CHAPTER 7: THE PACT

Norrin was puzzled. “Now, there is an escape from an inescapable prison? You just now figured it out?"

"Yes! I guess your arrival has opened my eyes to something I didn't see before. The gateway! It is so obvious now."

"The gateway? But you just told me I cannot go back through the gateway.”

“Yes! Do you not see! This gateway is an exit!” exclaimed Nassima, “The blue griffon’s feather activated it allowing you to come through. But it was not how this particular gateway was supposed to be used. This gateway is the way out of this horrid place,” she explained, "Which means we can escape, if we can find the entrance!”

The questions began to pile up in Norrin’s mind like stacks of books, but Nassima’s newfound sense of hope was contagious. He shook off the cloud of despair, his spirit re-energized with her words.

Nassima studied the hall, “Look, there! When you activated the gateway the outer seal of this prison must have been broken, and the way in has been opened as well!”

On the far north wall a faint outline of a doorway appeared, and a small landing which hadn’t been visible by Norrin before jutted out of the wall just below it. “So, you’re saying beyond that doorway, there should be a path leading to the entrance?” He asked.

“Yes! You can escape from there!” Nassima answered with a twinkle of joy in her eyes.

But Norrin’s shoulders dropped as the winds of hope left his sails. It seems like the spirit forgot his current dilemma in her excitement. “But… How can I reach the doorway? I am stuck on this pedestal. I wouldn’t even be able to jump a quarter of the way across this void.”

“True, and even if you could, that still leaves me confined to this hall, unless…” Nassima paused. She seemed to know a solution to their problem but was unsure of how to propose it to Norrin. A nervous aura surrounded her and held her tongue. Norrin hesitantly watched her gather her thoughts, unsure of what would come next.

“You and I must come to an agreement.” Nassima finally stated with a business-like bluntness.

Norrin noticed a different look on her face. He was good at reading people, and as large as Nassima’s image appeared to him, he was able to pick up on the subtle changes in her expression. It was like Nassima felt guilty about what she was about to ask of him.

“What kind of agreement?”

“In order for you to be free of this place, you will need my help. But I also wish to escape so, I need yours. We must do this together,” She started. “I will offer you use of my powers, and with them you will be able to cross this gap with ease. But also, beyond the doorway, there are many other hazards. Dangers an ordinary man, like you, would never be able to survive. Again, my powers will help you withstand them and find the way out. In exchange, I will bind my essence to your body. The incantation placed on these runes was made to trap a spirit in place but has no effect on beings of the physical realm. If my spirit is connected to your physical body I can get pass the barrier, and we can both escape.”

“I see.” Norrin said, skeptical of her idea. Plus, he was slightly insulted by being called ordinary. He was used to being alone and not dependent on anyone for his survival. He lasted this long on his own and thought he had done a pretty extraordinary job at it, so he was confident in his skills. Still, she put forth an interesting proposal for him to consider. He didn't have any idea how he would navigate across the bottomless pit at the moment. Furthermore, he did not want to refuse a goddess and what may be his only way out of this death trap.

“So, what’s the catch?”

“Once we are bound, our souls will be merged, and you and I will be one being. You will still be you. You will still be in control of your body and mind. But I will be a part of you, and with you all the time. Your emotions and memories will be open to me. The bond we will share will be beyond any you have ever experienced. I will feel your sensations and pain, and you will feel mine.” Nassima explained. But she could see the doubt creeping onto Norrin’s face.

“Is this something you do often?” Norrin asked.

“No, I have never attempted this before.” Nassima replied. “Honestly, I have only seen the spell performed once. But that was between two other Azuri. I am not even sure it will work. Truth is, I am not even sure if your body can handle the energy my spirit possesses.”

Her statement did not ease Norrin’s mind.

“The binding is complex and, in all honesty, may be too complicated to explain fully. However, I believe it is our only chance of escape.” Nassima told him.

Norrin crossed his arms over his chest. “Once we escape from here, then what happens? We just go off on our separate ways?” he asked. It all seemed too easy to him. He did not know if this spirit was trying to deceive him in some way. He heard fables of trickster Azuri who loved to play cruel games with people’s lives. Then he remembered the fables of the Azuri were just that – fabricated fables, at least, they were according to her.

Nassima resumed, “Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Outside of this hall and without my body, my soul will urge to return to the source. I am not ready to leave this world. I need to find my physical form and be reconnected to it. It was hidden away by the same ones who imprisoned me here and I demand justice for their actions. Until then, I ask that we remain bonded to each other.”

Norrin would need more persuading, and Nassima continued to plead her case.

“I understand I am asking for a great sacrifice from you. I am also risking everything because if death takes you, both our souls are lost forever. But, if you can help me get my body back, you will be rewarded beyond your imagination. This is the pact I offer you, otherwise it is eternal imprisonment for me and a long, slow death for you.”

“Not much of a choice,” Norrin uttered as he mulled over the decision. He paced the small pedestal, peering over the edge to have another look at the void below. It was a difficult situation he found himself in. He wanted to trust Nassima, but he held no faith in the Azuri. They were just myths to him, not actual deities that could be relied on. He knew many who worshipped them and witnessed people call on them in their darkest moments, believing if they kept faith the Azuri would answer their prayers. But those people were only answered with silence. So, he did not believe the Azuri were benevolent beings that provided their help, safety and comfort. Nevertheless, something inside of him was saying to believe in her. This Azuri was real, and she was here with him. This Azuri needed his help, and she needed to believe in him. Norrin mentally measured the distance to the other platform again and confirmed it was an impossible feat. He needed to let go of the idea of her being a member of a pantheon of apathetic gods and instead trust her like she was trusting him in order for them both to see the next day. He looked her in the eyes and decided to let his instincts guide him.

“I want to get out of here, so we can try this ‘binding’. The sound of a reward beyond my imagination is also a great incentive. But can I have one other request though?” Norrin asked. “The other half of your legend says that upon the Azuri Nassima’s return, a new age would begin. I would like to see what that so-called new age would look like. It’s hard out there in the world, with all of the beasts and monsters roaming around and people live in fear behind barriers and walls. Powerful men have taken advantage of this fear and control the lives of everyone inside those walls. If you are as powerful as the stories say, you can change this, you can drive out the beasts from the land. Then, at least the people would have a chance at freedom outside of the walls. Because right now the only choices we have are between living under subjugation or facing the terrors of the wilds alone."

Nassima’s expression showed that she did not expected Norrin’s request. “I must say Norrin Shai, I am relieved but also a little shocked that you have asked this of me. It proves my first impression of you is correct.”

“And what was your first impression of me?”

“You were not some egotistical false hero on a quest for power. Instead, you are just an ordinary man trying to survive. From what I remember of you humans, even the most able-bodied and brawny of your so-called heroes are still fragile creatures, easily broken physically and mentally. A human by themselves should not be able to reach this chamber without help, yet here you are. You survived the blue griffon but were humble about it. You have a set of sturdy armor. But I do not see any weapons on you. You are not a warrior, but you are brave and have seen your share of conflict. I may be able to trust you, and the binding will tell me for sure. I will warn you though, if you are being insincere, I will end the binding, break your mind and be done with you.”

A shiver went down Norrin’s spine. “You conveniently left that aspect out before I agreed.”

“I am handing you an extraordinary amount of power, Norrin Shai; I need to have a failsafe. If you are honest, you have nothing to worry about.”

“In that case, I want to also let you know that I expect my personal reward to be substantial, there is a lot that I can imagine,” Norrin said with a nervous laugh.

“I have no issue with fulfilling both ends of the deal. I can only imagine the chaos befalling Teoria since my imprisonment. When I am returned to my full form you will be rewarded and there will be a reckoning. You have my word,” The warrior responded with confidence and determination in her voice.

“Okay, I am ready,” Norrin replied.

A subtle grin crossed Nassima’s lips.

“Let us begin.”