Suzaku could only stare in confusion as Zain's words finally echoed within his mind.
"...What did you say…?" It had shocked him so much, he needed to ask again to see if he heard him correctly.
"I said, I refuse." With a firm resolution, Zain said the exact same words to Suzaku. Enraged, the deity grew into a blazing inferno, sending his divine flames in every direction.
"Choose your next words carefully human, for my patience wears thin. What do you hope to gain by refusing my powers?" The depth of Suzaku's voice carried his serious tone. In an instant, Zain knew he better get to the point.
"It's not what I have to gain, but rather what you will gain."
"What I will gain…?" Ever so slightly, Suzaku's flames died down some. A human, offering something to a god? As silly as it sounded, Suzaku was somewhat interested. Clearly Zain wasn't joking, after all, he was willing to give up obtaining a deity's power for himself.
"Very well then…enlighten me, as to what you mean."
Zain grinned slightly. The fact he was able to convince Suzaku to even consider changing the contract was a victory in itself.
"As you already know, lightning and fire magic don't mix well. All they do together is cause explosions and destroy everything in its path. Let's be real, your powers would be wasted on me. I have no knowledge of how to use fire magic, and you wouldn't get the benefit of merging with a mage of the same elemental type as you."
Suzaku was shocked at how much Zain knew when it came to this process. The once raging flames that surrounded him calmed down even further as he listened to his reasoning. Feeling the heat surrounding him die down, Zain knew this was his moment to strike. His hand was raised up as his index finger pointed out.
"Once chance. That's all I need."
"One chance for what?"
"To show you the perfect vessel for you. Someone who can utilize your powers to their fullest, without any drawbacks."
"A perfect vessel..?" Suzaku had never heard of such a thing. Whenever he chose a candidate, he would always go with someone who could match his abilities as best as possible, but someone who could match him perfectly? Did someone like that even exist?
"This all sounds too good to be true. And the way I see it, this battle proved that you have not only a superior battle sense compared to others, but you are also a rare type of mage. I can hardly recall the last time I saw a Black Mage."
Zain laughed again. The conversation was going exactly as he wanted it to.
"Is that all you're concerned with? Then that shouldn't be a problem. The person I want to introduce you to is also a Black Mage."
"..." Suzaku stood there in silence, debating his own next words in silence. It was at this moment that Zain saw his chance to put the nail in the coffin.
'Deciding between the future or my own need to get stronger? I never should have limited myself to just that. I'll do both. I'll gain the strength I need to defeat that masked bastard, and help Scarlet get Suzaku. If all goes well, I could even give him to her earlier than in my time.'
"Still not enough for you? Then I'll add this in as well. If, for some reason she doesn't turn out to be enough for you, then I will accept the old contract and become your vessel. Do we have a deal?"
This was his last bet. If he couldn't tempt Suzaku with this, there's no telling what would happen to the timeline now that he interfered. The silence Suzaku was in was worrying. Zain's heart continued to pound in his chest, as he held fast to his resolve.
"...Very well. I will accept these new terms." The long silence was finally broken as Suzaku gave his answer. Zain's heart leapt for joy at being able to convince him.
"However, since I won't be fully merged with you, you will only be able to wield half of my full power."
"Only half huh? I can accept something like that."
"Very well then…In order to make this work, you will need to prepare another vessel for me to reside in. Preferably something you can wear around your being. If I channel my power through the material that you wear, I will be able to pass my power to you."
"Then I have something right here." From his pocket, Zain pulled out a silver chain that held an empty crystal at the end. Suzaku stared at the object before swelling up his flames once again. The fires that raged around him flew towards the pendant, and as Suzaku completed his end of the bargain, Zain could hear his voice within his head.
"You had this item prepared, almost as if you knew I would agree to these terms. What exactly did you come here to do?"
Suzaku's question resonated in his mind for a moment before he responded.
"I came here for one thing. To win."
With his statement, Zain's vision was covered by a blinding light. The crowd watched on in awe as the crimson flames swirled around in the center of the arena. They condensed moments later as Zain's body came into view once again. As the flames entered the necklace its form changed. The silver chain turned golden as the clear crystal turned blood red, and surrounding it was a phoenix.
"It's hot." Zain noticed as he held the chain, a noticeable heat was coming off from it.
Without a moment's delay, he placed the chain around his neck, letting the object rest around him. Once fully on, a strange rush coursed through his body, and an intense heat flowed from deep within his chest. Zain had to check his body to make sure he wasn't hurt somehow.
[Relax. That is simply my presence within your body.] Suzaku's voice echoed in his mind, letting him know not to freak out as much.
"Oh great, I can hear you in my head." Zain complained at the sudden intrusion of his mental privacy.
[How else did you expect to communicate with me?]
Zain had no comeback for that answer, and after taking his silence as his victory Suzaku changed topics.
[Go on. Conjure your first flame.]
Slowly, Zain raised his hand up to his chest height before focusing deep within himself. He honed in on the new feeling within his core, the raging fire that seemed to never stop. Small spurts of lighting tried to shine through, but they soon vanished as a raging fire came out from his palm.
[How is it?]
"It's completely different from lightning…"
[You'll have to get used to it, For these are now your flames.]
At the first display of Zain's new flames, the crowd erupted into cheers. Their new guardian had been born.
"Yes…yes. A victor has just been announced. Suzaku's Vessel has been chosen, and he seems to be quite the threat." A man's voice speaks out into a communicator. His eyes stay pinned on Zain as a response comes through.
"Should we take him in?"
"No, not yet. I still have some intel gathering I need to do in this school, so for right now just tell the boss I've found Suzaku. We can mark him down for capture later."
"Understood."
The call ended as the man turned on his heels and walked off into the hallways.