[ IP ] Obstacles by Chriscold

They called the First. Then the Second. It was not until the Ninth when they received a response. They did not see Him appear the moment after the words left the man's lips, but they felt it. As the snowflakes raced out of His way, as the frigid air around them grew colder, as His wings blotted out the stars - they felt Him violating the ground they shared. 
 
 The mortal's heartbeat erupted in his ears. Despite the cold he felt as if his stomach was melting. As the dread in his veins surged from one end of his body to the other, a sharp crack came out of the darkness. The snowflakes erupted back into the sky and a blast of wind hit him like a thunderclap, nearly knocking him over. `` He's just settling his wings,'' the woman murmured, awe struck at the raw power suddenly surrounding them. `` He's travelled very far.'' 
 
 The mortal nodded and stepped forward. There was no turning back now. `` You have heard my call?'' He shouted, struggling to be heard over the storm. 
 
 He turned his head to the mortal and peered down at him. The mortal looked away, his eyes suddenly burning from staring into Hell itself. He bit into his tongue tasting blood as he trembled in the snow. `` Yes,'' He replied. 
 
 He sank further into the cold. As He spoke his voice sounded like bone grinding on bone with the living still attached. With one heave the mortal retched into the snow. 
 
 The woman looked down upon the fool. He has not handled this meeting poorly, she mused, waiting for him to rise and finish the ritual. On shaking legs the mortal pulled himself up. `` Then you will barter with me?'' He shouted, his voice hoarse and terrified. 
 
 The eyes glinted. The woman thought it might have been in amusement. `` Yes,'' He replied. 
 
 The mortal looked up in shock, making eye contact once more. He turned away and felt a tear run down his cheek. `` The blood,'' the woman whispered, knowing she would be heard over the cold. 
 
 He nodded and pulled out his sword. There was no turning back now. With a deft cut he slit his palm open. Warm blood ran out over his fingers and froze in the snow. The eyes opened wider as He stood patiently, still and taut as a razor wire waiting the darkness. 
 
 The mortal extended his hand and the eyes disappeared. For a moment the mortal thought He was gone. For a single moment, he thought he was free. 
 
 The eyes appeared one foot in front of his and once more he looked inside. Burning in their depths the mortal saw a thousand different faces of pain - all of them his. He felt the lightest touch on his hand and he felt lighter - felt empty. The eyes disappeared again, but they knew He had not. The creaking of broken bones erupted again in the darkness. `` The pact is sealed.'' 
 
 For one breath He stayed. As the second breath began, the stars returned as the air grew warmer. Exhaling, softer and softer, the mortal collapsed into the snow. The blood that had stained it moments ago was gone. As his body heaved with exhausted sobs, the woman stared at him. Fools, she thought. They all think it will be worth it and it's not. 
 
 But there's no turning back now.
