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Chapter 19 - The Pact With Lord Dan

It was dark and cold; the air smelled of steel and damp earth. Dave tried his best to move, but he couldn't, the ropes cut deep. Whoever tied him down had shown no mercy.

He shifted left to right, hoping somehow the ropes would loosen, but the struggle was useless.

He managed to nudge the cloth tied around his mouth and swallowed a lungful of air, only to gag the moment he realized the stench of rust and decay lingering in the air.

He coughed out loud.

He looked down, but it was pitch black, nothing came into view. Then he remembered the creature he thought he had been talking to.

"Hey, alien dude… oh great. You don't even have a name."

Or was I just dreaming? It still feels so clear in my mind, but…

"I would suggest you give me a name."

A familiar voice spoke from within him, clear enough that only he could hear. Dave's heart lifted, it was really him.

"You are here. I had thought I was only dreaming at that time. A name, you say, huh… Well, I used to read a novel about a princess who had a dog who could talk.

The dog was once a legendary warrior who died and reincarnated as a dog. His name was Lord Dan. Your name would be Lord Dan."

"Lord Dan," the voice repeated, almost amused. "It fits well. Hoping to learn many more things about you, but now you have to free yourself."

"I am trying, but I can feel my energy draining with every moment."

A sudden light appeared just above them. Dave looked at the source and saw it took the form of a crystal. Other crystals glowed dimmer around it, the central one brighter.

"What the hell?"

One by one, the crystals on the ceiling began to shine. The dim ones flickered first, then the brightest crystal at the center lit up, filling the dark room with a pale glow.

"What is this place?"

Dave moved his head, still looking around, until he heard footsteps coming from his left side, where he lay.

He quickly shut his eyes and pretended to still be unconscious, though he feared they would notice the loose cloth around his mouth.

His heart pounded faster and faster, and even though his body trembled inside, he tried his best to stay composed.

The round but strange-looking door at the entrance opened, and people stepped into the room. They all wore thick black leather clothing with heavy boots.

On their chests was the crest of the Peacemakers, and around their waists hung belts with different devices. Most of them were men, though there were a few women, all appearing to be in their late twenties, thirties, or forties.

The last to enter were Derek and his gang, still in their usual clothes. Derek couldn't hide his joy, his plan to become one of the Peacemakers was finally coming true.

He and his gang stood shoulder to shoulder with the others, all staring at Dave, tied to the stool in the center of the room. A crooked grin spread across Derek's face as he looked at Dave lying there.

Dave's heart raced, sweat covering his whole body. His muscles felt weak, and soon he couldn't even feel his body anymore. His mind ran wild, imagining every possible way they might kill him.

There was no escape. If only he could somehow make it out alive.

'Mom, I'm sorry,' he thought. 'I couldn't protect you. And now I'm about to die. I didn't even get to see you one last time. Hina is probably out there looking for me right now.'

One of the Peacemakers noticed Dave's slight movement. Uneasy, she pulled out a syringe filled with a yellow liquid and stuck it into his neck, pushing the fluid inside.

Dave barely felt it. His mind was too wrapped up in the thought of survival, clinging to whatever time he had left. Still lost in his thoughts, he felt himself slipping into unconsciousness.

'I can't feel anything… Lord Dan, can you hear me? Probably not… I'm getting weaker. My legs… I can't feel my legs… Wait… no… I'm losing it… why can't I feel anything?'

His senses started to blur, and soon he lost consciousness. Nearby, a Peacemaker grabbed Derek's shoulder. Derek was tall, but the person he looked at was even taller.

"You caught a good one, boy," the taller Peacemaker said. "He's different from the others we've taken. We'll extract as much energy as we can from him, then send him to Russia for proper extraction. For now, the other kids need to be initiated."

"You'll remove what is weak," another added from across the room. "You'll be tested."

They all pulled off their black gloves on their right hands and held them to their chests, showing their half pinky fingers, some didn't have them at all.

Derek's eyes widened in shock, and he swallowed hard, his mouth dry. His right hand itched as if his fingers weren't really there. That alone scared him, but the real terror came when he noticed how their pinky had been cut.

He didn't know what would happen next, until a hidden door across the room began to lift.

'No wonder nobody stood at that side of the room,' he thought.

From the feet up, he saw the beast's tough, armored skin and sharp claws, then its long, menacing face. It stood about six feet tall, and those claws looked capable of serious damage.

Thick chains anchored it to the wall, but it thrashed violently from side to side, trying to break free, though it was no use.

'What the hell, that thing is going to rip my entire arm off!' Derek thought. The others stepped back, too scared to move forward.

It was the most terrifying creature they'd ever seen, but turning back wasn't an option. Derek, unlucky to be at the front, had no choice but to go first.

He stepped forward toward the beast. A woman pointed to the spot where he should stand.

"Here. This is as close as the dog can reach. Stretch your hand from here, but don't fall or it'll be your head. Many have died here."

"Enough, Shella. Let him do it."

The tall figure in the room interrupted, raising a hand to signal her to leave. With a sly smile, she stepped aside.

Derek stood in front of the creature at the exact distance. If he did it right, only his pinky would be lost.

'It will hurt, but not too much right… just my pinky. That's all.'

His body trembled as he stretched out his right hand, folding the other fingers and extending only his pinky. The creature lunged, jaws wide, snapping toward his finger.

Derek quickly pulled back, and the chains stretched to their limit, dragging the beast back into the cave. At the far end, a faint crack in the chain went unnoticed by everyone.

"Take your hand back one more time, and you'll become that thing's meal."

Derek's heart pounded so hard he could feel it in his mouth. He knew he had to do it. He stretched his hand again, but this time fear had taken over, and his whole body trembled.

The creature slipped back into the shadows, barely visible. It wanted that pinky so badly it seemed like it would have eaten him if it could.

Suddenly, it lunged again but this time, it aimed for his head, not his finger.

The creature was closer than it should have been, something felt wrong.

His pinky was supposed to be the limit.

Its teeth snapped just inches from his head. Derek didn't know when he ducked, and the creature flew past him, landing near the entrance. The door was locked, and no one had any weapons.

In an instant, it moved with lightning speed, slashing through everyone. Its claws were sharp enough to tear people apart, leaving blood and bodies scattered everywhere. Derek sank to the floor, frozen, unable to move.

In the Veil Plain:

"Am I dead now?" Dave asked while he found himself in the white expanse again, sitting down while Lord Dan stood close to him.

"You wear the face of defeat. Where's your strength?"

"I can't move, Dan. I can't feel my body anymore. I'm sure I'm already dead by now. There's nothing to do right now. You said my powers awakened, and I don't even know how to use them."

Tears rolled down his cheeks as he spoke, holding both knees to his face.

"There is a way, but I do not know the effect aftermath."

Dave's sadness shifted instantly to curiosity. Despite his doubt, he was ready to try, looking up at Lord Dan with determination in his eyes.

"You have another consciousness within you. I don't know much about it, but I can tell you this, it's the source of your powers.

I can channel my cosmic energy toward it, and it will take over your body. You'll enter a state of heightened instinct, you'll know what to do, but you won't be in full control.

It will forcefully use up to fifty percent of your unassessed powers. It's dangerous, Dave. If your body isn't strong enough, it could kill you."

Dave, hearing this, sank into deep thought, holding his index finger to his lips, brows furrowed.

He had no other choice, if he had to die, it wouldn't be at the hands of the Peacemakers.

He lifted his head and stood, looking directly at Lord Dan. His face was resolute and unwavering; Lord Dan could feel determination in his eyes.

"Do it. Whatever it takes."

"Very well."

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