It was time to go...I was lingering too long in hesitation. I mean, the sun was practically dawning on the other side of the sandy ocean. I had been standing here deep in thought the entire night. My mind was a jumbled mess...Taking a deep breath I formed the portal...halted for a bit...then stepped inside. I was just outside the Underworld. I put on a brave face...to cover up my utter exhaustion, and continued through the gates to the pathway towards Hades's chambers. This was the only source on Ari's list that seemed to make any sense at all. He formed contracts all the time, and while I doubted he would want to willingly give me information on how to break them...it was worth a try.
I really hated how hot it was...and contemplated just how it would be if I froze it over. I giggled a bit to myself. Should I do that...there would be many people having to do things they'd put off... saying things like, "Yeah...when Hell freezes over!" >:}
I continued forward, until I stood before the large doors of Hades' chambers. I knocked loudly and waited for a response. It slowly cracked open. A small demon looked up at me. "What do YOU want?"
"Why else would one come here?" I answered irritated. "To see Hades."
The demon stuck his tongue at me, but was sent flying across the hall. Hades now stood at the door. "Don't mind him." He smirked with a vile grin. Putting his arm around my shoulder he led me inside. "Come in come in! What can I do for a pretty young lady like yourself?"
I eyed his hand on my shoulder angrily. He got the hint and removed it. Laughing awkwardly. His attempts at flirting with me were utterly futile...
"I come to speak with you...concerning contracts."
He smiled evilly. A contract appeared before me and he handed me a pen. "So then...you come ASKING for one do you? What are the conditions you would like? Want me to kill someone for you? You want to be a hero...or maybe you'd like to become strongest in the universe?"
"Heh...nothing of the sort. I have no need of a pact." I spoke flatly. "I come to discover how to 'break' them."
The contract disappeared and he eyed me seriously. As though trying to find out if I was serious or not. He began to pace back and forth and started waving his hands in the air and muttering to himself. As though he were deliberating what action to take.
"Will you give me the answers I seek? Or should I leave?" I asked finally, becoming impatient.
He stopped and looking me square in the eye said, "Why do you want to know? I mean...I don't exactly want to 'give' this information out...you know...I have lots of contracts out there. It could interfere with my 'business'."
"I understand. And while I don't wish to reveal ALL the details, know that I don't care in the slightest about your dealings. This is a personal matter...with parties of which you are uninvolved. Telling me will not affect your 'business' in the slightest. I beg you...if you have information...please offer it to me." I pleaded.
He smiled. "Well now...I can't exactly turn down a pretty lady who's 'begging me'...now can I?"
I smiled. Amateur.
"Well then. Off the top of my head...I say there are three possibilities." He began, lifting three fingers into the air symbolically. "The first: To somehow trick the owner of the contract into breaking it...or into forfeiting it through his actions."
I listened intently...making a mental note of all he would share.
"The Second: A pretty straightforward means. One with no guarantee of success. You could Challenge the Owner for Ownership of the Contract. It could be some sort of contest, whatever, as long as it's mutually agreed upon that the winner of said contest will then own the rights to the contract."
This was a promising option. However...I had no idea what I would challenge them to...and there was a chance I could lose. Even though I had complete confidence in my abilities... "And the third?" I asked looking up.
He came close to me. Putting his finger under my chin he lifted my face up. "You offer them something better in exchange." He grinned widely. Scowling I froze his finger and he pulled away. "So cold..." He whined.
"So something of a greater value..." I murmured. "Something they would be willing to accept to break the contract."
"That's right. I mean...who would want to break what they have for something worse? It has to be worth their time." He quipped.
I looked down to the ground. So many thoughts started to run through my mind. What do I offer...I have nothing? Nothing but...myself. Yet...I don't want to become a slave...not again. But what if this is my only option...will I do it? Can I trick both Xerebus and Xraktos into accepting my offer?
"Thank you for your aid Hades. I appreciate it." I started, turning away. I began to feel quite hot...my body needed out of this place quickly. Yet, I couldn't portal from here...I had to get outside the gates of the Underworld.
He smiled maliciously at me. "Don't mention it..." He stated as I left.
I stumbled back up through the path...my feet felt so very heavy. My breathing was shallow and I was beginning to realize how much stress I'd put my body under on this little quest. Suddenly I heard Ari's voice echo in my mind. You must REALLY care about them RaXi...
"Oh shut up!" I shouted swatting the air ahead of me. Marlex appeared before me...he was wearing that same expression...the one he had when he left China. A look filled with pain and suffering. "MARLEX?! What are you doing here?" I summoned my sword.
Yet he turned away and faded into nothingness...without a single word...
"Oh great...now I'm hallucinating." I muttered putting my sword away. But why him of all people? I need to get out of here...before my body fails me...I must...find safety...
I stumbled forwards until finally I was at the gates. I smiled...I made it. I tried to make a portal the moment I got outside...but felt myself falling forward...I was unable to stop myself. I was too exhausted...too stressed to even reach forward and stop myself from hitting the hard ground. I tried to pull the gourd from my cloak...just one sip and I'd be fine...but I hadn't thought about it soon enough...First it was hazy...and then it went dark...
~RaXi
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Kira: Oh RaXi...you push yourself too hard... -_-'
RaXi: Shut up! I know my own limits... >.>
Kira: Oh really? Is THAT why you were HALLUCINATING?
RaXi: -_-' Just shut up...
Note: No one run to help RaXi just yet kay? hehe...there is a method to my madness! There's a plan! >:}
