Chapter 19

"Let go," Autumn hissed.

Rui grinned slightly as he replied, "Didn't you want to know something? Let's get some privacy first."

Rui quickly dragged Autumn and Ember into an empty room. It was simply furnished, with a large wooden table and multiple chairs arranged around it.

Rui let go of their wrists, closing and locking the door behind him.

Rubbing her wrist that had turned red, Autumn narrowed her eyes at his actions.

"Aren't we only going to talk? What's with locking the door?"

"How will we have a proper chat if someone can walk in at any time?" Rui brushed off casually.

Unfortunately, the lock was not used to prevent intruders, but to prevent escapees.

Rui walked to the other side of the table, his face stretched out in a cheery grin that reminded Autumn of another overly-happy adventurer.

Clearing his throat, Rui tapped the table softly. "Make a contract with me," he stated.

Autumn's eyes narrowed, disdain evident in her gaze. "A contract? Do you think we're dogs to be ordered around? And besides, it's forbidden to make a contract with humans."

Autumn desperately tried to paste their 'human' identities back on.

Rui scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Do I need to point it out for you to understand?"

With a quick motion, Rui swept the hoods off of their heads.

Autumn's eyes widened slightly. With a shaky voice, she mumbled, "Are all adventurers this rude? Seems like it."

"You can say that again," Ember laughed, her voice straining as she fought to keep it from trembling.

"It won't cause you any harm," Rui persuaded.

Ember snarled, "What do you not understand? No means no."

With a sigh, Rui raked a hand through his hair. His gaze hardening, Rui stated coldly, "I didn't want to force you, but you leave me with no choice."

Autumn's eyes widened in disbelief. "You gave us a 'choice,' but when we refused, it doesn't matter? To be honest, we never really had a choice to begin with, right?"

Ignoring her question, Rui smirked, his hands forming intricate patterns in the air.

"A beast tamers ability," he stated, "Is to form contracts with beings, whether it be on behalf of others or for themselves."

Autumn snarled, "I'd like to see you try."

Shifting, Autumn's dark pelt left a shadowy blur as she sprinted towards the adventurer.

Rui seemed unfazed by this, his eyes widening slightly as he began grinning like a madman.

Startled by his sudden change, Autumn stumbled, before regaining her balance. With a leap, her small body flew through the air, her fangs bared towards his neck.

With a quick step to the right, Rui twisted his body, narrowly avoiding Autumn's attack.

His focus wavered as he noticed Ember attacking him from the side, her bright golden pelt a stark contrast to Autumn's.

Rui hurriedly crossed his arms in front of him, causing Ember's teeth to sink into his arm.

Likewise, Autumn had skillfully rebounded from the wall behind him, her eyes glinting with a savage light.

Rui cursed under his breath, wincing as Ember tore off a chunk of his flesh.

Using his now free hands, Rui summoned a pair of chains, the dark purple hue ominous and foreboding.

Waving his hands, the chains moved like snakes, twisting and turning as they wrapped Autumn in a tight hold.

Snatched out of the air, Autumn fell heavily on the ground. The chains seemed to steal the strength from her body, and Autumn could feel her eyelids becoming heavy.

'No!' Autumn thought, 'I have to stay awake!'

Turing her head sharply, Autumn sank her teeth into her shoulder, using the pain to keep her conscious.

"Autumn!" Ember yelled worriedly. Rushing over, Ember growled fiercely at Rui. "What. Did. You. Do." Ember spat, her golden eyes filled with hate.

"Nothing much, you'll find out soon enough. Until then, why don't you join her?" Rui suggested.

"Wha-" Ember let out a cry as she was likewise bound up in chains. "You'll regret this," Ember snarled.

"Like I haven't heard that line before," Rui laughed.

Ember only snarled in response, fighting the darkness that was threatening to consume her. It made no difference, however, as she soon succumbed to sleep.

"Oh? You're still awake? How surprising," Rui glanced over at Autumn.

Walking over slowly, Rui bent down near Autumn, his hand reaching towards her head.

Autumn pinned her ears back fearfully, closing her eyes as she braced herself for a blow.

After a while had passed without anything happening, Autumn cautiously opened her eyes.

Rui tilted his head, "Are you scared of me? I won't hurt you. I haven't hurt you yet, have I?"

It was true, Autumn thought, Rui had only defended himself from their attacks, yet he had also tried to force a contract upon them.

"I hope you die a thousand deaths," Autumn whispered, "And the other adventurers too."

Autumn closed her emerald green eyes as she gave into the fatigue.