"What the hell was that?" Vince said with a certain fear in his voice, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. "This... Is this really the future?"

The cat moved back a bit, returning to its initial position.

"This is the path things are heading for your kind." It raised its right paw, as if seeking a handshake. "That is, if you don't make a deal with me."

The look of concern on Vince's face gave way to a growing distrust of everything the cat was saying. 'How the hell can a talking cat be capable of preventing an imminent end of the world? None of what this thing says makes sense.'

As if it could read his mind, the cat let out a long sigh.

"Why are you always so suspicious of everything?" It said, putting its paw on its small furry head in a disapproving gesture. "I guess I'll have to explain only what's necessary for now because, as I mentioned before, we're out of time for these frivolities."

"Before discussing the points of our agreement, I must make one thing clear. Normally, the Council of the Perpetuals judges human actions, and once again, they have decided that your species must be extinct." The cat's tone was serious, causing Vince to stay quiet, paying full attention to the feline's explanations.

"The first attempt was more like a test. As if they wanted to judge human capabilities to adapt, along with the human will to live. It seems that this test has become quite famous among you. I think you call it the Great Flood. Or something like that."

Vince's face had become a mix of doubt and intrigue. He didn't trust everything that the feline-looking being was saying entirely. But it wasn't like he could just leave, as he found himself in total emptiness.

Analyzing his companion's expression, the cat remained silent for a few seconds, as if waiting for him to ask a question.

"I know it must be hard for you to believe all this, but I promise everything will make sense in the end." And as if speaking to itself, it continued, "I hope."

He said nothing, just waited for the cat to continue its story.

"In short, the Council decided to exterminate the entire existence of the human race. This tower is simply the means by which the Perpetuals will obliterate all existence on Earth. That's why we call it the Tower of Desolation."

"A somewhat poetic name, I would say." Finally, Vince said with total sarcasm in his voice. "So you're telling me that the Perpetuals, or whatever they're called, are simply deciding whether we live or die based on what? Do you think you're God or something?"

The cat sighed again, having to explain all of this seemed to be getting on its nerves.

"Technically, this God you speak of is us, the Perpetuals. But for some reason, you think He's just one being." The feline took a short pause and began licking its left paw. "Others had told me that humans are very simplistic in their thoughts. But I didn't think it was this much."

"For some reason, I don't doubt that's true," Vince spoke as he sat on what should be the floor of the void he found himself in. "But let's get straight to the point. Why do you need me?"

The little creature smiled; the conversation seemed to be reaching its main point.

"Like me, you harbor great hatred for someone close to you. Marcus was his name, right?" Just the mention of that name unleashed an unimaginable thirst for blood in Vince. The feline laughed. "At this point, we are alike. I was betrayed by the Council of the Perpetuals along with the owl and the raven, and we ended up being imprisoned. All because we opposed the extinction of your species."

"Therefore, I want you to help me get my revenge and prevent the emergence of the tower, and in return, I will give you all the means necessary for you to get your revenge. Both will be satisfied."

The man had placed his left hand on his chin, analyzing the proposal.

"In case you haven't noticed, I'm dead. Unless you can resurrect me, there's not much I can do for you."

Again, the cat smiled. It seemed that it already had a plan for this.

"Fortunately for you, there is a way to revive you." That caught Vince's attention. "As I mentioned before, my body is in prison, but I can 'separate' my energy from my physical body. That way, I will link my energy with your soul, so you will be able to return to your body and fulfill your part of the agreement."

The animal paused for a moment, and shortly after that, extended its paw again.

"What do you say, Vince Martino?" The cat smiled again. "Do you accept this pact of revenge?"