The first crime I ever performed was one of charity. The man was dieing. Please I beg of you save me!. Oh how he pleaded with me. Save me. Please I don’t want to die. Please I don’t want to die over and over. He staked me in the streets. He followed me over mountains bair foot never once did his voice stop and after we reached the other side. He had done it. He had gained my pity. Something he would come to regret dearly.

•••••••

The door creaked under its own weight. I reached forward and to my surprise saw that the door did not open in the traditional sense. No instead the hundred of cogs and gears started spinning each perfectly adjusted so that no error would occur. All pieces of the puzzle perfectly inline to bring forth a singler outcome. It was quite remarkable that it still works given its condition. The cogs turn and soon their form a gap in the door centre which allowed me to see through.

The inside was a room made entirely out of gears all of which were also turned but in the middle of this room there was a pedestal with a small black book. The book was simple in design. No marks or symbols to identify it. Only a thick black binding and cover. The book itself was small it look like it could fit into my hand easily. No title on the outside.

The gap in the door continued to widen and it was now at the point where I could step through. And so I did.

Once more that wave of temptation violated me. I could tell I needed that book. Upon close inspection of the book I found that there was a thin chain attached back it seemed that one was supposed to wear the book. I open the book and their are few words on the first page but none on the back of the cover.

I open the book and read the opening words on the page.

Within the pages of this grimoire lives the legacy of the victor.

Forever may the victors greatness be unmatched by any but those who the victor has allowed.

All who read these pages be warned. They may not be unread or unlearned.

Many throughs seeped into my head. It burned into my very soul. Then I turned the page and… it was blank. I turn the next page and it too was blank. So was the next and the next. I pinch the books back cover so that the pages would all fall downwards via gravity and too my surprise the pages fell and fell. For minutes on end. Until I stop. I still felt the temptation. I still wanted the book but once more I didn’t know why. In fact I’m actually a little. Yeah that’s hmm. But then the voice came to my rescue. It spoke like a whisper somewhat reminiscent of Icarus voice who often speaks with a gravelly voice when she gets angry. However when Icarus isn’t angry she speaks like she is without the ability to sin. I say reminiscent because the voice that’s currently speaking sound well simply put kind of shady and gravely like someone who you would meet in a back alley. Ok that bad I’m sure there are many good people in back alleyways and my sister said that it’s wrong to assume.

“ It’s a grimoire.” The voice

I’m sure those are helpful words but ultimately they don’t really mean much to me. But I don’t want to seem stupid and lose the book. The book it could still be use as a paper weight or if others feel this temptation I could brag to my sister about how great it is and how amazing the content is… holy shit I’m a genius. Ha that just goes to show you need to look on the brighter side of life. Oh I’ve been quiet for awhile.

“ Is that so” Erick

“ You? Do you know what a grimoire is right”

“ That is so”

“ Ah well then you know how to see the words inside the book right. Ahh what am I saying of course you do”

Hmmmm well I am not a little man. I can see when I’m beat but that doesn’t matter right now.

“ it’s ok I don’t need to see the words”

For the longest time there was no reply. And I once more I played with the book. To be honest it’s actually bloody fascinating how it has like unlimited blank pages. I could probably ask my sister how this works it’s not often I get to speak to her without some form of time limit. So having something to say lined up would be nice. Hmm yes thank you book. But the voice really didn’t like my idea.

“It’s blood” the voice

“ Is that so”

What is blood?. Honestly what the fuck am I supposed to do with this information. Hmm this think logically here.

“ You put your blood on the front page and say I welcome you. After which we shall… the grimoire shall bond with your soul and you and you alone shall be able to see the words inside this book all others will only see a few blank pages between two hard black covers with a strong and feminine binding that’s simplicity somehow only add to it’s amazing lure of it overwhelming beauty. In fact most will even be repulsed by the books presence and will not seek it only you shall know it‘s temptation and true might. You are truly blessed. In fact you yourself will find leaving the book alone to be a challenge but worry not for this phase shall pass.”

The voice said a lot of words just now and most aren’t ones I can overlook. It was the slip of we that probably left the biggest doubts in my mind. Trust me I know what is like to have a voice inside your head. Actually I’m getting kind of lonely without it so it actually a plus but… Icarus get really jealous and I don’t really want to become some supper hive mind like entity. Yet.

Also… well… that kinda… well…

I mean… well doesn’t that make my hole fool my sister plan totally pointless. Hmmm well I do want to know what inside but , is it worth it. Hmmm oh what the hell ok. I reached out over the book and with a single page turn I somehow returned to the books front. I’d say it’s like magic but it probably is magic. I reach behind my back and pull Icarus the second from my back I then draw the blade across my wrist only and pour my blood on the book with the intent to soak it. With is surprisingly to the voices dismay.

“ What the fuck! Why the fuck… I meant like a drop why did you go straight to bleeding yourself out.”

“ oh um Icarus takes a lot despite only needed a few drops she actually a gluten at times.” Erick

“ ok stop there's more than enough blood already ok just stop.”

“ for a magic book you don’t handle blood very well.” Erick

“ what I handle blood great but you shouldn’t just fucking cut yourself open because a nameless voice you just me less than ten minutes ago told you to. Also I’m not some fuck common magic book i’m a glorious grimoire ”

“ you also shouldn’t trust strangers when they tell you to cut yourself but you still told me to” Erick

“ I’m not the one at fault here. You are.”the grimoire

“ Wow someone's a lore loser huh but it’s ok I forgive you because I’m the bigger person here”

The voice didn’t reply it only grunted at me. And then I collapsed but maintain my conscience and mountains of knowledge poured into my head. And a whole new way to use the sword. The path of the victor.