Aragami

He was extremely confused. Just a few moments prior, he was talking to those two beings in front of his campfire, making a bargain with them. All his tools, including his phone and solar charger working, him being able to sense the will of this world and knowing what is safe to consume, plus knowledge about the art he chose… And the next thing he knew he's slowly floating out of his own body, looking around. He saw the two Clan members leave in small flashes of light, but he also saw a weak aura that formed around their bodies, before suddenly exploding into blinding light. He then kept rising up, until he saw nothing but black emptiness dotted here and there with flashes of light made of different colours.

He remembered what the Clan members told him and thought about the art he chose. Almost immediately, sprites of light started to gather around him. Red, blue, green, yellow, brown, and many more. They danced around him, seemingly measuring him. After a while, the red sprite flew onto his arm and burst into flame! Aragami immediately tried to swat it off of him, but realised it was not actually hot. Oddly, it felt nice and warm. Another sprite came close, this time a light green one. It landed on his back, and James felt lighter, as if he had a jetpack attached to his back. A deep blue sprite landed on his hand, and he felt his clenched muscles relax a little, feeling a nice calming effect.

Aragami was not sure what to think about them. He could tell that if he chose one of them, he would go back to his body, or he could try to lure another. But at the same time, he felt something amiss. This was not the same feeling as what the Ent showed him. "These sprites feel kinda…dead. As if all personality had been stripped off them," he muttered to himself. Aragami looked around for a while more, looking for an element that had any semblance of personality, but he couldn't see or sense any. "Well, whatever. I guess I'll have to find a Patron down below. I don't like these."

Stuffing his hands into pockets, he was about to return to his body when he sensed something that stopped him dead in his tracks. It felt like someone was watching him…and it was behind him and to his left. Aragami slowly turned in that direction, and saw a sight he wouldn't forget until the end of his life.

There was another element, but he could not quite place it. It looked like a cloth of purple so dark it could have been black,floating and fluttering in a non-existent wind, with sprites of silvery light floating towards it from all directions. As he gazed at the strange object in front of him, he heard a voice reverberate in the void of space around him.

"So you have noticed me, even though I released only a tiny bit of my presence. Not only that, but you were also able to locate where it came from. I must congratulate you. The ones who sent you here would not be able to even detect me."

Aragami looked at the cloth in stunned silence. He felt that the being in front of him was probably one out of many Laws of this world, but he was mesmerised by its beauty, the rhythmic fluttering of it. The sprites floating towards it, seemingly coming out of nowhere. The way it slithered around him, sizing him up. This being was completely different from the sprites he saw just before. This one felt like it made sense. This one had its own personality.

"Before I continue my murmurs, I'd like to know a few things. First and foremost: what is your name? How should I address you?"

This snapped him back into reality. "When I arrived and talked with those who sent me here, I was told that I need a new name, as my old one was not fitted for this world. I was called James, but I've been given a new name - Aragami."

"I see. Your original name was indeed not meant for this world. Most intelligent beings would not even be able to pronounce it." At this, the law stopped in front of him, fluttering in place like a flag. "But the name you received is not bad. It has more meanings, as most words do. Now to my second question. Do you know what language we are speaking now?"

James paused at this weird question. "This is my native language. I've grown up speaking it and using it." 'Could it be, this language is actually uncommon here? The Ent guy seemed like he didn't have any problem talking with me, but those other two used translation magic’.

"I see. This is interesting. For you see, this is a very old language, linked to the laws of this world. Only very few beings here can use this language fluently. Almost every being knows at least three words of it, though. We call it the Language of Origin, while beings on the surface call it the Language of Magic."

This caught him kind of off guard. English was a Language of Magic? Awesome! Maybe he could learn some? Hey, what if elves are real in this world? He'd already seen the Curmin and Raaketig. How many more races are there?

The cloth probably saw his line of thinking, as it remained silent for a while. Then it fluttered loudly, which had the effect of Aragami snapping to attention again. It then said, "I almost forgot to introduce myself. You can call me Noir, and I am one of many laws of this world we call Baharuth. Now I'd like to ask you another question. Why didn't you choose any of those elements? They are much easier to control, while still giving you some useful abilities."

Aragami didn't even have to think about this. "Somehow, it felt wrong. Like they were hurt and manipulated. I've never seen anything that would try to bond to something its has never seen before. You are a better example of behaviour in such a situation, and my kind is sensitive about this. Furthermore, as my people despise being controlled and manipulated, we try to help others who look like they’re in the same situation.

"Then why stop to talk to me? I appeared just as you were leaving, wasn't that suspicious?”

"It is, but honestly? I got a feeling of being safe so I decided to stay here and try talking. I think I could get away fairly quickly, but all the advantages are on your side." Aragami nervously scratched his ear, taking a hard look at his own motivations.

The only move Noir made was to flutter and draw in sprites. Aragami turned his attention to the sprites, trying to catch one as it emerged from the void of space next to him, but failing miserably.

"You can feel them," stated Noir, his voice clearly intrigued.

"I can see them clearly, but I don't know what they are. I saw some of them before, but they had different colours. The two that sent me here had yellow ones float around them, and before that the Curmin had green and orange ones floating around them. What’s that all about?

"Those are concentrated mana particles. One of the basic principles of this world. Their colour can tell you what they are used for. For example, the green ones are usually used for healing purposes. I am surprised you can not only sense them, but tell the difference in colour. You do not have any mana of your own, yet you can see it? I have never seen anything like that before." Noir started circling him again, this time much slower. "Would you mind a little experiment? Just to see if you can cast spells without any mana?"

Aragami became anxious. 'I just discovered the epic power that is mana and magic exist in this world, but I might not be able to use it? Crap!' When Noir talked about experimenting, Aragami became wary instead. "Experiment you say? How would you do it and how much danger would it bring me?"

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"You don’t have to worry. It will be safe. I will send a portion of my power to you, and try to find a way for you to absorb it and then release it in the form of a spell. It will not harm you in any way, shape, or form. It might harm my reputation amongst the other elements a bit for using a mortals body without forming a contract first, but that's it"

"Are you sure? It sounds like a big deal."

"It's fine. They’ll just talk shit to me."

Aragami didn't need a single moment to think about it. "If that's the case, I'd be glad to take part in this experiment."

"Alright. Settle yourself, as I will now take control of one of your arms, understand?” After receiving a nod from Aragami, Noir moved one of its corners and touched Aragami's left arm. Aragami still felt his arm, but could not move it as he wanted. His hand rose in front of him, with his opened palm facing away. "I will now try to cast a spell. If it bothers you in any way, please tell me.”

"Of course." After nodding, Aragami then saw an interesting phenomenon. His fingers were covered in dark purple, like a glove. This 'glove' then started to have various letters drawn on it, most of which were in english. The sprites of light that were floating towards Noir swiftly changed their course and started to circle around his extended arm before swiftly flowing in between his fingers, and finally condensing into a purple flame in his hand. Noir then grabbed it with his fingers and squashed it to extinction. "Wow"

"Interesting. You don't have mana of your own, but as long as there is mana around you, you are able to use it. It would be worth a try to experiment a bit more with this."

"Does this mean I could use all mana around me, including from other living beings and plants?"

"Technically yes, but you would have to touch the plant, and touch a living being, while getting its approval. This power is a double-edged sword. You can easily hurt your friends and nature around you if you aren't careful."

Aragami nodded. He understood that this was like playing with fire. One wrong move, and all would be gone.

"I have two final questions to ask you, Aragami."

"Ask away, Noir." 'He sounds troubled, as if he isn’t sure what to think.' With this thought, he focused on Noir.

"I have a certain problem, which I think you could help me eliminate. However, for that I would need to ask you the second question. Before I ask it, however, I need to know whether I will regret asking it. My first question is: Will you let me into your mind so I may see your life through your own eyes?"

Aragami was shocked. Although he expected a lot, this was not one of the things he could just wave away with a smile. "This is very personal and potentially dangerous to me. I don't know what you really want. You could change and destroy my memories without me noticing. Maybe you want me to be an ideal slave to you, agreeing to every order, or maybe you just want to have a mortal vessel…do I have any proof you are not that kind of being?"

"HAHAHAHA! This is assuring." Noir started to move around Aragami quickly, while talking. "Just so you know, most of those in this world would jump for this chance, to prove to one of us, just to be used by someone in the shadows. You have just passed my test."

Aragami, surprised by the flow of this conversation, was surprised and glad. He nodded his head and waited for the second question.

"The other question then. Would you agree to sign a contract with me?"

The awkward silence is something Aragami wouldn't want to experience again. Neither of them said anything for several minutes, until Aragami could bear the silence no longer.

Noir

"A contract?" said the existence in front of him, clearly surprised by the turn of events.

"Indeed. A contract."

"Why would you need a contract?"

"How do I phrase it…" Noir thought for a while. 'I can't tell him too much, as that would get unwanted attention.' "There are certain groups in the world below, cleverly using a gap in the cliffs that are the laws, that are getting an unfair advantage in solving problems. This gap is caused by me not having a sentient envoy that could judge those mortal matters."

"And what does that mean for me? What would I have to do, if I decided to accept this offer?"

Well, it’s not a full-time job. You have to answer the summons of beings asking for judgement under my purview, either in your physical body or with just your soul; solve the matter for which you were summoned; and cause as little as possible bloodshed when performing your duties. Oh, and occasionally I may need control of your body, the same way as I've taken control of one of your arms. Those would be our basic conditions. Of course, while doing those responsibilities, I will make sure you don't have to harm anyone you care for, unless it is not the cause of your summon."

"So whenever I receive your summons, I have to drop everything I'm doing and go wherever?"

"Not at all. You can just leave with just a soul most of the time. Your physical body will stay behind, still capable of doing basic tasks. Right now, your physical body is adding more wood to the fire to keep it burning. The times when I'll ask you to bring your body will be few and far between, and you will be given time or means to finish whatever you need to do."

Aragami thought deeply about something, before asking his next question. "Is it because of the art I chose, that you've asked me this question?"

Although a bit surprised, Noir thought for just a split second before answering. "Not really. Your art is just an insurance that if things go very, very badly, you'll be probably able to manage. I asked you primarily because you are not affected by the Clans, and are not easily manipulated."

Nodding his head, Aragami asked an expected question. "What do I gain from this?"

"Although I can't help you with things like casting magic or understanding languages, I can support you in questions regarding memory and protection…give you an aura so that anyone with ill intent towards you or your friends will be made aware."

"Help with my memory? What do you mean by that?"

"What did you ask the Clan elder as your third wish?"

"The knowledge of my kind, regarding the art I chose."

"Do you think anyone of your kind would not go mad out of all the knowledge since the beginning of your race suddenly appearing in their mind?"

He stiffened up, only now realising what he actually asked for.

"I can help you organise this knowledge, as well as help you upgrade the skills of this world. You are able to hear the voices of spirits and guardians, but not really understand them. I will help you with that. Also, if you show me you are worth the effort, I will consider gifting you with abilities and skills unique to my avatar.”

After a long while of thinking, the summon in front of Noir spoke up. "I can agree with these conditions, however I have one more which I'd like you to add to the list. The condition I ask for is that either one of us can withdraw from the contract if he is unsatisfied with it."

Those words surprised Noir, as they did not even cross his mind. "You are giving us a backdoor to escape these terms if we are unsatisfied. You've even thought of that… I agree with this condition as well."

Noir then created a contract using his own energy, and presented it to Aragami. Not sure what to do, he asked Noir to explain to him what to do.

" You have to put your hand on it, then put it on your chest. As soon as you do so, I'll separate a part of myself to enter your thoughts and protect you from all the information received once you return down below."

As Aragami did as instructed, Noir detached a ribbon off his body and had Aragami tie it around his head.

" The contract is sealed. When you return to your body, lay down and prepare to go to sleep. You'll have about three minutes to do so, before the knowledge starts to pour in."

Aragami straightened himself. "When I get down there, how do I contact you? I can't leave my body normally."

"You can simply call for me in your mind. I will hear you through the ribbon around your soul"

"Very well. Thank you very much. I won’t forget this, and I won't make you regret this." With an attempt to hide his grin by placing a hand in front of his mouth, his first sentient envoy departed the Spiritual Domain with a bow.

Noir kept watching him as Aragami travelled down into his physical body, stood up and added wood to the fire, and finally took off his shoes and lay down onto the mat. Then he proceeded to unwrap the Raaketig and, positioning himself behind it, covering both of them with a sleeping bag.

Not long after that, Noir had a lot of work. He had expected a lot of information, but this was very surprising . "One thing is for sure. He chooses his options wisely." Finishing the sorting of all the knowledge Aragami received, Noir looked through the most recent information to assess it. As he finished this, Noir looked to the vast emptiness and spoke, "You lot can come out now." And from the darkness, various shapes and figures started to emerge.