A Fool’s Bargain

As Keiran roamed through the graveyard, he felt like something was watching him, staring him down. Realistically he knew he was alone, he sensed no movement, nor did he hear any sounds of life. But that didn't stop his muscles from tensing in fear.

Regardless of his unease. He pressed onward through the maze of tombstones, the sound of his footfalls reverberating through the misty air. He glanced around before finally settling down in front of an elegant and lavish tomb, a clear contrast from its neighboring stones. The stone was adorned with ghastly carvings, with various flowers laying astray upon its foot. As he knelt, he pulled out a small vial containing in itself a mysterious liquid. Along with the vial came a messy scrapbook, four tall, red candles, and matches.

He hastily sat the objects down on the stone. Sitting the candles in the four cardinal directions. He strikes the match downwards against the box, the tiny flames sputtering to life, dancing in the wind. Next, he began to use the vial's liquid to scribble on the torn pages of his book, squinting due to the mist.

The fog seemed to exude some aura of lethargy and drowsiness. As if Hypnos himself was lulling the world into a soothing sleep. But he couldn't rest now, he had work to do. Keiran sighed and drew his dagger from his sheath, wincing as he sliced open his palm, letting the drops of crimson sink into the soil below, and drawing unknown sigils upon the cold granite of the tomb. He stepped backward away from the scene, reaching into his bag once more, he retrieved a jar of black salt. He carefully sprinkled it into a small circle encompassing the tombstone.

Keiran took a deep breath and began to speak. "Oh Great ones, I beseech thee to hear and consider my offer." The air around him seems to cool, the chill seeping through his many layers. He took a shaky breath. "I pray for protection from assailants, for I am being hunted. I beg thee, to hear my bargain, to send me a helper from beyond." The longer he spoke, the more chill the air gained. The fog loomed ominously overhead, threatening to swallow him whole.

The sound of the local fauna, the creaking, and chirping, seems to reach a crescendo before going wholly silent. The wind starts to arise with great force, whipping the pages of the open book around, and nearly extinguishing the flame. Just then, there was a major shift in the air. Keiran could sense someone, something, standing in front of the tombstone, yet he couldn't see the being. "Continue. What do I gain from this bargain?" Uttered a voice, smooth and melancholic voice, pleasantly drifting through the air. Not what Keiran expected from such an abysmal being. Keiran's pupils shrunk and his eyes widened in an odd mixture of fear and awe. "I- uh." He stammered before getting ahold of himself. "Some demons can't hold human form for long, no? So I'm here to offer you a temporary residence in my mortal body by using possession-""Do you believe of me to be that inadequate?" The voice interrupted. "Of course, I can hold mortal form."

The voice started to materialize into a being. At first, it was but a faint figure, with no discernable features, but it slowly morphed into a formed face. Keiran stepped closer out of pure curiosity. A tall, young, and lithe form. Quite an androgynous man. Cloaked in many layers of elegant black robes embroidered with golden thread, elegantly drifted around his figure. A strong yet soft face. Strong eyebrows matched with surprisingly soft eyes and plump lips. Waves of raven-colored hair flowed down his body, reaching midway down his torso, with a long braid in the back. A golden streak flows through his hair, beginning from his left temple and drifting downwards.

"Although." He starts. "Having access to a true mortal form is always.... Convenient. so, elaborate on the details."

Keiran tries to stay calm and replies "I'll allow you to possess me when you are in need of a mortal form. And we can share the body at other times if you wish."

The man hmphs- " I suppose the deal isn't too bad, I shall go on one condition."

"And what is that, My Lord?"

"It has been long since I've roamed freely amongst the human realm. And I've always enjoyed visiting the people, their traditions and customs tend to be quite intriguing... So allow me to accompany you on your travels, and we have a deal." He finished. "Oh, and stop with the formalities already, "

Keiran blinked "Eh? Is that it? If I'm honest I expected some sort of soul-selling... although I'm glad it didn't come to that"

"No, no." The man laughed. "I would have nothing to gain from your soul, and that form of bargaining is quite outdated nowadays."

"Oh," Keiran said "And I must ask, what is your name?"

"You may call me Atticus."