Ela's heart quickened as she recognized the look in Aerovind's eyes. "I am sorry Mr. Aero I just got bored." Aerovind snatched the book from Ela's hand.

"Next time wont be gentle Go to sleep now." Ela felt guilty as Aerovind stormed out of the cabin, the book clutched tightly in his hand.

Aerovind stepped outside into the starry night, he lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. He stared up at the sky for a long time before exhaling with a sigh.

As he watched the smoke twist and curl in the air around him, Ela quietly stepped out of the cabin and walked slowly

towards him. Aerovind noticed Ela's presence and turned to face her, the cigarette hanging loosely from his lips.

"Are you feeling better now?" Ela asked softly, looking up at him with concern etched on her face.

Aerovind nodded, taking another long drag of his cigarette. "Yeah, sorry about earlier. I just don't like people to know so much about me."

Ela nodded, understanding Aerovind's concerns. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble, I just needed something to pass the time."

Aerovind took another drag of his cigarette before passing it to Ela, "Here, have a puff. Oh, never mind, you're still too young ." Ela smiled and shook her head, "Thanks, I'll pass."

They stood in silence for a few moments, watching the stars twinkle above them. Ela took a deep breath and spoke softly, "Aerovind, can I ask you something?"

Aerovind turned to face her, his eyes flickering with interest. "Sure, Ela. What is it?"

Ela paused for a second, before inquiring softly, "I understand why you're paralyzed with grief, sir. But why are you so hesitant to show it? Why are you putting on an act and trying to keep living despite all the hardship that has befallen you?"

Aerovind laughed softly, the sound sending shivers down Ela's spine. "You're a perceptive one, Ela," he said, his voice still soft. "

I suppose the reason is clear - I don't want to make anyone else suffer through what I'm going through. The pain belongs only to me, and I don't want to put it on anyone else. Even I can't answer why I keep living, as though some hidden force drives me forward. All I know is that I must find my sister".

Ela hesitated, "Are you serious?"

Aerovind gave her a confused look. "serious about what ?"

"Do you intend to kill the king?" Ela asked.

The color in Aerovind's face drained and his eyes narrowed as the name of the king was mentioned. "Yes, Ela," he answered darkly. "I meant every word I wrote. I will make sure he and all his army are destroyed - the trials didn't make me into a monster, it was the king's actions."

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Ela looked away, her heart heavy with the weight of his words." But how are we gonna do it"

Aerovind smiled"We, there is no we, it's just me Ela You gonna be in the orphanage tomorrow"

Ela's eyes widened at Aerovind's cold response. She took a step back, "What do you mean, I'm going to be in the orphanage? I thought we gonna be together" she asked, trying to control the tremble in her voice.

"What I am killer Ela What do think want me to babysitting you during my contracts" Aerovind said with a sneer. "I can't have any distractions if I want to take down the king and his army."

Ela's eyes filled with tears as she realized the truth in his words. She had always known that Aerovind was a killer, but deep down she had hoped that he cared for her enough "But...but I wanted to ask a favour from you"

Aerovind raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. "What kind of favour?" he asked, his voice softening just a fraction.

Ela hesitated, barely speaking loud enough for Aero to hear her. "I want you to find my mother," she said, her voice shaking with emotion. "It's been years since I've seen her. All I remember is her sadness and the time she left with my father on a cart in a rush. That's all."

Aerovind sighed, his heart softening at the pain in Ela's voice. "Sorry I don't work for free beside I have many things to do"

Ela wept as she realized Aerovind could not aid her in finding her mother. As she was about to turn away, the ground quaked and a brilliant light shone from the earth, nearly blinding them both. When their sight returned, they saw a figure clad in white garb with a face that glowed like the sun.

"NO...no.noo," Aerovind said, his voice quivering. "What did you read in that notebook besides the notes?" The figure spoke in a voice that seemed to come from every direction at once, "Through the power of the tongue of the eldritch I have been summoned to grant a contract to this little girl and in return she has promised me ten years of her life."

There was an ominous pause before the figure continued. "It is done."

Ela stumbled back, her heart racing with fear and confusion. She had no idea what the figure meant by a contract, and giving away ten years of her life sounded like an unimaginable sacrifice. Aerovind was equally stunned, his usually stoic expression replaced with one of horror.

"What is the contract, anoris?" Aerovind demanded his voice confused.

The figure looked at Aerovind, its glowing face unreadable. "The contract is between this girl and the gods themselves," it said, its voice echoing with a divine power.

"She has asked for your help in finding her mother, and I have been sent to make sure you will aid her in her quest. You have no choice but to assist her, for to break the contract would be a sign of war against the all maker."

Aerovind's face was pale as he stared at the figure. It was not often that mortals interacted with divine beings, and the weight of such an encounter was heavy on his shoulders "Fu*k you Ela I shouldn't sleep with a rat in my house".

he said just when he threw the notebook at Ela and left through the snowy woods.

"Wait aerovind," Ela said as she chased after him. "Please don't leave me here alone "

Ela's voice was lost behind Aerovind's frantic footsteps. With a heavy heart, Ela turned around to face the figure.

"What are you?" she asked, her eyes wide with both wonder and fear. The figure simply stood before her, emanating a warmth that seemed to wrap around her like a blanket.

"I am Anoris, the trusted servant of the All Maker. You should be honoured to have been chosen by the All Maker for this special bond. Even I cannot fathom why you were chosen. But now that the decision has been made, I must go.

Ela stood frozen in shock while she watched the figure vanish into thin air. She was left alone in the darkness of the woods, with nothing but her thoughts for company. She couldn't believe what had just happened. She had made a contract with the gods themselves and given away ten years of her life.

As she walked back to the cabin in the snowy weather "I think Mister Aero will hate me"