55 Crimson Ash

This was why Astraia was so surprised when Riyku said he could control the shadow. Even if he was a novice, she knew that if he harnessed his power and honed his ability he would become an extremely powerful person. Taking a moment to relax; Astraia would lean back against the chair and close her eyes. Riyku would tilt his head to the other side in innocence. "Is there something wrong, Astraia?" Riyku inquired with a bit of concern in his eyes. "No. I would not go as far as to say that something is wrong. Moreover, I am just surprised is all. The ability to control the shadow is an extremely powerful ability. You could also say that it is extremely rare for someone to be able to do so." Astraia would open her eyes after replying to him, examining him over before letting out a soft sigh. "Where did you even get such an ability?" Her expression was a bit more serious than before. Riyku gave a puzzled expression. "I assume by the ability you are referring to my gift, yes? Well, I was born with it." Riyku's response so normal, as if he were having a conversation; however, the look upon Astraia's face when he said he was born with the ability to control the shadow... Well, let's just say she was more than dumbfounded by it.

Since Riyku seemed to be able to follow along, Astraia would continue. "Infants are considered protected. Nothing can harm them and no one can do anything to them. Babes are slightly protected but can be used as feed for nether hounds and other beasts because their diabolical energy is weak enough to keep the nether beasts from evolving. Children are only protected as long as they work. Of course, their work isn't anything unbefitting of their age group. Children will generally be told to clean out the dumps, pick up trash, clean up various areas, among other mundane tasks. They are also paid a small wage as well. The same applies to those in the Teens group; however, their tasks are a bit more heavy-duty. They can even enlist themselves for wars if they wish to but are not forced to. Their wage is also higher than that of the Children group. As for Young Adults and higher, well we are not protected. Anything goes with us, and we are forced to be drafted for war if called upon. In addition to that our work can be anything from mundane tasks to more of what you probably caught glimpses of on our way here. We get paid nonetheless. The currency is called EC which stands for Essences Credit." Astraia would take a moment to let Riyku process everything he was told, and if he had any questions he would ask.

Ask he did it would seem; "I got everything. I can understand the age group thing as well as the protective barrier. However, why are babes allowed to be sacrificed as feed? That just seems wrong..." When Riyku brought this up Astraia would give a soft smile, not because she wanted to explain it, but because he seemed to care. Unlike most in the Underworld, he genuinely found something wrong with this. She even agreed that it was wrong to use babes as feed. "As messed up as this sounds. It is because babes are in the proper age group where their diabolical energy is enough to keep the nether beasts fed while keeping them from evolving into something greater. Infants have little to no energy and anyone older tends to have enough to evolve a nether beast." When Astraia finished explaining Riyku would shake his head. "What is wrong with nether beasts evolving?" He knew nothing of the Underworld after all, though he could almost hazard a guess that it was a bad thing. Astraia would cross her arms under her bust and sigh softly. "Generally speaking, nothing. As long as the beasts keep to themselves. I guess I'll have to explain this one as well. There are five evolutions to a nether beast. The first is their base form. How they were born. As they feed on rich diabolical energy they evolve. Their second form is a heighten in power and increase in size. Their third is an increase in knowledge and wisdom. Their fourth is an increase in all of the previous aspects as well as being able to actually communicate; and their final evolution allows them to take on a more... humanoid appearance if you will. However, it also boosts everything about them including any abilities they had. Making them extremely dangerous. For example, should you see an oversized netherhound that can talk it means they are on their fourth evolution, but when they reach their fifth they will most likely look like a cross mix between a hound and a humanoid." When Astraia finished explaining; Riyku would sigh softly and massage his forehead as if the information he was taking in was a bit to process.

It was, from age groups to nether beasts. Even coming to know that his gift was actually an extremely rare ability. Though it occurred to him, something he had yet to ask about. His eyes glanced at his right hand. The pitch-black wick looking claw. "Your mother said something about Contracted Entity... What is a Contracted Entity?" Riyku inquired as he studied over his hand. Astraia would take a moment to think of the best way to answer his question. After all, it did make sense to want to know more about himself. "Let's see... Think of a Contracted Entity as a second soul. Someone you've bound yourself with through a Contract. They allow you to use their power in return for something they desire. The desires of the entity differ between each one. Some simply want to be amused while others will want the host they are contracted to. However, to form a contract with an entity is no easy feat. First, both parties must be willing to bind into one. Second, the Contractor must be capable of withstanding a second soul being inside of them, that being the Contractee. Lastly, the chances of the contract even going through are extremely slim. After all, it is a binding of two souls living in a single body. Which is why Mother was surprised as much as I was. When did you even get into the contract?" Astraia inquired with curiosity after she finished explaining. Riyku who was listening to her explanation would look up from his arm towards her when she asked her question. He would take a moment to think about it, not truly remembering when he had formed such a contract.

It then dawned upon him. What the Magi said about him making some kind of pact or whatever using the Darkness itself. "I... am not too sure." He would give a wry expression. Technically, he was not lying; but neither was he being honest. He truly was not sure, especially if what he did was considered to be a Contract. He didn't even know what kind of Entity this thing was. He didn't know the name of it, nor did he know its face or anything about it. He just thought he used a power that was far beyond his control and the price to pay was his life. However, maybe there was something more. Maybe he had formed a Contract with an Entity, and maybe that the price to pay was something entirely different. Astraia's brow arched to his response, "You are not sure? Like you do not know? That is strange..." Astraia would remark before going into thought on if he truly did not know. "Can you recall anything?" She would inquire. After all, it wasn't strange for people to not remember much of their previous life. Her curiosity was clearly piqued though. "Well... I used an incantation in order to increase my power. Although... maybe I did something completely different." Riyku would scratch his cheek with a faint smile. "I just wanted to protect them. I didn't know nor did I care about what would happen to me." He would add with a soft sigh. Astraia's expression softened. Seeing how he looked. It was quite clear that he did not form such a contract for anything evil. There was no reason to further ask about it either. She gained all she wanted to know. In fact, she already knew it. Just asking these questions confirmed everything.

"Very well. Let's move along. I have a proposition for you. I have already talked it over with Mother and we decided that we will let you stay here. However, it will not be for free. Food, housing, clothing all these things costs EC. As such, you will need to find a way to make EC. If you agree to help us we will help you." Astraia would lean forward slightly awaiting an answer. Riyku was a bit stunned. The way Astraia was speaking made it seem odd compared to what the man at the gate said. "Umm..." Riyku would cast his gaze downward for a moment since he was a bit unsure of what to think of the situation. "It sounds like a good deal. Although... I know nothing about this world or how it works. I doubt I could read the text. I was unable to even read the sign outside above your shop." Riyku would retort which caused Astraia to blink for a moment in confusion as if it took a moment for her to process what she just heard. "Wait, you can't read... I am assuming you are unable to write either, huh? Were you just brought here?" Astraia was a bit taken back by what she was just told; however, everything was being pieced together. If he truly had just arrived it would make sense. From being nude and having nothing to nearly become a sex slave. The pieces fit perfectly. He really did just arrive here. Riyku would nod lightly, and now Astraia would caress the bridge of her nose in slight annoyance. "I see. Well, we can catch you up to speed. I mean I can just teach you how to write and read. You will need to learn how to write and read before you can attend my school after all. In fact, you will need to become stronger. I will not deny the fact that you are strong; however, you are only slightly stronger than the average demon. Against anyone else, you will fall. As such, I will also be training you in martial arts." Astraia would reply as if she already took Riyku's answer as a yes he will accept her terms.

Riyku would glance up at her, seeing her expression made him smile softly. It looked like she was mulling over in thought about what to do about him. How to teach him and what she was going to teach him. He took it as a sign that she cared, and he was not wrong. To some extent, Astraia did care. "I will leave it up to you, Astraia. Thank you very much!" Riyku would exclaim with a joyous and innocent smile. Astraia saw the brightness coming off of his face, it was so pure and bright that it made her blush lightly. Such a smile even tugged at her heartstrings. 'Why are you here? You deserve so much better...' Astraia thought to herself. She could see just how wrong it was for him to be here. She may not have truly known what had happened to him other than what he let on, but even then it made no sense for him to be here. Even if there was the Contracted Entity. Would he have used the power for evil? She could not see it. There was just too much purity in those eyes of his. So much so that she did not realize that, that smile was the first time she felt such an emotion known as love.

Clearing her throat to try and place her own attention on something else; Astraia would lean forward, in fact, she would push from her chair and stand in front of Riyku. "I would like to try something... if that is okay with you." She would comment her expression showed as if she had just resolved herself for something. Riyku's expression was lit up with confusion. "Try something? Well, I don't mind... I suppose." Riyku would reply. He trusted her even if such a trust was naive to give freely. Astraia would lean towards him and press a hand to his chest while steadily slowly straddling him. A soft blush touched his face when he made note of how intimate this position was. "Umm... Astraia..." Riyku would murmur softly as he looked back up at her, taking note of how close her face was and how comfy the fabrics of the bed felt as he laid upon them. "I will not harm you. I just want to try and exchange information with a spell. It will not hurt, you have my word." Astraia would hunch over him a hand coming to his cheek. Her own face was flushed with how intimate they were. She did not understand why this thought came to mind as she never once tried it with anyone else; however, she felt it would be okay with him. That he would not try to take advantage of her. "It's not that... I... Well... I don't think you should do this sort of thing with someone unless you love them." Riyku would turn his eyes away trying to avoid eye contact since he was embarrassed.

These words only confirmed how safe she was now. A soft smile painted along her face as she pressed her forehead against his own. "I appreciate that. Thank you, Riyku." She whispered softly as she closed her eyes. Without incantation, she used her own diabolical energy to exchange information with him through the mind. Since it required an intimate space like this one, and for both parties to be willing; Astraia never tried it with anyone else. Mainly because she heard rumors that people took advantage of others who did this because there was no going back until the exchange was complete. Riyku could feel a flood of information coming into his mind. The language of Crimson Ash, the text of Crimson Ash, the mannerism of Crimson Ash, the workings of Crimson Ash, everything that Astraia knew... it was flooding his mind. This netherworld was a lawless land with the only true rule being survival of the fittest and yet... he did not understand why Astraia was providing him with such help. When Astraia finished the exchange of information she would open her eyes to look at him with a smile upon her face. "Thank you, Riyku." She would thank him again in a soft tone before kissing his cheek and removing herself from him. The kiss caused the stunned Riyku to blush brightly.

The flush that was upon her face had vanished and offered a hand to help him up. "Now, I think we should get started on training. I got a pretty good read on your combat ability from what I took from you. I did not pry too much since it would be rude. I only took what I needed." Astraia explained a bit about what she learned about him. Riyku would take her hand and sit up only to stand up with her. "I see..." It was quite clear from the look and unclear tone of his voice that he still did not know what just happened. This caused her to giggle softly since she found it cute. "I'll tell you more about it later. For now... It seems to me that you only know how to use three types of weapons. A short sword, daggers, and a polearm. As such, I will train you on how you use long swords, greatswords, and rapiers. My mother knows how to use a bow so I will see if she will train you with one. Of course, you should not let your own skills with short swords, daggers, and polearms go untrained either. So we will find a way to keep those in your training schedule. Since I shared the basic principle with you, you should know the basics, but we will go through them along with other methods as a means to hone them into your body. As for studies; I can share those with you at least until I find that you are ready to attend the school." Astraia would explain while leading Riyku over to the training area. Riyku would not say anything, but he would smile and nod. He could see she meant well and would accept her offer to train. Although the whole information exchange thing would take some time to get used to.