The Contract of Souls (3)

A contract to be made between the sovereign and the dominion must be both consensual and must uphold certain laws that need to be followed.

There are several rules that need to be upheld in this soul-binding contract to the sovereign.

The contract goes like this:

"Behold the contract for ages, bound to these pages."

-First: The dominion must acknowledge the sovereign to be superior, whether they are stronger than their master or wiser in terms of intelligence.

-Second: Obedience to the master and respect to the dominion must be in equilibrium to maintain the bond that sets these souls bound.

-Third: Do not observe and covet actions that go against the will of the sovereign that they follow. Failure to comprehend shall be punished accordingly by themselves. However, exceptions can be considered under special situations.

-Fourth: The freedom bound by souls is not a state of control or slavery but camaraderie. Those who commit acts of abuse and force that violate the Ground Law of Gaia shall be stripped of their title and its dominions.

-Fifth: Each life has intrinsic value that encompasses the life that everyone receives. The life that one must hold shall be valued as their own. The individual who disregards life shall not be able to evoke the contract to its full completion. One must understand the fear of life in order to care for another.

The terms and conditions were quite loose since it was the first established contract utilized by the ancient sovereigns. Without reason not to follow, it was educated to others who wished to learn the details pertaining to being a sovereign.

Though many wish to consider this power as terrifying and godly, there are limitations on what they can achieve.

Consider protecting not only your own life but also those under your care.

"Well, that's the basis of a contract that would be set upon agreed terms," she replied in a smooth and delicate voice.

Contrary to the voice being spoken, her appearance didn't match it one bit. At first, she seemed like a mysterious old woman, but now she appeared more like a confusing old lady, experiencing an identity crisis.

"How come you can speak fluently right now when you spoke in phrases during our private conversation?" I asked, confused about the situation.

"Well, Enzo, I am not, in fact, an OLD WOMAN, and not, in fact, interested in YOUNG BOYS. I just wish to make a contract with you," she candidly affirmed.

"Yeah, right," Styx scoffed, following up on her reply.

Every time she emphasized words she seemed to dislike, she glanced daggers at Styx, who stood right behind me. Both of them provided a sense of intimidation as they continued to converse, provoking each other with back-and-forth insults.

They seemed to get along well, for the time being at least.

I left them to bicker while I surveyed the aftermath of the battle. The area that was once full of trees and natural landscape was now shredded, reduced to bits of sticks and twigs. Majestic boulders had turned to dust, while others bore cracks and holes that seemed considerably difficult to create without power.

The woods, once filled with a mysterious and mystical aura, had become a scene of destruction as a mighty clash between forces unfolded.

I sighed, "At least I am still here," quickly glancing behind me. "So what was your deal attacking me without any introductions, clarifications, and deceiving me?" I sat up straight and spoke in a serious tone.

Styx froze and assumed his bodyguard-like state, standing behind me, still devoid of emotion shown on his carved mask.

Silence engulfed the area as I awaited her answer.

"Well, you see, I was... I was told that doing this act would be necessary for finding a good sovereign and that a change of appearance would add a more mysterious vibe, increasing my chances of finding one... I am sorry for this misunderstanding... I will revert my appearance now," she replied in a nervous and apologetic tone.

As she said so, her appearance quickly burst into flames. Her face changed, the wrinkles gone in an instant. The embroidered towel became non-existent, and her arms returned to a normal length. It was as if she was aging backward, becoming elegant and beautiful.

"That's amazing..." I gasped at the scene before me.

"Witches are Bitc—HEY!" Styx's voice sounded irritated.

Styx tried to comment on her transformation but was stopped by a log suddenly thrown at him.

"A grand sovereign should at least be expected to have a powerful dominion that follows him. However, I didn't expect a blabbermouth coupled with a hint of a nasty personality to be following him," she aggressively retorted to his comments.

Her transformation came to an end as fog covered her, revealing only her silhouette. It was as if a great reveal was being made for the audience.

What surprises lay dormant in the fog was a stunning girl who was the polar opposite of her previous appearance.

She had long, blonde silky hair that gleamed through the night, flowing smoothly with every graceful movement. Her skin was fair and white, delicate and bright. Her plush lips seemed smooth and attractive. Her ruby-colored eyes carried dignity and strength, alluring the likes of men.

She wore a vibrant red dress with a short skirt, exuding a captivating combination of elegance, strength, and passion. The fabric gracefully draped over her figure, accentuating her feminine form with a touch of allure. The bold red color radiated confidence and power, commanding attention with its fiery intensity. The skirt, though short, maintained a sense of sophistication, skimming the upper thighs and showcasing her legs with tasteful allure.

As she moved, the dress fluidly followed her every movement, captivating onlookers with mesmerizing glances. Her presence stood out, drawing attention and captivating the masses. Her appearance matched her pretty face, exuding an aura of dignity and passion. With her dress, she became the center of attention, radiating power and charisma, showcasing strength and a fiery passion that captivated all who witnessed her.

"Very wonderful parlor trick, Witch. It makes my rating of you increase by 0.5," Styx mockingly commented with an exasperated look.

"I don't need your critiques, Twig. I am here for another reason, not for you," she snapped back. "And I have a proper name, thank you. My name is Marie. Marie Antonette. A pleasure to meet you, Enzo Stele."

She performed an elegant curtsy, well-executed as if she had practiced it for a long period of time. I wondered if she was from some noble family.

"The pleasure is mine, Marie. Going back to the topic, I understand the contract. However, there are things I must first understand," I carefully chose my words, trying not to sound hasty or aggressive.

"It is understandable. Go on," she replied, giving me the go-ahead to ask my questions.

There were many questions I wanted answered, but in this situation, there was only one thing I wanted to know.

"What do you mean by looking for the Sovereign's Oath? And isn't it impossible since, you know, well, you are human, aren't you?" I asked clearly, to avoid any misunderstandings.

As I finished asking the question, silence fell upon the area. The winds stopped, and though the cold atmosphere remained, I felt hot from the welling anxiety, pressure, and tension that filled the scene.

"Technically, I am..." She replied but then fell silent along with the wind.

I heard a loud creak behind me. Styx leaned forward and came closer to my ear. The creaks became louder and closer.

"Enzouo. It is normally not possible for a normal Sovereign to contract with human-like characteristics... However..." He looked ahead of me and followed his direction. I saw Marie standing there with a determined face, staying silent and carefully listening to the conversation.

"Certain exceptions are considered due to the unnatural talent they bear. The Seven Voices: Whisper, Scream, Chatter, Laugh, Whimper, Screech, Silence. These are the titles that were given to the Seven exclusions. Of course, they come at a price. They have more limitations as well as a duty they have to uphold." Marie perfectly synced Styx's statement in a stern voice.

"A blessing or a curse... It is up to you, the Sovereign, to decide. People may think that it is a nice denomination of magic, obtaining power that can destroy towns and cities. However, they do not see the price that one must pay. The responsibility they must bear." Styx added to her statement.

Styx straightened his posture, and through his masked face, I felt sadness and despondency.

"Before you continue the contract, you must be prepared to handle the responsibility of taking care of another's life. Remember the moment you do not care anymore is the moment you forgot your purpose." It was laced with sadness as he said it.

The mood that was intense just a few moments ago died, succumbing to sadness and emotional distress.

It was a silent conversation that lasted for quite a while when it was broken by a sudden voice.

"Whispered... You whispered to me, Enzo...." Marie suddenly replied, looking at me with pity. "I was lost through the forest until your desperate call whispered to me. I felt a strong emotion that I haven't felt before. It was warmth and comfort that attracted me to where you were."

I didn't even know what a whisper was, but I somehow did it on a whim. It was really confusing about what it was, what it is, and what it can do. But somehow I did it by calling her.

It was a cold breeze that swept the dimly lit area, and the wind blew just fine, circulating through the trees.

I didn't want to be impulsive about my decision; however, I needed to make a choice.