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Zephyr and Keres

The disheveled otter ran across the courtyard, his robes and various sheets of paper fluttering behind him. He was running late to his summoning classes, having been preoccupied with some extracurricular activities with the cute boy down the hall. He was muttering somatic components as he ran past some apprentices tasked by some master to fetch chickens. He caught one with his boot and stumbled, his train of thought derailing causing him to let loose a surge of energy. Much to the chagrin of the apprentices, all the chickens in a 30-foot radius started moving with incredible speed.

"Sorry!" shouted Zephyr over his shoulder as he stumbled by, trying to get his suddenly quickened feet under control.

"At least these surges come in handy, sometimes," he thought as he dodged around other journeymen on their way to various classes. He skidded to a halt and caught his breath in front of the summoning room door. The runes on the door were cold and lifeless. He wasn't too late at least.

The classroom was a large circular chamber with three tiers. Around each tier was a table with a small lectern and sealed scrolls, a stool, and a large plate of polished slate set into the floor with a border of gold and silver runes embossed around it.

"Late again Journeyman Zephyr," the old weasel said as he peered over the rims of his spectacles.

"I apologize Master Emier. I had another surge and was trying to clean it up," he said with a smirk, only half lying.

"Well, perhaps today's lessons will be of benefit to you. Please go to your station and start preparing the standard wards," said the Master as shook his head in exasperation.

"Now, we are going to learn how to summon various lesser beings..." the Master started to drone. Zephyr said a command word and the runes around the slate glowed faintly, then the slate shined pristine with a mirror finish. He pulled a silvered stick of chalk out of his pack and went to work drawing runes and creating a perfect pentagram. The enchantment on the slate helped to ensure the circle was perfect and no dust flaked off as he drew on the slate. He kept his focus on constructing the wards. Ensuring anything he conjured would not break out of his station's summoning circle.

The Master Conjurer went around the classroom examining every circle, offering advice, and correcting mistakes.

"Alright everyone, activate your protection circles. We'll begin with a simple summoning spell," the Master said as he took his place at the central station. Waving his hand, creating a perfect pentagram without so much as drawing a symbol in the air.

As Zephyr muttered the activation incantation of his circle it glowed faintly, each rune flaring to life as he named each one in the proper sequence. When everyone's circle was completed the Master began his lecture.

"Today we will be summoning a variety of creatures. Each scroll on your desk has the proper incantation for a specific creature. The seals on each scroll are self-explanatory, please open the fae scroll and we shall begin," he said as he grabbed the appropriate scroll. After he read the scroll there was a flash of light and in the circle appeared a small winged humanoid with pointed ears, jabbering in a language none of the students could understand.

"I see by the perplexed look on your faces you cannot understand this fairy. Well, that's why we had previously covered divinations before conjurations. If you have not prepared the proper spells use the scrolls tucked under your lectern," the Master instructed.

The lesson consisted of summoning various creatures. Fae creatures such as fairies and pixies. Small celestial animals such as badgers, weasels, cats, and bats. Even some infernal, abyssal, and elemental creatures like imps, quasits, and mephits. Each with their own language and temperament, yet all under the control of their respective casters.

"Alright, class. Now that you have some experience in summoning lesser creatures, your assignment shall be to bind one as your familiar. You all have had the proper training for this type of enchantment. Please do your research and choose the best familiar to enhance your ability. I trust there will be no problems but if you have questions be sure to reach out to me or any of the other instructors here at the academy," the Master said as he stepped into his now empty summoning circle.

"Class is dismissed!" he exclaimed as he vanished in a swirl of magical energy.

* * * * *

The next evening after dinner, and a visit to the academy reagent storage, Zephyr was ready to try his hand at summoning his familiar. He was going to try for a minor elemental, or perhaps a celestial critter. He opened the door to his shared dorm room, his roommate must be out. All the better to get the summoning circle perfect.

* * * * *

A few hours later everything was prepared. No sign of his roommate and it was approaching midnight, the grounds outside bright with the light of the full moon. The incense was permeating the room with a lovely scent of rosemary, basil, mint, and lavender. Helping narrow Zephyr's focus and concentration. All the runes were perfect, he could detect no flaws in the circle he had transcribed onto the room's shared slate from his notes and various books he borrowed from the library.

Zephyr pulled out the scroll he had inscribed, pulling the arcane words from the page and instilling their essence into his mind, he began the recitation. The runes flared to life, each starting to hum with power. The pentagram started to glow, the wards solidifying to keep any small extraplanar creature in place. As he continued casting the incense slowly circled his feet, his fur starting to stand on end from the growing energy. Then he felt it. He growled and steeled his mind, focusing on holding his concentration. The spell waxed and waned, threatening to slip from his grasp or overflow into failure. Then it was cut off completely. He stopped his chanting and stood dumbfounded as the runes still pulsed. The air was perfectly still, energy buzzing throughout the room. Then Zephyr's feet came off the ground. The spell surged back into him, uncontrollable, unwieldy, pure. His body was on fire with power. The candles around the room flared brighter than daylight, the summoning circle brighter still. Then the lights went out completely and he fell to his knees, threatening to lose consciousness. He looked up at the slate, grinned, then succumbed to the darkness.

* * * * *

The cambion strolled through the City of Dis, her cloven hooves crunching against the basalt streets. The thralls chained behind her moaning from the glowing heat of the iron buildings lining the streets. She jerked the chains in agitation, flexing her wings against the restraints as she continued to her Mistress' abode, the wretched souls in tow. A few minutes later she ducked under the bronzed archway that marked the entrance to her Mistress' establishment.

"Welcome to Yarissa's Soul Exchange, best pri-. Oh, welcome back Luv, did you have a good walk?" inquired the human woman behind the counter, her revealing red dress hugging every curve as she leaned on the counter, her batlike wings flapping lazily.

"If you can call being bound to do menial work that an imp could do 'nice' then yes," Keres huffed as she dragged the wretched souls into the building. "Here's your payment from Zeldak."

"Well if you didn't send Korga back to her home plane you wouldn't be doing menial work," Yarissa chided, resting her chin in her palm.

"She deserved it. Calling me a 'half-breed bitch' among other things was the last straw. She even said you were a traitor to the Blood War!" Keres growled and slammed the chains on the floor, sending the wretches sprawling from the weight.

"Don't damage the merchandise dear," Yarissa said over the moans. "You'll learn soon enough that the Blood War isn't all there is in the multiverse. We might live in the Hells and have fought on their side, but we are not devils, who hide loopholes in their contracts. Nor are we the chaotic demons who want to see the multiverse drown in blood and destruction. We just are. We make do with what we are given and stirring discontent, especially with customers or their employees does not help. You're lucky all you're doing is hauling souls and being a little uncomfortable with your wings strapped down. It's going to take a lot of gold and souls to bring Korga back from Gehenna. Daemons are not cheap to hire. Especially those of Korga's caste."

"If she's so expensive, why'd I beat her so easily?," The half-fiend snapped, her wings tugging the restraints as they tried to unfurl causing some feathers to fall to the floor.

"Because she let you, daemons are always plotting and planning to twist everyone else's plans to their advantage. And you played right into it. I'll even venture a guess she was laughing as you ripped her arms off," the Mistress smirked. "Oh yes. Word travels quickly and I have many sources, so don't give me that incredulous look. Now, go take the souls and add them to the cairn. You've much more work to do while I smooth over the trouble you caused with Korga's employer," Yarissa finished with firm finality.

Keres rolled her eyes and huffed, dragging the souls past the counter and into the backroom before descending into the building's basement.

* * * * *

Keres stood in front of the spiraling pile of stones, the red light coming from through the gaps casting deep shadows around the room. She knelt and unchained the last of the wretches before pushing it to the cairn. The creature started to writhe and let out an unholy scream, its body starting to twist in on itself as it was pulled into the cairn with a bright flash of light.

"That's the last of those pitiful shits," she sighed and stretched her wings against the restraints. Groaning in irritation she chucked the chains into a corner and made her way to the stairs. As she entered the backroom she heard a muffled conversation.

"For her repayment, I have arranged an..." the deep smooth voice was suddenly cut off.

"I don't care what you've arranged, Zeldak. Keres was goaded into that fight by Korga and you know it. Maybe you should hold your minions on a tighter leash" The Mistress said, the hint of anger bleeding through her calm demeanor.

"Despite what the rumors say, your daughter needs to keep a hold of her temper. We're not uncivilized demons after all. As I was saying before you interrupted, I have arranged for some... anger management."

Keres could feel the smirk curl on Zeldak's face as she pressed herself against the wall next to the door.

"Regardless of how my minions conduct themselves. It was your daughter who took the first swing. Now as you know I am not unsympathetic to your plight, that is why I have arranged for Keres to be... taught a lesson. Good Day, Mistress Yarissa."

"Oh Keres, what plot have you fallen into," Yarissa sighed after the door closed.

Keres slowly turned and made her way back to her room. Wondering how badly she had screwed up this time. Then her vision blurred as she felt a tug on her very soul.

* * * * *

Keres stood in the unfamiliar room unable to move outside of what she surmised from her basic arcana that it was a circle of protection.

"How did I get here? The last thing I remember was walking up the stairs to my room. Then a strange tugging sensation, like I was falling, and... laughter? That can't be right," she thought as she probed at the invisible wall. As she examined the room she saw a prone form slowly stirring on the floor in front of the slate platform.

"Hello? Let me out of this circle!" she asked as the figure slowly got to their hands and knees, head still hung toward the floor.

* * * *

"Hydda? Lyz py afz ao zmuw turtdy!" the words throbbed in Zephyr's head as he slowly pulled himself to his hands and knees. He'd never felt a surge do that before, it was wrong, almost like it was tainted. He looked up at the circle, his eyes finally focusing on the 7-foot tall, scantily clad, demoness in front of him. He pulled air in through his teeth and quickly scurried backward.

"Wmiz? Wmiz'w wrong? Why do you look like you've seen a ghoul?" The large demoness said, tilting her head causing the gold jewelry hanging from her horns and ears to jingle.

"W-wait. I can understand you now. I don't know Infernal. You were supposed to be a celestial cat! Not a demoness! Oh shit, what am I going to do!? I've never had a surge like that. The instructors know I have them but they've never done anything like this. Oh, gods..." The otter started to pant, gripping his robes tightly and mumbling to himself.

Keres just stood there in shock. She knew the look of terror on the poor otter's face. She had experienced it herself before replacing that fear with anger. Moments of her first few weeks in the City of Dis flashed through her mind before, terrible and painful. She knelt and bowed her head in submission and shame, waiting for the cowering otter to notice and hopefully calm down.

"Oh great! The surge was so powerful she is kneeling! She's under control! What are you doing Zeph? Go get help, oh gods..." the otter rambled as he scurried to the door and bolted out of the room.

Keres knelt there, clenching her fists tightly, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to burst forth.

* * * *

Zephyr sprinted through the halls, nearly tripping over his robes in his flight. Playing out in his mind were thoughts of every scenario where he would be expelled, killed, his soul torn from his body, or worse. As he worried he charged headfirst into Master Emier's office door. The unyielding wood bounced him off effortlessly. Zephyr held his head as he landed in a heap on the floor.

"Good grief journeyman, what is the meaning of banging on my door at this hour?" Master Emier said as he opened the door, a quizzical look on his face as he looked down at the otter.

"Master! Please, I had a surge during my familiar summoning and, well, you should come and see for yourself. Please hurry!" Zephyr sputtered, but all his words came out as infernal to the old weasel.

"Hold on Zephyr, you're speaking too quickly for me to understand. It seems you've picked up the infernal language, an odd choice I must say, during your surge," Emier commented before he began casting his comprehend languages spell.

"There, now we should be able to easily communicate. You can explain what happened on the way, please lead on to your chambers."

Zephyr clambered back up to his feet and nodded, recounting the event as they walked back to his chambers.