Icarus laughed quietly beneath the blankets.
He's so easy to play with.
A faint shimmer flickered before his eyes.
[You have gained a new skill: Manipulation (Lv.1)]
So this is what it feels like.
Control.
For the first time in a long while, Icarus felt… steady.
If he wanted to save Driftwood, he couldn't stay the same.
"Icarus."
Agatha's voice.
He stilled instantly.
"Are you awake?"
Icarus lowered the blanket and sat up.
He studied her face carefully.
She looked exhausted—like she hadn't slept at all. Like something had been eating at her all night.
"Do you want to help me save Driftwood?"
Icarus nodded without hesitation.
Agatha smiled faintly.
"Then stay away from me in public."
A pause.
"You need to stay alive."
Icarus froze.
Please don't die. Just don't die. Don't die.
"Are you going to do something dangerous?" he asked quietly.
Agatha looked away.
"The council won't act. But the people… they trust me. If I lead, they'll follow."
Icarus' hands trembled slightly.
"Agatha… Morvane will kill us if we resist."
She shook her head.
"Then what else can we do?"
The answer came to him instantly.
Cold.
Natural.
As if it had always been there.
"Kill the envoys," Icarus said. "And make sure no one knows they ever arrived."
Agatha went still.
Icarus stood.
"Take me to the council."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They went in the dead of night.
Agatha knocked.
The door creaked open.
Seren stood there, half-awake.
"Who is it at this—"
He stopped.
"Agatha. Go home."
"Let us in."
Seren sighed and stepped aside.
They entered.
The house was dark. Empty.
Lonely.
Seren sat across from them.
"What do you want?"
Agatha didn't hesitate.
"I want your answer. Will you do what is best for the people?"
Seren's gaze hardened.
"The council will decide what is best."
A step.
Silent.
Icarus moved behind him.
A blade touched Seren's throat.
"Answer."
Seren froze.
"You would threaten the council leader?"
Icarus smiled faintly.
"Yes."
A thin line of red formed where the blade pressed.
Silence.
Heavy.
Then—
"What do you want?" Seren asked.
Icarus leaned closer.
"You will summon the envoys tomorrow."
A pause.
"And then… we will deal with them."
Seren swallowed.
"…Alright."
Icarus' smile deepened.
Coward.
A flicker appeared before Seren's eyes.
[CONTRACT
Requirements:
1)Obey every command of Icarus, "The Dead Prince"
2)You will reveal no critical information
3) You will serve Icarus "The Dead Prince" until death
4)You will not think of harming Icarus "The Dead Prince"
5)You will not speak of this contract, unless permitted
6)Your perception of Icarus "The Dead Prince" will not turn hostile
7)Your will shall be secondary to his
8)Icarus "The Dead Prince" may perceive your state at will.
Benefits: NonePenalty: Death
Note:
This contract may evolve with the authority of Icarus "The Dead Prince."
Do you wish to accept?]
Seren's breathing grew uneven.
His eyes darted upward—toward Icarus, standing behind him, face hidden in shadow.
The blade pressed deeper.
A drop of blood slid down his neck.
[Icarus "The Dead Prince" feels killing intent towards you. ]
Beads of sweat poured down Seren's forehead.
Die now.
Die later.
Or live… like this.
I can escape later, he thought desperately. I just need time.
"…I accept."
The contract sealed.
Something unseen tightened in the air—like a chain locking into place.
Icarus stepped back, his face in shadows that hid his cold smile.
Seren fell to the floor, gasping and clutching at his throat.
Agatha smiled- but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
"You'll grow into a great leader."
Icarus didn't respond.
He only looked at his hands.
They didn't feel like his anymore.
This shouldn't feel so good.
[You have levelled up!
You have gained Manipulation ( Lv.2)]