The Pact Breaker

"it'll only get worse from here." Eric replied.

"We need to finish the ritual as quick as we can."." Eric added.

"Alright!" Finn roared, as he step into the glowing runes again.

"Remember, tame yourself no matter what happens!." Eric said, voice steady.

Eric raised his staff and began to chant louder— than the first. The golden and red circles flared. Heat surged through Finn's body, and his vision blurred. Shadows danced across the wall, but their movements didn't match his own.

Suddenly, his dark side erupted. Black veins spread across his arms, and his claws began to form. His horns breaked out through his skin.

"Eric!" Finn shouted.

"Wait a little more." Eric groaned.

"It hurts. It feels like I'm dying." Finn muttered.

Suddenly, the shadows which danced across the wall began to close in as one. The more they joined together, the more it grew bigger.

"Hang on, Finn! Eric whispered.

"I'm, Eric." Finn shouted, his heartbeats pounds faster.

Then— the glowing runes went off.

"Is it done...." Eric whispered to himself.

Before he could take a step, the ground cracked open. Pillars breaking into pieces, stones from roof tops falling as the building collapses.

"Eric, What's happening?" Finn groaned as he ran looking for the exist door.

"Stay calm." Eric muttered.

"It won't harm you."

"It's a sign that you're fortified." Eric continued.

Finn paused. "Oh, Great!" he Smirked.

Suddenly, there was silence at the chamber. Everything paused. The building came back to life— as if it never collapsed.

"We have taken the second step." Eric muttered.

"How many more steps? Finn asked.

"5 more." Eric said, as he glanced at whisper.

"Still a long way to go, I guess" Finn whispered.

"Hope you felt better? Eric asked.

"Yes. Much better...." Finn chuckled.

"Looks like it's gone."

Eric walked around the glowing runes, tapping his staff lightly against the floor. Sparks of light flickered where the staff touched.

"You've taken hold of it," Eric said.

"But don't think for a second you've mastered it."

Finn tilted his head slightly, his breathing calm now.

"Then what's changed?"

"You've gained access" Eric replied, his voice steady.

Eric continued. "A door has opened inside you. Through it, you can pull from your demon side without losing yourself completely."

Finn raised his palm, staring as faint crystals flickered between his fingers.

"So I can control the fire now?"

"Some of it," Eric said sharply.

"But only the shallow flames. If you try to touch the deeper power buried in your blood, it will consume you."

Finn stared at his hand, his claws forming briefly before going back in.

"Show me. What can I do now?"

Eric's expression darkened. "Your demon side gives you five abilities—only one of which you can touch safely for now."

"Which one?"

"The Witchfire Veil." Eric said. A small dome of red flames surrounded him, flickering but not burning the stone floor.

Finn watched closely. "What's it for?"

"It shields you from physical damage for a few seconds." Eric explained.

"The flames burn anything that touches you—but only briefly. It's not perfect, and using it drains you fast."

Finn stepped closer, holding the sword tighter. "And the other abilities?"

Eric gave him a sharp look. "Not yet."

"Can't you just give me a clue about it." Finn's voice calm.

"The second—Shadow Step—lets you move through shadows, almost like teleporting. The third—Hellbreaker—lets you release all your stored energy in a single destructive wave." Eric added, his staff glowed faintly.

Finn's eyes widened. "Sounds useful."

"Useful?" Eric snapped.

"Hellbreaker nearly killed your father the first time he used it. You aren't even close to ready."

"And the rest two?" Finn asked.

"When we journey deeper, I will tell you."

"Alright… Witchfire Veil it is." Finn muttered.

"Try it." Eric ordered.

Finn nodded, closing his eyes. He focused on the fire in his chest, pulling at it carefully like Eric had taught him. Heat surged through his veins, but this time it was calm.

Red flames burst around his body.

"Good." Eric muttered.

"Hold it for five seconds."

Finn gritted his teeth, sweat dripping down his brow as the flames wavered.

"Four… five" Eric counted. "Now let go."

Finn exhaled sharply, and the fire vanished. He stumbled slightly but caught himself.

"It's draining." Finn admitted.

"But… it felt good. Like I was untouchable."

"That's the danger" Eric warned.

"Power feels good. It makes you reckless. You must never lose your balance, or the flames will turn on you."

Finn smirked. "Got it. No playing with fire."

Eric didn'tt smile back. "We don't have time for jokes. Now comes the hard part."

Finn's face shifted slightly. "What's next?"

Eric turned toward the exit of the chamber, his staff glowing faintly.

"The Black Pact isn't waiting for you to finish these steps. Their spies already know where you are. And if the vampires learn about your progress, they'll strike first."

Finn's jaw tightened. "Then let's trike them first."

Eric glanced over his shoulder. "You've recovered faster than I expected. That's good. But we're not storming their fortress yet. We're going to their camp on the outskirts

"Where's that?" Finn groaned.

"A feeding ground where their soldiers rest." Eric replied.

"Why there?" Finn asked.

"Because there's someone among them we need alive. A traitor."

Eric's eyes glimmered faintly. "He knows where the Black Pact's main coven is hidden. Without him, we're striking blind."

"And what happens if the vampires recognize me?" Finn asked quietly.

"They will." Eric said. "That's why you'll wear this."

Eric waved his hand, and a dark cloak materialized, covered with faint silver runes.

Finn took it carefully. "What is it?"

"A Nullveil. It'll keep the fire inside you quiet… for a while. But if you fight, it won't hold."

"So if things go wrong?" Finn asked silently.

"You burn." Eric muttered.

Finn smirked faintly, slipping on the cloak. "Sounds simple enough."

"Don't get excited." Eric warned.

"We're walking into a den of killers. One mistake, and they'll tear you apart."

Finn's grip tightened on the sword.

"I'm ready."

Eric's face hardened. "We'll see."

He tapped his staff against the stone floor. A faint blue portal opened before them.

"Now." Eric said firmly, stepping toward it.

"We move to the vampire's camp."