Sovereigns Oath(2)

The Sovereign's Oath is a delicate procedure that would be facilitated by someone for any minor or major complications that would happen in the contract.

It is complex to the point that each individual must fully accept the other in terms of flaws, sins, personality, and being, without having to fully understand the other. It would be difficult to form contracts if the consent and understanding of another would be neglected.

Styx explained as all of us sat down on the logs that were lying on the ground, making a little roundtable type of structure as both Marie and I listened to Styx explaining the concept of how one could succeed in making a contract.

"This is also one of the reasons why Sovereigns are few in number, and most Sovereigns begin their journey when the Dominion is young and innocent," he continued with his hoarse voice.

"Under normal circumstances, should sovereigns contract another being? For this instance, would you be able to sympathize and connect with beasts and monsters, knowing that they have ravaged villages and kingdoms, slaughtering everyone in sight? Would YOU share the burden of their murders and sins?" Styx continued.

"I do not know... I mean there are circumstances, right? I mean there has to be a reason. Not everyone is insane enough to go through genocide," I protested, hoping to find reason.

"Ah... But of course, Enzo," Styx replied in a shrill voice that made my spine tingle. "A bear cub saw its mother die before its eyes and swore to take revenge. It grew up deliberately killing humans for the reason that it categorized every single one of us as the same," he continued.

"Would you be able to comprehend and understand this animal?" Styx narrowed his eyes into a sharp stare that seemed to penetrate my body, then shifted his gaze into the woods.

Styx heavily sighed, which sounded like a deep, monotone growl of an animal. "We are all different; we follow our idiosyncratic patterns etched inside of us. Not everyone can fully sympathize or understand you; they try but they don't, and they make things worse for everyone. They somehow do."

"You finally say something interesting, Twig, but Enzo, what he says is right. The moment you make an Oath with someone, you take everything they are holding onto and place it onto your shoulders," Marie continued his sentence and began to join in the lecture session as well.

"Quite ironic for being someone so selfish as to wholeheartedly ask for an Oath," Styx replied, sounding annoyed.

"It is heavy. I know it might be a selfish thing for me, and I know, however, if it is you... then the chances are high." She didn't fight with him, probably thinking his statement holds.

"The only difference with humanoid souls is that they are much, much, much more difficult. Can you recount the sins and mistakes you made in your life? Do you think you can easily accept the sins of another if you can't even bother to fully accept your own?" Styx, for some reason, spoke with factual statements during this conversation.

Styx abruptly stood up, which gave me quite a fright. His long, eerie hands, long and thin stature, and creepy mask showered insidious vibes. I still remember the time when he gave me the fright of my life.

"Accumulated sins can become your karma. Caring not enough can lead to... devastating results," he said. "Determined as both of you are right now, I see there is no backing down from this decision." Turning around with his long arms that, when placed at his side, would almost scrape the ground.

"Go to an open area and clear the debris. I know how to initiate the contract," Styx said while facing his back towards us.

I stood up from the log that I am heavily comfortable sitting on, I heaved a sigh as I went up, seemingly tired and groggy. I felt my body being heavy, and moving was out of the option.

My body felt numb, and my muscles ached. Numbness surged through every part of my body like electrical shocks. The cold wind seeped into me, and the environment appeared hazy. It was difficult to walk, and I couldn't even feel my fingers or legs. I tried to stay focused and gather myself together.

Noticing something was off, Marie came to support my deteriorating body. She grabbed my hands and pinched them, but they were numb. I wasn't able to carry my weight anymore and just collapsed on the spot. Marie seemed to hold me, supporting me to stand up, but to no avail. Standing up was an arduous task.

"It seems we cannot proceed with the ritual; your body has reached its limit, Enzo," Marie said to me.

"Maintaining this space for a long time, especially after the fierce battle that occurred here, it is truly impressive that you have the strength to open such a wide and distinct Abode... The Cradle of the Lost... I suggest you take rest for a couple of days or weeks before we can start the ritual. Only in that time, we won't see each other in our ethereal form," Styx continued her statement.

"Well, that would take a while, won't it?" Marie replied. "Take some rest first, my Sovereign. Let us continue once you have taken your rest." She looked at me with gentle eyes that gave off a sense of tranquility.

"Not only will the next meeting take a while, it would be difficult as well. There are movements along the borders of the Forest; it seems like the Oscillation Cycle changed its course... as... long... we..." His voice slowly began to fade as I fell into the sweet embrace of sleep.

It happened in minutes; the energy in my body was draining very fast. Speaking would be extremely hard, and breathing was still fine, but other body functions were not easy to execute. My eyelids became heavier as I fought the temptation of sleep.

I could barely give strength to my fingers as I tried to lift them. My legs felt like they weren't there anymore, and I could hardly move as I tried to wiggle my foot.

I heard his voice; it was vague, but I could hear it for a moment until it became incomprehensible to me. Marie and Styx were talking, possibly bickering again with one another.

The last thing I saw was the mask of a scarecrow, seemingly expressionless, talking to a girl in a beautiful red dress before I dozed off with the uncontrollable force of slumber.

"—————————————" Silence descended.

I slowly opened my eyes. Everything looked dark, and the looming color of the night covered the room. My eyes were tired, heavy, and droopy. I was still in the groggy state that you wake up in the morning, except it wasn't morning. I didn't know where I was, but I heard the breeze talk to me in a mellow voice.

Looking to the side of the wall, I saw a clear glass window. It had a square-like shape that fits the whole aesthetic of the room. The crystalline pane of fragile material, with its frame made of durable wood, held them together, keeping them intact. It illuminated the darkness with the shade borrowed from the moon, casting a somber atmosphere in the room.

It was nighttime, and the room was rather cramped. It had shelves filled with ancient books, dusty and worn from age. The floor was wooden, with slight creaks here and there. A small, flickering candle stood on a desk, providing a faint glow.

I looked around, trying to make sense of my surroundings. The air smelled of old paper and had a touch of lavender, probably from the dried flowers on the shelf. It felt strangely familiar yet distant.

As I struggled to gather my thoughts and memories, the events of the previous day flooded back into my mind. The contract, Styx, and Marie. The exhaustion and the overwhelming sensation that followed. It all made sense now. I was in my quarters, recovering from the strain of the ritual.

It was nighttime, it was a melancholic evening. I then made sense of what happened but was difficult to comprehend or understand, I feel migraines every time I try to move my head, and a pestering mild headache kept me down on the floor.

"I am incredibly tired, today was too much," I began to examine my body for possible injuries. "That should be alright for now, though my muscles are very sore they should be fine."

I slowly stood upright and watched as I became mesmerized by the room brightened by the light of the night.

I went toward the edge of the window and gently opened it, letting in the smell of the night and the smudged uncertainty that the future holds. I would need to first get stronger and learn how to properly make Oaths so by the next time we meet, Styx, Marie, it wouldn't be that dangerous.