Deeds Done In Shadow
Nyxtra Eidwyn | Present Night | Eidwyn Estate
Finally, the night had come. Both moons were high in the sky, and both at their fullest. The sky was clear in the valley clearing, and not a single other soul was nearby. Nyxtra toiled away to prepare a ritual- one of great importance.
With the end of the staff she carried, she finished drawing out the large magic circle. Eight black candles, placed at eight directions- salt lining the outermost ring. In each direction were also engraved eight runes. To the north, gold. Moving clockwise, a barrier. Then salt, to represent the body. A rune to increase the strength of the barrier, and then silver- purity, wisdom and protection of the spirit. Next was a sigil of rejuvenation, to ensure her good health. Then black sulfur, the element connecting the above and below realms. Lastly, another enhancement rune to channel more mana, increasing the strength of this complicated ward.
Standing in the center of it all, Nyx inspects her work to ensure its quality. Satisfied, she sits down, crossing her legs. Reaching into her shirt, Nyxtra pulls out a periapt hiding below the neckline- then opens it to pour out the contents in front of her. A black, viscous and odorous substance falls out, splattering the ground. As it does, the clear weather begins to shift- clouds suddenly forming and rolling in to cover the moons. The lines she just drew begin to shine a faint lavender, seeming to shift their positions just slightly.
The wind begins to howl as the ichor-like substance rises from the ground, expanding and contorting into a vague shape of some… thing. An arm, then a torso. Then a head and some legs below- if you could truly call them that. Broken appendages at best. As it finishes its formation, Nyxtra meets what little, lifeless gaze the being has to acknowledge it.
A rasping, almost scratching whisper reaches the woman's ears.
"What dreadful purpose have you released me for this time, Gloaming?" The entity spoke slowly and meticulously- but with no uncertain feelings of disdain towards the goldblood. After all, she is the one that contained it.
"You have drawn out and forcefully taken what power I once held already. I've nothing left to give you, not that I would be willing to do so in the first place."
"You have knowledge-" Nyxtra finally replies. She's clearly doing her best not to be impatient, with the being enuncing every syllable with a contemptuous inflection. "Experience. And I know for a fact you've been holding out on me in strength as well. Lies will do you no good here, daemon."
The being makes a low thrumming growl. The ichor slowly solidifies into a black, squishy flesh with fungi sprouting in various places. As a result, the horrid and rotting stench begins to waft away. It looks down at its new features, a scowl now visible on its non-rotten face.
"Going as far as to seal away my very essence, I see."
"Well, I can't have you destroying the very environment I live in. Or my own body," Nyx says with a huff. Shouldn't that be obvious? This daemon is in no position to argue with her. However, she'll let it complain.
"Disgusting." It says, picking at the vessel it's now housed in. The skin pulls off in a chunk, only to reform mere seconds later. "So it's more power you want then?"
Nyxtra crosses her arms now, not breaking eye contact with the entity. "More or less."
"Why." it states, not like a question at all- more like a demand to have an answer.
And Nyxtra humors it. "You're not getting another chance to use it, for one. Two, these nights are… complicated. Society has advanced far beyond what I used to think possible. My kind now flies amongst the stars, albeit without knowing their stories, or even what lies behind the veil.
… I fear my time is too short. I do not want to take any risks further down the line, and I want to ensure I can protect that which I hold close. To aid those that I am able."
The thrumming from the daemon starts up once more. "A noble effort. Or a selfish one? I am in no place to judge, nor to bargain. But I am curious, if you'll humor me once more."
The witch pauses a moment to consider, then nods.
"Is your stomach as strong as your will, dear mage?" It repeatedly clicks, knowing the answer to this question already. It has foreseen this inevitable moment, its own end.
"What exactly are you suggesting?" Nyxtra questions, getting part of the hint. But not all of it.
The daemon makes a noise akin to a chuckle, amused at the thought of what is about to transpire.
"Partake in the way of daemons, killing and consuming one another to exceed their limits. That is the only thing left I have to offer you."
It's then that a switch clicks in her mind. "Dear gods. You mean actually eating you. Don't you?"
"Correct."
A shiver runs down Nyxtra's spine. Gross. Disgusting. Eating an embodiment of.. rot, of decay? To gain power? She cannot state enough- Eugh.
But… it seems logical. That it would work, that is. Mages before had bargained with other entities for power. Even mundane folk were able to wield arcane force through deals. Consuming was like… an advanced version of that, right? Though, it must have its own stipulations. Consequences. Limits. Ones she was not aware of, and doubted the daemon would tell her.
"Do you wish to proceed in this matter, Gloaming?" it interrupts her thinking- the tone it carries, almost goading. "You do not have all night to think it over."
"Oh hush up," she retorts, sighing as she makes up her mind.
Nyxtra stands, pulling a dagger out from her sleeve. She moves in closer to the daemon that slowly sinks to her level, looking deep into its eyes.
In them, she finds only resignation. "Get it over with, witch."
She raises her dagger, plunging it deep into the skull of the beast. And as it slumps over onto the ground, a deep gnawing pains her stomach.
Nyxtra drops to her knees, hunched over the blackened creature, slobbering.
