Kidnap! They were not even similar to kidnappers! I just wanted to get rid of them, which seemed impossible. But I didn't remember if I bit off more than I could chew.
"Now do you remember what your wish was near the chasm?"
It gave me goosebumps as she noted that. We moved to a new place and was gloomy. Chase and I went for a jog inside the forest. I got lost, unintentionally approached the chasm and an immortal gate.
I have never said those words to anyone but kept them in my mind. I was close to death, and wished if I stayed alive; damn, I attached a condition that I hate most; I am going to join the Aligners! They took it very solemnly.
My lips trembled when I said, "I...I wished that to bring the time back and I'll be stronger like being an Align... I wished to stay alive." Moreover, the weaver appeared and pulled me back from falling inside the chasm.
Yes, I made that wish, but what are they going to offer me? Every wish has conditions and a strong sense told me, mine is not that good or even fair.
"Now, you see the point," she gently said.
"Don't kid yourself, weaver, she can't even walk straight."
"What do you mean you proud peacock, stop spoiling me, or I'll rip your tails off and make fancy collars out of them. I can pay the bills with them."
I countered from the deepest of my heart. You can call it coming from a dark part but to me was self-defense. Nevertheless, I would do it gloriously because she seemed wicked and not clear how many people like me this boastful fox spoiled.
"Wow, now I see some courage, right! So I hope to see you're going to keep your words among shadow spirits, show me you can use that little brain instead of your large-sized tongue."
"What are the terms of the contract?"
I doubted whether it is right, but my heart was burning after seeing my whole family were dead. If there were ways to bring them back, I would do it gladly. But unlike weaver, the Crane was treating like a crafty monster and I hardly could trust them.
Weaver turned to her and solicited, "Bring her down and if you can't tolerate this, leave here."
She shrugged, "I enjoy to see her face after reading the terms and conditions".
Sigh, she was born to walk on my nerves. I rolled my eyes at her and clenched my fist. It seemed we started a pertinacity game as she sneered at me and threw me down. Gratefully, my body could not feel the pain if it would, I might tell you now that at least three of my ribs were broken.
I got up without paying attention to her, turned to the weaver, "show me the contract and I'm praying that it has no collaboration with her", I pointed to the Crane.
"I have a name and it is Ai."
I burst into laughter suddenly, bent, and murmured, "You're not friendly, and damn it doesn't even suit you! Not even close!"
Her eyes glowed and slammed me on the ground. The rest of my laughter locked in my stomach as I felt her knee on my chest and those sharp golden claws on my neck.
"If you think that I care about a useless mortal like you, it is truly wrong, then keep your tongue in mute mode as long as you are around me", she looked so serious.
"Gladly would rather die and join the rest of my family", I said miserly.
"Enough!" the weaver cried out and all around us turned to a black-red theme.
"Let go of me!" I asked, pushed her away already.
She clenched her jaw and I saw her sharp bare teeth sparkled.
I held myself back together and the weaver said, "Read the contract and if you prefer to sign it or not we will bring you back where you fainted."
I fainted, not died! I opened the contract swiftly, glanced at the two. It was not heavy, but three papers. The topic was:
Gold string weaver:
Mission: Devil spirit hunter
Weapon: Gold string.
Mission time: 9 am until sunrise.
Squad: Aligners."
I would begin a conflict with Ghosts, they wanted a warrior, and I was less than a regular Girl.
"We have other contractors, silver, copper, and diamond… all strong and signed the contract earlier", the weaver announced that to warm my heart, but I lost more confidence.
"Would you offer the learning courses?" I asked pitifully.
"No, your body changes to shadow shape no human can harm you! Expect some of them. You will gain strength and courage, the string is stronger than all other weapons that your fellowships had gotten, it can change to each weapon you desire. I gave you the first title, but yet not the commander!" The weaver explained. Perfect, at least she did not talk about pieces of training! And with this introduction, I could guess that it was the toughest part.
"No human can harm me, but of course the devil ghosts can, who are my companions?"
"Don't forget that we are protecting Las Vita and you are already a citizen of this land. As you read in Claus 5, neither of you have the right to reveal your identity just for the safety of yourselves and your family."
"So you won't bring the time back, but guarantee that I'll have a happy life until the contract time ended."
"We are immortals not god, you came to our region and made a wish right under the gate while I was there, you called us and I can make up the parts that can become true. You asked to become strong and we'll give you that."
"What is your name?" I asked her curiously.
"My name is An!"
"Then who is she? Why is she here?" I pointed out to Ai.
"I am your master, you may not be trained, but you will have to pass through tests that we are going to be sure you don't have a devilish soul according to Claus 6."
"Remember that she is very strict to everyone not only you that's her duty so be vigilant, she won't take it easy on you." The Weaver advised.
Damn, I bristled after realized that and about to pass the contract, when I saw the string scratched my finger and the blood made a huge stain on the signature line. It was a perfectly visible fingerprint! The contract burned in my hand and my heartbeats paced. Before I say yes destiny had decided and kicked me on the back.
"The only one who signed a contract with her own blood in last decade, interesting," the Crane muttered wickedly.
What is she looking for and what is the point of teasing me? Obviously, taking advantage of regular people was too easy for these immortal courtiers.
She smiled gently, did not know that I was about to bring it back to her with no sign.
"What if I lose… and… turn to a devil?" My voice shattered out.
"It was your wish and it has backwash consequences, did you changed your mind?"
I rolled my head down to hide the teary eyes, according to Claus 7 if you change your mind you must work for a year of hunting devil Spirits as an assistant of the Crane without gold string while your wish won't come true either, but getting paid.
"No regret to this, no one can save the dead, but save the rest."
"So now you are ready to take this."
She handed me a one-meter long gold string, which could grow longer and become every weapon I wished.
"Now I announce that you Tania Li, eighteen years old girl from Rose Vita joined the Aligners to protect Las Vita. Welcome to the team, Aligner." The weaver claimed.
She gave me a card and said, "Any time you come to the court it will help you to enter."
I glanced at it. All my information was on that ID card.
Name: Tania
Family name: Li
Birthdate: 11/6/2102
ID No…: 86428***
Height: 5'7''
Eye color: Brown.
Title: The Gold Weaver
They already prepared it and knew that I have to join. What an unexpected life! My own sudden wish dragged me there. I could not protest against them as long as I caused it. Jumping on their throat and arguing with them would not bring my gone family back.
These folks would walk around and particularly pick the suitable ones. Maybe I was one and a hidden source within me pushed my feet to that road. Anyway, they gave me a special title that not everyone could have.
I had a place, somewhere in this new world, and had to settle with it like other people. In the past, I had ripped my attention from around me and did not care where I was going aimlessly. Then, the immortals emerged right in front of me with a contract. It might push me to live in the order.
They were not interfering with my plan because I had no life plan until that contract. They shoved me under this contract to remind me that I am still alive.
I stretched my arms, without gazing at them, swallowed my pride, gulp at the same time, and exclaimed, "What is next?"
"Could you settle with it?" The weaver asked.
"Tell me about these devils."
"No way! You must find out about them." Ai answered.
"I didn't get you?"
"It is time to let you leave." The Weaver informed and immediately everything faded away. I was dazed; the smell of blood never left my nose, bruises on my skin. I saw Ruby, my cousin. She had held my head and I heard the red alert…
Although joining them, they left me on that forest road. It was driving me mad even in that situation I could not ignore cursing them. As Ai noticed, I was as slow as snail, how would they expect me to fight against Dark shadows? Should I put some hope in what they offered me? Would the pay considerably worth of playing with my life? I thought probably I needed an inspection after being healed.
She mentioned that humans can't injure me but never said, who can do it or how!
I had no preview, which arena I stepped in. Yet, I wouldn't deny that I ever regret it.