The room was barren with almost no sign of life inside but the sight was even more astounding than the other two paths combined. The spirit inside the room was a gigantic Tiger white as snow with black lines covering it’s body. As William approached the giant beast he could see it’s claws that would easily tear apart a mortal man and the it’s jaws big enough to swallow a small house.
* Child so you have finally arrived.
The deep rumbling voice echoed out once more sounding tired and lonely even though it’s body excluded a pressure that would make the warriors of legend bow their heads if they were in it’s presence.
When William didn’t answer the beast and continued to admire it’s body and might did the Tiger become a little frustrated and said with more power this time.
* Child so you have finally arrived!
To the beast it was only a slight increase but to William it was from a small breeze to a big hurricane.
* It seems I have finally gotten your attention child.
* Yes ….. I don’t know what to call you?
* You are not worthy enough to know my name child.
* But Amon and Evelynn told me their names!
* No child, remember was it themselves who told you or did you overhear their names.
William started to remember that neither Amon or Evelynn had told him their name and that he had simply overheard it when they argued with each other. The beast started to look over the small innocent child once more thinking to himself all the work he had to do if the child decided to make a contract with him instead of Amon or Evelynn.
* Hey Old foggey how is your lazy ass doing after such a long time?
* Watch your language dirty bug! In front of me you shall speak with proper language.
Entering from the middle path was none other than Amon and Evelynn. William couldn’t help but be charmed by Evelynn's blond hair and an emotion he had only felt a couple times before started to well up inside himself. Those perfect curves and that blinding smile started to make William go insane.
* Evelynn stop it!
William broken from his trance and could only look towards the Tiger once more with gratitude.
* Hmph I am only using the powers that has been given to me, so it’s fair play Durendal.
* sigh I guess so but keep it down it hurts my head when you are trying such nonsense.
* What are you calling nonsense you old fool!
Not missing his chance Amon joined in with
* Everything you do is nonsense Evelynn.
While the spirits started to argue amongst themselves William started to think of his options and what the different spirits would give him.
Evelynn was probably a spirit of Love , Beauty and Lust while Amon on the other hand was a spirit of Gluttony , Wrath and Greed and Durendal on the other hand was showing aspects of Laziness , Solitude and Aloofness. Now the question was what would the different spirits give him?
* I have a question?
Immediately did the spirits stop arguing curious about what the little child would want to ask them.
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* What elemental attributes do I get from signing a contract with you and what occupation can I choose from if I get a contract with you?
The spirits became quiet and started to murmur among themselves until Durendal stepped back and Amon battled Evelynn in a game of rock paper scissors and losing.
* Child if you sign a contract with me you shall get the ability to bend light according to your will to create illusion of all kinds and you shall get the ability to walk the path of a priest if you so choose.
* So if I sign a contract with you I can become an illusion mage or a priest?
* Correct child.
William then turned towards Amon who had stepped forward to show off his abilities.
* Brat if you choose to sign a contract with me then you will have the choice of becoming a darkness mage or a berserker knight.
* What's a berserker knight?
* Well kid it’s a brat that becomes stronger the longer the battle keeps going.
* I understand thank you Amon!
* No problem kiddo
Finally William turned towards Durendal who sighed and started to explain what he could offer.
* If you choose to make a contract with me you will be able to become a time mage or a battle priest.
* What’s a battle priest?
* It’s a priest that uses his gift to fight instead of healing the innocent.
* I don’t really understand but thanks anyway Durendal
* My pleasure.
William then tried to decide which spirit to contract and even if he chose a spirit that spirit must first agree to begin a contract with the child otherwise the child will need to look for another spirit.
While this was happening Nicolas started to become nervous.
* Why was there only 3 paths when there should have been 4 and why doesn’t that beast call upon William to test him.
With no other way Nicolas started to look for the opening the ceremony had created to allow Williams conscious inside. When Nicolas finally found the entrance to Williams essence was when William had decided who he wanted to make a contract with.
* Durendal would you be willing to make a contract with me?
* Before I answer could you tell me what you want to accomplish and what your goal is in life?
William then started to tell the spirits about how he wanted to be acknowledged by his father and become a true member of the Rosenthal family.
After a long silence Durendal finally spoke.
* Sorry child if that is your goal then I won’t make a contract with you.
* But why Durendal? Why can’t you make a contract with me?
Before Durendal could answer William was when Nicolas came charging inside the room looking all over for William.
* Hello little fellow follow me and I will show you where your true spirit reside.
After hearing those words William fell asleep in Nicolas arms.
* Who are you and what are you doing inside this child's essence! roared Durendal
* Durendal I will take this child and there is nothing you can do.
Realising the truth Amon , Evelynn and Durendal backed away realising that there was little they could do to stop the man from taking the child away.
Nicolas started to fly out of the middle path to join the main path once more followed by the 3 spirits that were interested in which spirit the man wanted to make William sign a contract with.
Nicolas started to look for the 4th path when they arrived at the main path once more while Durendal , Evelynn and Amon only looked at him like he was insane. All 3 of them had lived here their entire lives and they knew that only their 3 paths existed inside the valley.
Finally Nicolas found some stairs hidden by the fog and when he took the first step with William in his arms was when the fog started to drift away slowly revealing about 100 stairs leading to the top of the valley.
Nicolas continued to walk upwards but when the spirits wanted to walk up the stairs they couldn’t. It was an enormous pressure keeping them at bay, telling them if they dared to take a single step it would eradicate them.
The journey to the top when smoothly and when Nicolas deemed it not necessary to expose himself to the city lord and academies anymore was when he dropped off William and wrote on the ground which way he should go.
When William woke up he was angry, why does he wake up at different locations every time he blacks out nowadays.
He stood up and looked around for any signs that the mysterious man would have left him and it wasn’t until William kicked at the ground that he saw an arrow with the text under reading.
Just follow the arrow and you will hit your mark young Rosenthal.