Chapter:26- The Price of Resurrection: A Pact with Hell
The young talent of the beastman race scratched his horn in bewilderment. He looked at the tribe chief, who also looked confused. He even forgot about his anger from moments ago. Without receiving any instructions from the chief, the young genius spoke:
— Ahh ... the chief of the tribe, the great Barbara One, told Bo Barbaro that becoming the young lord 's warrior would bring glory and protection to the tribe. Bo Barbaro is young, but the strongest in the tribe! And the chief also said that the young lord would make Bo Barbaro very strong. — he declared truthfully.
—So, you came to me seeking glory, strength, and protection for your tribe? — John asked, curious.
Bo Barbaro waved energetically.
John then turned his gaze to Beatriz.
— Beatriz, what brings you to me? Have you submitted... or is there something you wish to achieve?
Beatriz's eyebrows rose for a brief moment. She cast a quick glance at Kassandra , then spoke:
— Young man, I have goals that I intend to achieve in the future. As the matriarch of the clan said, my potential is being limited. I saw here an opportunity to grow in strength quickly, to achieve my goals.
John watched her closely. Kassandra shook her head, knowing the girl's discipline well—that was why she wanted to help her so much. However, the young lord was someone she couldn't predict.
—And what are these goals you want to achieve? — John insisted.
Beatriz, with her clear blue eyes full of firmness, replied:
— Forgive me, young sir ... my goals are just for me to know. I hope you understand.
John smiled gently.
— Beatriz, you don't seem like a naive girl to me. Quite the opposite. Tell me one thing: being such a pretty little girl... aren't you afraid that I'll be enchanted by your beauty and claim you as my property?
He said with a mischievous smile — one he would never dare show in front of Iza.
Kassandra made a strange face at the question. Barbara One and Bo Barbaro looked at each other, perplexed by the rumor of the conversation. On the other hand, Beatriz's eyes did not waver. She looked straight at John and answered:
— As long as my goals are met, I don't care about the rest. Even if the licensed gentleman claims my body, I won't care . — he spoke with cutting firmness.
John was silent for a moment, surprised by the cold boldness of the young woman's words. He was about to say something when he saw Iza approaching.
Her hair was tied in a French braid, and she was wearing an elegant blue dress with white stripes. In her hands, she carried two folders of documents. She walked to stand next to John.
John looked at her, and in the shade of the porch, without caring about the others present, he ran his hand through Iza's braid in an affectionate gesture. Iza was happy with the regretful affection, but, as there were strangers nearby, she blushed with embarrassment. To hide it, she said quickly:
— John, here are the documents you asked for.
Everyone on the balcony felt embarrassed. Once again, this young man revealed something that was not expected of him.
John received the documents naturally.
— Very good. You did a great job. — praised John.
Iza's eyes almost shone with joy at the recognition. Then John distributed the papers: one for Kassandra , one for Barbara One.
—Tribe chief, clan matriarch… take a look.
The two leaders carefully examined their respective documents. As they read, their expressions varied—bewilderment, disbelief, and finally, restrained joy.
The document concerned the two neighboring regions. It contained a new contract that offered immense benefits: the lord would reduce the annual tax by 30%, and would also provide work materials for a period of two years. And there were many other advantageous terms included.
— With that, I hope everything is resolved. — John said , crossing his arms.
The two leaders nodded and replied in unison:
— Yes. We have nothing more to complain about.
Despite their words, they did not seem entirely satisfied. There was an unspoken feeling that they had been deceived or manipulated. But they had no basis for questioning it—everything was in order.
John watched the two regional representatives carefully and declared:
— I'm sorry I didn't live up to your expectations... But I have a proposal, if you're willing to listen to it. I warn you now that it will be dangerous, challenging and extremely difficult. So think carefully before accepting.
This time, the two young geniuses did not look at their leaders, but at themselves. Their eyes met, exchanging a silent reflection.
After a brief moment, Bo Barbaro stepped forward and asked:
— Young lord… if Bo Barbaro accepts the proposal… will Bo Barbaro bring honor and glory to the tribe? Will Bo Barbaro have the strength to protect the tribe?
John smiled.
—The honor and glory you bring to your tribe will be proportionate to your efforts. If you succeed… you will possess a strength, honor, and glory your tribe has never seen.
Bo Barbaro 's eyes flashed. A puff of white vapor escaped from his nostrils. Without hesitation, he stood up, patted his chest, and declared:
— Bo Barbaro agrees!
John smiled again and turned his gaze to Beatriz. She looked at him with her light blue eyes and answered firmly:
— I agree too.
John kept his smile and announced:
— I will give you the opportunity to enter the Evolution Institute.
For a brief moment, the balcony was plunged into a deathly silence. Kassandra , Barbara One, Beatriz, and Bo Barbaro… none of them could immediately process the meaning of those words. It was as if time had frozen.
Kassandra was the first to recover. She blinked several times, trying to confirm that she had heard correctly, and then asked:
— Young lord... — he began. Kassandra , but John interrupted her firmly:
— This proposal is addressed to them. Only they can accept or reject it.
After composing herself, Beatriz was the first to speak:
— Young lord, what price must we pay for this opportunity?
The question fell like a bucket of cold water on the two leaders. The doubt was planted: how could something like this be offered for free?
John and Iza exchanged glances and smiled at the same time.
John thought: This girl still sees the world in black and white. In his past life, at that same age, he would have accepted even an ice cream from a stranger without questioning hidden intentions. But now... they were talking about the Institute of Evolution. Who else but him would afford to offer two seats without asking for something in return?
Iza narrowed her eyes slightly and, with a voice full of indignation, said:
—How dare you doubt John's sincerity?! He's clearly giving you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join the Institute! You should be thanking him instead of raising suspicions.
She snorted, pouted slightly, and turned her face away. John, in turn, felt a twinge of pride—Iza's attitude of publicly defending him stroked his ego. She had painted Beatriz as ungrateful… and him as a benevolent wrongdoer.
The atmosphere on the balcony became uncomfortable. The silence was heavy for a few seconds, until John decided to dissipate the tension:
— You don't need to worry. You won't give anything in return. Just say yes... or no.
Beatriz took a deep breath. Her eyes, previously hesitant, were now determined.
— Young lord, I will never forget your generosity. No matter what the young lord orders, I, Beatriz Kisame , swear to comply without complaint.
Then Bo Barbaro stepped forward, beating his chest hard:
— Bo Barbaro swears eternal loyalty to the young lord. Wherever the young lord points, Bo Barbaro will run without hesitation!
The two leaders, Kassandra and Barbara One, were stunned. With each speech John made, it was as if they were being taken on an emotional roller coaster. All they knew was that somehow they had been drawn into a game bigger than they could comprehend.
John smiled serenely and ordered:
— Get up.
Neither of them moved.
He repeated, more firmly:
— Get up.
Still, they hesitated. Only the third time did they understand that he was not speaking symbolically.
They stood up, reverent.
Kassandra and Bárbara One then took the liberty of thanking them fervently. John was slightly embarrassed by so much fervor, but Iza, as always, knew how to soften the scene with her restrained presence, maintaining the dignity of the moment.
When there was nothing more to be said, the four of them— Kassandra , Barbara One, Beatrice, and Bo Barbaro—left Venhorst Castle and returned to their respective regions.
Some time ago...Western Continent.
The demon struck three more times. With each blow, the cave shook, but to his disappointment , the array absorbed the attacks with ease. He stepped back, watching the runes glow in response, and glared at the boy.
—Human cub... With the power of this body, it would take an entire day to break this seal. How about you free me, and in exchange... I spare your life?
The boy looked up, calm as a rock in a storm.
—Twelve hours, maximum—he replied firmly.
The demon raised his eyebrows in confusion.
— Ham ?
— This matrix will keep the demon sealed for twelve hours. There is no way for you to break free. Now tell me... what is your name, demon?
The demon let out a deep laugh.
— Hahahaha ... I thought you were just an ignorant puppy. So, tell me your name first, puppy.
— I asked first.
sealing circle , analyzing every trace of the array, and then stared at the boy as if he was seeing him for the first time.
— You are from the Menezes imperial family.
The boy showed no surprise. His gaze maintained the same icy firmness.
— I am the supreme being. The ruler of hell — the demon declared proudly.
— Seriously? He doesn't look like a ruler of hell — said the boy.
— I'm Kenny Menezes. The last one alive.
The demon's eyes widened for a moment, but soon a laugh echoed through the cave.
— The last one alive? Hahahaha ! So the Menezes Empire fell? Interesting... it seems like I slept for a long time.
The air seemed heavy for a moment. The flames of the matrix danced, revealing the body of a girl lying behind the boy.
— Cub, what do you want from me? — asked the ruler of hell.
Kenny Menezes pointed to his sister's lifeless body.
— I want a pact. I want you to bring her back to life. Can you do that?
The demon laughed with some regret.
— Youngling... You are not qualified to make a pact with me. As the ruler of hell, I can only make pacts with my herald.
— Then I become your herald.
The demon looked at Kenny with disdain.
— You? My herald? What a joke... That would be impossible.
Kenny kept his gaze steady and replied:
— There is nothing impossible in this world. After all... I am already standing before you.
There was a thick silence. The demon stared at him for a long time, until he spoke:
— You are right. But even so, there is no way you can become my herald so easily. You don't even know what that entails. Become a higher being of the fourth level. Only then return to me, and perhaps I will consider whether you are worthy.
Kenny clenched his fists.
— That will take a long time. Until then... there will be no return for my sister.
The ruler of hell smiled, a cold smile, filled with defiance.
— Then do the impossible, Kenny Menezes. Become a fourth-level superior being... in two decades.
— A long time — the boy murmured.
The demon, still smiling, began to disappear into the shadows of the matrix, leaving behind a suffocating presence... and a promise.
The ruler of hell smiled, his eyes pulsing with a crimson glow.
— I can make you my herald immediately... But first, you must pass a test.
Kenny stared at him without hesitation.
— What test? I'll do it.
— Your passion pleases me, pup... The test is called Eyes of Darkness .
— Eyes of Darkness? — he repeated. Kenny , frowning slightly.
— If you survive the implantation of the Eyes of Darkness... I accept you as my herald.
— What are the chances ?
— One in a million.
Kenny took a deep breath. His eyes, previously filled with pain, now glowed with a determined flame.
— Okay then. I have nothing left to lose. After all... even if I lose my life, who would care?
The ruler laughed.
— Nine hundred and ninety-nine thousand are already interesting. They all died in the attempt. And yet... I see a good chance in you.
Kenny didn't back down.
— What should I do now?
— Follow me back to hell. You... and your sister's corpse. The rest... leave it to me.
Immediately after these words, the ruler's body began to change. His flesh twisted, his bones lengthened, and black flames enveloped his silhouette. He replaced his demonic form: gigantic, bestial, composed of darkness and fire.
Then...
Boom.
An explosion resounded as his demonic body burst into flames. Using himself as fuel, he tore a black hole in space. Reality was torn apart by a dark whirlpool that devoured all matter around it. The ruler's body disintegrated in the process, but a passage to hell had been opened.
- Prohibited.
His voice rang out from the other side of the rift, deep as the roll of a thousand thunders.
Kenny moved, bending down to pick up his sister's cold body. Without hesitation, he stepped into the crevice. The instant he stepped over the threshold, the passage closed behind him with a dull thud, burying any way back.
The cave began to shake. The pillars crumbled, the ceiling collapsed.
Continued...
Author's Note:
So, hellishly wonderful readers, what did you think of this cursed pact? Kenny threw the survival manual in the trash and dove headfirst into a test with a ONE IN A MILLION chance of success ! Either he's a genius... or he's completely broken inside (maybe both, right ?).
But tell me: would you accept a pact with the ruler of hell himself to bring someone back? Comment below! I want to see how much courage or sense you have!
Oh, and don't forget: vote, share, save to your library and send demonic energy in donations! Each comment from you gives me +10 motivation and -5 sanity, and that's what moves this universe!
See you in the next chapter... if Kenny survives, of course. Continues.