A man stood before me, aged by the mortals standard living cycle. His soul shattered just as he entered this garden.
His rugged appearance, despite being a ghostly soul, was overbearing.
Blackened hair in a complete mess.
Dreaded brown eyes, dark bags below his eyes.
Sunken skin, starvation present.
Clothing ripped, burned, bloody.
"Please. I beg you, mother. Help me."
His voice strained almost in tears. Down on his knees, kneeling in a way ancient civilizations worshipped or bowed to those above them.
'Mother', his most beloved person. He clearly sees me as his mother right now.
"Help with what exactly?"
My voice carried authority. I was curious. After all, hardly anyone appears this way.
"My world.. it was destroyed by.. Im not entirely sure of what it is. But! It was definitely not a human or god!"
He barely managed to say. His body weak against my authority.
"What?"
I was stunned. I knew for a fact gods CANNOT, by any circumstances of they own delicate pride, interfere with the mortals.
But a being not of the world? That alone is a different story. The pantheons of deities would've gone and gathered to figure out a way to combat the threat.
"A colossal being. As black as a black hole, teared through our world like it was nothing! The heroes, the contractors of the gods, couldn't defeat it. The world ended just like that. It seemed to have devoured it!"
The man explained, his tone serious, quickly and straight to the point.
"How exactly did the gods become...sponsorships?"
I genuinely asked. Although omnipresent to things, there is thousands of trillions of worlds. Even then, it is hard to track what is happening.
"60 years before the calamity, a great disaster happened. Dungeons suddenly appeared in forms of glowing gateways, like pocket dimensions! People also began to awaken superpowers called skills, shortly thereafter, gods started to form sponsorships in the ways of live commentary."
He began to explain, sitting upright as he stared at him in a 'I'll start the lesson now!' manner.
"People began to be called 'Hunters' if sponsored by a collective of gods. Those who formed a 'contract' became known as 'contractors' gaining personal guidance by their deity."
He stated in a matter of factly tone.
"When one first awakens, depending on their skills, they are ranked between F to A. Once they gain a sponsorship, they can raise up a rank or two depending they awakened rank. Then after getting into a contract, you'd reach be S-SSS!"
His eyes sparkled.
"I... unfortunately wasn't an contractor. At 15, there was a nearby outbreak, my mother passed during that outbreak. Many of my peers awakened at that age as well since outbreaks happen at random, anyone near it either perishes or awakens."
He stated solemnly, fighting back tears, remencing about his mother.
"10 years later, people would be able to awaken after paying 10,000 at the association or guilds. Obviously I went, I got D... it wasn't by but... compared to others..."
His voice trailed off, I knew exactly what he meant.
"A-Anyways, um, I joined the dungeons association, an separate branch of the hunters association. They dealt with all the ranking assessments on newly formed dungeons. I managed to get a decent place, a vice manager of a D ranked team!"
He probably stated.
"I spent my years with doing this job, then came the calamity. By the guidance of the gods and their contractors, they began the greatest but the longest fight. It was... unfortunately..."
He mumbled the ended.
"The end of the world. The plan failed very miserable."
I stated, staring at my cup of tea.
The general gist, the gods sensed this beings arrival, established a system that would motivate mortals, be it good or bad, and began their preparations.
Dungeons would serve as training and grinding, outbreaks served as disaster response, the 'contractual' system was created to most definitely motive the mortals.
My claws tapped the table, lost in my thoughts.
"So, after the death of your world, you've managed to make way here instead of entering your rebirth cycle?"
I asked.
He sheepishly rubbed his neck.
"Yes.. and no. I think I was kicked out? I felt like i was drifting away."
"Kicked out...?"
I was rendered speechless at that.
He nodded.
"It's what I believe, not sure. After while I reached here. And saw you."
I deeply sighed. One thing after another. A calamity that wasn't on the world fate list. A strayed soul from the result of the strayed calamity.
Although im not busy, it is still confusing. The only way to know, is to enter the world.
~Nivoraith, search world #8B-009-789.~
Circular augmented screens before my version, drowning out my create view, floating constellation sigils.
[Searching...]
[Searching Complete.]
[World #8B-009-789, has be thoroughly devoured of any resources to maintain life.]
[Detected system creation 60 years prior. About 80 million mortals gained it.]
[Deities detected, they have created a guidance by using the system.]
[System: Contractual has been installed.]
*Hmm... it seems he was correct with the awakened, sponsorship, and contracts. Gods are able to interact using it. Able to watch, listen, donate points, sponsor, create livestreams by using little Kiki's, see locations, and so much more...*
I stared blankly. Although, there is alot of holes, in which some don't work for others.
"Alright. I'll shall help, as long as you form a contract with me. I'll be creating a better form of the system they were using."
I stated.
"Really?!"
He barely squeaked out.
"Once you form this contract, you will return back at 15, just days before the disaster. It's to help you, save your mother."
I just grinned.
"Huh...?"
He blinked, confused.
"I am not your mother, I take on an form of your most precious loved one. Im quite the balevolent one."
I stood up, hand touching the table. With a snap, Nivoraith appeared before him.
"Read carefully, then sign."
He positioned himself like a thinker, pros always outweigh the cons. This be much more then the regular ones.
"Erk.."
He mumbled to mostly himself. He finally spoke once placed his arms down. Studying the screens before him. His body stiffened.
"Wait. I have to choose what to call you?"
He asked, voice trembling.
Ah. Yes.
The contract requires proper acknowledgement before binding.
With a snap of my fingers, Nivoraith displayed a lost of titles, along with the domains I rule.
———————————
[Titles]
[REDACTED]
Duchess/Duke
His/Her Majesty
Parent (*Father/Mother*)
Unholy Holy Mother/Father
The Archivist of Knowledge
Author of Stories
One Who Enchants Life
The Paradox (*Mother Paradox*)
The Last Embrace
The Star-Eater in Bloom
Mistress of All Endings
One Who Watches You
[Domains]
Oblivion & Void
Stars & Worlds
Existence & Nonexistence
Everything & Nothing
Creation & Destruction
Order & Chaos
Cosmics & Celestials
[Minor Domains]
Beauty
Remembrance
Scents
Protection
Justice
Fertility
Growth
———————————
I saw his mouth quivering. Fear in his eyes as he reads.
"Just... what are you exactly?"
He asked, not many has ever done so.
"Higher then a primordial being."
I smiled as I watched his face go through a multitude of emotions.
Understandable. I took would be just like that if I were suddenly in a presence, such as myself.
He steeled himself, slapping his boned cheeks, leaving a red handprint.
His eyes glazed over each one, mumbling to himself.
"Ah."
He blinks.
"The Last Embrace... It seems befitting for this whole ordeal."
He stated.
He wasn't wrong, nor was he right.
The Last Embrace, I received that title as I watched a world crumble, not able to save it.
[Title selected: The Last Embrace]
[Acknowledgement Accepted]
[Sponsor Name Locked]
I felt the title seep into my body, I could tell my abilities made some alternation. Each title carried its own abilities, even if i had my own.
"A-Are you alright?"
He asked before he winced slightly. Unlike how the original system was created, a symbol of circle encapsulated by a flame.
A black sun, encapsulated by a white flame then appeared above him.
"It has began. Read the contract, sign, then you will return back."
I stated, bringing his thoughts back.
He nodded.
"Please guide me, Last Embrace."
I just smiled, Nivoraith displayed multiple circular screens before us, glyphs interact like constellations before actual letters formed.
———————————
[Contract of Embrace]
- Clause I – Restoration
The Contractor will return back at age fifteen (15), memories fully intact, and the fate of the world restored.
- Clause II – Blessing
The Contractor shall receive:
• The Embrace System
• An inherited skill: Remnant Sight
• Soul protection from prying eyes
• Immunity to other deities lower then [The Last Embrace]
• Guidance to fates threshold
- Clause III – Duty
The contractor is granted a 10 year safe line before the true Calamity arises due to uncertainties. The contractors mission is to alter fate and preserve humanity. The number of lives the contractor saves determines the final outcome. At least one man and one woman must remain alive to continue the human race. If only they survive, they will be known as the New Adam and Eve.
• Estimated Survivors for a True Ending: [5,000,000+]
• Estimated Survivors for a Stable Ending: [10,000–500,000]
• Estimated Survivors for an Adam & Eve Ending: [2–100]
• Estimated Survivors for a Failed Ending: [0–1]
- Clause IV – Limitations
[The Last Embrace] will not indirectly interfere with the fate of the world.
[The Last Embrace] will only interfere if the outcome of the annihilation is changed.
- Clause V – Failure
Should you fail, the world will ultimately:
• Be drained of life sources
• No life able to awaken
• Reincarnation and Rebirth demolished
• Divinity long forgotten
• The world meets its final end
- Clause VI – Benevolence
[The Last Embrace] will restore your body back to it's youthful age, shielding your soul from destructive or dangerous entities, divinities and environments. [The Last Embrace] shall ultimately guide you to a fate benefit of your choices.
- Clause VII – Bond
[The Last Embrace] will be your only sponsor. Should you need assistance on something [The Last Embrace] will guide you through it. Once this contract is formed, it will be a singular exchange between [Sponser] and [Contractor]. This Contract is unbreakable.
———————————
The man just gapped with his mouth wide open. Speechless. Unable to actually think and form words.
"This... is terrifying..."
He barely muttered.
Of course one would be speechless, especially for someone like him.
The actually thought of bearing an entire world, it is only those of true heroic nature would do.
"This is just merciful," I spoke, "No mortal has ever cared to truly rewrite the actual fate of the world. Only their own fates which in turn rewrites the worlds."
I gave a small explanation.
"What does the bond actually do? Do I also gain money?"
He asked with uncertainty.
"For the first question, think of it like a mentor and student relationship, or a parent and child. The second one, all you need to do is ask me, I have enough wealth to give."
I spoke in honesty, standing before him.
"H-How do I sign?"
He asked.
"Speak your true name while touching the contract."
I spoke softly.
He raised his hand, which shook slightly.
"My name is... Jericho Dakota Rivera."
[True Name Recognized.]
[Declaration Required.]
"Follow the heart."
I merely recommended.
He stiffened. Thoughtfulness entered his mind. His mouth parted ways as he spoke.
"I don't want to lose anyone dear to me. My family, my friends, and those I've come close with during my days at the dungeons association. I will defy me fate once more, should there be a time, to restore my world. To see my loved ones again."
He declared, his eyes finding a source of light. Strength. and a quiet Somberness.
Nivoraith glowed, the words changed and altered, before a small light went inside the young man.
[Contract Established.]
[Returning Contractor 40 years into past.]
Jericho's body, no soul, shattered like glass, he watched the being posing as his mother shift into another form.
Long midnight purple hair with a teal under tone reaching the ankles, silvery eyes with impossible pupils, pale skin that shimmered.
This being, The Last Embrace, mirrored an elven look with their ears, yet. It bore claws at the hands and feet, midnight blue teal like color with it shimmering like a universe.
The form of which he, himself, can barely describe. This was no man. Not even a deity known to him. It even mentioned, 'higher than a primordial'.
An indexation of something much more.. Powerful. Ancient. Older then time itself as he knew.
Jericho watched as Last Embrace waved with a gentle, motherly smile.
That was the last memory to him. Swallowed by darkness.