Chapter 1: Contract

Destruction was around everywhere I looked. The sound of crackling flames that had been burning everything, children crying, soldiers and scientists shouting and running amongst the rubble to help any that were injured or carrying the corpses that had died, ignoring the children that were crying and distressed. On my knees, still shocked I looked into a puddle in front of me as blood slowly dripped into it, soot and blood covered me from my messy and already crimson hair, down my tan skin onto what used to be white and blue clothes.

“Shinku!” A voiced cried out to me. But, before I could see who it was, I woke up sweating and heavily breathing in a worn-out bed as the sunlight pierced through the curtains. I hadn’t had that dream for about a year now. About five years ago, another empire kidnapped me and a lot of other children to a secret laboratory where they did all sorts of experiments on us, then pinned us against each other in a fight to the death. That was until a year ago when my sister and I escaped from the facility and ended up here. Those years were the worst times of my life, as I killed so many friends. As I sat up to stretch a voice called out to me.

“Geez. Are you planning to sleep all day, big brother?” A girl peeking her head through the doorway, with a frown on her face.

“I’ll be there in a sec. Just be patient, will you.” I said forcing a smile, scratching my head. My name is Shinku. I’m nineteen years old and I’m human. I have no other family besides my sister, and we live in this run-down home on the outskirts of a small village called Flameshire that lies near the border of the Eastern Federation.

“Just hurry up or you’ll be late. And don’t forget to eat some breakfast this time.” The angry looking girl frowning, with white hair is my younger sister Rei. She’s seventeen and like some of the village, she’s human.

“I’m eating, I’m eating.” Walking out of my room to the table ready to chow down. “Ell, I otta oh noo. Later sis.” I said with my mouth full, quickly going out the door before I got yelled at again.

This is a normal day for me. Wake up, get yelled by my sister, rush to not be late helping any and all requests the villagers make; anything from helping merchants from time to time, building repairs, hunting, to helping around the lords place. I also do more trivial things, like keeping some of the elders and the lord company during the evening occasionally.

“Sigh. That should be the last of the herbs I need to gather for today. Now all that’s left is to go talk to the lord for a bit and get my pay from him as well.” I said exhaustingly, putting the last of the herbs I had collected into a small beige bag. The forest in the evening during spring is a really lovely place to be, but it’d probably be better walking with someone I love.

“Yeah. Like anything like that will happen.” Looking up into the evening sky, still lost in my thoughts. I know that everyone has been nice enough to me by letting me stay in the village and to let me work to earn my place here. But I still feeling like an outsider. When my sister and I ended up here, no one really believed my story and just thought that we were just a distraction so bandits could rob everyone one by one. However the lord of the village, took a long look at me and offered a place to stay on the outskirts of the village as a precaution and some food, plus allowance as a gesture of good will and to see if we had the money after a while to make sure that we weren’t with any bandits.

To think after two years that our luck has changed to the point where we’re able to start fixing the house. To be honest its look way better than what it looked like in the beginning. Stepping out of the forest into the edge of the village, I realised that there were a lot more horses and soldiers around. This was the first time I saw so many in one place, but why were they here for? I brushed it off thinking they were passing through, however I then started to notice the people were avoiding them like the plague. I was so puzzled.

“Why are the soldiers here of all places? It’s not like there are any dangers here.” I asked the old man that ran the store as I entered the apothecary, setting the herbs he wanted onto the desk.

“Shhhhh. Keep it down boy. They’re not from here and the lord’s trying to convince them to leave.” He whispered concerningly looking out the side window. So zipping my lips I looked out of side window where the old man was looking to see the lord of the land, Goriki. Him and what I assume was the leader of the group of soldiers arguing over something, but we couldn’t quite make out what they were arguing about. Though all of a sudden, the soldier drew his sword threatening him as he waved it at him, I think. Goriki may be a dwarf, but he’s incredibly strong.

“Goriki needs our help. He’s strong but I don’t think he’ll be able to take all of them on.” Readying my sword as I rushed outside.

“Kill everyone that disobeys. This lowly Dwarf and his village will bow down to the Logros Empire.” He said commandingly as the soldier began to march towards any building or house, they were close to. I need to stop them, or even at least distract them long enough for some of the villagers.

“Ugh!” Falling backwards on the ground like from getting smack by the door. In the open doorway was a big male soldier.

“Hahahahaha. Guess he got blow away by my entrance. Alright now enough resting, get out.” Drawing his sword. As I sat myself up placing my hand on my head where I got hit the old man stretched out his hand to help me up, but as I grabbed hold of it, he coughed blood that scattered on my face.

“This is what happens when ya don’t follow my orders. If you don’t want to be like gramps there. Move.” He grunted, watching me guide the dead man down beside me. Why did it have to be this way, I thought as I stood up.

“Drop the sword if you don’t want to end up like the dead man over there.” The soldier snarled glaring at my sword. Hesitating to comply, as I thought he would just cut me down anyway if he wanted to. So as I slowly drew my sword to drop it like he wanted,

“You dare draw your sword at me, runt. Die!” he yelled as swiped he sword down from his head. Flinching away, clasping my eyes shut as I braced myself, waiting for the pain that was about to follow. Schwing! I don’t feel any pain. Am I dead? Slowly opening my eyes, I turn my head slightly to see Goriki’s battle axe in the ground and the soldier shocked face, frightened by the blade of his sword breaking.

“Run lad, I got this lot. Go protect your sister, she might be in danger.” Goriki muttered quietly enough for me to hear, as he turned back to the soldier that attacked me.

“Thanks, Goriki. I’ll be back to help after I make sure Rei’s safe!” Sprinting with all my might, eventually losing sight of Goriki. I must get back in time, for Rei.

“I’m not losing anymore family, not again.” Heavily breathing from the adrenaline surging through me.

As the house started to come into view, I saw a soldier at the door leaning on it. Was he trying to check if it was openly quietly or trying to break down the door? Getting closer the door I could start to slowly hear the guard more and more.

“Come on girly, if you give up now and come quietly. Then I promise to be gentle with you, and~ I’ll make sure to not let the other touch you.” The soldier still trying to force his way in. I’m not going to let another person die by the empire’s hand. Not again!

“Arrrgh!” Schwing! Blood splattering horizontally across the door, smearing my right check and coating my sword.

“REI! Are you ok!” Dropping my sword, banging on the door loudly. Thud. Stepping on the corpse below me, I used all the strength I had thanks to the adrenaline to break the in with my shoulder. Only to see, Rei on the floor holding the side of her stomach with bloodied hands. Rushing to her side to help put pressure on her wound, so she can cast her healing magic. A sudden knock came from a strange translucent person at the door.

“My, my. This corpse wouldn’t happen to be… Oh my. You seem to be hurt little one. Allow me.” She rambled happily, not faze by the body that even I didn’t properly register until now. This strange person was a water elemental. They’re people made entirely of water, including their clothes and you can easily tell what mood they’re in since their body changes to fit their emotion they’re experiencing. As she kneels down beside me, she reached her hand out to mine which were still putting pressure on Rei’s wounds and water enveloped my hand and her entire wound as it started closing itself.

“Oh my. Where are my manners. I’m Mae. Just your average adventurer, traveling to see the world.” Smiling like nothing extreme has happened.

“Uhh, yea. Nice to meet you. I’m Shinku and this is my younger sister Rei.” Standing up, to get what blood I had on my hands off.

“Oh, no! I left Goriki to fend off those knights.” Scrambling to grab my bloodied old sword, I noticed the sword of the soldier I killed a couple of minutes ago. Picking up the sword, the quality difference between them is obvious.

“You don’t look like thieves or murderers. So do you want to let me know what’s happening and why there’s a corpse still laying in the doorway?” Mae asked curiously looking around the inside of our house. Looking at Rei to indirectly ask if it was ok to tell Mae our story, she gave a very slight nod and left to remove the body into the woods to burn it.

After telling Mae our whole story, she I couldn’t tell if she was crying but her body started to turn from an opaque transparent blue to more muddy water like look.

“That must’ve been hard for both of you.” Staring down disheartened.

“Its fine. That’s how we met Goriki and the others in this village, that we’re able to live here now.” Smiling happily at her. But I felt like I was almost forgetting something.

“Oh shit! Goriki!” Remembering that I left him to fight those soldiers alone. Although I knew some of the villagers would help but they don’t have the proper weapons or training to take them on. I need to get back there fast before it’s too late. Leaning my sword against the house,

“Sorry Mae, but could you make sure she doesn’t try anything stupid?” Rushing off once again, to help Goriki. I hope nothing has happened to him or the others. They helped me and my sister for so long now, that I need to return the favour and help them now. I have confidence in a one-on-one fight, thanks to Goriki training to the point where I was able to keep up with him. If he didn’t use any magic that is. The only magic I was able to learn was, enhancement magic which has its limits in a real fight.

“Boost!” Channelling what magic I could to enhance my body and speed to move faster. In just a minute I could start to see the village with a mother and daughter villagers were running towards me, followed by a soldier.

“Run away! Gah!” The mother cried out in tears before flying face first into the ground. Upon seeing the mother being killed, reminded me of five years ago again. When my home, family and whole village was annihilated. Not again. I’m not going to let this child, suffer what I did that day. I’m not weak anymore. I’m stronger than I was five years ago.

Grrrrr “BASTARD!” Sprinting at full pace with the enhancement magic I used, drawing the sword swiftly stopping immediately in front of the soldier swing the blade with all my might. Connecting with his sword as the soldier tries to block my oncoming swing.

GAAAAH! The soldier coughing up a chunk of blood as he is sent flying back a few meters before skidding on his back along the rocky ground. The daughter that was ran past me, came out from where she went to hide when I arrived.

Sniffle “… You” Clinging to me soaking the bottom of my shirt in tears. Anger began to fill my heart and eyes. The empire has done it again. They killed innocent people and took away another child’s life, again. Kneeling down I clutched the girl tightly as a couple of tears escaped down my face, as I gritted my teeth. I couldn’t let go of this feeling of rage, but this isn’t what this girl needs right now.

Sigh “Listen to me. Head that way as fast as you can and you’ll be able to reach my sister and a friend. They’ll protect you until I come back to tell you it’s safe.” Pointing in the direction of the way I came as calmly as I could. I waited until she disappeared into the surrounding trees, to turn back around to the town that was a couple of hundred meters away.

“They’re gonna pay for what they’ve done. I swear I’ll get revenge and avenge those they’ve killed and made suffer.” Gritting me teeth once more, diving headfirst into town looking for Goriki and killing any soldier I see.

Since the village isn’t as big as any of the towns, it didn’t take long until I found Goriki. But what I found was a more terrifying sight than what I imagined. Goriki, who had saved myself and my sister, is now losing to the soldier who outnumber him. How is this possible? Is the captain of those soldiers that power or is it something else? I couldn’t tell since Goriki is covered in blood and there were too man rips in his armor and closes. He was even barely able to hold his great axe in one hand, that he then got his second hand to help lift it.

“Goriki! What happened?!” Yelling as I rushed to fend off a soldier that tried to attack him from behind.

“I was protecting a mother and daughter to let them escape when their father was killed by these bastards. But…, while I was fending them off, I got hit by a poison dark.” Enduring the poison still coursing through his veins. At that point I gave into anger and fell into a rage. Nothing but revenge and killing filled my mind.

“They’ll pay. They’ll, ALL PAY! Boosts!”

“Now, DIE!” Rapidly dashing towards the closest soldier and slashed violently before they could even react. I did this again and again, until. CLANG!

“You’ve almost taken out all my remaining men. Impressive indeed. Now, can you entertain me as well as that Dwarf did?” Praising and taunting me with a sadistic smile, knocking my sword aside as the captain repositioned himself into his battle stance.

“ARRRRGGH!” Clatter! Charging in without a second thought as all I could think about now was getting revenge and tuning everything else out except the enemy in front of me. After swing my sword for what felt for hours, I got exhausted from physical and mana exhaustion and the timing between my sword swings became more noticeable.

“You’re boring me. Is this really all you can do? And here I thought you could entertain me. Pathetic.” Knocking my sword away again before I finally stopped to try and catch my breath.

“Now die please.” Charging at me for the first time in this fight. Clash! Barely blocking his swords pushing me with my feet sliding back a few meters

“Boost!” finally standing my ground and regaining my balance again.

“Hmmm. Wait a minute, aren’t you one of the kids we did experiments on five years ago that escaped? Tilting his head slightly, gazing curiously at me. But hearing what he just said, I couldn’t help but flinch hesitating to go in for another attack. Too many thoughts came rushing through my mind all at once. How does he know about that? Why was here? Who exactly is he? Did he track me down somehow, through rumours? I thought they killed the last person with a spirit in them.

“Hahaha. You are, aren’t you. Well then how about I tell you this. I was the one that blew up part of the facility to let the remaining of you lab rats escape. Did you never question anything? How did they find out she had a spirit in her? And why was it that when they tried to prove that she had one, she exploded destroying enough for you to escape?” Sadistically smirking and laughing like he was having the time of his life.

“Why did you do it? Why kidnap and make us kill each other? What do you gain from it?” Desperately wanting answers.

“Why did I blow up the facility? Cause I was bored obviously. It’s no fun just watching you kill each other. We originally kidnap children that had spirits because they were unknown variables in the empire’s plans to become the strongest kingdom in the world. But I like fluctuations that appear in plans that are going too perfectly.” Widening his eyes, while covering half of his face with his free hand.

This can’t be true, can it? All this death and suffering, all because he was bored. The shock of processing all the information brought me to my knees, losing all my rage and strength to fight.

“So, beautiful. The despair on your face, brings me so much joy. Its giving me shivers.” Shifting his sadistic face to a one looking more like he was ecstasy. Slowly walking towards me raising his swords for the first and final hit.

Schwing. Thud. Blood was spilling on the floor, but it wasn’t mine. What I saw was Goriki, laying on the ground with a deep slash wound across his chest. Looking at the dwarf laying in front of me a quick memory flashed into my mind once more. Five year ago after the explosion at the facility, I remembered walking looking for Rei and other children that survived the explosion. Then there was a scream. Still dazed, not being fazed by everything that’d happened, I turned to fix my bland eyes on the sight of girl dropping from being slashed by a sword. I slowly walked towards the corpse stumbling to my knees directly in front of her, still hoping from the bottom of my heart that this decaying body wasn’t my sister.

“She died, because you were weak.” Sheathing his sword, as he started to leave not taking the chance to kill me. But, when I looked up at first all I saw was a dark silhouette of a person. Then as the flames started to burn even more furiously, revealing the face of the captain of the soldiers before flames took up my entire, returning me to reality once more. Tears started to flow, thinking that the same thing from five years was going to happen again.

“He’s dying cause you’re still too weak. Even after I graciously spared you so you could get stronger” Giving a disappointed sigh after. Slowly picking up my swords, rising to my feet, dragging the sword slowly along the ground, while I swung it with no effort or aim. Each swing missing its target, as the captain of the knights easily evading taking simple steps backwards, before shluk. A sword had pierced me in the stomach driving up to heart. Falling to my knees as the sword was being pulled out, my vision started to fade out losing consciousness, but not before hearing him one last time.

“Ah, well that fun for a bit. Wonder where the other escapees are?” His smile being the last thing I saw before completely blacking out.

Opening my eyes, all I saw was pitch black surrounding me everywhere I looked, as I was floating with no way to tell which way was up.

“What is weakness?” A mysterious voice questioning me.

“Who are you?” Answering a question with a question, searching with dead eyes.

“Why do people give up when they lose someone who protects them?” The mysterious voice asking another question ignoring my question.

“Why do you ask these questions?” Asking another question because I didn’t know how to answer their question. Suddenly a white light flashed behind me, revealing a person shaped entity. They were pastel purple that blended slowly into a sky blue with the same-coloured wings in an aqua dress.

“I wanted to know more about humans and why they do certain things.” Finally replying to a question.

“Who are you, exactly?” Asking once more hoping for an answer. My eyes gaining color again.

“My name is Iris. The next queen of Spirits.” Introducing herself in a cheerful tone.

“I’m…”

“Shinku.” Saying my name before I could introduce myself to Iris. How did she know who I was and more importantly, aren’t I dead?

“I’ve been with you since you were a year old. I fed on your mana to slowly grow all this time. And you’re not dead just yet.” Smiling cutely as if reading my mind was no big deal at all.

“Wait. You can read my mind?!” Shouting, looking so surprised. “And wait, I feel like you said something about consuming my mana.” Remembering what Iris said earlier.

“I don’t remember saying that.” Quickly avoiding eye contact and whistling immediately after.

“No, you definitely said that. So you’re the reason why my mana was always so low.” Slightly annoy that I was being used as a food source.

“Anyway, we should officially make a spirit contract now before we both die soon.” Quickly changing the subject.

“I have a few questions first. One, what is a spirit contract? Two, why should we make a contract, when I’m about to die? Lastly, why choose to show yourself now?’ Looking confused and sceptic about all of this.

“Well, a spirit contract is when a spirit and another person make a contract, which allows each other to get stronger by sharing their mana between each other, allow them to communicate with each other anytime and share their knowledge and memories that both have as well. Basically like a marriage where they share everything with their contracted one. To answer your second question, if you make a contract with me not only will I not die, but I’ll also be able to save and heal you even with me not having a physical form. And Lastly, to put it simple. I was only just able gain enough power and also just remembered how to communicate with you like this.” Seeming surprisingly knowledgeable. Then immediately losing my respect answering my last question, tilting her head slightly with eyes closed, tongue poking out and lightly tapping her fist on her head, trying to act all cute.

“Sigh. Not that I mind making a contract with you, but why me?” Asking my final question before coming to a conclusion on what I should do.

“Because not only did you go something truly terrible, but you’re still kind to everyone.” Giving me a smile as bright as the stars.

“And all your delicious mana.” Trying to mumble under her breath. I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear that last part.

“So what do we have to do to make this contract?” Staring at Iris, expecting her to exchange blood via magic.

Shing~ A pure white magic circle had appeared directly below us and a crest appeared on my right hand. In the centre was a pair of white wings that kind of flowed down to form a sort of heart, which was layered in three outer circle. Each circle was larger the further away from it was from the centre. Within each layer was smaller circles with stars in them. There was four in the first layer, six in the second layer and ten in the last layer.

“Now to confirm seal the contract we just do this. Smooch.” Drifting quickly towards me kissing me for a few seconds before releasing me. Before I could react, the crest on my hand grew brighter as several of the small circles began more vibrant and change colour. Now I had a red, orange, sky blue, white and a magenta circle.

“The contract is now complete. I look forward to seeing you in my physical form soon, Shinku. Until then. Kick that bad guy’s ass!” Cheering me, as the darkness became completely white.

“Guess in the end, he couldn’t awaken the spirit inside him.” The captain of the soldiers sheathed his sword, sighing with a disappointed look. Before he could take a step, a pure white light brighter than the brightest star shone blinding everyone in the surrounding area as the captain turned around genuinely smiling happier than he has looked before.

“I’m not done yet. I said I’m going to get revenge and I’ll stop at nothing until I stop you.” Glaring at him with determination, floating in the air.

“Yes, this is what I’m waiting for! NOW COME! ENTERTAIN ME SOME MORE, LAD!” Declaring as if he was drunk on ecstasy. Drawing his sword, rushing at me laughing maniacally. Leaping high in the air, using gravity to enhance the downward for of his sword.

“Wind blade.” Sending a sky blue for of wind in the shape of a sword slash at him sending backwards, as he lands elegantly back on his feet. Using the wind magic that I got from making the spirit contract, to float my sword to me with great haste.

“Boost.” Channelling my newly regained mana ready to attack again, with my new power.

Arrrrrgh! Both of us charging at each other taking this fight more seriously than before. Clashing swords, one after another faster than I have every been able to swing before. Was I actually, able to keep up with him? No, I need to go faster. But no matter how much more effort I put into my swing to make them faster, we were both at the same speed. Clash! Both of us jumping back after that last swing.

I was almost completely exhausted. My arms and legs were quivering, finding it harder and harder to stand up properly. But It wasn’t just me, I noticed that the captain of the soldiers was also starting to get exhausted from fighting this long. Without hesitation, this was my chance to catch him off guard.

“Wind blade!” unleashing an attack as a feint to get him to dodge to get the upper hand as I dashed following behind for the real attack.

“Interesting. That’s quite the gamble.” Smirking, as he sprinted towards me sliding underneath my magic attack.

“But unfortunately, I’ve seen that trick before.” Meeting my attack once more, locking me in as he continue to put pressure on my sword. This was bad, we’re at a standstill. But if we keep this up, I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before I finally mess up. I’ve already lost a lot of my energy from using so much magic, while being enraged and being healed from very severe wound.

Mummering in my ear. Still trying to keep all my strength into stopping the captain of the soldier’s sword, I looked around trying to see if I could find the person who whispered in my ear an idea that could work.

“Hmmm. What are you looking around for. YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING AT ME! Who do you think you are!” Glaring at me, angered by the fact that I wasn’t focusing on him.

“I’m, Shinku. And This is the end for you.” Gritting my teeth, pushing as hard as I can while slowly releasing a hand to point the palm of it directly at his chest.

“Fire Bolt!” Blasting a bullet of fire at point blank range, sending him flying into a building smashing a wall as a dust explosion. I lost sight of the soldier captain with all the dust and brick that was still slowly falling from higher up the wall. As I rushed to confirm that I the hit, I searched through the dust and under what rubble I was able to move for a couple of minutes. Nothing.

“Damn, this isn’t good if I can’t find him.” Franticly searching around, trying to find any clue to where he could have gone. A voice appearing to come from everywhere and nowhere at the same time

“You finally got a hit. I’ll be sure to leave this as a scare, to remind me of the person that thoroughly entertained me. I’ll leave now so you can get stronger for the next time we meet. Until next time my little Shinku.” The voice sounding extremely pleased, before fading out with the remaining soldiers quickly following suit.