The Pact Breaker

After hours of rest.....

Finn began the drilling excerise. His arms still ached from the battle training, but he pushed through. He dropped into push ups, his hands shivering.

"One..two...three" he whispered, forcing each rap.

"Enough!" Eric commanded.

"Time for sprint."

Finn rolled to his feet and started sprinting laps around the edge of the training circle—dodging the stone pillars. Sweat ran down his face, soaking his shirt.

"Run harder." Eric shouted.

He ran again—faster this time. But as he ran past the pillars, his eyes dazzled. Then, he fell to the ground. His heart pounding.

"Well done, boy" Eric muttered.

"Rest for a second."

After a brief rest, Finn rose to his feet. His breath still heavy.

"Back to push-ups" Eric said.

Finn dropped to the floor again.

He pressed his palms on the cold floor and pushed down. Arms trembling.

"One...two...." he murmured. "three..."

Finn wanted to quit, but his mind refused.

Eric stood nearby watching in silence.

"You fight with fire, Finn." his voice calm.

"But your body is still soft. If it breaks, everything else breaks with it."

Finn groaned, finishing his set. "That was fifty…"

"That was twenty-seven" Eric replied.

"And I didn't say stop."

Finn dropped again. "You're enjoying this."

Eric chuckles. "Not really. But I enjoy you not dying."

After a few more rounds of push-ups, balance drills, and sprints around the training ground, Finn collapsed on the floor, breathing hard.

"You good?" Eric asked, throwing him a small leather flask.

Finn caught it, drank deeply, and flinched.

"What is this?" He asked.

"Witchroot tonic. Helps with with pain."

"It tastes like Orange juice." Finn whispered.

Eric chuckled. Then sat beside him, leaning his staff on his knee.

They both stared at the glowing sword, sitting nearby.

"Eric..." Finn muttered.

"Back when I held the sword… it burned at first. But then it felt like it knew me."

Eric nodded. "That's how soul-bond blades work. They're rare and dangerous. They only awaken for those whose soul burns with both strength… and torment."

Finn looked at his hands. "So, this thing is alive?"

"In a way. Not like a person. But it responds to your spirit. If you lose focus, it might not obey you next time."

Finn went quite for a while.

"Has anyone ever lost their bond?"

Eric's face shifted a little bit sad.

"Many. Some were consumed by their blade. Others lost themselves trying to force it...a few never woke again."

"And mine has both fire and shadow?" Finn asked, voice calm.

Eric gave a quick glance at him.

"Yes. Your father's blood gave you the mark of the Black Pact. But your mother… she gave you witchfire. You are born of two forces that should never mix."

Finn clenched his fist. "Then I have to be stronger."

Eric nodded. "That's why I must leave for a while."

Finn blinked. "Leave?"

"I need to cross into a different realm."

"Why? Finn asked.

"To get things you need to control your demon side..so, they don't exist here anymore. I need ancient tools." Eric replied.

"Hmmm.... If that's the case, I want to come with you." Finn muttered.

"No! Stay here." Eric ordered.

"How long will you be gone?" Finn asked, sitting up.

"Not long. A day… maybe two. But until I return, you must stay inside the sanctuary. Don't touch the sealed door beneath the training floor."

"Why not?" Finn asked.

Eric looked at the glowing entrance that led into the lower crypts.

"Because behind that door lies something older than even the Black Pact. Something tied to your bloodline."

Before Finn could press further, Eric stood and raised his staff. A small portal opened.

"You've done well." he said.

"I've only just started." Finn replied, standing up too.

Eric gave a quick glance.

"I'll be back before nightfall tomorrow. Don't die before then."

With that, he stepped through the portal—and vanished.

---

Finn stood in silence for a while, then turned to the center of the training ground. The sword lay nearby.

He walked over to it, picked it up, and held it in front of him.

"Alright! It's show time." He muttered.

"No one else here. No excuses."

He swung once–then again. The blade glowed faintly each time.

He trained alone for hours. His arms ached again. Body soaked in sweat. But he didn't stop.

Sometimes, when he moved too fast or let flashbacks of his home creep in, he felt demon stirring at his chest.

He stood still, he breathed out and fought back. He practiced until his hands blend with the sword.

Then sat down on the steps of the chamber, staring into the glowing sword.

Images of his mother flashed back– The photo. Her smile. Her blood.

"I won't waste what you gave up." He whispered.

---

Hours passed. The chamber remained silent as Finn dozed off into a light sleep.

A low growl rumbled through the dark corners of the chamber.

Finn froze.

He sat up slowly, eyes narrowing. From the shadows, something huge stepped out–covered in dark silver fur, with long claws scraping the stone. Its eyes glowed faintly orange.

"A… werewolf?" Finn muttered, rising to his feet and gripping his sword tightly.

The beast didn't charge immediately. It stood, breathing heavily, claws tapping against the stone floor.

"You're not one of them, are you?" Finn said cautiously, steadying his stance.

"You're one of Eric's."

The werewolf said nothing.

Before Finn could react, it lunged.

CLANG!

Finn blocked the first swipe, but the force sent him backwards.

He dashed forward, blade flashing. The wolf dodged easily, hitting a heavy punch into Finn's chest. He flew to a pillar, coughing hard as he slide to the floor.

"Okay… big guy hits like a truck." He groaned.

The werewolf moved again—claws out. Finn rolled away, barely escaping, and slashed upward.

The blade grazed the wolf's side. It roared, not in pain—but in excitement.

Finn backed off, heart racing. He was stunned.

"This isn't just a clash, is it?" Finn whispered. "You're really trying to kill me…"

He steadied himself, letting the fire in him stir faintly–Not too much.

The wolf lunged once more.

Finn stepped in and swung his blade. It slammed into the wolf's chest. The wolf stumbled back slightly, then growled low.

"You're learning." a voice echoed deep–It came from the wolf.

"You talk?" Finn gasped.

"We all can. But not everyone earns our voice."

The beast charged again, faster than before.

Finn blocked the first claw—but the second hit him across the ribs. He cried out, spinning back, blood flowing out.

The wolf stepped forward, growling deeper now. Its eyes locked onto Finn's throat.

It pounced–Claws out aiming to kill.

Suddenly, a pulse of blue light struck the ground between Finn and the wolf.

"STOP!"

The werewolf stopped mid-air, growling low as it stepped back.

Eric stood at the entrance of the chamber. His face was tense and sharp.

"That's enough!."

Finn collapsed to both knees, coughing hard.

Eric walked over to him, throwing a quick glance at the wolf as it moved back.

"He was never meant to kill you. Just push you near the edge."

Finn looked up at Eric, his heart still racing.

"Well..." He muttered.

"Mission accomplished."