Terminus: Lesser Demon Contracts I

Endrius Tenebris says, "Hey Beast"

Pierre dul Vique says, "We're not to be divided."

Endrius Tenebris says, "Welcome to Varesia pal"

Endrius Tenebris says, "You're most to welcome"

Endrius Tenebris says, "I don't know what'd you guys were talking about"

Terminus answers with a grin.
(Terminus)

Endrius Tenebris says, "But welcome"

Pierre dul Vique asks, "Understood?"

Pierre dul Vique gazed at Terminus.
(Pierre dul Vique)

Endrius Tenebris says, "No need to say it"

Endrius Tenebris says, "He's good"

Pierre dul Vique nodded.
(Pierre dul Vique)

Pierre dul Vique says, "Very well."

Pierre dul Vique asks, "I have errand to complete, anyone wishes to come?"

Endrius Tenebris says, "If pals want to come, most to welcome to"

Mildred says, "Uhm, let me get a few things."

Endrius Tenebris says, "Sure"

Pierre dul Vique says, "Very well."

Terminus says, "This form will likely draw attention..."

Mininya Valrose-Tenebris says, "Mors, you should go with them."

Mors Valrose-Tenebris says, "Already did mine."

Endrius Tenebris asks, "What's your name, beast?"

Terminus says, "You speak to no beast, exorcist."

Mininya Valrose-Tenebris says, "Mr. Terminus is a demon, he's not a magical beast."

Endrius Tenebris says, "'m not an exorcist pal"

Endrius Tenebris says, "No worries"

Endrius Tenebris says, "Respect to Demons with no antecedents"

Terminus says, "... I have decided..."

Terminus says, "I will invoke my blessings unto those of Verasia... The works you shall incur upon Meranthe, will suffice my satisfaction. My expectations prove inconsequential to your endeavors..."

Mors Valrose-Tenebris says, "Endrius."

Terminus asks, "You, are a Tenebris as well then?"

Endrius Tenebris says, "Thanks pal"

Endrius Tenebris says, "Ye"

Zen Sa-Ryung asks, "Any of you good at medical stuff?"
Endrius Tenebris says, "Mildred is"
Endrius Tenebris says, "Welcome to Varesia pal"
Zen Sa-Ryung asks, "Can I have a quick check-up..?"

Terminus's voice (to Zen Sa-Ryung): <*A psionic hum urges Zen to turn for Terminus at the mention of Medical matters.*>

Terminus says, "Come, child..."

Zen would quickly turn to Terminus with a nod.
(Zen Sa-Ryung)
The gargantuan beast stands tall beyond Zen, gazing down upon them with an expression of indifference.

"As I've said before... I have decided to invoke my blessings unto Verasia."

The declaration came with the rise of the lower left of his four arms, now hovering over the child's head.

There was an unseen presence drenching over the child, daring to prod and pry at their flesh. Though, had resistance not been applied? It'd seep through the explore their circuitry -- their mind...
It was examining them through and through, all without the need of scalpels and doctor's tools.

This, was a creature that had humans fused to its flesh. A century's worth of human anatomic disassembly seeing fruition. Thankfully, he was not attempting to tear apart a child in the midst of a budding settlement. Instead, he...

"Aaaah~... How unfortunate. Brutalized by the likes of others... How I imagine you'd like to take the fight back to them. Perhaps, in time... You will."

The mention of such brought a sickly grin upon the Patron's face.


"From you, I will only be taking a small portion of mana... Consider it, payment..."

That is it, the deal to be struck!
There didn't seem to be much time allotted for waiting, for the boy to reconsider -- nay, instead, they'd find that the mana drenching their body was growing heavy. In some instances? It was even... Igniting?
The air seemed to shimmer and refract, but no light nor heat seemed to justify it.

Had there been no effort to immediately resist or flee? The boy would find his body engulfed in a mastodon of lavender pyre. It would chill the skin, but frostbite would never come. Veins would blacken, and the breath from one's lungs sought to escape as though being pried from their body.

What was being invoked, was an ancient display of Reverse Occultic Casting -- A means of drawing vitality from one source, and imbuing it upon another; the cost was typically quite severe. Degradation of the caster themselves! Thus, it had to be asked...
Why would an ancient demon, intentionally cast a magic that'd destroy themselves in every effort... To help... A human? Their natural enemy?!

Closer examination wrought forth a revelation -- One of the grafted humans, a child likely in the general age range of Zen when they were fused to Terminus was being actively broken down. Their jaw falling lax, as though broken. Their flesh upon their lips unraveling, as though unsown... Soon enough? Even patches of bruised skin emerged. They were being broken down -- A cursed magic that seem to rebound their lack of injury from Zen, rapidly accelerating their healing!

Perhaps, the effort didn't heal their injuries outright and leave them entirely restored, but surely? They would be better off!
Assuming the process had gotten so far, the flames would be extinguished outright -- allowing the boy to regain himself. The warmth of the nightscape, likely to return to them.

"I have to thank you, child... Every effort sharpens my experience with your... Human anatomy. My blessings unto your worthy are at-hand... And in turn? I ask only of your prayers...
And tributes...

--and should the time come to it? Even a champion."

(Terminus)
The little runt wouldn't resist, not even a bit. The child was used to the presence of demons- the more Terminus would probe their form the more his ether would emanate from his form.

It was dark in nature, the flames of the occult.

Zen wasn't quite sure what he was feeling, he felt his mana draining but at the same time his face was slowly lifted of the burns and swelling that accompanied with it-

He felt himself feeling less burdened by his own incompetence, his wounds were indeed fading. The young child would smile, he was fond of the treatment-

He did not mind the payment Terminus sought.
(Zen Sa-Ryung)

It didn't take too long... With the casting complete? A small token was pulled back for himself in trade. It was hardly much to make a notable difference. Perhaps, his Candidate was indeed correct? Could he find an upper-limit to his reserves by pulling mana in from others?

His eyes peeled away from Zen, examining a now relatively magus-vacated settlement in-works. It would appear they all indeed went out for their 'quests'.

"Curious as I am, I don't intend to draw forth more attention than necessary... This form, simply won't do...

Then again, if mana will be provided as payment for my blessings? Perhaps, I don't require this form for the time being."

A mauve highlight encompassed Terminus' figure, shining with a physical flex.


"I was never meant to resemble a meager beast... I am so much more..."

The intensification of occultic prowess casted about its physique emanated an audible hum. The shadows sought to consume him, and with the darkness already present? His body seemingly... Faded away...

Into the night...
Though, the radiance of raw Death in its wake? It never left the scene. In fact, it felt as though it were spreading out... A transmogrification spell wrought upon the self, allowing one to become one with the shadows... And seemingly omnipresent across Verasia.

He didn't seem to speak afterwards however... Instead, the matters were left in the hands of those present.
(Terminus)
Zen Sa-Ryung says in telepathy, I've been meaning to ask..

Zen Sa-Ryung watched with curious eyes. He observed closely with intention to study the meaning of the words of this entity. Upon their allusion to being much more-

The child would simply connect the same psionic link he had been gestured with-

This was a confusing presence still, the mana they harbored lingered throughout all of Verasia. It was hard to pinpoint where exactly he were to aim his mind.

Regardless, he'd attempt it.. his thoughts would spread, and surely with the receiver being a telepathic themself, would grasp on quickly to the invitation.


["I wish to understand something. Do you mean to find the aid of a coven?

I myself am in training, but I plan to pair myself to one of your kin. That would likely aid in your search for a champion- though since I already have one in mind, let me ask.

Is it possible to offer this choice to multiple?"]

(Zen Sa-Ryung)
Gone, was his physical form... Etheric in nature and stretched thin...
However, the psionic channel was quite reactive to telepaths as Zen had soon exploited.

With the connection forged betwixt him and the Ancient, the sensation of the entity's presence built upon Zen's immediate proximity.

"A coven, by your mortal means, typically serves a Marquis. Marquis: Lords of Hel, hold great power... But like all Lords, they are not immune by usurpation.

Their power is ill-gotten, and my eyes are opened greater by the passing day. It was once united... United to defy the others that sought to crush it so...

I intend to unite those powers under One True Lord. Those that would follow in such would be Seers of a 'Cult' by human standards...

I have had many Champions across the past century...
--and I can have many more... Even, simultaneously. So long as I am offered the tribute I am due, and prayer all the same.

It shall empower me, and thus, my Champions as well."

(Etheric Presence)
Zen would simply nod. "Ah, I see. So different stuff."
(Zen Sa-Ryung)

Zen Sa-Ryung says in telepathy, Then elaborate, what do you seek as tribute?

Etheric Presence's voice (to Zen Sa-Ryung): Mana. Sacrifice. Whether it is that of one's own body, blood, mind... Or that of another's. I care not. Mana works fine for minor exchanges, though greater feats will require more mana.

Zen Sa-Ryung says in telepathy, Alright. I'll keep that in mind, perhaps I shall revisit again.

Etheric Presence's voice (to Zen Sa-Ryung): Very well. I look forward to seeing what sights you usher forth.