Chapter 3: Questions and Conditions
Eshan:"Ihahahahaha! Perfect, perfect, Rayan. You are perfect!"
Despite the strange event unfolding before him, Rayan remained surprisingly calm. His eyes sharpened.
Rayan:"Who are you?"
Suddenly, hands emerged from Eshan's mouth, and from within, a strange being crawled out. The air around them grew heavy.
Rayan:"So this is your true form."
???:"You are not capable of seeing my truth."
Rayan remained silent, watching intently.
???:"Huh. You're no fun, Ren. I thought you'd be more desperate after witnessing your 'rage' for humanity."
Rayan:"What do you want?"
The being finally introduced itself, stepping into the dim light.
???:"I am Luxionisn — the Devil of Illusion."
Rayan: *"So, Luxionisn... why am I here?"
Luxionisn ignored the question.
Luxionisn:"Looks like they want to meet you too."
With that, the illusion crumbled, and the scene around them dissolved into pitch black.
Luxionisn:"Ren, follow me. Keep your eyes closed."
Rayan obeyed, confusion etched into his face.
Rayan: *"Is this still not your true form?"
Luxionisn:"I told you. You are not capable of perceiving my true form. But they might grant you that gift."
Rayan:"Who are they? You've been referring to them since earlier."
A giggle echoed in the darkness.
Rayan:"Who's laughing?"
Luxionisn:"You can hear them already? Excellent."
Rayan felt unsettled but remained silent.
Luxionisn:"Everything is set."
When Rayan opened his eyes, he was in a grand chamber. Seven devils stood before eight empty thrones.
Rayan:"Are you all... devils?"
Luxionisn (mocking): "My Ren is all grown up now. Why don't you all introduce yourselves?"
The devils stepped forward one by one:
Pactarion:"I am the Devil of Contracts."
Threxiel:"I am the Devil of Emotions."
Saelith:"I am the Devil of Seduction."
Vexirion:"I am the Devil of Chains."
Azhmyrion:"I am the Devil of Fusion."
Velzareth:"I am the Devil of Extraction."
Luxionisn:"And of course, I am the Devil of Illusion."
Rayan:"Why am I here? I died... didn't I?"
Pactarion:"You may ask one question per person. In return, we may ask one of you — or present a condition."
Azhmyrion:"But first, sit on the empty throne. Eat the food that lies before you."
Rayan sat. The moment he ate, vines burst from within his body. He choked, agony writhed through him—but strangely, he felt like he was healing.
{Chogh chogh}
Luxionisn:"Hahahahaha! I knew it! He's perfect for us."
Rayan, now transformed, was no longer fully human — part demon, part man.
Luxionisn:"Now you can perceive our true forms."
The devils unveiled their grotesque visages: bloodshot eyes, black wings, and nightmarish appearances.
Pactarion:"Let us sign the contract. If any party lies or breaks the pact, their power or soul will be divided among the rest."
The ritual began.
Pactarion:"First question: What did you feel after eating the food?"
Rayan:"I felt like I was healing."
Rayan:"My question: Why am I here?"
Pactarion:"Because you were with the Fragment."
Threxiel:"When did you lose your emotions?"
Rayan:"I started losing them after my father and sister died. But I lost them completely when Eshan died in front of me."
Rayan:"What was in the food? And who is the Fragment?"
Threxiel:"Only one question allowed. The food? It was made of the blood, flesh, and crushed bones of the previous Supreme Devil."
Azhmyrion casually asked:
Azhmyrion:"If reborn, what would you do?"
Rayan:"Of course I wouldn't repeat my mistakes. I'd show humanity what true despair is."
Rayan:"Who is the Fragment?"
Azhmyrion:"Your friend Eshan is the Fragment."
Rayan smiled.
Rayan:"Where is he now?"
Luxionisn:"He's about to be reborn in the main world."
Luxionisn:"Now, my turn — why did you kill your friend in the illusion?"
Rayan:"Because the first thing Eshan would've said was 'Are you hurt?' Not 'Whose blood is this?'"
Saelith:"Why did you follow Luxionisn without resistance?"
Rayan:"I was placed in the illusion so effortlessly. Instinctively, I knew he could kill me with a finger."
Rayan:"Are you all on my side?"
Saelith: (grimly) "No. We are neither your allies nor your enemies."
Velzareth:"My turn. I have a condition..."
Rayan:"My question: Will I gain power from all of you?"
Velzareth:"Yes. But only in portion."
Luxionisn:"Velzareth, that's unfair."
Velzareth:"Since when did devils care about fairness?"
Vexirion:"My turn. I want you to be reborn in a place I choose. You won't remember this condition, only vague memories."
Rayan agreed.
Rayan:"My last request — I want to meet Eshan."
The devils discussed in eerie silence, then nodded.
Pactarion:"Close your eyes."
Rayan obeyed.
He opened them to see Eshan's soul ahead of him.
Rayan:"Esh! Eshhhhh!"
But Eshan didn't turn around. A moment later, Rayan was pulled back.
Rayan:"Why didn't he reply?"
Pactarion:"To you, it seemed he was close. But the moment your voice reached him, you were brought back."
And so, Rayan received their powers — the devil pact complete — and the new beginning set in motion.