The Bid to Save Ones Soul (botgd 2)
With everything else regarding his sentence solidified, and the amount of fines the company would have to pay agreed upon, all that was left for Jugen was to wait for The Arbiter's arrival.
He had missed him.
As he waited in his temporary holding cell, Jugen worked with Lila and Grey closely to ensure trustworthy members of his company could be promoted, and replace him and his criminal cohort. He gave them all the details they would need in order to establish and hold a strong working relationship. One that would continue to benefit Aidorian with prosperous trade, only now lacking the sinister works of the few who had elected to be parasites.
The sting operation was coordinated, and ready to be put into action. Just as soon as this last meeting was done...
My last chance to see something other than the dark ocean when my eyes finally close...
He wrung his hands, and for a second his eyes prickled. The still unfamiliar sensation of tears threatened the back of his vision, and Jugen pressed his clasped hands to his brow.
The suspense ate away at him. To say nothing of struggling to commit to what he knew was right.
It's too late anyway...even if I suddenly decided to throw my last chance to do something good for once...they have all the documents and information to see this through...
The man rubbed at his arms. "Arbiter..." He breathed. "Please come soon...there is one last cry for help...I need to say..."
The mark on his arm seemed to thrum with some sort of life and leak its soot off his arm, out of the mark. A puddle seemed to form on the floor before beginning to swirl, eventually a large hand dragged the form of the arbiter out.
He had seen out through the inky swell that the room was some sort of cell, and in keeping, he didn't want to alert anyone that may see him, so he kept his size to that of a particularly large dog.
Jugen. You have called upon me. A familiar voice spoke in his mind. What is it you need, friend?
Jugen reeled backwards at the unexpected appearance of the supernatural being, as he barked a short series of surprised shouts, and halfway finished words.
Only after he had pressed himself to the back of the cell did his senses clear enough to realize who it was.
"Ah-!...Fiendal...you made it, you...you..." His eyes suddenly narrowed, and he peered first at the mark on his arm, and then back at the demon. The pieces clicked into place, especially since the important company of Grey and Lila were currently absent.
He lifted the arm and pointed at it. "Did you put something in this that let me...summon you?"
In a manner of speaking, yes. He explained. From that rune I can hear your call for me. He began pacing around the room as he told Jugen how the call worked. It allows me to bring myself to your location. A small trick I've been working on since observing the Nixes aid us in battle. It is still to be refined, but it works.
He observed their surroundings, poking his head out the bars. I recognise the energy of this place. You have turned yourself in to Chief Grey of Haligan Island. The first step, well done, Jugen.
Are we expecting anyone else?
Jugen shook his head a little, not just in response to Fiendal's question, but at the new concept he had just been made aware of regarding his runes.
"No...not until the time comes to confront those I'll be betraying-wait, I'm sorry." He cut himself off with a lifted finger. "How on Midgard is it appropriate that you have equipped me to summon you with a beckoned call." He motioned to the markings. "I recall that this was supposed to be a reminder of my transgressions. Not a gift."
Perhaps i was not clear. Think of it less as a direct summoning, and as something more akin to a question. As to whether or not i appear is another matter. Firkuugan explained, a small note of dissapointment, though it seemed more tied to himself than to anyone else. You were a good friend to me Jugen. This ability is a blessing and a curse. For it not onlly allows me to arrive promptly should you need me, but i shall be able to monitor your progress in making amends, to both the people you wronged, and yourself.
He sat for a moment, seeming rather melancholy. I should wish, friend, that when the time comes for you. I can picture you bathed in light, rather than surrounded by darkness.
Another moment passed before an almost cheeky air filled the room, with The demon deciding to to try and lift their spirits. Besides, how else could I make it hurt if you failed?
The humor was lost on Jugen. But not because of any wrong the demon had done. It were as if the Arbiter had read his mind before he had even entered the cell.
Bathed in light...or surrounded by darkness...
The words stuck in the man's mind the moment the demon had uttered them. It stripped away all his former focus on the inner workings of the runes and left him in a heavy silence.
Jugen head lowered. "Fiendal I..." He swallowed dryly. "I don’t think I'm going to make it to any light on the other side..."
Maybe not today. He mused. Perhaps, not even tomorrow. But you are human, fallable, one of the beautiful things about humans, is the impact you can have on yourselves when you change.
Hel loves humanity, and knows that, compared to us, you have short lives. I am sure that she recognised that a change made after many a mistake, will still lead to light. It is your choice to make the decisions that will lead to that path.
"I just..." Jugen made a few uncertain, and then frustrated, motions. "I know turning myself in was the right thing to do. I wouldn't do it differently. But I think if I just remain here, I won't have a prayer of something other than that dark ocean. That and..." He trailed off as his gaze fell across the barred window, as if looking to the land far beyond.
"I know I shouldn't be...not after all I've done. But I'm selfish, Fiendal. I don't want this to be all there is." His one hand slowly drifted down to grip at the runes curled about his wrist. "So I thought of something...something that I think will be my only chance to feel any kind of sun on my face, in this life or the one after..."
This? The demon questioned. You mean life, here? Or perhaps you mean you don't wish to spend the better part of your days owing something?
He paused, having just now noticed Jugens hesitation.
What is it you plan?
Jugen took several steps towards him, his hands raised almost in a plea. "Fiendal, I can feel it in my soul. I'm going helheim, I'm not going to make it anywhere else. Not unless there is more I can do to atone. And I can't do more if I am confined behind bars."
He placed a hand over his heart. "There is no corner of mortal law that could possibly help me. Which is why...I need...you..."
The hand stretched out in Fiendal's direction. Like a man behind the surface of the water reaching for air. "If I swear fealty to you though, then *I* could be called upon by *you,* go where you go, help who you help...I'll have a chance." He glanced around the prison. "The only roof I'd be able to stay under would be this one for when you did not need me. Thus still fulfilling the mandate of my original sentence."
The air suddenly grew heavy, the demon had frozen in place. Never before had such a heavy weight, as taking charge of a humans very soul, had been placed upon him.
Jugen, my friend, this is a particular ask you have made of me. I understand your fear that you shall be surrounded by the dark waters. But I cannot accept on those terms, or that message.
He sat in front of the man, the horns on his head sparkling lightly as he responded to the emotional plea.
I am willing to bring you with me as I help others, however, the first issue I raise is that we must notify Chief Grey, at the very least, otherwise you shall remain a rogue criminal. To haligan island, which we must avoid
The second issue is that you are not indebted to me so you would be nothing more, or less, than a human friend at my side. I should have no part in summoning or control over you. Nor any talk of fealty, I am no king nor god, nor do I intend to be treated as such.
Lastly he continued while I understand your fear for your soul, it shall not improve if you do the right thing to save yourself. We must do the right thing, simply because it is the right thing to do. Once your mind and soul are more attuned to this, only then can I guarantee that you will be working towards the light.
Jugen's breathing thinned out, and he could feel the cold prickle of sweat begin touch at his back as his stomach tightened. He clasped his hands together, however, and steadied himself.
One thing at a time...one thing at a time...
"I commit all these acts and, over time, attune myself better to separating doing the right thing from service to myself...to what end?" He asked in earnest. "I doubt Hel will see a man sitting in a cell achieving enlightenment a worthy counterweight to the wrongs he's done."
Which is why i said I will take you. But you must learn to separate your deeds. Else, what would your soul gain? There is no redemption for selfishness if perpetuated by itself.
The demon jumped the dog-sized form onto the bench, next to jugen, it looked at him, there were hints of understanding, wariness, and compassion, in his mind.
I only said that this was the first step. Not your whole life, you are a good man jugen. Placed on the wrong path by the circumstances of the world. You have the potential to be great but there is one thing holding you back.
"What is it?"
The question was raw and genuine.
Because, as the still visible markings on his arms indicated, he didn't believe it. His circumstances had been privileged, and he had chosen corruption. How could he be good when a debt of wrongs had not been paid for in some form?
Yourself, of course. The only one of us who can't see your potential seems to be you.
The demon slowly slinked around the area as though he were a cat. Before sitting again, further away this time. He knew that the answer was tough to hear, and most likely, unacceptable to Jugen, but it was the only answer he could give.
Of course...he had done it again. Transactions. Debts. He was a soulless bureaucrat even unto himself. Of course he would never return to his conniving ways, and seek some loophole escape behind the Chief and Lila's backs. Of course Fiendal would call upon him if he simply asked him to as a friend. Of course the deity that fought a world ending war for the sake of humanity wouldn't jump to damn him in the afterlife. Of course all this, as he already knew, came down to himself alone to reconcile.
And yet all the same. He had sought paperwork to obtain the means to serve humanity. He sought contracted servitude to pay back a perceived debt. He sought to cultivate good deeds for others in order to afford and purchase his own.
The concept of grace and honor through words and relationships alone was so depressingly lost on him still. Even being aware of it didn't seem to help most days.
"I don't want to be like this..." Jugen said in a hallow voice. "Fiendal I don't know how..."
We simply start with what we have. The arbiter replied. It will be a long and harrowing journey.
He paused, perhaps to think about what he would say next, or perhaps to let the message sink in.
But you will not be alone in your endeavour. We shall get you to see that you should do good things, simply for the fact that they are good.
He thought for a moment. Sitting still and quiet.
You will also be joining me in creating a link between our kinds. Getting humans and demons to trust eachother and show kindness.
