Chapter 49: The Binding Pact
The candlelight flickered across the walls of Eren's dorm as he poured over the pages of The Mark of the Abyss. The cryptic text detailed both horrifying accounts and tantalizing glimpses of power associated with the cursed mark. He couldn't deny the allure of mastering his mark, but the risks loomed large in every paragraph.
Eren traced a symbol on one of the pages. It resembled the shape of his mark but was more intricate, with jagged lines spiraling inward to a dark core. Beneath it, the text read:
"To control the mark is to tame the void, but the void does not yield to the weak. Only by forming a binding pact can the cursed one harness its true potential. Beware, for the pact demands a price equal to its reward."
A pact? Eren's brows furrowed. He had no idea what that entailed, but it seemed to be a critical step in understanding his mark. His thoughts raced as he weighed his options. Was it worth the risk?
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The Void Beckons
Eren closed his eyes, focusing on the mark etched on his chest. The void within stirred, a faint hum resonating in his mind. Ever since the incident in the archives, the mark had been more active, pulsing with a strange rhythm that seemed almost alive.
"Show me," Eren whispered, his voice barely audible.
The room darkened as shadows pooled around him, forming an ethereal circle on the floor. The air grew cold, and a faint whisper echoed in his ears—words he couldn't understand but felt deep in his soul.
Suddenly, a figure materialized within the shadows. It was neither human nor beast, its form shifting constantly as if it couldn't decide what it wanted to be. Its glowing eyes bore into Eren, and its voice cut through the silence like a blade.
"You seek to tame the mark, mortal?"
Eren swallowed hard, his instincts screaming at him to run, but he stood his ground. "Yes. I need to understand it, to control it."
The figure chuckled, a low, menacing sound that sent chills down Eren's spine. "Control? The void cannot be controlled, boy. But it can be bargained with. Are you prepared to make the pact?"
Eren hesitated. The text had warned of a price, but it hadn't specified what that price would be. "What do you want in return?"
The figure leaned closer, its shifting form solidifying into something humanoid yet still otherworldly. "Your resolve. Your fear. Your hesitation. The void demands a part of you—something you hold dear. Choose carefully, for once the pact is made, there is no turning back."
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The Decision
Eren's mind raced. He couldn't back out now; he had come too far. But what could he offer? His fear? His hesitation? Could he truly cast aside the very emotions that kept him cautious and grounded?
"I'll give you my fear," Eren said firmly, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his heart. "Take it. I won't let it control me anymore."
The figure tilted its head, its eyes narrowing. "A bold choice. Fear can be a weapon, but it is also a shackle. Very well, the pact is made."
The circle of shadows surged upward, enveloping Eren in a whirlwind of darkness. Pain lanced through his body as the mark burned brighter, its jagged lines shifting and expanding. He gritted his teeth, refusing to cry out as the void's energy coursed through him.
When the shadows receded, Eren collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. The figure was gone, but its presence lingered in the room. The mark on his chest now glowed faintly, pulsating with a rhythm that matched his heartbeat.
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The Awakening
Eren felt different—lighter, yet more grounded. The fear that had always lurked at the edges of his mind was gone, replaced by a strange sense of clarity. He clenched his fists, and shadows coiled around them, responding to his thoughts with a precision he had never experienced before.
He stood, testing his newfound control. The tendrils of darkness obeyed his commands effortlessly, weaving into intricate patterns and lashing out with deadly force. The void's power no longer felt like a wild, untamable beast; it was now an extension of his will.
But with this power came a sense of unease. The figure's words echoed in his mind: "The void demands a part of you." What had he truly given up?
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The Gathering Storm
As dawn broke, Eren left his dorm, his cloak wrapped tightly around him. The academy grounds were quiet, the early morning light casting long shadows across the cobblestones. He needed answers—real answers—not just cryptic warnings and fragmented knowledge.
His thoughts turned to the masked figure who had confronted him before. They seemed to know more about the mark than anyone else. If anyone could help him unravel the mysteries of the void, it was them.
Eren's journey was far from over. The pact had given him power, but it had also deepened the mystery surrounding his mark. The void's whispers were quieter now, but they were still there, a constant reminder of the price he had paid.
As he walked toward the academy's central tower, a sense of determination settled over him. He would uncover the truth, no matter the cost.