TKDB! Let me turn into a monster girl!! Being a sane, or even part Kyklos would go so fucking hard!
I’ve genuinely been thinking so much about the different ways it could happen. The most likely successes would be to turn into a vampire mid-transformation so maybe the combination of kyklos and vampire would balance out their weaknesses, especially the vampiric ones because being vulnerable to sunlight is really the only downside to vampirism imo.
She could be a tougher kyklos, she could probably?? Still eat regular food too, we don’t know what kyklos’ eat, but blood would obviously make her even stronger.
It would be awesome to be on par with the ghouls as well. I don’t expect for her to be stronger than them as a fledgling half-vamp half-kyklos, she could have her little monster training wheels on and still be inspector, and be an interesting subject since she has the option to retain her humanity.
The option 😈
Of course another route is to make a demon pact to stunt the transformation so it doesn’t consume her mind OR partially become a demon herself. Having the ability to grant wishes would be too OP for this story, that can be an ability she gains in the future but it would take intensive studies in black magic for many, many years and some special demon juice to power her up in ways that aren’t normally accessible to humans.
Of course Darkwick would run extensive tests on her to see if she was too much of a danger, but it would be cool for her to continue to serve humanity for a while slow corruption routes baby
And just think how fun it would be for people to react to her! She would be so free now that she’s not dying and doesn’t have to hold back her feelings. Of course, there would be some who would change their tune, even push her away or question their ability to trust her (Jin, Luca, Lyca, although I see they’d warm up to her again - Jin would prolly take the longest).
And then the ones with anomaly fetishes *cough* Subaru *cough*
Leo would throw shade but he’d really want the tea on what it’s like. Man is practically half demon himself.
Haku? I can see him being a little cautious of her until it’s established she’s mentally and physically stable (I love the idea of her wearing his talisman as more of a good luck charm than anything, idk how to gauge the strength of his abilities against something like her) but mostly it would be so hot for him to start calling her “princess of hell” 😊 still princess for short
Had a little fun with Dominic yesterday, giving off some of that referencing and something a little symbolic of his nature. But I wonder, who pissed him off?
Also, references are from normal to the transition of demonic form. After all, he is a half-demon.
Because apparently one warlock dnd character with a contract with Arcidae the home-made spider goddess of lies isn't enough
This is Vali Olstaire. He is a half-demon warlock tied to Arcidae, goddess of lies and deceit. I don't have too much lore for him yet, but if anyone's intested I could do a follow-up with more info (once I flesh him out more and finish a digital version of the not cartoony sketch).
I was thinking about Doe ..... Does Alastor behave with Doe exactly the way he behaves with Lamb? And do you classify Doe with a specific gender or does it remain "they/Them" like Lamb? Btw I love your art it's just amazing! ❤️ Seeing your art makes me like Charlastor even more!
Hello, I unfortunately came up with her in one second just to make an alternative design for the child and I didn't think about her story, but if you want answers, then of course Alastor loves her more, because she turned out to be a rather strange girl who does not understand some things. Weird and creepy? - Alastor thinks this is the perfect child. And it's a girl
A bit more of this story, trying to get through this slow intro to the juicy bits coming up without losing the world building or needed details. Later parts will not come this quickly.
Let me know what you think! Also, I absolutely did not intend for all my demon stories to start with a 'D'....
---
I jumped at the soft creak of the tower door opening, quickly stilling my fidgeting hands behind my back. I had nearly worked them free, and didn’t want to risk that discovery now or it would set back my hour (hours? I was unsure) of work.
I was expecting the lean, stick of a manservant to enter the small abandoned room they had left me in. My heart jumped to my throat as my mind supplied ample images of a sharp knife in his hand, or a cloth drenched in poison to press to my face in place of the gag currently stuffed in my mouth.
But instead the broad shouldered noble slipped through the small crack he opened before quickly closing the door behind him. Obviously not used to stealth, yet managing fairly well despite that and his unwieldy bulk. His dark eyes moved to my face as soon as the door was closed once more, his hand lingering on the worn brass handle. My racing heart settled into a curious pattering in my chest.
“… I need to know who sent you.” He told me quietly, as if leery of being discovered there.
I watched him curiously, remaining still in my binds even as he slowly approached. Fiddling with the cuffs on his fine shirt. He paused, then glanced over his shoulder for a moment before returning his attention to me. Now barely more than a few paces away.
“I will remove the gag now.” He said, half sounding like a warning.
I nodded slowly, and saw him hesitate as he lifted a hand towards me. Letting it linger in the air for a moment before he reached out and gently hooked a finger around the cloth. His skin brushing mine ever so lightly as he did and leaving a shiver of anticipation shooting across it.
He stepped back as I twisted a bit to remove the remainder of the gag, choking out the foul piece from my mouth. Then spitting at the floor and adjusting my tongue, as if to remember how to make it work again. I glanced at him out the corner of my eye as I did, and he took another small step away. Neatly tucking his hands into the small of his back and squaring his shoulders.
“… Why did you come here?” He asked me after a moment.
I straightened, testing the binds still at my wrists subtly as I watched him. Studying his face, wondering how he kept such a visage which looked so solid and complete.
“For the pendant.” I answered honestly. I saw no reason to lie, seeing as it seemed rather obvious, but my answer had him stiffening.
“Who told you about it?” He pressed tightly. “Do you know what magic it holds?”
I didn’t answer, considering him still. Debating the value of my words to him, and wondering what I could trade them for. He seemed more vulnerable without his manservant, more raw somehow. He remained steadfast beneath my gaze, waiting patiently.
“… Do you plan to answer?” He asked finally after the minutes had ticked by painfully, cocking up one dark brow.
I gave a lazy shrug, shifting in my chair. His brow cocked a bit higher, his lips pursed.
“What would it matter if I did?” I asked finally.
“It is of the utmost importance.” He assured me quietly.
“Because of what I saw?”
He stiffened again, his lips twitching. Then he squared his shoulders, a slight frown forming on his mouth.
“What you think you saw.”
I almost smiled, tilting my head to one side. Raising one of my own eyebrows pointedly. His slight frown turned to a more pointed scowl, though still tightly controlled on his features.
“… Perhaps your stay has not been long enough to loosen your tongue.”
“Then gag me again.” I dared him. “Surely that’ll do the trick.”
He sighed, his threat deflating as he shook his head. “This was a mistake. Hector was right.”
I didn’t answer, waiting and watching him struggle with whatever conflicting thoughts filled him. I thought I saw a ripple of movement across his skin, could imagine the shade of red his eyes had once been.
A loud thud from somewhere below us made us both jump a bit. The noble turned, looking over his shoulder as if he could see through the wood and iron. Then he scoffed, shaking his head a little again.
“I must go.” He said, as if he had need to explain himself to me. “Before my absence is noticed.”
Gingerly, he took a small step forward and reached out. Hesitating again before he lightly grabbed the cloth. Dragging it up from where it had fallen around my neck back to my mouth. Once again, his warm skin brushed mine slightly as he did. I couldn’t help the way my heart skipped as he leaned in to better secure the knot at the back. Bringing us even closer together. As he retreated a bit again, he paused a few inches away. Still half crouched to sit at my eye level.
“… No gag.” He said quietly, close enough that his voice brushed against my skin as he spoke. He nudged the soiled cloth still on the floor off to the side with the tip of his boot pointedly.
Our eyes met, lingering for a long moment. Studying each other. Searching for answers hidden in the depths of each others’ eyes. For a moment, I thought I felt his own curiosity abut mine.
Then he stepped away, straightening and clearing his throat quietly. Moving back towards the door. But unable to resist a glance back at me as he reached it.
“… I’ll come back.” He said. I wasn’t sure if it was an assurance or a warning. Then he slipped back out the door.
I started working at my binds again. I won’t be here. I responded silently, my heart still thudding in my ears. Remembering the dark shade of his eyes, the feel of his warm, gentle fingers brushing my skin. The sound of his voice filling my ears.
--
My tongue still stuck to the roof of my mouth and I could still taste the foul gag that had sat there for what felt like hours. That, and the red ring I had worked raw around my wrists, were the only reminders of my captivity.
Very little of it made sense. How one moment I was overwhelmed and outnumbered. And the next I was able to slip my binds and out of the mansion without running into another soul. I was back onto the streets of my birth before the sun had set, my heart in my throat and my head buzzing with thoughts.
Perhaps it was too easy. Perhaps it was all an elaborate scheme; hire an unknown thief. Have her witness… that… whatever it may have been. Once she had, let her slip from her binds…
And then what? Spread rumors about the noble of the castle? Let her go careening through the streets like a wild creature loosed from the carnival? But if so… then why had he come to speak with me in the tower at all?
I sighed again for at least the hundredth time, dragging my fingers along my skull through my short blonde hair. Feeling the furrow in my brow deepen. Nothing made sense. I glanced over my shoulder, unable to help myself.
Despite the taste of freedom in my lungs once more, I found myself oddly reluctant to leave the shadow of the old mansion on the hill. I lingered for a time, watching the dark windows as if I might see some shadow movement there that hinted to what I had seen that morning. But it looked the same as always. As still as a painting hung in a dusty old hall. Eventually, I conceded to its elusive shades and retreated back towards the small attic apartment I called home. Half wondering if I had dreamed the whole thing.
The streets were beginning to fill with the dangerous hum of a stirred wasps’ nest as the sun sank below the horizon. I found a comfort in the familiar sounds, feeling it surrounding me like a summer storm, knowing I was lost amid the bustle. Just another cog in a broken machine, rusting in the rain.
I arrived at the door to my apartment with a newfound determination, and undid the locks with deft speed that belittled my nerves. Going to the small chest at the base of my bed to find the note of instructions and bag of coins I had been given a few days prior. Needing to solidify the entire day and the purpose behind it all. To begin to pick and dig at the questions filling my mind.
But after ten minutes of digging, instead of reality sinking in I felt frustration instead. The note and coin were no where to be found. It had to be somewhere. I couldn’t have imagined the whole thing.
I practically upended the chest, then in my desperation moved throughout the rest of the apartment. Tossing aside my blanket and pillow, digging through the sparse kitchen goods until pans and wooden plates clattered to the floor. The floorboards were my next victim in my desperation in case the note had fallen through. Leaving me clawing at them as if the worn wood might cover the answers I wanted.
I jumped at the knock on the door, light but firm. But sending my heart racing. Making me pause to wonder what time it was. Late, I imagined, though I had no window to confirm.
No one came to my apartment. Why bother? There was nothing of value here, it was barely large enough to be deemed an ‘apartment’. And I was not well known enough to be worth an in-person visit. Besides, anyone who might decide to “visit” would not be knocking…
I hesitated for a moment, standing slowly and brushing my hands down my front. But curiosity overwhelmed my caution, and I felt drawn to the door like a moth to a flame. Scarcely able to think for the sound of my heart in my ears.
I undid a few locks and cracked the door open, peering beyond a bit timidly despite myself. And felt my racing heart stop as if it had been struck by lightning.
“… May we speak?” The black haired noble asked quietly, his dark eyes hooded, his hands neatly tucked behind his back.
I studied him for a long moment. Wishing I could pinch myself to see if this was real but not daring to take my eyes off him. Feeling plunged back into the alternate reality I had found myself that morning, and searching for a crack or flicker of what I had seen before.
He didn’t move beneath my scrutiny, but I thought perhaps I saw his features tighten a bit. Making me wonder if he knew what I was looking for. Or if he was just used to it. I finally glanced over his shoulder to see the slender manservant standing behind him at the top of the narrow stairs. His expression sour, his arms crossed as he glanced about. I turned my attention back to the noble.
“… Can I say no?”
My voice was quieter than usual, but I was happy to hear it didn’t shake, nor sound fearful. At least to my ears. He seemed to chew that over for half a breath, blinking those large, dark eyes slowly.
“Of course.” He said at last.
“And you’d leave?” I pressed.
He hesitated again, but then nodded. “I would.”
“My lord,” Hissed his manservant, and we both glanced at him, “We cannot let her-”
The noble raised his hand, silencing the older man. Then he turned back to me.
“… I would like the opportunity to speak with you.” He told me quietly. “But I would not wish you to feel threatened.”
I almost laughed, but glanced back over at the other man briefly before returning my attention to the nobleman.
“He seems to wish that.”
The noble nodded. “We will speak alone again, if you wish.”
“.. Again?” His manservant even went so far as to take a step further onto the landing, his voice growing even more bitter. “My lord, do you think that wise?”
I closed the door before the noble could answer. Quickly undoing the remaining chains, then opening it again. A little wider this time. Taking a few steps back to allow the man entrance.
He had to duck a little to enter once he overcame his surprise. Though his face barely showed any of his thoughts. He waved back his servant before he stepped forward. As he bent, I saw the onyx chain and pendant swing at his neck. Its dark metal catching the low light. Once he straightened again, his tall, broad shouldered frame seemed to dwarf my tiny apartment. I took another step back, rubbing at one arm. Uncertain if my nerves were from fear, uncertainty, or… curiosity.
“How did you know where to find me?” I asked after a moment as the silence stretched while he looked about.
“Hector has contacts in the city.” He turned to me, the shadows on his blank face more pronounced in the dim light of the room.
I jerked my chin over his shoulder. “That’s Hector?”
A delicate nod. “Yes. He was against my coming, but I insisted we be given the opportunity to converse… ” I thought he looked a little sheepish despite himself. “Again.”
I couldn’t help the tiny, wry smile that tickled the corners of my mouth. “I suppose he had a more swift conclusion to the issue of my existence?”
The noble glanced at me, his brow furrowing slightly. As if the notion was unsettling. But for me, it was the only part of our interaction that made sense so far. It lent me a bit of confidence, and I took a step to skirt around the edge of the room. Half circling him.
“You want to know what I saw.” I concluded. “Before you decide.”
“What you thought you saw.” The noble corrected as if on instinct, his tones still flat. His dark eyes following me but keeping his broad shoulders squared and his hands neatly in the small of his back. “And what you intend to do with such misinformation.”
“Magic. Illusions.” I mused quietly, glancing down briefly as I felt the memory swirl about my head once more, wavering in my certainty for a moment. “… I saw something, but I… I’m not entirely sure what.” I glanced back up at him, finding his hooded eyes still fixed upon me. “… Did I see what I saw?”
“I would deny that you saw anything.”
“Is that a no?”
“It is a point of principle.”
“I am not asking on principle.” I pressed quietly to his reluctance, taking a little step closer to him. “I want to know… Was what I saw… real?”
He didn’t answer for a long moment, and I almost thought I saw his skin ripple beneath his stillness. Sending my heart skipping. Remembering the magic facade slipping away as easily as I had slipped that pendant from his neck. Feeling its reality more potently, even as I convinced myself what I now saw was a trick of the light.
“… Yes.”
The word, though as emotionless as the rest of his words, seemed somehow painful for him. I hadn’t the energy to fully assess that pain though. Instead I paused, turning that over. Left with even more questions than I had started. I gave a little huff, shaking my head in disbelief.
“Why tell me?” I asked after a few moments delay. “Why take that risk? Why not let your friend ‘handle’ me?”
“… I am not sure.” He replied quietly once a breath had lingered between us, his focus fixed on the floor. “You… seem…”
His eyes flicked up ever so briefly. Catching my own in his gaze as he dropped off. I didn’t breathe until they fell away again. Then I huffed once more. Reaching up to rub at my face as the weight of his words settled.
“… I am not a danger to you.” He said into the silence. That made me laugh lightly, though without mirth. Which had him quickly adding, “You need not fear that I am an ill omen.”
“Everyone is a danger.” I replied. “Often more to themselves than to anyone else.” I crossed my arms over my chest, shaking my head again. “… Now that I know, what happens to me?”
I thought I saw him stiffen a bit, saw his lips purse slightly.
“… Do you intend to tell anyone?” He asked quietly, his gaze flicking to the still open door. Belittling his decision to tell me, or perhaps concerned his manservant was listening still. Perhaps warning me he almost assuredly was.
“I don’t have anyone to tell.”
He nodded slowly, seeming to think over that as if I had placed a counteroffer to a business deal between us.
“It is… Important to me that you do not speak of this to anyone.”
“Is this where you bribe me to silence?” I teased lightly, extending a hand to illustrate the state of my affairs. “Obviously I must be open to such temptations.”
“I do not engage in temptations.” He replied coldly.
“Just threats.”
His eyes snapped back to me, and once again I thought I saw his skin ripple. Or did everyone’s skin look like that in the fire light?
“I did not-”
“You didn’t have to.” I jerked my head over his shoulder again. “Hector, remember?”
He dropped his gaze, his brow furrowing slightly again.
“I did not ask him to.”
We stood in silence for a long moment, and I chewed over everything so far. He took the opportunity to raise his gaze and study our surroundings. Even taking a small step towards the clutter dumped on the floor by the foot of the bed. I toyed with the idea of pressing for coin, but my nerves were too shot to threaten my luck so far… and my curiosity was too great. I felt the thrum of my heart beneath the tips of my fingers as I watched him.
“So… You are a demon?” I asked coyly, stalking a few paces closer as he shuffled around my scant apartment.
He shot me a look out the corner of his eye, but other than the flicker of movement his expression barely changed. Still, there was a long, quiet pause before he answered.
“… Half.”
“Half?”
“Technically.”
I smiled. “You are a technicality?”
He seemed a bit put off by my smile, his eyes studying my face for a long moment. He opened his mouth finally, seeming still hesitant to respond at all-
CRACK!!
The sound of the roof crashing down just behind me and the floor quaking at our feet did not lend time for his answer.
I gave a shout, but found my feet off the ground before it had finished escaping my lungs. Sawdust and debris clouded around me, delaying my realization of an arm wrapped about my middle. Tugging me to the landing and the stairwell beyond.
“My Lord!” Came the shout, half muffled by the shifting of the broken beams and collapsing roof tiles. “We must away! It is not safe!”
I was coughing and sputtering through the haze as the noble placed me back on my feet. As if I weighed nothing at all. I glanced at him, his dark brow furrowed, his jaw tense. The material of his fine clothes coated in sawdust but his hair somehow seeming crisp and untouched. Hector was tugging at his arm but he ignored him, his dark eyes still locked upon my face. His hand half extended as if to steady me further.
I blinked stupidly for a moment, then looked over my shoulder. Still struggling to draw a full breath. Seeing the shambles of my apartment behind me, the roof overhead having caved in not a foot from where I had once stood, my bed buried beneath.
“My Lord!” Hector pressed, glancing over his shoulder as sounds of response to the collapse filled the stairs below. “Now!”
I jumped as the noble’s hand caught my elbow, and I spun to look at him in surprise. He dropped it almost as soon as his skin brushed mine.
“Come with me.” He almost breathed, his voice thin.
“What?”
“This was no accident.” He nodded to the remnants of my apartment. “You may not be safe.”
I would’ve laughed had the circumstances been different. Still in a haze of disbelief.
“And am I safer with you?”
“Yes.” He brushed off his manservant’s hand grabbing at his own arm as he spoke. “I promise you, no harm shall come to you in my care.”
“How do you know it wasn’t-”
“How often do buildings just collapse in on themselves poised directly over where you would have been sleeping?” He interrupted me, a bit breathless still. The urgency apparent in his whole body the way he tensed, the way his skin seemed to shimmer. “Surely even in a city such as this, it is not a common accident.”
My mouth flapped uselessly like a fish for a moment. Torn, but feeling a surge of excitement fill my chest. His eyes never left my face, until I finally nodded. Hardly aware of doing so, but seeing him give a curt little nod himself in response.
Vires occasionally has a difficult time keeping his composure, particularly when pushed to his limits - yet he still holds onto his self-controlled demeanor.
