Making a deal for the first time.

"So, the elder gave me guidance and told me about the... what was it again, Ahh yes the spring of rebirth...so instead of questioning the elder I set out on a Quest to redeem myself... now I am stuck here" muttered Vincent as he began to cough blood, the Mana poison in his body was getting aggressive.

Legend has it that The Spring of 'Rebirth' is an ancient, mystical spring located deep within a secluded, sacred grove. It is renowned for its extraordinary ability to enhance and rejuvenate those who bathe in its waters.

The spring's waters are a vibrant shade of iridescent blue, shimmering with an otherworldly glow. Surrounded by lush, exotic flora and protected by powerful natural wards, it exudes an aura of profound energy and serenity.

"Vincent... you're dying, aren't you?" inquired Aetheris as he noticed the sudden stiffness of Vincent's body language.

"Your body smells like it's decaying, it smells like you're reaching your shelf life... your lifespan went from centuries to decades...no months but even if your core was broken your lifespan shouldn't have been affected... what happened"inquired Aetheris with a tone of curiosity, the reason Aetheris was kind to Vincent was not a desire to help but pity.

His eyes were no longer filled with ambition, but with pain; Vincent had the gaze of someone who was waiting for imminent death... someone who No longer had hope.

"I-i-i am dying, since my core was broken I couldn't use Mana, each time I was robbed I used my lifespan as a catalyst for magic but my shattered True veins mutated the poison in my body

Gregor sent these people to hunt me down, he took away everything I had...I looked for the spring, but I failed still, "replied Vincent as tears began to fill his blue eyes; although he felt as if Aetheris had ulterior motives, he didn't care...he was just glad that he met someone who could listen to his troubles.

"Do you regret it"

"What"

"Do you regret your actions? If you had a second chance, would you have let your brother succeed...or something else?"Aetheris questioned with a playful expression in his eyes; curiosity filled his eyes as his heart raced from anticipation.

Vincent lowered his gaze, gripping the remnant ragged fabric of his clothes tightly as he thought about Aetheris' question. His breathing was shallow and labored, and the poison seemed to be taking an even greater toll on his body. His once vibrant skin had grown pale, and a shadow of regret flickered across his features.

"I only regret the way I executed my revenge, but I don't regret what I did; I never hated Gregor...I even saw him as my idol..my hero

It is well known that Aristocrats don't have the luxury of forming deep family bonds but Gregor once gave me that... before he destroyed me..I am weak, "Vincent replied with a dry chuckle; Aetheris felt the pain of betrayal in his tone.

' it seems like their relationship is not as simple as he makes it...if I help him, he could be useful,' pondered Aetheris with a smile; he was going to make his first equivalent deal using his mark, and he was eager to see the results.

"Vincent... you're weak; there is nothing wrong with being weak, but staying weak is a sin, a flaw.

Weakness, in its purest form, is a transient state, a momentary pause in the endless cycle of evolution. But to remain stagnant, to cling to the comfort of fragility, is to deny the essence of existence itself.

Strength is not a gift—it is earned through blood, sacrifice, and the shattering of one's limitations. Those who remain weak, who fear the climb, are already dead, their souls decaying long before their bodies.

Weakness is a crack in the foundation of the self, a flaw that invites the void. To stay weak is to succumb, to embrace the inevitable collapse.

In this world, there is no room for those who refuse to transcend, who fail to break free from their own chains." Aetheris replied Vincent as his horns began to protrude from his head. He began to release his Aura, which began to suffocate Vincent.

"My bad, I rarely get impressed, so I forgot myself for a minute," Chuckled Aetheris as he retracted his horns and Aura; he was making a power move asserting his dominance.

"The spring may exist or it may not. We can only hope; I can sense magical beasts behind these mountains.... but I can help you, Vincent... I am willing to help you reach what you desire," sighed Aetheris with a beautiful, benevolent smile; Vincent felt hope for the first time after his fall from grace.

"Y-you… you want to help me, b-but…"

"B-b-but but but but but..shhhh, I can help you find the spring and make you whole again, but I want something in return," Replied Aetheris as threads began to cover his hand, creating gloves. Vincent had a reluctant expression, but he began to nod as he accepted the offer.

"I want your promise Vincent...a favor if you will, I might reclaim this favor in the future and you will have no right to refuse... what do you think"

"I accept," replied Vincent, instantly surprising Aetheris, There was no hesitation in his tone, which pleased Aetheris even more.

<<Notice: Detecting a mutual agreement... creating an equivalent contract using the second Authority of inTemperance...< em>

Terms of the Deal

DealMaker: Aetheris Lucernas Abaddon

DealMaker Will Provide Assistance in locating the Spring of Rebirth. Support and guidance until Vincent reaches his goal of finding the spring. The use of Aetheris' powers and knowledge to aid Vincent in rejuvenating his body.

DealMaker Will Receive A favor to be claimed in the future, with no right of refusal from Vincent.

Reward: Favor from Vincent

Punishment: None (You are the DealMaker)

---

DealAcceptor: Vincent von Astral-burg

DealAcceptor Will Receive The guidance of Aetheris in finding the Spring of Rebirth and the means to recover his strength.

DealAcceptor Will Provide An irrevocable favor to Aetheris to be claimed at a later time.

Reward: The chance to rejuvenate and recover strength at the Spring of Rebirth.

Punishment: Unknown, but dire consequences in the case of breaking the deal.

To initiate the deal shake hands>>

Aetheris and Vincent began to shake; a burning sensation began to occur on Vincent's right hand as a grey mark of intemperance appeared.

"What is... this"

"A mark of our deal... grey means good and red means bad... let's look for our spring"

...

Thank you for reading 😊 🙏

Was Vincent introduced properly from a subplot Y/N