, I offer you a choice: to be reborn, to start anew in a world beyond your wildest dreams."


    Temujin''s face twisted in confusion. "Reborn?" he repeated, his voice laced with skepticism. "But... how? And why?"


    The goddess''s smile grew, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "The how is not for you to worry about, Temujin. The why... is because you have something to offer, something that would be wasted in the afterlife. You have a spark within you, a flame that burns bright and true. And I would see it fanned into a blaze, in a world that needs it."


    Temujin''s eyes narrowed, his mind racing with the implications. "And what of my memories?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Would I retain them, or would they be lost to me?"


    The goddess''s smile never wavered. "You would retain them, Temujin. Every moment, every decision, every triumph and every tragedy. You would be reborn, but you would not be remade. You would be yourself, in a new skin, in a new world."


    Temujin''s face went still, his eyes fixed on some point beyond the goddess''s shoulder. He was seeing it, imagining it: a new world, a new life, a new chance to make a difference. And when he finally spoke, his voice was low and husky, full of longing. "What is this world like?" he asked, his eyes never leaving the goddess''s face.


    * * *


    The goddess''s eyes seemed to gleam with excitement as she began to describe the world Temujin would be reborn into. "It is a world with similarities yet different from the one you knew, Temujin," she said, her voice painting vivid pictures in the air. "The skies are blue, the grass is green, and the mountains are tall and proud. But... "


    Temujin''s eyes were fixed on hers, his face intent. "What kind of differences?" he asked, his voice low and husky.


    The goddess''s smile grew. "There are magical beings in this world, Temujin. Creatures of myth and legend, with powers beyond your wildest dreams. And magic... oh, the magic is a part of the very fabric of the world. It pulses through every rock, every tree, every breath of air."


    Temujin''s eyes widened, his mind racing with the implications. "What kind of magical beings?" he asked, his voice full of curiosity.


    The goddess''s laughter was like music. "There are so many, Temujin. The fae, with their delicate wings and mischievous grins. The shifters, who can take on the forms of animals and run with the wind. The wizards, who wield the very elements themselves. And so many more."


    Temujin''s face was a mask of wonder. "And the humans?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "What of them?"


    The goddess''s smile never wavered. "The humans in this world are not so different from those you knew, Temujin. They are flawed and fragile, but also strong and resilient. They live alongside the magical beings, sometimes in harmony, sometimes in conflict."


    Temujin''s eyes were drinking in every word, his mind racing with the possibilities. He could see it, imagine it: a world of wonder, a world of magic. And he could see himself in it, too, a warrior, a leader, a force to be reckoned with.


    * * *


    Genghis''s eyes narrowed, his mind working overtime to process the goddess''s words. He had always been a man of action, of decision, and the idea of being reborn into a new world was both tantalizing and terrifying. But he was not one to jump into anything without considering all his options.


    "What is the other choice?" he asked, his voice low and even.


    The goddess''s smile faltered for a moment, and Genghis caught a glimpse of something else in her eyes. Something that looked almost like sadness.


    "Ah, Temujin," she said, her voice softer now. "The other choice is... complicated. It is not one that I would recommend, but it is one that I must offer you nonetheless."


    Genghis''s eyes locked onto hers, his face intent. "Tell me," he said, his voice brooking no argument.


    The goddess took a deep breath, her shoulders squaring. "The other choice is to remain here, in this realm, as a spirit. You would not be reborn, but you would not truly die either. You would exist in a state of... limbo, I suppose, watching the world of the living but unable to participate in it."Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    Genghis''s face was a mask of thought, his eyes weighing the pros and cons of each option. He could see the appeal of being reborn, of starting anew and making a difference in a new world. But he could also see the appeal of remaining in this realm, of watching over his people and his empire from beyond the grave.


    * * *


    "I will take the offer of being reborn," Genghis said, his voice firm and resolute. The goddess''s face broke into a radiant smile, and she nodded her head in approval.


    "Excellent choice, Temujin," she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "As a gift to you, I will grant you a Magia. It is a unique magic that is embedded within a person, and it is a privilege to have. Not everyone in this world is blessed with a Magia, but I believe you would be a worthy recipient."


    Genghis''s eyes narrowed, intrigued by the concept of a Magia. "What kind of Magia can I choose from?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.


    The goddess gestured to a small pool of water that had appeared at her feet. The surface of the water rippled and shimmered, revealing several images. "You have three options to choose from," she said, her voice guiding him through the choices. "The first option is the Magia of the Storm. It would allow you to control the elements, summoning storms and whirlwinds with a mere thought."


    The image in the pool of water changed, revealing a figure standing in the midst of a raging storm, lightning bolts crackling at their fingertips. Genghis''s eyes widened, impressed by the display of power.


    "The second option is the Magia of the Shadow," the goddess continued, the image in the pool changing once more. "It would allow you to manipulate darkness and shadows, moving unseen and striking from the most unexpected places."


    The image revealed a figure blending into the shadows, their presence almost imperceptible. Genghis''s mind whirled with the possibilities of such a Magia.


    "And the third option?" he asked, his voice eager to hear the final choice.


    The goddess smiled, the image in the pool changing once more. "The third option is the Magia of the Flame," she said, her voice dripping with excitement. "It would allow you to wield fire and flames, summoning infernos and blazing with a fierce inner light."


    The image revealed a figure standing amidst a sea of flames, their body aglow with a fierce inner light. Genghis''s eyes locked onto the image, his mind weighing the pros and cons of each option.


    <h2>Chapter 2</h2>


    Genghis Khan''s considered the options before him. The Magia of the Shadow was intriguing, but it didn''t align with his style of warfare. He was a man who rode at the head of his army, not one who hid in the shadows. The Magia of the Flame was also tempting, but it seemed too...predictable. His enemies would expect him to wield fire and flames, and they would prepare accordingly.


    But the Magia of the Storm...that was a different matter altogether. He could see it now: his Mongol horde riding into battle amidst a blinding snowstorm, their enemies terrified and disoriented before the fight even began. The sheer spectacle of a magically conjured storm would strike fear into the hearts of his enemies, potentially leading to surrender without bloodshed.


    He thought back to the challenges he had faced on the steppes, the sandstorms that had hindered his troops and the icy river passages that had threatened to trap them. With the Magia of the Storm, he could use wind to disperse the sandstorms, clear icy river passages with strategically placed lightning strikes, and create favorable weather conditions for his armies while hindering his opponents.


    A slow smile spread across his face as he made his decision. "I will choose the Magia of the Storm," he said, his voice firm and resolute. The goddess nodded her head in approval, a small smile playing on her lips.


    "An excellent choice, Temujin," she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "The Magia of the Storm will serve you well in your future endeavors. But first, you must learn to control it..."


    * * *


    * * *


    The goddess''s eyes sparkled with an otherworldly intensity as she reached out and grasped Genghis Khan''s wrist. "It is time for you to receive the Magia of the Storm," she said, her voice low and husky. "To do so, you must touch the rune that holds its power."


    Genghis Khan''s gaze followed the goddess''s as she nodded towards a glowing symbol etched into the air before him. The rune pulsed with a vibrant blue light, its edges crackling with electricity. He could feel the power emanating from it, a raw energy that seemed to call to him.


    The goddess''s grip on his wrist tightened. "Touch the rune, Temujin," she urged. "Allow the Magia of the Storm to flow into you."


    Genghis Khan''s hand trembled slightly as he reached out to touch the glowing symbol. His fingers hesitated for a moment, as if sensing the magnitude of what he was about to do. Then, with a deep breath, he made contact with the rune.


    A jolt of electricity shot through his body, making his muscles tense and his heart skip a beat. The blue light from the rune enveloped him, filling his vision with an intense, pulsating glow. Genghis Khan felt his body begin to vibrate, as if the very cells of his being were being rearranged to accommodate the influx of power.


    The goddess''s voice whispered in his ear, "Let the Magia flow into you, Temujin. Allow it to become a part of you."


    Genghis Khan''s eyes closed, his face contorted in a mixture of pain and ecstasy. His body began to glow with a soft, blue light, as if the Magia of the Storm was already beginning to take hold. The air around him seemed to charged with electricity, the hairs on his arms standing on end as the power of the Magia surged through him...


    The goddess''s expression turned solemn, as if she knew that Temujin had a multitude of questions swirling in his mind. But instead of answering them, she simply nodded and said, "It is time for you to begin your new life, Temujin. The process of reincarnation cannot be delayed any further."


    Temujin''s eyes widened in surprise, but before he could protest, the goddess raised her hand and touched his forehead. The Goddess Closed her eyes as she began to chant, A warm, golden light enveloped him, and he felt his consciousness begin to fade away.


    As the goddess''s warm, golden light enveloped him, Temujin''s consciousness beginning to fade away. But even as his body was being rewritten, his mind remained sharp, his memories intact. He couldn''t help but think about the goddess, and how he had manipulated her into rushing the reincarnation process.


    Ah, goddess, I must apologize, Temujin thought, a wry smile spreading across his mental landscape. I knew you were eager to see me on my way, but I couldn''t resist the opportunity to take advantage of your haste. Every time you use your powers, you close your eyes, just for a moment. And in that moment, I saw my chance.


    As the goddess had begun her chant, Temujin had reached out with his mind, his spirit straining to connect with the other two runes that hung in the air. The Magia of Shadow and the Magia of Flame had called to him, their power singing in harmony with the Magia of the Storm that already coursed through his veins.


    And then, in the instant the goddess had closed her eyes, Temujin had made his move. He had touched the other two runes, feeling their power surge into him like a tidal wave. The pain had been intense, a burning sensation that had threatened to consume him whole.


    But Temujin had gritted his mental teeth, enduring the agony as the three Magia merged within him. And now, as he was reborn into the world, he felt the full weight of their power coursing through his tiny, newborn body.


    The shock was too much to bear, and Temujin''s newborn lungs let out a deafening wail as he emerged from the womb. His cry was a raw, anguished sound, a primal scream that echoed through the air as he struggled to come to terms with the sheer force of the three Magia within him...


    * * *


    The newborn''s cry echoed through the small, dimly lit chamber, a sound that seemed to shake the very foundations of the room. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and blood, the aftermath of a long and arduous labor. A young woman, her face pale and exhausted, lay back on the bed, her eyes fixed on the tiny, squirming form that had just emerged from her body.


    A midwife, her hands stained with blood and her face creased with concern, reached out to take the newborn from the woman''s arms. "Let me take him, child," she said, her voice soft and soothing. "I''ll clean him up and make sure he''s healthy."


    The young woman nodded, her eyes never leaving the newborn''s face. She looked... haunted, as if she had seen something in the child''s eyes that had shaken her to her core.


    The midwife took the newborn and began to clean him, her hands moving with a practiced ease. As she worked, she couldn''t help but notice the strange, almost... electric aura that seemed to surround the child. It was as if the very air around him was charged with energy, a feeling that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.


    The newborn''s cry had begun to subside, replaced by a series of small, gasping breaths. His eyes, a deep, piercing blue, seemed to be taking in everything around him, drinking in the sights and sounds of the world with an unnerving intensity.


    As the midwife finished cleaning the newborn, she couldn''t help but feel a sense of unease. There was something about this child, something that didn''t feel quite... right. She glanced up at the young woman, who was still watching the newborn with an unnerving intensity.


    "Child," the midwife said, her voice low and serious. "I think we need to talk about this baby. There''s something... unusual about him."


    The young woman''s eyes flickered up to meet the midwife''s, a look of fear and uncertainty flashing across her face. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper...


    The newborn''s face was a picture of intense concentration, his tiny brow furrowed in a way that seemed almost... adult. His eyes, a deep, piercing blue, seemed to be taking in everything around him, drinking in the sights and sounds of the world with an unnerving intensity.


    As the midwife gazed at him, she could have sworn she saw a flicker of thought cross his face, a fleeting expression of calculation and consideration. It was impossible, of course - newborns didn''t think like that. They didn''t think at all, not really. But still, the midwife couldn''t shake the feeling that this child was different.


    What''s going on? Temujin thought to himself, his mind racing with confusion and disorientation. One moment, he was standing in a radiant realm, speaking with a goddess and choosing a Magia. The next, he was... this. A tiny, helpless creature, unable to even lift his own head.


    He gazed up at the midwife, taking in her worn, lined face and her hands, stained with blood and fluid. Who was she? And what was this place? He looked around, taking in the small, dimly lit chamber and the young woman lying on the bed, her eyes fixed on him with a mixture of exhaustion and wonder.


    The Magia, he thought, his mind reaching out for the power that had been given to him. Was it still there? Could he still feel it, coursing through his veins like a river of fire?


    As he thought, he felt a tiny spark of electricity flicker to life within him, a small, tentative flame that seemed to dance and tremble in his chest. The Magia of the Storm, he thought, a sense of wonder and excitement rising up within him. It was still there. He could still feel it.


    The midwife, watching the newborn''s face, saw a sudden, fleeting smile cross his lips, a tiny, triumphant expression that seemed to say... I remember.


    The midwife''s eyes confused, her gaze fixed on the newborn''s face. She had seen many babies in her years, but there was something about this one that didn''t feel right. The way he seemed to be thinking, the way his eyes seemed to be taking in everything around him... it was unnerving.


    The young woman, still lying on the bed, reached out a trembling hand and touched the newborn''s face. "My baby," she whispered, her voice full of wonder and exhaustion.


    The midwife watched, her expression softening slightly. She had seen many new mothers, but there was something about this one that tugged at her heart. Maybe it was the way she looked at the baby, with a mixture of love and fear in her eyes.


    As the midwife watched, the newborn''s face seemed to relax, his tiny brow unfurrowing as he gazed up at his mother. For a moment, the two of them just looked at each other, a sense of connection and understanding passing between them.


    The midwife felt a pang of envy, a sense of longing that she quickly suppressed. She had never had children of her own, had never experienced the joy and terror of motherhood. But as she watched the young woman and her baby, she felt a sense of wonder and awe.


    "What''s going to happen to us?" the young woman asked, her voice barely above a whisper.


    The midwife hesitated, unsure of how to answer. She knew that the young woman''s life would never be the same, that the arrival of this baby would change everything. But she also knew that the young woman was strong, that she would find a way to make it work.


    As the midwife hesitated, the newborn''s eyes seemed to flicker towards her, a tiny, piercing gaze that made her feel like he could see right through her. For a moment, the two of them just looked at each other, a sense of understanding and connection passing between them...


    The midwife felt a shiver run down her spine as the newborn''s gaze seemed to hold her in place. She tried to look away, but her eyes seemed stuck on the baby''s face, unable to tear themselves away from the intensity of his stare.


    "What''s going on?" the young woman asked, her voice full of concern. "What''s wrong?"


    The midwife hesitated, unsure of how to answer. She didn''t know what was going on, didn''t know what was happening with this strange, intense baby. All she knew was that she felt a weird sense of both unease and calmness, a sense of wonder and awe that she couldn''t shake.