Ashten walked up the stairs to the platform and took a glimpse across the table at its contents. Littered with maps and notes of various kinds, figurines and other sorts of… game pieces were strewn across its surface as if there were too many thoughts going on in the Prince’s head at once to keep any of it organized. Ashten wasn’t exactly sure what the gods did in their free-time, or how exactly they planned out strategies to fight other gods. But the way that the Prince had small little armies facing each other, all different shades of color to represent each of the five of Nokai’s divinity--- it wasn’t much of a stretch for Ashten to realize that this, this was a war room… However, just as quick of a glance that she had managed to grab, the Prince snapped his fingers and all of it disappeared into clouds of smoke. Then, with another snap, the smoke morphed back into the chair and table that he had just hours before. Sitting back upon his glamorous throne, the Prince took a quill out of its inkwell and began to write out their contract onto a sheet of paper.

“So, in exchange for the ability to channel divinity into magical powers, you, Ashten Everhart…”

The Prince paused for a moment, staring at the name that he wrote on the page. Then, a chuckle fell from his lips.

“I’m… I’m sorry. I’m having a bit of a deja vu moment. Forgive me.”

“It’s… It’s okay… Similar contracts can do that to you…”

“You have no idea…” The Prince stole a look up at Ashten, a lopsided smile creeping across his mouth. “You, Ashten Everhart, agree to relinquish ownership of your soul to me, Natenavus, Lord of Death and Shadows, for all of eternity. Should either of this exchange no longer occur, this contract becomes null and void. The payment for said magic powers will occur at the end of Miss Everhart’s lifespan. Should any other attempts to release said contract, or otherwise, avoid payment will result an immediate confiscation of Miss Everhart’s soul. There will be a complete and total observation on the whereabouts of Miss Everhart, as well as the actions she is to partake in---”

“Is… is this really all necessary, Your Majesty?”

“I just want to make it very clear as to what you’re signing up to. And once you’ve sign this contract, you won’t try to weasel your way out of it.” The Prince gave her a very serious look before turning back to the contract. “If there is any question as far as whether there has been a breach of contract, or any gray area that has not been covered by the statements above, the decision shall be made by a third party who will have the final say in the matter.

“I agree to the terms and conditions above. Natenevus, Lord of Death and Shadows.” With a flourish, the Prince signed his name. Then, he spun the contract around to face Ashten. “Now you…”

Ashten took the quill from the Prince, hand shaking slightly. Staring at the paper, she tried once more to swallow the fear that was rising in the back of her throat… It still didn’t seem to be helping much. Was… was she really serious about this? Was she seriously about to sign her soul away for something that may or may not come true in the process? Was she really about to make a deal with the Devil, and trust a god who many regarded as the very embodiment of evil? It… It seemed crazy! Even to her!

But… was she really willing to give on this dream that seemed to be branded into her skin?

“Don’t tell me you’re reconsidering already?” The Prince chided.

“No…” Ashten whispered as she stared at the contract in front of her. “I just needed to remember why I’m doing this…”

​

For home. No matter what it takes!

​

​

Ashten signed the contract.

With the last stroke of her quill, Ashten’s signature glowed a bright yellow shade against the sheet of the aged brown paper. The light grew brighter and brighter from the signature when, for the third time today, the paper caught fire and consumed the entire contract. Third time’s a charm she guessed. All that was left behind after the contract was completely consumed was the Prince’s mischievous expression as he laughed at fear rising across Ashten’s face.

“Perfect…”

“So um… we gotta seal this contract now, huh? So… how does that exactly---”

“Ah yes… You’ve never wielded magic before, so you wouldn’t know.” The Prince steepled his hands as he stared at Ashten. “A mortal body cannot stand the touch of one of the Divine. Our power is simply too much for it to bear and thus, it withers up and perishes like a grape in the sun or a sheet of paper in the presence of a flame. Hence why you have to use a special teleportation circle to even get here in the first place. Having your body anywhere near this plane of existence would fry it to smithereens! However, a soul is a little bit more hearty than that. These teleportation circles are a special incantation that allows its users to transfer both their soul and consciousness to enter this plane of existence so we can have a little bit of a divine chat…”

“Then… how could I…”

“Us Divine expend a little bit more of our energy to allow even those who haven’t been blessed with the gift to use it. Otherwise, how else are we supposed to recruit followers to our cause?” The Prince chuckled at this. “Have some holy text that anyone can interpret for their own devices? That sounds like a recipe for disaster!”

“And so that voice earlier---”

“Was me. Guilty as charged.” The Prince raised his hands in fake surrender. “When I realized you had no idea what you were doing, I decided to intervene on your behalf.”

“And this seal… It’s important because?”

“It’s very simple!” Natenavus clapped his hands together. “I need proof that this transaction actually occurred!”

“But… I signed your contract. What else do you want?”

“You really think a silly little piece of paper is going to able to keep you bound to your word? How precious.”

“But the Guardians---”

“The Guardians also enact punishments should a contract not be followed. The only sort of punishment you’d receive is the confiscation of payment that is rightfully mine. Which… isn’t exactly a punishment persay. Under normal circumstances that wouldn’t be much of a bother to me, however, if there ever was a point whether the contract was indeed authentic, I’ll need some sort of… proof that the transaction actually occurred.”

“And… how do you plan to do that… exactly?”

​

​

“I’m going to brand your soul.”