I had the kids get back into the nest which thankfully was nestled into a room at the back of the cave and had only one entrance. They were letting out soft whimpering noises which were killing my heart to hear but I just did my best to comfort them.

All the while I could hear the faint sounds of fighting and every so often I would hear and feel the reverberation from a distant explosion. I was getting even more worried because the clearing was a good distance away, but if it shook the whole cave like this even from that distance…… I shook my head to get rid of those thoughts and just focused on remaining on alert.

During the shaking and clattering, the lantern that was used to light up the room had fallen and broken which instantly covered everything in a pitch black darkness. Thankfully I was still near the nest and could reach my tail into and started feeling for the hatchlings. They freaked out of course but knowing I was still there helped comfort them.

In the darkness I couldn’t shake this weird feeling that kept me on edge, I could hear every little clatter as loose rocks and unsecure furniture fell over and even the echoes seemed to be put on max volume.

I kept trying to remember what it was like back on earth as a security guard that worked in an abandoned building where there would be all sorts of sounds that ranged from the building itself settling to the rats and the occasional homeless vagrant. To be able to filter the normal noises from what could potentially be a threat was a skill that I needed to relearn and put back into effect.

I was also taking in deep breaths and releasing them slowly to help calm my heart rate. Atleast I was until I heard a noise that stood out from the rest.

It sounded like nails against the rocks skittering towards me. It was soon followed by more noises but this time it was the sound of something being dragged.

My whole body froze at the sound, I didn’t know what to do and was still recovering from the activation of my ability…. But giving my head a second shake I turned to the kids and whispered for them to be quiet because I guess they had heard the noises aswell and were starting to make whimpering sounds that were growing in volume.

With that out of the way, I took hesitating steps towards the hallway in the dark and after peeking into it I was able to see a little from the light that came in from the entrance of the cave. What sucked was that along with that light came the silhouette’s of something on all fours like a dog and behind it was something huge and bulky that carried a weapon that dragged behind it. First thought that came to mind was the troll from that wizard movie.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

The dog shaped figure was sniffing along the ground and would stop and go into the other couple of rooms while the big one would stop and wait for it. I was stumped at what to do and a prick of fear was starting to grow inside. I was forcing myself to take shallow breaths to keep from making to much noise but in the end it only made my body force me to yawn, but with a big intake of air the dog suddenly stopped and scrunched down as it focused towards my direction on alert.

Both of the figures started taking slow steps towards me and the bigger one picked up it’s weapon and held it at the ready instead of just letting it drag.

*Looks like you could use some help contractor. I guess it is about time I bestow a blessing upon you.*

A female voice suddenly spoke up in my head and within seconds I felt like everything was covered in a think sludge. I felt heavier for a moment as the world around me slowed to a crawl. Instantly what looked like a rolled up scroll appears in front of me that begins to unfurl with the following written on it.

[Contractee: Stygian Pride]

[Contractor: Sin of Gluttony, Gula]

[I hereby grant my servant, Stygian Pride, with the ability [Devour]. In exchange, He is required to offer part of the energy from his kills to me, The Sin of Gluttony, Gula, as payment.]

………………….

*Sign on the dotted line darling and I’ll give you the power to protect your new family. 10 seconds.*

The voice spoke again while I was reading the simple contract but when she told me I only had 10 seconds to decide I didn’t hesitate and was going to sign but I couldn’t move my legs let alone sign anything.

“Ummm, How am I suppose to sign if I can’t move?” I said and all I heard was a sigh like a parent would after teaching something to their kids for the umpteenth time that should have already been easy to figure out.

*Just focus your mana intent and the contract will handle the rest for my sake.*

“Oh, ok.” I closed my eyes and focused my mana into the parchment and when I opened my eyes I saw my name, well my new name, signed in cursive at the bottom.

*Great, pleasure doing business with you servant. Hold on tight because this will be a doozy.*

I barely heard what she said as a rush of energy crashed into my core like a point blank cannon blast and my whole body lit up like it was on fire! All I could do was grit my teeth and power through as the pain subsided quickly after.

The whole while I felt as something settled like molten lave in my stomach and as it cooled down a feeling of hunger rose up in me. The heaviness was gone and in its place was almost a sensory overload. From sight to touch was indescribable but the biggest sense that was enhanced was smell. I could smell everything from the earth around me to the hatchlings behind me, and even the approaching figures that smelled sooo good right now.

The hunger was starting to be all that I could think about as the smell of the approaching food was starting to make me drool. I stepped out of the room and into the hallway and saw as the figures stopped.

“What are you?” I barely registered as being said in some rough gravelly voice before I lunged and my consciousness faded.