Pact

Lucia and Thornpear's meeting took place before Griseo ever came to this world.

During that serendipitous encounter, after Thornpear returned to the depths of the Hollow, the Nightmare Anivia woke once more, bringing an end to an adventure that defied nature and went against instinct.

She also gained a new friend, along with a name and a gift given to her by that new friend.

Because of this, she began to look at the Night Watchers race anew; she yearned... she yearned to play with her friend.

"Wait, wait, wait...!"

After briefly understanding the situation, Lucia waved her hands haphazardly, her expression cycling wildly through shock, bewilderment, and sheer disbelief.

What did it mean that Thornpear was the legendary Night Demon?

What did it mean that the Night Demon called Lord Griseo "Lord"?

Had the world gone mad, or had she?

Seeing Lucia caught in a system freeze, Griseo quickly explained, "Big Sister Lucia, the 'Night Demon' your ancestors met and the Thornpear you encountered are both avatars of Anivia."

"Indeed. Bound by the restrictions of the world's rules, I can only enter the waking world in an avatar."

Anivia chimed in to supplement, "Because I once gave a portion of my power to your ancestors, you Night Watchers possess the trait of not being actively attacked by Ethereals, as well as the authority to mildly influence the Ether Sea and summon Ethereals..."

"So the 'Night Demon Curse' Qilan spoke of isn't a curse at all?" Lucia looked over at Anivia and asked.

"Mhm. Its essence is a [gift] and a [screening]. The former prevents Ethereals from attacking you, while the latter causes you to sleepwalk into the Hollow."

"But why do it this way? So many of our clan members lost their lives because of it."

"I am