63 - Contracts

"When I was a hatchling," Vivi began. Annie covered her face and groaned. "Okay, spoil sport. I'll start properly."

"Please do."

"I am what you call a pheonix, a bird that is born out of flames. My true form is shaped as a bird in your world. When the Gods created life, they made magical beasts. We lived in the spirit realm and humans in the mortal realm. We made pacts with each other.

"Both sides benefitted greatly. This was a way to enter both realms. It worked well for a period of time before one pact decided to rule all. Rule us as slaves. A man by the name Ethos made a pact with a magical beast who had the same desire. This magical beast is a dragon by the name Aryan."

Annie gasped in shock. "Th-the king has a magical beast that is a dragon!"

Vivi narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Aryan is a black dragon. Is your king's dragon the same color?"

Annie shook her head. "I've never seen it but I was told it's a blue dragon." Annie recalled what the villagers had gossiped. Vivi shook her head.

"There are many types of dragons, just like there are many types of pheonixes. Like humans, we also have a caste system. Dragons are more at the top level. Egoistic, prideful, and very powerful are their traits. Aryan thought himself above everyone."

Annie was confused. "If he thought that, why would he do a pact with a human?"

"Our pacts enable us to have more power. It would give humans magic and magical beasts a human form. Magical beasts have a spirit form. For us to come to your world, we would need a pact. That is why... pacts are made."

Annie touched her head at the realization. "But... I saw you in a human form?"

Vivi laughed in a low tone. "My form mimics yours. Our forms are beasts forms until we make the pact with humans, taking your form. Of course, you can also change into a beast like our forms too. Another added benefit is... you can hear the language of our beast forms.

"A pheonix is a type of bird and we are at the top of all the birds. This makes you able to talk to birds and shift into our forms. You can also change halfway even if you want." Annie got excited by her words.

"That means... I can grow wings? I can fly?"

Vivi nodded with a laugh. "Yes, the thrill of flight and seeing far. You can also control fire more easily than other people. Our main element is fire. You have these powers until our pact is fulfilled."

"Fulfilled... When you become ruler with me, will that make the pact fulfilled?" Annie asked.

"Yes and no. Our pacts are made from the heart. What we say can be the foundation but our bond can grow into more. Yes, you will be fulfilling it but we can always negotiate for more. The more you negotiate though... The more burden you have to fulfill."

Annie thought her previous self odd to go into a pact without knowing the consequences. Or did she already know? "This pact... if it's not fulfilled...?"

Vivi smile stretched widely on her face. It was odd seeing an expression on the face that looks like Annie. "If it's not fulfilled, the other party can eat the other."