Ash had not expected for Keegan to be outside her room first thing in the morning. More importantly, the question he asked showed that he knew more than he should.

Why? Suspicion took hold of every fiber within the young woman. Why does he know? Not a muscle on her face showed her thoughts as she eyed the culprit.

Keegan returned the calm look. "Perhaps the better question is how?" he spoke.

A tingle went down Ash's spine. Callous didn't stir. He was either asleep if he could do so, or not interested. A hint of suspicion gnawed at Ash's mind.

Pushing off the wall, Keegan stood straight. "Come with me." He didn't wait for her and walked down the hall. His back was straight, every step imposing to match the white uniform he wore. The only thing missing was a weapon, but Ash wasn't about to be fooled. She knew it existed, just not where the naked eye could see.

When Keegan reached the end of the hall, he turned.

The corner of his lips tugged up. "I won't bite," he called down the hallway, humor was laced in those words.

Ash raised her eyebrows. Her legs moved before her mind could follow. It was as though something was telling her to go...that this was the right decision.

Keegan turned and continued walking.

Breakfast was thrown to the back of Ash's mind as she followed the man through hallway after hallway. They passed several other staff and competitors. Keegan nodded at the former in greeting, ignoring the latter.

They entered one of the many tranquil gardens. Birds sang and rocks bounced along the floor of a small stream that gurgled happily. Two Pegasus lifted their heads. Their mouths were filled with the lush grass they sneaked in to steal. Looking anything but guilty, they tossed their manes and returned to pillaging what they could, ignoring the two who dared to catch them in the act.

Ash, who'd been admiring these majestic creatures as she walked, stopped in her tracks when she sensed a barrier. She looked up to see Keegan had come to a stop.

The man motioned to a bench which was almost hidden due to how well it blended in with the plantation.

"Take a seat," Keegan spoke.

Ash looked around the quiet garden. She wasn't sure where she'd been expecting Keegan to lead her, but it most certainly wasn't here.

Intrigued, Ash sat down.

Keegan pulled a button from his cuff. He tossed it up. The button spun once and then hovered in mid-air, vibrating softly.

Visibly nothing changed, but Ash felt the air tremble. Sound barrier, the word flashed through her mind. Not only would it prevent no sound from inside getting out, but it severed as a warning if anyone approached.

The suspicion from earlier took an even stronger hold.

"Ask," Keegan said as he leaned against a tree near him.

Ash eyed him. "I thought you were the one who had all the questions," she told him. "You are, after all, the one who keeps pursuing me."

Keegan's eye twitched. "When you say it that way..." he trailed off helplessly.

"Ok then." Ash leaned forward. "Since you suggested it, let me ask a question." She cocked her head deciding to take a stab at her guess. "Just how much do you know..." her lips curled, "about the contract you've made?"

One of the Pegasus blew air through its nostrils, flicking its tail as it happily munched on grass.

A low chuckle interrupted the peaceful atmosphere. Keegan tipped his head back, face lighting up as his laughter grew deeper.

For the briefest moment, Ash couldn't help but wonder how nice both his smile and the sound of his laughter were. At the same time, she didn't move her position even once, watching the man amuse himself.

"I knew it," Keegan spoke, laughter dying down. "You're smart." He nodded. "Alright. I guess it's only fair if I'm going to train you."

When did I agree? Ash was too lazy to speak the question. Keegan was about to show her something, why stop him?

The man straightened. His dark eyes abruptly looked as though they could burn anything they saw.

An immense pressure filled the air.

Birds immediately ceased to sing.

A terrified neigh sounded and both Pegasus spread their wings. Hoofs skidding through the mud as they scrambled to be the first to leave. Even their large wings didn't seem to be able to get them out of their fast enough. In their hurry, large feathers loosened and fell, floating back to the grass below.

It was a strangely picturesque moment.

A girl sat on a bench, unmoving, her head tipped slightly back to catch the view. Before her, a man in a pristine white uniform waved a hand and a sword took shape in thin air. Large feathers rained gently from above.

A hand reached out and took hold of the sword. The moment it touched it, feathers all around ignited. One by one they turned to ash before they could touch the ground.

Ash snagged one from the air, watching it ignite. She dropped it just before the flame could scorch her fingers. Though the pressure in the area was petrifying, she felt strangely safe. Had it been anyone else, they would have taken this moment to search for a crystal, but Ash already knew the truth – there was none. Standing before her was another who had made a contract.

Keegan waved a hand. The sword disappeared and the pressure lifted. All remaining flames died, and the last few feathers staggered to the ground.

The man took a step towards Ash. "I know we've both came back when we should have died," he spoke. "We've both agreed to bloom but a little longer only to, in exchange, never find rest." He took another step, crushing grass below his boots and leaving an indent. "As a result, we've received the opportunity to grasp a power that could topple cities. But," he reached Ash and gazed down at her, "we no longer live for ourselves." His eyes bored into her. He crouched, changing their positions so that he was looking up. "We're the same."

A lone brave bird let out a tentative tweet, testing the air.

The breath Ash had been unknowingly holding escaped. "That's the second time someone's told me that," she spoke. "It's funny how many people I'm suddenly the same as."

"Ah." Keegan nodded. "They tend to look for vessels who are similar." He rested his chin in a hand, looking surprisingly youthful. "Why are you competing in the Dragon Bane, Ash?"

Ash's lips lifted. "As you said, we no longer live for ourselves."

"Hmm." Keegan nodded.

"Do they know?" Ash asked, nodding to the uniform Keegan wore.

The man chuckled once again. "Why do you think I'm an arbitrator?" He got to his feet and stretched. "Not all contractors are the same, but they can be immensely powerful if they know-how. People would rather know what they're dealing with, hence, I'm here. It also pays well." He winked.

"Maybe I should rephrase the question," Ash lifted her chin. "How much do they know?"

"Touché," cane the ambiguous response.

Ash shrugged it off. "So, you've got a contractor. Congratulations." She got to her feet. "There are more contractors out there, no doubt some in Dragon Bane. That doesn't answer my question. Why me? Why the interest?"

Keegan tapped his chin, eyes on her.

"Surely, I haven't..." Ash leaned closer to him, "caught your fancy?"

Keegan didn't respond.

"Sorry." Ash leaned back. "Not interested."

"You're searching for something."

Keegan's words seemed to always have a way to catch her off guard.

Her gaze jumped to his. "Says who?"

"I can see it."

"So what?"

"I'm looking for something too." Keegan's eyes softened. "I can't explain it but...but I somehow feel that you'll be able to help me find it."

The two stood in silence. Grey eyes met dark orbs as each tried to gaze deeper into the others to see their inmost thoughts.

No longer feeling it was dangerous, birds came out from hiding and resumed their earlier communication.

Keegan broke it first.

"I don't doubt that when it comes to battle, there's probably not much more I can teach," he spoke. "But when it comes to control, when it comes to preserving your life and stopping that candle from burning out in moments...there is. The one inside you," Keegan's eyes flashed. "I'm going to teach you how to control it."

A surge of power rushed through Ash. She grabbed her right hand as purple static flickered at the edge of her fingertips without her permission.

Callous, she warned. The contractor had finally shown his face, and he wasn't happy.

Her eyes flickered as she fought to hold him back.

The birds, who had just returned, instantly felt a new danger. This time, they didn't hide – they fled.

Grass and flowers around Ash bent their heads as they began to wilt.

Ash gritted her teeth, struggling to keep the power contained.

A hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her close.

Keegan looked down at her as burning pain shot up her arm. It was this very pain that helped her clear her mind, causing the bubbling power to subside. Even as her eyes cleared, she could feel Callous' anger.

Keegan leaned closer. "See it as a win-win. If your vessel learns to control it, her lifeforce burns slower. She stays around longer; you don't get stuck in limbo...who knows how many more hundred years it would be before you find another suitable?"

He wasn't talking to her this time, but directly to the contractor within.

Tell him to keep his nose in his own business, Callous warned.

The moment Ash felt another surge of power, the pain in her arm was back.

"You control him," this time Keegan was talking to her. "Not the other way around. If he wants you to live for him, he's got to earn it. A contract has two sides."

This time, Ash kept the power from seeping out. Keegan took a step back, letting go of her wrist.

I don't like him, Callous snarled.

Are you sure it's him or the idea of me having control? Ash retorted. Her eyes flickered closed.

Two purple orbs floated before her. We don't need him.

You don't. Ash lifted her chin. I refuse to watch something happen like last time.

It was one time. An unworldly handsome face became visible. His body shimmered into view right after. He was tall, alluring, and dangerous.

Don't push your bloodthirst on me, Ash told him.

Don't make me.

Ash scowled. She hadn't had a serious conflict with Callous in a long time.

Keegan didn't speak, letting the two talk.

You live for me, Callous' reminder came as his crackling eyes dug into her.

You can't live without me, Ash shot back. Besides...her lips curled. I shall give you power most only dream of, she quoted Callous' own words back to him, I will come when you call, fighting by your side for you alone to fulfill every wish and command...tell me. Doesn't that put me in command?

The mirage before her leaned back. A chuckle escaped him. My, my, look at your fangs. But if you're so concerned for others, then tell me. He disappeared and reappeared dangerously close. A hand reached out, caressing her face as though caressing that of a lover.

Ash's forehead wrinkled.

Why haven't you dug deeper? Callous breathed, lips coming closer to hers, teasing her. Why aren't you even a little scared of what I will do when I win the Dragon Bane? Of the destruction, I will bring? He finally asked the question she'd been thinking. His caressing hand stopped at her lips and he pressed a thumb against them, but she didn't feel it. Hmm? He probed.

Ash sighed. I've wanted to, she revealed. Repeatedly I've asked myself that question. But I came to a conclusion.

Oh? Callous stepped back, eyes searching her face,

I don't remember anything in this world, Ash told him. I know nothing about myself. My past, my present, my future, you're the only one there. So, I decided to live on. To find out more. But regardless of what I find...you will remain until my end. So...I decided to go along. To see for myself what the end could possibly hold.

And if all it holds is destruction?

We'll cross that bridge when we get there.

What if it's bloodier than anything you could have imagined?

It has not happened yet, has it?

A bitter laugh escaped the powerful being. You can't possibly think that you could stop me if that moment is to come?

Ash didn't respond.

Let's make a bet. One day, you'll understand. One day, you'll be the one with the bloodlust.

What makes you so sure?

Because, my dear, in the end, we're the same.

There we go again. Ash couldn't help but feel the answer was lacking. "We're the same" seemed to be everyone's default, as though it explained everything. Fine. She sighed deeply. Let's focus on the point we agree on. You want to win Dragon Bane, I want to see what the end brings, along the way maybe know about the past. Neither of us will achieve our objectives if you use up all my life force before the end. So...why not let me learn to control it? As he said, it's a win-win.

Callous' eyes swept over her. He folded his arms, a chilling power emitting from him as he looked at her in the way an immortal would look at a mere ant passing by. There was no question that he held immense power. However, as powerful as he was, he was bound by the mortal before him.

Alright, his lips didn't move this time, but Ash still could hear him. He began to fade. Let's see what he has to 'teach'.

Ash's eyes flickered open. "Ok," she spoke softly. "Teach me." She lifted her gaze to find Keegan had been calmly waiting all the while. He didn't look surprised by her words. "But first, if you are to become my trainer, shouldn't we open up a bit?" She nodded at Keegan and asked boldly, "what did you form a contract with?"

Keegan raised his eyebrows. "You have a lot to learn." He rested all his weight on one leg. "The question is not what you formed a contract with, but who." He took a step back, letting go of her wrist. "But I'd like to ask you the same question."

"Who?" Ash narrowed her eyes. She felt curious. "You know, don't you?" she asked. "What the contractors are? Where they come from?"

Keegan nodded.

"Tell me," she asked eagerly.

Not important, Callous interjected moodily.

Ash ignored him.

Keegan rubbed the bridge of his nose. "What your contractor wants is not so much the question as to why...understanding is the first step."

Don't need to, Callous spoke again.

I thought we'd reached an agreement, Ash probed.

Bah, came the reply.

"But, we can count that as part of your training," Keegan continued. He reached for the still spinning button. "Before that, there is something more important." He snatched the button from the air. There was a slight tremor, then it was gone. The button was calmly returned to his cuff.

"And that would be?" Ash asked.

Keegan's eyes twinkled. "Fill your stomach. Watch some matches. Relax a bit." He walked by her, pausing to pat her shoulder. "You worked hard yesterday. Take a bit of a break." The man walked back the way they'd come.

"I don't need to rest!" Ash called after him. She wanted to learn more, to dive deeper. It was suddenly like a need she never knew she had. She wanted to get a better understanding of the being she had formed a contract with. Her past no longer mattered at this moment, the smile she'd come back for was shoved to the back of her mind.

Keegan simply lifted a hand. "I'll find you for training later tonight."

Ash wanted to call him back, but in the end, she didn't. She was left standing on her own in the quiet garden.

A hesitant nicker made her turn.

The two Pegasus had returned. One already landed while the other hovered just above ground hesitantly. Both had eyes darting from the grass, which tempted them to venture into danger, back to the girl.

Ash waved a hand. "I'm not going to eat you," she spoke.

But I might, Callous added though only Ash could hear him.

Clucking her tongue in disapproval, the girl left the Pegasus to return to uprooting the grass they'd braved their return for.

Be careful how much you trust him, Callous spoke.

I know. Ash reached the door.

We don't know his true motives.

Uh-huh.

We also don't know his full power.

True.

Callous paused. Why do you seem to not be on guard at all?

Oh, trust me, I am. Ash entered the dining area to find there were still a few competitors eating. Besides, with all the practice from you, how couldn't I be?

Callous didn't have an answer to that. The noble being withdrew and fell into what could only be explained as a noble sulk.

Ash ignored him as she focused on filling her stomach. Her mind was on the training ahead. Something told her that her eyes were about to be opened to a whole new world.