ARC 2: Contract with a God

Blood Contract.

It was the greatest of all the binding spells. Melding a portion of the caster’s soul unto the recipient, it was a spell that granted unfathomable power in exchange for undying loyalty. It was a spell possible only after fulfilling three cardinal requirements.

The first was a soul capable of bending the will of another. Second was an unparalleled powerful soul capable of becoming a host. And the third was the agreement between two souls. Nonexistence of any of the three cardinal requirements would result to death.

“Please…become my God.” Raul knelt in front of the man cladded in black. With unwavering resolve, he stared straight into the grey eyed man’s eyes.

“…No.” Yuje paused for a long time before he replied. He then calmly walked back inside the colossal barouche and sat cross-legged. Closing his eyes, he then resumed his usual meditation.

Everyone was speechless at the anti-climactic response of the man. Everyone had known Raul for quite some time now. They all knew that he was a man of great pride. They all knew that it would have taken Raul a great amount of determination in order to kneel and plead in front of another.

Raul stood there motionless after the response. Wiping the dust off his grayed tattered cloak, he then banged inside the barouche.

“Why?” The high ranking noble asked. Gripping the metallic door handle, he then ruffled his hair in frustration.

“You will die.” Without opening his eyes, Yuje replied.

“I won’t—” Raul stopped his words. He himself did not know what would happen during a blood contract. Based on Lord Loven’s story, the contract involved risking one’s life in order to successfully complete the process. Biting on his lower lips, he continued. “I won’t die. Not until I’ve returned to Ruan. The House of Thena needs me.”

The rest of the group quietly listened to the conversation. Even though they’re outside, they were still able to hear the ongoing conversation.

“You don’t understand.” Yuje stood up from his meditation. Flexing his fingers, he then walked towards the freckled man that stood right at the entrance. “I have no control on what might happen during the contract.”

“That’s the case for everyone right?” Raul asked in ahesitant voice. The field of Blood Contract was not a field greatly studied.

“No.” Yuje looked towards Lord Loven that was interestedly listening to the conversation. “Isn’t that right?”

Lord Loven tightened his overcoat with both arms and stared back. Squinting both eyes in deep thought, he then looked towards the heavens.

“Normally, for the emperors, it is possible to control the amount of power granted unto another.” Lord Loven replied. Scratching his chin he added. “If Emperor Thanatos hadn’t controlled his power, I would have been long dead by now. I am nothing but an average human after all.”

Such a fact would have been obvious by now. The contractor was capable of controlling the amount of power poured unto the contract based upon the capabilities of the recipient. Doing so increased the survivability, although slim.

“I am unable to control the other being residing within me. I cannot grant your wish.” Yuje declared.

Everyone was confused and at the same time surprised at the revelation. They knew that Yuje wasn’t the type to lie about things. Furthermore, he was a man of calm and right decisions. Without a doubt, the Demon of Grimfort had basis on the things he was saying.

“What do you mean?” Raul asked. He was determined to enter into contract with Yuje. If such a method was the only way to return back to Ruan, he would gladly risk his life.

“I cannot further explain.” Yuje said. “Your request—it’s too risky.”

“It seemed that entering into a blood contract with him would be of a higher risk than normal.” Lord Loven interjected. He was concerned of the safety of Raul. “There is no need to rush. Being greedy will result to nothing but grievance.”

“Lord Loven is right. There is no need to rush Raul.” Taki said. He then patted the Raul as he ushered for everyone to get inside the colossal wagon.

“Thank you very much Lord Loven.” Taki bowed down towards the bald man. “The city of Baran was a wonderful place we would love to visit again someday.”

He meant those words. Although located in a dangerous place such as the demon continent, the water metropolis was a paradise comparable to the most beautiful city in the kingdom of Tarus. It was dangerous yet at the same time gorgeous.

“Of course. Everyone would be gladly welcomed here in Baran.” Lord Loven, gently smiling, said. He then waved his hands in farewell. “I ask the heavens to be merciful to you all. Goodluck!”

With those words, the group had left the water metroplolis—the city of Baran.

****

It had been few hours since the group had left the water metropolis. Everyone was enveloped in a deafening silence. Only the sound of the Lambards crushing the rubbles underneath their scaly feet was heard. Taki swiftly guided the reptile-like creatures along the ominous forest ground.

“Ever since I was young, I was regarded as the scrap of the house—the black sheep.” Raul broke the silence. Leaning on his make-do wooden chair, he then grabbed the armrest and clenched it, creating a creaking sound. “I was the second son—always compared to my older brother. Well…he was a genius. Attaining an S rank after graduating from Grimfort.”

The group kept their silence as Raul continued his one-sided conversation. They had never known that Raul had such a side in him. The Raul that they’ve all grown to was a smug, selfish one that doesn’t care about anything else other than fulfilling his sense of justice.

“I wanted to become someone as great as him. No—someone even greater. That brother of mine would be the downfall of my house. I have known of his plans but my parent’s won’t believe me. I am powerless.” Raul said. He then looked towards the man sitting in meditation. “I would gladly risk my life. So please.”

“…………………………”

Yuje opened both his eyes and stood up. He then leaned on the window side where the opening to the bow front was located. With the soothing wind of the forest brushing to his face, he stood in complete silence before he spoke.

“Once you’ve made the contract, you’ll be forever bound to my soul. In both flesh and blood.” Yuje said. He then turned towards Raul. “You will no longer be of the Thena. You will become a Gashka.”

“Gashka? You’re a member of that mythical clan?” Raul asked agape. Everyone was stunned at those words. Everyone knew of the mythical clan that was heard of in legends.

“Yes. I am the last one remaining.” Yuje said in a solemn voice. The memories of the past came flashing to his mind. Grimacing at the painful memories, he then continued. “Your blood. It would become the same as mine. Your soul…everything—it would be bound and become one.”

“That’s fine.” Raul said with absolute conviction. “I will gladly become one with you and serve the clan for all eternity.

This I promise you. I have a younger brother. He is far suited to becoming the head of the House of Thena. I will get out of this continent and return to Ruan. I—will stop the fall of my house.”

“…Stop the carriage.” Yuje told Taki. Taki then immediately pulled at the harness and made the scaly creatures halt in their tracks.

“Fine.” Yuje said. “You would most likely die from this.”

Everyone went outside the carriage in order to watch the blood contract. Not even their professors knew much about the highest binding magic. It was a delicate magic that could end one’s life after just a single mistake.

Yuje smoothly walked towards Raul. As if gliding through the air, the man’s garb fluttered beautifully from the wind. Coming to a halt right in front of Raul, the grey eyed man then lifted his hands and placed a finger onto the noble’s temple.

“It will depend upon you—speak with the creature residing within me.” Yuje then created a small cut unto Raul’s forehead using the finger gently placed unto it. After a quick subtle explosion of mana in the air, the blood from the wound became erratic. Forming thin red lines that enveloped Raul’s entire body, the freckled man lost consciousness.

****

[Human.]

Raul heard a voice from beyond. He was currently inside an endless white abyss devoid of nothing but blindingly bright light. With no exact direction to go, he wandered aimlessly inside the abyss. Strange enough, he felt that sooner or later, he would find what he had been looking for.

After some time that seemed like an eternity, he then saw a room completely enveloped in white light. He entered. Inside was a space devoid of everything but a figure standing at the center. It was a figure that seemed familiar to him. It was a figure that exuded unexplainable strength. Strength so overwhelming that he felt that the universe itself would crumple away from it.

[A human—Indeed.]

The figure before him spoke. It was faint but the figure seemed to be smiling. Bound by chains of blindingly bright light, the figure slowly walked towards him.

[It seems that my human shell had found a useless one.]

[Weak, puny little creature that seems to disintegrate to dust at any time.]

The figure continued walking towards Raul, this time a little slower. The chains that bound him seemed to prevent him move forward any further.

“Who are you?” Raul asked. He then realized that bit by bit, the shackles that bound the figure seemed to crumble away.

[Who am I? Who am I indeed?]

[Some call me the 10thform.]

[Some call me the final form of Hiryu.]

[Heh~]

[Fallacy. I am neither of those.]

[One of the eight Gods that was the origin of life.]

The figure continued with its slow steps until it stood directly in front of Raul. Still smiling, it gazed directly into the freckled man’s eyes.

Raul was shocked to see the face behind the figure. It was a face he was familiar with. It was the face of the man that had saved their lives countless times. It was Yuje.

“You!” Raul exclaimed. He was bewildered of the translucent creature in front of him. Somehow the man’s body seemed ethereal. It gave the impression that one’s hand could pass through its body.

The creature, fully cladded in white, closed its eyes. Licking its lower lips, it then grinned mischievously.

[It had been more than a decade since I was bound by these chains.]

[Thankfully the blood oath finally took effect. It created a dent at the seal placed upon me by my very own clan.]

[Just a little bit more…these chains would eventually crumple. I guess I should be thankful to that old coot that made this possible?]

The creature abruptly opened its eyes and gave an unruly laughter. It then tilted its head to one side and placed a finger to it lips.

[Heh~ My human shell has an unbelievable amount of will power. Even under the blood oath, he refuses to lose control over his body. The moment he loses all strength in his body—]

The creature was broadly grinning. It was the smile of a devil.

[That would be the moment that I shall finally be free.]

Raul stood there speechless. The presence of the figure in front of him was very different from its human counterpart. It was mischievous, calculating, and its greed and evil desires clearly emanated. It did not even bother to place a façade.

[Heh~ I am feeling really good right now. I would soon be free of these shackles. It would not be bad to have my own pawns in the mortal realm.]

The creature placed its fingers onto Raul’s forehead.

[Your desires—I’ll grant it to you.]

[You shall become the spear of the Gashka clan.]

****

“Raul!”

Everyone repeatedly chanted the name of the man sprawled on the floor. Currently, an ominous force continued to envelope the unconscious man, blocking anyone that tried to enter. The crimson-white aura spiraled at the unconscious body and lifted it up into the air. The ground beneath it began to disintegrate into dust.

~CRACK

~RUMBLE

Raul’s body stood up in the air. Opening its eyes, it then gazed upon the students beneath it. Crimson marks continuously crept up its body, totally enveloping it. By the time the ominous aura condensed, Raul’s body was fully cladded in a crimson armor. The crimson armor then crept towards the back of the man and formed a figure that resembleda tail.

“ARRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHUUUUAAAAAHHH!!”

Raul roared. Cracks literally began to form in the stale air. With the aura gone and replaced by the crimson tail, Raul fell to the ground with a loud bang, forming large cracks upon impact. The man then opened both his arms wide and roared another cry. At his back, the tail began to split into three and each of them formed a trident shaped blade at the tip.

“RAAAAAAAHHHHGGGGGGGGG!!”

The tails began to slash away at its surroundings. The forest they were in was being decimated by the onslaught of attacks.

~BAG!

~BAG!

~BAG!

The tails began to target the humans near it. Using his blood sword, Yuje blocked the barrage one after another.

“Raul! What are you doing?! Come to your senses!” Taki yelled. Earlier, he summoned his wind barrier but it was immediately pierced like a bubble by the erratic tails of the rampaging beast. Thankfully, Yuje was there to block all of the attacks that targeted the students and the barouche.

As I thought. His body cannot handle such power.

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Yuje applied a large amount of mana into his blood sword. He then created a gargantuan slash towards the rampaging beast.

~SWWAAANNNNGGG!!!

The slash was met by the three tails of the beast. After some resistance, slash was diverted into the air and created a massive shockwave. Raul was able to divert the trajectory of the slash from the blood sword.

Again.

~SWAAAAAANNNNNNGGG!!!

Yuje created another slash towards Raul, but this time it was a lot stronger than the last one. Just like before, the beast used its three trident-like tails to block the colossal strike. The collision of powers created a massive shockwave that made the students grab at the grandiose barouche to prevent their bodies from being swept away.

After some resistance, the slash from Yuje eventually dispersed. It had been successfully blocked by the rabid beast. The three tails that protected Raul began to crumble away bit by bit. The ominous aura that lingered at its body dissipated as the man fell to his knees.

“Huff…Huff…” The wounded beast was panting. Severely injured, it tried to raise it broken tails.

~RAAAAAHHHH!!

Raul, still savage beyond belief, released another set of tails. The tails that were formerly three were now six. Unleashing all of his remaining mana, Raul repaired the tails at his back. With a piercing glare, he dashed towards Yuje.

~BAAGG!!

~BAAGG!!

~BAAGG!!

Barrage of attacks were unleashed from the rampaging beast. Its tails that spanned around eight meters each continuously assaulted Yuje at a frightening speed. Various cuts began to form on the grey eyed man’s body. It was gradual, but the rabid monster was able to push back Yuje.

Although the Demon of Grimfort was able to utilize only around twenty five percent of its former strength, the feat of injuring the SSS ranked monster was quite a feat. The barrage of attacks continued. Yuje did not try to fight back since he knew that Raul was at his utmost limits. Any injuries towards the man might result to death. With the blood contract out of control, his condition was very unstable.

~BAG

~BAG

~CUT

~CUT

Yuje continued to parry each of the attacks that flew at frightening speed. After some time, the tails began to crumble bit by bit. It was only a matter of moments until it finally broke.

It will be over soon.

After some time of unending barrage, its tail couldn’t handle the pressure and eventually broke. Raul, not minding the loss of his weapon dashed on fours towards Yuje. Opening his jaws wide, he tried to bite the grey eyed man. The high ranking noble was a wild beast.

~ROOOOAAAGGGHHH!!

“Wind Shackles.” Taki chanted his wind magic and created a chain made out of wind. He then roped the rabid beast—this time, he had successfully bound it with his magic.

“R-Raul?” Onesa was crying. She was dumbfounded at the sudden transformation.

“Raul wake up! Do not let it control your body!” Mui exclaimed.

Yuje slowly walked towards the bound beast. Not minding the rabid appearance of Raul, he pressed a finger at the man’s forehead.

“Sleep.”

An astronomical amount of mana suddenly exuded from the grey eyed man and enveloped the rampaging beast. After some time, the thin crimson lines that crept up the man’s body receded—along with it was Raul’s consciousness.

****

It had been two days since the incident. Raul still refused to wake up. During the entire time, Yuje was with Raul, trying to stabilize the rampaging mana inside the man’s body.

They were currently at a canyon that stretched as far as the eyes can see. According to the map, after crossing the Great Canyon, they would eventually arrive at a sea of palm trees. The city of Po was a day of travel from there.

“Wind Blades!”Taki striked at the flying bat-like creatures.

“Earthen Spear!” Onesa summoned her spear made out of earth. Unfortunately, she was unable to hit the bat monsters with erratic movements. Mui and Kath used their claymores to decapitate the monsters that dashed towards them from the air.

The bats seemed to contain a good amount of intelligence. Deeming that Onesa was the weakest of the group, they began to target her.

“Onesa!” Kath dashed towards the red haired girl. Brandishing her claymore, she slashed away at the mob of monster. Unfortunately, they were too many.

“Wind Barrier!” Taki created a barrier that enveloped Onesa. The feeble girl was saved by the barrier in just the nick of time.

~Bite

The bat monsters targeted Taki instead. After casting Wind Blades and Wind Barrier, he was depleted of his entire mana.

~Bite Bite Bite

“Ughh!” Taki fell towards the ground. The continuous onslaught of monsters rendered him unable to do anything but shield himself.

~Slash

The bats surrounding the former farm kid were decapitated. Yuje stopped in reconditioning Raul for a while and began to slash away at the mob of monsters.

~Slash ~Slash ~Slash

After a few moments, the bats were annihilated. Those that survived immediately fled from the group. Everyone had never encountered such intelligent monsters from before.

“Taki!” Onesa run towards Taki. The man was sprawled on the ground.

“Are you alright?” Onesa was trying to suppress her tears. She knew that it was because of her that Taki was assaulted by the mob of monsters.

“Hehe. I’m fine.” Taki stated. He then lifted his finger and wiped away the tears of the girl in front of her. “The injuries are not actually severe. It does not seem to be poisonous too.”

Onesa and the rest of the group heaved a sigh of relief. Every now and then, the bat-like creatures would target them. It was a blessing that the Lambards had thick scales that prevented the bat creatures’ attacks. They wouldn’t want to traverse such an endless path by foot.

“Yuje.” Taki slowly got up to his feet. Brushing the dust that covered his body he then walked towards the grey eyed man. “How’s Raul?”

“…Just a little bit more.” Yuje glanced towards the barouche’s entrance. “I’ve managed to stabilize more than half of his mana.”

“Great! Hahaha!” Taki placed his hands to his hips and boisterously laughed. He then grimaced in pain after remembering that he was actually injured. “Ow…damn those bats. Everyone, I think we should stop for now and rejuvenate ourselves. Let’s eat.”

Everyone nodded in consent. Kath and Mui pulled out a barrel of food and presented it towards the Lambards. It contained grounded meat mixed with edible plants. The creatures were omnivorous.

Onesa began to prepare the food for their group. Creating bowls made out of her earth magic, she then filled it food and handed it towards everyone. Somehow, she took it upon herself to make sure that everyone was able to eat properly.

“I wonder when Raul is going to wake up.” Mui worriedly said. She then began to sip from the skin flask placed on her lap.

“Ummm…That blood contract.” Onesa said to Yuje. She was fidgeting. “Lord Loven said that there are different levels of blood contract—”

She left the question hanging, but somehow, everyone understood what the red haired girl meant. They too had been wondering how much of the contract was instilled into Raul’s body.

“Half.” Yuje said. He then put down the bowl on his hands. “I’ve examined his soul—it wasn’t able to form a full contract with the being residing within me.”

“That being residing within you…what is it?” Taki asked. Like everyone else, he had been curious about it. He had never heard of such a thing before—a creature residing in one’s body.

“It was…” Yuje paused. He himself did not know how to explain. “Just think of it as my twin soul. It was bound to me and at the same time a source of an almost infinite mana pool.”

The word ‘infinite’ had taken everyone by surprise.

“You have an infinite source of mana?” Kath asked in amazement. She had seen Yuje fight countless times before, but she had never expected that the man would have such a thing as infinite mana pool.

“I said ‘almost’.” Yuje looked towards the sun that would soon be gone. “My mana gets depleted just like everyone, but on the other hand, my regeneration rate is astronomically faster than normal.”

Yuje stood up and grabbed his skin flask. He then gulped down from it. Feeling the refreshing feeling of the water running down inside his body, he continued.

“Humans normally replenish their mana by absorbing it from the environment and incorporating it inside their body." Yuje leaned on the metallic carriage. “I, on the other hand, am capable of replenishing my reserves by absorbing from the environment and—from the creature residing within me.”

“Then that explains why you were able to unleash such power even when you said that you’re able to use only about two percent of your former strength.” Taki said. “Your regeneration was actually able to keep up with the consumption. It’s absurd but I’ve seen it with my very own eyes. Man—you’re a cheat.”

“How much power were you able to tap from the being residing with you?” Mui asked with an excited tone. Her eyes were glimmering with wonder. She then tilted her head towards her left. “Who or what was it?”

“Only a speck…” Yuje reminisced his memories. “The creature…it is me—the former me. The one locked away that time.”

“That time?” Onesa asked. She felt that there was something about the Demon of Grimfort that they knew nothing about.

“……………………..”

Yuje didn’t answer and just stared at the heavens. Gazing at it with a solemn expression, he then went back inside the colossal carriage. Placing both palms on Raul’s chest, he then resumed stabilizing the young man’s mana.

****

It took another three days until Raul finally regained his consciousness. From a supine position, he abruptly stood up on his feet. Grasping his neck, his face became distorted.

“BLLEEGGHH!!”

Raul puked onto the metallic floor of the barouche. Gasping for air in deep agony, he began to flail his arms around until he grabbed hold of the opened barouche’s entrance. He then hastily went outside, tripping on his two feet.

~Thud

Raul fell face-first unto the ground. Silently enduring the pain, he then moved his body sideways and panted. Raising his hands above his face, he began crying. It was the sound of an animal on the brink of death.

“*Hic* As I thought…” Raul intentionally let his arms fall towards the muddied ground. Gripping the wet mound on his left, he bit his lips so hard that blood oozed out from it.

“Raul!” Onesa knelt beside Raul. The red headed girl did not seem to mind the mud on her feet. “Are you alrigh? What happened?! What’s wrong?!”

The rest of the group also immediately went out of the barouche. It was noon and the sun was hovering in the sky. The translucent rays scattered at the muddied ground created a sparkling canopy.

“I…can’t” Raul tried to choke out the words. His tears continued to stream down his sunken face. “I…can’t see.”

Everyone was dumbfounded at the revelation. Carefully observing, everyone saw that Raul’s eyes were covered by a subtle white spiral mark. Without explanation, everyone knew the cause of such a thing—the blood contract. It was definitely the recoil. Considering that the contract was life threatening, they knew that they should be grateful that only his eye sight was what was taken away. But still, it was a harsh reality—losing one’s sense of sight.

“I should have never allowed the contract to occur.” Yuje said in a low voice. “This is partly my fault…”

Everyone knew that it was not really Yuje’s fault, but it was too painful to point the responsibility to Raul. Keeping their silence as not to further hurt the man’s feelings, everyone stood there gazing at the man on the ground.

“Yuje.” Raul said. He then sat on the muddied ground and looked towards the barouche’s direction. “This is not your fault. It is mine. Entirely mine.During that time that I assaulted everyone—I remembered everything. I tried to kill everyone. I’m sorry”

When Raul lost control of his body and attacked everyone, he was actually conscious. He was conscious but he did have any control over his body. That time, power was surging within himself and was screaming to be let out.

“There should be something I could do.” Yuje walked towards Raul. He then again placed his finger onto the man’s forehead. “Do not move until I say so. I will force the being within me to restore your sight. A God should be able to do at least that.”

“So you knew all along?” Raul asked in a bewildered tone. “So you also knew that the creature was just bidding its time? It told me that it would immediately take over your body once you’ve lost all strength.”

“Yes. I’ve known about it for quite some time now. Ever since the blood oath created a nick at its shackles.” Yuje calmly replied. He then created a cut on Raul’s forehead and applied his mana onto it. “I’ll negotiate with it.”

Following those words, Raul and Yuje were enveloped by a subtle white hue. Both were still and had their eyes closed.

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Author's note: Finally. So taxing. Time to rest for the day.