Dena assumed that saving the world would have warranted them a bigger space than the High School Gymnasium. Maybe it was the largest area for the meeting their small town could provide, but it didn't feel that way with the sheer amount of people packed in. There was barely any room in the triangle they formed on the upper walkway, as their shoulders bumped each other every few seconds. And this wasn't even the half of it. They squeezed their way through clusters of people flooding the rest of the school to find this kind of decent spot. Hilt and Pom were content with waiting outside, but Dena really wanted to hear the plans first hand. She was hoping to get a cooler assignment if she stood closer to the leader.

The King of Dew Drops, Ersa Hugo, was regarded as the head of the Drafters in this town. Those that have seen her contract have said that it could not be considered 'strong' by any definition of the word, but her tactics were to die for. Stories of her swept the town so quickly and rumours that even bigger parties wanted her is how she found herself in charge of their quaint home and Dena was dying to work with her. Her trio only did one mission for Ersa, and it was clean up after a battle, but that is how it goes. They will work their way up and hopefully faster if they can get Ersa to see them. That is if she decides to show up, since it is already 7:46.

"I am dying! Did the world have to end in the summertime? It's way too hot," Dena groaned.

"You are the one wearing that big ass coat, and that thick cloth over your pants," Hilt berated. He was a pudgy man with vastly uneven stubble, but on the more comfortable side of people to be pinned against. "You are the one that insisted that we come inside."

"Of course, we have to see Ersa, and I have to wear this jacket to hide the guns. I am probably super hot because of this steaming kebab you keep shoving in my face. Where did you even get that? Do you have more?" The last part of Dena's gripe escaped as a mumble.

"I am sorry. Pom made today. Want a bite?" Hilt asked. Pom was almost identical to Hilt, but much tinier and her slimmer features matched her girlish charm. Pom was always regarded as gorgeous, and thus everyone knows that Hilt is too, despite him never hearing it much.

Now the tiny one had lost her point of the triangle and was stuffed between her two teammates, but looking up at them still brought a smile on her face.

"Oh, if I had it in me I would, but Fin made so much food and I had to eat my share or else. He figured that you guys would have come by, but I had to eat your share too. I am so stuffed. Kind of like this room. Was there always this many Drafters in Torpin?"

"We couldn't have crashed your family send off dinner. Miri would have killed us," Pom answered.

"I heard that Ersa has gotten some A-Class Drafters, so a lot of them are here to enlist to a Domain," Hilt said.

"What do you mean? Miri loves you guys, and I didn't hear anything about making new Drafters. This is going to take a very long time then. I wonder what Ersa will do." Dena felt a sturdy bump on her back, but she took advantage of the opportunity.

"Tell that to Miri then, cause I don't think she knows that she likes us." Pom chuckled when she saw Dena's unnoticed attack. "What do you want to do then? We can come back another night, or do you want to help others figure out their Contracts? You are good at that, even our parents are happy that we went to a Sub-Class."

Chewing on the kebab she swiped caused Dena to hold on her answer. It was only due to the pause that allowed Hilt to notice that he was only holding a stick. "I asked if you wanted." He sighed. "If it is okay with you guys, since we are already squished. I would like to stay. I heard that Sixil is coming too. It is rare to find an S-Class Drafter with an S-Class Contract."

"Siffil fe funfer snaf?" Dena asked.

"Yea The Thunder Snap." Hilt shook his head. "I heard that he worked with Surica a few times. He must want to help put a stop to him out of pride."

"Orf helf him," Dena mumbled.

"I didn't catch that," Pom said. "I heard he has a super cute son. Like super super cute. Dena you should totally try since you guys are in the same Domain. You can get married without giving up your Contract."

Order. Dena called in her head.

"Hi hi honeybunch. What can I do for ya?" Order asked.

"How much would it cost to create a bubble that doesn't allow air to carry sound. Size would be about a diameter of 5 feet, from this distance to the stage."

"Are you changing your contract Dena?" Air asked.

Not yet, just thinking. Dena chuckled in her head.

"That distance is over 30 meters. Specificity is at second level. Volume is high but obstruction is low. 23,000 minimum, while excluding duration. It is a C-Class Contract."

Damn, so I should lower the range, but I can't afford to change the size by much. What is the cost if I am within the bubble?

"8,460 initial, but that contract is already in use."

"Probably some spy somewhere." Air chuckled. "Which contract would you give up for this one?"

'Solid Air', but I won't do it yet. Order, can I turn the number of decibels the air carries in the bubble completely into litres of dew drops?

"No existing contract. No contract Rule Stall present. Principle cost of 9762 and duration runs 200 a second. Looks like you are good to go sweety. Would you like me to make the switch?"

That is expensive, sheesh. I will only be able to throw it for a split second. No discount, Order?

"Ha, you are asking Order for a discount, you are the cutest. I got her to give discounts for those in the mountains," Air chimed in with her usual calm and slow tone.

"I only lower the cost because there is less air up there. The volume is less, so it is cheaper," Order corrected.

Air. You really are...an airhead, aren't you?

"I'm just breezy, until you get me mad."

Order, hold off on the contract until I say—

The shove on Dena's back was much larger than any previous incarnation, and this one came with the gift of a young man crashing to ground inside of their misshapen triangle. Hilt helped him to his feet before his companion, that looked to be around the same age, stepped in with an apology.

"It is crazy packed in here. Sorry, Miss, are you alright?" the fallen one said.

"I'm fine. Sorry, can you just give me a second?" Dena looked up.

[Order, hold off. Keep it ready until I call your name and say 'New Contract' please.

"Got it sweety," Order answered.

"You are going to fight me and one of my S-Classes? Sounds fun." Air asked.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

I hope not. Dena dragged her words.]

[At the same time]

["What is she doing?" the second to arrive asked.

"Probably talking to Order and Air," Hilt answered.

"She is a Drafter? Are you all Drafters? Can you give us a contract?" the other one fusilladed.

"We are but it doesn't work that way. What do you know about contracts?" Hilt continued.

"Sick ass powers, but a ton of rules," the second said.

"Order does like her rules." Pom scratched her head.

"We know that there are 5 orders that dictate a contract, and that there are conditions, but we can't sit by while the world is ending. We know that being a Drafter is hard, but we will do what it takes."]

"Finished. What is going on?" Dena looked at the pair.

"We were just explaining to..." Pom's darting eyes took a second to clue the two in.

"I am Monty," the fallen one said.

"I am Pyt." He extended his right hand in between them all, but it was only hefty man that warmly shook it.

"Newbies huh, hmmmmm, any of your parents were Drafters?" Dena twisted her lip and raised her chin to look down on them. Raised it so much that everyone was convinced that she couldn't see them, but she held the pose. The men looked at each other but hesitated to answer.

"Drop the seniority act." Pom slapped her head hard enough for her chin to touch her neck. "There are rules about what you can join, and it starts with your parents."

"If your parents belonged to a certain Domain, then you can only join that one. Understand?" Hilt said.

"My grandparents were Drafters. They were Fire Drafters, both of them," Pyt answered.

"My Dad was an Earth Drafter," Monty answered.

"Okay, cool. Pyt, it means that you can join any domain you want," Hilt explained. "Rules say that is the only way a family can change their Domain. That means it is a bit more complicated for you, Monty. Your Dad was a Land Drafter, but you need to find out if your mom was a Drafter when she got married, or if she gave up her contract, or if she was never one at all. Has your dad ever used his contract?"

"Nah, I just heard about his heydays. I never seen, no magic. What's the big deal?"

"If two Drafters from different domains get married or have a child," Pom took over, "then they lose their contracts, and their children are not allowed to become Drafters. Their grandchildren can rejoin any domain that they wish. If only one of your parents is a Drafter, then you can only join that Domain. Makes sense?"

"So I can't do anything today?" Monty asked.

"Wouldn't he just be told he couldn't, if he tried? That way he doesn't have to go home." Pyt suggested.

"What happens then?" Pom looked to Dena, and she looked above them.

"Order says that nothing happens. Since she exists as unique instances, then she doesn't know about anyone else, and that Order only comes in from the Inviter, so unless they know, she won't know. So they will go through all the steps, and then nothing happens. It isn't a big drawback, but then that contract idea is heard by the inviter and possibly be stolen. It isn't that bad if it isn't a unique Contract, but sometimes it is cool to share those ideas with friends or party members. Inviters can't tell anyone about a contract if it works though, or they lose theirs."

"Okay, well I can still do it." Pyt had a subtle smile. "What Domains are you guys?"

"Air," Dena answered.

"Both of us are Rose," Hilt said. "We started as Flowers, because our parents were Flowers, but then Dena convinced us to join Rose, and helped us with our Contracts."

"So who invited you into Rose? Is it someone here?" Pyt asked.

"Oh no one," Hilt quickly spoke up. "If your parent is still a Drafter, then they can invite you into whatever their Domain is. Once you are there then you can join any smaller sub-class without an invite, but now we need an invite to go back to being in Flowers. Dena is in Air, because of her parents."

"Yup, and I don't plan to switch." Dena's eyes were focused away from them all. A young woman made her way to the stage with a couple of aids. Her sights seemed to be focused on someone in the crowd.

"Okay, so I want to be in the Land Domain." Pyt locked his eyes onto Pom's. "That is the best way to get married to someone in the Rose Domain right? What do I do now?"

One of the Rose Drafter's cheeks resembled her Class, but her brother shook his head. "You guys just met. Never mind, you have to find an A-Class Land Drafter and they will explain the rules, but you will have to develop a Contract, well Power that no other Drafter currently has. Order will know. You have to have an Item that seals the Contract, called a Signature. Can't use your Contract if your Signature isn't on you.

"Contracts cost Ability points. So starting at E-rank, most people have 500 points, and then that caps at 1,000, so being a D-Class is 1,001 to 10,000 points. The only way to start at a different class is to inherit a Signature from someone else, and you can jump all the way to C-Class, depending on the person passing it on to you. You move to higher Classes by using your Contract and innovation that Order and your deity agrees on. You need more ability points for the super cool Power. Um, what is the formula again?"

"Cost is equal to specificity plus difficulty plus duration," Dena said, "and that can be broken down into more things. Order loves to explain it h—do you guys see that? Things look funny down there."

Heads turned towards the stage to see a tall man with his own aids had stepped up and was talking to the woman. They couldn't see either's facial expression, but the woman was keeping her distance as if she wasn't happy with what he was saying.

"That is Sixil!" Hilt rose on his toes to see better. "Think they are going start now?"

"What are you seeing Dena? What are you thinking?" Pom asked.

"I am not sure but be ready to activate please. I don't like the hesitation from Ersa."

"Isn't that girl the King or something. Why be worried about her? Wouldn't she be stronger than that scrawny dude?" Monty asked.

"King just means that she is the head of her Sub-Class." Hilt took over again. "It means that they can set the rule and invite anyone, but it also means that her Signature can be taken. No one else's Signature can be taken, it must be given away for it to work, but this means that any rank can be a king if they take it, and if a king's Signature is changed to another Domain or destroyed, then all people in that Sub-Class can't use their contract until a new king is made, and that can only happen for...how long Dena?"

"23 days. It means that a group of people won't have their powers for 23 days."

"Why? That sounds like a terrible idea," Pyt said.

"Order likes her rules," the three Drafters said in unison.

"That is cool. Are we going to see your powers now? How do you 'activate' it? Is it because Order is in your head? Does she read all your thoughts?" Pyt frantically looked between the three. His mind clearly running wilder than it needed to.

"No," Pom touched his shoulder, which produced great results in calming him down. "She can only hear what you want her to. It is weird, but her and any deity can communicate just like talking, but it only happens in your head. They can see everything we see, but only if you are wearing your Signature. Once you don't have it on you then everything is normal.

"Guys! Pom, back!" Dena called. They all turned to the stage to see Ersa's aids pulling her away from the tall man. His men running off the stage and quickly placing equipment over their ears.

Pom wrapped around Dena as she started running on air with crests forming under her feet. Its centre was a cloud, as the intricate designs around it swirled, holding each step high above the crowd.

A crest formed in front of Hilt's hand as he tracked the girl running on air. Dena tossed a rose in front of her, scattering it in the air. Red petals fell gracefully, taking their time, but Dena hastily pulled out her pistols. A crest formed in front of the barrel and rose thorns shot rapidly from each muzzle.

The lanky man on the stage looked at the girl standing on air as thorns torn into the empty hard floor of the stage. Some carrying a red petal with them, and some digging deep into the wood as if they were iron spikes. He raised his hand and his eyes turned back quickly to those accompanying him on the stage. A crest just like Dena's but surrounded by five diamonds appeared in his hand.

"Three landed on the stage," Pom said; her own crest appeared before her palm.

"Do it," Dena replied. In an instant she was gone. Only a flower petal with a hole remained in that spot, falling to the ground.

Order! New Contract!

"You got it. Terms already agreed, and no change since. The Rule Stall is 33 hours," Order said.

Activate the new Contract!

"No problem," Air said.

A semi-translucent bubble formed around the teammates and the lanky man. He snapped his fingers and Dena closed her eyes. She felt a rush of moist air swirl on her face. She forgot the force of the air. This could be terrible. She forced one eyelid open, but the sight in front of her caused her to quickly widen the other one.

A muscular man was standing in front of them. A massive shield at his back as he pushed onto it. His eyes squinting and nostrils flared. His jaw was clenched and hands trembling. He was a Chaos user, and he saved their lives. She looked off the stage to see those close by were pushed down by the intense force. A lot of them with their eyes closed.

The force stopped and Sixil looked at her step from behind the shield. Her gun aimed at the man. Pom still covered by the Chaos user.

"Ersa! These are dew drops!" Dena yelled across the stage. They all saw the king's eyes widen and a small smile peak before she opened her mouth.

"Kill the lights!"

"The lights?" Dena mumbled.

It happened without hesitation. The place was pitch black. A loud thud caused Dena to flinch as she inched backwards. Bumping on the shield is what startled her more, but at the same time a voice called for the lights to return.

Ersa sat on Sixil's back and swirled a ring on her finger. His nose bloodied and hands bound told a story that none of them saw. He was defeated and the king wore a smile. She looked to the blonde with a scar on her face and held the stare for a bit.

"9799 and also we would like to say—"

"Who are you?" Ersa asked.

"Dena Avel. D-Class Drafter." Dena pulled a thorn from her shoulder.

"I was saying, congratulations, Dena. You have levelled up to C-Class," Order said.

"Congratulations Dena!" Air yelled.

"Dena Avel. C-Class Drafter." Dena dropped the thorn on the ground.