《Days Gone》


 0-Prelude

    0-Prelude


    -July 9<sup>th</sup>, 1:00AM


    The world entered into a cataclysmic, irreversible pact. One that reshaped the past, present, and future. This agreement extended beyond mere historical and geographical changes, injecting unknown forces into events once thought well-documented. It penetrated to the core of humanity, shattering minds with an unforgiving wave of enlightenment. It was as if those accustomed to darkness suddenly found themselves thrust into a blinding light, faced with landscapes never before imagined. Humanity, already teetering on the brink of its own demise, was now assured of survival.


    Daegon, a rather young-looking adult male with short shaggy ash-gray hair, sat in a rather empty looking room on a large well used couch. A singular light shined above him on the right, as he read over an old looking Journal. It wasn¡¯t his, but held a lot of valuable knowledge. It felt only right to review it from time to time, especially after such a close encounter. Daegon turned a page, and continued to read the old text¡­


    The days before Humanity¡¯s Deal with the Supernatural was hell. World War, Civil Unrest, and in-fighting drove the human population to an unrecoverable capacity. Mutually Assured Destruction, the World Powers called for. Nuclear deterrents were launched, blazing fires erupted, and irreparable damage spread across the globe. But, the tenacity of humanity continued forward regardless of the teetering odds against it. Final outcrops of humanity sprung up in massive walled cities across the world as people came together, desperate to survive. While many fell, a resilient few survived until there was nothing left to cling to.


    At some point, the old Mythos began to draw attention again as the final flickers of humanity were bound to leave the planet in its terrible state forever. Anything to cling to, in desperation.


    ¡°What if we could change the past?¡± ¡°Why did it come to this?¡± ¡°If we could do anything to change the world¡­¡± ¡°Gods, Demons, or anything in-between something could give us salvation¡­¡±


    Such questions, diving into forgotten stories and books, began the death wails of an ending civilization. But such wails weren¡¯t going unignored. For the first time in over a millennium, humanity had a singular belief, a singular question. The Supernatural, who solely depends on Humanity for their own survival through belief¡­ Offered their first, and only Deal.


    Since the deals ¡®reset¡¯ took place roughly 130 years ago, hundreds of thousands of lives came back into existence. Enough that, the few remaining Bastions began to grow and prosper once again under their self-sufficiency. But, not without cost. Thousands of cities were lost, replaced, or forgotten. Irreparable damage from the planet was undone, but replaced with a much more reliant threat. Beasts of Lore, Beings of Eons past, and the horrors of nightmares became a true reality. Untold terrors of the sea, who drain the sanity from those who look upon them¡­ Human like creatures that prey upon your very blood¡­ Spiritual beings who live for the torment of your very soul¡­ As if Pandora¡¯s Box was unleashed upon the world, so did it provide its salvation. But, how?


    Humanity gave birth to a new dominating force on the world, and guaranteed their own survival as a species. Contracts, would be the limiting force of the new Apex Predators.


    All beings sprung forth from Humanity¡¯s Deal were bound by a World-Bound Contract. ¡®World Bounders¡¯ as they are called, are held to a very set standard. These rule over them in a very drastic way, but normally hinder them according to their accustomed mythos from the ideas or thoughts of humans. While there¡¯s no direct consequence for breaking their own set of rules, other World Bounders and Overseers will become aware of such an act when near them. Meaning, just because a Supernatural being shouldn¡¯t leave an area or prey on a specific type of person, doesn¡¯t mean they can¡¯t choose to ignore it. But, in breaking their own rules they become an easier target for those around them.


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    Overseers are a rare and unique type of Contract. Considered Judge, Jury, and Executioner, they¡¯re both a Blessing and a Cursed existence. Without Overseers, Humanity¡¯s Deal would surely be broken, and the world would finally fall silent. Overseer Contracts are even able to be transferred to humans, unlike World-Bound Contracts. But, the process of doing so revokes Humanity, and replaces it with something much more supernatural. Overseers have the ability to discern and evaluate all World Bounders in their vicinity, including any or all breaches of their contract. They are drawn to Rule Breakers, those who have broken their World Contract, and will relentlessly pursue them. In what can only be considered omnipotence, they hold the life of Rule Breakers in the palm of their hands regardless of the strength disparity between them.


    What if a wicked, or vile being comes into possession of the Overseer¡¯s Contract though? No matter the depravity or deep-rooted evil within an Overseer, they are all bound to one absolute rule¡­ The balance of Humanity and Supernatural weighs an unfathomable amount on their mind, and leaves none unchanged and chained to such a balance. The godly powers bestowed upon them is also just as much of a shackle, forcing compliance. As such, apathy and passiveness on virtually every other aspect of reality is what best describes their stance. It¡¯s said even in the face of immediate death an Overseer would simply flee than retaliate. Even if their intervention would save the life of one of their Restrictive Contract Holders, humans, or other World-Bounders. So long, as the one doing such a deed is within their right to do so.


    Restrictive Contract Holders are Rule Breakers spared by an Overseer, and bound to that Overseer. This type of contract is set on a being for the rest of their life. Similar to the weight an Overseer fills, Restrictive Contracts are impossibly bound to the new rules laid on them by an Overseer. Even if the rules themselves destroys the mental, physical, or very life of the Holder. The Overseer still holds absolute authority over the being, and may relinquish their existence at their very whim. It is unheard of, but still possible for a Restrictive Contract to have their World-Bound status reinstated through the Overseer.


    ¡°I¡¯m exhausted¡­ I think that¡¯s enough review today.¡± Daegon spoke, laying down onto the couch. ¡°Oh, Little Daegon¡¯s done for the day? You¡¯re going to sleep for quite a while with those wounds. I could just heal them for you, if you¡¯d just ask.¡±


    ¡°No thanks.¡± Daegon spoke out loud, despite the voice only being in his mind. He¡¯s gotten used to it at this point, having to share his existence with her. Despite a rather copasetic and beneficial co-existence, their beginnings were very much the opposite.


    <u>¡°Oh come now, Little Daegon. Your pain is mine, and I did save us once again. A little walk is all I need.¡±</u> The voice spoke, borrowing Daegon¡¯s mouth. It was teasing, playful, but most importantly, dangerous. Daegon¡¯s co-existence with this being could only be described as a Lost, or Ancient Contract. Something, forged and sealed well before Humanity¡¯s Deal. Forgotten to time, forgotten to nearly all. Similar to bedtime stories told to scare children, it¡¯s said that there were Supernatural Beings on the planet well before Humanity¡¯s Deal, and that they should be feared above all else¡­


    Daegon huffed, collapsing onto the couch and placing the journal beside him. Drawing blankets over himself, he winced with discomfort. He was just a human, and the horrors he had narrowly escaped tonight marked the beginning of yet another uncertain path into the future. Most people in his position would not have survived. Those who did would likely harbor resentment toward the supernatural. The constant struggle for survival would erode their mental fortitude, leading them to surrender to the grim reality of their existence. However, Daegon was different. Despite his deep-seated fear, he had developed a certain comprehension of the beasts and creatures through countless interactions. Perhaps it was his solitary lifestyle, which kept others at a distance, that allowed him to form a unique perspective on the supernatural. Or maybe it was the presence of the being he shared his existence with. After enduring numerous life-and-death situations...


    Whatever the reason, Daegon finds himself unwittingly thrust into a position of importance. As he drifts off to sleep, thoughts of the world''s dangers linger in the recesses of his mind, keeping him awake just a while longer. Not all supernatural entities feed solely on human blood, bones, and flesh. Some insidiously invade the mind, draining vitality, emotions, or mental capabilities. Fortunately, with the vast disparities between human and supernatural lifestyles, such concerns should seldom intrude upon his home. Even as ''approachable'' beings have been gradually integrating into human society, worries about their misdeeds remain minimal. At least, for now¡­

 1-Intervention

    1-Intervention


    -July 12<sup>th</sup>, 7PM


    ¡°The cost of survival¡­¡± I thought to myself, recounting the meager number of coins. It was strange holding currency again. But, what¡¯s one to do when there¡¯s nothing else to trade for? The promise of value, shared between all living things. A deal struck: Value for value.


    ¡°If you find anything else, be sure to bring them here first. I¡¯ll be sure to guarantee a positive outcome for such loyal patronage¡± The figure behind the desk growled before fading into the back of the shop. Out of sight, out of mind. Forgetting the reason I entered in the first place, I knew I completed what I came here for. I paused, and glanced about the pristine place. For as well stocked as the shop was, it was always empty of customers. Walking in always felt like being the stores first, or last, customer.


    ¡°We should move on¡­¡± Exiting out the pane glass door, the crossroads were mostly barren. What little lighting was available provided no insight to the beings who wandered late at night. Even within the protected walls of such a bastion, it was wise to never be out so late. ¡°Those who walk in the light, should fear those in the dark.¡± But, more importantly, should fear those that also walk in the light. ¡°Lest one¡¯s cost be snatched by another.¡± Such as myself, I suppose. I waited outside the shop, with its flickering lights peering down on me.


    A distant shriek, a bloodied cry for help, erupted in the distance. A bleak reminder of the nature of the world. After a pause, the street lights flickered back on dimly. It was time to move on once again. There was no rush, so long as I kept to myself. I opened my phone and began to browse a news website. Tomorrow¡¯s forecast predicts rain, with curfew reinstated once more. Plus, it seems the royalty have lifted some taxes after a good harvest. One could argue, the world has never been in a better state. The ability to learn was abundant, the streets were clean, buildings upkept, and families blossomed. ¡°For all the wrong reasons¡±. It¡¯s astounding, how ideals adapt in the face of Armageddon.


    A trembling voice emerged from the darkness behind me. "C-can you h-help¡­?" it whimpered. Pausing, I surveyed my surroundings. I found myself on a deserted wooded side street, with houses spaced widely apart. It felt like something out of one of those cheesy horror flicks, where the monster lurks just beyond your sight. "You''d help me, right?"


    Without a word, I turned to face the source of the voice. There stood a tall, alluring woman, her clothes recently torn, tears streaming down her face as she extended a trembling hand. Although there were no visible injuries, it was clear she had been running. I hesitated, caught off guard by her appearance. "Please." She pleaded, her voice quivering, "I''ll give you anything. Just, help me."


    ¡°W-what do you need?¡± I asked, slightly shaking myself. My mind felt a bit hazy trying to piece together this situation as I quickly pocketed my phone. My eyes couldn¡¯t leave this innocent girl before me.


    ¡°I-I¡¯m being chased, you can give me passage right? Can fulfill my needs?¡± She asked, quivering. Of course, I was the only option available. I had to help.


    "O-of course!" I responded without hesitation, feeling a blush creep onto my cheeks. Blinking, I found her suddenly standing in front of me, holding my hand tightly. She was too close, uncomfortably close. Only now did I realize just how much taller she was compared to me, her torn clothes more revealing than I had initially noticed. It took a moment for me to realize I had to look up to meet her gaze, feeling an uncanny allure.


    "W-we should get going. I-I know a place nearby." I stammered, breaking away from her intense stare. Her eyes seemed filled with something... A shiver ran down my spine as the atmosphere around us grew heavy.


    ¡°Quickly, this way.¡± We were close to where I was staying, it would be quick. ¡°Hhhmmm¡­.¡±


    I grabbed ahold of her hand and we took off down the road. I reached back in my pocket to grab my phone, desperate to make a call. ¡°No signal.¡± I¡¯ll try again. ¡°No signal. Something¡¯s close.¡± I glanced behind me, but only saw the woman, still with tears, and those piercing eyes. Before I had a chance to speak, she tripped. Shock grew over her as she flew forward toward me. I turned, letting go of her hand, as she landed on me taking us both to the ground going limp. ¡°Hey, lady! Now is not the time to pass out!¡± I yelped. It was no use, she was unconscious.


    To say she was heavy was an understatement, one could have confused her for a bag of cinderblocks. I moved her enough so that I could sit up and peer down the road we just came down. There was definitely something coming down the road. ¡°Bloodlust is in the air.¡± Being still mostly under her weight, I rolled onto my stomach and, summoning all my strength, lifted her onto my back. I didn¡¯t realize it, but we were right outside the place I was staying. It felt like an Olympic feat to make it inside, shouldering the door open, and crouching slightly through to get her in. It was a very plain, small, and mostly unlived in house. I struggled to make it to the couch, and sat her down. I fell to the floor and heaved for a few seconds, not remembering the last time I had to expend so much energy. My chest and head felt heavy. ¡°Three days ago, little one. You had to admire my beautiful form again, remember?¡± I paused, and looked about. Nothing seemed out of place, which was a good sign. With one last breath, I stood up and went back to close the door, locking it with the three metal bars. The windows were already barred and covered, so there wasn¡¯t a worry there. I flicked on a switch and a singular light turned on next to the couch, where the unconscious woman was now slouched over to one side. The previous haze filled my head again, she was gorgeous. Her hair had a brown and a dark red-orange mixture, and her face had sharp features. Her tattered casual outfit exposed a rather lean and muscular body. In a fight between the two of us, there was no doubt in my mind she would tear me asunder.


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    I approached her, drawn inexplicably to her beauty. But these thoughts, they weren''t mine. They raced through my mind at a rapid pace, foreign and unsettling. With a forceful shake of my head, I attempted to dispel the mental fog clouding my thoughts. As I drew closer, my gaze swept over her features. She was barefoot, her jeans straining at the seams as if something were pushing against them from within. And her hands... Her hands were adorned with long nails, dripping with blood. Blood? Despite the torn fabric of her clothes, there were no scratches, no bruises. ¡°No bruises, no blood¡±, echoed the voice within me. Where did the blood come from?


    I snapped back to reality; I was hovering over her unconscious body, a hand on her shoulder. ¡°But she wasn¡¯t unconscious.¡± Her eyes were open, fixated on mine. A fierce pair of golden eyes locked onto mine, intense enough to pierce through my very soul. How did I not see these beforehand? ¡°Fight or flight.¡± I froze, realizing the situation.


    ¡°Fulfill your needs¡­ give passage¡­¡± I stuttered, finally comprehending her intentions. The woman¡¯s unwavering golden eyes complimented the now sinister grin on her face. Rows of vicious pearly whites, meticulously maintained by those foolish enough to prey on her allure. My legs gave way beneath me as I sank to the ground, as she slowly began to grow in size.


    Her metamorphosis unfolded with excruciating precision, a horrifying spectacle to witness. Each movement appeared deliberate, each phase of transformation adding another layer of despair to my predicament. Layers of deep red-bronze fur unfurled from her arms, cascading down her form like a sinister waterfall. Skin gave way to fur, revealing the raw power pulsating beneath. Claws, cruelly sharp, extended to their full, menacing length. Her chest swelled with ominous purpose, straining against fabric that once hung loose. The unmistakable refinement of an apex predator exuded from every inch of her being. Even her legs, tempered by untold horrors, tore through the tattered remnants of her clothing. With each sinewy flex, they served as a chilling reminder of the futility of escape. At her zenith, she exuded an aura of dominance, yet it was evident she held back her true, terrifying potential.


    ¡°Oh, come now, morsel.¡± She taunted, her voice dripping with malice. ¡°You were so close. Won¡¯t you have your way with me? It¡¯s only natural to want some of this. Just a lick is all you need, is all I need... Oh, but that scent of yours¡­ Yes, a rare treat indeed.¡± Her words drowned in vicious mockery, as she treated herself to drops of blood on her razor-sharp claws. Blood. But from where?


    I grasped my side, and felt three scalpel perfect incisions oozing blood. ¡°You live alone...? A wanderer...? You¡¯ve lived this long as such a delicacy? I guess I¡¯ll take your destiny for myself!¡± ¡°Were the rules broken?¡±


    With a split-second of barely conscious thought, I managed to evade her clawed hand as it grazed my face. I screamed in terror, scrambling desperately towards the door. Somehow getting to my feet felt in vain as I was sent across the room into the wall with a heavy kick. ¡°Broken nose, ribs, cracked pelvis, and your ear drums are ruptured.¡± Blood streamed down my face blinding my left eye, as I struggled to regain my bearings. Slowly, I got back up leaning against the wall as a menacing laugh echoed in the hollow home. ¡°Oh, little treat, how you wiggle so. Let¡¯s not get ahead of ourselves. The night is young, after all. Let me drain you, slowly, painfully.¡± Her voice, overflowing with spite.


    ¡°Why are you doing this? I thought I was saving you.¡± I mustered saying, coughing up a bit of blood, anything to buy time to stall this inevitability.


    ¡°Prey is nothing but prey. It just happened to be your time. Color me impressed though, little thing. You bided your time. Alone, in the woods, with a beautiful girl. You resisted the temptation of your desires right then and there and lead me to a place far away from others. You even carried me! Do you know how many just drag me? But, alone in the comforts of your place, you had your way with me, and for that you''re mine now.¡±


    Her words twisted into a strange cadence, veering into realms beyond my understanding. Or, perhaps it was my own senses failing me as I lay broken and bleeding. What was clear, was the dreadful laughter following her statement.


    <u>¡°Liar.¡±</u> A chilling voice borrowed my mouth, the words ringing across the room. The beast of a lady froze, her eyes darted around the room in confusion. She didn¡¯t realize the voice came from me. A sudden burst of adrenaline surged through me as I realized I was next to the barred door. Escaping was within my grasp. I rushed towards it, throwing the bars off. Before I could open the door, I was forcibly thrown back against the wall, coming face to face with the enraged beast. A vicious crunch rang throughout the room, emanating from my right shoulder. I screamed in agony as I felt her claws dig deep into my flesh. Her hot breath of rage enveloped my face as I dangled off the ground, her grip tightening around me to meet her gaze.


    "I don¡¯t know what trickery you just pulled, but you¡¯re not escaping!¡± She roared, her voice reverberating through the room like thunder. Her maw opened wide, revealing a perilous array of razor-sharp teeth, glistening ominously in the dim light. As her voracious breath washed over my face, I recoiled at the metallic tang lingering in the air, reminiscent of fresh blood. The size of her maw was enough to engulf my entire head in one merciless bite. No amount of struggling could break free from the iron grip of this monstrous predator. As despair crept into my mind, a grim resignation settled over me like a shroud, signaling the inevitable end drawing near. Like a final chapter in a tragic tale, opening the door to an eternal afterlife... ¡°Death.¡±


    ¡°Zylas, is that you?¡± What sounded like a young boy¡¯s voice echoed off the walls, but the words were becoming muffled and unintelligible to my fading consciousness. Reality began to slip away. The teeth, mere moments from penetrating my skull, paused. Her voracious breath ceased, and a glimpse of recognition danced in her eyes. ¡°You managed to find another one in the same night? Here I thought you already cleared out most of this place.¡± The boys voice spoke again, with what I could only consider monotony. Her maw and gaze swept over to the doorway, revealing a kid in his early teens. I knew him, but from where? I struggled to focus, unsure if he was speaking a different language or if the damage to my head distorted his words.


    ¡°R-run kid!¡± I croaked, through blood-soaked words. The life I felt I gave up on, rushed back stronger than ever for a brief moment seeing an innocent kid staring death in the face. What strength I had left, I launched a left hook at the eye of the beast in front. Before I made contact, I was swiftly dropped to the ground. Slumping over against the wall, I had no strength left to move. My eyes, growing heavier by the second.


    <u>¡°Liar.¡±</u> The voice spoke again through me, this time the beast took notice. She exchanged tense glances between me and the boy. It sounded as if she was stuttering, trying to give¡­ An excuse¡­? The last thing I could make out, before succumbing to blood loss was, ¡°Zylas, I think we need to have a talk.¡±.


    ¡°Rest now, little Daegon. A deal is to be made when you awaken. Take nothing less than everything if you¡­ If we, are to survive. That kid is not what you think.¡±