CHAPTER 3. :THE CONTRACT

Part 1

'Where am I? What's happening, am I moving?'

'I can not feal my legs, please stop!, where are you taking me?'Inei struggles to open his eyes as he tries to speak while just gaining consciousness.

As his vision clears,he sees two shadowy figures in the dim light of the cave, their outlines hazy and indistinct .They were drawing and writing in a strange language with his own blood.

Inei does what any sixteen year old kid would do when they find themselves in a dark cave with shadows drawing the walls of the cave with his blood;which was...

"Heeeelp!! heeeelp!! Somebody please , anybody!"

But all was for naught.He couldn't even utter a word.His trachea was shattered.

Holding out his hands and reaching for his throat,he could feal his own shattered pieces of tracheal bone.He was in disarray,in shock ,so terrified that he looses consciousness again.

Upon opening his eyes,he was surrounded by darkness.He could not see anything ,nor feal anything but a sense of despair and dread settling in his chest.His body was numb and heavy as if the darkness was dragging and forcing him down ,swallowing him whole.

"Who is this?" A voice Soo deep and resonate spoke , commanding the attention of the shadows.

Softly a hand brushed his face giving his eyes new light.From Where the hand retreated Inei could tell that it came from one of the creatures that brought him there.

Raising his head, Inei could see a giant endowed and loved by a shadowy aura seated in a giant throne almost as big as the giant itself.Looking at it, Inei retreated in thought.

'Is this what hell looks like! If it is, then that must be him! The devil!!' His expression saying all that he was thinking.

"What is your name,boy?"It asks as it stands from it's enormous throne approaching Inei.As it drew near,the ground trembled with each step heavy and thunderous .The fear of it approaching was palpable,sending shivers down Inei's spine.Even the creatures beside him quivered and shrank in it's presence.

As it approaches,Inei notices it shrinking , taking the form of a man but it's uncomprehendible sheer magnitude and presence could still make a grown man piss himself.

"I am Erebus,one of the infernal deities."Erebus says as he squats down letting streams of shadows flow from him engulfing Inei's whole boy.

Inei felt releaved as he calms down while fear and terror escapes from his body.It was Erebus's doing and Inei realized it as he went from fearing him to admiring him.

"My name is Inei Haruki Kamado sir"Inei finally says after gathering his courage and picking his words very carefully.

"I am very impressed with what you managed to do with the rocks, young Kamado.What was that? You have to tell .You surely do.It peaked my interest."Erebus says in a calming ,pushy friendly way.

"Ohh ,you don't even know? probably never even realized it"Erebus says as he laughs hesterically as he stands and takes a step back to get a clearer intricate viewpoint of Inei.His expression changes instantly as he lowers his head and puts his index finger on his chin as if deciding what to do with Inei.

"Regrettably,you are gonna die young Kamado."Erebus says nonchalantly

"Wait ! Whaaaat !"Inei reflexively screams out loud and he gets on his feet.

"But I feel better now somehow because of this "Inei points at the Misty shadow engulfing him.

"There's only so much that can do.Am afraid your core has been corrupted by the old man."

"What old man?"

Shade and Echo suddenly jumped onto Inei holding blades in his throat for being too casual with their sovereign.

Erebus waves his hands insinuating that they let go of him .

"You have to options , little man.And you must make haste if you are to survive.Now choose"Erebus presents two boxes.

Inside one he takes out a crystaline bottle containing a blue elixir.On the other he takes out a sheet of paper and a quill.Both Shade and Echo come forward to receive the contents of Erebus.They turn towards Inei and they present them in front of him awaiting his choice.

"Kai energy.Have you ever heard of this ,young Kamado."Erebus walks towards him while explaining.

"Probably not as you had no idea what happened when you saved those friends of yours a while ago.

It is a manifestation of who you are innately, your sense of belonging and acknowledgement of your true nature.It represents the life force found in every living thing."Erebus starts explaining.

"It is usually constricted and isolated in either your brain or near your heart and only released once you become one with your true nature.

Normally it only flows through ones body after years of training and dedication in spirit ,psyche and physical body as seen in martial arts grand masters.

BUT....

1% of the world population are born with Kai energy already established and flowing through their body. They mainly come from a lineage that have inherited it over the years.These people are scarttered all over the world and are part of the majority of those who are rulling the world in this modern age ."

"So what about me ,I clearly don't have the training." Interrupts Inei ,his facial expressions indicating that he is not buying this bullsh**t.

"You find it funny huh!! "Says Erebus,his tone hinting a tinge of annoyance.

"You have a seal in you"

"What seal?"

"Take a look over your shoulder boy"

Looking over his shoulder Inei sees intricate markings written in a language familiar to what he saw being written in the cave wall.The writing formed three circles intertwined between each other .

"Aaaargh whaat whaat are these " Inei fumbles as he takes off his entire shirt to get a better look.

"That seal is slightly opened during the avalanche.That is why it is visible now.If it were complete it would not be ."

"Now , you have ten minutes to decide."

"Long story short is that when my subordinates found you you were supposed to be dead but you are not.That old man mistakenly tried to heal you by using his last reserve of Kai energy not knowing yours stated flowing.

When his Kai energy reaches your core ,it will corrupt it and you will die.Two Kai energies of different affinities corrupt each other and boooom, you're dead."

"In your right is an elixir.It will give you comfort as you die and I won't have to see your brains all over my realm.

"In your left is a contract.Sign it and I will save you.That simple."

Without hesitation Inei asks for the contract,his eyes breaming with determination . Showing that he wants to live.But that was what Erebus wanted .

"That's it ,take my offer.Cling on to dear life like any other arrogant mortal."Erebus grins and whispers to himself as Inei turns to take the contract from Echo.

On taking the contract Inei found it was blank and glares at Erebus.

"Each party has to write what they gain from this contract on his side of the contract.One is not allowed to look what the other has written but on your case you just have to write that you want to live."Erebus explains.

"What about you? What do you want that I can give, Lord Erebus?"Asks Inei cautiously without offending Shade and Echo who were always alert.

"Freedom, I haven't seen the world for almost a century now."

"Why can't you go out"

"This is my prison.I was rid of my mortal body .Now I exist only as an entity because I am remembered by some in the world.I cannot leave without a host ." He continues reassuring Inei "Do not worry for I can find shelter in the shadows.Once i am out I won't be in need of a host."

Inei takes the quill and writes on the sheet of paper.Erebus do the same.The contract is finalized by blood.Erebus tool a part of his core and smeared it on the contract as he had no physical body.

The moment the contract was complete ,it started erasing itself in flames as it disintegrated in mid air.

As it disintegrates, Erebus's true nature shows itself and fear fills and consumes Inei's heart again .His form was just an illusion to calm him down,Inei realized.

"Mwahahaha"Erebus laughs with an evil grin in his eye.

"Freedom at last, I will be free !! And its all because you delivered yourself to me .In a silver platter at that! . Mwahahaha!! "He laughs as Shade and Echo join in the laughter.

Inei falls to the ground as Erebus and his shadow continue with their laughter.As they laugh , Erebus spills out that he had tricked Inei .That he was going to take over his body for good and that he was as good as dead.

"Jokes on you!!"

"What was that ? Cussing out already?"

"Mwahahah!! mwahaha!! " Inei let out a laugh that devoured the whole room.

"Jokes on you,you disgraceful, disgusting piece of sh**t."

"My knowledge and love of Manga, Anime and video games win."

An intense clash of energy from both beings started a violent chaotic fusion between the them.Their Kai energy spill in and out on all directions sending pulses of energy rippling through out the air.

"What did you do? You sly fossil of a man.What did you do?" Screams Erebus as he notices that Inei must have added a condition in the contract.It was now a confrontational battle of raw power and Inei was winning.Their fusion leaves a wake of destruction as they take it outside Erebus's realm onto the mountain.The air crackles with the release of energy creating an electrifying and terrifying special.

Erebus calls upon Shade and Echo who disintegrate as they try to come close to the battle.

As they collide with each other , exchanging glances , Erebus tries to figure out what condition Inei set . Their battle was dragging on and he was was on the loosing side.He was agitated and his senses disoriented.

In a desperate attempt of control, Erebus shreaks releasing a heavy, thunderous blast of energy towards Inei but all was in vein as Inei stands still waiting for him.Erebus's blast phases right through him as he embraces Erebus absorbing his entire essence.

Part 2

Down at the camp where Inei's class was supposed to go , a search party for Inei was being assembled.Emiya , Borris and Eva ran after Inei when he was hit by the rock.Only to find him missing.

As the sun dipped behind the jagged peaks, casting longnshadows over the treacherous

mountain path, the search party for Inei was assembled. The rugged terrain and sheer cliffs posed a daunting challenge for the group but their determination was apparent in the fading light.

They were grouped together in four man groups to extend the search radius in order to cover more ground.Borris,Eva ,Emiya and a rescuer were at the forefront of the group.The instructions from the seasoned rescuer echoed in their minds, urging them to stay focused and maintain focus with care.

With headlamps cutting through the encroaching darkness, the group carefully navigated the rugged landscape, Scanning every crevice and alcove for any sign of their lost friend. The rocks and boulders seemed to merge into a dountless labyrinth, an endless test of endurance .

"We are gonna find him."Borris reassured Eva who seemed to be super worried as she blames herself for Inei's circumstance.

Emiya was more determined than the rest as he was tasked to look after him by his aunt, Inei's mom.That was also the solemn duty and reason why he was part of this trip even though he was not part of this trip.

As they descended deeper into the shadowy chasm, Emiya's eyes never ceased it's intense scrutiny of the landscape.In his mind,every rock ,every shadow and prints had the potential of revealing Inei's whereabouts.

As they comb their side of the mountain,a thunderous blast fills the air followed by sparks and electric blasts .The disturbance seemed to come from a top the mountain where there were no assigned rescue team.

Emiya instinctively runs towards the sound.His team following up but could not catch up to his lightning speed.Emiya ,full of worry happened to reach the scene first,but before he could take in what was happening a pulse of Kai energy from the battle between Inei and Erebus hit him leaving him unconscious .

Emiya, as his eyes closed while loosing consciousness he sees Inei falling off over the edge.Tears flowing ,crying as he embraces a shadowy figure , becoming one with it .