“Umm, sir, Chairman, what is the black court?” Lucian asked.

  Shit. I haven't made a concrete story yet.

  “A powerful organization.”

  Lucian slightly opened his mouth and leaned forward before stopping himself and leaning back.

  Well then. That was a pointless question. Lucian thought.

  “Why did you save us?” Maeve asked.

  “Something world-changing is coming. It is my duty to find those with potential and give them a chance to fight back.”

  How is the world changing exactly? I asked for a life of pleasure, not fighting.

  “Are you going to make us stronger, Mr Chairman?”

  If I could do that, I would make myself stronger.

  “Not directly. If strength isn't gained by your own efforts, then it is nothing but weakness. I am only here to guide you towards the right path.”

  “Guide us how exactly, sir?” Lucian asked.

  “You will return here every seventh night. Missions will be given out. Fulfill them, and you shall be rewarded with information. You should cooperate with each other as fellow members, but nothing shall be forced.”

  “That is all for the questions. Now is time for your oaths.” The Omertà should make these two pretty obedient.

  A dagger appeared in front of both Lucian and Maeve.

  “Cut your palm and let three drops fall for the court's three laws.”

  “Silence is law. Speak no secrets of the Court beyond its walls.”

  “Obedience is absolute. Kill when commanded, die if required.”

  “The Black Court, above all. Your loyalty is eternal.”

  I don't care what I have to do; I will have my total revenge.

  Maeve grabbed the silver dagger with no hesitation and plunged it into her palm as the blood dripped down onto the table. She recited the three laws.

  What the fuck? Why was she so eager? Well, my turn now, not like I have a choice.

  Lucian's hands shook as he grabbed the dagger. He brought the edge close to his palm and closed his eyes as he made a slight cut and recited the laws.

  Damn it all. Lucian thought.

  On the back of their hands, the blue rune appeared. Ethan quickly noticed the change. Is that the symbol of this place?

  “Your vows have been taken. The black court accepts. Etch them into your mind and never forget where your loyalty lies. Your first and eternal mission is this. Get stronger”

  “Our meeting has ended. I shall leave you with a parting gift until the next time.” Ethan made copies of the note the Crow gave him, removing the extra note and leaving only the basics of being Tainted.

  These two should make useful minions. Now then, I want to leave

  The second he willed it, his vision went black. The smell of alcohol and dirt washed over him as he found himself back in the bedroom. Though the sound of drunkards bickering was missing this time.

  Thank fuck those bastards have left i can finally get some sleep.

  As he rested his head, his mind wandered off into the land of peaceful death.

  …

  Ethan walked side by side with His brother Arthur. He looked around the grimy crime-infested streets, yet he had nothing to fear as far as he knew; he basically owned the place.

  A loud bang burst out. The sound of a gun. It was nothing unfamiliar to him or this place. It didn't even phase him.

  A heavy blow struck him in the gut and pushed him onto the ground.

  “What the hell?” he said as he looked up. Two men stood there: his brother, who had pushed him with all his might, and a bloodshot-eyed man holding a gun. Towards the two.

  “No,” Ethan screamed as he rose up from his uncomfortable rest. He sighed deeply, then put his feet down on the creaky wooden floor.

  ok, let's set some goals first, find out what the hell is going on here. Second, go find the consortium. And more importantly, get stronger.

  As he looked around the room, he noticed a leather pouch neatly tied up and a silver dagger with a wooden handle placed as if they were waiting for him.

  The sound of silver moving around and clinking filled the silence as Ethan picked up the pouch and dagger.

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

  They couldn't give me a bag or something?

  “I see you managed to live,” a calm voice spoke from behind him. He quickly turned back, holding the dagger's handle as tightly as he could, and slashed through the air.

  The dagger stopped when it reached the person as if it had hit a brick wall. The figure didint move or flinch he just stopd there unchanging the man that was called the Crow.

  “It's you again. What do you want from me?”

  “Nothing, I'm only here to offer a gift,” the Crow opened his closed fist, revealing a cylindrical tube with a needle sticking out of it and a handle at the top. A less advanced version of a syringe.

  That would be useful, but why is he helping me?

  Why are you giving this to me?

  Consider it an investment.

  I don't want your investment if it means having you breathing down my neck constantly

  “And why would you invest in me? I'm sure you could find someone better, sir.”

  “I could, but I'm rather satisfied with you.”

  What does he know about me?

  “Don't be scared, I won't hurt you as long as you don't join one of the houses.”

  Again? What does this guy have against these supposed gods? maybe I should join them so they can get this guy the hell away from m—------

  The thought disappeared as soon as it came.

  I sure as hell wont join them if it means pissing off this guy.

  “Sure, I won't.”

  “Well then, it is time for my departure. Use my gift well.” A pillar of black energy surrounded where the Crow used to be. As it waned, only a single black feather remained.

  As Ethan looked down, he noticed the Syringe had somehow ended up in his hand alongside the pouch of silver.

  What the hell? How am I meant to store all this? Unless… The thought of that space from last night crossed his mind, maybe he could store things in there

  As the thought went across his mind, the rune on his hand glowed and the objects in his left hand disappeared.

  Bring it back now.

  Nothing.

  Fucks sake i can put it in but i have to manually go and bring it out? What type of dogshit is that?

  Ethan goes into the black court and takes the pouch of coins back with him, and left the Crow's gift and the dagger lying there.

  Let's get some info. The owner of this place should make a good start.

  Ethan opens the wooden door and walks down the creaky steps.

  He looked around the room, making sure no other person was there except the bartender. The tables were all empty, the only sign of life was the innkeep standing behind the counter.

  This should work. It always does. He unwrapped the pouch and took a look inside. The smell of silver greeted him as he witnessed an uncountable amount of small silver coins. He took out

  20 coins and gripped them firmly in his left hand.

  “Hey,” He shouted towards the innkeep, getting his attention. “I'm going to pay you 20 silver and you will answer every question I ask. You don't ask anything back or mention this to anybody, got it?”

  “Sure,” The innkeep looked at him with an excited yet fearful grin.

  Ethan slammed down the 20 silver onto the counter and took a seat on the stool.

  “We're in the bastion, right? Why is it called that, and what nation is it in?”

  The man raised his eyebrow and looked stunned for a bit before he answered, “It's the bastion because it's right next to the ruins and we're in Radomir.”

  Nice. A man who puts money above pointless questioning.

  “What are the ruins?”

  “A forever-changing place which we think is the lair of those wicked Nightmares.”

  Forever changing? The hell does that mean?

  “What do you mean by forever changing?”

  “The ruins change into something different every day.”

  How could a place change every day? Is it the result of a Nightmare or Tainted? Either way doubt this guy knows much about it.

  “Where and what is Novaria?”

  “It's a nation far away, a land of advancement they call it. I'm sorry, but I don't know much more. I've never left Radomir.”

  Is that Crow bastard from there? Is that why the name he gave me was Novarian? Oh, well, not like it matters.

  “Which factions have the most power in Radomir?”

  “The three houses. Ironhart blackthorn and Briarwood. And King Radomir”

  Houses again. What connection do these houses have with the gods, though? Shouldn't a church be in power?

  “How are the houses related to gods?”

  “The houses are descendants of the gods.”

  Oh great, these so-called gods put their babies in charge because of nepotism. Some things don't change, no matter where you are, it seems.