I checked my status sheet but there was nothing changed.

My familiars watched me while adjusting to their seats. I asked them how it felt and received a round of replies.

Apparently, the mounds were comfortable.

As I bent down, I inspected the runes. Unlike the curving lines that were more typical to the enchantments used in Inoria, the scrawl was made up of a single unbroken line that formed loops and sharp peaks without crossing.

Since I was nearest to Zharia's pedestal, I placed my hand along the glass and felt a buzzing of energy that grew as I slid upward. Once I crested the top where Zharia roosted, the sensation changed and became a roaring inferno.

Flames licked my fingers while warm sunlight draped across my skin. It wasn’t real, but it was the impression I got, similar to being exposed to new mana.

I removed my hand and patted the skillwisp.

"Feels good?"

"Yes! Warm, safe," she chirped.

I smiled and moved on, testing each pedestal, even the one without an active summon. Each held their own sensation, and a specific brand of impression related to the familiar. But the glass mound for Felblood Sanguinarch was lifeless, filled with a buzz of power that felt inert and gave off no impressions.

As I stood up, a tapping on my physical body pulled me out of my soulspace before I knocked Celenae's pen out of the way.

"What?"

"What was that pressure you released?" Celenae asked.

"Huh?"

Sereza held up her palm and rubbed it. "It felt like ether; the pressure was similar to the crystal back in the rift."

"What are you talking about?"

Celenae scribbled in her journal and clicked her tongue. "Half a minute after you went silent, a wave of pressure assaulted us. It originated from you and quickly extended beyond us and into the corridor."

I searched around and noticed Isaac missing. "Where's sad boy?"

Igas snorted and pointed to the wall blocking off the forward tunnel. "He's scouting and taking care of any monsters nearby."

I was half tempted to connect with the dungeon again, but I held off and pulled out my sketch journal. Celenae hovered over me as I started sketching the island's new look along with the glass pedestals. The runes I kept hidden and she could obviously tell that something was missing, but she didn't ask.

Once she copied the sketch into her journal, I summoned Chomperz and asked him to stay still.

She noticed me drawing the little dragonling's face and cocked her head.

"Why are you drawing Chomperz?"

I added in the second ring and showed it to everyone. "Another one. It probably has to do with the div-"

My jaw clicked shut while they all slowly turned to glare.

"Go on," Celenae threatened.

"Can't," I said while shaking my head. "It's a secret."

"Really? Because I'm pretty sure you were about to say divine!"

I cleared my throat and tossed the journal to Chomperz who swallowed it and dashed into my chest.

Thankfully Isaac returned, looking confused as he took in the room.

"What I miss?" he asked. "Did Cyrus do something crazy again?"

I glared, but he ignored me.

Celenae slammed her journal shut. "Ask Calstrax the next time you see him."

"Noted," I said while saluting.

With everything in place, I summoned my beanbag and sank into it. The others reluctantly pulled out a chair, even Sereza.

"That's new. Finally joining the club?"

She groaned as she sat down on her plush cushion. "Yes. It was awkward feeling left out."

Food was pulled out and I distributed them while getting comfortable on the beanbag. When everyone was distracted with the fried goods, I leaned back and closed my eyes.

"I'm going to contract a new spirit. Mind watching over me?"

"Of course we will. It's why we're here," Teddy said.

Isaac threw a chunk of food that bounced off my chest. "Don't die. No pissing off an avatar of death this time."

"You did what?" Sereza interrupted.

I activated the skill, letting my consciousness fall into the void.

------

My feet crashed onto black marble and I slowly stood up and took in the room.

Huh.

The world was red. The walls, the stone beyond the ritual circle, and even the ceiling was a foggy mist of crimson that slowly dripped down into the flooded room.

It looked like a noble's mansion, if said noble had an airtight underground room with no windows, vaulted ceilings, and it was flooded with an Olympic pool's worth of blood.

I spun around and took in the black granite pillars lining the ritual platform. Streaks of silver runes etched into the stone pulsed faintly as if breathing.

No mist was above the platform, and a barrier formed around the circle. The place was fancy, if not eerie, but it was better than what I was expecting. The spirit planes could be anything and I was dead certain I'd get transported to some abomination of a place.

It was nice to see I was wrong.

Beats having your mind explode.

I closed my eyes and willed my mana awake. Strands weaved together, tightening around a single thread before I pulled it to my physical body. With a push, the strand shot through my foot and into the floor, connecting with the summoning circle.

There was no use waiting, so I throttled the flow and pushed my mana pool to its limits.

I could feel the enchantments light up and grow stronger in the outside world, the silver light puncturing my eyelids.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Carefully, I weaved another strand and pushed it through my other foot. Even with the gates opened wide, it still took a considerable amount of time for my mana pool to empty.

After it reached less than twenty-five percent, I stopped the outpour and retracted the threads. When I opened my eyes, I braced for what I would see.

In front of me stood a horde of people dressed in crimson clothes. They weren't human-like, their bodies were seemingly made out of red mists with glowing yellow pits for eyes.

They wore sharp tuxedos, and billowing dresses of different make. Some wore gloves, others didn't but they all shared one thing in common.

They stared from behind an invisible line where one such entity stood alone, wings of crimson mist tucked behind their back.

"Summoner. This is an unexpected surprise."

The voice was feminine, but it didn't sound female. Unlike the other entities, the lone figure wore a suit made of real fabric that wasn't just congealed blood.

When they raised their arms, two horns sprouted from their head and curved backward, much like a felkins.

Slowly, a face took shape.

They were androgynous, without facial hair and high cheekbones.

I bowed and placed a hand on my chest. "I greet the Great Guardian."

"Manners, too? Oh my, truly an unexpected surprise."

As I raised from my bow, the guardian lowered their chin in what I knew to be polite acknowledgment.

"My name is Cyrus. May I have yours, guardian?"

The guardian tapped their chin and pursed bright, red lips. "Cyrus? Distinguished enough. But not typical to one of your kind. Interesting."

I kept my head low.

They smirked and lowered their hand. "You may call me Third Monarch Aetrezard. Guardian and ruler of this realm."

I didn't bow again, instead moving my gaze to the crowd of entities behind them. One man was clawing at the air, yellow eyes flashing like a strobe light.

Aetrezard sighed and exhaled a mini cloud of red.

"My apologies, young Lord."

What?

The man screeched and rushed past the invisible line everyone followed. He was to the far left, but that didn't matter.

As soon as he reached the point where the guardian stood, he was apprehended by Aetrezard and lifted into the air.

"Delicious mana! Mine! Give it to me!" the man screeched.

His words were silenced as Aetrezard backhanded him. The severed head impacted the wall and exploded into mist that sank into the pool below.

The man's clothes and body slowly broke apart but Aetrezard opened his mouth and inhaled. The mist reversed course and was sucked into the guardian.

What just happened?

Aetrezard turned and addressed the crowd.

"If any seek to defy my orders and tarnish my name, I shall devour you and your kin. Is that understood?"

As one, the crowd bent low, their heads dipping below their waists.

Aetrezard turned to me and finally bowed. "Unbecoming of me to greet such generous guests with such barbarism."

I stared at the crowd. Even bowed, more than a few had eyes that were constantly pulsing.

"Is my mana that special?"

"Oh, it is," Aetrezard chuckled. "A fine treat that so rarely graces the realm. It's rich and decadent. Filled with power and flavors so new, I cannot tell what they are."

The place was starting to give a 'court of vampires' vibe. But hey, if the mana helped me acquire a better familiar, then they could have it.

While deliberately looking the guardian in the eyes, I spent another five percent of my mana pool and pushed it through the circle, watching what I missed before.

The red haze on the ceiling exploded outward before it condescended and poured like rain onto the floor. It poured in front of the summoning circle, so only Aetrezard was close enough to reach out a finger.

Pointed claws covered in a maroon glove absorbed the drop and brought it to their lips. The guardian smiled while closing their eyes.

"Truly an ambrosia. Is that a hint of divinity I taste? A demigod, perhaps?"

"No." I held out my arm and exposed my left wrist. I willed the mark to appear and smiled at the guardian's reaction. "Just a Reborn on his way through a new life."

One of the entities behind them kicked forward. Their dress caught the blood and splashed it across his front while grasping the air with both hands.

"Mine! Give me-"

The woman exploded into a cloud that was thrown against the wall with a single sweep of a long, whip-like tail. Aetrezard's eyes were blazing orbs of scarlet fire that bore into me. Their tail cracked the air as it returned and sank beneath the pool, while their horns lit with crimson flames.

"What is it you seek, Cyrus the Fate-touched?"

I cleared my throat and addressed the crowd as much as the guardian. "I seek a contract for my skill, Felblood Sanguinarch. A spirit to join my family and grow with me on my journey."

Silence.

Then, the world erupted into screams that filled the room. The pool vibrated from the sounds while the crowd went ballistic.

But not a single one crossed the line, as Aetrezard erased them from existence as soon as they twitched.

"You have been heard! The gift of mana has been given! By my name and honor as the Guardian of this realm, I shall fulfill your request!"

The sound intensified and the runes to my right turned gold. As the mana activated, the enchantment dampened the assault on my ears.

When I turned away, Aetrezard was before the barrier, a ball of blood spinning above their palm.

"Any requests, young Lord? The more I know the better the compatibility."

I scratched my head.

What did I want?

Another personality like Zharia or Sturmrorex might be too much, but I wasn't exactly picky.

After awhile, and watching more of the entities get destroyed in a slash of the guardian's tail, I answered.

"Someone loyal. I plan on living for a long time, they would have to be there with me until the very end. And in terms of body type? Something that can regenerate would be useful. A bruiser or a tank, and has the means to inflict poison."

Aetrezard studied me, their lips curving into a wide smile that exposed shark-like teeth. "Loyal? A fine requirement. From one monarch to another, that is a trait most valuable. I applaud your choice."

"Thank you."

"As for the other requirements. I believe I have just the thing in mind. A spirit that fits all the criteria you need. Especially one suited for the role of a Sanguinarch."

There was a weird tone to their voice. It sounded... jealous.

Slowly, the orb of blood spun and unraveled. They crouched, pushing it deep into the pool. When they pulled away, the orb was a darker shade of red but somehow more vibrant.

It felt powerful, strong.

Aetrezard placed the blob by their feet and clapped. The screaming stopped. The bodies behind them freezing in place as if grabbed by a giant’s hand.

"I can think of none more loyal, and this shall be a pup, a hatchling new to the planes. Give it a name, Cyrus, and complete the contract so we may feast," Aetrezard said, urgency and desire filling their voice.

With a flick, my athame appeared and I stepped to the barrier's edge. The blob stilled and then split into three strands. Rising to my waist, the spirit was massive for its size.

And it'll only get bigger when it tiers up.

Then again, Sturmrorex was destined to become longer than a mountain, so I couldn't really complain. But there was no way I would be able to carry them in my arms if they decided to do what Magnus did.

As the strands solidified into a pattern, I watched the scales elongate and stretch while three snake-like heads formed at the ends. The snout was longer than a typical snake, more similar to a monitor lizard, but the beady red eyes were beyond adorable as the three snakes licked the air.

Wait. Not snakes.

Instead of separating from the blob, the blood compacted and formed a chunky lizard body about as wide as a labrador. A single tail stretched from behind it and whipped the pool, splattering blood across Aetrezard's front.

If the guardian cared, they didn't show it.

"Master? Blood? Mana? Give! Give Name!" Three voices spoke as one, but together.

Two of the heads turned to each other and hissed while the third began to weave its head side to side, uncaring of what the other heads were doing.

Oh that's so fucking cute!

I slid the athame effortlessly across my palm and squeezed till a pool of blood welled up. The spirit perked up and all thee heads locked onto my hand.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed Aetrezard doing the same.

"I'm Cyrus. Do you understand what's happening?" I asked.

The spirit hissed. "Yes! Yes! Yes! Master? Give name!"

I laughed and pushed my finger outside the barrier, tilting my hand so the blood would drip onto the spirit. They scooted forward and looked up, the trio of heads opening their mouths with waiting tongues.

Once the first drop dripped down, they struck and latched onto my finger, sucking away the blood.

It stung, but more like gentle pokes.

"From today onward, your name is Zagreus. What do you say?"

Zagreus didn't say anything; instead he, and I only knew because the connection had formed the moment he latched onto my finger, slowly lost form, and exploded into a stream that rushed into my hand.

A new weight settled and I rubbed at my chest as a wave of bubbles filled my chest.

I removed my finger, but not before squeezing out one last drop.

"A final gift to you, Great Guardian. I hope it tastes as well as you think it will."

The drop dripped down but was caught by Aetrezard's tail. It perfectly wrapped around the droplet and brought it to his hand.

They cradled it, closing their fist around the drop and depositing it inside their suit before nodding.

"You are an interesting one. Take this final gift in return, for something so rare and precious." They held out their hand, and a ball of red mist spilled out before condensing into a droplet, similar to my own. "I await your rise, young Lord. If you grow powerful enough to visit, come. I'll host the grandest of parties in your honor."

The droplet rocketed into my finger and I tasted copper. It was rich and sweet, and held a ball of power that surged through my veins.

I waved goodbye and the world fell away. Aetrezard watched me with glowing eyes before looking to the ceiling and unleashing a howl that vibrated the air.

The last thing I saw was the dozens of entities go ballistic and dash into the mist above.