Nox stared wide-eyed at his father, disbelief written all over his face. Even Rakï looked stunned. Meimei stirred from beneath the table, climbing onto Nox's lap, and stared directly into Silvanus' eyes.
"You want to negotiate with the God Fragment? Have you gotten too old now, and you're going crazy?!
Silvanus didn't look bothered in the slightest. "The entity called 'Veil' wants to use my son's body as a Vessel. Mind you, he's my only successor. If I am to lose my successor, I must make sure it's worth it."
Both Zayne's and Rakï's lips twitched. Nox gave his father a strange look, while Meimei appeared completely incredulous.
"... Foolish human... What kind of negotiation are you even going to do?"
"That's for me to handle," Silvanus stated flatly. "Nox, I'd like to speak to the one dwelling within you."
Nox glanced at Veil, who was bouncing around like there was no tomorrow.
"'Hahahahah! As expected of the lineage One chose! Even after so long, they're still so stubborn!'"
'So, should we switch?' Nox thought.
"'Of course we must! One needs to speak to this man in person! He's very interesting.'"
Nox hummed, then stretched out his hands towards Veil, who drifted towards him. The air in the room shifted. The others at the table couldn't see Veil, but they knew Nox was communicating with the God Fragment.
Veil's tone turned dead serious as he spoke in his ethereal voice, "'Nox Arur, do you wholeheartedly offer your body, mind, and soul to One?'"
Nox took in a sharp breath, then spoke slowly, "I am willing."
Veil chuckled. "'Wonderful.'"
Immediately, Nox's body went limp. Rakï and Silvanus looked alarmed, while Zayne and Meimei simply grew incredibly tense. After a few moments of absolute silence, a distinct, biting chill seeped into the room. The air, especially around Nox, grew heavy. Everyone held their breath, but nothing happened.
After another tense minute, Meimei tried to jump off Nox's lap, only to be caught swiftly mid-jump. The boy cradled her in his arms, slowly raised his head, and gazed calmly at the trio observing him.
'... There are no distinct markings on his body... Why are his eyes closed?'
Rakï thought, glancing over at her cousin, who quickly returned her look.
They all felt as if every sound in the world had suddenly quieted. Even their own heartbeats felt too loud. Nox—or at least the one now inhabiting his body—gazed at them with his eyes shut tight, a small smile creeping onto his face. Meimei was shivering uncontrollably in his arms, a detail they all immediately noted. They all realized something simultaneously: '... It might actually be the God Fragment within him...'
"'... One greets you all!'"
Meimei whimpered, desperately wanting to get away. Veil glanced down, chuckled darkly, and released her. She scrambled wildly across the table, seeking refuge with Rakï.
Silvanus watched the feline's terrified reaction, a sudden bit of trepidation creeping into his own heart. It was a feeling he hadn't experienced in decades.
"... I am the current Head of the Arur Family, the Head of the First Branch, Silvanus N'goro Arur. This beside me is Vivian Rakï Arur, the Head of the Seventh Branch of the Arur Family and this generation's High Priestess..."
The one within Nox nodded in slow acknowledgment.
Silvanus continued, "We cannot accept your greetings, for we do not know your exact identity..."
Rakï shot her cousin a panicked glance, and even Zayne gripped the top of the chair behind them, trying hard to remain calm.
The one in Nox's body hummed. "'That is true. What terrible manners One has developed over the years. Let One introduce Oneself: One is the Sovereign of the Spiritual Plane, the Lord of Darkness and Chaos... Tohu—'"
Zayne coughed loudly, deliberately interrupting him.
The one in Nox's body chuckled as he turned to face the pale faces of Rakï and Silvanus. "'I believe you know why One chose the name Veil... The name of a God should not be uttered carelessly, after all~'"
Zayne gently rubbed Rakï's shoulder, and slowly, she began to breathe again, while Silvanus felt a cold bead of sweat slide down the back of his neck.
"... Why then do you keep your eyes shut?"
Silvanus asked. Veil cocked an eyebrow, an amused expression taking over his features as he patiently replied, "'Do you wish to peer into the abyss and lose yourself within? It's not an ideal place for a mortal.'"
There was absolute silence in the room. Silvanus combed his fingers through his shoulder-length silver hair and let out a deep sigh. "... If you are the Lord, why choose my son? He's my only heir. With you choosing him, his status as the heir must be revoked. Why now? Why him?"
Veil looked at the stoic man having a quiet, internal breakdown and said compassionately, "'He carries a strong fate. As for the question of why now, if One hadn't been shattered then sealed, One would've been resurrected long ago.'"
Silvanus took in a deep breath, then stared hard at Veil. "I cannot let the Covenant you have forged with my son stand. I have an offer to counter this."
Veil looked intrigued, resting his chin on a knuckle. "'What is this offer?'"
Silvanus cracked his knuckles slowly and spoke, "You break the Covenant with Nox, and we shall provide a more suitable Vessel, as well as full access to all our family resources."
Rakï's eyes widened in sheer disbelief. Zayne glanced down at Silvanus but remained completely silent. Meimei snuck a peek at the Chairman, utterly dumbstruck at his audacity.
Veil didn't say anything at first. The small smile on his lips widened until he threw his head back and laughed without restraint.
"'Ahahahahahahahah!! Hahahaha!... Oh wow, it's been so long since One has met someone like you. As to whether it is courage or sheer stupidity, One is thoroughly baffled!'"
Silvanus didn't flinch. "Do you accept my offer?"
Without a shred of hesitation, Veil responded, "'No, One does not.'"
Silvanus furrowed his eyebrows deeply. Veil raised a single finger, and the shadows in the room instantly rippled, converging heavily around him. "'Let One explain something to you. A Covenant isn't a simple deal like a Pact or a Contract. It is directly tied to the soul. If the rules of a Covenant are broken for whatever reason, the offending party is punished to the exact degree of the violation. This punishment damages the soul directly. According to the Covenant between One and Nox, he offered his complete being to One, and in exchange, One saved his life. That's why he didn't die. As for what One wanted out of the Covenant, it is a Vessel. So long as One exists, this child will never die, and he will be One's Vessel for as long as he lives.'"
Silvanus' frown deepened. "... So you're telling me you took advantage of the situation to make an immortal Vessel out of my son?"
Veil yawned, the surrounding shadows briefly forming hands to rub his temples.
"'Well, when you put it like that, One seems like a monster. But yes.'"
Silvanus leaned back into his chair, slowly drumming his fingers on the table. He closed his eyes, then exhaled a cold breath. "... Even if it means permanently injuring him, I will not allow this to go on. We have the resources to support him even if Nox becomes a vegetable."
Veil chuckled darkly. "'One knew you'd say that, so One has an offer...'"