"Hold on. What did you just say?
— That's right. I have signed many pacts, so that they now kinda of cancel each other.
— What do you mean.
— Simple, really; you see, my soul contractually belongs to many entities when, in fact, it actually belongs to me. If anyone would come and claim my soul, they would violate anyother pact, hence conflicting with another power.
— You sold WHAT?!?
— ... now the twist is that technically, I shouldn't be able to sign many pacts at all. See, they're the monogamous type. They aren't fond of sharing. But I found a very specific edge case that isn't quite covered by the laws of Hell.
— Doesn't this kinda makes you an outlaw or something?
— Well, again, technically speaking...
— Is this why imps and fiendish sentinels have been chasing after you???
— No; I mean, yes. But fret not. As long as I breathe, they can't catch me.
— Oh you're fucked. You're so fucked. You're like, fucked on so many layers of being fucked.
— No, no, no... Besides! I have pretty cool powers now! Powers without the price... technically!
— And what kind of powers are we talking about here? Show me.
— Hahaha, well, no, I am sorry, I just... Err, I can't show you. The third article of Azabeth's pact forbids me to do so.
— Powers without the price, they said."
#microfiction #tootfic #smallstory #fediwriting