Chapter 16: The Covenant

All of a sudden, I was standing outside, the sun assaulting me through the canopy of trees. Quite disoriented, I whipped my head around to see on which plane of existence I existed now.

My poor self was standing back at the cave’s entrance, covered in blood and gore.

“Eww!” I scrunched my face as a small piece of something slid down my shoulder, and I batted it away with a flick of my wrist on instinct, covering my fingers with the same sticky substance.

“Peter?” Paul, standing a little too far from me as if he was afraid of me.

“Yes?” I asked him, not quite sure what just happened. “What? What was?” If there was something on this world that annoyed me completely, it was learning the local language. God dammit, it was such a torture not being able to talk like a normal person.

In answer, Paul jumped at me, throwing us both down onto the ground. Hey, it wasn’t like my battered body couldn’t take more…

He hugged me something fierce, almost squeezing the contents of my stomach out of me. Not that there was anything to squeeze out. I hadn’t eaten all day.

And I still needed to do my business. Disgusting, I know, but it’s only natural.

“Paul!” I wheezed out, but it took him about a minute more before he let me go. When he finally did, I couldn’t quite contain the surprise and confusion at such treatment. “What was that?”

He just smiled at me, then frowned as he pointed at my right wrist. So, I held my right hand in front of my face to see what the problem was. There, around the wrist, was a pretty plain bracelet. It looked like three roots twisted around each other to form an endless circle. It even had the woody texture only tree roots have. Weird.

It took my brain a few second before I realized how it got there.

“Hello?” I whispered so that Paul wouldn’t hear while nonchalantly looking around.

Welcome back, host.

“I have a name, you know?”

“Peter? You good?” Paul asked a little concerned as I whipped my head around. The whole voice from nowhere and everywhere at once was quite confusing to my brain, throwing its sense of surrounding space off.

“Yeah, good,” I waved his concern off and put forth a better question. “What now?”

“Town?”

“Yes.”

And so we went, not even once turning back to look at the cave, walking in silence as always. Except, it wasn’t all that silent to me.

You don’t have to whisper, I can hear your thoughts just fine.

Oh, right. So…

Awkward silence ensued, but I had the sense that my new friendly neighbour was quite amused with my lack of social capabilities when it came to voices in one’s head.

What should I call you? Perhaps not the best question out there, however, it was the first thing that broke through the awkwardness.

The voice chuckled, now suddenly dark and deep.

Throughout history, many have called me: The Angel of Darkness.

I snorted, which startled Paul a little. I just brought my hand up to him and shook my head, gesturing that everything was fine. He went back to thinking whatever the hell he was thinking about whenever we couldn’t really do much in the silence.

Angel of darkness? Are you kidding me?

What would you have me called, then?

I… don’t know. Just anything but that.

Would you deign to acquaint me with thy reason to dislike my name?

Please, your supposed name that has most certainly soiled many pants throughout history is an insult to anyone with at least a sliver of intelligence.

…

That hurt. Was that a sob I heard?

Truth hurts, I thought instantly before I could mute my insolent mind. Dammit, I didn’t want to anger him without knowing his strength.

Damn… he said with a whistle.

…

Aaaanyway, I broke the scary silence in my mind.  Why do you sometimes act and speak like the most sophisticated nobleman, and then act like the childish… est? Childishest? Is that even a word? Nevermind… ugh. Where was I… Childishest of children? Or- gah! You know what I mean. Like a childish dufus.

A powerful chuckle made my head rattle again, but this time I managed to zone the feeling out a little. Woot, power of will!

Forgive me. I’ve occupied many mortals in the period of my… existence. And each one was as unique in personality as in speech and speech patterns. I seem to have soaked up their styles and personalities, and mingled them into one.

Or he was just plain crazy, one of the two.

Well, that brings a question. What are you exactly?

Who. I was a mortal once, too. But circumstances made me what I am these days.

Yeah, great, but what are you?

A hard question, child. Perhaps I am just a scholar who wanted too much, perhaps I am a demon in search of souls to devour, perhaps I am something else entirely.

You’re not going to convince me like that.

Convince to what?

I noticed awhile ago Paul was glancing at me every now and then. So, I asked him about this little quirk he had, “What?”

He stopped suddenly, looking around hesitantly before taking a deep breath and giving me a resolute stare.

“Bad,” he said while pointing at my new bracelet. I looked at it. The channel of Dufus, heh.

I am no dufus.

Too bad. I really like that name.

Paul had a point though. Whatever it was, it apparently managed to get inside me and control me, but it seemed to be able to do so only with my permission. There was also the thought-reading, which just made the entity plain creepy. What if I were to suddenly picture something disgusting involving me and-

Purge your mind of this terrible image, I beg you!

Oops, my bad.

Not knowing much about the nature of this being, and it not really bringing anything useful to the table beside witty remarks, I think Paul was right. And it was time to put this entity to the test.

So, I pulled the bracelet off of my hand, though it was rather painful as the bracelet wasn’t all that big.

I’d advise against any rushed decisions, my host. While I can’t stop you in your current state, there’ll come a day when you’ll need my help, and shan’t find it because I’ll be gone.

Then make me an offer I can’t refuse.

I can give you power, that much is certain. Just take notice of your mind and body. Look deeply at yourself.

After a moment of thought, I realized he was right. My fatigue was gone, the bruises were almost healed, and all in all I felt great.

How?

‘Tis but a taste of what I offer you.

There’s a price, however.

Yes.

A moment of silence ensued before I realized he was being smart with me again. I felt really tempted to just throw him away.

You need to let me in.

What? I thought you’re already in my head.

I could hear the sound of a deep breath.

Yes and no. I am not in any way present in your head or body. I am just able to peer into your mind and communicate with you through the bracelet. As I’d said, it’s but a channel of myself.

So, I need to let you inside me instead of just communicating with you through your bracelet?

Yes.

So that you could inhabit my body…

Yes.

And then you’re going to give me power?

Yes.

Do you realize how that sounds?

Yes.

And you’re not going to try to convince me that letting you inside me is worth the power and whatnot?

No.

Alright, let’s say I’d entertain the thought of accepting such a ludicrous offer. What would it entail? What would you actually gain from it?

The Void is such a dark and lonely place. Anything would be better than this.

The Void? Is that one of your “throughout history” things too?

Dufus ignored my remark, instead deeming to answer my first question, The source of magic, of course.

The source of magic?

Yes, most, if not all, magic comes from the Void.

So, you’re in this void now, this... source of magic?

Indeed.

So you could teach me how to cast magic?

A wondrously earthquake-y laugh numbed my every sense, rattling me so much I fell to my knees, Dufus’ bracelet falling from my hand.

“Peter!” Paul yelled out in concern, rushing to my side immediately.

“I am okay, okay.” I put out my hands, indicating no wounds or pain. Actually, I was more than okay. Dufus was now silent, or rather, not present as I noticed the bracelet no longer being in my hand, sparing me of his rowdy voice.

I reached toward it, but Paul stopped me before I could, catching my arm with his talon.

“No,” he said pleadingly, shaking his head. I smiled warmly at that, and put my other hand on his talon, patting it a little.

“Yes,” I whispered reassuringly (or hopefully, I was). Before using my left hand (my right still being held) to pick the bracelet up.

The damn bastard was still laughing.

Be silent, or I’ll leave you lying in dirt.

Oh, you’re so rich. Wait, what was I laughing about?

I asked you if you could teach me magic or something.

Oh… well, I don’t know why I found that funny, that’s actually a pretty good question.

I started question my sanity when I decided to interact with him some more.

To answer your question, no, not in the current state of things. I’d have to be present in you, then use myself as a channel for magic to cast it through you.

Ah, so another reason to “let you in.”

You could say…

Okay. Anything else to convince me?

No, not really.

Well, then I am sorry to announce my decision to not let you possess me. Sorry, and bye.

I looked Paul in the eyes, while I reached with my left arm behind me, preparing to throw the bracelet away.

Wait!

Hmm? I looked at the bracelet again, looking intently at it.

There’s… something. Just please, don’t throw me away.

Why the sudden change of heart? I couldn’t help but smirk.

Dufus sighed again with the sting of defeat. Why did he even need to sigh? It’s not like he needed lungs to make thoughts in my head.

I… I don’t want to be alone again.

…

That was not what I’d expected.

I’ve been down there so long, being surrounded by semi-sapient rats trying to use me. I had no one but myself to talk to.

You know, you’ll have to think of a better sob story than that.

That’s the truth, but seeing as that doesn’t really budge your cold heart... I can offer you one thing that could work without me being directly inside your body.

And that would be? I picked myself off the ground as my knees started to hurt. Paul was watching me with concern, probably because I kept staring at the piece of jewelry so intently.

Knowledge. I’ve lived for a long time. Centuries. I know many things that could come in handy to you.

Knowledge. How tempting, really. Knowing stuff was in itself power. And it was precisely what I needed right now. This world was an enigma, a puzzle where I was missing essential pieces.

I am listening.

I would provide my mind’s library to you for but one single condition. You will not get rid of me until I say so.

What’s stopping me from throwing you away once you’re unneeded?

You’ll find that I’ll be a great asset throughout your entire journey.

How can I know you’ll just not possess me once I accept.

I’d have done it by now if I could.

Honestly, your sincerity isn’t helping you right now.

It’s the last thing I have.

I want to say that I thought deeply about his offer. I want to say I spent great amount of time contemplating and discussing this with Paul. Frankly, though, it was too tempting for me.

I accept… on one condition.

I should be the one demanding things.

But you aren’t. Here’s the condition: your name will henceforth be Dufus.

There was a loud growling. You drive a hard bargain.

Take or leave.

Fine, he answered mockingly after not even a second of contemplating, but don’t expect me to like it.

Oh, by the way, I thought before putting the bracelet back on.

What now? he asked exasperatedly.

You probably know a lot of languages, right?

Yes, I know quite a lot of them. And I see where this is going.

Of course you would, you can read my goddamn mind.

Yes, it is possible, but it will be a little strange.

Don’t care. How will it work?

Since we’re communicating at the speed of thoughts, I’ll be able to, let’s say “disrupt” the stream of thoughts you’re transferring to your yapper, and translate everything to whatever language you want. You’ll be thinking in your language, while your mouth will produce different results. I must warn you however, not everything can be translated as languages are a lot of times different. Idioms will be a problem, for example, so try not to use them, even though there probably is an equivalent in whatever language you want me to translate them to.

Oh, great.

Yeah, awesome.

I don’t like your sarcasm.

I don’t like my new name, but what can I do about it?

I sighed, then decided to try this out.

“Hey. Can you understand me?” It was really strange. As Dufus had explained, I was trying to speak my mother tongue, but bizarre sounds were coming out of my mouth. But I knew enough that those sounds were of the accursed Balderdash.

Paul immediately jumped back in surprised. He said something, but all I understood was my name.

Hey, can you make it go both ways?

Dufus answered with a sigh, Of course, but expect a delay and that the words won’t match his mouth movement.

Alright, let’s do this.

Suddenly friends, are we?

“Could you repeat that?” I asked him once again. “Wow, this is really fucking strange.” I added offhandedly.

“What did you do to him?” I looked at Paul, currently engaged in his Don’t fuck with me stance. What was he talking about

“To who?”

He didn’t even blink at my question. “To Peter.”

Spreading my arms wide, I pointed at myself. “I am Peter, what are you talking about?”

I was getting a small suspicion, though.

“Stop playing with me, creature. Release him!” Oh, did he growl. Taking me by surprise, I involuntarily stepped back from the suddenly not-so-nice gryphon.

“Wow, you’re getting quite scary, featherhead.”

He’s talking about me.

Yeah, I was figuring that out. What did you do to make him so nervous? What did you do to get us out?

Oh, nothing much. Just sentenced a dozen or two rats to brutal death.

Oh, joy.

It was.

“I will not repeat myself.”

“And I won’t repeat myself either. Look, I know what you’re talking about.” I tried to look as nonthreatening as I could. “You think I am still being controlled by him, but I am not. Really. Just ask me something.”

“Like how you know how to speak Equal?”

Wow, would you like some cold water for that burn? Also, Equal’s the language you dubbed Balderdash. A more fitting name, to be honest. It’s rubbish.

Where did you even learn modern English slang? And what idiot thought that Equal is a good name for a language?

I skimmed your mind for everything English related, since I need to know as much as I can to properly translate. There’s not much, though.

Are you implying something?

Not at all.

With a sigh, I answered, “Dufus is doing the translating. I made an agreement with him, but I am still in charge.”

Paul narrowed his eyes. “Prove it.”

Will get back right to you.

Don-

Dufus’ bracelet thudded against the ground dully.

“See? Still in charge,” I let my arms down, looking at Paul with a hopefully friendly smile. It might’ve looked like I was trying to eat him. Never been good at the stuff.

He squawked something, to which I just shook my hand and shrugged. In the end, he just asked uncertainly. “Peter?”

“Yes. I Peter. You, Paul.” The moment I said his name he seemed to relax, but remained wary.

“I am good. Dufus good.”

“Dufus?” He asked confused. In explanation I pointed at the bracelet on the ground.

“No good.” Paul immediately shook his head.

“Yes. Please. Trust me,” I pleaded to him, but I knew that this stubborn gryphon wouldn’t be convinced. I wasn’t convinced, to be honest, in the truthfulness of Dufus. However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that we needed him. We were like lost children searching for sunlight in a building without windows.

He just shook his head again. While doing so, I picked up Dufus again, and shoved him on my wrist.

You scared me there.

He doesn’t trust you.

Of course he doesn’t. How did you convince him, anyway?

I said his name.

Ah, wise choice. He never told me his name.

“I know you don’t trust him, Paul. Hell, I don’t trust him, either. Yet, we need him. Think about it, please.”

Paul looked a little uncomfortable when I began speaking Balderdash effortlessly. He looked away, not looking at me while speaking, “How do you do that?”

“As I’d said, Dufus is doing the translating, I am just thinking thoughts in my language and he does the rest.”

“How can you know he doesn’t mistranslate things on purpose?”

“We appear to be speaking and understanding each other just fine.”

But he has a point. How can I know you won’t try to fuck with me?

I can’t convince you, as you already believe this is a game of who’s gonna betray the other first. Thought reading, remember?

Fuck.

You’ll just have to trust me. Nevertheless, believe me that however it is, I am going to enjoy this ride.