Demon Spirit System

The rain comes down hard as nails as if a warning premonition for the nights affairs. The courtyards of artemis being pelted nonstop with volley after volley of rain. Thunder crackles through the sky cutting through any forming calm. 

"Ren the finals for the clan leader exam are tomorrow, you need to get some sleep i know the rain is pouring but you can't worry about that right now you wouldn't want someone else stealing your glory now would you."A burly old man covered in hair says endearingly as he steps into the room like a gentle giant

"I know father, I'm just struggling to sleep. I think I might just have a read of the family library that always tends to send me to sleep." Ren says in an exhausted yawn his eyes still wide and awake.

"I can already see where this is going, I'm going to be waking you up off the floor aren't I well so be it if you can get some sleep just don't read all night for the love of god." Rens father says as he pinches the bridge of his fat nose and sighs.

"I understand father. I won't be awake for long I promise." Ren says full of respect.

"Good, I'm going to go check in on the guards who know how they're holding up in this abysmal rain. I hope they don't slip using their bows." His father says as he strokes his beard, getting lost in thought.

"Speaking of bows before I go, I hope you've trained your archery skills finely otherwise you can kiss your leader position bye bye." His father continues making sure his son is taking this as seriously as possible.

"Of course father ive been using the warbow every day as you told me. Drawing the arrows is getting easier and easier by the day." Ren says brushing his jett black strands of hair out of his face.

"Good what happens from here on out is up to you don't let others just walk over you now kid you are my son and heir to the artemis clan after all." His father chuckles saying this stroking his bushy black beard.

"I wouldn't dream of it, father." Ren says, his eyes brimming with respect and loyalty to his father.

"Atta boy sleep well kid." His father says before ruffling up Ren's jett black hair.

Making his way to the family library Ren begins to pull out a couple musty books at random to help him fall asleep too. The stacks and stack of books litter the floor and shelves of the library.

After finding his old desk in the library he gets it ready for reading. Beginning to light a candle as he pulls out a musty book at random from the pile to try and calm his mind.

*Phoenix's Embrace*

"Phoenix? Why would we have something like this? I thought my father swore against the demon spirits. I'm pretty sure even my grandfather was disgusted by them." Ren says aloud in utter confusion.

"Why would we even have something like this, surely this is taboo right? Well if its here I might as well learn what to avoid in the future so what's the harm in reading it." Ren says wanting to avoid any possible taboos in the future.

Reading through the contents of the book with a hungry desire for knowledge Ren scours every page digesting everything.

'To whomever may stumble upon this book note that i committed a sin for the protection of our clan' 

'If you wish to avoid this knowledge, close the book but this book cannot be destroyed. It will wait patiently for one deserving of its knowledge.'

'If thou wish to embark on a cursed venture you will gain knowledge and responsibility beyond that of a clan leader but of a survivor.'

"Survivor?" Ren says aloud in response to the odd set of text.

'If you wish to continue living even when you meet your end then you must be willing to commit a sin in the eyes of the clan'

'You may sin but you will become our saviour'

'If thou wishes to survive against all odds one must commit thyself with blood'

"Blood? As in just on the pages?" Ren asks, confused.

"Even if I'm the clan leader one day I don't care for the power that it brings, I care for the protection it brings my people. I'll take on whatever sin I need to if it means I can protect my people in their darkest times." Ren says talking himself into the unknown of this tome, the idea of sleep long dissipating.

*Chomp* A slow trickle of crimson blood pools out of the tip of Ren's thumb as he drops onto the page being absorbed in a near instant. 

As he tries to glance at the next set of text on the pages the book becomes animated flipping through the entire contents in a flash stopping at one page in particular. Words he cant read only feel, a burning sensation pours itself into him spreading out all over his body before a vision enters his eyes.

"Oh great demon beast here my plea, I have come seeking your aid and I am willing and unafraid to sacrifice what is necessary." An old scarred man with jett black hair climbs a perilous mountain calling out as he ascends to the peak of the mountain.

"A human? Here of all places, how did you even manage to stumble into this territory unscathed." The Phoenix fiery eyes glare at the unwanted guest seeing his body torn to ruins but still alive somehow. Noticing the large bow on his back the Phoenix puts two and two together.

"Ho, you're an archer are you, interesting no wonder you could climb these heights if you can pull a bow of that calibre back. Why is it that you have ventured to my domain human." The Phoenix says in a low tone ready to feast.

"I have come looking for a deal, oh great Phoenix spirit. I am willing to offer anything to ensure it happens." The old man says kneeling down and praying towards the phoenix.

"Ho, anything? Intriguing, then what is it that you desire in this deal." The phoenix says humouring the mortal.

"Survival!" The old man screams out showing his deepest desire to the phoenix.

"Survival?" The phoenix looks at the mortal perplexed.

"I wish for you to inscribe a spell of resurrection in this book to only a clan member and keep our clan alive when we are at the end of line. I want a way out to ensure my clan lives through any crisis." The man says solemnly as he raises a large leather bound book.

"Resurrection. Ho ho, how interesting for a mere mortal to ask for and what possibly could you offer to me that is equal in return." The Phoenix chuckles humoured at such an idea it spreads its long wings of flame as its eyes continue to peer into the mortal before it.

"Anything you wish for me. My flesh, My heart, My eyes, My soul i'll give it all to you to ensure my people live oh great phoenix." The man says praying without waiver.

"I desire your flesh in its entirety. I need a vessel to slumber within and evolve slowly. You will live for 20 more years and your body will be my kindling for the next stage in my evolution." The phoenix calls out intrigued by the opportunity available.

"Oh great Phoenix i know i ask too much of you but i have children at home if you are so benevolent i ask for you to give me 40 years please just to be in their lives a little longer." The man bows with his head pressing against the stone floor of the plateau.

"I don't negotiate often with mere mortals let alone make deals and you have the nerve to ask for more. Fine as you wish 40 years that should be plenty of time to get all your affairs in order. But when the time is up I expect you to come willingly as agreed." The phoenix says letting out a searing flame into the sky in its irritation.

"Yes great Phoenix i understand thank you. I will be loyal to our deal and the generosity you have shown me this day. I promise I shall not break the deal when the time comes." The man says graciously. 

"Granted, but you shall never be allowed to use this spell ever or i shall incinerate your very soul." The phoenix responds with hellbent rage at the idea.

The book the man was carrying is lifted in the air in a controlled fire as the phoenix begins to slowly inscribe the ineligible spell into the book with its fiery blood. Once finished the book seals itself only allowing blood related families to open the book. 

"It is done, I shall now house my being in your vessel. 40 years and you shall see a fire so bright it will bring you to tears and I promise to embrace you in my warmth never letting the darkness swallow your soul. Be thankful mere mortals allow a great being a rare opportunity."

The phoenix condensed and swirls going deep into the flesh of the man leaving a searing burn of a wing on his right pec. A searing agony begins to envelop him, bringing him to tears and down on his knees. Gritting his teeth through the pain the thought of all of his people propels him through the agony.

"There you have it my descendent. I sacrificed everything for this clan. My soul is claimed by the phoenix itself but you can guide our clan to survival no matter what happens." The old man's soul calls out through the book having a noticeable heat to it.

"I was scorned for this choice but I knew deep in my soul devastation would eventually come and I couldn't bear losing the culture and history of our people. I couldn't see our flame burn out. It was a failsafe just in case. I'm stuck within the phoenix but I know my people are safe. I have faith in my decision and no regrets." The man calls out once more as the visage of his face appears before Ren. A battle hardened man with a deep scar across his nose and bright purple eyes similar to Rens.

The final vestiges of the vision begin to fade like a dying ember. Ren's mind now more lucid than ever scouring the library in shock to see if what happened was really real. Only to be met with a clear piece of evidence: the winged mark on the back of his right hand emanating with a searing pain.

"I promise I'll lead this clan to salvation. We will survive no matter what is thrown at us. That's what I've been raised for my entire life. I refuse to see my people snuffed out." Ren says responding to the vision aloud still not sure if it was real at all.