Meanwhile...

At the back of a sedan parked in some random spot at night, Aliyah sat atop Percival, straddling him with her legs as they kissed with heated urgency.

His hands gripped her waist, pulling her closer, while hers tangled in his hair. Their breathing was ragged, uneven, broken only by the brief moments when they pulled apart for air before diving back in.

Aliyah’s shirt was already half-unbuttoned, hanging loosely off one shoulder. Percival’s own jacket had been discarded somewhere on the seats.

She pulled back for a second, with her face flushed and her amber eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.

"This is a terrible idea," she breathed, her voice shaky but insistent.

In between trying to catch his breath, "it is..."

With that, they both continued their make-out session.

—-

The next morning—

Ethan sat in his study within the guild, with a few papers spread out across his desk as he skimmed through them.

A knock didn’t even come. The door simply just pushed open, and Percival stepped in, moving quickly and shutting it behind him.

"Man, I need to talk to you about something," he said in an urgent tone.

Ethan didn’t look up at first, his eyes were still scanning the page in front of him. "You’re acting weird. What is it?"

Percival ran a hand through his hair. "I had to come before Aliyah gets back."

That made Ethan pause. He slowly lifted his gaze, setting the paper down.

"...Before she gets back?" he repeated.

Percival hesitated, then exhaled. "Yeah, so... me and Aliyah..."

Ethan stared at him, waiting. "What do you mean, you and Aliyah?"

Percival looked uncomfortable. "We kind of... hooked up last night."

There was a brief silence.

Ethan’s eyes shot wide, and after second a grin spread across his face. "...Well, finally! Shit was taking forever"

Percival frowned immediately. "Bro c’mon."

Ethan laughed a bit

Percival groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "I think it was the full moon yesterday. I don’t know if it’s just that... or if it’s actually for real."

Ethan thoughts briefly went back to the situation the night before. But he said nothing, letting Percival continue.

"Man, i’m not even sure she’s my type." Percival continued.

It was then at this point that Ethan cut in, "You have a type?"

Percival shot him a look. "Of course I have a type. What do you mean?"

Ethan gave him a dry look, saying nothing.

Percival went on anyway. "I like fair skin, yeah? Maybe a bit of shape to her... maybe some ass..."

"Are you saying what I think you’re saying?" Ethan gave him a suspicious look.

Percival’s eyes widened, "No no... man you’re an idiot! You know its not"

Ethan laughed, raising both arms in surrender.

"Its just—" percival paused, visibly frustrated. "Aliyah’s my friend, man."

"That’s usually how it starts," Ethan muttered.

Percival shot him a glare, then continued. "I don’t know what this is supposed to be now. I don’t know how I’m meant to act around her."

Ethan gestured loosely. "Have you talked to her?"

"No," Percival said immediately. "That’s the thing. She came in this morning like nothing happened. Completely normal....Didn’t even say a word about it."

Ethan nodded slowly. "So you haven’t talked, and you’re already panicking."

Percival stared at him, exasperated. "Man, help me out here."

Ethan exhaled, shaking his head slightly. "You came to the worst possible person for relationship advice."

Percival didn’t even hesitate. "I know. Still help me anyway."

Ethan let out a small breath, then leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "Full moon or not," he began in a tone more serious now, "it doesn’t create emotions. It amplifies what’s already there."

Percival’s expression tightened.

"So if something happened," Ethan continued, "it’s not coming out of nowhere."

There was a pause.

"Question is," Ethan added, "do you actually like her?"

Percival shook his head. "I don’t even know... she’s great and all, but I don’t know."

"Well, start with talking to her" Ethan said simply.

"If it’s something you both want, then pursue it. If not, you figure it out and move on. But standing here overthinking it isn’t doing anything."

Percival exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah..."

A brief silence passed between them.

Then Ethan suddenly remembered. "Ah yes, It’s actually good you came."

Percival frowned. "Why?"

Ethan then went on to explain that he had this power, calling it a summoner thing as he explained the sigil to him.

By the time he finished, Percival was staring at him with wide eyes. "...So wait, If you put this thing on me... when I die, I become your summon?"

Ethan gave him a flat look. "That’s a very dramatic way to put it... but yes."

"Although, I won’t be keeping you.... you’re too shit to be a summon"

Percival laughed and raised a middle finger, "fuck you!"

Ethan had a smile on his face as he shrugged. "But that’s not the point."

His tone changed and he sounded serious. "You’ve always had my back, and I haven’t really done much to return that."

Percival looked surprised for a moment. Then he laughed, shaking his head. "Man, you always say the cringiest stuff."

He grinned. "Just go on and gimme the damn thing."

Ethan shook his head amusingly and motioned for him to extend his hand.

Percival did, holding it out palm-up. Ethan clasped it, and for a moment, nothing happened.

Then...

There was a faint sizzling sound in the air, like metal being branded. Percival’s eyes widened as he realized where it came from.

He pulled his shirt aside quickly and looked down at the mark was forming at a black sigil slowly etching itself into his skin just below his shoulder.

It looked like a demonic skull with curved horns, flame-like accents curling outward, and hollow eyes that seemed to stare. The edges glowed with purple light before fading into the black ink of the mark itself.

Percival stared at it, his mouth slightly open.

"Shit looks fuckin’ cool!" he said in a voice filled with genuine awe.

Ethan let go of his hand, stepping back. "It’s done."

Percival ran his fingers over the mark "So this thing’s permanent?" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"Yeah." Ethan nodded.

"Well, I always wanted a tattoo. So great start" Percival said, now turning his head up with a grin.

Ethan smiled and shook his head

—-

A/N: Sorry guys, still on the work thing. But it’s ending tomorrow then i’ll continue with 3+ Chapters!