"Um... wow ok. That's a lot. Returning to the library was something I meant to ask but forgot about." I said surprised then shyly.
"Well yeah." Brakos gestured to the surrounding area and smiled." The Library is amazing. Anyway for the payment, you will receive that when you complete my quests. You will learn the functions of them later but for now, be prepared it won't be long before you leave."
"Right sure. Um if you don't mind me asking, doesn't that work against itself? If you give me rewards from quests and then I give them to you for help, doesn't that just add in an extra step and take away from you?"
Brakos looked away from me, clearly uncomfortable with that question. "Normally yes but the book and quests run differently than normal. It is best not to worry about that."
Brakos said in a quieter tone "So long as certain people don't realize it should be fine." Then I think I heard Brakos say under his breath "Probably." and looked away not willing to give any more answers.
I was concerned with this response but decided not to press the matter. Brakos was doing so much for me, so it is best not to stress him out or make him regret his decisions. I don't want to make a powerful enemy this soon.
Rubbing the back of my neck, I responded, "Ok. I will think about your contract. I have to finish one more book before I go. I will give you my answer then. So, um, I will see you later." I left concerned about what he would not tell me, but I knew it was best to let him tell me about it when he was ready.
'It is kind of strange how even though he is some primordial spirit who has lived for who knows how long. he acts a lot like a human' I thought to myself as I walked away.
~~~~~
~Brakos Pov~
I was sitting in his chair with a worried expression, thinking to myself. 'it's going as it should, he warned me about him but I didn't listen.' I looked in the direction Jack left and sighed. 'If he is the one, the one to change it I must endure no matter what. My plans can't end here, I will not lose this. I just hope they don't find out until it is time.'
"You will fail Brak, just as you always have." A ghostly voice said behind me and I instantly turned around but saw nothing.
Placing a hand on the side of my head, I shouted into nothing. "NO! I can do this. I can succeed! NO, I WILL SUCCEED!" Gripping my hand tightly.
Realizing what I had just done, I reached into my coat pocket, grabbed something, and left, going to a place that no one else knew about.
"Calm down, I need to focus," I said to myself before disappearing into the shadows of the Library.
~~~~~~~
A few days later
~Jackson's Pov~
It has been a few days and Brakos has seemed to return to his normal self. Neither of us has brought up anything about what happened yet but I can tell Brakos is hiding something. I won't push him but it is definitely troubling him. We haven't known each other very long and I just feel weird bringing it up with him.
Things have been awkward between us recently. I think it is partly just because we became friends and I am leaving today.
Walking to where I knew Brakos would be. When I got there he was standing in front of what I could only describe as a portal.
"Um, is that safe?" I asked walking over
"Yes, it is. This is the portal that will bring you to your new world, Jack." Brakos said to me while focusing on the portal.
"Oh cool," I said awkwardly.
We stood there in tense silence. Trying to build up the courage to break the silence.
"I wanted to apo..." Brakos spoke up first turning to me.
"I'm sorry about Lea..." I said at the same time and the silence returned.
"*cough* Um, you go first," I said embarrassed after a few seconds.
Brakos looked awkwardly at me for a second and said "I'm sorry about how I have been lately. Some spirits have been bugging me about some stuff and... well I guess I will miss having someone to talk to around here." he said not making eye contact.
I looked at Brakos with surprise "Really you will miss me?"
Brakos looked at me and said "Yeah, believe it or not, but very few people come to The Library and those that do don't talk to me. I guess having someone to talk to after so long has made me realize that I live a pretty boring life and having a friend helps a lot."
I looked at Brakos with sympathy, feeling sorry for him. "I'm sorry about that. Guess I didn't think about how boring it can get here. I can stay for longer if you want."
"No, it's fine. I have lived this long like this I will be fine. I am definitely coming to Primus as often as I can. Besides if you stay here for me I don't think I would let you leave after that. Not in a creepy way, please." Brakos said jokingly. Trying to break the tension in the room.
"Yeah sure," I said with a chuckle. "Well, I was going to say the same thing about leaving you here. It was fun and I enjoyed having someone to talk to about... certain things."
we both laughed and stood for a little bit
"Have you thought about my contract?" Brakos asked
"Yeah, I have." I said thinking about what Brakos offered "And I accept the contract. It will allow us to remain friends and talk to each other, even if I am forcing you to come to me sometimes."
Brakos looked at me surprised and asked "Friends?"
I looked back to Brakos confused "Yeah? Or do you not see me as one?"
"No no, I do. It has just been a while since I have had someone to call a friend."
At that moment I felt so sad for Brakos. He has been alone for so long and I am just leaving him behind.
"Don't feel bad for me." He said knowing what I was thinking "It is my fault for not leaving The Library often and not making or maintaining friendships for long. After what you have shown me since you got here, that having friends does bring joy, I am going to go out more often. Thank You"
He reached his hand to me but I hugged him instead, and then I smacked him on the head and released him. "How has it taken you this long to realize that? Am I the first person you have ever talked to?!"
Rubbing where I hit him he said. "You didn't have to hit me and yes I have talked to people before I just never found anyone I found fun."
I looked at him with a raised eyebrow and said nothing for a few seconds, then I said "Ok but promise me that you will meet other people I can't be your only friend forever."
"of course, I promise that I will meet more people and try to find new friends."
I placed my hand on my face and sighed "I feel like a father talking to their son after they just moved."
"I'm older than you." Brakos retorted.
"I know" I responded.
We both laughed
"Now if you want we can sign the contract."
"Ok let's do it."
Brakos raised his hand and floating above his palm was a spectral scroll with writing on it, and he handed it to me.
"Here is the contract feel free to read it, this can be good practice for you when making more of them with other spirits as well."
"Thanks," I said and started to read. I noticed the payment was listed as a reward from quests which I thought was a little weird but didn't ask.
"Looks good to me I don't see anything that should be changed. So how do I sign this?"
"You already have," Brakos said.
As he said that the contract started to glow and fade away. "If both sides are happy with a contract you will automatically sign it."
"If someone is being magically controlled the contract will not work. Others can't sign a contract for you and you can't for them. And if you want to change part of the contract both sides must agree.
Also, contracts will always have the full details on them, no hidden items can be added and no lies can be made. If one side lies on the contract they will either be forced to do their side or die in excruciating pain when they don't fulfill their side, it varies"
"Good to know and thanks, although I wish you told me that sooner. One of my concerns with this was something you didn't say but I guess I was just being paranoid," I said
Brakos laughed and said "Good point, sorry for worrying you. Anyway, are you ready to go?"
"Yeah, thanks for all this," I said and turned to the portal.
"No problem" Brakos said
"Don't forget to come to visit me when you can," I said facing back to Brakos.
"Of course, I will see you soon. Goodbye, my friend." Brakos said waving.
"Bye." and I walked into the portal, sad for leaving a friend behind but excited for my new life.