Bound by Blood

Three weeks had slipped away, yet progress with Aiger remained frustratingly distant. One night, as the room surrendered to darkness, Maria’s senses pricked at the faintest of sounds. Aiger’s breathing, once steady, now hitched, his chest rising and falling in irregular patterns. Concern etched deep lines on Maria’s face as she drew nearer, her hand hovering over his feverish forehead, feeling the unnatural heat that radiated from it.

The mask quivered violently, its manifestations of sword and bow oscillating between their demonic and natural states in erratic flickers. Abruptly, Aiger’s eyes snapped open, his body jerking upright in panic. His hand reached out, grasping at something unseen, tears gathering in his eyes. Maria stared at him for a moment, then rubbed her eyes in disbelief, repeating the action as if to confirm the reality of the situation. Realizing it was not a figment of her imagination, she enveloped Aiger in a tight embrace, tears mingling with his, whispering a heartfelt thank you for finally waking up. Maria’s heart raced as she held Aiger close, feeling the weight of their shared struggle and the relief of his awakening. In that moment of vulnerability, amidst the chaos of Aiger’s nightmares, something shifted between them. The tension that had lingered in the air softened, replaced by a warmth that whispered of something deeper.

As their tears mingled, Maria found herself drawn to Aiger in a way she hadn’t expected. But their moment was interrupted by the sudden rush of footsteps and the clatter of weapons. Saru, Diablo, and Amano burst into the room, their expressions filled with concern. After barging through the door, the three then saw Aiger and Maria hugging each other in comfort. Saru’s eyes glistened with tears at the sight of Aiger finally awakening, while Diablo and Amano stood at the door, their relief evident in their expressions.

Saru, the stalwart guardian, rushed forward, his normally stoic demeanor softened by the overwhelming emotion of the moment. He knelt beside Maria and Aiger, his hand gently resting on Aiger’s shoulder, a silent expression of solidarity and relief. Diablo and Amano, though standing at a distance, shared in the palpable sense of relief that filled the room. Their friend, their comrade, was awake, breaking free from the grip of whatever darkness had ensnared him.

As the initial wave of emotion subsided, Maria released Aiger from her embrace, both becoming flustered, though she remained close, her hand still resting on his shoulder. Aiger looked around, his gaze flickering with confusion and remnants of fear. Slowly, the memories of his nightmare began to fade, replaced by the warmth of Maria’s touch and the presence of his comrades. He managed to smile, a silent acknowledgment of their unwavering support.

Saru helped Aiger to sit up, his strength a steadying presence. Diablo and Amano approached cautiously, their concern evident in their eyes. Aiger’s voice, hoarse from disuse, broke the silence as he whispered his gratitude to Maria and his friends. Each word carried the weight of their shared journey, the battles fought, and the sacrifices made. They had weathered the storm together, emerging stronger for it.

After becoming too tired to swing his sword again, Aiger took his bow and sword and leaned them against a nearby tree. He then rested against the rough bark, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. His mind drifted back to the haunting words of Malgroth, the dark echo of doubt clouding his thoughts.

“You are nothing but weak filth, unworthy of wielding our power. However, I am willing to offer you a fraction of my army’s strength. Use it wisely, for it comes with a price.”

The memory of Malgroth’s sinister offer echoed in Aiger’s mind, casting a shadow over his resolve. With a heavy heart, he pushed the thoughts aside, focusing instead on the present moment. Closing his eyes, he sought solace in meditation, seeking to quiet the turmoil within.

But his attempts at meditation faltered, his mind refusing to find peace. Instead of the tranquility he sought, he was greeted by the unsettling presence of a lone demon. It wasn’t Lilithara or Malgroth, but another female demon, her demeanor strangely calm compared to the others.

Aiger’s brow furrowed in confusion as he regarded the demon before him. Despite the aura of menace that surrounded her kind, there was something different about her, something that piqued his curiosity. Tentatively, he spoke, his voice barely a whisper amidst the sounds of the forest.

“Who are you?”

The demon regarded Aiger with an inscrutable expression, her crimson eyes glinting in the dim light filtering through the canopy above. There was a moment of silence, broken only by the rhythmic patter of raindrops on the leaves.

“I am called Elyssia,” she replied, her voice a melodic yet chilling whisper that seemed to dance on the edge of Aiger’s consciousness. “I am but a humble servant of the Abyss, like many others. Unlike Lilithara or Malgroth, I trust your intentions and goals. I believe that if we were to make a blood contract, it may pose certain risks, but it could also bring mutual benefit.”

Aiger’s heart quickened at the proposition, his mind racing with the implications of such a pact. He knew well the dangers of dealing with demons, but Elyssia’s words carried a strange allure, a promise of power tempered by caution.

“Before we proceed,” Aiger said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within, “I must know the terms of this contract, and the extent of its consequences. I will not enter into such an agreement lightly, especially without full understanding.”

Elyssia smiled, a predatory gleam in her eyes. “Wise words, mortal,” she murmured. “Know this: a blood contract binds us both, linking our fates inextricably. You will gain access to powers beyond your wildest dreams, but at a cost. And should you fail to uphold your end of the bargain…” She trailed off, leaving the threat unspoken but hanging heavy in the air.

Aiger nodded, his resolve hardened by the weight of Elyssia’s words. He knew the risks, but he also recognized the opportunity that lay before him. With a steady hand, he extended his arm, offering his blood as the first step towards a pact that would shape the course of his destiny.

Aiger then asked her, “This power you speak of, what is it?”

Elyssia’s lips curled into a knowing smile as she began to explain, her voice weaving a tapestry of possibilities and dangers.

“First, there is Shadowmask Mimicry,” she began, her words dripping with both temptation and caution. “This ability, bestowed upon you through our blood pact, allows you to mimic and utilize any supernatural power you witness while wearing your mask.”

She paused for a moment, allowing the gravity of her words to sink in before continuing with meticulous detail.

“Shadowmask Mimicry is a boundless gift While wearing the mask, you can replicate any ability—be it magical spells, martial arts techniques, or elemental

powers—without restriction. There are no prerequisites or limitations on what you can copy.”

Elyssia’s crimson gaze bore into Aiger’s, emphasizing the importance of what she was about to disclose next.

“However, remember that this ability is solely dependent on your mask. If it is removed or damaged, you will lose the power to mimic until it is worn again. Furthermore, you can only mimic 3 abilities at a time. Once you choose to replicate a new power, you will lose access to one of the previously copied abilities.”

Aiger absorbed the information, a mixture of excitement and apprehension coursing through him. But Elyssia wasn’t finished yet.

“Secondly, there is Shadowmask Ascendance,” she continued, her voice taking on a darker, more ominous tone. “This state is triggered when you are pushed to your limits or face overwhelming opposition. It unlocks a higher level of power within you, amplifying both your mimicry abilities and your physical attributes, but there’s a large chance you will lose control, endangering yourself and those around you.”

As Elyssia delved deeper into the details, Aiger felt a shiver run down his spine, realizing the immense potential and peril that came with this newfound power.

“During Shadowmask Ascendance, you can mimic multiple abilities simultaneously, allowing for more dynamic combat strategies. Your strength, speed, and endurance are also greatly heightened, making you a formidable force on the battlefield.”

A note of caution crept into Elyssia’s voice as she approached the final aspect of Shadowmask Ascendance.

Elyssia’s words resonated with a subtle warning, her gaze piercing through the darkness as she continued, “The mask is my specialty, but it is not easy to control. Currently, it only awakens under intense emotions. However, after this pact, you should be able to wield its power freely, as long as you maintain control over your emotions.”

Aiger nodded solemnly, understanding the delicate balance required to harness the full potential of the mask without succumbing to its darker influences. He knew that his journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, both internal and external, but he also recognized the opportunity for growth and mastery that lay before him.

“Thank you, Elyssia,” Aiger said, his voice steady with resolve. “I accept the terms of our pact. With your guidance and the power of the mask, I will strive to become stronger and protect those I hold dear.”

Elyssia’s smile widened, a glimmer of pride flickering in her crimson eyes. “Very well, mortal,” she replied, her voice carrying a hint of satisfaction. “Our bond is sealed. May the power of the Abyss serve you well, Aiger, or shall I say King Tamashī.”

As the rain continued to fall outside, Aiger felt a sense of anticipation coursing through him, mingled with a touch of apprehension. But he knew that with Elyssia’s guidance and the strength of his newfound abilities, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead on his journey of self-discovery and redemption. After getting soaked by the rain, he returned to his and Maria’s camp and placed his bow and sword down, heading inside.

Noticing his luggage, he quickly changed into dry clothes and settled down to sleep as best he could, his mind filled with thoughts of the pact he had made and the power that now coursed through him.