The city was massive, ten times bigger then the Greenwood family City Gabe had been in. Everyone Gabe passed on the street was a Geo channeler, and the atmosphere felt so foreign. He paid someone for directions to the Quiff estate and was walking through a Street of glorious mansions, and estates all of which were huge and had foliage and greenery and were statements of high wealth. Gabe felt Pride swell in his chest looking at them, he could easily afford this entire city section. His Demon hoard was not poor, after hundreds of millennia loving on a High grade Treasure land and with surrounding territory as big as any other Demon hoard territory they were astoundingly wealthy with Treasures and stolen gold. And it all belonged to him. Along with Sisfar's gold stores he was possibly as rich as Quiff himself, though doubts were set in his mind the moment he saw the man's estate. He was struck with absolute awe at the magnificent and beautiful land filled with glorious anchaint tree spirits all had several rare unplucked fruits on them, which ment that Quiff like them with thier fruits on and the money they were worth wasn't enough to pick them. The bushes and shrubbery were also rare and filled with barriers, or Rare flowers. The gate was open and Gabe knew that it wasn't inviting thieves, on the contrary it was only greater proff of how well known and Powerful Quiff was. If anyone tried to sneak in and take anything, they would most likely be met by dozens of estate Acolytes all Deity realm, in the blink of an eye.

Gabe couldn't help but awe at the gate and barred fence as he walked up to it, it was all made of gold. Solid gold. There were extravagant carvings of vines and flowers, and even thicker then necessary Bars. The fence looked like it encompassed the whole Estate which was too far to see with all the greenery. And was a true statement of the wealth of the branch of the family. Every family had it's high and wealthy, but The Wooden-Thunder family was known for its Ambition. They saw greed as a healthy thing and prided themselves on business. They had taken control of the Phenix Lands through trickery and wealth, which was no ordinary feet. They also liked to flaunt thier position and power, and Quiff was one of the top. Gabe took a breath as he stood at the edge of the gate line looking in, the Mansion, or palace he guessed, was barely visible through the Treasure trove forest it had as a front yard. Then Gabe stepped forward. Immediately he could feel every eye turn to him, every soul sense on the property was watching. All curious and eager to stop him if he touched anything. Gabe was wrong, he already knew from the senses on him that if he touched anything he wouldn't even see his death coming. A snap of the fingers could end his life from the power watching him. It was both terrifying and perfect. His fortune always seamed to shine through in dire situations, and even if he wound up regretting coming here he was willing to take the chance for Seygo.

Half way down the marble paved road as the Palace of silver and red came into view Gabe was stopped. His body engulfed in a powerful and dangerous fire aura that held him still, without chance of escape. He smiled, and looked around. "Who are you and why have you come?" A woman's voice came as a Striking figure suddenly appeared before him. She was a Deity Realm Acolyte, with Space as her element. Teleportion was a masterful craft, much more difficult then opening a portal, gabe knew that from his studies in the space element. She was skilled. "I am Friday, and I have come to sign on as an Acolyte." He answered calmly. He was wearing his Chameleon coin, and from the fact that she hadn't said anything about it made him hopeful that it worked on even Deity realm Channelers, which was perfect. He had doubted it's ability after Afell had seen it on him, but the Archdevil had been much too powerful for this world anyway. She stared at his bald headed mean looking exterior and scoffed. "Go home, or try to join a lower house. This branch only excepts the talanted." Gabe grinned showing his teeth which made the woman's eyes open just slightly, he knew it was because of how ugly and malicious his Form looked. He didn't know why but the persona this coin gave him was just evil looking. Maybe it had something to do with Sisfar, he made a not to ask the demon later. "I have three Soul-Beasts, I have plenty of talant." The woman held a straight face, unbelieving. She didn't even move but suddenly Gabe felt some pressure release from his body and knew he could now summon his Soul-Beasts. "Show me." She said simply. Gabe still couldn't move but summoned his soul beasts with his mind. Suddenly three beasts appeared in front of him, between him and the woman. The Acolyte froze for a minute, then rose an eyebrow. It was clear she didn't know what to think. For this little adventure Gabe was appearing as a high level Champion Realm channeler, thinking it would be better to hold his true power up his sleeve. "I'm.... impressed. But None of the elders or masters of This house are here at the moment, you will have to wait untill we message them." She didn't wait for his answer or let him go, instead she tightened the Aura arround him again so that his Soul-Beasts were forced back into his soul room and disappeared. Gabe only smiled as he stood there waiting against his will, he got the feeling that the woman didn't like him very much. But she couldn't do anything about it, Acolytes were forced to act in the family houses best interest, and having an Acolyte with three Soul-Beasts was good for everyone in the Family.

The woman Acolyte who's name was Cindy immediately informed all the other Acolytes in the house of the situation. Everyone was in awe, and envious of the Man with three Soul-Beasts, but also curious as to why he wanted to join the family so badly. Cindy let them discuss thier own worries and used the house's best long distance communication ring to contact everyone of the Quiff family branch Ancestor or above. The branch she served directly under was one of the largest in the Wooden-Thunder family, and had upwards of a dozen members that could sign an Acolyte. But the moment Quiff heard the news he messaged her back that he would be coming personally. He sounded very pleased and promised Cindy a reward for this if it was true the man wanted to become an Acolyte. Only ten minutes later a Portal opened up in the front hall and out stepped three tall men, all Deity realm Acolytes and the strongest in Quiff's little army. Behind them a Short balding middle-aged man stepped out with gold rings on his fingers and a braided goatee. He had a pot belly and a large white grin on his face. Cindy was immediately next to him. "So where is he? Where is this beautiful channeler?" The man asked. Cindy held a straight face, but the Chaneler was anything but beautiful. She pointed to the door. "I have him held down outside sir" Quiff's smile fell, and he looked at her with anger. "You mean you haven't invited him in!!?" He yelled. "Go get him! Apologize for making him wait. Take him to the kitchen and feed him our beast Meal, then bring him to my office in five minutes!" Cindy flinched there went that reward, she teleported back out to the Man.

Gabe was only pleasant as he was led to the kitchen and given a valuable spirit meal that would help his Channeling, it was filled with herbs and fruits, even rare beast meat that would make even the Greenwood family cringe at the price. He downed it with a smile and left half of it uneaten when Cindy told him that Quiff was waiting. Her attitude had completely changed, she was placid now and meek, trying her best to win him over. Gabe figured her boss must not have been very pleased with her leaving him out to wait. He was taken through a very extravagant and costly palace, where even the walls were adorned with treasures. And after several halls and and flight of stairs he was let through a gold and wood door into a private office filled with Heavenly pure Water spirit energy. Gabe was a bit shocked when he felt it and looked arround, heavenly pure spirit energy was the highest grade you could get on Primeway, many folds more pure then the mid grade Treasure land the city was built on was putting out. The office was well lit and large, with all kinds of treasure weapons and valuables on display on the walls or pedestals. And in each corner there were Heaven grade aura Candels burning with the smell of salty sea air. These Candels were worth millions each, and would produce a Spirit energy field when lit. They didn't last forever, but with the quality of these they could probably put out the heavenly Pure energy for a year.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Across a desk in the far wall of the room sat a pudgy short man who's beard was braided, and who's eyes were staring at him with pleasure and greed. "Welcome Mr Friday, please have a seat." He gestured to the comfortable chair in front of him. Gabe walked through the museum like office trying not to stare at the incredible weapons and artifacts to each side of him, he sat in the chair and held out his hand. "Hello there Master Quiff." He said with a Smile as the man shook his hand. "Good you already know my name, then I only have a few questions for you before we start. The first is why exactly have you come to my house in particular?" He rose his eyebrow but Gabe could see he thought already knew the answer. "Well sir, I don't have any family backing. And I figured if I was going to get some I should get the best. Your house would fit the bill." Quiff noded holding back a wolf like grinn. "And why is it you've waited so long, with talant like yours I'm certain you could have done this at any time you pleased." Gabe could see how the man wanted him, he was anxious to have Gabe signed but needed to be sure of a few things first. "Well sir to tell the truth I thought I could grow fast enough without Signing with a family, but... it's not easy out there." There were plenty of those who tried to Grow without backing and many had to as they couldn'tn sign an Acolyte contract. some made it after braving the hardship of life alone on Primeway. Others eather died because they didn't have the resources they needed to pass thier realm, or eventually signed on with a family after they had gone as far as they could and gained enough power to be useful. Quiff noded with as grim look as if he understood Gabe's plight. "Alright young man, the last question I have is for you to show me your soul beasts. Then we can sign you on." Gabe smiled, and without moving three Beasts appeared behind him, the giant have to crouch down as the ceiling wasn't high enough. "Well I'll be..." Quiff said, he was a Strong Totem realm Channeler who had inherited his Branch of the family from his father after he ascended. He was also an astute business man, known for his skill in trade and intelligence about the market. "Alright then, I'll draw up the basic Acolyte contract, you can let your soul beasts back where they belong." Gabe released his New Soul-Beasts and shook his head. "Now sir, I didn't come here for just any deal. I know your family can offer me better then that." Quiff looked at him with a raised eyebrow. Usually he got angry when someone tried to negotiate with him, he never showed it though. But there was something about this man he liked. As ugly as he was, he walked with the right kind of confidence, and had his mind made up about how the world was. He was as lot Like Quiff himself. And this only proofed it. "What did you have in mind? I can't just let you take my family's resources and not get a good deal for them." Gabe laid his hands flat on the table. "I want three hundred years off the regular price, and the ability to chose my own Division." An Acolyte devision was the task they were chosen to serve, like Treasure hunters, Body guards, servants, teachers, trainers, house sitters, there were a hundred different tasks an Acolyte could get. And they could be switched back and forward as desired. Gabe needed to be able to put himself where he had the best chance of Finding Seygo. Quiff scoffed, as if he had asked too much. Though Gabe could see the man had expected worse. He almost looked disappointed, like he had seen Gabe as a better negotiator. But Gabe wasn't really trying, he only needed one thing. And he'd be willing to offer Two thousand years of service to get it. He grinned inside, not that he would ever pay that service. "Now, aren't you being a little steep, after all. We offer you so much. You could probably shave millennia off your Estimated Ascension life. I don't think we can't cut you a deal, but more like Just a hundred years off your Contract." He kept his voice even and polite, like he was doing Gabe a favor. Gabe gave another one of his creepy grins. "Now, I know what I'm worth mister Quiff. I'll be a pride to the family, not many channelers like me out there. And I'll be a Show case to you. Like that nice fence you have arround your estate. I don't think I'll budge, you can give me what I'm asking for." Quiff smiled back, a few hundred years was chicken squat to him anyway, but he was a business man he had to at least budge Gabe a bit. "I'll accept your offer, but with just fifty years more. Take it or leave it." Gabe nodded. "Done."

Before the word even left his mouth, gold glowing runes began to fly up from Quiff's arms and neck and organize themselves into a contract floating in the air. "Just agree and we're all set mister Friday." When it finished Gabe read every part of it, the basic Acolyte contract was all here. Do no harm to the family as a whole, act in the Family's best interest at all times and not your own. Folow all orders given to you by Wooden-Thunder family members above Master Realm unless they conflict with the preview two rules. Never reveal any family secrets, or speak to outsiders or low family members about family business. Do not Ascend for a seven hundred and fifty years after you reach the Diety Realm. Ect, ect, ect. Then it listed all the benefits he would be given for his services, and the laws of the family he would have to folow. Like not stealing, or lying to a family member about anything. Then there was the loyalty clause, first to the Wooden-Thunder family and its head. Then to Quiff's own family house. As whichever house signed you had rights to you abouts thier personal Acolyte. Gabe was Okey with everything and only found one thing he didn't agree with. "I don't want to be sent to a league for at least two years after my service begins" he said pointing to the spot on the contract where it said the family had the right to send him where it pleased whenever it pleased. Quiff who had been patiently waiting for Gabe to finish his reading rose his eyebrows. "Why the heck not!?" He asked, not understanding why anyone wouldn't want to be sent to a league. Leagues helped channelers in ways that couldn't even be listed, and talents like Friday could only benefit there. Gabe held back a frown and looked at Quiff with his best pokerface, he couldn't let the real reason be known. "I want to reach the master realm before I enter the league, if I haven't done so in two years then you can send me anyway." It was a flimsy reason, and Gabe cringed inwardly but he knew that if he was sent to a league his chances of finding Seygo would be low. Quiff let out a breath. "That's...." He was about to say moronic, but didn't want to lose a fish that was already on the line. What was two years? Ha! This man would be the biggest bragging right he'd aquired since he found and bought that Drop of Spirit Giving Giant's blood. Besides the longer it took for him to Grow the longer he was in service to them, and none of the other Wooden-Thunder family branches had a Channeler with three Soul-Beasts. "I don't belive you.... but fine." He let a few runes rise from his arm and it added a two year No league Clause in the contract. "Good enough?" Quiff asked leaning forward with a grinn, he was seconds away from Stealing this man from everyone else. He was definitely going to throw a party when this was done.

Gabe took a breath, the contract was good enough. Everything he needed was there, but did he really want to do this? He had never tested his Ability to break a spirit contract, mostly because to test it would mean to actually break one. Which would result in eather success, or instant death. There was no safe way to see if he could actually do this. And he'd never heard of anyone else doing it. Before he could over think it he reached forward with his hand and agreed with his mind. The contract instantly vanished. "Good deal!!" Quiff exclaimed as he stood with glee. "Now, before you leave I have two more questions. Have you ever had any relations with any other family? and was everything you've just told me true?" Gabe stood also and held a straight face, the contract had stated that he had to tell the truth here. Otherwise he would die. "No I have no contacts or relations with any other family house, and yes everything I have said is true." Gabe waited, waited to die but... nothing. He couldn't hold back the grinn that sprouted on his face. "Huh..." Quiff let out, then that stupid thing about not going to a league was true, he was certain it was a lie. He looked at Friday with curiosity, what a strange man. "Well Mister Friday, you can leave now. I'll have one of my servants take care of all the details. Welcome to the Wooden-Thunder family."