Imprisoned with a Promise

IMPRISONED WITH A PROMISE

100 years ago, the Blue Snow clan was known for their gifted mana. They could continuously cast a spell for half a month without getting exhausted. Everyone fears them and greatly respects them. They have no ties with any kingdom, but rumors says that the Blue Snow clan is residing near the borders of the Borneous Kingdom and Hesperia Kingdom.

People speculated that the origin of the Blue Snow clan's mana came from stealing other's mana or they ate some fruit.

"That's laughable, mom. We are not really that great, we are actually just suffering from an unbreakable curse" A young child bitterly commented at his mother's story.

"That is true. Don't worry, my child. One day we will be free from this curse, that is what Skane promised to us" the mother comforted the child.

"Skane?"

The mother smiled proudly, "Yes. Every 20 years, one from our clan goes out from this place to look for the general dragon to purify us."

A young man who has a low mana from the Blue Snow clan will be chosen to look for the general dragon. The chosen one will be renowned as their hero.

The reason why they need the general dragon is because it is the only one who is nearer at them. The general dragon also knows about their curse, thus it always help the clan but he always ask for something in return. It's the chosen one responsibility to please and persuade the general dragon to help them.

The Blue Snow clan can not just freely roam around outside of their place. That is why, only one person could go outside and it has to be someone who is weak and has a low mana.

If they tried to escape from that place then only death awaits them. It is because they are already born to be dependent on the Black Spirit. They can not go away from him.

One of the ancestor of the Blue Snow clan met with the Black Spirit.

The ancestor was in the middle of the war, he was about to get killed by someone's sword when the Black Spirit appeared. He used its mana to block the sword and killed the attacker.

"Thank you, sir" the ancestor thanked the Black Spirit even though he felt something is not right with it. After all, the Black Spirit was just a black smoke that is floating in the air.

The Ancestor thought that his first reaction should be feel terrified at the Black Spirit and run away from him. But he was captivated to him instead. He feels strange but somehow comforting as well.

That was the biggest mistake of the ancestor.

"You..." The Black Spirit noticed the ancestor's craving for his mana.

"If you truly want to become powerful like me, then make an oath that you and your descendants will offer your soul to me. In return, I'll give you infinite mana" The Black Spirit negotiated with the ancestor. His voice was not demanding nor sounds like it was alluring the ancestor. He was actually sounded indifferent like it doesn't matter what the ancestor's choice will be.

Although the Black Spirit does not have the intention of tricking him, the ancestor actually agreed!

"I see. You'll surely regret this" The Black Spirit commented before giving the ancestor his mana. The ancestor did not heard what the Black Spirit said nor regretted his decision. That is because after receiving the Black Spirit's infinite mana, he felt great!

He made his oath to the Black Spirit to offer his descendant's and his soul to him. The ancestor thought that it was only meant figuratively but he didn't know that it meant literally.

The Black Spirit gives the Blue Snow clan its mana but the more they have a mana, it meant that they are more closer to the Black Spirit. If they are more closer to the Black Spirit, it means that it was their turn to slowly offer their soul to him. Their soul was the Black Spirit food. It has no choice but to eat soul even if he doesn't want to. He does not feel guilty to the Blue Snow clan since it was their decision to offer their soul to him.

The Blue Snow clan negotiated with the Black Spirit to let them purify by someone in order to live longer. The Black Spirit apathetically agreed.

But the clan noticed that they can't go far away from him if they have a lot of mana residing inside of them. Thus, they decided to choose among them who has a low mana. Usually, it is a child. At first, they were reluctant but after some time they got desperate. That is how they traditionally choose someone to beg for the general dragon's help.

"But, I heard that Skane left 18 years ago? He never returned ever since." the young child commented at his mother once again.

The mother looked down and felt sad. "He'll return soon to help us. He is one of us after all. We believe in him. It might just because he encounter some problems along the way" The mother tried to convince her son...and herself.

The young child still looked doubtful, "But our clan is slowly dying. We only have you, me, uncle Franz, and Unii left."

Before Skane left 18 years ago, the clan only had 15 members left. That is why the clan was slowly disappearing from the world because Skane had not yet returned with the general dragon. Now, even uncle Franz shows a sign that he is the next one to be disappearing soon.

---

"Is this the place?" Esperanza tries to confirm with Von once again.

Von looked at the place, "I'm sure it's somewhere here"

After a few minutes, someone could not help himself but to show up. "What are you doing in here?"

Von and Esperanza heard a voice. They were alert and draw their own weapons.

"Adventurers? I see. Are you looking for the Blue Snow clan? They are already gone. Leave here now"

Von and Esperanza looked for the owner of that voice. "Who are you?! Show yourself!" Von shouted.

Black Spirit obediently showed himself. Von and Esperanza was shocked at its appearance. It has no body nor face, it was only a smoke. Von and Esperanza felt what the ancestor of the Blue Snow clan felt before. The smoke was not even charming but they were still entranced by it.

"Don't..." The Black Spirit said when he noticed the same reaction.

Von shook her head to wake herself up after she heard the Black Spirit's voice. "W-what are you?"

The Black Spirit was surprised that she seemed not to be bothered by his presence anymore. "I'm Zhora. The Blue Snow clan used to call me Black Spirit."

Esperanza remembered something when he heard it. It was some information he got while he was traveling. "The one who gives the Blue Snow clan mana..."

"What happened to the Blue Snow clan?" Von asked. She thought that it might have something to do why the place she was looking for was missing.

"They were eaten by their greed" Zhora simply answered.