Bab 3: III - The Devil’s Bargain
The Earl's fingers danced over the pages of his ancient codex, weaving intricate patterns of magic as he summoned forth a duplicate of the contract. With a flourish, he presented it to me.
Taking the document in hand, I proceeded to read its contents with a careful eye, absorbing each clause and stipulation before committing my signature to both the copy and the original within the codex itself. As he passed me the copy to retain for myself, a sense of gravity settled upon me, knowing that I had just sealed a pact that would irrevocably alter the course of my existence.
But before I could partake of the vial and embrace my newfound abilities, a question gnawed at the corners of my mind, demanding an answer. "Before I proceed," I began, my voice steady but laced with curiosity, "there's something I must know. You don't have to divulge any secrets if you'd rather not, but I can't help but wonder about your other clients. I noticed that my page bears the number I, and that your grimoires contain 22 pages, coincidentally mirroring the number of cards in the major arcana tarot deck. Is this mere happenstance, or is there something more to it? And, to cut to the chase, is there among your clientele someone endowed with the ability to traverse space and realms, akin to a wormhole?"
The Earl's response was a mixture of admiration and amusement, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "Well, well, well," he exclaimed, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "You're sharper than you look, my young friend. Indeed, the correlation with the major arcana is no accident—I have a penchant for symbolism and Wiccan mythology. As for your inquiry, it's a fascinating one, but alas, I'm bound by the sacred trust between contractor and client. I cannot reveal the identities of my patrons, nor divulge the nature of their abilities."
Leaning in conspiratorially, he added, "However, I will say this much: such powers do indeed exist within my clientele. But whether they are wielded for good or ill, well, that's a mystery you'll have to unravel on your own. And as for these realms you speak of, they are known as alter-rooms. But why the sudden interest, I wonder? Are you seeking to eliminate a potential threat, or perhaps forge an alliance for your own gain? The possibilities are endless, my dear boy. Now, enough chit-chat. Drink the vial, and let the games begin!"
I grasped the crimson vial tightly, feeling its cool glass against my fingertips as I uncorked it with a sense of anticipation. With a swift motion, I tilted it back and downed its contents in a single gulp, the liquid sliding down my throat with a metallic tang that left me strangely invigorated. To my surprise, it wasn't unpleasant—it carried a certain allure, like a forbidden elixir that promised power beyond comprehension.
As I finished, a sense of exhilaration washed over me, mingled with a newfound confidence that surged through my veins like wildfire. The Earl's expression mirrored my own excitement, his eyes gleaming with anticipation as he observed the transformation taking place before him.
"Ah, splendid!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing with satisfaction. "You've certainly embraced your newfound potential with gusto, my dear Eros. I can already sense the stirrings of a god complex within you—a wild imagination tempered with a healthy dose of confidence, or perhaps a touch of arrogance. But no matter, it will make for quite the spectacle indeed."
With a flourish, he made his farewells, a mischievous grin playing at the corners of his lips as he prepared to depart. "Until we meet again, young Eros," he chimed, his voice trailing off into the shadows.
In response, I couldn't help but smirk, feeling a surge of gratitude mixed with a hint of defiance. "Consider it a compliment, dear Earl," I retorted, my tone laced with determination. "Rest assured, you won't be disappointed. In fact, I predict you'll soon be joining the ranks of my Unholy Rebellion. Let the dance of the macabre begin!"
But as the words left my lips, the Earl corrected me with a cryptic twist that sent shivers down my spine. "Ah, but you misunderstand, my dear boy," he interjected, his voice carrying an eerie resonance. "It is not the dance of the macabre we invoke, but rather, the Carrington Event."
"What? The Carrington event????? Are you talking about the cosmic-"
Before I could question his enigmatic statement, the shadows enveloped him in a swirling vortex, consuming him in a blink of an eye. In an instant, he vanished into the abyss, leaving behind only echoes of his departure and a lingering sense of foreboding in his wake.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone