The Pact 12

I look around and can't comprehend what happend. There was absolutely no way...everything was gone. The curtains of the window, the chairs and table...all gone. The lighting as well. "But...I could have sworn...this is the building...right?"

"Huh, I'm sorry this wasn't what you were hoping for." He looks around then back at you, "You're sure you weren't mistaken?"

I go back outside to look at the building's front. It was the same, a bit deteriorated, but nonetheless, the same building the golden-eared neko and I hid in. I walk back inside and to the mayor. "Yes, I can promise you this: this is the building."

"Huh, we'll do a more investigative search. For now, is there anything else we can help you with?"

"Actually...can you tell me about this...Atum." I asked, skeptically, yet curiously.

"He is the master of all destiny, it is his job to guide all mortals through their lives. On extremely rare occaisions it is said that he decides to intervene directly in their lives."

"...You don't say." I wondered aloud. Was he completely serious? Was there absolutely no other golden-ear cat exceot from the one I heard from this legend? But, it seeemed impossible. But, with the stateof the building and the event thats conspired yesterday, or from the beginning of my capture to be precise, I shouldn't be one to deem what is impossible or what isn't. "Perhaps...maybe..."

Sigh, "Well if there's anything else we could help you with. . ."

"Well, for now. I think I'm alright. Maybe more clothes would be nice."

"New clothes it is!" snaps his fingers and a hoarde of designers come running up to you begging you to wear their stuff.

"H-hey! Wait!" I said, backing away from the designers. "It doesn't have to be anything fancy, just something for when the weather changes...if it does in this place. Or, you know, something casual. Gah!" I said, as the designers moved in closer and kept begging.

Annoyed with their banter, Faustus shoots and ice-cold glare at them. They finally get the message and agree to back off.

I look up at Faustus with a grin. "Thanks, I owe you one," I said before looking at the designers. "Thanks a bunch, but I don't need anything super-fancy."

They show you some of the more casual styles they have, letting you pick.

I look and pick up several safari boots, a dark blue t-shirt, and a several skirts and jeans. "Actually, I think this will do."

Faustus leans over the wall to have a look at you.

I tried on the black skirt and blue tanktop, with shin-length blue boots with several black and white outlines. "I guess this will have to do."

Faustus looks down at you, "You look good Saph."

I blush a bit at the compliment."Uh...thanks."

Faustus smiles evilly, "I made you blush again."

I frown, blushing even harder. "H-hey! I just appreciated the comment...that's all..."

With an amused smirk, he scoops you into both hands, "Sure, I'll just pretend I don't see that growing blush on your face."

"Uh...Gah!" I say covering my face with my hands. "Say, Faustus...while you're here, don't you want anything?" I ask, waiting for my blush to dissipitate.

Faustus perks up, "Mr. Mayor sir, do you have any witches or wizards in your city?"

Suddenly I remember the promise I made to Faustus, that we'd have to find a way to return his lifespan back to normal. I turn to the mayor and wait for his answer.

I'm sorry to disappoint you, we don't.

I frown and clench my fist. There had got to be a way...somewhere in this town, there had to be some way to get a way for Faustus to have his lifespan returned to him. If some cosmic force...wait a minute.

I look to the mayor with a determined look on my face. "By any chance, is there a church of Atum, anywhere?"

"It is actually *points* right up there by city hall."
"Well, how about it Faustus? If this...Atum is as true as everyone says, why not see if we can do something about it." I stated, realizing that our options at hand were running awfully low rather quickly.

"I think it's a wonderful idea Saph." He carries you through the city, precariously stepping over buildings with the curious eyes of citizens gazing up at him in amazement. Stopping next to the temple, he lowers his hand next to the door for you to climb off. "Tell me if anything weird happens."

I nod and enter through the temple doors. The place is entirely empty, but is beautiful. It has many kaligraphic writings on the walls, as well as symbolic windows of color and shapes. I go to the front of the church and gulp. "Uh...hello? Anyone?"

After no answer, I begin to take a deep breathe and called Atem.

"Um...Atem, I think it was...first of all, I'd like to thank you for, er, savingme when the gang members came around. I had no idea what to do at first. Um...anyway, I was just wondering, if I could aska favor of you...if...uh..."

After hearing the silence of the temple, I realize that may be this wasn't really the best and I begin to turn to leave.

As you walk away the eyes of the golden statue of Atum start to glow a light sky blue. The same thing happens to all the hieroglyphs and they begin to dance around you. Suddenly you are thrown into a vision of a large lake. The lake is surrounded by mist and has a generally eerie feel to it and you hear a voice.

'Come to us Sapphire.'

The voices seem strangely familiar.

'Come to us.'

You are jerked out of the vision and everything looks as though it is normal.

After a while of hearing nothing Faustus grows worried, "Saph?"

I take a step back and desperately look around as I wonder what had just happened. Faustus's voice snaps me back to reality however.

"Oh, uh...sorry..." I say, exiting the temple for a moment, "I just...witnessed something...bizzarre to say the least."

Seeing you emerge, Faustus gleefully scoops you up, "What exactly did you see?"

He listens intently as you describe the vision you had. A light goes on in his mind as h e pictures the lake. He knew where you were talking about, but he also knew that place to be extremely dangerous, "I think I know the spot, but it's a day's walk from here, and weird things are known to happen there."

I began to think of the dangers. At a day's journey through Felarya, from what I've heard anyway, was nearly unheard of as I heard that the many people who came to Felarya barely lasted even half a day. However, unlike most people, I have Faustus on my side. He was formidable in a fight, but even he had his limits.

However, if it was the only way to get the rest of his lifespan back...

"I think we should do it. Weird things have already happend anyway," I chuckled a bit, "...scary enough, I'm growing used to this place."