Once again I must remind you that this story will have some upsetting themes, including but not limited to:
rape, mind control, domination, slavery, physical abuse, humiliation
All characters involved in sexual acts in this story will always be above the age of 18.
Chapter 02: To Claim a Soul
Meet the new master, same as the old master...
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Nergal had to crouch to enter the cave he would be residing in for the near future. A few meters in, the mouth of the cave opened up slightly into a vaguely room sized cavity that the moonlight struggled to illuminate, not that the dark was any hindrance to his demonic eyes. Thankfully, he could actually stand here, although the ceiling was uncomfortably close to the top of his head. Further tunnels plunged through the depths of the earth beyond this alcove, but they would have been much less welcoming.
The demon resisted the urge to make this place more befitting of his presence. That would have been a waste of mana. In a few weeks' time, he would never again set foot in this wretched place. Sitting down and leaning back against the wall at the back, Nergal glanced back at the thrall he would be sculpting over the coming days.
A puny little human girl, emaciated and weak, neglected by the world, she had been cautiously walking behind him, one hand against the wall, trying not to trip on any unseen rocks strewn across the cave floor. Her human vision failed her in the dark, but that could be changed. This was the only thrall he had with him at the moment, and so he would have to give her more attention than he would usually afford his soldiers. She had to become formidable enough to survive the coming months. She wouldn't be easily replaced, not yet. Nergal did not yet have a proper foothold in this world.
It was time to begin. Nergal knew the human tongue, though it was not one he would often use. For now, it would be more convenient than having her learn demonic. She had spoken it earlier, since the ritual of binding could not be performed in any other language, but that was only because he had told her what to say.
"Slave." he called out.
She jumped a little and turned submissively in his direction, her head down. She could barely see him in the dark. The demon wondered if it might be better to call this one by name. The binding prevented the thrall from directly disobeying her master, but inspiring genuine loyalty could be a powerful thing. A properly motivated servant toiled much more diligently. Establishing a bond of familiarity would be the first step.
"What is your name, girl?" he asked, softening his voice as much as he knew how.
"It's Emily, my lord." she quietly whispered, her gaze stuck to the floor, her hands held down in front of her in a trained pose of submission.
"And how old are you, Emily?"
"I turned 20 last winter, my lord."
Emily hesitantly raised her head a little to look at her new demonic master, but her gaze never met his, for fear of causing disrespect. Nergal could tell there was something on her mind, and that she dared not speak it.
"Something troubles you. What is it." he asked in as warm a tone as he could muster. At this, Emily stared at him wordlessly, her mouth gaping in confusion, as though he had spouted complete nonsense. Not that he really disagreed with that assessment. Why was he trying to endear himself to a slave, again? Surely there were better ways to spend his time. What a foolish whim this had been, he had work to-
"How should I address you, Lord Nergal? That
is
your name, right?" she interrupted his thoughts. Was that all she was worried about? Well, such trivialities were easily addressed.
"It is, and the way you've addressed me so far has been adequate."
"And you're a...
demon
?"
"I am a Feldrenar, the highest form of demon. In your tongue, I am known as a Subjugator."
With a forlorn sigh, she brought her gaze back down to the ground as she muttered under her breath, "Fitting..." She had not intended for him to hear it, but his ears were far sharper than she had expected.
"You find our union fitting? I'm afraid you have lost me completely. We could not have any less in common." Was this little wench insulting him? She dared!? Certainly, Nergal had fallen quite low recently, but he was in no way comparable to this pitiful wretch, and he would soon begin his return to rightful glory. Such attitude could not be tolerated, he would have to-
Realizing her mistake and panicking to explain herself, holding out her open palms in front of her in an instinctual conciliatory gesture, Emily spoke louder than she had intended to. "No my lord, I wasn't...! I didn't...! What I meant was...! I was just talking about the color of my hair!" she let out in undisguised terror, as she held out a handful of her baby-blue hair for her master to see, as though that should somehow clarify what she meant.
"Explain yourself." the demon said, with a tone that made it clear he would not be patient. It seemed this was simply a misunderstanding, but Nergal still had no idea what this little scamp was going on about. What could her hair possibly have to do with anything?
Still terrified, Emily continued, "Sometimes human girls are born with blue hair and it's seen as a bad omen and the parents of these children often give them to orphanages or abandon them to die or sell them as lifelong slaves to some noble they call us the Azelle and they say we're tainted by demonic influences and destined to bring unspeakable evil if left to our own devices that's all I meant I'm so sorry I know I'm an insignificant worm compared to you please forgive me Master I beg of you!!!"
Taken aback by the deluge of words he had just been subjected to, he took a moment to ponder this information. Humans truly were stupid and foolish, giving power to things that held and deserved none. Fear was their instinctual reaction to the unknown. They ostracized their own kin over something so completely devoid of meaning. It was laughable.
"I assure you that the pigmentation of your hair is completely benign. The only demonic influence affecting you is the pact that binds your soul to my will. Physically, you are completely unremarkable."
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Something snapped in Emily's mind as she listened. Her very world was shattered by this revelation. 20 years of life she had been punished, and for what? Nothing, a lie, a ridiculous superstition! Emily had justified the pain she had endured as necessary to keep her nature in check. She was an Azelle, of course she deserved to be shunned and restrained for what she was, that was how she had coped with it.
But now that gate had been flung wide open, never to close again. There had been no meaning to it all. Pain and loneliness and contempt... they had been her birthrights. Sold to Lord Dumal as an infant, abandoned, never to be thought of again. As the foundation of everything she had used to justify her torment crumbled, so too did the structure of her sanity. Emily smiled mirthlessly and her demented giggles soon ascended into maniacal cackles, as they echoed against the dark cave walls.
But as abruptly as this raging storm had begun, it was subdued when it crashed against the unshakeable foundation of her Master's will.
"Calm yourself." he ordered, and she could only obey. "I asked you before and I shall ask again. Do you wish for power? Revenge?"
"Yessssssssss..." She hissed, with unashamed bloodlust in her eyes.
"And I shall grant you both. Now strip."