A glowing blue flame burned on Lucen's right hand. This, of course, being one of the most bewildering things that has happened in Lucen's normal life, caused him to immensely freak out like he never has before even if the flame wasn't hurting him. Staring at his hand, Lucen's mind wandered as he reflected on what led up to this moment.
~15 Minutes Ago~
I begrudgingly walked down a quiet alley. My phone shut off, the battery completely dead. School ended a few hours ago and I missed the last train home so I was stuck walking home. My GPS signaled the fastest way was through this quiet corner of the city. Despite being quiet, there were stores and places that were open. Some were normal like Vintage CD shops and some were very... out there places that I would never step foot in.
Ughhh, this is the WORST possible place my phone could die in. I should've charged it before I left the house. At least I remember the directions through here. Laura's definitely gonna chew me out again if I'm home after 12...
"Come onnn, just let us take you home!"
I looked to the left and spotted three men surrounding a woman in professional looking attire. "Trust me, it gets real dangerous here at night. You don't wanna be all alone right? Don't worry, we'll get you out of here, nice and easy. Here, take my hand."
"Please leave me alone…"
"Don't be like that! I'm practically offering myself up to you on a silver platter, ya know? I don't hand these kinda offers out often, ya know? Especially for free!"
"Umm, excuse me." I approached the four, taking a better look at the woman the three men were surrounding.
"Eh?", a blonde, short-haired man in a brown and gold suit spoke up who I assume is the group leader.
"I don't think the very beautiful miss over there is very comfortable right now..."
"And just who the hell are you?!"
"Ah, the main character always introduces himself at this point of the story, apologies. Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Lucen Rivers. Professional Ladies Man and the most handsome guy that you, yes you, will have the pleasure of talking to." I take a bow after my glorious introduction, knowing I made a wonderful impression.
"Who the hell introduces themselves like that…? Does this guy have a screw loose? Whatever. Doesn't matter. Scram boy. Shoo. We're busy as you can see."
'Hmmm. You guys haven't introduced yourselves so... how about I just name you guys to make things easier?"
"Wha-"
I point to the man in the black suit to the right of the group leader. "You. You will be Thug 3."
I point to the man in the grey suit to the left of the group leader. "And you, you will be Thug 2."
And finally, I point to the middle man in the brown and gold suit, the group leader. "And of course, our star of the show. You will be Thug 1."
The three stared in silence, dumbfounded, confused, and probably very annoyed with their now, new identities.
"Anyways, I have a problem with you three! You guys clearly don't know how to talk to women! In fact, it's like you're not even trying!"
I look over at Thug 3, "You… You don't look too bad actually. You get a pass."
I then turn to Thug 2, "You… Wait, how old are you…? You look old enough to be my dad… Should I tell your children that you're hitting on women their age, old man? You make me sick."
Finally, I look at Thug 1 in the middle, "And you… I'm sorry but did you dump a bucket of piss on your head? What compelled you to dye your hair when you barely have any?? I can't believe you can wake up and walk outside looking like this much less hit on women far out of your league. The only thing making you look the least bit decent is that suit."
Behind Thug 1, I catch a glimpse of the woman quietly laughing.
"You see, what's got me so worked up is how you guys have the nerve to approach this beautiful and wonderful looking woman and yet not be aware of how you present yourself! Then you back her into a corner and you're surprised when she's uncomfortable. It's like you guys took inspiration from the most generic goons in a trashy superhero flick. Shame on you. Shame on you."
A moment of silence passed before Thug 1 spoke up, the tone in his voice, cold as ice. "You got 3 seconds to get the hell outta my sight or I'm going to drop you."
"Hey hey. There's no need for violence. Besides, look behind you."
"The hell?!"
Looking behind them, the woman has completely disappeared and left.
"Well... Seems that's over and done with so I'll be going now. All in a day's work, am I right?"
"You're not going anywhere, you bastard!"
I take off running in the opposite direction but the three thugs follow suit.
~15 Minutes Later~
Thug 1 quickly got up on his feet. "There's no way… Demonic energy?! Was this bastard... All this time…?! But that fire… Why is it blue?!"
Thug 1 reached his hand out and in an instant, a knife –or seemingly a crystal in the form of a knife, materialized from out of the air. "Didn't think I'd have to use this tonight…"
But just as Thug 1 moved, the air around the entire area shifted, stopping him in his tracks immediately. In his mind, he knew what it was. The presence that caused him to stop. Yet still, he slowly turned his head around and then he saw something –or someone. If you were to see his face, you'd think his soul had left his body. It was the same girl that Lucen and the Thugs ran past earlier. White hair and all.
It's her! I... I didn't think she'd actually be here in this random alley! I-I gotta get out of here! Thug 1 dashed past the girl, followed by his entourage behind him. Lucen, hand still on fire, stared in awe as she got closer.
She's getting closer. I wasn't just seeing things. She's real. She's approaching me. What is the feeling in my chest?
Finally a few feet from Lucen, she stopped in front of him. She was shorter than him by a few inches but her gaze still sent a slight shiver down his spine.
"W-Welcome to Bad Burger! Home of the Bad Burger! Can I take your order?"
"Lucen, please listen to what I am about to say."
"How do you know my name…?"
"Please enter a Contract with me."
"Huh?" Confused, Lucen stared at her for a few seconds.
"A what…?"
"A Contract. You must enter a Contract with me. Immediately."
Lucen, again stared at her, perplexed. "Wait wait, let's slow down a bit. Who are you?"
The girl sighed. "I am Lialetta Azaroth. You may call me Lia for short. I am the current patriarch of the Azaroth Family and I am a devil."
Lucen, for the third time, stood there, staring at her in complete silence and bewilderment.
Oh my God… She's... She's... An absolute nutcase... Is this what they call 8th-grader syndrome? I thought these types of girls only existed in anime. To think I'd actually meet one… But like, I am so unbelievably into this. Wait– has all of the good deeds I've done FINALLY come back to me? I knew my hard work would pay off! Thank you, thank you. I will take this blessing with utmost humility!
"I see.. Well, nice to meet you, Lia. I am Lucen as you so strangely know already. So, what's this, uhm, "Contract" business?"
"Your hand, that flame is what is called demonic energy. Yours is an unstable mutation of what is normally a red flame and if it's not contained, it won't go away and it will... That's why you…"
Oh I get it! She's a stalker! This must be her weird way of confessing! Don't you worry, you needn't say another word, my dear delusional stalker! I'll accept all of your feelings! Even if you have issues at home! Lucen's excitement grew as he continued to completely tune out what Lia said and be oblivious to everything that was actually important.
"I accept! I will go out with you!"
"What?"
"Ahem –Sorry, I mean, I'll enter a "Contract" with you."
"Good, then let us begin immediately." Lia walked closer towards Lucen, stopping just a few inches from him. She then grabbed his burning hand and interlocked her fingers between his.
"What are you- Eh?" Below Lucen's feet, what seemed to be a glowing red circle with intricate glyphs appeared. The bright red illuminated the entire surrounding area.
Have I lost my mind…? What am I seeing right now…?
By the threads of fate and time aligned,
With these words of power, our two souls combined.
By name and will, this vow now decreed,
Thy soul to mine, and mine to thee.
Let the world witness, beyond our sight,
Thus nothing may sever what was bound this night.
"I, Lialetta Azaroth, hereby pronounce the formation of a Binding Contract between myself and Lucen Rivers."
Lucen was at a loss for words. He could do nothing but watch in silence as this event unfolded.
"This may sting a bit. Please brace yourself."
"Wait wha- URGNH!"
My head! What the hell… is this?! It feels like there's… mice scrambling around in my brain! I… can't take it! I–
Vision fading, the sight of Lia, her piercing gaze looking directly into his eyes as she held up his hand in front of them, was the last thing he saw. Lucen, finally passing out, dropped but Lia, still having a hold of his hand, kept him from hitting the ground and set him down gently. She then let out a long sigh.
"I'm sorry… I broke our promise but this was… necessary. I can only hope, wherever you are, you can forgive me for this. And to you Lucen… I hope you can forgive me for dragging you into this."
With those words, Lia grabbed Lucen and disappeared with him.