Chapter 25

He didn’t really have any idea what he was supposed to do for the rest of the day. Jon had left rather quickly…and hadn’t really filled him in on his new roles and responsibilities within the organization. A fact that was likely due to Jon’s situation with Emelia. Which, given the interaction, Henry somewhat understood. He wouldn’t want to be on her bad side either.

That being said, he was left with little guidance, zero direction, and no idea of what he was supposed to do now. He was part of the D.E.D. Exorcists, had three mystical D.E.D. linked to him, and was supposed to help protect the world. But other than that, what was life to be like now?

Existential pondering aside, Henry did the first thing to come to mind. He drove home, figuring at least the in quiet of his own home, he could research more about the D.E.D. using the app, as well as speak with his D.E.D. He was keen to learn more about the Storm Crow, and also knew he had to cover some ground rules with the Bladed Drakeling. He couldn’t have that one, in particular, just murdering D.E.D. that were trying to pact with Henry. Sure, that would help the Drakeling grow faster, but it seemed troublesome, and given their intelligence, felt a little too murderous to be overlooked.

And so, a thirty-minute trip away from the base and back home later, he was set up in his house, prepared to do some learning. And by set up…he meant he took the time to get his personal hookah set up, grabbed an energy drink from the fridge, and settled into his futon, making himself comfortable. There was something to be said about the comforts of living alone.

Once everything was ready, and he’d gotten his hookah set up and smoking, taking a few hits off it as he relaxed back into the cushion, he pulled out his phone, flipping to the app. As always, it scanned his thumb before it opened, and he flipped to his D.E.D. collection. His Evil Eye was still floating near him, living it’s best life in the silent until spoken to style, and so that just meant he needed to summon his bladed Drakeling and storm crow.

Selecting the Drakeling first, he watched as the lizard materialized in the room. It seemed well rested, and looked at Henry expectantly. Have you finally decided to allow me to be the one to passively gather my strength?

“Not quite.” Henry responded, lazily blowing out a smoke ring. “I’ve got a few more questions for all of you, and then we have to lay out some ground rules for how we move forward.”

Ground rules? The Bladed Drakeling’s eyes narrowed. Don’t get ahead of yourself human.

Henry ignore the Drakeling, and promptly summoned the Storm Crow. With all three summoned in the room, he noticed his utilized D.E.D. points went up from the 12 of just the Evil Eye, to 67 for all three. The Bladed Drakeling as an uncommon level 2 D.E.D. was worth 23 points, while the Storm Crow, also uncommon, but level 5, was worth 32.

As the Storm Crom materialized before him, the bird taking in its surroundings as the air around it crackled, Henry decided to look over its stats, curious to see just what the bird brought to the team. He was not disappointed.

Storm Crow

Lightning Type

Level 5

37 HP

32 MP

Skills:

Lightning Surge

Thunder Peck

Static Armor

Paralyzing grasp

Looking at the other stats on the Storm Crow, he could see it had a higher agility stat and attack stat than the Bladed Drakeling, but was lacking in the defensive stats that the Bladed Drakeling had. And of course the only stat his Evil Eye had on either of them, was its magical stats. Which was of course why the floating eyeball very much so was merely a support unit. And why the combat orientated exorcists scoffed at such a creature.

To what do I owe the pleasure? The Storm Crow’s voice filled into his mind, stronger than before, and unbroken. It was evident now just how much pain the poor creature had been in during the battle. However, Henry was glad to see it seemed to have healed up fully during its time with him. He was still rather uncertain how the whole blending their essence into his worked and whatnot. There were a lot of science bits to all of this that he didn’t understand.

“Right, now that you’re all here.” Another couple of smoke rings, “we’ve got a few things to discuss.” Henry looked at the Storm Crow first.

“When we fought, you mentioned a Storm was coming. What did you mean?” That seemed to be the most pressing thing he needed an answer to. Like, did the bird know something? Or was it just trying to intimidate him? Then again, the Storm Crow had almost chosen death, rather than pairing with Henry. Which seemed…extreme if nothing was actually on its way to Earth.

You’ll find out soon enough. The bird looked at the other two. And with these mere forces, you’ll be one of the first to fall.

And. Henry definitely didn’t like that. Not only the insulting of his D.E.D., but also the threat, and the lack of an actual answer. “Look.” Henry let out a heavy sigh filled with smoke. “Obviously, you don’t like me.”

Clearly.

“But you’ve made a pact with me, so how about you act a little less hostile?” Henry motioned towards the other two. “Like it or not, we are a team now.”

The black bird looked at the two, its eyes lingering on the Bladed Drakeling, which was glaring at it…and drooling somewhat. Henry had no doubt his Drakeling still wanted to murder the bird for its essence.

Mere words won’t win me over. The bird started, I pacted with you to prevent my own demise, and to see if there were the chance that you may actually survive the coming storm. Do not think me one of your other pawns. The bird let out a caw as the air around it crackled, you must prove yourself, if you actually wish to have my full cooperation.

Henry sighed. Go figure, he got the D.E.D. with a God Complex. It was only level 5…like seriously, as far as Henry knew, this bird was still pretty weak. So where did it get off on its superiority complex? Then again, Henry had been doing this for less than 24 hours, and his other D.E.D. were level 2…meaning they weren’t strong either.

“And what would you have me do, to gain your cooperation?” Henry asked, his tone implying he did not appreciate the way the Storm Crow was acting.

Until my allies are of the same strength or greater than me, I will not view you as worthy. The bird looked at him, the air around it crackling. And if you summon me to aid you, know I will not do so cooperatively. Could the Storm Crow actually ignore his commands in battle? That was another thing he probably should have asked about. Then again, he hadn’t figured he would be running into such troubles with a level 5 D.E.D. Wasn’t this way too low leveled for anything like this to happen?

“Fine.” Henry sighed and looked at his other two. “I’d planned on leveling them up anyways first.” His Evil Eye nodded, and the Bladed Drakeling’s eyes seemed to give him an approving look. “But,” Henry turned back to the Storm Crow, “if I need your power to help keep them safe as they grow stronger, I expect you to offer it.”

Perhaps, I can offer that much aid. But know it may prolong your quest to gain my full acceptance, and gain access to the knowledge I have. The bird tilted its head to the side as it looked at him, and Henry could see the intelligence it held. The Storm Crow was testing him, that much was certain.

“First and foremost, I want to keep all my D.E.D. alive. We are a team, and we will grow stronger together.” Henry looked at the Storm Crow. “Strength will come as we all work together.”

We shall see. Was all the bird said, before it went quiet, signaling it was done with the conversation as a whole. Which was fine. Henry had other things he wanted to discuss, and arguing with a black bird seemed rather maddening. At least it was a crow, and not a Raven…right?