Rain began to fall as the pact sealed itself.
The ink on the scroll burned into flames, then vanished into sparks, dancing around Ethan and the demon. A crimson sigil lit up beneath their feet—a mark ancient and binding.
"You are now bound to me, mortal," the demon murmured, stepping forward, his eyes glowing brighter. "Your soul touches mine. Should you fall, I fall. Should I break the pact... I'll be dragged back into that forsaken seal."
Ethan didn't flinch. "I'm aware."
"Then let me give you my name," the demon said with a grin. "Lior. That is what I was once called, before your ancestors stripped me of it."
Ethan nodded slowly. "Then from now on, Lior, you fight with me."
Suddenly, Lior's form shifted—tatters of shadow pulled into a solid shape, forming a black cloak embroidered with glowing red runes. The aura around him became colder, more focused, no longer like a wild beast.
"Tell me, Ethan Vi. Who exactly are we hunting?"
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "A man named Damien Voss. The one who corrupted the Vi bloodline and offered my ancestors to the abyss. The one who still walks in a human shell, pretending to be a savior."
Lior chuckled darkly. "Ah, so it's vengeance dressed as righteousness. I approve."
"But there's more," Ethan continued. He pulled out a torn piece of old parchment. It depicted a ritual—a circle with seven markings, and in the center, a tree with black roots spreading underground.
"This was found in my family's hidden vault," he said. "It's the sigil of the Hollow Root. It's not just about blood. He's trying to bring something back."
Lior looked at the symbol and hissed. "You fool. That is not something to be brought back. That tree… it feeds on forgotten souls. On memories. On time."
"And he wants to use me to do it."
For a moment, the air stood still.
"You're more than just a cursed heir, aren't you?" Lior muttered. "You've got a piece of that tree inside you."
Ethan looked down at his hand—dark veins snaked across his wrist, glowing faintly.
"I've been dying slowly since I was twelve. But now, with your power, I can fight back."
Lior gave him a sharp, almost cruel smile. "Then let's start by testing how strong you really are."
With a wave of his hand, shadows gathered behind Lior—twisting into monstrous forms.
"Face them, Ethan Vi. If you can't survive this, you don't deserve my power."
Ethan stood tall. "Bring it on."
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End of Ep 3