Dire sat on a big stone. He snapped his fingers; an apple appeared over his head.
"Chomp! I am sealed in this ring because of a mistake." Dire threw away the eaten apple. "What mistake? That's not the thing you should care about."
Thomas's hands still tightened around the sword.
He was an illusion but still appeared too real. Too dangerous.
Thomas asked, "Then, how can I remove this ring?" His eyes locked on Dire and traced every movement.
Dire side-glanced at him, his lips slightly lifting. "This ring," he pointed at the ring, "binds both of us. We cannot be freed from the bond unless its objectives are accomplished."
Thomas squinted his eyes. "What objectives?"
"I have to fulfil two of your wishes. One materialistic and another an ability." Dire pointed his finger at Thomas. "That you desire."
A wish!? Thomas's eyes widened. I could fulfil my promise.
Remember, son, nothing is free. If they give something, they also expect to get something in return. His father's last words pulled his swaying mind back.
Thomas pinched the bridge between his eyes. How could I forget such things? Argh… He glared at Dire and asked, "The cost?"
Dire murmured, "Tch!… Cautious bastard." Then he glared at him with a smile from ear to ear. "I only want your soul."
Soul!? Thomas stared with empty eyes.
Silence dominated the shore. Both stared at each other, but no words followed.
Thoughts raced in their minds.
What does a soul exchange mean? Is my life at stake? Or will my mind be enslaved?
Dire licked his lips. What next? Will he agree? Or disagree and spend his whole life with me and this ring?
"What does a soul exchange mean?" Thomas broke the silence with a question.
"It means, after your death, your soul—your destiny—will be in my hands. I will decide whether you will be my food or my slave."
After death… he said. Thomas touched his chin, his eyes half-closed, lost in deep thought. Then he asked, "Do souls have different values? If yes, then what is my value? Can I use another person's soul? Wh—"
"SHUT UP!" Dire's ferocious aura burst out and the pressure exponentially increased. He glared at him. "DO NOT BARRAGE ME WITH YOUR STUPID QUESTIONS!"
Thomas was pressed down into the ground. The earth around him cracked; the lush green grass lost its freshness. River water was displaced, not even daring to come near Dire.
"Know your limits, mortal. I answered a few of your questions out of goodwill. But you—" Dire shouted at him, then hurled a black flame near him.
The demonic flame burst, burning everything it contacted, yet a coldness radiated from it. Thomas glanced at the demonic flame while being pressed down like an insect.
An ironic taste covered his mouth; grey patches spread over his blurred vision. He bit his lower lip, using the pain to fight against losing consciousness. But in the end, he could not win against it.
Sigh! Dire looked down at the collapsed Thomas, who was struggling. What a pathetic creature. Not even able to endure a single strain of my power. He restrained his coercion.
The pressure normalised; river water gushed forward and washed over Thomas's face.
The cold water awakened him. Thomas slowly opened his eyes, his breath ragged as he coughed up droplets of blood. He sat on his knees and looked at his trembling body. His lips lifted slightly. Nothing happened. He can't kill me.
Then he looked at the golden ring and cleaned the dust from it. It's because of this. As long as I have the ring, he can't do anything to me.
Dire caught him smiling even in such a critical state. Is he insane? Where others react with awe and fear, he—sigh. His Majesty has chosen him. Normal was out of the question.
Thomas quickly changed his expression to one of depression. He knelt before Dire. "Please forgive this lowly being for his misbehaviour. I misunderstood…your grace as duty." His head touched the wet soil. "Show mercy to me and guide me."
Dire sat on the stone and stared at him. Brilliant. Even faking the apology and emotion. Well, let us see how long you can hold it.
---
The moon's radiance dimmed. The sky was a mixture of red, orange, blue, and black—the colours of twilight. Sunrays were about to fall upon the world.
Dire still sat on the stone and Thomas still knelt before him. Impressive. He didn't budge even a little bit from his place.
"I accept your apology."
Thomas slightly lifted his chin and glanced at him. Dire waved his hand. "Stand up."
Thomas gave a final deep bow. "Thank you, Lord Dire."
Then Dire answered his questions. "Yes, every soul has a different value." His golden eyes scanned him from toe to head. "Severely damaged. Hollow. With this soul, you can't even demand a single palace."
Thomas did not waver at the results. He asked, "Then, how are you able to grant me two wishes?"
Dire pointed at the golden ring. "Because of this. This golden ring established a rule that no matter the value of the ring-wielder's soul," Dire raised two fingers, "two wishes are fixed."
Thomas slightly squinted his eyes. Ring-wielder's soul… that means I can't use anyone else's soul… hmm.
"One last question: Can I wish at any other time?" Thomas asked. He glanced at Dire's expression.
Dire glared at him with irritation, but in the end, he answered, "Yes, you can."
A sigh of relief escaped Thomas's mouth. The tension eased from his face. I have time to think deeply about it.
Then, Thomas bowed to him and said humbly, "Lord Dire, I will use these wishes later."
Dire did not say another word and vanished.