There was a long moment of silence as you processed what Father just said.
“…Demon…?” you finally asked.
“Yes.” Father relied with a (relatively) innocent look.
“You’re serious?”
“Of course.”
This just kept getting weirder. Not only were you in some dank apparently-not-a-sewer, surrounded by talking horses, but now they also think you are a demon. Swell.
“I’m not a demon. I’m a human.”
Father ‘tsked’ indignantly.
“Do not attempt to trick me in some effort to escape our deal. I created this summoning circle myself. I DO NOT make mistakes. Therefore, the circle worked as intended. And since it brought you here, that means you are a demon. What is a ‘Hoo-mane,’ anyway? Ha! I see through you lies!” He proclaimed proudly.
You just…stared at him. There really wasn’t anything you could think to say. Even if you did, he sounded so full of himself that he wouldn’t believe anything you said anyway. Kinda like your boss, now that you thought of it.
“And speaking of the circle,” Father continued, “it is likely my best work yet!” Stroking his ego. Yeah, definitely like your boss.
He waved a hoof across the room, with a faint glow covered the floor. It looked like the circle took up the whole thing.
“Hundreds of arcane runes powering a single spell, the purpose of which is to summon an infernal being with as much power as possible! In other words, you.” He said, pointing at you.
Again, you stayed silent because of the sheer insanity of the situation. This was just so insane. Then again none of this was real, so it was probably best to not take it too seriously.
Father gestured to the inner circle you were stood in.
“And don’t think you can escape. Those same runes power the seal keeping you within that space. Attempting to cross the boundary would be…ill-advised. I will only release you back to plane of origin once the Upheaval is completed.”
You looked around the circle again. Glowing shapes could be seen in even the furthest, gloomiest reaches of the room. The inner circle you were was devoid of markings, and seemed to be just large enough for you to lie down in. There weren’t any gaps you could see, so you decided the play devil’s advocate.
Heh.
“Okay, so let’s say I agree to this and it works. You all overthrow these ‘princesses,’ and replace them with…something. What’s in it for me?”
“Oh-oh yes, a sacrifice! I-I almost forgot in the excitement!” Father stammered. His horn started…glowing? It was blood-red, but still kind of sparkly.
“Wha…?” you started, when suddenly one the cloaked figures toward the back of the crowd was thrown into the air, enveloped in the same glow as Father’s horn. The figure was carried over into your inner circle, and unceremonious dumped in a heap.
As the figure collected themselves, you noticed something odd. All the figures wore brown robes and were generally in good condition. Father’s own robes were immaculate, with bright red trim. It looked like it was even tailor-made. The one in front of you was clad in robes that were old and tattered, with randomly colored patches sewn on. Why was that?
“I hope this will be sufficient.” Father stated, and his horn glowed again. The raggedy figure’s cloak flew off, revealing another unicorn. Now you were no vet, but this one looked…unhealthy. Thin. Like, really thin. Visible bone-shapes thin. Looked like a pale blue rag was thrown over a pile of sticks.
“I apologize for the…quality of the sacrifice, but she is the only one we can spare.” He sighed, despondently. “We will need all the capable ponies we can get, but this one?”
He glared at the ‘sacrifice.’
“Expendable.” He sneered.
You just…stood there for a moment. Tried to process what was happening. Failed miserably.
“And…what exactly do you expect me to…do with her?” you finally managed to ask.
Father waved a hoof.
“Whatever you want. Eat her, torture her, use her to sate your infernal, abhorrent lust. I don’t care.” You noticed the skinny unicorn flinch with each tick off the list, but ‘I don’t care’ seemed to hurt her the most. You suddenly felt uncomfortable.
At least, more than you already did.
There was a long, painfully awkward silence. No one really seemed to know what to do.
“Well, um, we’ll just…give you some privacy to accept your offering…?” Father finally squeezed out. “We’ll discuss the details of our contract once you’re done. Come along.”
The crowd slowed out a doorway behind them, and you caught snippets of casual conversation. It was like they all forgot they were a demon-summoning cult hell-bent on overthrowing super-powered royalty. Weirdos.
Soon, it was just you and Skinny.
More awkward silence.
The entire time her orange eyes never moved off of you, like molten copper peaking through her unkempt sea-green mane.
”…So…what’s your name…?” you ask, trying to break the tension.
Skinny squeaked, but said nothing. Not that you blamed her, being a demonic sacrifice and all. To her credit, she stood her ground. Despite the constant shaking. Kinda impressive, actually.
You sat down, putting yourself at roughly eye-level with the unicorn. You hoped that would at least put her a little bit at ease. You were kind of grasping here, as you had no idea how to calm down a panicked, sapient magic horse.
When you made eye contact, she froze. Closing her eyes, she took several deep breathes. Then, she puffed out her chest(?) and met your gaze with a look of quiet resolve. She even managed to stop shaking. Mostly.
“M-my name…” she stammered “My name is Amber Gaze. With my name I-I bind my soul to your service I am yours todowithasyoupleasewhateveryoudesireIshallacceptMYLIFEISONLYWHATYOU-“ She just kept talking faster, louder and higher, all without stopping to breathe. It was kind of impressive, really.
“Woah, woah, time out.” You stopped her before she passed out. She froze, staring at you in terror. Made you feel like a parent that found a kid breaking something. You hoped she at least stopped to take a breath.
“H-have I offended you Master? I-I meant only to-“ she sniffled, and started crying. Now you just felt like a dick. And you hadn’t even done anything.
“Nono, don’t do that! I just didn’t want you croak on me.”
“O-oh…Yes, it makes sense. If I am to die, then it should be at your will alone.” She whimpered, wiping her eyes.
“What? No, I don’t want you to…Ugh, whatever.” You were getting frustrated and weirded out. Freirded out? Seemed right.
You felt pressing the matter wouldn’t get you anywhere, so it was better to just try and figure out what was going on.
“What was with all that? The whole ‘binding your soul to my service’ and whatever?”
“I am your sacrifice. I am only good for what you ask of me. My life is meaningless.” She immediately replied, almost robotically.
“Uh-huh. And is there any way I can convince you too…not do that?” You ask, rubbing your temples. Freirded again.
“I have given you my name. The pact is made, and cannot be undone. I admit, I thought it would hurt but,” she stopped, prostrating herself on the floor. “I’m sorry! I spoke out of turn! Please forgive me, I will accept whatever punishment you deem fit!”
“Um, it’s fine just…don’t be so hard on yourself…?” you were REALLY freirded out now. Amber looked at you in surprise.
“R-really? No horrific punishment?”
“Nope.”
“Huh. I didn’t think a demon would be so nice.”
You sighed.
“Maybe it’s because I’m not a demon, and ‘Father’ fucked up.”
Amber flinched.
“W-well, Father doesn’t fu-…mess up. Besides, what else could you be?”
“I’m a human.” You replied wearily.
“Is that type of demon?”
“No, it’s a…a kind of ape, I guess?”
“A demonic ape?”
You could only groan. This was going nowhere. She had it in her head that you were a demon, and it seemed nothing was going to change her mind. Besides, you were getting too tired to try anymore.
You studied her, not knowing what else to do. God she was thin. And it looked like there some scars on her back. Some had faded to the point of vanishing, but some looked more recent.
“Do…” you began “Do they treat you badly? The other cloaked guys?”
The mare blinked in surprise. She hadn’t expected that kind of question.
“I…I am treated how I deserve to be.” She said, looking away.
“That’s not what I asked, and you know it.”
Her breathing quickened.
“I-I…I’m treated as well I can expect to…”
Bullshit.
“Tell me the truth.” You sighed. “Your…’master’ commands it.” Saying that made you feel dirty. You didn’t want to be anyone’s master, but that’s where you were now. Gotta play through. “Are. You. Treated. Well?”
“…No…I’m not…” Amber finally admitted. “I am only allowed enough to survive…And I am punished for my failures.”
She glanced at her back.
“…I fail a lot…”
Tears began to flow again. Dammit, you were getting emotionally attached to dream horse. This was going to be in your mind all day.
You were going to comfort her, when suddenly to door flew open. Father and the rest of the hooded figure strode back into your chamber.
“Great One! Have you finished with- Oh, she’s still alive?” Father said, surprised. He waved away a few ponies with mops and buckets. “Were you pleased with your sacrifice, or…?” He trailed off, glaring at Amber.
You looked between the two unicorns. The tension was palpable.
“…No…No I was not.” You said.
Amber shrunk away as Father’s glare darkened.
“I see. I should have known she wasn’t even good enough for this. I’m certain we can-“
“Silence.”
You voice was quiet, but it boomed with an authority you didn’t know you had. For moment you wondered if this was some kind special kind of power, but really?
You were just fucking pissed.
“How dare you? You dare offer the dregs of you order, and expect it to be suitable? She has already treated so poorly, what would be the point in torture? Hell, death would be sweet release for her at this point!” You roared.
Honestly you were making this up as you went. You weren’t even sure why you were doing this, but it just kind of spilled out. All you could do now was keep going and hope it sounded intimidating. It seemed to work, as the crowd looked like they’d need those mops anytime now.
“You show me how treat the least amongst you, and you expect me to just give you the power to decide the fate of a nation? I may be a demon,” you put on your best sneer, “but even I have standards.”
Father looked like he wanted to say something, maybe to try and weasel his way out, but he was just too scared to make a sound. Amber was terrified, huddled as far away from you as she could while staying in your circle. A few in the crowd fainted.
“I will not deal with you until you have proven yourselves worthy.” You gesture to Amber. “Until then, the one you have mistreated most shall act in my stead. She will speak with my voice, and command from her is as a command from me. Is that understood?”
Father stared at you in shock, then nodded with a scowl. He backed out of the door with the others close behind. Amber couldn’t hide her bewilderment.
“Why…why would you do that for me? I-I don’t…” she trailed off.
You didn’t know the answer yourself. It would have been better for you if you had just demanded to be sent back, but if you did…Amber would have been blamed. It all just…happened.
You couldn’t help but notice she looked oddly adorable. Maybe it was the sudden exhaustion washing over you. Your hand started reaching for her head without your input. Amber flinched at your touch, but immediately relaxed when you scratched behind her ears. She closed her eyes like she was in a trance.
“Does it matter?” you ask.
“Mmm…nuuu…” she mumbled, as she began drifting off to sleep. Probably the best sleep she’s had in a while. Your own eyes began to feel heavy. As sleep began to fall over you, you just kept scratching her ears.
Huh, you thought, guess this isn’t a dream at least.
That was your last though before drifting off to sleep on Amber’s boney side.
At least she was warm.