Now I can't say I've ever met a vampire before, but I can definitely say I was expecting something slightly more monstrous. The woman sitting with Zal'gus and I was stunning to say the least. Her silky smooth white hair was almost reflecting the light that was hitting it. Her clear, pale skin didn't have a single blemish, and her crimson eyes looked as perfect as gemstones. If I had seen her on the street I wouldn't think she was a day over twenty three. The meal in front of us was a feast. There were only three of us here, but the food stretched across the table like this woman was hosting a party.
"Please! Eat up!" The woman began, "don't be shy at all, there's plenty to go around!" She snapped her fingers and a few servants came by Gus and I and began loading our plates with various meats and vegetables, some of which I couldn't recognize. Zal'gus looked up at me, almost as if he was looking for approval. I just shrugged and started eating.
"Great! I'm glad you guys came! As soon as I felt your presence in the labyrinth I had to make preparations for your arrival. I can't believe you found your way here so soon! What brings you snooping around my home?" The vampire said.
"We didn't actually come here on purpose. We came across a cerberus in the forest, and we ended up falling down here whilst running away from it." I responded.
"A cerberus, huh?" The vampire asked. She nodded over to Gus. "Does he have anything to do with it?" Both of us looked over at Gus, who was stuffing his face with food. He looked up at us, and pointed at himself with a questioned expression. "Yes, you." The woman said. Zal'gus took a large gulp of wine to wash down his mouthful.
"How would I have anything to do with it?" He asked.
"I mean, you are a demon, are you not?" The vampire stated. "Those monsters live around your neck of the woods."
"I can assure you I have nothing to do with it. I've been a slave as long as I can remember. I have no memories from my own lands." Gus said, diving back into his meal. The woman turned to me, not truly satisfied by the answer, but continued on.
"Well, nonetheless, I wanted to speak with you, miss Echo. Oh, and where are my manners! My name is Era. Although I have several other titles, I won't bore you with them."
"I'm Freya, and this demon with no manners is Zal'gus." I responded. "So, how can I help you today, Era?"
"Do you have any idea what it's like to live as long as I have?" Era asked.
"No, I've only been alive for twenty five years myself." I responded. "How long have you been around?"
"Three hundred and twenty years." Era answered. "In all my time in this world I have never been able to enjoy the sunlight. That is the one thing I wish to do more than anything." She continued, "finally, my prayers were answered. Iris and the others made their move, and here you sit in front of me."
"How does me being here help you?" It couldn't hurt to get her to keep talking, although I don't really like the way this is sounding. Gus on the other hand was unbothered and was eating like he'd never had a meal in his entire life.
"The answer is simple, actually. You are quite the powerful vessel, and we can benefit each other." She said, "have you heard of a contract before?"
"In the sense of pen and paper? Sure." I responded.
Era chuckled. "No, Freya. A contract between two beings." So is she not trying to take over my body?
"As I'm not from this world, I'm unfamiliar with the concept." I said. "What does a contract entail?"
"Well, an Echo like yourself can take on other beings as, well, we'll call them what they are. Subordinates." Era continued, "the contracted being and yourself will offer each other different benefits from being in this relationship."
"What exactly do you get out of this?" I asked. "I don't have many abilities in my current state. I'm still a newbie at all this."
"You already have what I want. Sunlight has no effect on you. I can offer you two things, my undying loyalty, and my charm."
"Doesn't that seem like you're getting the short end of the stick?" I asked. "You'd follow me forever just to be able to walk in the sun?"
"I haven't been outside this labyrinth in over two hundred years. I wish to see what's become of the world I once knew." She said. "Besides, I could help you get stronger as well. You're clearly lacking at the moment but I see great potential in you."
I couldn't really see anything wrong with what she was saying. "Can I talk it over with Gus for a second?"
Era pouted. "Fine, I guess." She crossed her arms. Zal'gus and I moved to the edge of the room.
"Are you gonna do it?" He asked me. "I'm not sensing anything weird about her."
"Aren't you the one who didn't want to come here in the first place? Did the meal change your mind?" I said nudging him with a smug smile.
"Hey, knock it off! I mean, I've certainly lost the hostility I had when we first came here. I don't really know a whole lot about this place. I thought the whole vampire thing was a myth before she pulled us in here."
"Didn't you warn me about her in the first place?" I asked, confused.
"Well yeah, but I've only heard stories about her. I didn't know she was alive!" Gus responded. I don't even know what we're talking about anymore, so I'm going to leave this decision up to my gut. We walked back over to Era.
"So." I asked, "where do I sign?" Era smiled, elated.
"Perfect! Take my hand, and close your eyes please!" I took Era's hand and it began to feel warm. I started to feel myself connecting to Era, almost as if we were one being. Something within me changed, and I opened my eyes. A strange matching symbol now lay on both of our hands. They faded away after a moment.
"A pleasure to be working with you, Freya! I am at your command." Era stated, bowing. The servants around the room began to bow as well. Zal'gus must've felt left out because he copied the others. Damn, now this is a weird feeling.