Chapter 25

Autumn fidgeted slightly as the bandages rubbed against her skin. Lifting her hand, Autumn tugged at the knot, attempting to loosen it.

"Stop it. If its not wrapped properly it'll get infected."

"I can't see."

"You won't be able to use that eye anyways. Better to get used to it now."

Autumn winced. Her left eye had been damaged beyond repair, not very shocking considering that there had been a blade embedded in it just hours before.

They were currently resting along the wall of the corridor. Ember and Autumn had both been given scraps of bread that did little to ease their hunger, but it was better than nothing.

Lapis had apologized about the poor meal but promised better options once her teammates finished their part of the mission.

"They should be here any moment now," Lapis commented.

Autumn exchanged a glance with Ember. They exchanged quiet whispers of which even the advanced hearing of Spirit Animals could barely pick up.

'Do we really want to meet them?'

'Do we have a choice? It's good they haven't already hurt us.'

'I don't think they would.'

'Perhaps. I can't help but be a bit dramatic. It's a bit of a habit, now.'

Autumn laughed softly. "Thinking back, it's been quite the adventure, huh?"

"Yes-" Ember began, before she was cut off by the sound of footsteps. The sound was engraved into her mind with enough negative events that she tensed up.

Autumn reached out, offering her hand in reassurance, yet her grip on Ember spoke more about the fear installed within her.

…

It was a few minutes after the knife had taken Autumn's eye. Lapis seemingly teleported into the room, her form stepping from the shadows.

"It seems I was a little late. A pity, but nothing that can't be saved."

The bandit looked up, his forehead wrinkling as he frowned. He reached towards an oddly shaped communication stone.

His words cut off as his throat was quickly slashed, lungs filling with blood as he desperately tried to stop the bleeding. When he realized it was futile, he snatched a knife and stumbled towards Lapis.

"If I die, I'll take you with me!" He yelled.

Lapis turned towards him, her gaze piercing. With a quick sidestep, she evaded the clumsy attack, one hand reaching out and twisting it at an odd angle.

A crack echoed through the room, causing Autumn's unconscious form to stir.

"She's waking up faster than I thought," Lapis commented, "You should thank her for your quick death."

…

Dread filled Autumn as a rather familiar figure rounded the corner.

"Ember-" Autumn began, struggling to her feet.

Lapis frowned, stepping in front of them. "We won't hurt you, and you know I mean it."

"What if I told you that being a contracted beast would hurt us?" Ember retorted as she grabbed Autumn's hand and pulled her past Lapis.

"We can work around that. You can make a contract whenever you feel comfortable."

"And if it's never?"

"Then we will continue to shelter you."

"Shelter? I think you mean imprison."

Lapis sighed, a glint flashing in her eyes.

"Lapis! Don't!" Rui's voice called out as he sprinted over.

Autumn jumped, her nerves strung tight. 'It doesn't seem as if they'll give up…maybe…we can at least gain some benefits from it…'

"We'll go with you." Autumn's voice called out, bringing the attention of both adventurer and contracted beast. "Just…give us a moment. Please."

Ember looked towards Autumn with shocked eyes, yet she said nothing, trusting Autumn to explain herself.

Rui studied them for a moment before nodding. "We'll be around the corner. Don't think of escaping, there's no way out over here."

Autumn rolled her eyes before turning to Ember. "I'm sorry I made this decision without asking you. If you don't want to, I'm sure I can negotiate for them to just take me-"

"It's fine. Where you go, I go." Ember interrupted. "All I want to know is why."

"It's been months, and we've been constantly on edge. We've had so many close calls traveling through unknown territory, and that's not even the end of it."

"We will definitely be seeing more danger if we continue to travel, which is quite necessary if we are to find my parents. Not to mention, you would be very put out if we were to stay in one place."

"Exactly. But if we go with them, it's free protection, free food, and we can ask them to look out for news about your parents. The conditions aren't set in stone either. Even if we become contracted, we can break it off, even if we sustain some damage."

"Soul damage is no laughing matter, Autumn. If we break a spirit bond we'll be practically useless."

"They want us alive. It can be a last resort."

"I don't like your train of thought right now, we can talk about last resorts when we are pushed that far. I think we can negotiate terms with them now, right?"

"Mhm." Autumn nodded as she began to walk down the corridor.

"Lapis?" Autumn tentatively called out.

"Right here."

Autumn caught sight of her silvery grey hair before whirling around.

"We will go with you, but we have some conditions. The first one, is to stop sneaking up on us."

Lapis blinked, unfazed. "Accepted. Please continue."

Ember piped up, "I assume shelter and food are provided? But in case it isn't, we want that and free reign to go where we please."

"Shelter and food are provided, and, as long as we know where you are. A tracking device may need to be worn until you form a contract."

"We're also looking for someone. Ember's parents, to be exact."

"I'll see what we can do. Is that all?" Lapis nodded.

"For now, yes."

"Wonderful, Rui is waiting for us near the exit." Lapis turned, before pausing. "I trust you will uphold your end of the bargain?"

"Of course. We don't go back on our word."