Divine Contract

Chapter 6 - The Second Prophecy

I didn’t offer to take the first watch simply to act slightly gentlemanly. I did it because I needed time to think. The events of the past few days had left me with more than a few questions, and a few things to worry about.

Firstly, I was worried about Alicia. The Demons are not known for their mercy, so there is a distinct possibility that she will be killed for helping me to evade them, even more so if they find out that she had been paying me to steal from them. Best case scenario; she is kept under constant watch. Worst case; she is tortured for any information she has on me, and then killed.

Even so, I knew that Alicia could handle herself. After all, she was the one who taught me everything I know. I just had to believe that she would be okay.

I also had questions about this contract that I had formed with Highlander. Out of all the questions I had, there were some that Highlander was unable to answer. Either because she didn’t know the answers, or because she had been told to not tell me.

One thing that I did learn about the Angels was that the number of Angels who are willing to offer contracts to humans are in the minority. The older generations of Angels are very traditional, which is supposedly the main reason behind why the Angels haven’t produced a power enhancement drug to combat the one being used by the Demons.

I say ‘supposedly’ because, as Highlander had informed me, they just don’t know how to make such a drug, therefore, they claim that they are purposely not making one, so that they don’t look as incompetent.

Speaking of increasing power, one of the biggest questions I had was one that I doubt Highlander could possibly know the answer to;

When I was being attacked by those Demons, right before Highlander showed up and saved me, why did the red orb in my satchel suddenly start shining, and why did it increase the power of the Demon? Did that orb have something to do with the power enhancement drug being produced by the Demons?

No matter how hard I thought about it, I wasn’t able to think of any viable theories, so I decided to push that query to the back of my mind.

There are other questions that Highlander has refused to answer, however, she has assured me that the reason she is not answering these questions is because a designated instructor will be assigned to do so, once we reach Astropia.

I turned my attention to my sleeping companion. She was facing away from me, but I could tell from her breathing that she was fast asleep. I’m not sure why, but I felt completely comfortable around her, despite the fact that I have only known her for two days. It was unlike me to place this much trust in anyone. In fact, Alicia is the only person who has exceeded that level of trust, but that was earned through her own hard work.

My guess is that because she gave me the power of a Contractor, the fact that our lives are tied together, and because she was the silver-haired girl that the Glass Globe displayed, makes me want to trust her on a subconscious level.

“The Glass Globe!” I suddenly remembered the existence of the fortune telling orb that I have in my possession.

I opened my satchel and removed the Glass Globe. I held it up to see if there was a new fortune written. As I did, an image began to materialise inside. The image was of two girls; one with long blonde hair tied in a ponytail, and the other with auburn hair tied in a side ponytail.

“It’s just showing more people I’ve never seen before,” I sighed internally. “I just have to hope that these two girls are friends of Highlander, and not enemies that I have to face in the future. I can also use this to find out exactly how powerful this thing’s future prediction powers are.”

I turned my attention away from the Glass Globe and to the sky. Judging from the stars, it was approaching the time for Highlander to take over as lookout. I didn’t want to disturb her sleep, but I also needed to rest, and we couldn’t afford to not have someone on watch.

I looked back down to see Highlander looking at me.

“What’s that?” she asked, looking at the Glass Globe.

“A Glass Globe,” I responded. “It’s a magical glass orb capable of showing a glimpse of the future.”

“That seems like a useful thing to have,” Highlander admired, slightly surprised. “How did you get it?”

I could tell from her tone that she was asking if I had stolen it.

“I bought it,” I answered, honestly. “Well, half bought, half given as a gift. Alicia, the woman who took me in after my parents died… she gave it to me.”

Perhaps sensing the worry in my voice, Highlander asked, “Did something happen to her?”

“She was going to attempt to keep the Demons distracted while I escaped, right before I met you.”

“Then, do you think she-” Highlander started.

“She’s alive,” I interrupted. “It’ll take a lot more than a few Demons to kill Alicia.”

Sensing that she should end the conversation here, Highlander stood up and stretched.

“It’s about time to switch,” she said. “I’ll take over lookout, while you get some sleep.”

I nodded and moved over to the mat. Even though I had told Highlander that Alicia would be fine, I was really trying to convince myself. However, worrying about Alicia would be completely pointless right now. I had to focus on my own task.

Accepting that, I laid down on the mat and closed my eyes.