No More Pain For This Villain.



As Aron and I continued to follow the Broker through the chamber, we eventually reached the far end. There, we were met with an imposing sight - an enormous cage, shrouded by a massive curtain that concealed its contents. The cage itself stood at an astounding thirty feet in height, an intimidating presence within the chamber.

As Aron and I followed the Broker through the chamber, we eventually arrived at the far end. There, an awe-inspiring sight met our eyes - an enormous cage, concealed by a massive curtain that veiled its contents. The cage itself soared to an impressive thirty-foot height, casting a formidable presence within the chamber.

"Behold," the Broker announced with dramatic flair, "the Simurgh, the marvel among avian wonders."

"By the heavens," Aron whispered in reverent awe, "it's even more magnificent than I had imagined."

The Broker beamed with pride as he observed our reactions. "Gentlemen, this Simurgh is a spectacle to behold, a living embodiment of grace and majesty."

A Simurgh!

I was left utterly speechless. The chances of encountering such a legendary creature in one's lifetime were astronomically slim, if not impossible. 

Yet, here it stood before us, a magnificent creature with a sharp, formidable beak, and equally imposing talons, speaking to its incredible might. Its colossal wings, each spanning a breathtaking twenty-foot width, seemed to encompass the entire chamber, a testament to its capacity for graceful flight.

This magnificent creature represented qualities of purity, healing, and guidance, serving as a symbol of unrivaled splendor and boundless benevolence.

- It was nothing less than an SSS-class magical beast!!

"I want this one," Aron declared as he advanced toward the Simurgh. Despite being chained in various places, the majestic creature remained as calm as water.

He approached the grand Simurgh, the chamber brimmed with excitement. The mighty creature, though tethered by chains, exuded a calm presence, its feathers shimmering in an otherworldly glow.

**Clink!**

The metallic sound of Aron's footsteps reverberated through the chamber as he drew near. Suddenly, with a tremendous

**CRACK!** 

"Huh?" one of the chains snapped, startling all of us. The Simurgh had stirred, its feathers rustling like a gentle breeze, and its talons gleamed with latent energy.

Aron took a step back, a mix of fear and exhilaration in his eyes. "What's going on?"

**Rumble!** 

The ground shook beneath us as the Simurgh surged forward, wings unfurling with a thunderous

**whoosh!** 

The chains strained against the creature's power, no longer able to contain it.

**Clang!**

Aron extended his hand, attempting to create a protective barrier. But for whom?

The Broker, his voice a blend of desperation and command, shouted for help from unseen allies.

**CRASH!** 

The Simurgh shattered the remaining chains that held it captive. The chamber quivered as the majestic beast ascended, its wingspan filling the entire space and brushing against the ceiling.

Chaos erupted in an instant. The Simurgh, once graceful, now moved with fierce determination, lunging at us with blinding speed. The sound of flapping wings and screeching chains filled the air, creating a deafening cacophony.

"Watch out!" I cried out as the Simurgh broke free, its massive form dominating the chamber. The Broker, eyes wide with alarm, urgently issued orders to someone outside.

Then, a distant voice echoed through the chamber. "**Bring the Relic!**" The Broker's cry echoed, and as swiftly as the chaos had begun, it was quelled.

With a final, piercing screech, the Simurgh reluctantly descended to the chamber floor, its feathers taking on an aura of controlled restraint.

The Broker, breathing heavily, turned to face the same robed man who held a large grayish stone - the Relic.

With great care, the robed figure presented the Relic to the Simurgh, and the creature seemed to recognize the object.

With a sense of tranquility, the Simurgh yielded to the power of the Relic, its majestic form calming and settling once more.

The Broker, his tone a mix of relief and triumph, spoke, "The Simurgh is once again bound, thanks to the Relic. Gentlemen, today you've witnessed a rare occurrence, one that few can lay claim to."

"Is this creature always this unpredictable?" Aron inquired.

"No, no, it's just that sometimes, being far from its natural habitat can make it a tad unpredictable. But you can certainly take it now," Broker reassured, shaking his head.

**Step*step***

"..." I watched as the robed man approached Aron.

I gripped the hilt of my sword, ready to draw it.

"Ooooh, a bit aggressive, are we?" The man hesitated when he spotted the sword and halted in his tracks.

"Stay back," I warned him in a low, stern voice, keeping him away from Aron.

The robed man raised his hands in a placating gesture. "No need for violence. I'm just here to ensure everything goes smoothly. We wouldn't want any more surprises."

"Who are you?" Aron demanded, his hand still ready to summon his magic.

The man lowered his hood, revealing a rugged face adorned with a scruffy beard. "I'm known as Silas. I serve the interests of those who seek the power of magical creatures. This Simurgh is a magnificent acquisition, but its power needs to be harnessed correctly. It's a delicate process, you see."

"Power?" I couldn't help but interject. "What kind of power are you talking about?"

Silas turned his gaze toward me, his eyes betraying a sense of amusement. "Young lady, this Simurgh possesses a unique and ancient magic that can be used for a variety of purposes, from healing to elemental manipulation. It's a source of immeasurable power."

Aron seemed intrigued but cautious. "How can we harness this power, and for what purpose?"

Silas smiled, a hint of cunning in his expression. "That, my dear Prince..... you'll have to form a pact."

Aron exchanged a meaningful glance with broker  before turning back to Silas. "A pact, you say? Explain."

Silas stepped closer, his eyes glinting with intrigue. "In ancient times, when humans and magical creatures coexisted more closely, pacts were formed to access the powers of these creatures. The essence of the pact lies in the intertwining of life forces. You and the Simurgh will share a connection like no other."

Aron frowned, still skeptical. "What kind of connection?"

"The most potent pacts are sealed in blood," Silas explained, "and this relic," he held up the greyish stone, "is the key. You and the Simurgh will both contribute a drop of your blood, which will be absorbed by the relic. This act forms a bond between you and the creature. From then on, you can access its magic."

I glanced at Aron, who seemed deep in thought. This was an unprecedented opportunity to gain immense power, but it came with an unbreakable connection to a legendary creature.

"What do you think, Aron?" I asked cautiously.

Aron took a deep breath and nodded. "Let's do it."

Silas grinned, pleased with their decision. "Very well. First, we need a drop of your blood, Prince Aron."

Aron extended his hand, and Silas pricked his finger, allowing a single drop of blood to fall onto the relic. The stone absorbed it, its surface shimmering momentarily.

"Now," Silas said, "we need the Simurgh's contribution."

The majestic creature, still recovering from its earlier surge of power, regarded Aron with curious, intelligent eyes. Silas approached it carefully and used a tiny glass vial to collect a drop of the Simurgh's blood.

Once the Simurgh's essence was added to the relic, Silas held it out to Aron. "Now, Prince Aron, you must grasp the relic. It will complete the pact."

Aron reached out and took hold of the relic and shuddered.

"What's happening!?" I was confused.

His eyes glowed and the Simurgh let out a contented, melodious trill.

Silas nodded in satisfaction.

"Congratulatio

ns, Prince Aron. You now share a unique bond with the Simurgh, and its magic is at your disposal but..... you'll have to tame it."