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"Lord demon Lyon, what an interesting name"
The Lord smiled at the creatures next to Slezzy, leaving their super sharp canine teeth on display, departing in another direction later, on the red carpet.
— Don't worry! From today, I'm sure you're in great hands! — said Lyon, before abandoning them.
After he had distanced himself, Hiram continued:
— The Heart of Shadows is actually where our main records and explanations for all your doubts are... such as the relationship between demons and humans... how contracts work and various other topics that I have never read.
— I understood... — Said the boy, still watching the footsteps of the Demon Lord.
— Hey! No need to be afraid! — mocked Haram, putting his big, hideous hand over Slezzy's hair.
— What? — he replied, ashamed.
— The Lord has no need to impose fear on mentoreds or demons! In fact, he's just a figure who demands a lot more respect than usual... since it's like he's our... leader...
— Leader!?
The demon smiled, ignoring his new questioning.
Soon, they walked in a diagonal direction relative to the red carpet.
— Let's go to the fourth entrance! There, we can talk alone — said Hiram, pointing to a large wooden door in front.
— Why... just the fourth entry? — asked the boy.
— Um... it's my favorite number!
— You get to be strange... talking like that — said the other demon.
On the way from the center of the Ruin to the big door, Slezzy watched the whole environment more closely.
The young man noticed the most varied forms among the creatures that accompanied the people covered around, from the most extravagant to the least exotic.
There were creatures with details that resembled the shape of animals, such as snake tails, insect wings, "four legs" and even sabre teeth.
Others referred to details of historical beings, such as elves and vikings.
There were also other demons that resembled the appearance of humans like the Sam Brothers.
The clothes of all varied widely among their types and fabrics, from the simplest and colorless to the most detailed and flowery.
Their bearing was intensely versatile. Some were very small, being lower than a child, while others extremely tall, reaching five or six meters in height.
Among the creatures, some, quite strange by the way, aroused the attention of Slezzy, as one that had the structure of his body similar to that of a bear, in addition to an eagle face with koala ears. It was kind of intriguing.
In a shaded corner, there was another demon whose legs were similar to that of a white rhinoceros, and further up, the structure of his pectoral resembled the same as a human, but with a slimy and gloomy characteristic.
It was amazing how every creature in the Ruin possessed a unique detail.
Slezzy noticed some common sizes among the demons, such as giant swords, tridents, books, staves, chains and other weapons.
He also deduced that wings were quite unusual among all those beings.
In tracing a considerable part of the Ruin, he noticed an interesting area whose people conjured spells and spells against each other as a duel.
Other people and demons also observed such "battles" around.
A battle caught Slezzy's attention, forcing him to slow down his steps for a moment, so he could accompany her.
A short person, totally covered by his black tunic, conjured a large green energy with his hands, before another giant person.
The short girl, apparently exhausted and injured and scratched over the exposed part of her body, whispered something with a prickly demon, pale in appearance and covered in obscure clothes, who soon handed her a sheet of orange coloring. Evidently, that was a contract.
— How... — Before Slezzy even completed his speech, Hiram put his hand over his mouth in a way not so polite, whispering soon after.
— I think it's best to consider the fact that there are about ten people on our side. If any of them recognize your voice, you may not even be alive in a few hours! So the cape and the hood, do not remember!?
Hiram slowly withdrew his hand, while Slezzy watched him with fear.
In the meantime, the shorty signed the orange leaf, using a refined brush with the help of blood that flowed from her wounds as paint.
After such a signature, she exhaled a huge golden around herself, absorbing her.
His mysterious and extraordinarily tall enemy spared no more time and in quick steps left in his direction, with a sword in each hand. However, before reaching at least half the way, his body was hurled away from the area bounded by a strong ray dissipated by the other.
The pale demon began to laugh after that episode, crossing his arms over his belly in a disrespectful manner before everyone, distinctly proud.
Then the duo left the battle area, not caring about the already fainted opponent who was thrown away.
— Wow! That sounded like a show! — Hiram exclaimed.
Slezzy, still surprised by the scenes he had witnessed, resumed his steps, accompanying the Sam Brothers to the fourth entrance.
Now, the big door was perfectly visible in front of the trio.
The young man could see, even from afar, two other large doors, one on the right and one on the left, yet all distant from what was before him. In them were written some Roman numbers:
In the door to the left a "III", while in the other a "V".
As in the others, the large door in front of him was also written, this time with a huge "IV" over his thick wood.
Between the fifth and fourth entrance was a large golden throne and surrounded by blue demons, with large and different torches on the wall behind it.
The great red carpet stretched until the foot of that throne.
Hiram opened the door of the fourth entrance with the touch of his fingers, pulling it and then entering it. Before Haram followed him, he caught the attention of the boy, who now continually watched a shocking scene: other people bowing and shouting before the Lord, now sitting on the golden throne.
— What are those people doing!? — he whispered, misunderstanding.
— Those people are desperate and completely sorry that they gave up most of their lives in exchange for powers granted by their demons through contracts. They spend almost every night there, begging for the return of the days of their lives, kneeling before the Lord, making their last hours a waste. — answered Haram. — It is a deplorable and dishonorable situation.
Haram moved on to the fourth inning shortly after.
Noticing the roar of the large wooden door, which was already closing, Slezzy quickly ran inside, diverting his attention from that horrifying scenario.
The trio was finally reunited at the fourth entrance of Maple Ruin.
— After all, what is this place...? Are we outside the city? The country? The planet? In another dimension?
— Is that really your first question? — Hiram replied, smiling.
— Sure! Wait, is the time here different? How long has it been since we got here? Is this some kind of spiritual place?
Slezzy began to shuffle himself by his number of questions.
Haram moved his hand quickly, without deviations, to the forehead of the young man, giving him a strong flicker, causing him to fall soon after.
— Hey! How it hurts! — commented the boy, sitting on the floor, passing his hand over his aching forehead.
Soon, Hiram approached the boy, stating:
— No! We are not in another dimension! We are not in "heaven", in "hell", or in any other fantastic place you can imagine. We... are simply... in the Ruin of Maple! Where not even the demons know such a location.
— Okay, but... how can you teleport here, without even knowing where "it" is? — he asked, still shocked by the pain of the peteleco.
— The source of all that comprehends the earth and also this... dark side... is connected to the Upper Arché, Higher Atom or Upper Force, whatever. Thanks to him, we can control all existing contracts and legendary weapons — explained Hiram. — Thus, we don't need to know the exact location. This is just magic!
— Legendary weapons, huh?
— There are several ways for a human being to come into contact with our world, the most common being the signing of contracts, as in his case — said the same demon. — There is also another case: the touching of a human being in a legendary weapon that does not have a previous owner, making him his new wielder. But to tell you the truth... that's usually pretty rare.
— What are these... legendary weapons?
— They're rare to come across. They're extremely old weaponry. Their forging is something... let's say... super mysterious.
Haram approached Slezzy once again. The young man distanced himself, afraid to receive another of that peteleco.
— We still need to explain the most important topic of the Preambular Contract, before we return to the city! — he said.
— I have one more question! — confronted him, causing an expression of nausea on the face of the demon. — What was that person... short... signing up to in that battle we just saw? Does that have anything to do with the "other contracts" talk?
Hiram crouched, passing his hand on the floor from the right to the left.
Soon after, magically, six unique and distinct roles emerged right ahead.
— These are the six levels of contracts that exist in our world. The lowest level in all contract classification is the zero level, also called the Preambulare or Preambular Contract. It is he who establishes the first bond between a human and his demon.
— In our case, "a human and his demons" — said Slezzy, smiling.
— Exactly. We are a rare exception to the rule. Somehow inexplicable, it's as if we were two in one! — Haram said.
— The other five levels comprise from level one to five, respectively named Midén for level one, Défteros for level two, Éktos for level three, Enatus for level four and Evdomo for level five. Logically, the higher the level of the contract, the greater will be its amount of power offered, and thus also the required lifetime — The other brother complemented.
— However, in a relationship between a mentored and his demon, most of each contract can only be signed once, thus giving the mentored permanently, all the benefits of each one.
— So... by signing any of these contracts, I offered part of my remaining lifetime... in exchange for these... "powers"? — asked the boy.
— Exactly — concluded Hiram, pointing to the six leaves energized and of varied tones with the right hand. — These are the contracts. Each of them can grant you differentiated benefits and powers.
Slezzy, with enchanted eyes, watched each of the magical roles.
Hiram pointed to the first of the row. A contract of dark tone and lifeless, with an appearance of death.
— This is the Preambulare, the most famous among all contracts, since it is the foundation of the pillar for mentoreds to sign the others onwards. Its benefits... well... you already know!
Pointing to the second, a bluish contract, he spoke:
— This is Midén, the most basic after level zero. It does not offer great things, but it is necessary for the advancement and growth of the powers of each mentored. Despite requiring a year to live, it can be well enjoyed.
Soon after, he pointed to the third: a greenish—looking contract. Its smell was reminiscent of nature, in addition to having a very exotic style.
— This is Défteros, an intermediary contract. From this, the contracts between the demons begin to diverge, since each one can offer an in—depth and specialized benefit in their respective class, such as a new type of power. He demands three years of the rest of his life.
Forward, pointed to the room: a golden contract.
— This is Éktos. In addition to the base benefits, the specific power granted by this is extremely powerful, though complicated. It requires six years of life.
— Is that all you have to say about him? — asked Slezzy.
— I do not want to spoil the surprises! — said the demon, full of conviction.
Hiram pointed to an orange contract. His details were unique.
— This is Enatus, the only one among all the contracts in which a special exception is made: he can be signed as many times as the mentored wants! The more Enatus signed, the more power accumulated! But, of course, less life time. It's a beautiful balance! Despite requiring ten years of life by subscription.
After his comment, the demon pointed to a contract also unique, purplish details, and identifiable drawings amid his scriptures.
— This is Evdomo, the sixth. Signed only by a few of the mentoreds who have surpassed the signature journey. A holder of this kind of power is indeed a great danger. The process for his signature is not like the others... because... let's say he has... a ritual of his own. Maybe it's too early to talk about him.
Haram went on this time:
— Each contract is different and extremely variable according to its level, offering different powers that depend on the specialty of each demon.
— Specialty?
— Every demon has some specialty. Over time... this classification has become generic. One of the former Lords came to create the five general classes that can still branch out.
"Old Lords? You really must have a lot more mysteries... don't you?"
— In total, the general classes are divided into four: the Conjurators, impellers, swordsmen and combatants. There's a farm... called the legendary, but it's a rule of thumb that involves the power of legendary weapons.
Slezzy ignored that subject.
— An intriguing question: And if by chance... I decide to sign a contract that requires me more years of life than I can actually give in?
— You die. Simple as that! — replied Haram, quietly.
— What? So... how can I predict that!?
— There are several factors, such as body health or even some mathematical calculations — replied Hiram. — You are definitely the most curious and annoying mentored I've ever met.
— Well, believing that there are no more questions, I will move on to the last topic... which refers to Gankkai — concluded Haram, with a serious stance.
Slezzy went on to observe the strong demon, who was speaking:
— Gankkai is something present in the DNA of all human beings, without any exception, being mentoreded or not. It is just a small remnant originated from the Upper Arché, which everyone carries from the beginning of their lives, passing from generation to generation. This molecular microcomponent has never been identified by any scientist due to its extreme complexity. It only activates the moment a human becomes part of our world—Slezzy was impressed with that revelation, his eyes were bulging. — Soon, with the Gankkai activated, the mentored is now able to manipulate the powers originated from the Higher Arché.
— These powers... how do I cast them?
Hiram laughed.
— Do you think it is so simple to master this energy... signing only the Preambular Contract!? — Hiram walked and began to look at the walls that surrounded him. — You still have a lot to learn for that.
— I hope so! — commented Slezzy, smiling.
— Well... since we have nothing else to do here... — Haram cast his grey magic, surrounding his brother and Slezzy and teleporting them.
— What...? — It was too late for the boy to get scared.
*
Slezzy quickly emerged from the grey magic on top of Western's hospital. He and the demon duo had just returned to Maple City.
The rain was no longer so stormy.
The boy coughed repeatedly. He could not get up.
— I also took a while to get used to these trips... — Said Hiram. — Go for me, you get used to it after the fourth time... for some reason!
Slezzy slowly recovered and soon stood up, now watching the whole city from a privileged view.
As much as the hospital, which was in the center of that region, was not one of the tallest buildings there, still, one could easily observe almost all the lights that the other buildings, cars and poles emitted.
The height of those buildings varied greatly and the number of cars in transit over the streets was excessive. The passage of people on the streets was clear.
The young man contemplated all those elements.
— Hey, boy... — Hiram caught your eye.
The Sam Brothers also watched the city alongside Slezzy, appreciating the smallest detail that contained it.
— You know that... we will accompany you to the end of your life, right?
— Ah... Sure! — replied. — But... now tell me... why the hell didn't you just answer my questions... before my signature?
Hiram responded with an enthusiastic tone:
— What's the fun of eating the cherry before the cake?
Slezzy laughed superficially.
— Do you demons have the slang so updated? — he asked, still with the leftovers of that laugh in his speech.
The Brothers were silent.
Suddenly, a lull took over the whole environment.
Now, Slezzy watched the four famous buildings that made up Kentrika Square, also spotting some helicopters, probably from TV stations, that flew over the Central Bank, which had earlier witnessed a major disaster.
Hiram, side by side with his brother, finally broke the ice:
— I feel we have a long journey ahead of us!