With a sigh, Binder leaned back, the weight of her past momentarily lifted. "So yes, my story may sound like a robot's recitation, but every word holds a piece of my soul, every memory a battle won. This is who I am, forged in the fires of adversity, ready to face whatever comes next for my madam."
As soon as Binder finished speaking she remained silent for a few minutes, a blank expression still on her face.
"Taaaaa!"
The sound of the heavy rain still raged on as they drove through the desolate enclave.
After the effects of Aiden's ability wore off Binder finally regained control over herself, and when she did, she trembled violently her eyes widening in shock as she realized what she had done.
After Binder spilled her story, everyone went quiet, and even Aiden couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for her.
"You've had it rough," Jonathan's voice suddenly sounded out, his shoulders dropped as his expression turned a bit sour.
With a softer tone, Mai also added, "The Blue Dragon Betting House is also the place my father used to bet, not used to, he's still doing it now. It's a miracle that he hasn't gotten himself into dipshit like you-"
"I don't need your pity," Binder's voice sounded out, her tone angered as she darted in, "I love the life I'm living now, what I do is none of your business, now that you know everything, what's next? Will you kill me? Or are you gonna let me go?"
At the sound of Binder's voice, Aiden suddenly chuckled a bit as he said while raising two fingers, "Everyone has their own story, we're not pitying you, and don't worry, I plan to keep in touch, in fact, I'll give you a cut of the hell crystals but when you go back you'll do two things for me."
"I'm not doing anything for you," Binder interrupted, her voice determined as she glared at Aiden.
Smiling at Binder's gaze, Aiden turned to Jonathan and asked, "Can you please untie her?"
Upon hearing this, Binder looked a bit surprised, but thinking about it a bit she realized that she couldn't do anything to Aiden, he would kill her before she even made a move.
With her hands-free, Binder was finally able to untie herself, and as she did this Aiden spoke.
"Are you ready to hear me out?" He asked.
Scoffing at Aiden's words Binder turned to him, her eyes narrowed as she said, "I'm going to repeat myself, you may be stronger than me Aiden, but you'll never make me betray my mistress."
"But you don't have a choice," Aiden suddenly darted in before adding, "Besides you're not betraying your organization, like I said I'll give you a cut of of the hell crystals, but in exchange, you'll inform the Blue Dragon Syndicate that from now on, I'll be doing business with them."
Upon hearing what Aiden said, Binder laughed, "You sure are ambitious Aiden but you're missing one thing, you may be stronger than Blood Pact, but do you think Blood Pact was able to do business with the Blue Dragon syndicate because he was strong?"
With another giggle Binder continued, "The strongest Contractor in the syndicate is at threat level 52, if not for my mistress's strength, we would have never been able to fight on equal footing with them, the reason Blood Pact was able to do business with the syndicate was because of his older brother Echo a Threat level 30 Contractor, he has quite the high rank, so while Blood Pact was a Business partner he was also a spy that informed us of some things, you, on the other hand, have no connection with the syndicate so by doing this you're just putting a big target on your back-"
"That's none of your business," Aiden cut her short, his voice chilling as he continued, "Also when you inform your so-called mistress about me, tell her that I would also like to do business with her."
"Don't put yourself on the mistress level, it would've been fine if you hadn't said that as you already had the Syndicate to deal with, but now you want the Order after you as well?" Binder wanted to say something else but she suddenly paused and said, "It's your funeral."
By now the rain had subsided, and when Aiden heard what Binder said, he nodded his head, "Stop the truck."
Aiden suddenly said to Mai who nodded, slowing down until the vehicle came to a stop.
Binder didn't need to be told twice, quickly, she jumped out of the truck while Aiden just threw a handful of crystals in her direction.
"Vroom!"
The group drove off again leaving Binder soaked in the rain.
As Binder watched the truck disappear into the distance, a complicated look flashed past her eyes, but it only lasted for a moment as she packed the 14 hell crystals on the ground stuffing them in her cloak before running in a certain direction.
Meanwhile, back in the truck, Jonathan and Mai could finally speak to Aiden freely.
"Aiden are you crazy? Why would you want both organizations after you? Why didn't you kill her?" Mai asked her voice raising a note as she questioned Aiden.
Jonathan also had a frown on his face as he said, "Even though I hate to admit it, silencing Binder was the best choice at that moment."
Upon hearing what Jonathan and Mai had to say, Aiden smiled and reassured them, "I know what I'm doing guys, and besides we're in the same boat, I won't put you in danger for no reason, now would I?"
"I barely know you guys, but I do feel honored to be welcomed to the team," Jonathan laughed.
Upon hearing this, Aiden nodded his head, as he changed the topic, "How do we explain being seen with you, when we get back to the shelter? You said you could help me blend in with Contractor's, how so?"
Mai, her eyes focused on the road was also interested in this topic.
Jonathan on the other hand suddenly fell silent, his hands on his chin as he thought a bit before saying, "The first thing I need to do is draw some simple Detritus Marks on you so that hell energy flows the same way around you as it does with other Contractor's, this is because a Detritus Inscriber will be there to observe the flow of energy around you guys and you will be caught if you're not normal Aiden. I also suggest we split ways as soon as we make it back, you'll leave the crystals with me, so I can get them into the shelter without being noticed."
"What about Aiden's tail?" Mai asked before darting in, "Won't they notice it?"
"No, they won't, because of the extraordinary abilities of some demon's physical checks Is a no, instead you'll be asked to drink holy water," Jonathan said before darting in, "also you both have to change out of the coverall's you're wearing, into the clothes I packed for you, all Aiden has to do is hide his tail in his clothes."
Upon hearing what Jonathan said Aiden asked, "If we're going to split ways how would we know where we're going, isn't there a place we're supposed to meet the Silence?"
"You don't have to worry about that," Jonathan said as he brought out two orange tags before saying, "These tags are special, immediately they cross the barrier, the Silence knows your location, they'll come to you."
"Ok," Aiden said before darting in, "let's begin then."
And so Jonathan started bringing out his tools, ready to work with Aiden.
As the group drove through the rain Landon's voice sounded out in Aiden's head, "How can you trust these people? You know you can find out what they really want by using your new ability right?"
But Aiden just shook his head as he replied in his mind, "I need allies if I'm going to survive, by not hypnotizing them, even though I have the ability, I'll build a bond with them, it's risky I know, but worth it in the end."