Chapter 109: Soul Contract Finalized Finn even stretched his influence into making sure they negotiated secrecy terms like: Neither party could disclose the existence of the contract without the other’s explicit permission. Finn’s abilities and specific fragment nature would remain confidential unless Finn chose to reveal them... And dozens of smaller clauses, sub-clauses, exceptions, and conditions. Finally, after what felt like hours but was probably only minutes, they reached the end. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮 Both souls acknowledged the completed contract, agreed to its binding nature, and accepted all terms as negotiated. The connection sealed with a sensation like a lock clicking into place, almost like another soul mass had settled into both their souls, but different... This was more like a geas. A curse even. One that demanded the soul essence of either party on the account that they broke any of the clauses. The defaulting soul’s essence would be siphoned into the other party’s, enriching and strengthening theirs till the defaulter fully dies. It was a brutal way to go for the defaulter, but it provided a compensation for the other party for the defaulter’s breach of contract. Needless to say, neither of them were going to harbor any thought of breaking the contract. Finn’s awareness snapped back to his physical body and he opened his eyes, blinking, only to find Osmund staring at him with barely concealed frustration. "You..." the short man began, then stopped. Took a breath to calm himself. Then started again. "You are far more capable than I anticipated..." A shit-eating grin immediately spread across Finn’s face, further irking Osmund, who was already trying to be curt as he barely contained his anger at being bested. "Thank you." Finn said at his expense. He didn’t much care for Osmund’s frustration because, in the first place, Osmund had been the one to start it, so he couldn’t even pretend to be justified now that Finn came out on top. "That wasn’t a compliment," Osmund said flatly as Finn felt the last bit of the soul contract settle more firmly into his awareness. The terms were clear in his mind. Everything they’d agreed to. And as he reviewed them, his grin widened even further. He’d come out significantly ahead. Osmund was obligated to provide extensive training, protection, and resources. He’d committed to significant risk on Finn’s behalf. He’d agreed to share knowledge that was clearly precious to the Anaelle. In exchange, Finn’s obligations were... reasonable and much less binding or specific. He would help attempt to cross the Stagnant Sea — something he’d still end up doing anyway. He would train his fragment — which he desperately needed to do regardless. He would keep the contract secret — which he’d do anyway to protect his own interests. "You seem pleased," Osmund said with a dry tone. "I am," Finn replied honestly. He stood, brushing grass from his pants. "When do we start training?" Osmund’s expression was sour, but he also stood. "Tomorrow. We’ll begin with the basics of active fragment manipulation." He paused, then added with obvious reluctance, "I’ll also need to explain the nature of the other fragment bearers on this island. What they want. And why they’re dangerous to you specifically." "Why don’t we start now?" Finn asked. But he didn’t receive a response, causing him to glance at Osmund again. The man seemed to be struggling, obviously holding himself back from asking something he had on his mind. And Finn could immediately tell what that was: The way he had been able to pinpoint exactly where the lapses in Osmund’s concentration were during their negotiations. Finn’s lips tugged up slightly. This was why he had made sure the clause of him not having to tell Osmund the specifics of his fragment unless necessary was included. He cleared his throat and asked his question from before again. "Why can’t we start today?" Osmund sighed resignedly and shook his head. "You just took care of a soul debt, did you not?" He motioned at Finn’s lack of wings. And before Finn spoke, he continued: "It’s normal," he waved a hand. "And now that I know how good you are at negotiating soul clauses, I’m not surprised you have renegotiated terms with your soul mass too." He picked up his book and reopened the page he was previously on. "Rest well for today. We can begin tomorrow when you’re in top shape," he focused on his book and left those last words. Finn was obviously rearing to go. He wanted to start as soon as possible, but now with Osmund’s statement, he reassessed and stopped himself from pressing further. If he came on too strongly, Osmund might suspect that there was more at play to his sudden choice to enter into the contract and mentor under him. So he simply nodded and casually strolled away, moving towards the edge of the clearing. He walked past the last line of trees and into the open shore, where he stood, unmoving for minutes. As he watched the Stagnant sea, heused the moment of calm to reflect on his journey so far, his father and mother in this alternate world. They were still the same as his parents from earth, down to the last feature. It was only that their experiences were different. He wondered how they were doing and when he’d get to see them again. He thought of his friend from this world, Rick, who had had his back when he started this whole mess of chaotic soul masses. He thought of Micah and Isis. Of Brock, Sian, Jie, and the freckled-faced girl whose name he couldn’t remember. He thought of Althea... and surprisingly he even thought of Nathaniel, the harvester cult fanatic. Then his mind came to Tron’s death, and then to his current situation. He looked at how far he had come and shook his head lightly, staring at the time-frozen wave-wall of the Stagnant Sea. The next time I’m crossing that sea... The first thing I’m going to do is kill that Husk bastard. He clenched his fist. It wasn’t like he felt that much of a comradrie to Tron that he wanted to avenge him... In fact, perhaps inhumanely of Finn, it wasn’t about avenging Tron at all. Instead, it was personal. An urge to gain power, and as a first agenda, utterly crush the same thing that had made him feel so uselessly helpless before. His gaze hardened, and with a final look, he turned back and headed towards the clearing. "Books," he said immediately Osmund was within sight. The short man’s pointed ears twitched very slightly as he looked up, confused. "—I need books to pass the time," Finn continued. "Knowledge is part of the contract, isn’t it? Well my resting doesn’t mean I can’t read..." Osmund snorted. "The books you speak of are written in Anaelle, not human. You can’t read them." He paused, noticing Finn’s disgruntled expression. "You were content to keep to yourself previously anyway. What’s a single more day of rest..." he turned his attention back to his book. But after a few minutes of Finn roaming around aimlessly — while very obviously making sure to be loud about it — Osmund closed his book with a huff and called Finn over. "Why don’t we begin with the theory aspect of using fragments," he suggested, though it was without humor, and more as a concession to Finn’s continued disturbance. Finn grinned. Without speaking or coming on strongly he had managed to get something started. His expression shifted into one of concentration as Osmund raised his hand and pointed at a young plant stalk a few steps away: [Spatial Dissolution]