A Faustian Bargain

There was a silent, creeping feeling on my back as I ate that day. It was a grand feast, and a much needed one. I had been lacking in nutritious meals for several days now, and an assortment of foods and vegetables to go with meat was a relief. But I found that I could not relax. Shadows loomed over me as I picked at my food, and not just the ones the torches casted.

There was the cold, dead, way that Silvana regarded me. It was as if I were not a living person, but a corpse that she found interesting. Her godfather's face was a mask of warmth that made me more uneasy by the minute. There was something about that smile of his I couldn't put my finger on, a flaw in the mask he had created to hide his nefarious intentions.

Maybe I was being paranoid, but the godfather and daughter scared me in a way no battle I ever fought in could do. Kindness, from my experience, was something to be expected. But it was never common and especially among strangers. Like a gem hidden in a vast, dark cave the good side of humanity is always cloaked in shadows. Never to be found except by those most familiar with the world, and those with keenest eyes.

Like a puddle in a desert it was as rare as it was precious, and as with all things good comes with a price, spoken or hidden. Silvana had invited me into her house to share a meal. This was no restaurant, but I suspected that the bill soon to come would be too much for me to afford.

How foolish I was then! In my naive trust of a pretty woman I had stumbled into a stranger's home and put myself at his mercy. As I would soon discover, he had none.

"Was your meal enjoyable, Venerable?" The man asked after I finished.

"It was. Thanks to-how should I address you?" I asked.

He chuckled. "I have a great many names and titles, but for you, godfather will do." Something tugged at my gut. From what I could gather from movies, godfather was not such a benign title. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a cold glint in Silvana's eye.

"Thank you, godfather. I'm new to this place. Would you mind telling me where I am? Or if there's a way to return home? Your daughter called the place that I'm from the highest lands. I would like to go back." I said.

"Of course, Venerable. I have the honor of welcoming your esteemed self to the Seven Skies. I must say you are a long way from home. There is no way back, I'm afraid. The strongest of gods have difficulty tearing the gates between worlds, and it would be foolish to travel the void unguided." He said. My ears perked up.

"Gods? That's how I got here?" I exclaimed, standing up.

"No, the gods have no control on the great gate's openings. Weltor opens as it wills, and in the void between worlds roads appear to places where realms meet. You journeyed to such a place during the Great Roar of a week past. The Waywood." He explained.

"God damned portals." I cursed. "Great roar? What even is it?"

"A proclamation, and a warning." He answered. "As the Celestials come to visit the earth the heavens themselves are shattered in their wake. The roar follows to herald the coming of those from beyond, those like you. The chosen of prophecy destined to reshape the world."

I sat back down, stunned. "Chosen?"

"Chosen." Godfather agreed. "The Celestials come from worlds beyond our reach or understanding. It was they who taught us the secrets of bread and fire. They who passed down languages and built the kingdoms of the world. They who shall reshape it, as the gods will it. Gods among men. But no more."

"Why?" I asked. My head spun. A world where worlds met? Celestials? People from other worlds? It was just so much, too much for me at the time. And I was one of them. Me? It seemed so ridiculous.

Silvana spoke up. "They are hunted by the Dragon's command. The Seven Skies fears the Skybreaker's coming. He who is prophesied to rise from the shadows and destroy the world. Those not killed are chained to the Serpent's ring. The Dragon means to best the demons, to drive the shadows back into the nine hells from which they came. Hundreds have been captured by him in this Great Purge, as he calls it. Hundreds more lay in hiding."

"What? That's ridiculous. He's killing hundreds of people to find one person? Who is this dragon?" I slammed my good arm on the table.

"The son of heaven, his imperial majesty Shimin Li Francis of the Seven Skies." Silvana said. "Together, he and his direct family are known as the Dragon."

"An emperor. A damned emperor, and he wants me dead because he can't stand me being alive." I growled.

"Perhaps not." Godfather said.

I turned to him. "How so?"

"What the Dragon cannot see cannot be fought. None know of your identity, Venerable, none except us. You are not the chosen of the demons, that much is clear. Fetch us a map, my dear." He said. Silvana rose from her chair.

Godfather looked at me, and I felt my insides squirm. There was something so chilling behind those friendly eyes, so dark and demonic. "Countless Celestials come every year, the world will not miss a single one, no? Serve me. There are many things that rest within a Celestial's mind. Treasures gold could never match. I do recall something from the olden texts. A weapon known as a gun. You are a celestial, you know how to craft it. What is it that you desire, Venerable? Power, wealth, women? I can guide you. I see the way you look at my daughter. Do you desire her? Take my offer, and she is yours." He said.

Then it finally hit me. So that was why he had done what he did. I opened my mouth to refuse, but he waved it off. "Bah, take some time, will you? Think on it, my son. I will ask again at the week's end. Maybe you should take a closer look at my dear Silvana. Ah, here she comes."