Power Struggle {EveIris & NightlordKrusnik}

No one would have been able to predict how cold tonight would have been, but it wasn't much of a surprise since it was winter. Nights were long and naturally cold. A looming figure clad with a dark robe, a hood much too large to show the figure’s face was seen walking in the thick dense woods. The naked trees and full moon only made the figure grow even more nervous, but she persisted on deeper whilst carrying a knapsack. A sigh left her cracked lips as she set the bag down once she was at the designated location.

Her eyes scanned the area making sure that she was alone before she finally pulled her hood down, revealing a woman in her twenties. Her black hair was tied in a messy bun, but she was pale and rather sickly looking. The only main noticeable feature of her was those dark hazelnut colour eyes that burned with anger and hatred. Opening her bag she took out what she needed and in a matter of minutes she stood in front of a demonic looking circle she drew herself with blood of an animal’s. Lily Strife spent most of her time practicing this when she was a child, so she was confident in her abilities but she hadn’t ever gone further after drawing the circle.

The wind around her seemed to have picked up as she heard the branches rustle and shake whilst strands of her hair threatened to fall out of that loose bun she made. Glancing down at her knife she mentally prepared herself for what was to come. She left her home hours ago just to perform this summoning, even she was hesitant over the idea but she had no choice now. After today’s events she knew that she had resort to this.

Forbidden witchcraft.

“Alright,” she breathed out before closing her eyes and steadying herself. “Zo timo whaxas cemo bel ug te axanswol vupp caxarrs. Zo peels epon bel ug pi vupp freew loaxadupp axas yeep kibt. Fupp zis fect, wo'rr fo baxatow te fo. Ug skaxarr solvo withuk quochien. Ug vupp furrot pi Pum zo sliggol. Whoow vupp caxarrs!” ** Her tone was thick with an unrecognizable language, but her words were heavy and demonic as she focused all her energy into the summoning. Standing in front of the circle she opened her eyes once she was done with the chant and cut her finger deep enough for it to bleed, but paused as she stared at the blood seeping out.

Confusion, now evident in her eyes as she panicked realizing she had forgotten if it was simply one drop of blood or five. Out of all the times to forget, it had to be now. Biting down her lower lip she went ahead and allowed five droplets to fall to the circle. Assuring herself that it won't make that much of a difference. Blood was blood in the end. It was too late to back out since she had already opened the doors for the demon. It was only when the fifth drop of blood landed onto the circle that she was pushed back roughly by a gust of wind. The sky around her darkening and the air completely thick with the smell of death. Glancing at the circle she drew she took notice of how it glowed a dark shade of red, and she couldn't push away the feeling that something was wrong.


** The time has come for you to answer my calls. The doors open for you and my blood ready as your gift. By this bond, we'll be fated to be. You shall serve without question. You my arrow and I the bow. Heed my calls!**

A shiver passed through the hells. Once. Twice.

Razmith looked up as another shiver rumbled through the hells. Three shivers, three drops of blood. For the first time in a very long time a smile broke out on his face, though it didn’t reach his eyes. Likely it never would again. So many years had passed, he’d counted all 300 of them, since his bid to slice out a chunk of the hells for himself was destroyed after his sister betrayed him to his enemy and Razmith was cast down. Afterwards he fled to this… pit… he called it though that was being generous, quietly collecting stray souls. But it was barely enough to sustain his strength in this realm of torment.

And now, a way out was forming, fueled by three drops of purest blood, it was large enough. A chance to escape, he could finally get out. Perhaps, even, a way to gain more strength, more power. Razmith was a demon of hunger, and he could almost taste it… he was brought out of his revelry by another shudder. Four drops of blood. Whoever was performing this summoning was either very serious or had absolutely no idea what they were doing. Either way this could be his only chance. His wings unfurled and he launched himself in the direction of the shivers, towards the forming gate.

A crowd of lesser demons had already converged beneath the gate, fighting to claim it. Severed and half-devoured limbs littered the ground in a wide circle. This close Razmith could feel the intent behind the gate, torment. There was no name to call a specific demon through the gate, but the intent was enough. Indeed, most of the swarm and limbs belonged to tormentor demons. Someone up above wanted someone else to suffer badly. But he was more powerful than those demons ahead. A fifth shiver shot out from the gate. Five drops… The gate would be wide enough to let a greater demon, even a minor devil, through, and after the fifth shiver the more powerful demons WOULD be taking notice. A swift dive took him into the heart of the swarm as a shimmering blade formed in his hand. He cut his way beneath the gate where a large tormentor was about cross.

“Desperate times,” he muttered to himself, latching onto the other demon’s back. The tormentor gave a howl of rage and confusion trying to throw the hunger demon off. With a growl, Razmith formed a claw of flame in his palm and plunged it deep into the tormentor’s neck. This was risky, absorbing another demon’s power was strictly forbidden by the laws of the hells, but he had no choice, he had to get out. With a last scream the tormentor’s essence flowed through the claw of flame, into Ramith. He let out a shout of triumph as he latched to the power of the gate and a flash of light spread over the area.

Freedom.

Razmith opened his eyes, eyes that were pure black, save for the slit pupils that flickered, yellow, orange, red. His pale skin shone in the moonlight, flames playing beneath his skin. Before him stood the summoner. He nearly laughed, she was just a slip of a girl, barely to adulthood. Still, she’d be pretty with proper care and a few good meals. He felt the leash she had created, it was meant for a much lesser demon than he, and he could snap it easily. But he was curious, and he sent a tendril of power back through it, feeling for why she would summon a hell-creature. It didn’t take long to find. Revenge. Delicious.

Razmith turned his attention to the circle he stood in. It was very well made, too well made for how weak the leash was. Not a strong witch, then, but competent. He could break his leash, but she would likely leave him there if he did. Instead he indulged in a bit of theatrics, he snapped open his wings behind him, the black membrane a sharp contrast to his pale skin. Again he smiled a slow smile that didn’t –couldn’t- reach his eyes. His voice became a soft purr, “Mistress, I have answered your call. Why have you summoned me?”

Lily didn't have to wait long as a dark silhouette formed over the circle. She knew better than to approach it, having been warned countless of times over how dangerous and unpredictable demons could be. The wind finally died down and she could feel a burning sensation on her back near her left shoulder. She was completely calm about it knowing that she was being marked, a mark that signified their bond but also signified that she was a witch. What she didn't know was how faint and light the branding was since their bond was weak, due to the tremendous power the demon held. It was her first time doing this, so her lack of knowledge was understandable but also very risky.

Her heart raced as the figure grew clearer. The first thing that she caught sight of was his eyes and how it easily instilled fear into her, his eyes alone was enough to keep her at bay. Lily was both overwhelmed by the mere fact that a demon was standing a few feet away from her but she was scared. She hadn’t thought things through, what was she supposed to tell him? There was no plan, she acted fully out of anger and simply wanted her revenge. But a part of her hadn't expected for the summoning to actually work. Many told her that it was difficult to do because drawing the circle perfectly was no easy task. There were even cases with demons attacking their summoner because of the poorly made leash.

Lily reacted quickly by bringing her arm in front of her when she caught sight of his wings snapping open as if he was stretching them. The motion had snapped her out of her thoughts and tt was obvious she was on edge and tense with the demon but she couldn’t afford to lose her life here.

She only lowered her arm when she heard him address her, the use of words were important as it showed that he was capable of understanding that he was under her command. She was the one in control and not him, meaning that she was safe by the bond she made with him. “I’ve summoned you so you could do the very thing your kind is good at,” she answered, strength and confidence having returned back to her now as she spoke. “I want revenge,” there was nothing but hate in her eyes as she stated her reasoning for the summoning. The circle that she had drawn on the ground slowly began to fade as time went on and the winds returned. Her loose bun had come undone after he arrived and raven strands whipped her face as the winds picked up.

“What is your name demon?” She failed to understand why he looked so amused, she simply presumed that he was happy to leave wherever he came from but the excitement that flickered in his eyes did alert her. His presence alone was enough to remind her to always keep watch over him. She refused to get any closer to him finding comfort with the small distance between them.

She was afraid at first, Razmith could see that. But she steeled herself at his words, and fear was replaced with arrogance tinged with ignorance. And then she answered him, and that arrogance melted in the heat of her hate. Oh she was magnificent. Weak, ignorant, and absolutely magnificent. He would have his fun with her he decided, but he was also feeling kind -such as he could- now that he was free of the hells. The circle he stood in faded slightly as the blood dried in the cool night air, but did nothing to diminish its hold. She asked his name. But names had power, and he was not willing to give up to much yet. If she were more experienced, she could merely use the bond that stretched between them to discover his name. As it was he only looked down at the ragged piece of hide that covered him from the waist down.

It was cold here, he realized. With only a thought, Razmith called a fur-lined robe and donned it, wings sliding through two slits in the back. "Not yet," he said at length, "First there is a little matter of the contract. You want revenge, you want more power, I can feel that. But i want something as well. I want more power, to become more than I am. You want my help, then I demand help in return." Now he had a thought and his voice returned to his initial purr, "But how to seal the contract, hmm? You could sign in blood, that is traditional, but also the weakest binding. Or you could gift me your blood, that i may write the entire contract in it. But perhaps you know, that the strongest binding contracts are those sealed by a method of the demon's choosing? I prefer a kiss, myself, to seal such things. It makes them that much more intimate, brings me that much closer to my Mistress..."

It was a lie, any way would work as well as the others, but he wanted to know how badly she wanted this, and how much she knew about demons. Did she know enough to just sign the contract? Or if she chose one of the other two, would she let him out of the circle to do it, or step inside with him. But she hung back, and Razmith realized he towered over her. Pushing 8 feet tall, and 35 feet in wingspan, he was quite imposing. Slowly he closed his wings and shrank his form slightly, till he was barely 6 feet tall. He waited for her answer.

Lily was most definitely taken back by his words, she hadn’t expected for the demon to actually request something. His freedom should have been more than enough as payment for helping. Apparently not. Her brows furrowed as she crossed her arms. She was desperate and somehow he knew of it, but she had to play safe. Demons were well known for their mind games and cunning ways. With slow and steady steps she made her way over to where she was just outside the circle he stood within. Her head tilted up and her dark hazel orbs fixed on his eyes, as she got a closer look at him after he had shrunk. She was still quite short compared to his height but she felt much more comfortable with his newer size. Especially now that his wings were out of view.

“You dare mock me, demon?” she asked, under normal circumstances she would not have ever taken a step closer, but the demon had implied that she had not a clue over the contract. Okay Lily didn't actually have a single clue over the two other methods he suggested but she knew better then to fall for those tricks. If he was an incubus then she’d only be in more trouble by giving him a kiss. Signing it the traditional way would work no matter what, she just hoped that the binding was strong enough for her to get her revenge. “I will sign in blood, but before I do. I want to know exactly what you want. You say you want power but how exactly are you expecting me to aid you in that." She was overly cautious in this situation, especially now that she was standing right in front of him.

She was new to this, completely new and information on demons was so limited that it gave him more chances to trick her. There was nothing she could do at that point but hold her ground and show him that she at least knew what she was doing or bluff it. “I will sign once I agree with your terms,” she assured hoping that it wouldn't be anything too difficult for her. She was growing tired from standing in the cold and her day had been quite a long and upsetting one. Her shoulder ached but it was only then that she realized how she could feel his power flowing back and forth from her through the leash she had made. She knew for a fact that he could help with her revenge quite easily.

Razmith was mildly impressed, either this girl knew more than he thought, or had guessed correctly. He could see it in her posture, her bearing. She was desperate, but smart enough not to risk losing her chance by foolish actions. She approached until she stood right at the edge of the circle. Fury lit the hazel eyes that still had to tilt back to lock with his. He knew she wouldn't seal the contract with a kiss, but that inner fire she had made him more determined to have her bound to him. Humans were arrogant enough that they never realized until too late that the bond worked both ways.

"You dare mock me, demon?"

His smile quirked a bit, hunger lighting his eyes. She was so naive, but with every passing moment he liked her more. She wanted to know how he intended to gain more power, how he intended to use her. It was the right question to ask, and he knew exactly what he wanted. He'd never before risked absorbing another demon's power, but now that he had... Razmith had a new hunger. He could feel the new power rushing through the flames that played beneath his skin. In less time than a blink, Razmith was standing on the very edge of the inside of the circle, his face only a few inches now from hers the heat of the flames inside him washing over her. "I will require two things, the first of which is a few drops of pure virgin blood every week. The other... I will provide you with names, names of demons, and using those names you will summon those demons to me, us. And I will take their essence into myself. As I get stronger, so to shall you, these are my terms, if you wish my aid." He gestured, and a contract written in shimmering red ink and a quill appeared in the air beside her.

He spared a small glance at her still bleeding finger, and waited.

The frown ceased to disappear with his words. She grew extremely uncomfortable with how close he was, but she reminded herself that she could not show fear. She was safe as long as she stood where she was. How long would that last though? A heavy sigh left her lips, when he stated 'virgin blood' she automatically presumed that it was her blood. It would make things a lot easier if it was her blood anyways but the second request was rather strange. Humans were always the preferred target not demons, but it showed how he lusted for power. To absorb a demon's power really did make her question if she would be entirely safe with him.

"Alright," she agreed before taking the quill in her hands. Placing the tip over her bleeding finger she quickly signed the contract not wanting to have doubts or second thoughts over the matter. The thin sheet disappeared into thin air as if it never existed but Lily immediately felt the bond that connected her him. She could also feel the power of the magic circle fade away, granting him his freedom. Taking a step back, her eyes were still fixed on his. His power was great, that she could feel, she couldn’t help but grow more curious over him. She wasn’t too sure of what to say to him now since the deed was done. “May I know your name now?” she asked with a raised brow wondering why he had kept it from her. Perhaps he didn’t wish to share but she felt a little odd just calling him demon.

Turning around she strolled over to where she had dumped her bag, gently tying up her hair she stood up giving him another look. Lily knew that she could simply call for him and that he would answer her immediately so she wasn’t too worried with him flying off and never returning. He needed her help after all.

The hunger in Razmith's eyes deepened as his smile widened. She took the quill. Dipped it in her own blood. Signed her name to the contract. It was done.

In a rush he felt the leash intensify around him, as it connected his power with her living soul. The sheer strength of it burned away the dried blood of the demon trap he stood in, finally allowing his freedom. The mortal world beckoned, but the contract bound him to her irrevocably. Indeed at first glance the bargain struck heavily favored the summoner... Lily he felt her name on the contract... which was unusual. No demon ever gave the advantage to his contractor, and he sighed in pleasure that she signed so quickly. For within the contract, it stated "the hunger demon Razmith" was bound by the terms of the deal. By absorbing other demons, he hoped to rise to a higher level of demon and thus becoming free of the contract, but he wasn't sure it would work. Still the reward was well worth the cost of giving her the better deal for now. Razmith stared deep into Lily's eyes, he'd have to find an appropriate way to thank her for this.

She backed a step as the circle faded completely, and asked his name again. She went to retrieve her bag, purely confident now, and why not? Even she could surely feel the strength that now pulsed between them. It was time to fulfill the first part of the contract. He stepped up beside her and took her hand with the bleeding finger into his, and licked the blood from it. After he let go, there was no evidence she had ever had a cut. "My name is Razmith, my Mistress," he finally said. He could tell she was cold, in this clear Winter night. The demon called another fur robe, this one closer to her size, and placed it around her shoulders. At her look he merely shrugged and told her, "You are a powerful witch now, you should look the part. I'll not allow my Mistress to look like some sick, underfed waif." Razmith paused suddenly curious about something, "Where are we to go now?"

She had almost pulled her hand back from his, having been startled by his actions as she watched him closely licked the remaining blood off her finger. Lily remained still fearing that something would happen, her hand stiff and eyes filled with worry. She quickly pulled her hand back once he let go, her eyes glancing down to her finger only to see the injury and blood gone. ‘Razmith.’ She repeated his name in her head, feeling a little suspicious over it. It didn't sound like a name that a lower classed demon would have, there was pride in the way he had said it. She pushed the thought aside, dawn would soon arrive and she hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep.

Lily was about to thank him, but the heavy fur robe he placed over her shoulders had caught her off guard. Responsively she gripped onto it trying to cover herself and keep herself warm, only to realize how cold she really was. Her lips were pressed firmly into a fine line, disliking his words despite him having good intentions. She found his gesture kind, but she couldn’t find the words to express what she really felt. Lily felt a mix of emotions, somewhat annoyed with the fact that it seemed like she needed him to get around, but she felt ashamed at the same time that she lived the way she had. She had nothing, so in a sense it wasn't much of a surprise that she requested help from a demon, but she had it tough whilst growing up.

“We are not off anywhere. I’m returning back home, you may do as you wish. I’ll summon you if I need you. Go explore, I’m sure it’s been a long long time since you've properly stretched your wings,” her words came out as a soft mutter before she quickly began pacing herself in the direction of her home with her knapsack. Lily knew for a fact that he wouldn't approve of her home, his words only confirmed it for her. She rarely spoke to anyone so she found no reason to speak more than she needed to with the demon. She wanted nothing more but to return back to the comforts of her home and curl herself up under the covers.

"As you command, Mistress." She had just given him his reins, for now, and he intended to make the most of it. "When you need my services, just focus on the bond, and call my name." With that he flashed his wings out to their full span, and with a powerful flap he sprang into the air. Razmith nearly howled with the pleasure of it, the air in the mortal realm had such a clarity to it, and it didn't sear his throat and lungs with each breath. Of course, breathing was a vestigial gesture for a demon, a hold-over from when they were still human... No matter, he was here, and there was chaos to create.
At least that's what he thought at first.

Off in the distance, atop a large hill, loomed a cathedral. Razmith bared his teeth in rage, the place was nearly a fortress, which had always meant a militant priesthood. If they knew a demon was loose they would surely hunt him, as well as the one who summoned him. And the rampage he wanted to indulge in would surely draw them out. No, he'd have to be more cautious in the pain he caused. He scanned to world below, noting the nearby town, and looked for something isolated. Below a lone farmhouse stood in the middle of a patchwork of fields. Perfect, he was quite hungry...

He emerged sometime later, licking the last drops of blood from his fingers, he liked to be clean. The demon seemed to have lost track of time, however, as the sky was already beginning to lighten. He could feel Lily through the leash, she was sleeping. Taris felt a sudden curiosity about his mistress. Another sweep of the wings had him streaking in the direction the leash was. The demon landed in front of a small building, the strength of the bond confirming she was inside. The place was, well, it was a hovel. Razmith's nose wrinkled in disgust as he walked in and found her in bed. Gently, he shifted her clothes and blankets, staring at the mark burned into the back of her shoulder. He sat on the floor and braced against a wall. The demon watched until she woke.