Lewis stared at the contract before him, his fingers twitching slightly. He could feel it—that strange sensation, like threads waiting to be woven into something tangible. He hesitated, his mind racing.
"You want me to sign this?" Lewis asked, his voice uncertain. "This is basically binding our souls together. Are you sure about this, Edward?"
Edward nodded, his expression serious. "Absolutely. Think about it, Lewis. If your semblance does what we think it does, this contract could be our greatest trump card. Death wouldn't be an end for us anymore. We would always have a way back. We'd be untouchable."
Lewis exhaled, rubbing his temple. "That's assuming it works. I mean, we still don't fully understand my semblance. And even if it does work…" He trailed off, his eyes narrowing. "This is dangerous. A contract like this could have unforeseen consequences. What if the body we find isn't compatible? What if our souls get stuck somewhere? What if someone else figures out how to exploit this?"
Edward tapped the table. "That's why we experiment first. Before we sign anything, we test your ability in controlled conditions. If it works like we suspect, we can refine the contract. We can set limits, safety measures—hell, we could even create escape clauses."
Lewis sighed, leaning back. "This is insane. Then again, so is everything else in this world." He sat forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Fine. But before we even think about using a contract like this, I want to see exactly what my semblance can do. No risks, no reckless gambles, no signing until we know for sure."
Edward smirked. "Agreed. So, how do you want to test it?"
Lewis thought for a moment, then stood up, stretching. "First things first, I want to see if I can claim something small. Maybe one of those contracts my father left lying around. If I can alter ownership, that'll confirm that my semblance affects legal bindings. Then we go from there."
Edward nodded. "Sounds like a plan."
The two brothers stood, their pact forming not through words or signatures, but through an unspoken understanding. This world, this life—it was theirs to shape. And with their growing knowledge and power, they would carve a place for themselves in it.
Later that night, Lewis sat alone in his room, an old contract spread out before him. He could feel the pull of his semblance, the invisible strings of authority woven into the document. With a deep breath, he focused, willing the contract's ownership to shift.
The ink shimmered for a brief second. Lewis gasped as he felt something click into place, a strange sense of weight pressing into his mind. He had done it—he had taken ownership.
His heart pounded. "Holy crap… it worked."
Before he could celebrate, a knock at his door startled him. He hastily folded the contract and opened the door to see his father standing there, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
"Lewis," his father said, his voice measured. "I need to speak with you. Now."
Lewis swallowed hard, suddenly feeling the full weight of what he was getting himself into. He had barely begun to understand his power, and already, the stakes were rising.
Lewis followed his father into the study, the heavy wooden door clicking shut behind them. The room smelled of ink and old parchment, bookshelves lining the walls, filled with centuries of family history. His father sat down behind his ornate desk, gesturing for Lewis to take a seat opposite him.
"I noticed some… irregularities in my documents," his father began, his tone even but firm. "A contract was altered. The ink was still fresh, yet I don't recall making any modifications."
Lewis kept his face neutral, though his mind raced. "That's strange. Are you sure it wasn't one of the clerks?"
His father narrowed his eyes. "Don't play coy with me, Lewis. I know our family's dealings better than anyone. Whatever is happening, I need to know."
For a moment, Lewis considered denying it outright, but he knew his father wasn't a fool. He had to be careful. "If I told you that I might have discovered something… something important, would you hear me out?"
His father leaned back, scrutinizing him. "That depends. Are you about to tell me something useful, or something reckless?"
Lewis inhaled sharply, then leaned forward. "I think I have a semblance. And I think it allows me to claim, modify, or even rewrite contracts and deals."
A long silence followed. His father's expression remained unreadable. Then, slowly, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Is that so?"
Lewis tensed. He had expected skepticism, maybe even scorn—but not intrigue.
"This power of yours… if it truly works as you say," his father continued, steepling his fingers, "then you may have just inherited the most valuable ability in our family's history."
Lewis blinked. "You're… not angry?"
His father chuckled. "Angry? No, son. I'm impressed. But tell me—what are the limits? How far can you push this power?"
Lewis hesitated. "I don't know yet. I was planning on testing it further, but…"
His father nodded. "Then we'll test it together. From now on, you'll be working directly under me. If you can manipulate contracts, then you can help expand our influence in ways no one else can. We must be discreet, of course, but with proper refinement, your ability could make us untouchable."
Lewis felt a chill run down his spine. This was not how he expected this conversation to go. He had feared reprimand, but instead, he was being ushered into something far bigger than he had anticipated.
"Understood," Lewis said finally. "But I have my own conditions."
His father raised a brow. "Oh? And what would those be?"
Lewis met his gaze evenly and defiance as though daring his father to question it. "I work with Edward. He must be part of this too."
His father studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "Very well. But know this, Lewis—power is a tool. Use it wisely, or it will consume you."
Lewis exhaled, feeling as though he had just stepped onto a path he could never turn back from. "I understand."
As he left the study, his mind buzzed with possibilities—and dangers. He needed to talk to Edward, fast. Because whether they liked it or not, they were now playing a much bigger game.
Time has passed and now it's October more specifically October 31st and that means it's also…
"IT'S MY BIRTHDAYYYYYYYYY!!!" Yelled Ruby Rose as she's finally turned 6 years old and is dressed in a adorably cute vampire while Yang was dressed like a character from "Grimm May Cry" as for Edward and Lewis well they were both wearing a batching pear of butler suits however in opposite colors mainly that of black and white the reason they chose this outfit is because it's Ruby's birthday so they chose to be her personal butlers.
The Rose-Xiao Long household was absolutely buzzing with energy. Streamers and balloons in shades of red, silver, and white decorated the walls, while a long table was piled high with all kinds of sweets and snacks. The centerpiece of the room? A massive birthday cake shaped like Crescent Rose, complete with tiny edible details that made Ruby's eyes sparkle with delight.
"Woooooow! It's so cool! It's even got the little silver edge on the blade!" Ruby exclaimed, bouncing excitedly as she admired the cake.
"Of course! Only the best for the birthday girl!" Taiyang grinned, ruffling her hair.
Qrow chuckled, adjusting the cape of Ruby's tiny vampire costume. "Alright, little lady, you need to take it easy on the sugar this year. We all remember what happened last time."
Yang snickered. "Yeah, you practically ran up the walls."
"I was just testing my semblance before I even had one!" Ruby huffed, crossing her arms in an adorably dramatic fashion.
Lewis and Edward, standing to the side in their matching butler outfits—Lewis in a black suit with a white vest, Edward in a white suit with a black vest—exchanged amused glances.
"Alright, Lady Ruby, what is your first command for your loyal butlers?" Lewis asked, giving an exaggerated bow.
Ruby tapped her chin, deep in thought. "Hmm… I want… A super-duper birthday cupcake tower brought to me with the most dramatic presentation possible!"
Edward grinned. "Your wish is our command, Lady Ruby."
The two brothers immediately sprang into action. Edward grabbed a serving tray while Lewis expertly stacked the cupcakes into a pyramid formation. Then, with a synchronized flourish, they dramatically presented the cupcake tower, Lewis kneeling and Edward extending the tray toward Ruby like it was a treasure fit for royalty.
"Milady," Lewis said with the utmost seriousness. "Your cupcake tower."
Ruby gasped, eyes twinkling as she accepted the first cupcake. "You guys are the best butlers ever!"
Taiyang raised an eyebrow at Qrow. "You sure these two aren't professional entertainers?"
Qrow chuckled. "If they were, they'd probably be charging us for this level of service."
Yang, watching all this, smirked and crossed her arms. "Okay, butlers, I have a request too. Since it's a spooky season and all, I want you guys to tell a super scary story!"
Ruby gasped dramatically, hugging her cupcake. "Ooooooh, yes! But not too scary! Just the right amount of spookiness!"
Lewis and Edward exchanged another look before Edward stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "Alright, gather round, everyone. This is the tale… of the Mysterious Disappearing Pumpkin."
Yang rolled her eyes. "That doesn't sound that scary."
Lewis smirked. "Oh, but you haven't heard the twist yet."
The lights dimmed slightly as the kids huddled closer, excitement and a hint of apprehension in their eyes. Edward took a deep breath and began, his voice adopting a slow, eerie tone.
"There once was a pumpkin… the biggest, roundest pumpkin in all of Patch. A farmer grew it, nurtured it, and planned to carve it into the ultimate jack-o'-lantern. But on the night before Halloween… the pumpkin vanished."
Ruby gasped, eyes wide. "Oh no! Where did it go?"
Edward leaned in closer. "No one knew. No footprints, no drag marks, nothing. It was as if the pumpkin had gotten up… and walked away on its own."
Yang snorted. "Pfft, c'mon, pumpkins can't walk."
Lewis grinned mischievously. "That's what they thought too. Until, one year later, on the very same night… it returned. Sitting in the exact same spot. But this time, it had a face. A carved, grinning face that no one had made."
Ruby clung to her cupcake. "W-Was it a ghost pumpkin?!"
Edward nodded. "And every year since, the pumpkin disappears… only to return, grinning wider and wider, waiting for someone to figure out what it wants."
Silence filled the room, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
Then Yang smirked. "Wait. What if it just really wants someone to make it into a pie?"
The moment was broken as everyone burst into laughter, even Ruby, who had been gripping her cape in suspense.
Lewis chuckled. "That's one possibility. But would you really take that risk?"
Ruby dramatically flopped onto the floor. "Nope! I'd run so fast that the pumpkin wouldn't even see me!"
Taiyang clapped his hands. "Alright, alright, before anyone gets too spooked, who's ready for cake?"
The cheers were deafening, and soon, the evening was filled with laughter, sweets, and playful mischief. For one night, at least, Lewis and Edward were able to set aside their growing responsibilities and simply enjoy being kids.
And as Ruby blew out her candles, making a wish with all her heart, Lewis couldn't help but wonder—if he had the power to change fates, what would she have wished for? But that was a thought for another day.
Tonight was about celebration, family, and most of all—fun.
After the cakes were devoured and everyone had their fill of sweets, Tai clapped his hands. "Alright, birthday girl! Time for the presents!"
Ruby immediately perked up, her exhaustion vanishing. "PRESENTS! YES!" She zoomed over to the pile of neatly wrapped gifts and practically vibrated with excitement.
Yang handed her the first present, smirking. "This one's from me."
Ruby ripped it open, revealing a small, red hooded cloak—just her size. Her eyes widened as she ran her fingers over the fabric. "Yang… it's just like Mom's!" Slightly tearing up a bit.
Yang's smile softened. "Yeah. Figured you'd want one of your own."
Ruby threw herself at her sister, hugging her tight. "Best. Sister. EVER!"
Next was a gift from Taiyang and Summer, a storybook filled with heroic tales of legendary Huntresses. "You've been asking about being a Huntress a lot lately," Tai said gently. "So I thought this might be a good start, you… Your mum knew she'll be gone on missions a lot so she prepared presents for your future birthday, Yangs as well." Said the tearing up father.
Ruby hugged the book to her chest. "One day, I'm gonna be just like them!"
Then came Lewis and Edward's turn. The two brothers exchanged a glance before handing over their neatly wrapped package. "This is from both of us," Edward said with a grin.
Ruby eagerly tore the paper off, revealing a beautifully crafted toy scythe. It was small but had incredible details, resembling a miniature Crescent Rose.
"We made it ourselves," Lewis added. "Thought you could use a practice weapon for when you start training."
Ruby's mouth dropped open. "YOU MADE THIS?!"
Edward nodded proudly. "Yep. Took a while, but we wanted it to be perfect."
Ruby practically tackled them both in a hug. "You guys are the BEST!"
As the night wound down, Ruby sat surrounded by her gifts, a happy grin plastered on her face. "Best birthday EVER!"
Edward however wasn't done so pulling out another box this time much smaller he handed it to Ruby "This one however if from me."
When ruby ripped up the wrapping it revealed itself to be a ring clearly bigger than her fingers now so there was also a chain there to make it into a necklace on the ring is an exquisite detail of a rose with thorns going around the ring and a pink gemstone in the centre of the rose.
Ruby, although confused as to why she was given jewellery still accepted it happily and even asked him to put it on her though Tai interrupted saying "You'll have to take it off when you're going to bed soon so best to leave it." though Edward was clearly unhappy at the interruption, still remembering how he used to treat Ruby so sent Tai quite a few killing intent filled looks.
Lewis however gave ruby a card to his families shop saying how he knows Ruby loves weapons so much that he gave her the highest level membership card allowing her to have any materials she needs along with a lifelong magazine sponsorship earning himself a tight squeeze from the Rose.
When it was time for both Edward and Lewis to leave, Ruby gave them both on last squeeze and a kiss on the cheek before dashing back inside, so as both the brothers walked there earlier expression of warmth froze away into one of ice with Lewis breaking the tension by asking.
"Why did you give her the Ring Edward, I thought we both agreed to not get her involved?" The tone he used could make his Schnee ancestors proud because of how filled with furry it sounded.
Edward could only sigh however as he replied "I'm not getting her involved, I'm just making sure others know not to mess or even try hiring her." and although it did help slightly it still couldn't bring the mood back up especially after Lewis's final remark.
"That's what you said the last time, and now my daughter's gone."
As Lewis walked away Edward knew he couldn't say anything in reply especially considering he was the one to pull the trigger so he simply walked away not noticing a black feather floating away as time passed.