Contract

Saving the world? Zenesha couldn't help but laugh at this question; her sweet voice had a hint of deviousness to it that was in dire contrast to her appearance.

Her blue eyes shimmered with something else that they both knew.

I want to save the world? Heh, don't make me laugh. It's only enough that I don't burn the world; saving it is an even bigger joke.

However, she might not want to save it, but... she didn't want it to be destroyed either. She was not some suicidal psycho who had prejudiced the world for their pitiful and unfortunate lives.

Zenesha's devious laugh gradually receded, and yet her lips were still curled into a smile with darkened eyes. She looked so evil, but truly alluring at the same time.

At this, Prime's eyes flickered, he grinned fondly, and his interest in her obviously grew bigger. Zenesha noticed, but she ignored it. Honestly, she knew that Prime's interest was like a double-edged sword.

She could use his interest in her for him to still help her, but at the same time, it could also be another potential hole for her to fall through. Chances are, she might really become his treasure, one that would be locked up in his lair.

For now, as she was weak, this interest was her only salvation, which she would take advantage of even if it meant biting the bullet herself.

"If... If I escape during the moon ceremony and the plot doesn't start where it's supposed to, will the destruction be delayed?"

Based on how things were going and the limited clues she had, this world had a certain plot that it would follow, and it had a clear beginning and an end. So when Prime said that it could go for one cycle, that could only mean that after the plot was completed, this world and everything in it would all cease to exist, and that included her.

"Smart," Prime grinned and nodded his head, again with his praise and an offending expression that irritated her at first but which she has now grown used to. "This world... or what they called a book world, exists because of the plot and works with the help of the book plane. Without the endless time ability of the book plane, even with the plot, there's not enough energy for this world to work efficiently."

He pursed his lips, seemingly upset as well. "Annoying bunch, they sure violate their own rules."

Without mentioning them, it was obvious who Prime was referring to.

Zenesha opened her mouth, but no words came out; she didn't know what to say. These terms had some sense to them, but when combined, they became a bit hard to process. She thought, she was always the dumb one every time she spoke to Prime, and that certainly wasn't a good feeling.

Seeing she couldn't formulate words, Prime grinned and gestured his hand as, at his behest, the golden mists around him boiled once more as they appeared to form some kind of entity, which was too abstract for Zenesha to figure out at the moment.

"What is that?" She narrowed her eyes and looked at the figure, which, for some reason, made her slightly dizzy as she looked at it.

"You can't see it yet, even a small image of my original form held immense powers that it would fool your mind, and in the worst-case scenario... it may corrupt you."

Zenesha blinked her eyes and averted her gaze. A frozen chill crept down her spine, as though she was close to being devoured if she stared at the image for a bit longer.

"Then, why show me this?" She then shifted her gaze to Prime's face, with a resentful tone.

As usual, he only chuckled and was unbothered by Zenesha's resentful glare. In fact, he looked to be enjoying this kind of attention as well.

"Yes, you can delay the destruction of this world by delaying the plot and not completing it, but how sure are you that those beings will only watch you succeed?" Zenesha fell silent. He had a point. Seeing her not respond, Prime continued. "I don't know what's going on, but they want to destroy this world, and their power over the book worlds is almost next to nothing."

Prime's voice became deeper, and the playful tone disappeared. "We need to speed up. I can feel my body in this world, but I don't know where, and if you want to truly become free from your shackles, you need me."

He clasped his hands in front of him, resting them on his knee. "You only need to do one thing first."

Zenesha swallowed; she was already nervous about what she needed to do. "What is it?" she asked. Despite the anxiety, her determination prevailed.

A few seconds passed as the silence shrouded them. Zenesha fidgeted with her fingers nervously, waiting for an answer, while a smile played on Prime's lips and he stared at the admirable gem in front of him.

"Sign a contract with me. A dragon slave contract." Prime broke the silence with a smile, answering in a casual manner, not leaving his gaze on her even for a moment.

Zenesha flinched at this answer, her eyes widened slightly, taken aback by this. She raised her gaze as she made eye contact with Prime. He was only waiting for an answer and appeared to say that he wouldn't accept any refusal.

Did she need to stoop this low? Becoming a slave? Zenesha fell silent, considering her options. And then she realized... she had none!

In a daze, she couldn't help but laugh again, this time with absurd insanity for her hopeless situation that seemed endless. Swallowing her pride and enduring the bitter taste in her mouth, Zenesha slowly nodded her head.

"If you can help me, then I won't mind signing a contract with you." Zenesha praised herself that she didn't choke and even appeared confident in her voice.

It looked like she was right as she stared at Prime's expression, which lit up with her answer; his golden pupils glistened, fixing his gaze on her. Using his help was a double-edged sword; a new trap prepared for her.

However, it was fine. After all, she chose it this way, unlike those beings who made her this way without asking for her opinion, even if it was insincere.

With both twisted minds and aspirations, Zenesha and Prime sealed a dragon slave contract that day.

-

-

A menacing yet playful smile appeared on Prime's lips as he slowly trailed through the palace halls, disregarding everyone as though he were the master of the place.

His feet were so light that they barely stepped on the ground, as though he were dancing through the wind.

"Interesting... truly interesting," he chuckled, in a good mood. It had been a while since he had encountered someone who gave him excitement. And no doubt, Zenesha gave him something he couldn't pinpoint but couldn't help but test and discover over and over again.

He stopped in his steps and raised his head, his pupils deepened as though his gaze could pierce into something outside the world. Afterward, he smiled.

"Guess, I should fulfill my other side of the contract, right?" he murmured with a sheepish smile on his lips. An invisible barrier clouded the capital as it shone with golden light before vanishing without a trace.

He could envelop the whole book world, but that was unnecessary and could make them suspicious instead.

"Now... it's up to her." He then looked in the direction of the Moon Garden, where Zenesha was basking in the light of the moon. He only stared for a few minutes before turning around in a good mood.

"Ahh, what's with me? Signing a dragon companion on a whim?" He mumbled even though he wasn't a bit upset about it; in fact, he sounded rather pleased. He chuckled, continuing with his steps in a laid-back manner, humming a tone. "No matter, it's interesting either way. She's interesting."

Just like that, unknown to every being in the countless book worlds, Prime had signed a sacred dragon companion, and... on a whim at that. Who knew what the future had in store for them and what chaos they would bring together?