Each of the adults talked to Ian one on one, likely asking, pleading, or threatening him to take care of me. When they weren’t talking with Ian they were giving me advice and telling me about cool pces to visit on my way towards Aubree in the east.
That was my first goal, to show Aubree what I was capable of. I would never let myself be dead weight now that I’m a trainer. From there, I would try to travel with her and get my binder back.
Grandpa finished telling a story about his time as a stunt man when Sawk finished cooking the Tauros steak.
After eating, I packed up the little I would take with me as per “tradition” while also haggling for a few more items like a bottle of rubbing alcohol, trash bags, and a set of my favorite erasers.
Ian had been floating around my room, observing me and the environment. The single bookshelf I had proudly dispyed objects I valued. A drawing of a burning tree surrounded by stick figures, an Ash Ketchum hat my sister bought for my birthday, and a pair of my two favorite Pokemon on cheap ft silicon-rubber. Things like that.
“Hey Ian” he turns quickly, still getting used to me being around him. But trying hard like a little soldier. “I need you to promise me something.”
I take a notebook from the bottom shelf, the 5th of 16. Drawing my finger over the table with of contents I find the proper page for the promise. For the ritual.
I lock my door before flipping to the page. On it, is a diagram much like the intricacies of common moves. “You’re my starter so I need you to be on my side from step one, do you understand?”
An eerie whine sounded from him, surprised but unafraid. Ghosts feared little. And it looked like he understood what was at py here. I wasn’t selling my soul, I wasn’t trying to ensve him, I was making a promise. As strong a promise as the years of research and educated guesswork could come up with. Time to go from 0 to 100.
I took my shirt off, the inscription was extensive and he was not a scalpel by any stretch of the term.
“Honedge named Ian, I am Max Rhydd Bo, descendant of the Gordan line, feared mercenaries and survivors of the Eternal War.”
Chills ran over my back as I grabbed hold of Ian’s ribbon, vigor draining from my blood but not the conviction. I turned my back on him, this was going to hurt.
"Carve this pledge upon my body and listen to its meaning, ‘Bde of the past, I will make you the strongest edge this world has ever known. I will reforge you in fire and blood, sharpen you with knowledge of every deadly attack I have conceived, and hone your body beyond the limits of steel.
But in return, you will ensure my death is earned by heinous enemies. With no rest, no sheath—you will continue an endless fight to cleave through the Strange Forest and its cursed spawn. You will take payment from their flesh as a part of the Bo family. Tell me, Honedge named Ian—will you be just another sword, or will you become an atrocity to be remembered?"
This promise was years in the making, the phrasing comprised of months of nightmares experienced. He hadn't even started cutting my back so I was worried that I had brought this up too quickly. When cold metal touched my back I knew I had the first official member of my team, one who would stay with me. I tightened my grip on his ribbon as he drew a circle, dipping into my back as he drew it with a smoothness uncannily like me. An artful accuracy that glided through my skin like scissors pushed at a steady pace.
He took a full hour, sometimes pausing to view the diagram in the book. I breathed slowly until his work was done and he took his ribbon out of my hand. "Touch the center and activate the oath" I stared at the opposite wall, made of stone and barren it was good for focusing away from the pain about to come. I felt something touch my back softly before a coldness washed over me, he did it.
More flooded out of him and I started panting and grunting. I felt something wrap around something deep inside me, not tight but limiting movement like loose bindings. Then the coldness sunk deeper. I gripped my knees, fingers digging hard dents in my skin in an uncomfortable manner.
The ritual finished and I felt warm. Not because I was getting hotter, but because I was so cold. Our souls were linked in a promise now, one I was oh so ready to keep.
