3The pact, the past and the guardian

John was so surprised he couldn’t believe his ears, he had never thought he would hear other beings except the celestials to speak the celestial language, he had never seen something like that in his life and he came into existence the moment the continent was born even if he didn’t look older than 20 his age could be calculated with thousands of years, maybe even millions, he didn’t remember or care at this point.

This however was normal, after all even if they called it a language it was something only celestial beings could use, although it mind sound like empty sounds to those who don’t know it, it was cause their brains couldn’t comprehend it.

It wasn’t like the language of the humans where people from one country knew one language and other spoke other where the only difference was the words, it was more like how an ant cant speak the human language, the way celestial spoke wasn’t connected with the body it was with the spirit, the sound wasn’t important it was the meaning behind the sounds that mattered, it was closer to telepathy than speaking, that way even the smallest of sounds could represent a whole sentence, but somehow the boy in front of him not only understood the language but managed to speak it as well.

Just by the fact that the boy was completely unfaced by the sounds he was making it meant that either Night was used to speaking like that, which was impossible cause all the gods on earth who could speak the language were not only sealed but also monitored by him, or the boy didn’t even know that he was speaking it, but even John wasn’t omniscient so he decided he would find the old fashion way.

John face betrayed him and showed his confusion.

John[boy, how can you speak the celestial language].

Night who was in a hurry to save his brother didn’t understand what the beings in front of him were talking about so he decided to ask one more time and just go back, he had already asked them three times and they had ignored 2 of them and then asked a question about something he doesn’t understand, it was at times like these when he missed Day the most, Day was smart he probably would have known what they asked but this thought only reminded him that if he waste too much time here there might be no Day left soon, so he asked again hoping they would give him what he wanted fast but if they didn’t he would just leave.

Night [I don’t know what crap you are asking me, I don’t know anything about any celestial language, but you are demons right, I want to make a dea.. ]

Inferno who was enraged at this point interrupted him.

Inferno [BOY HOW DARE YOU. NOT ONLY ARE YOU SPEAKING SO RUDELY TO US, BUT EVEN CALL US DEMONS, I AM GONNA MAKE A CHARKOAL OUT OF YOU]

Inferno, who had been stunned from surprise for a minute came around only to hear a disrespectful human, who not only spoke rudely to them but called them demons as well.

He couldn’t keep his mouth shut, he knew that John wouldn’t kill if not attacked but calling a God like them demon was like cussing, spitting and slapping them all at the same time and he just couldn’t let that go.

Inferno [YOU DARE TO CALL US DEMONS BUT ARE YOU NOT AFRAID OF US, I HAVE THE POWER TO BURN YOUR SOUL, OR DO YOU JUST CANT FEEL THE DIFFRENCE IN OUR STREINGHT]

The face which had calmed down with the appearance of John contorted, the giant flame in front of which Night was the size of an ant, focused its bloodthirsty eyes on him.

Inferno enraged expression quickly made Night remember who he was talking to.

Night felt chills run down his whole body and trembled, he couldn’t say anything, he was so concerned for Day that he had forgotten about the pressure he had felt just a few moments ago …strangely however, now he didn’t feel it at all.

It was like there was invisible vail surrounding his body, protecting him not only from the pressure but from the heat as well, that was why he was able to come almost face to face with those beings in front of him, he didn’t know why but he thought he knew who had done it.

John who was still a bit confused interfered, he had put protection over the child the moment he had come closer to his conversation with Inferno, since he didn’t want the child to burn to dead for no reason, but he never thought that the boy would not only face them but would speak the celestial language as well.

John raised his hand slightly signaling inferno.

John [Inferno enough].

John then looked Night in the eyes [lets first make something clear as I don’t want it to lead to misunderstanding, we are not demons, in fact we are the beings furthest from it. Second we were confused about something but I don’t think that you know the answer either, based on your previous comment, and third we don’t make deals, but I will hear you out if you let me pat you head]

Funny enough Inferno and Night both made the same facial expression, their jaws dropped a little like they were hit from behind.

Inferno and Night couldn’t believe that someone which even the gods fear would not only listen to the request of a child, but in return would only want to pat his head, saying that it made sense was a bit of a stretch, but that was what really happened.

Inferno wondered if his old friend had developed some strange tastes after they were sealed, but quickly removed that thought, gods didn’t have any “tastes” in the first place they were spirits, their physical bodies were a little more than decoration, but most importantly if what he just thought escaped his lips… John might turn him into a fireball.

Night didn’t think much about it and agreed, he didn’t want to waste time after all, but as the guardian got close enough to put hand on his head and Night could for the first time clearly see his face, he thought that John looked.. strangely normal.

Until now he was amazed by all the things done by the being, by this person, but now that he was seeing him up close and was getting his head patted… John didn’t look like much, he knew that the being was stronger than the fire monster and had some strange power, even if he couldn’t see it or feel he could still tell but now as he could see John facial features which were dark hair down to his ears, brown eyes and a face which probably was on the more positive part of the spectrum but not much above average, hell Night knew he himself wasn’t the best looking guy but he was probably more handsome than the guy in front of him, he could tell, John looked normal.

This made him strangely calm, in his opinion John looked very human and he wasn’t talking just about Johns body.

If inferno heard that he would probably spit his none-existing drink in the air and tell Night that if John looked human to him he needs to go check his eyes.

While John was patting Night not cause of some strange reason but because he wanted to find more about him and John power could make it possible to “read ” someone only if he touches them, John thought that the boy was really thinking unnecessary things.

John started to dig dipper into the past and as he did he found more and more about Night, he came to the decision to help him, the boy and his brother had been abandoned since birth, since the age they could barely walk they were working in an orphanage, they were cleaning, begging and scamming as told but barely had anything to eat or even sleep in peace, the worst part for them however came when they turned 6, the orphanage had decided to let a noble who liked little kids not in the correct way “adopt” them for a bit of money.

Thanks to the brains of the other boy, Day, they had found from other people what would happen to them and had decided to escape. After that happened, they lived on the streets and met a guy who led a gang of children thiefs but even there they still weren’t met with luck, the leader was taking everything they stole and giving them barely enough food to do their job and not fall from hunger, they had to fear getting caught by the guards or getting beaten by him, after several times being injured to the point of almost dying for not bringing enough loot, Day had created a plan to kill the leader and take his place which had succeeded but not for long, it looks like the previous leader had paid a few cops to not disturb them but as he was dead they got busted.

They still managed to escape and used their stealing techniques to live a bit longer, John didn’t know about Day but Night had almost tried to commit suicide a few times but always had stopped himself after thinking that Day might actually do the same if left alone, but after they had thought that things might finally get better when they had heard about the Kings party and had managed to get inside they were caught, which lead them to the worst prison in their country, leading to the events taking place at the moment.

John was curious about something but as his main question was answered and Night didn’t know anything either he kept his other question to himself, but now he knew, the reason the boys could speak the celestial language even though they weren’t gods.

It was because… they weren’t humans either, but he knew they didn’t know that.

Since he pitied them he came up with an idea to help them, he saw the desperate face of the boy and shook his head, even if it looked like “reading” had taken a lot of time it didn’t, it was actually only a second.

John [First, Night calm yourself, your brother is safe, he is currently in your old cage and it doesn’t look like the Lord will hurt him either, the prison is still in confusion from the appearance of Inferno behind me, second as I already told you we don’t make deals, you might have misjudged that from the conversation with my friend, but that only works for our own species and its real name is “contract”, but with all that said I might have a way to help you.] after saying that John turned to look at Inferno.

John [Inferno as our agreement you cant kill all humans, but I have question for you, how long do you think you have been sealed]

Inferno decided that this night has surprised him more than enough at this point. He didn’t mention that the strongest God helping a human kid was something strange, even more the strongest God shouldn’t help anyone, regardless of species since as guardian he shouldn’t be biased towards single species or individual, he decided not to say anything.

Inferno[I don’t know, a hundred years, thousand tops]

After all even with the help of the guardian, the humans were still humans after all.

John shook his head in denial [wrong, you really underestimate them, its been ten thousand years, a lot of things have changed in the time you were sealed] Inferno didn’t care and just nodded,

John narrowed his eyes as he looked at Inferno [so I am sure you want to kill some specific people, but if you go like that the humans would most certainly go to war against you, preventing you from extracting a satisfactory revenge so why don’t you take those boys and let them be your guide, that way not only wont the humans go to war with you but you would be able to move freely without alarming everyone]

Inferno thoughts a few minutes about it and nodded, the words made sense.

He wasn’t a fool, he knew that the people who sealed them were long gone, after all the human life was on average a hundred years max, but their descendants were still here so he wanted to take his revenge on them but there was no point in random killing when there was a restriction on how many he could kill.

He would kill only those he wanted to kill but to find them wouldn’t be easy, so having someone helping him out would be for the best, but there was still something missing, the most important thing, there was no free lunch in this world after all,

Inferno faced Johns gaze, [so, what will they get in return]

John not minding the complicated feelings in Inferno eyes just smiled [nothing much really, till you exact your revenge you will be with them and protect them, Night over here and his brother Day and you don’t currently have one right, you will give them that as well]

Inferno moved his gaze towards Nights and once again took several minutes to think about it, before nodding.

Inferno [The price is not cheap but its not much either, I agree] the gods eyes squinted as he looked with displeasure towards Night [but I cant give it to the boy in front, Night was it, I am pretty sure we are not compatible enough]

Night who understood that his brother is safe, but couldn’t understand the current conversation at all finally spoke as well

Nights confusion was visible on his face [wait a minute, what are you talking about, I know I am not the brightest but still, you could be a bit more clear about the second part, and what exactly does it means, we would be his guide]

After finishing his talk with inferno John looked at Night, a beautiful smile blossomed on his lips, or at least it would have been beautiful if he wasn’t just above average in appearance, so an average smile appeared on his face as he answered.

John[well I suppose I need to be a bit more clear, you and your brother will be his guides since, lets just say the world he knows is different that the current one. You will explain everything you know about the current world and will go where he wants you to go. Only you and your brother can help him as you understand our language, there is another way as well but its more difficult and it works only on one person. As for the second part you don’t exactly know what a saint is, but know how glorious it is, Day is about to become one. Congratulations Night, this is not a deal but a pact, so do you agree]

Night didn’t hear anything negative so he just smiled and agreed, there were still a few things that needed to be made clear but that would be Day battlefield not his, for now he knew that at least the fire being would help them, and that was good enough for him.

As John looked at Night smiling face, he took the final step [Once again, I will ask you both, parties do you agree with the conditions of the pact]

Inferno face looked extremely stern as he answered.[Yes]

Night was confused why both gods looked so serious all of a sudden but still just answered.

Night [Yes]

John snapped his fingers and a light came out of Inferno and Night, the light then came into his palm, he then carefully closed his arm and the light disappeared

John smiled and nodded [The pact is now complete, Night you can go to your brother ]

For some reason Night felt relieved, he could guess that the presence protecting him from the beginning was probably thanks to this being, no to this man, and when he completed the pact he felt warm feeling, for the first time in his life he had a feeling of safety.

He didn’t know who the guy and fire in front of him were but his instinct for first time in his life didn’t warn him about malicious intent, as all of the emotions combined in him and he didn’t feel like there was a need to keep his guard up for once in his life, tears naturally started to fall from his eyes, he knew he needed to go to Day but he doubted that his brother would have been any different in his place.

This was the first time someone helped them with no evil intentions.

John was still smiling but as he watched the weeping child he couldn’t help but feel bitter, he decided to leave him a gift before he go, so he bent his knee so he could match the height of the child and hugged the crying 11 year-old in front of him, a flicker of light went from his hands into the body of Night.

As Inferno watched these events unfold he didn’t interfere, from the actions of the guardian he could guess what the boy has gone through so he waited for the tears to stop and then spoke.

Even though John was compassionate this was still too much.

The flames forming the body of inferno shook in annoyance.[ok, ok I get it, you stayed too much in the lower plane, I will protect them so don’t worry, now shouldn’t we already go I am pretty sure the guys at the prison are pissing their pants currently and are waiting for me to move].

John stood up nodded, he patted the head of the boy once more, this time just cause he wanted to do it and looked Inferno straight in the eyes, he spoke with a casual smile but inferno felt his none existing back tense, he knew that this seemingly ordinary smile, on the face of the usually unexpressive guardian made it clear that his words weren’t a joke.

John [ok, you can go, but keep in mind the pact, as my friend I expect you to fulfill you part perfectly]

As he finished his sentence even stronger chill ran down the none existing back of inferno.

Inferno knew…. He. Shouldn’t. Fuck. Up .

Inferno changed his appearance to that of a horse and looked at Night pointing with his head for the child to get on, they were going to the prison.

Night knew what was going to happen next but for some reason he really didn’t want John to go, he knew his name from listening to the conversation so far.

Night went and tried to hug the now standing John but couldn’t really reach him, John was taller than he appeared, so he hugged his abdomen and looked at his eyes.

Night[cant you… come with us],

He didn’t know why but he really liked John for some reason, he gave a sense of security and was one of the few people who were kind to him and his brother, he knew it was childish but he really didn’t want for him to leave.

John who saw the puppy like kid hugging him shook his head and stroked the child hair.

Nights question to stay made him feel a bit conflicted, which made it clear, Inferno was right, he had really stayed too much in the lower plane.

He lifted the boy and let him sit on the beautiful red horse.

The animals mane, eyes and hoofs were made out of fire which wasn’t too hot as to not hurt the rider.

John then sent them off, he promised the boy he would watch over them but he was sure that even if he didn’t Inferno would fully protect them.

After all even if he wasn’t the calmest of the four gods who had awoken tonight he was the best for this situation.

John waved at them until they were out of the forest and was about to go do his work but stopped for a moment, he had almost forgotten.

John once again snapped his fingers and miles away in the capital of the kingdom a certain child loving noble had suddenly died while turning in pain, his whole body looked like a washed sheet which was twisted and left to dry, his face filled with fear like he had seen an unimaginable horror right before his head. His blood flowed from his bed like an open dam, his bones looked like they were forcefully pulled out and his skin looked like it had been on a turkey, fried in the oven for a Christmas dinner, everyone who saw him would be able to tell with one look…he had experienced an extremely painful dead.

John made it so In his last will the noble left all of his belongings to the children he had taken from the orphanages, at least those who were still alive since some had ended their life after the things he had done to them.

John wasn’t sure if even that was enough but he didn’t know how to make it worse.

Johns anger wasn’t really satisfied with only that but after he remembered what would happen to this noble now he smiled, he raised his head to look at the sunrise which was taking place in front of his eyes and couldn’t believe how fast the night had past, he took one last look towards the prison and disappeared into nothingness the same way he appeared…. John wanted to sleep a bit more but he really had to get to work now.

END