The morning sun slowly rose, driving the mist from the valley around Thalindra's home. Ian and Gerude sat at the dining table, eating toasted bread and sipping warm herbal tea. Helel and Ereshkigal stood behind them, the air thick with tension between them.

"So, this process is dangerous?" Ian asked, looking at Thalindra.

Thalindra nodded. "If the energy is unbalanced, the dragonwood could crack, or you... could fuse into spirit stone."

Gerude and Ian exchanged worried glances. Elara smiled faintly. "Don't worry, it's rare that happens."

Helel turned to Gerude. "Focus. Don't fail."

Ereshkigal gave Ian a cold stare. "Focus, or it's over."

"That's enough," Thalindra said firmly. "We begin."

**

On the sunlit open courtyard, Elara arranged the ritual tools."This silk cloth will stabilize the energy," she explained. "Trust it if you lose control."

Beside her, two ancient dragonwoods lay, weathered but authoritative. Thalindra stood in the center of the ritual circle, ancient symbols glowing on the ground. "These dragonwoods are the core of your contract. Channel the energy evenly. The silk will protect your bodies. If the balance is broken…"

Thalindra looked at Ian and Gerude. "You'll fuse into spirit stone."

"We know," Ian murmured, his voice trembling.

Thalindra nodded. "If successful, these dragonwoods will transform into a magic staff that only you two can wield."

Elara smiled. "The final test. But if you fail, there is no second chance."

Helel stepped toward Gerude. "Calm down. With focus, you'll succeed."

Ereshkigal eyed Ian sharply. "Ian, this is on you if you don't take it seriously."

"Stop blaming him!" Helel snapped.

"Are you perfect?" Ereshkigal shot back coldly.

"Enough!" Thalindra shouted. "You must calm the energy now!"

But the crackling sounds grew louder, like the rumble of a coming disaster. Ian and Gerude appeared desperate, but they couldn't stop the flow of magic.

Suddenly, a blinding flash of white light erupted.

**

The dragonwoods of Ian and Gerude cracked, the sound of CRAKKK! echoing.The dense black light from Ian's dragonwood mixed with the golden light from Gerude's, creating uncontrollable energy. The ritual circle pulsed wildly, the ancient symbols glowing brightly as if absorbing the energy.

BOOM!

A burst of white light enveloped the entire courtyard, as if midday had exploded suddenly. Thalindra staggered back a few steps, shielding her face from the glare. "No! This shouldn't be happening!" she cried.

Elara ran forward, but the energy forced her body to stop. "Ian! Gerude! Answer me!"

Helel stared at the explosion intently, his face anxious, though he remained calm. "Gerude…" he whispered.

Ereshkigal stood upright, his body enveloped in shadow. "This is foolish," he said quietly, but his face was tense. "If this fails, I won't make it easy."

The wind howled from the center of the ritual circle, the white light continued to spread, erasing everything in its path.

Amidst the explosion, two silhouettes appeared—Ian and Gerude. Their bodies stood tall, surrounded by different auras. Ian was enveloped in black mist, while Gerude was surrounded by golden white light.

The light reached its peak, forming a massive energy sphere above the dragonwoods. In an instant, the sphere contracted and vanished into the dragonwoods with a heavy thud.

**

After the explosion, silence filled the space.There were no sounds of nature, only a suffocating stillness. The ritual circle, once full of energy, now felt empty, as if all the power had been absorbed.

Thalindra stood in the center of the silence, her eyes focused on Ian and Gerude. "Ian… Gerude…?" Her voice was calm, yet tension was clear.

Ian opened his eyes. The light that had vanished left behind darkness. "I… I'm fine," he muttered, his body trembling, but feeling warmth.

On the other side, Gerude quickly opened her eyes, her gaze fixed on the dragonwood. "What is this?" she whispered, trembling as she touched the staff, now transformed.

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Ian's staff was made of black obsidian, gleaming with a soft luster. Gerude's staff, on the other hand, was transparent like crystal, with gentle white light flowing along its length. Both staffs seemed alive, waiting to be explored further.

Elara stared, disbelieving, her eyes wide. "They... they succeeded," she whispered, her voice trembling. A sense of relief filled her heart. "I really thought we lost them."

Thalindra cautiously approached, her eyes full of admiration. "This is extraordinary," she said. "This isn't just a perfect contract. It's more than that. These staffs... they're not merely magical tools."

Helel stood straight behind Gerude, a small smile on his face. "Of course they succeeded," he said confidently. "How could Gerude fail with my guidance?"

Ereshkigal snorted, his gaze sharp. "Your guidance? Ian succeeded despite you being a hindrance." Helel turned, narrowing his eyes. "Your darkness isn't helping." "And neither is the blinding light," Ereshkigal retorted. Elara chuckled softly. "You two are still bickering. Maybe that's what made it all work."

Ian lowered his head, feeling the energy flowing through the obsidian staff. "This staff… it feels alive," he whispered, his eyes fixed on the shadow patterns moving along the staff.

Gerude held her crystal staff with deep respect. "This is incredible," she said, her voice a whisper. "I can feel Helel here. We're connected."

Gerude closed her eyes, feeling the soft vibrations in the staff. "This is more than just a tool. It's a link between me and Helel."

On the other side, Ian felt the same. "I feel… the whole world moving with me," he whispered, unable to hide his amazement.

Thalindra watched them with pride. "You've surpassed your limits. This isn't just the result of training or magic, but a manifestation of your souls."

Elara softly advised, "This power could change the world, for good or for destruction. Be careful." Helel spoke seriously. "Elara's right. A power like this requires control and understanding."

Gerude looked at Helel with confidence. "We'll learn to control it." Ereshkigal scoffed. "You think you can control this power just like that?"

Helel turned, his eyes calm but firm. "Enough, Ereshkigal. There's no time for doubt." Ereshkigal snorted, then fell silent, observing them carefully.

Thalindra, sensing the growing tension, spoke firmly. "Your bond with the Famulus and this world is a power to be nurtured. Don't get caught in pride. Only with that can you face the challenges ahead."

Gerude raised her crystal staff, reaffirming her commitment. "We'll try our best." Ian gazed at his obsidian staff with determination. "We won't waste this power." Elara nodded, though concern lingered in her eyes. "Be careful. Don't let this power control you."

The air felt tense, the world full of possibilities stretched before them. They knew the journey ahead would not be easy, but their resolve was strong. As long as they remained together and connected, they would face whatever came their way.

**

When the contract finalization ritual concluded, a blinding light suddenly erupted from the staffs of Gerude and Ian. The light was brighter and stronger than before, flooding the room with a dazzling white gleam. Everyone was startled, but the most shocking transformation occurred with Helel and Ereshkigal.

Both, who had previously existed in a transcendent form, now shone with a mesmerizing light. As the brilliance began to fade, their bodies transformed into human forms. Helel, with shimmering golden hair and ocean-blue eyes, appeared strong and dignified. Meanwhile, Ereshkigal, with obsidian-black hair and emerald-green eyes, was equally breathtaking. They now stood as humans, radiating an aura of power.

**

Elara, witnessing the transformation, couldn't hold back."Wow, you two are really irresistible," she said with a mischievous smile, teasing them. "I don't know what's more captivating, your bodies or your faces."

Helel and Ereshkigal exchanged glances, feeling awkward. Helel tried to maintain his composure."Elara," he said, slightly confused, "we've just changed. We're not... for teasing like that."Ereshkigal, usually calm, now seemed uneasy.

"What are you doing, Elara?" she asked, her tone a little more serious. Elara chuckled lightly, realizing how awkward their reaction was.

"You both look like heroes from ancient tales! How could I resist?" Helel took a deep breath, trying to control his strange feelings.

"We need to focus on the situation," he said, "not... not on other things." Ereshkigal nodded, though still a bit flustered.

"Right, we need to focus on what needs to be done next." Seeing that they were starting to calm down, Elara finally nodded.

"Alright, alright. But you two are amazing. No one can deny that."

With the tension beginning to dissolve, they continued their journey, though a sense of confusion still lingered around Helel and Ereshkigal, who now found themselves in a completely new world.

**

Time passed unnoticed, and the silence of the night enveloped them.The dimming sunlight marked the arrival of night, signaling the end of the significant events that had just occurred. However, the silence didn't last long.

Thalindra, who had been observing carefully, nodded to her pupils.

"Let's go," she said calmly, "Let's return and prepare for dinner."Gerude and Ian followed her without much conversation, though their minds were still filled with confusion. Helel and Ereshkigal, even though they were now in human forms, still looked perplexed, as if trying to understand the new world they were facing.

**

Suddenly, Helel's voice broke the night's stillness.

"Thalindra..." his voice was low, filled with confusion. "I feel... hungry."Ereshkigal, standing beside him, nodded.

"I feel the same. We've never felt hunger before."

Thalindra stopped and looked at them with understanding.

"That's the result of the transformation you've gone through," she replied gently. "When you became human, your bodies began to experience new needs—like hunger. Before, you were Famulus, energy beings that didn't require food. But now, your human bodies need energy from the physical world." Thalindra continued in a wise tone,

"You now have real human bodies, and with that comes human needs. You will learn how to face them, though this is part of the process you must understand."Ian, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.

"So, are Helel and Ereshkigal truly human now?" Thalindra looked at them all calmly.

"Not entirely," she answered softly. "However, you now have real human bodies. Your souls are still connected to greater powers, and this journey will teach you how to control those powers."Helel gazed at himself, feeling the emptiness in his stomach.

"This is so different," he said quietly. Ereshkigal nodded slowly, understanding the same sensation.

"This body needs something we've never felt before." Thalindra smiled faintly, full of understanding.

"That's your first lesson. The human body gives you a closeness to this world, with all its simplicity. When you feel hunger, it's part of this new life—and you'll get used to it."

**

That night, they sat together at the table, eating quietly.Though many things still weighed on their minds, the warmth of the meal and the company provided a sense of peace.