“So, you’ve died. A penny for your thoughts?” said the Spirit.
“Revenge.” The noble girl, who sat with poised elegance, replied.
A Spirit and a soul sat across from each other, occupying a seat to a table filled with tea and cookies. This was unusual in the place where they were. It was a place where souls come and go, waiting for their judgment to be placed upon them. The soul that quietly sipped a cup of tea, mostly out of habit and not hunger, was like the others that were waiting.
The only reason why she was sitting here was because of this Spirit that had pulled her to the side.
Originally, he observed this frail-looking girl with reserved interest. However, at her words, or rather just word, the large canines in his teeth were illuminated by the roaring laughter he emitted. His silver hair, which erratically stood up, shook all over the place as his body rumbled.
“Little girl, that’s quite a heavy thought.” His eyes gleamed as he continued to lounge at the table that was demanded by that very little girl he talked down to.
Disdain filled her expression as she offhandedly answered, “Isn’t it natural to want to take down the very enemy that put you in purgatory?”
“Hm? No, it isn’t usually requested. The souls that come here just want to cross or be reincarnated, away from the life they previously had.” The Spirit grabbed at the plate of cookies in between them and nibble away at the treat in his hand.
Normally, he wouldn’t bother sitting down and chatting with souls that come into their domain. He, as well as other Spirits, were reserved for souls with strong wills. Every high-ranking Spirit wants to land their hands on the very few that appear.
Today this Spirit wasn’t even supposed to be on duty. The reason he ultimately came was because of his gut feeling that something eventful was going to happen.
Lo and behold, this little girl appeared. She carried with her one of the strongest wills that he’s ever come across. Who knew that it was a deep feeling of revenge that caused her to exude such an aura?
He watched her eyes flash at his words, her defense skyrocketing.
“Then I guess that some people have better goals to achieve in their moment of limbo,” she snorted.
He gave another laugh. “It’s a very dark and riveting goal that you want to succeed.”
“Mm.” She lowered her gaze to her cup of tea and went quiet.
The Spirit had a teasing look on his face and seeing her appearance, he wanted to appease her a little.
“That goal, I’m not saying I’m against it,” he said lightly, “I don’t mind seeing a little karma every now and then. If you want to go back to your previous life, I can help you with that.”
She acted as if he hadn’t spoken. Upon closer look, he noticed the stiffness of her body betrayed her eagerness.
“Of course, this means we’ll have to sign a contract,” he continued.
A tight frown spread across her lips, glowering at the Spirit as if telling him not to push his luck. Hands up in a comical manner, the Spirit smiled.
“Purgatory has two roads: reincarnation and eternal rest. If you want to make your own path, you’ll need the help of a high-ranking Spirit, which is yours truly,” he explained, gesturing to himself, “The Spirit, of course, needs a way of having some type of insurance with the soul. Legal things are very popular here in purgatory, so naturally, a contract must be drawn.”
The noble rolled her eyes openly before she snapped, “If I were to make a contract with you, what will I take and what must I give?”
“Simple, darling,” said the Spirit, “you get the discount of three—yes, not just one, not just two—but three wishes! Those wishes can be anything you want — if they abide by the laws of nature in your previous life, that is. Isn’t this already a very good deal?”
She was unnerved by the pet name of ‘darling.' She looked past that to register his words, pondering over them quietly.
She didn't know much about these so-called 'contracts,' but so far the offer that the Spirit gave her seemed to be decent.
However, she didn’t forget to ask, “And? What will you receive?”
The Spirit had a haughty look on his face as he waved a finger at her chest. “Naturally, what more could a Spirit want? Your strong-willed soul is what I’ll receive in return.”
“What could a spirit want with my soul?” She was unsure, wondering if she was getting the short end of the deal.
“Souls for us Spirits can go a very long way. We can use them as bargaining chips for other things we desire,” he answered good-naturedly, “or we could consume the soul ourselves.”
“Consuming… I don’t want to know,” she said with a disgusted face.
“If my contract partner has no desire, then naturally I will have none either.” The way ‘contract partner’ slipped out of this Spirit’s mouth made the noble think it was a little too smooth.
“Can I trust that you’ll help me, then?”
“Darling, how could I propose a contract and then not help you! I’m a Spirit, not a demon you know!” Clutching at his chest, he appeared wounded by her words.
“Spirit or demon, I have never met either one until now, so I have no reason to trust that your words are honest,” she said dismissively.
The Spirit looked aggrieved. “Really, darling you have hurt my heart so much.”
“Since when have you started to think that I am okay with ‘darling’?”
“This Spirit doesn’t know darling’s name, so what else am I supposed to address you by?” whistled the Spirit, acting ignorant while his face still looked aggrieved.
Her lips twitched at his shamelessness and she sighed.
“Maerie von Doll, daughter of Demir von Doll,” she spoke and then eyed the Spirit.
He looked innocently back at her.
“What?”
“Name,” she said.
The Spirit seemed shocked. “Must this lowly one give Miss Maerie their name?”
She wasn’t fazed by his unwillingness.
“Shut up and give me your name,” she answered coolly.
Her eyes narrowed at his face that appeared to have been bullied.
“Fine. Since Miss Maerie herself had asked, this Spirit will tell you his name,” he pouted, but it quickly turned into a ferocious grin.
“This Spirit’s name is Raijin.”
Almost immediately, Maerie’s throat tightened and she fell out of the chair. The sudden force made her feel like her windpipe was being crushed, cutting off the air from her lungs. This feeling was strange since souls in purgatory have no need for necessities such as food, drinks, or air.
Maerie could only struggle to glance up at Raijin, who looked eager as he watched her struggle. Her eyes glowered at him, but he only seemed interested at the hands that clutched her neck.
Slowly, the pain lessened and after a few seconds, it stopped entirely.
Raijin clapped his hands triumphantly before exclaiming, “Congrats, Miss Maerie. We have officially signed the contract.”
This comment made Maerie freeze, her brain barely being able to process what he said.
“Signed? I thought we were still discussing the contract?” sputtered Maerie.
“Oh? Didn’t Miss Maerie know? When a Spirit and a soul exchange names, it automatically creates a contract,” said Raijin brightly, and then held a smug grin, “Oh? Could it be that I didn’t tell Miss Maerie about this? This lowly Spirit only has himself to blame.”
He swiftly approached her and hauled her to her feet, prying her hands away from her neck. “Quickly, let me see if it was a success.”
Stunned, Maerie gave a half-hearted laugh. “There could’ve been a chance of failure?”
As she said this, Raijin closely examined her neck and his grin widened at the solid lightning marks that wrapped around her like thorny vines.
“Miss Maerie’s will was strong, so there was no failure,” he cooed. What he didn’t do is confirm whether there would’ve been a chance of failure.
“You…” said Maerie through gritted teeth.
The Spirit diverted the conversation at a fast pace. “Never mind, tell me what your wishes are first, Miss Maerie. That way, we can send you back faster and you can have your vengeance as well.”
Maerie took a glance at Raijin’s eyes that held a crooked light. He appeared, at this moment, to be earnest and honest. Despite this, Maerie truly wondered if she had been swindled by this Spirit.
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