15 Who Saved Us? (1/2)
Greyson felt someone shaking his body as he slowly opened his eyes. His vision cleared and Lucius's face appeared in front of him. He bolted up and quickly looked around himself and realized that everyone was still passed out.
”Is everyone okay?” He quickly asked.
”Yeah, I checked. Everyone is fine.” Lucius whispered towards him.
”I just thought I should take this chance to discuss things with you before they woke up. I've had to fake being a stupid kitten for so long I thought I was really devolving into an idiot.”
”Why couldn't you just reveal that you could talk then?” Greyson finally asked what had been weighing on his mind. He couldn't understand why Lucius hadn't been speaking, but he took the hint and played along.
”You're ignorant and so you don't understand. I have to admit that I might have unfairly made fun of you when you were shocked I could speak. Honestly, not many magic beasts can speak when they are as young and weak as I am. If people could see that I was this intelligent and could speak then they would realize that I am a rare and talented magic beast. They would target you and me to capture me then either sell me or enslave me. Therefore, to keep away from those kinds of issues, I have been pretending to be a normal young magic beast with no particular extra intelligence. They would just think I am a rare, but weak, species. I guess I can tell you now but my species are known as Destiny Cats and we are super rare, talented, and, once we mature, powerful. Earlier, Harrison told you that magic beasts' magic manifests as a special feature. Well my magic manifests as a third eye which can glimpse into destiny or fate. Although I cannot completely see the future, I can make predictions and usually could lead people on a lucky path. Whether the luck is for life decisions or luck in finding treasures. After learning this, humans always want us Destiny Cats and we were hunted to near extinction because my race is really proud and would rather die than be enslaved. We will not be recognized unless our third eye is used, which is why you have never seen me use it. We also all have three elements: spatial, water, and wind. I haven't known you very long and revealing my identity to you may be the most stupid and riskiest thing I have ever done, but I believe that you are trustworthy. Maybe because you are so young and not yet mature enough to hide yourself deeply, plus you're ignorant and weak so what could you really do to me. That teacher mentioned contracts, right? I will allow you to form a contract with me so just know that you have hit the jackpot and you are super blessed. An equal contract, by the way, I know how much you must wish to be my slave but I would feel bad if my friend suddenly became lower than me. It will be easier this way because people in a contract can communicate mentally, so I can talk to you without revealing myself.”
Greyson was speechless at the sudden overload of new information from Lucius, but he understood the gist. He felt touched that the cat trusted him after knowing him only a few months. Still confused at the sudden offer, he blanked out a bit before nodding in assent to a contract.
”How do we do this contract?”
”It's called a shared life contract. Pretty much, if you die then I will die. If I die, then you die. It's a pretty serious commitment. Would you be okay with that? Think carefully.” Greyson understood the severity and he started to think it through. It would be really scary to just die one day without knowing why because he wasn't the one hurt. But, Lucius is in the same position and he doesn't mind... thinking of Lucius, Greyson suddenly remembered something Lucius had told him.
”Wait, Lucius, isn't your lifespan as a magic beast really long? What if I die of old age, won't you die with me?”
”Oh? I guess you have a good memory being able to think of this. Yes, well, if I am being honest I could probably live till I'm nearly 100,000 even if I continue staying an intermediate level beast and my lifespan increases as my power does. Beasts with a powerful bloodline have an extremely low birth rate so I guess we are instead blessed with extremely long lives to have as many chances as possible to reproduce. However, you are wrong if you think you will die from old age before me because the contract gives half my lifespan to you. I get the short end while you are blessed with a much longer lifespan than normal humans. However, as I mature, more and more powerful people will be able to conclude my identity from my normal features so even if I have a long lifespan I might not be able to live as long as a normal human. As a young kitten, I look like any other cat magic beast, but more specific features will grow as I do. You are a talented and interesting human, and I think my life will be much more fulfilling traveling alongside you then always trying to hide by myself. I'm also betting on your future, because I believe you will grow powerful enough to protect me. Anyways, if you become powerful, your lifespan will also increase so I am not losing out if you work hard.”
Hearing his words, Greyson had quickly made up his mind. Although it was risky, sharing his life with Lucius is not necessarily a bad thing. He would gain a long lifespan without doing anything and having this risk will continue to push him to improve his power. He can't get lazy if there is always a chance of losing his life along with Lucius due to his special identity.
”Alright, let's do this!” Greyson nodded.
Lucius grinned and nodded back, ”Okay! I knew I didn't pick the wrong person. Repeat what I say, only replace my name with yours. Prick your hand so that blood will flow out from the palm and then I will place my own paw over your hand.” Greyson nodded and quickly followed the directions. They sat across each other with the paw and hand together while their blood flowed freely.
Lucius spoke out first, ”I, Lucius, agree to form a pact with Greyson. His life will be mine and my life will be his. We shall share life and death from now until our passing.” Their blood began to glow and formed patterns around their body.
”I, Greyson, agree to form a pact with Lucius. His life will be mine and my life will be his. We shall share life and death from now until our passing.” After he finished his oath, Greyson felt his wrist burn until a red rope tattoo was branded into his skin. It looked like a bracelet and the same sign could be seen around Lucius's front leg.
”This is the sign of our pact, it also can show the state of the other person. If your red rope starts to fade, it means I am wounded. The more faded it becomes, the closer to death I am.” Lucius's voice suddenly rang out inside Greyson's head.
”Ohhhh so this is how we can talk? If I want to talk to you my thoughts will get transferred over?” Greyson looked over at Lucius.