Chapter 3 – Contract

I could feel my breathing pick up as I wondered if I had finally lost my mind.

[It would be best if you tried to remain calm,] a woman’s soothing voice washed over me. [Hyperventilation will only aggravate your wound further. While not an imminently fatal wound, it is still best to keep you in as perfect health as possible.]

“What… what are you?” I whispered, my voice quivering. It paused for a moment, then an ear twitched.

[Perhaps some explanation is required after all. Very well. I am an entity created by the alien race you know as the “Zenith.” As for what I am, the closest equivalent humans have is that of a highly advanced artificial intelligence. Although the proper explanation is much more complicated, you may think of me as an AI formed by both magic and unrivaled technology. I was created in order to assist humanity in their fight against the Anathema. Humans have taken to calling us “Familiars.”]

Recognition dawned on me. MGs always did seem to have weird little mascot animals that got advertised with them. Even the few Magical Girl shows I’d seen had featured weird but cute looking creatures who ended up giving the girl their power.

A flare of pain brought me back to the moment, and I suppressed a shudder. I was starting to feel cold, and I was covered in a sheen of sweat from the fight and pain. I looked back at the rabbit.

“I don’t understand,” I whispered. “Why me? I… I’m not special, or strong, or anything like that. So why me?”

The Familiar’s fox tails swished back and forth.

[On the contrary, the Zenith determined some time ago that you would be compatible with magic and be capable of serving in a vital role as a Magical Guardian. Otherwise, I would not have been created. Each Familiar is personalized from inception to be a match for their potential Guardian, you know! I have even been watching you for the past twenty-three days, gathering more information and performing a final assessment. After your recent actions, I decided further observation was no longer necessary.]

“Oh…” I replied weakly. The pain in my stomach was growing, sending sharper spikes through my body. The adrenaline from the fight must have been fading too, because exhaustion was starting to pull at me, and a nap sounded really good. If it weren’t for the sharp bouts of agony, I was pretty sure I would have passed out already.

[Perhaps more questions should wait until a later time.] The Familiar’s ears perked up slightly. [You are injured, though I have limited ability to tell how badly without forming a contract first. I would highly suggest you make a decision on my offer swiftly.]

It… all of it was so sudden, it felt surreal. No fanfare, no gradual buildup, just bam, fight an Anathema, almost die, and now an alien creature was offering me a power most would kill for. It was too much, and I wanted to ask a thousand questions, to pinch myself and make sure I wasn’t dreaming.

The Familiar, however, was right. I didn’t have much time to think through this. I was lying on the ground, helpless and bleeding with monsters roaming about. If I wanted to survive, I would just have to accept this as reality and move on.

So I bit my lip, and forced my brain to work through the situation.

Becoming a Magical Guardian, huh? Wasn’t this exactly what everyone dreamed of? Besides the gaping belly wound, of course. If I accepted, I would be able to use magic. Magic, as in fireballs and flying and… well, pretty much anything, really. The laws of reality would become more like guidelines, suggestions that I could scoff at. Accepting would basically make me into a superhero, an icon idolized by modern society.

Oh, and I would survive my mortal wound too, according to the Familiar. As far as sign-up bonuses, that was pretty good.

Naturally, seeing only benefits, I knew there had to be a catch. Nothing was free. Nothing.

“What’s the catch?” I asked in a whisper.

[There are three stipulations to the contract. The first is by and large the biggest reason people do not accept. In becoming a Magical Guardian, you pledge to use your powers to fight the Anathema and protect humanity in its struggle. This means for the rest of your life, your fate will be entangled with pain, suffering, and death. You must realize that you cannot be a light in the darkness without immersing yourself in those very same shadows. Even should you not fight the Anathema directly, you will still be working in some way to alleviate the suffering they cause, and in doing so, expose your very soul to the tragedies of a war without end.]

Her words made me shiver, eliciting an accompanying wince and hiss of pain. I rolled the words over in my head quickly, only taking a second to consider them. It was such an easy decision, and I felt a sour taste rise in the back of my throat when I realized why.

“Alright. Next condition.”

There was a pregnant pause, and I looked back to the Familiar when it didn’t immediately reply.

[Time may be short, but perhaps you should consider it more thoroughly.] It suggested carefully. [The fear of death may be influencing your decision, but-]

“I did consider it!” I let out a weak shout, slamming my fist down on the tile impotently. “I don’t think you understand. My life… it hasn’t been good, alright? The idea of fighting Anathema scares me, but at least it would be a fight! For once, I would have the power to make a difference, to stop just surviving!”

Tears began to blur my vision, and I clenched my teeth.

“Every day, it’s always the same thing over and over again. Take the hits and just roll with them. All I’ve ever managed to do is just survive. I even tried to stand up for myself, and it only made things worse. Can you imagine what that’s like? To come face to face with how helpless you really are? How futile it all is? To actually wonder what the point of living is if it’s just never-ending pain?”

I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting against a rising hysteria. How many times had I lied to myself that things were okay? That one day, things would change? That I would eventually stop feeling utter disappointment every morning I woke up?

“I’m just so tired of being helpless,” I whispered. “I can’t… I just can’t anymore. I can’t keep trying and losing.”

The fox tails behind the Familiar lowered down to the floor, and it gave a slow dip of its head. I wiped my eyes on my sleeves, and after a few seconds of silence, it continued in a somber tone.

[The second condition is more vague, but it states that you will not abuse your new powers. Things such as needlessly harming other humans, hampering other Magical Guardians without reason, or using your power in a tyrannical manner. You are expected to be a beacon of hope, not a monster. This rule is more flexible due to its far-reaching nature, and warnings will be given if it is perceived you are potentially breaking it.]

“That’s fine,” I shook my head. “Wasn’t planning on world domination anyway.”

[Yes,] the feminine voice in my head gained a hint of dry sarcasm to it. [Though your friend’s lust for the conquest of Australia is potentially worrying.]

I blinked. Did it just… wait how did it even know about-

[The third and final stipulation,] it interrupted my thoughts, [is that you agree that no matter what, you will not attempt to break the laws of magic. There are a few, but they simply cover what you can and can’t use certain magics for. Time and mind magic would be examples. Generally, don’t actively try to destroy reality or enslave another, and you’ll be fine. A more detailed explanation will be provided if necessary.]

Reasonable. Just… yeah. All of that sounded like bad news anyway.

“Okay… I’m fine with all three of the rules.”

[Excellent. Know that breaking any of these stipulations is grounds for the stripping of your power and any assets you may have acquired during your time as a Magical Guardian. If all three stipulations are agreeable, then I will ask my question one last time, and you will answer. Then we can begin saving your life.]

“Wait, what do you mean, ‘we?’” I asked. “What exactly happens after the contract is formed?”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

[Familiars act as a Magical Guardian’s personal assistant to not only guide them through their new abilities but also aid them in whatever they might request. Essentially, you will have a magical AI in your head whose only purpose is to help you for the rest of your life. That is why Familiars are personally customized to each Magical Guardian candidate. Extensive information gathering was done to make sure our personalities would be complementary and so I would be aware of the various aspects of your life.]

“Oh…” I said, a sudden paranoia rising in my chest. “How much do you know about me exactly?”

There was a pause, and I felt my throat grow tighter.

[It is not an exaggeration to say the Zenith are eons beyond humanity’s capabilities. Anything posted online or kept electronically pertaining to you has been acquired and researched. Once active observation began, it is safe to assume that if there was an electronic device capable of monitoring you, it was hacked to do so. Phones recorded conversations, cameras your activities, and etcetera. The only place not monitored directly by me, spellcraft, or technology was your home, although internet activity was logged as stipulated by the Accords signed with humanity.]

Anger and panic rose in me at the thought of them spying on me, but the Familiar’s voice quickly continued.

[I am aware humans value privacy dearly. The main purpose of the information gathering was not to pry, but to make sure you would be a suitable Magical Guardian. The amount of power that comes with being one is too much to give to a candidate without first making sure they would not abuse it. If it makes you feel better, I promise not to bring up anything that might be considered an overstepping of boundaries. My purpose will be to help you in your duties as a Magical Guardian, not judge or pry into your personal life. What you choose to share with me and bring me into will be completely up to you.]

I swallowed. I… really didn’t like that the thing seemed to know so much about me, but it made sense. How else were the Zenith supposed to determine if people met their criteria? It made me uncomfortable, but in the end, it didn’t matter. If the Familiar really promised to respect my boundaries…

“Fine,” I whispered, wincing in pain. “I guess that works.”

The creature’s head bobbed up and down.

[Then, if you accept the previously explained rules…] the gentle voice prodded.

I took a deep breath as I met the Familiar’s eyes. I could feel fear inside me, but I couldn’t quite figure out why. I ignored it, knowing that it didn’t matter anymore. I’d made my decision, so I gave a serious nod to the creature offering to change… well, everything. There was a breath, and then it asked its question.

[Would you like to make a contract?]

“Yes,” I replied.

And then I fell through the floor.