7 Black Cat Nolan

Nolan, his forehead wrinkled in confusion and frustration, mumbled incoherent words as he read a book, "Pact and Contract".

He was holding a candle in his other hand.

"Why is it not working? I've done what the book said." He grumbled, his eyes glued to the book.

He was reading a section about summoning a more high-ranking Chthon than an Imp. He couldn't be more complacent anymore, sooner or later, the church would be in his pursuit. He had to make arrangements.

But his only problem was that it was rare for him to succeed in summoning. He could concoct poison or any other potion that could kill, he was proud of that but he was struggling to hone his dark magic practices.

Nonetheless, he won't give up. He had no plan to. The thrill of trying filled him with so much burning desire to pursue his interest.

A cold night breeze swooshed through him, causing a slight shiver to run down his spine. The flame of his candle remained undisturbed, casting a faint, trembling glow in the darkness.

The hooting of owls echoed through the forest, a territorial threat for someone who had invaded their space deep in the forest. Even the chirping of crickets seemed to add to the eerie symphony of sounds, enough to make one's heart race with an urge to flee.

However, Nolan seemed to be unbothered about the noises in his surroundings nor the danger it possessed.

"Don't you think the night is getting deeper now, Young Master?"

Nolan's eyes flicked from the book to the man lying motionless on the ground.

Atticus, his butler, sprawled across the damp ground, a pentagram etched in lamb's blood beneath him. His limbs and head aligned with the points of the star. He stared up at his Master, who sat calmly beside him outside the Pentagon, holding a book in one hand and a candle in the other, his demeanor unsettlingly serene despite the frustration over the failed attempt at summoning.

Nolan flipped the book closed and sighed. "Why it isn't working? Should I be using different language to evoke its power?"

"Perhaps because I am not the best choice sacrifice for the ritual?" Atticus answered, still lying with his limbs spread out.

"No, let's try it again. Close your eyes."

Atticus didn't say anything and obediently obeyed his Master. It had always been one of his duties, and he was more willing to be the subject of his Young Master's experiment.

Nolan placed the book and candle aside before rising to his feet.

Rank 1 Chthon, Elf.

Elf presides in the Hades domain. Contrary to the legends, they are built like a normal human. Depending on their family and obligations in the underworld, they have different appearances but all possess long pointed ears as a symbol of their rank.

Materials will vary depending on which family of the elf you are going to summon and make a pact or contract with.

Gardener. A more cordial and nonviolent Elf. They are popular for being kind and gentle. Here is the list of materials and procedures to summon them.

Material:

Blood of a young lamb (Please make sure not to kill the lamb), green wheat, a flower (any kind will do), three white candles, and Oudh incense. And of course, a sacrificial to use to hold the ritual and to avoid backlash in case the ritual failed.

Location and Procedure:

The forest is the best option to do the ritual summoning. Gardener Chthon is sensitive to the light, make sure you execute the ritual during the night.

Draw a pentagram using the young lamb's blood on the. The loss of a lot of blood may endanger the lamb's life but make sure you don't kill it. Light the three candles and burn the Oudh incense, its fragrance will help you tempt the Gardener Chthon and will listen to you. Lastly, place the sacrifice at the center of the Pentagram and chant this incantation:

Nolan positioned himself above his butler's lying form, sitting cross-legged at the head. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, steadying his pulse. After a minute of stillness, he opened his eyes and began to chant, each word slow and deliberate.

However, instead of following what was in the old book that he was reading, he chanted a prayer different from the instruction.

"Evil God of the Universe, You are in every space and time. Present in every dimension of reality and govern the darkness of our world.

Almighty Atticus, hear my plea and grant me one Chthonic spirit to befriend. I offer you this sacrifice in exchange."

Suddenly, he felt his head spinning. His whole body shrank in a second, and as he opened his eyes to check any changes in the ritual, he saw how everything was towering above him.

"Meow…?"

A chuckle was heard from his butler. He looked at him and watched Atticus push himself up from the ground. The messy blood pentagon on the ground stained his suit.

Atticus stood and turned to look down at him, a sly smile gracing his face.

"It sounds like the great Atticus deemed your prayer not sincere enough."

Nolan was filled with confusion, "Meow…?"

The unfamiliar sound made him freeze. No—surely not. But as he opened his mouth to protest, only another pathetic 'meow' escaped. Panic surged through him.

His tail—he had a tail?! His tiny paws scratched at the dirt in frantic confusion, but there was no denying it. He had been turned into a damn cat.

Atticus once again chuckled as he watched a black cat confusingly examining itself, "We should head home now, Young Master."

Apprehension began to manifest within Nolan's heart. And when his butler bent down to pick him up, he flinched and hissed.

"It's alright, Young Master. It'll be okay, I'll help you figure things out later and find a way to turn you back into a human."

Nolan, mysteriously transformed into a cat, stared up at Atticus with wide, dilated eyes, his body tense with apprehension. He stepped back slightly, his fur bristling and his back arching as he watched his butler kneel before him, genuflecting in silence and a small smile on his lips.

Atticus, who seemed calm and reserved despite what happened to him, made him scared even more about what was happening.

"Meowrr…" 

"It's alright, Young Master. You are safe." Atticus said with a warm smile.

Nolan stared at him. Atticus's warm and gentle smile somehow soothed him. His dilated pupils turned to normal, as his green eyes blinked at his butler.

"That's right, Young Master. It's okay. Now, come here and let me carry you back home."

Atticus extended his hand toward him, patiently waiting for his Master to step into his palm.

The black cat slowly approached him, its front paw reaching out to touch his glove before it looked up at Atticus. The butler's smile remained unwavering as he encouraged the cat, patiently waiting for it to step closer.

Suddenly, a rustle in the bushes startled the cat. It leaped toward Atticus, trembling in fear.

"There, there, Young Master. It's okay, no one will hurt you." Atticus said as he petted the cat and stood up, "I'm here to protect you,"

Without a glance back or any concern for the mess his Master had made, Atticus turned and began walking back home, cradling the cat securely against his body. His back was stained with blood, and dried leaves clung to his suit.

*

The next day.

A young man sat on the bench. He seemed to be restless and was fidgeting and nervously playing on his fingers.

The day was beautiful, the sun casting a warm glow over the front garden of the Loic residence. Yet, despite the tranquility of the scene, it did little to soothe his anxiety.

"Elwin,"

The young man flinched in surprise. He knew the owner of the voice, it belonged to someone he was scared of. He immediately stood up and faced the person who called out to him.

"A-Atticus sir, good morning. Where is Nolan?" he asked, his eyes couldn't look straight at the butler. Instead, he looked at the black cat that Atticus was holding and petting.

"Forgive me, the Young Master is not available to speak with you today…"

Suddenly, the black cat leaped from Atticus's arms and dashed toward Elwin. Startled, Elwin caught the cat as it climbed into his arms, a smile spreading across his face as he gently stroked its fur.

"Is this Nolan's new pet?" he asked, glancing toward the butler.

Elwin's smile faltered as his fingers stilled against the cat's soft fur. Something in the air shifted—cold and sharp. Slowly, he lifted his gaze to Atticus. The butler's eyes, normally unreadable, burned with something icy and unreadable. A warning? Possessiveness? Whatever it was, Elwin suddenly felt as if he had overstepped something he shouldn't have.