“What happened to signing things like civilized individuals?”
Rethais glanced down at the table in front of him. On it were one large sheet of paper, 16 soft, cotton towels and 16 needles, hermetically sealed in plastic.
“You would rather just use a pen to sign your name on this?” the purple, serpentine monster behind the table smiled. “You can take back a signature. You cannot take back a blood oath.”
“The whole point of a…” Rethais bowed slightly, very much aware that he was talking back to a goddess. “… Of a signature on a signed document is that you cannot take it back. That is why we invented these things. To do away with messy business like… this…”
Before Rethais could articulate his argument further, he felt a heavy hand on his back. Ct’Era, the Voice of the Bankans, was playfully mocking him.
“The great Rethan High General, scared of blood?”
“I am NOT scared of blood. I just do not like the unnecessary spilling of it. Even for something as powerful and symbolic as this.”
The Allbirther looked down at Rethais. “I would prefer it if you signed with blood. Not everyone here is capable of writing. We all need to be on equal footing here.”
“But Allbirther!” Ct’Era exclaimed, somewhat playfully. “You have no feet!”
Yisini smiled and noddled at the Banikan. “Heh, very funny. Now, all of you!” The Allbirther clapped to get everyone’s attention. Immediately all fifteen mortals turned to face Yisini. “Ah good, you are all here. Please could you stand in order, smallest to biggest, so we can sign the papers?”
The fifteen mortals all took a moment to line up. There was a little confusion at the larger end of the spectrum, but it was quickly sorted out by the colossal Banikan.
On top of the confusion and awkwardness, an air of worry drifted throughout the room. Everyone knew that this was it, the big contract being signed. These beings had spent endless hours, discussing a contract that bound their races forever in the tangled webs of deities. While, yes, the contract did promise them endless resources, the food, water and shelter needed to look after millions, within many of their minds, there were still echoes of doubt.
Mainly, what if the Life Goddess before them changed her mind?
“Allbirther Yisini, can I make a request?” Kohra, the Lord of the Kronospasts and one of the much smaller beings, raised their hand.
“Of course, dear, what is it?”
“Can you go first?”
Yisini glanced at the Kronospast, hesitating slightly, before nodding her head. After all, it was a simple request.
“Of course!”
With a large smile, Yisini grabbed the needle closest to her, then gently poked it into the smallest finger on her hand. The Allbirther then smeared her finger across the middle of the document, where her name was written. To the mortals’ surprise, her blood was silvery in colour, with a pink tinge to it. Once she was satisfied, rather than using the cotton towel, Yisini stuck her finger in her mouth and sucked away the extra blood.
“Your turn, dearies!”
The mortals all exchanged glances, then did as they were told. Each mortal did their best to not touch the bloody signatures of others, and immediately wiped their hands down with the cotton towels. As the Banikan, the largest and final member, signed the contact, Yisini’s smile grew even larger. Snapping her fingers, the contract then immediately duplicated itself, creating a copy for each of them. The copies were then placed into silver files and handed to each mortal.
“You should all be very pleased with yourselves!” Yisini beamed, clapping her hands with pride. “You have secured safety and security for your races, for centuries to come. It will take me a couple of weeks to set everything up, and collect what is owed, but everything is basically done for now! As for you lot though…” Yisini trailed off, then smiled some more. She swished her fingers around and fifteen little gift boxes appeared. “Now that this is done and I have proof I can take back to Kinisis, I shall let you all return home. But here is a parting gift for you all. An extra five years of life, and some custom-made jewellery for each of you, that I’d like you all to wear when you’re out in public back home.”
“Do we-”
Yisini immediately interrupted the nuisance Kronospast. “No, you don’t HAVE to wear them. But I’d at least like some nice photos from you all. Anyway, is there anything you need before I send you all home?”
The mortals all glanced at each other. But before any of them could say or do anything, the Allbirther snapped her fingers.
In an instant, everyone was teleported home, and Yisini was left with an empty room.
“Ah good. Finally some peace and quiet around here…” Yisini snickered to herself, as she swirled her fingers around, delicately collecting the blood samples and storing them in a safe place, before magically tidying the room up. “Maybe I’ll have some me-time before I deliver this all to Kinisis…”