Chapter 65: A Contract for Survival
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Dabi stood before Liora, the weight of her words still hanging in the air. She had suffered for centuries, bound to the ruins of her people, lost and alone. But now, there was a chance-however slim-that she could be freed.
He turned his gaze inward, focusing on the system within him. He could feel the connection to his new skill, the one that allowed him to form contracts with other beings. But using it with someone as powerful as Liora was a different matter entirely.
"System," Dabi asked quietly, "is there a way to take her with me? To break the bond that ties her here?"
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The system responded in its usual, neutral tone:
"The only way to sever her connection to this place is by forming a mutual contract. You will need to use your new skill: Universal Contract. However, she must agree to the terms of the contract, and you must ensure you can control her actions if needed, as her power far surpasses your current level."
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Dabi's brows furrowed as he absorbed the information. He could indeed take her with him, but he would need to control her if things went wrong. Liora was injured, and her powers were likely limited, but even at a fraction of her strength, she was still a force to be reckoned with.
Dabi looked at Liora, who seemed lost in thought, contemplating what he had asked.
"There's a way," Dabi finally said, breaking the silence. "But you'll have to sign a contract with me. It will bind us together. I'll be able to bring you out of this place, but I need to be sure that I can control the situation if anything goes wrong."
Liora's eyes flickered with a mix of surprise and hesitation. "A contract?" she repeated softly, her voice uncertain.
She took a deep breath, clearly considering the offer. It was no small thing, to be bound by a contract. But she thought back to the battle, the memory of her father's sacrifice, and the destruction of her people. The vision of the Time Crystal flickered in her mind, the power it held, and the one person who might be able to use it-someone who had awakened pure space and dimensional powers.
Dabi wasn't just anyone. He held powers that even the Dimension Caretakers once revered. Could he truly be the one to help her?
Liora closed her eyes, weighing her options. She was severely injured, her mana veins damaged. If she stayed here, she would surely die, but with Dabi, there was a chance. Even if she had her doubts, the urge for revenge, for justice for her people, burned deep within her.
"I'll do it," she said softly, her voice filled with both determination and resignation. "I'll sign the contract. But..." her eyes met Dabi's, "this will be a mutual contract, not one of servitude. I will not be anyone's servant."
Dabi nodded, understanding her position. "Agreed. It won't be a servant contract. But there's one condition. I'll need to have control over you-at least enough to stop you if you try to harm others. I can't take the risk of you attacking innocent people once we leave here."
Liora looked down, her expression pensive. It was a lot to ask, but she knew he had a point. She had been out of the world for so long, and in her weakened state, she couldn't afford to fight alone. She gave him a slight nod.
"I understand," she said, her voice steady. "I agree to your terms."
Dabi took a deep breath, then activated his Universal Contract skill. A glowing symbol appeared between them, and a soft hum of power filled the air. The contract was forming.
"Liora," Dabi said, as the contract's energy flowed around them, "do you, the last survivor of the Dimension Caretakers, accept this contract, binding your fate to mine?"
Liora looked at him, her gaze unwavering. "I accept."
The glowing symbol between them pulsed with light, and the contract was sealed. In that moment, Dabi felt a surge of energy, a new connection forming between him and Liora.
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System Notification:
Contract established with Liora, the last of the Dimension Caretakers.
Name: Liora. Age: 2,000 years.
Level: ??? (Current power Level 100 equivalent).
Status: Severely Injured. Mana veins damaged.
Recovery: 300 years naturally, or can be accelerated with large mana stones.
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Dabi looked over the information that appeared in his mind. Her level couldn't be fully revealed, but her injuries were worse than he had anticipated. It would take centuries for her to recover fully unless he could find a way to speed it up. The mention of large mana stones caught his attention. He would need to keep an eye out for those in the future.
Liora stood slowly, her body still frail but stronger than before. Dabi observed her carefully, wondering if she truly could be trusted. But for now, he was satisfied. The contract ensured that he had enough control to keep her in check if needed.
"Alright," Dabi said, feeling the weight of the situation settle in. "Let's get out of here."
Together, they left the ruins of the Dimension Ca
retakers, the past now behind them and the future uncertain.
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