Of Everlasting End

11 | consequence; a contract signed

"Welcome, sweet, wonderful Characters."

A steady and alluring voice smoothly greeted them as they stepped through the open space at the end of the alley, shrouded in pitch black to hide the treasures inside. Lucas thought that a hint of amusement carefully laced the tone, though he couldn't be certain.

Alarm bells rung in his head, but he proceeded to walk in, taking a step slightly in front of the boy. The child would be in the most danger—Nora had the ability to handle herself.

The simple reference to 'characters' meant that this thing before them was part of the apocalypse.

"I'm surprised that you've arrived here so early, like dam—it's an incredible feat. Do you seek equipment to save your pitiful souls, or knowledge to answer your probing questions? I can grant either, with a price."

Lights burst into the room, flickering as it chased away the night. The three humans flinched, narrowing their eyes at the sudden onslaught.

Did he just hear a muffled laugh at their reactions?

On the oaken table before them, a woman sat with her legs crossed on the desk, leaning her chin on one hand as she observed them. The ends of her black hair were streaked with blue and purple, hanging in loose clusters over her shoulder while a mixture of red and lavender painted her eyes.

A slim white corset with lace bound her waist, wrapped up in a playful tailcoat cut from the darkest shade of night. A magician, thought Lucas vaguely, as he examined her appearance.

She lifted her chin haughtily, keeping a faint smile on her face. Lucas had a feeling that the edges twitched, struggling not to break out into a full grin. 

He couldn't help but feel like the elegance was all a facade.

"Well?"

Lucas glanced around at the room—it was completely empty, a vast white space that held only a single desk, and she.

"What are you selling?"

"Whatever you want." She spread out her hands, a jingle of bells spilling into the air as she laughed lightly.

Illusions of gold, of weapons and of fruits, all sorts of items and things flickered to life around them before disappearing. Music played on full blast as she hopped off the table.

She stopped a few meters away from the waiting man.

"Do you have the payment for the thing you desire?"

Instead of answering, he pulled out the beluga from the bag Nora carried, waving it in the air. "Will this do?"

"Hmm... depends. What do you want?"

"Contract Paper."

She waved her slim fingers, a pure, snowy page materializing. At first glance, there was nothing particularly special about it, but the more one stared, the stranger they would feel.

Dizzy and confused, a longing for the bland item that may be garbage in their hands. The items in the apocalypse attracted humans with their power and beauty, and ultimately corrupted them.

"I wonder... how do you know about this? Hasn't the End's Delusion only just begun?" The woman tilted her head, eyes creeping from each person to the other. "I figure an answer to that question might hold more worth than this little stuffed toy of yours."

The false and strained elegance she acted with in the beginning melted away instantaneously, her words sarcastic and probing.

"The End's Delusion?"