Chương 13: 013

The air crackled with power, all of it coiling around Karma like a storm held barely in check. I clung to that sensation, anything to keep my focus off the darkness creeping in at the edges of my vision.

"Whatever you can do," I pleaded, my voice rough.

"Please. Do it. I-I can't even stand. I tried to help her, but it didn't work. I wasn't strong enough." I'd never bothered with the gym. Never saw the point. Now that negligence was biting me square in the ass. Karma sighed and shook her head.

"Brute strength isn't your main stat, Nik. And there's nothing wrong with that. You're a healer." I glanced at the frozen thug, shoving my growing list of questions aside.

"How long will he stay like that?" Did we really have time for this while Anna was still in danger? Instead of snapping at my impatience, Karma smiled. Approval warmed her eyes.

"I'm borrowing my husband's power," she said lightly.

"So we've got a bit longer before time resumes." Her gaze slid back to the thug, hardening.

"We'll deal with him and his punishment shortly." She turned back to me and flicked a hand over herself, expression sharpening.

"I can't save that kid." The words hit like a punch.

"But you can," she continued.

"I hadn't planned on offering a pact, but if you truly want to save her, this is the only way."

"A… pact?" Hope split through the despair, tangled with confusion. She'd never mentioned pacts before. She nodded.

"I'm a spirit of Nexus. I can form pacts with mortals. You'll gain access to a fragment of my power in exchange for obedience to an oath." Her eyes softened.

"Once we're back in Nexus, I can dissolve it and return to my original plan of adopting you. But right now? This is the only way to save Anna." She studied me closely.

"Are you sure?" I didn't hesitate.

"I'm sure," I said.

"Do whatever you have to. Take me to Nexus afterward. Just... save her first." Something warm flickered through her gaze. Pride. Maybe even affection.

"You're bleeding out," she said quietly.

"And all you care about is that child's safety. Selfless to the end." Then her tone hardened.

"Here's the deal. Once the pact forms, I'll grant you a power, something of Time's. I'm going to need the rest of my power to pull you over, even with Death's help." She held up a finger.

"You'll only be able to use it once before your body gives out, but it'll be enough to stop that idiot." Curiosity nudged its way through the relief.

"And if I don't dissolve the pact in Nexus? What would that mean?" Karma arched an eyebrow.

"You'd become my cleric or paladin. Or knight, if you prefer the older term. Someone bound by an oath. Keep it, and you retain access to my power." Her smile thinned.

"Break it…" The temperature in the room dropped.

"Well, Karma truly is a bitch, and most have no idea just how true that is." Then she laughed, the tension easing.

"I wouldn't repeat that on Nexus though. I find it funny. Time does not." She tilted her head.

"Unless you'd like to blink and wake up an old man." Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. A chill crept down my spine. I shoved it aside. Karma was the last person I'd insult, but even without that, I had no plans to piss off Time himself.

"What would you need me to do in Nexus?" I asked. Something dark flickered behind her eyes.

"That's… complicated." She exhaled.

"Let's start with the part that might end the world." …I'm sorry, did she just say world ending?! What could she possibly expect me to do against that kind of threat?! I was just a human! A very squishy, easily killed, mortal as my new stab wound oh so nicely proved.

"For now," she agreed.

"We can discuss changing that if you accept becoming my Chosen." She sobered.

"Time can see the future. That's how we prevent catastrophes before they spiral beyond control." Her jaw tightened.

"The last time he looked forward, he saw ruin. Death. Famine. The apocalypse." My throat went dry.

"He couldn't find the catalyst," she continued.

"Normally, he'd find me there and we'd work together. This time…" She shook her head.

"There was no one. No humans. No elves. No beastfolk. Not even spirits."

"No one?" I whispered. She nodded.

"Everything was dead. The only hint he found was a ruined journal. With no other clues, he came back to the present." A resigned sigh pushed out of her.

"I was just starting to work out how to bring you to Nexus when this happened. I'd hoped to get the whole mess cleaned up before bringing you over. With your luck, you'll probably stumble right into the middle of it." Given my current predicament and the many fucked up situations Karma had helped me through, it could be argued she had a point. She crouched to my level and gently tipped my chin up, forcing me to meet her eyes.

"This is selfish, but I'd rather you not step into this. You attract danger like a beacon, and the thought of you in the middle of something this big…" I wasn't exactly keen on kicking down death's door, but by the sound of it she and Time could use an extra set of hands.

"You need help," I said quietly. She grimaced.

"Yes. Especially since I'll need to rest after bringing you back. Time is amazing, but even he has limits. We were discussing picking a chosen before I felt you fading." Guilt twisted in my chest.

"Then I'll help," I said.

"I don't know how much I can do, but I won't leave him to deal with this alone." Especially since it was sort of my fault his wife wasn't available to help. She ruffled my hair.

"You don't owe us anything. Only accept this long-term if you want it." Straightening, she continued.

"If you choose to be my Chosen, I'll send you directly to where Time found the journal. We think the town itself may hold clues. Your task will be simple in concept." She met my gaze steadily.

"Find out what caused the apocalypse." So she wanted me to save an entire world I knew nothing about. Piece of cake. Hysterical laughter threatened, but I swallowed it down. Focus. Ask questions. Don't panic.

"What am I even looking for?" I asked.

"I barely know your world. How am I supposed to recognize something… wrong?" Time and Karma had no real leads. If the fate of an entire world rested on me, I wanted more information. Given my luck, the fewer chances it had to screw me over, the better.