Slezzy was shocked. His mind thought of nothing but all the words that had previously marked him:
"Some netizens and conspirators are linking such an explosion of the criminal rate with something supernatural..."
"They...! They look like demo..."
"They claimed to have received a visit from supernatural creatures, who introduced themselves and offered them a kind of contract..."
— What will happen this time?
— What are you talking about?
The two creatures fought each other.
Hiram's voice was calm and convincing, while that of his brother was much more severe, coming to be explosive in angry moments.
The Sam Brothers talked normally, right in front of Slezzy, who was in a complete state of shock. The boy tried to run, but his body did not obey him in any way.
Both brothers had long hair, however, what differentiated them was the intensity of the waves of their strands. While Haram had softer curves and white strands, the waves of Hiram's hair were more rebellious and adept at a messy style, and the color of his strands matched the rest of his attire.
— Honestly, I'm sick of this city! Won't we last a year at least... with one person?
— One year? Would you have patience for all this? — The two brothers laughed each other. — Hey, kid? Did you turn into a statue?
— What... you... — Slezzy couldn't even complete a sentence at that moment.
— Ah! I know it's a lot to "digest". Besides, I apologize, because we're not used to this whole "presentation" thing yet.
— We still have to read those books the Lord suggested!
— Hey, shut up, Haram! We didn't even offer the contract and you're already opening your fucking mouth!?
— Contract? What are you talking about? — said Slezzy, finally ending his first sentence, alleviating a little sudden shock.
— Ah, of course! I think restarting our presentation would be a great idea, young man — said the creature, breathing deeply to resume the conversation. — I'm Hiram Sam! And this next to me is my brother, Haram Sam!
— So... do you bizarre creatures still have proper names?
— Oh! Do not use that term! You can call us demons if you prefer. — Said the other brother, who went on. — But even so, we came to you... to offer you a contract that could change your life! Just sign that black sheet, anywhere, using your own blood as ink, and you will have access to the most supernatural... of all the deepest secrets of mankind! In addition to great powers from future contracts.
The demon extended his arm, offering the young man such a black leaf.
Slezzy took that piece of paper from the creature's hand and watched it for a few seconds. It was just a simple page. There was a title and a long text just below. All the letters were whitish and marked by a distinctive font. In addition, there was no suitable location for a signature, such as a traditional contract.
— So, can we already close the deal? — asked the demon with a big smile.
— I didn't understand... absolutely nothing... and you want me to sign this?
Unexpectedly, among the demons, the boy spotted an old lady, who had just entered that alley, carrying some shopping bags in his hands. She walked slowly towards him.
— You... will scare that old woman! — whispered the young man.
The demons, with their backs to that old lady, who approached with each pass, did not move and continued staring at Slezzy's terrified face.
The lady approached the boy and the demons.
As she walked, she looked continuously down, when she simply crossed the body of one of the creatures, quietly following her path.
"What?" Slezzy was amazed.
— Good morning, Slezzy! By chance, are you talking to ghosts? — teased the lady, laughing then.
Slezzy, still perplexed, understood the demons from that moment on. Soon, he disguised himself for the lady, sympathetically:
— Han? But... of course not, Miss Annie! By the way, have a great day!
After the old woman distanced herself, the demons resumed:
— Why did you stress so much, Slezzy Kaliman?
— How can I see you... and that lady does not? — the boy ignored Hiram.
— Only those who hold a contract or are touched by a demon are able to see us from that act.
Slezzy was encouraged:
— By the way, how can you know my full name?
— A great question! But, I bet you want to answer it, Haram!
The creatures stared at each other for a moment, and soon the white—haired creature spoke, staring at Slezzy:
— We demons don't just pick anyone out there... on these streets to sign our contract. First, we analyze people on our own, determining the best candidate that would fit our rigorous criteria. Then we approach it!
— "We"? How many of you are there?
— Maybe... a hundred... or more. In fact, we're one of the youngest. That's why we still face some "little problems" with all this "presentation" stuff — concluded Hiram, giving a slight laugh.
— So, I was just selected!?
— Exactly! But precisely on the night of the kidnapping.
— What!? — Slezzy was shocked again.
— I must confess that I saw no reason to offer our contract to you. But it seems that Hiram must have seen something.
— Um! I'm sure the kid will thank me... later...
Slezzy, frightened, backed back in two steps, as he alternated his gaze from one demon to the other:
— Hey! Are you guys gonna make me sign that?
— What? That's not how things work! Of course... you can follow your life, knowing all the "truth" that lurks in this city, carrying all this mental pressure until your last days, knowing that no one... would ever believe any word about our existence. Or... then you can sign up and get the great rewards offered by our world!
— Rewards?
— I'm talking about something magical, Slezzy! Powers!
— Han?
Hiram sighed and then went on:
— The black contract with white letters you are holding is called the Preambular Contract. If you draw your signature on any part of it, you would establish a bond, until the last day of your life, with us, being able to enjoy other contracts that we would provide you, giving you more powers, in exchange for years of the rest of your life.
— Other contracts? Years of life?
— It's quite simple. By signing the Preambular Contract, we would accompany you until the end of your life. You could also, at any time, ask us for one of our other contracts, which would give you more powers, however, in exchange for more years of the rest of your life.
— What are you doing, Hiram? — confronted the other demon. — Have you ever stopped to think that you are teaching everything about our world to this mere human?
— What's the problem!? Um... As far as I remember, he was the only one who hasn't snapped, so far, among all our other attempts! — Hiram made fun of.
Haram covered his face with his right hand. His brother continued:
— There is something present throughout the universe, young man. Something that gave rise to all the things in which it exists, from the world of humans to the world of... as you name it!? Ah! Demons! Anyway, philosophers studied this kind of matter, energy or... mysterious thing, centuries ago. They named it "Arché".
Slezzy didn't even blink as the creature informed him.
— The Arché, when elevated to its spiritual form, can be used to cast the most diverse powers. Thus, it is called "Superior Atom". But, who knows, I can explain more about it after your signature!
Slezzy, still stunned by all those ideas, lowered his head and began to watch the ground.
Haram then confronted him, with remnants of anger in his speech:
— Okay, kid... are you convinced?
Slezzy raised his head slowly, answering the demon:
— Do you really think I'm going to sign this? — That line caused some distress in the creatures. Slezzy said with a certain tone of mockery. — I have no reason to do this! Unlike everyone else in this city, I'm not doomed to thirst for power. So I guess they came after the wrong guy.
Haram glanced at his brother, soon after:
— What? But... waste of time.
— I'm not as sure as you — replied Hiram.
— Now everything is starting to make sense... — Commented Slezzy. — All that talk of "increased criminal rates" ... You caused that!
Haram responded to the accusation, quickly:
— In fact, we had influence over all this. However, most of the blame lies with those who did not manage their contracts and powers in the best way.
— It's a shame, Slezzy. You may not see it now, but I can feel your great potential, somehow. I hope you'll reconsider. For sure, you would get along very well with our powers — said Hiram, turning his back to the young man.
— "Our powers"!? Do demons have powers distinct from each other?
Haram, completely angry, said:
— We will be happy to answer that and many more questions... on the day you decide to sign the fucking contract!
Then, in a split second, Haram suddenly disappeared, amid a momentary flame, accompanied by a peculiar noise, similar to the problematized burst of a balloon filled with helium gas.
Before Hiram cast the same spell, he concluded:
— If someone else signs our contract in the next few days, no other will be valid on this one you carry. So, I suggest you think about it... and fast! By the way, I'm very surprised... I mean, wow! I had never heard of any other human who had refused a Preambular Contract.
Soon, Hiram also "evaporated", using the same magic.
For the young man, still standing in the middle of the dark alley, all he had left was hope that it was just a hallucination, even if his conscience was not too shaken.
After a few seconds, he drew the tempting contract.
It was right before his eyes: something that supposedly could grant him supernatural powers.
"Could I... maybe... finally... change this city...?"
Calmly and carefully, the young man deciphered the entire contract, letter by letter.
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https://prnt.sc/GuJ7oajjHmmB