Post by Administrator on May 30, 2015 15:04:56 GMT -6
The circle was cast, incense lit and incantations finished. Although he was alone, should any man of science have been watching Johannes' ritual they would have concluded it was unsuccessful. However, that person didn't feel the chalk as they carefully drew the precise symbol, or held the fire to the incense that filled the air with the exotic scents, or reach into their memory and fetch the spell as they heard themselves speak. All of these things had brought the mind of Johannes to a state where his reality was more than the simple dark room around him. Thus, before him now within his arcane diagram stood a mighty demon prince.
The young man presented an amulet for the demon to see and beckoned, "Prince Vassago, I invoke thee not to make demands, but to humbly beg that you take a soul."
The demon prince arched an eyebrow in interest, then spoke, "Your guild has fallen, yet you have been spared. You are as different from your kin as I am to mine, then. Speak your purpose, youthful alchemist."
Johannes lowered his gaze and furrowed his brow, "Through great sacrifice I have concealed a girl from the knowledge of demons."
The demon interrupted, "It is my office to discover what has been hidden, mortal. I know of Mirriam. She shines as a beacon to me."
Johannes looked up with surprise and continued, "Then do you see that she has been forced into some deep sleep and does not wake? Her mind will not grow with her body in this condition which is lasting far longer than I first thought! I fear that she will bear the fate of the other crystal bearers."
Prince Vassago pondered. "I understand your request then. You would have me protect her soul until her body can awaken. Yet when it does, you should know that you will not be able to conceal her any longer."
"What is your price?"
"You will know when it suits me best."
"So let it be then.." Johannes vows.
"So desperate are you that the innocent soul of a little girl be trusted to a demon."
"Not for long, I pray."
"My order of prophesy does not extend into events that contain myself, but I can tell you this: She will not awaken by your will, but by whomever has cursed her with this undying sleep." The demon produced from within his cloak a crystal shard. "Take this and bind it to her so that her body will not frail with the passing of time. She is young enough to train, and in my tutor she will learn of my world and the martial skills as I see fit."
"How can you ask me to infuse her flesh with another crystal? They spread like a disease!"
"Then seek instead the advice of those who practice science and medicine, and not that of a demon prince! Watch them drill a hole in her skull and set upon her flesh leeches to drink away her sickness!"
Frustrated, Johannes accepts his duty. The bargain was then sealed in a pact of blood, and the soul of a little girl awakened though her body did not. As Prince Vassago departed, he left Johannes with advice:
"Embrace your mortality..."
The young man presented an amulet for the demon to see and beckoned, "Prince Vassago, I invoke thee not to make demands, but to humbly beg that you take a soul."
The demon prince arched an eyebrow in interest, then spoke, "Your guild has fallen, yet you have been spared. You are as different from your kin as I am to mine, then. Speak your purpose, youthful alchemist."
Johannes lowered his gaze and furrowed his brow, "Through great sacrifice I have concealed a girl from the knowledge of demons."
The demon interrupted, "It is my office to discover what has been hidden, mortal. I know of Mirriam. She shines as a beacon to me."
Johannes looked up with surprise and continued, "Then do you see that she has been forced into some deep sleep and does not wake? Her mind will not grow with her body in this condition which is lasting far longer than I first thought! I fear that she will bear the fate of the other crystal bearers."
Prince Vassago pondered. "I understand your request then. You would have me protect her soul until her body can awaken. Yet when it does, you should know that you will not be able to conceal her any longer."
"What is your price?"
"You will know when it suits me best."
"So let it be then.." Johannes vows.
"So desperate are you that the innocent soul of a little girl be trusted to a demon."
"Not for long, I pray."
"My order of prophesy does not extend into events that contain myself, but I can tell you this: She will not awaken by your will, but by whomever has cursed her with this undying sleep." The demon produced from within his cloak a crystal shard. "Take this and bind it to her so that her body will not frail with the passing of time. She is young enough to train, and in my tutor she will learn of my world and the martial skills as I see fit."
"How can you ask me to infuse her flesh with another crystal? They spread like a disease!"
"Then seek instead the advice of those who practice science and medicine, and not that of a demon prince! Watch them drill a hole in her skull and set upon her flesh leeches to drink away her sickness!"
Frustrated, Johannes accepts his duty. The bargain was then sealed in a pact of blood, and the soul of a little girl awakened though her body did not. As Prince Vassago departed, he left Johannes with advice:
"Embrace your mortality..."
yey