Chapter 768: ‘-I forged a contract with the devil…’

"No way," intense groans imbued by heavy pants escaped, "-I w-w-w-won't."

"Holding up pretty nicely," he said, "-I won't ask again; I merely increased time earlier for the beast to settle. He's ready to engage, you won't survive him no matter the refusal," her face showed a combative spirit, the attack amplified, she kept a strong grit, limbo against pleasure and pain.

'Well,' he turned away, '-if she won't reply to my demands,' made for the adjacent hallway, "-I'll give you two hours in this realm's time," a snap summoned another bubble, "-which will amount to two days," in addition, few other members joined, they circled to block the direct lock of their eyes, pain shimmered, they grabbed her face and the domain blocked peeps from outside in. He sat before an empty living room, toggled the local news, and waited. 

The realm changes to Draebala, '-I lost. My comrades died, I thought I was strong,' vivid images of their death played in repeat, '-was I not worthy of this power?' the fist opened and closed. Patched grassy lands gave onto the sea, who in turn, linked to the continent of Zuyan D'olsak, The broken vessel ambled slowly for a town up north, he paid no heed to the roaming monsters. 

"You seem lost, my child," said a voice inside a dark abandoned log cabin. 

"…" he looked and walked, led by a burning desire to avenge the fallen.

"So much pain," it said, "-I understand how you feel, I was also subject to the manipulative ways of God, they don't care about us, they never wanted us to prosper. Join us," a transparent hand held out, "-I won't promise happiness or a fair nation, what I guarantee is revenge," the cabin opened to thick darkness, many outlines hurdled against the walls, sat with knees to their chests, "-we wait for someone to become our master, someone strong to lead our people into battle. The gods will pay, their beliefs will be slain, and most of all, the leadership shall crumble." Unable to think, the man who'd lost so much took the hand of a strange entity, the cabin and man vanished overnight, tis said, imprints of the four-walled structure can be seen to this day.

*Woosh,* the window opened, '-a strange chill. The channel swapped for a paper on current international affairs, '-let's see,' he hunched with elbows upon the thighs and read. "Recently, in a press conference by the minister of foreign affairs, Kieo Hadbo of the Holy Wracia Empire, after much pressure from neighboring independent kingdoms about the new continent's discovery, said, '-we're making sure the people are given utmost priority. They have signed and agreed to become a direct vassal of the Empire; on a goodwill trip abroad, our Emperor had but praises to sing. The natives are very accepting of his ideas and way of life – tis an equal exchange. We've promised to improve their land for their devotion'. When asked about proving a perspective from the native people, they refused, saying it would scare them. Ever since the Pope and the Emperor have joined hands, there's no telling what the future can hold. The War between Elendor and Old Cray has rung for many years, there's no sign of stopping. The leadership of Elendor is slowly falling, noble lords are angry at the constant battle; finances are bad, the people starve without a say in the matter. Life around the borders is survival of the fittest. The addition of PMC's has only worsened the balance. Directly linked to Elendor, the Federation, is also on the verge of collapse. Our sources report the leaders aren't on the same page. Officials want the war to end, meanwhile, Elendor wants to continue the battle; in a war of attrition, neither nation has the upper hand. The moment the Federation falls apart, the Empire will strike – we saw their ruthlessness in Arda, the extermination of a whole province; rather than hide the stain, they brazenly and openly flaunt the event as a warning to those who dare fight their Dogma. Alphia's neutral on the matter so has stated General Dockzt Rozemal, "-we do not see a reason to take part in the war and needlessly endanger our people. If ambers blow towards us, there will be no mercy, we take pride in the strength and unity of our nation. When push comes to shove, we, Sultrians, will not waver and use our latent abilities." Those very triggering words had many smaller nations cower, history is a strong basis to not get Sultrians involved. In trying times, we, the people, must learn to adapt and learn to see how the war will affect our daily lives." 

'Who decided to air such a show. It's full of misinformation, the facts aren't completely accurate, I hate the media," he sighed, "-making a show of everything. Still, it worries me to think Elendor wants to continue the battle in our economy. Tis taken everything for Queen Gallienne to help Arda get on its feet. Money," he facepalmed. "-if only we had more money… money to lead a nation, money to fight a war," he exhaled, two hours elapsed, '-let the Federation fall,' he gritted, '-I'd cut ties before Elendor grows to adamant. The fate of Hidros will be dependent on the next summit. Alphia can be swayed in our favor, I wonder if her majesty, Gallienne, knows of Alphia's dirty secret?' 

*Incoming Call: Vesper.*

"Hello?"

"Greetings, majesty," she said in a calmer voice.

"You seem easier to listen to, has something happened?"

"Yes, I'm glad to report the adventuring party set to conquer the tower was defeated, there's a single adventurer left and she's resting on floor 199. We need but materialize the doors for her to continue."

"Looks like I didn't have to come…"

"No, by all means, the presence is required. Our ruler should speak of our evolution. I've asked for the third transit to make way to your location, I'll have the fighter move to floor 200. This is it, master, show the world what us, the people of the Shadow Realm, can do."

"The people of the Shadow Realm?" the eyes narrowed.

"Yes, we're allied," she laughed, "-be sure to make an impact," the call ended. The entire manor rumbled; a strong aura approached from the Tower spotted in the far distance. Gusts blasted the main door open; stomps filled each nook and cranny with the malicious intent of destruction. The shadow of a horned tall silhouette laid on the entrance hall. 

"Can I come in?" said the strongly mature female voice. 

"You're already inside," he returned,

"And?" her strong steps echoed around the couch and hopped in his field of vision, "-…" a brazenly opposing glare drowned his regard, dark curly brown hair parted around the strong expression, the horns were fierce and sharp, her dark complexion had marks of red and white run along the arm, face, and legs, her lashes flickered, displaying her mercilessness, "-are you the one I've come to fetch?"

"Kylsha the Seductress."

"Vesper must have told you?" 

"No," he smirked, "-we met long ago, maybe a few decades back when the King was in power. Remember his birthday, and the event you and your companion interrupted."

"Is that so?" she gave a half-smile, crossing her arms, "-must I be happy?"

"You're that type of entity," he sighed, casting away any interest, "-before we go, I need to take care of a private matter," shuffled to the stairs, "-join me?" She rolled her eyes and accepted, '-another headache.'

'Who is this person,' she followed, '-what did he mean by that type of entity, did my strongness not get across properly. I don't know why, but I feel like he's already seen through my façade and is less interested… it makes me… angry,' the nails sharped.

"Keep those things away." 

The partial expansion released, a bloodied and sweaty Wendy had her face mushed onto the table, her hair awry on her visage, snot and tears gleamed under a singular light bubble. "Stop it," he ordered, she laid on all fours, scratch marks plastered her back, "-how was the experience," he nonchalantly leaned against the edge, "-do you feel good or humiliated. How was it knowing your fate laid in the hands on another person," he turned and spat, saliva landed shy of her fatigued expression, "-an eye for an eye, a spit for a spit," he caressed head, roaming his fingers through her nasty hair, "-Wendy, Wendy, o' dear Wendy. Why not accept my proposition," he leaned, carried her messy hair around her ears and smiled, "-agree to my demands and I promise a more lucrative life. I don't mind answering to thy demand – consider this an act of charity; I won't ask who employed you nor personal questions," the fingers moved from her hair to the cheeks, he wiped her newly formed tears, "-I'm your savior and your destroyer, you're life belongs to me," the bicolored pupils dowsed crimson red, he glared with the same expression of a heartless killer, "-I can be a very gentle person," a sharp turn flipped her on her back to stare the ceiling, her body was in an ungodly state, bite marks dowsed her chest reddish-brown, her nose and mouth motioned painfully, she instinctively closed her legs, the tears fell, "-now, now, you trying to defy me again?" *Blood-Arts: Crimson Threads,* lassos pulled her feet, he motioned to a Dogeio, the latter drooled and moved in-between her legs, he gripped her waist and tore into her flesh, *AHHHHHH.*

"Why are you screaming?" he patted her forehead with a saddened expression, "-he hasn't done anything yet."

"S-stop," she sniffled, "-I-I-I," he forcefully grabbed her jaw, "-listen to me, I don't have much patience. Offer yourself to me or be subjected to an eternal prison of far worse treatment, I'll tell you, besides depraved individuals, some lustful torturers find bliss in chipping at a person's life, and they, luckily, work for me." No response, her pupils fell emptily on him, the vision blurred by increasing tears, "-guess there's no helping," he rose a hand, the beast pulled side her legs, "-I gave thee an opportunity out."

'Why me, what did I do to deserve this. A puppet shouldn't have emotion, she shouldn't be able to think, only act. Why me, why am I different, I wish I was like my other sisters, they were truly emotionless, watching as the world closed on us, they never smiled, never tried to talk, we were trained to be empty, but I… I, why am I different, WHY DO I FEEL PAIN!'

"Because, you're human," replied Igna, the barrier vanished. The darkroom swapped for an idyllic landscape, '-where are we?' she inhaled, the wounds were healed, '-I'm wearing clothes.'

They sat atop a hill, "-look yonder, isn't the forest a relaxing place?"

"Why are you here?"

"To offer a chance at retribution."

"Why should I trust an enemy?"

"Simple, because I'm Igna Haggard," he smiled, "-a whimsical man who enjoys inflicting pain and subjugate strong individuals. Yes, I agree my methods are crude and heartless, and in a way, I can't really say I dislike hearing someone scream. Whether I'm good of evil, thee choose. So," he turned and offered a hand, "-doth thee wish to make a deal with the devil?" 

"Will you help me take revenge on our enemy…"

"Offer me your soul and I promise to take in thy pain and regret. Release the burden, allow me to take it as part of our contract." 

"Can I trust you?"

"No," he smiled, "-never trust anyone, not even me. I don't have much to gain yet, I admire the tenacity."

It took a moment, she hung her head between her knees, a casual breeze rattled the grass, '-why me, what have I done?' the hold broke, "-I accept." The landscape shattered, her mind reemerged into the dimly lit room, '-was I dreaming?' the eyes reopened.

"Good afternoon," said Igna, "-seems like you made a great choice," he winked, a greenish light healed her wounds.

'-I forged a contract with the devil…'