Under 1000 words. Comedy, fantasy.
I intend to write more in the future, this concept is so fun
Ever since I was a little boy, I knew I wanted to be a Demon Queen. In fact, it’s a matter of heated debate if I was ever a boy to begin with — one I am here to settle: Who cares? If you want to know my story, there are much more important things to discuss. For example, the day I met Mah’latfer changed both of our lives and I think he still regrets taking my soul, not that he would admit it. Or maybe they could talk about my comprehensive labour reforms in the villages I conquer? No, they rather talk about what’s up with my privates and honestly, it’s really frustrating. I’m out here living the dream, alright? I’m not gonna let some haters in shining armor and angel wings ruin my vibe, nuh-uh.
It all began when a young, dumb demonologist at the Arcane Academy of Bronzecoast, trying to pay my student loans and not go crazy with stress, both of which you could say I failed at pretty spectacularly. I was already depressed and running on energy potions and black coffee, so can you blame me? I was actually passionate about demonology, which was when I discovered some in-depth discussions on the Demon Queen of the Dales.
As the story goes, she ruled a ruthless demon kingdom for two decades before a band of mighty heroes finally defeated her. I was impressed by the lack of details too, but hey, it’s been four hundred years, they barely had printing spells back then, so the lack of primary sources shouldn’t be surprising. Soon I found about her life before becoming the Demon Queen and her tragic love story, which she tried to fix by making a pact with a demon. Always a bad idea, or at least is what most people think. I think it’s a skill issue.
Which is why I drew the circle and recited the incantations, all searching for the demon who created her. Instead, Mah’latfer found me.
“Who summons me, Mah’latfer…?” and then his title, which he said almost as a whisper, even through his thundering voice and fiery silhouette.
“I’m sorry, can you repeat that?”
“I said I am Mah’latfer!” He waited and I waited. “Mah’latfer the Bearer of Dance.”
I held a chuckle. “That’s your title?”
“Yes! What about it?!”
“Nothing,” I mumbled. “But I was kinda hoping for the guy who made the Demon Queen of the Dales.”
He scoffed. “Nebaal?! He’s a charlatan! An evil one-shoe relic coasting off of his reputation!”
“So you can do better?”
“Certainly! Tell me what you wish for, child? Your deepest desires can and will be fulfilled by a true demon; one who asks for nothing in return but your eternal soul… Me. Tell me, mortal, of the wish that keeps you awake at night and suffering during the day; the wish that would bring you above your peers and into a world of power and…”
“I wish to be a Demon Queen.”
Mah’latfer hesitated. “What?” His fiery silhouette flickered for a moment. “But you’re a boy—”
“That's what I thought too, but, well, that's why I summoned you. Demonology is very complex for us mortals, but I've been studying and I believe I actually have the soul of a woman trapped in a body not my own. You see, in my research—"
“Sounds like you’re transgender.”
“I’m what?”
It was the first time I heard that word. You see, between the Confluence’s strict beliefs and the general, for lack of a better word, demonization of using magic to transform yourself, I didn’t expect a word so simple to exist. Certainly Mah’latfer, as a high demon, had access to knowledge unconstrained by my time and space.
“Oh, you foolish mortals think the Creation is made perfect!” His laugh boomed. “You cannot see what’s right in front of you. The grapes are not born as wine; the wheat is not born as bread; you are not born you.”
“Huh,” I muttered. “I can see that.”
“Then you’re wiser than most mortals.”
“That’s why I brought you here. The previous Demon Queens? They were defeated. I won’t. I wish to change it all, Mah’latfer… The Bearer of Dance.”
“It’s dance as in ritual movement—”
“I know, man.”
“It’s not ridiculous.”
“I know, I know.” I sighed. “Can you help me?”
He hesitated to answer and I couldn’t read his amorphous fiery silhouette floating over my demonic circle. Mah’latfer seemed to be measuring me, weighing me…
“Do you understand the gravity of what you ask?”
“And demons care about that now?”
“I do.” He sounded resolute. “Do you understand?”
I took a deep breath. “I do.”
His fiery form turned from dark red to blue, pushing the boundaries of the magic circle. I held my grimoire close as I reached forward and let my fingers cross that invisible line between myself and my tortuous, wonderful future.
