0-Prelude

-July 9th, 1:00AM

The world entered into a cataclysmic, irreversible pact. One that reshaped the past, present, and future. This agreement extended beyond mere historical and geographical changes, injecting unknown forces into events once thought well-documented. It penetrated to the core of humanity, shattering minds with an unforgiving wave of enlightenment. It was as if those accustomed to darkness suddenly found themselves thrust into a blinding light, faced with landscapes never before imagined. Humanity, already teetering on the brink of its own demise, was now assured of survival.

Daegon, a rather young-looking adult male with short shaggy ash-gray hair, sat in a rather empty looking room on a large well used couch. A singular light shined above him on the right, as he read over an old looking Journal. It wasn’t his, but held a lot of valuable knowledge. It felt only right to review it from time to time, especially after such a close encounter. Daegon turned a page, and continued to read the old text…

The days before Humanity’s Deal with the Supernatural was hell. World War, Civil Unrest, and in-fighting drove the human population to an unrecoverable capacity. Mutually Assured Destruction, the World Powers called for. Nuclear deterrents were launched, blazing fires erupted, and irreparable damage spread across the globe. But, the tenacity of humanity continued forward regardless of the teetering odds against it. Final outcrops of humanity sprung up in massive walled cities across the world as people came together, desperate to survive. While many fell, a resilient few survived until there was nothing left to cling to.

At some point, the old Mythos began to draw attention again as the final flickers of humanity were bound to leave the planet in its terrible state forever. Anything to cling to, in desperation.

“What if we could change the past?” “Why did it come to this?” “If we could do anything to change the world…” “Gods, Demons, or anything in-between something could give us salvation…”

Such questions, diving into forgotten stories and books, began the death wails of an ending civilization. But such wails weren’t going unignored. For the first time in over a millennium, humanity had a singular belief, a singular question. The Supernatural, who solely depends on Humanity for their own survival through belief… Offered their first, and only Deal.

Since the deals ‘reset’ took place roughly 130 years ago, hundreds of thousands of lives came back into existence. Enough that, the few remaining Bastions began to grow and prosper once again under their self-sufficiency. But, not without cost. Thousands of cities were lost, replaced, or forgotten. Irreparable damage from the planet was undone, but replaced with a much more reliant threat. Beasts of Lore, Beings of Eons past, and the horrors of nightmares became a true reality. Untold terrors of the sea, who drain the sanity from those who look upon them… Human like creatures that prey upon your very blood… Spiritual beings who live for the torment of your very soul… As if Pandora’s Box was unleashed upon the world, so did it provide its salvation. But, how?

Humanity gave birth to a new dominating force on the world, and guaranteed their own survival as a species. Contracts, would be the limiting force of the new Apex Predators.

All beings sprung forth from Humanity’s Deal were bound by a World-Bound Contract. ‘World Bounders’ as they are called, are held to a very set standard. These rule over them in a very drastic way, but normally hinder them according to their accustomed mythos from the ideas or thoughts of humans. While there’s no direct consequence for breaking their own set of rules, other World Bounders and Overseers will become aware of such an act when near them. Meaning, just because a Supernatural being shouldn’t leave an area or prey on a specific type of person, doesn’t mean they can’t choose to ignore it. But, in breaking their own rules they become an easier target for those around them.

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Overseers are a rare and unique type of Contract. Considered Judge, Jury, and Executioner, they’re both a Blessing and a Cursed existence. Without Overseers, Humanity’s Deal would surely be broken, and the world would finally fall silent. Overseer Contracts are even able to be transferred to humans, unlike World-Bound Contracts. But, the process of doing so revokes Humanity, and replaces it with something much more supernatural. Overseers have the ability to discern and evaluate all World Bounders in their vicinity, including any or all breaches of their contract. They are drawn to Rule Breakers, those who have broken their World Contract, and will relentlessly pursue them. In what can only be considered omnipotence, they hold the life of Rule Breakers in the palm of their hands regardless of the strength disparity between them.

What if a wicked, or vile being comes into possession of the Overseer’s Contract though? No matter the depravity or deep-rooted evil within an Overseer, they are all bound to one absolute rule… The balance of Humanity and Supernatural weighs an unfathomable amount on their mind, and leaves none unchanged and chained to such a balance. The godly powers bestowed upon them is also just as much of a shackle, forcing compliance. As such, apathy and passiveness on virtually every other aspect of reality is what best describes their stance. It’s said even in the face of immediate death an Overseer would simply flee than retaliate. Even if their intervention would save the life of one of their Restrictive Contract Holders, humans, or other World-Bounders. So long, as the one doing such a deed is within their right to do so.

Restrictive Contract Holders are Rule Breakers spared by an Overseer, and bound to that Overseer. This type of contract is set on a being for the rest of their life. Similar to the weight an Overseer fills, Restrictive Contracts are impossibly bound to the new rules laid on them by an Overseer. Even if the rules themselves destroys the mental, physical, or very life of the Holder. The Overseer still holds absolute authority over the being, and may relinquish their existence at their very whim. It is unheard of, but still possible for a Restrictive Contract to have their World-Bound status reinstated through the Overseer.

“I’m exhausted… I think that’s enough review today.” Daegon spoke, laying down onto the couch. “Oh, Little Daegon’s done for the day? You’re going to sleep for quite a while with those wounds. I could just heal them for you, if you’d just ask.”

“No thanks.” Daegon spoke out loud, despite the voice only being in his mind. He’s gotten used to it at this point, having to share his existence with her. Despite a rather copasetic and beneficial co-existence, their beginnings were very much the opposite.

“Oh come now, Little Daegon. Your pain is mine, and I did save us once again. A little walk is all I need.” The voice spoke, borrowing Daegon’s mouth. It was teasing, playful, but most importantly, dangerous. Daegon’s co-existence with this being could only be described as a Lost, or Ancient Contract. Something, forged and sealed well before Humanity’s Deal. Forgotten to time, forgotten to nearly all. Similar to bedtime stories told to scare children, it’s said that there were Supernatural Beings on the planet well before Humanity’s Deal, and that they should be feared above all else…

Daegon huffed, collapsing onto the couch and placing the journal beside him. Drawing blankets over himself, he winced with discomfort. He was just a human, and the horrors he had narrowly escaped tonight marked the beginning of yet another uncertain path into the future. Most people in his position would not have survived. Those who did would likely harbor resentment toward the supernatural. The constant struggle for survival would erode their mental fortitude, leading them to surrender to the grim reality of their existence. However, Daegon was different. Despite his deep-seated fear, he had developed a certain comprehension of the beasts and creatures through countless interactions. Perhaps it was his solitary lifestyle, which kept others at a distance, that allowed him to form a unique perspective on the supernatural. Or maybe it was the presence of the being he shared his existence with. After enduring numerous life-and-death situations...

Whatever the reason, Daegon finds himself unwittingly thrust into a position of importance. As he drifts off to sleep, thoughts of the world's dangers linger in the recesses of his mind, keeping him awake just a while longer. Not all supernatural entities feed solely on human blood, bones, and flesh. Some insidiously invade the mind, draining vitality, emotions, or mental capabilities. Fortunately, with the vast disparities between human and supernatural lifestyles, such concerns should seldom intrude upon his home. Even as 'approachable' beings have been gradually integrating into human society, worries about their misdeeds remain minimal. At least, for now…