The Contract of Souls

They both shouted at me as if it was unnatural to not know some information. I mean, it's okay, right? Even though I was taught a bit of history and the fundamentals inside the mansion, I was never really taught anything else. Maybe that was the right call. Not everyone will have the necessary knowledge bestowed upon them, even if they have a knowledgeable teacher. You can't expect them to teach everything at once and at a given proper moment.

"So what? It isn't every day I get told about the Sovereign's Oath, and it's not natural to be talked about wanting to form a contract," I replied in defense of their response.

"I was even doing some daily routine training before I was transported into this Abode. Can any of you at least tell me how I got here? I was just in a room full of explosions moments ago!" I continued, frustrated.

"Relax, at least you're not dead yet," Styx replied. "And definitely not in a room full of explosions...sort of, I guess."

"Mhmm hmm, continue," I gave a quick nod. "I was suddenly knocked out as well. What in the abyss is that?"

"You've never been knocked out from exhaustion?" the scary twig replied mockingly. "Even though your daily activities involve life-threatening training, you've never experienced being so exhausted that you faint before?"

I was flabbergasted; my mouth dropped open from the things he just told me. Although it was true that my activities were nerve-wracking, it never occurred to me that I could be THAT exhausted to faint.

It was a stupid reason as well, a very, very hilarious and stupid reason to be transported to another dwelling of the ancient old woman type of thing.

I was a bit stressed out about the situation. I placed my left hand on my forehead, taking a deep breath. "So let us assume that is the case—"

"No need to assume because it is," he happily interrupted my statement from continuing.

"—Is the reason I was able to enter this abode. Then why are all of you here? Don't tell me you are all tired as well and fell asleep?" I finished my question.

"To be fair, I am tired of life," Styx readily replied to my statement.

"Braindead stick," the woman I had forgotten was here muttered in response. She gave a deep sigh and looked at me. "You are the reason why all of us are here. Technically, you called us here," she replied.

"How? I don't even know this malnourished tree or any old lady... I don't even have friends, to begin with," I replied.

Although it was quite sad to admit I had no one to call a friend, it was necessary to prove my point that I couldn't possibly be the one to initiate this meeting.

"No, you did... Unconsciously, anyway. You see, there is this thing that people call 'inner peace.' They assume it's some kind of power. But no, it is when you completely rid yourself of worries and exercise freedom over yourself, becoming one with the 'world'," Styx explained.

"By unknowingly opening this space, you unconsciously invited the spirits and souls within a large radius. A large, unknown radius. Luckily, only a couple accepted the mass invitation," he continued.

"You know that sudden spine tingle that you feel for some unknown reason, that weird satisfying feeling that goes through your spine? That is one of the many indications that you have been invited. Fortunately, not many can accept such an invitation. It requires you to accept the 'world' and let it acknowledge your presence," the eyes of Styx mellowed as he spoke, looking at an empty area deep in the forest.

The presence of deep and condensed red smoke was floating in the wind, dissipating in its surroundings. It was a familiar smoke; it looked like the hounds', but I don't remember such a rich deep color and density of smoke when they appear and disappear.

The old woman was blatantly glaring at the spot where the smoke resided. It seemed that something agitated her, possibly someone she knows. I tried guessing and realized there was no need to delve deeper into the mystery.

"Did you see something, old woman?" I inquired for confirmation that something was there.

"There was a presence there, strong and bold. Seemingly full of valor and courage," she replied to me. Her articulation was clear and impressive. I wondered why she was speaking in a raspy voice a while ago.

"Oh great, another unwanted character," I expressed my displeasure to this entity. "So how do I get out of here? Can I just say, 'Evict the ugly people in my domain and let me out' incantation?"

"You say that as if you aren't going to be evicted yourself," the twig was beginning to annoy me.

"Only you know how to close your abode. You have the authority. Visitors can also choose to leave, and you can stop them from leaving if you want," the hag replied. "You can learn here and now or just wait to be spiritually exhausted. Either of the two works."

I certainly wanted them to leave, but it seemed that both of them didn't want to. I began to comprehend the situation in a much more level-headed way. Going straight into this while thinking about everything that happened would give me clear clarifications on what I should do and allow me to comprehend.

"First of all, there are many things I want to assess. So let me start with you, old woman. Why did you suddenly attack me, even though you just wanted a contract, to be precise, the Oath?" I turned towards the old woman and quickly turned to Styx, who was complacent about the situation. "And you, withered tree, I always wanted to ask this question. Why did you scare me the first time we encountered each other? You felt like some kind of serial killer, and now you have come to save me!? Please explain what the abyss collapse is going on?"

They were quite silent for a while, possibly thinking and carefully choosing the words to reply to me. It was quite infuriating without answers, and hopefully, I would get answers.

The wind blew between my fingers, and I felt the cold wind holding me tight from the anticipation I felt from these two in front of me. If they decided to retaliate or possibly attack me right now, I wouldn't be able to stand on my own.

Speaking of which, my body from before was tired and exhausted. Moreover, I battled the old lady, so why does my body feel like it had a good night's rest? It was too weird to pass up this question; however, there were too many things happening right now, so I discarded this thought.

"Let me reply first," the lady stepped forward. "I suppose an apology would be needed from me. Your anger and confusion are all valid, so I will explain things from my perspective." She bowed her head to show her sincerity regarding the situation.

"Although I wanted to have an Oath with you, the violent action I conducted was necessary to prove that I would not make a choice that I would regret. This was probably the best possible outcome: to fight inside your abode, as I can fully test your strength. Even though you are young and inexperienced, you hold the potential to be one of the greatest and the best." She praised me as she explained the situation.

"That is why I chose to stick to my original decision to have a contract with you—an individual who shows promise and determination in the face of adversity, though I didn't expect someone else would attack me while I was still doing my test" she continued. "I choose the person I will serve. If he is weak, then my sins and burdens that would be laid upon him would corrupt him. If that happens, with my hands, I will end him."

"Is that so?" I kind of somehow get it, but what does this have to do with me being strong and determined?

"If you wonder why you specifically, there are several reasons, but the biggest reason was the Seeker told me to look for you, Enzo, and accompany you on your journey. She also said to change to an old lady if ever I encounter and engage you in a fight. Though she gave me no reason as to why I had to do that, I also had no reasons to disobey her command," she added to her answer and went quiet.

"Why do I have to answer to you? Why must I tell you? Why do you have to be in everything? No, you tell me what makes you so special?" Styx quickly became intimidating. His presence was so huge that I stood there in fear.

He was standing there menacingly, his head twisted to the side. His orange mask that held darkness in his eyes and his psychotic expression was unveiled as he twisted his head, twitching once in a while. Surprisingly, the hat did not fall off.

The space around him began to converge where he stood. I could feel the killing intent radiating from him. It was full of anger, despair, and passion to injure someone. His dread arms brought terror as he widely spread them to his side, and his sharp claws began to expand, discerningly growing into deadly weapons that could possibly cut through anything.

"Aren't you too presumptuous, Enzo Stele?" His voice was strongly distorted, ear-piercing, and loud. It echoed throughout the woods, just like that very night when Styx and I first met each other. This time, up close.