Contract Killers

                                                     -Contractors-

Contractors are individuals who have gained superhuman powers due to the appearance of the Hell's Gate and Heaven's Gate. Known Contractors have a very wide array of powers, and each Contractor appears to have a power unique to him or herself. When a Contractor's powers are used, his or her eyes glow red and a blue glow occasionally surrounds its body.

The existence of Contractors is kept a secret from the general public by most governments around the world, but they are well-known to the higher echelons of society and in the criminal underworld. Contractors possess two other traits that give them a rather sinister reputation: the need to perform Obeisance, which is a bizarre, obsessive compulsive "payment" for the use of their powers, and a generally pragmatic, logical world view. This is described by the Contractors themselves as a lack of emotion in general, but not much evidence exists to verify this claim. Many Contractors exhibit at least some forms of emotion, including love, joy, guilt, and sorrow.

						      -Payment-

 True to their names, all Contractors must pay a price for using their powers, whether they wish to or not. Although this payment can be delayed, especially in the midst of combat, it is ultimately unavoidable. It is unknown what happens to a Contractor that fails to pay his obeisance. Each Contractor has a unique remuneration, reflecting the chaotic nature of the Hell's Gate. Remunerations are typically difficult for the Contractor and range in severity from irritating to painful. However, there have been a few contractors who enjoy their remuneration and at least one who uses it in conjunction with his or her own ability. It is also possible for a Contractor to fully pay off his Contract, but this is an incredibly rare feat, requiring a drastic and traumatic sacrifice.

Known Obeisance Include:

Arranging pebbles in meticulously straight lines
Drinking various fluids, such as beer, hot milk
Earmarking the pages of a book.
Eating various foods, such as boiled eggs, hamburgers, flowers, or a petal of a flower
Inability to lie.
Intaking and regurgitating objects.
Kissing someone.
Placing the shoes of the victim upside down on the ground).
Self-injury i.e. dislocating fingers.
Singing a song.
Sleeping.
Smoking.
Writing poetry.
Drawing
Revealing secrets regarding magic tricks.
Pulling out strands of hair.
Wearing bizarre clothing, i.e. a mouse-ear hat
Cooking
Folding origami
Removing articles of clothing.
Swallowing round things