Dorian couldn't help but fidget ever so slightly as the headmaster's attendant led him forth into the somewhat sparse surroundings of the study. He'd met the man once before, upon his admission, but had seldom been given the chance to speak with him let alone view the likes of his office. The space was tidy; almost to a degree that suggested a lack of use. Its sprawling shelves contained what looked at first glance to be a rather expensive collection of books that seemed to be scarcely touched with pockets of dust collecting along the frays of their leather bound covers. The desk was what Dorian assumed to be of an expensive sort, though he knew little of proper craftsmanship, he could at least tell that its darkened exterior was likely mahogany based upon its rich brown hue with the ever so slight hint of reddish warmth brought out by that of the scarlet curtains in which it sat before.
"The headmaster is running a bit late and will be with you soon enough." The assistant remarked casting his eyes down the hallway every so often. "You can go ahead and have a seat. I'm sure he won't mind."
Dorian nodded making his way over toward the two chairs propped before the desk. "Do you know why he wanted to see me?"
The attendant shook his head nervously glancing back down the hallway once more. "It's probably best if he tells you."
"Oh what, am I in trouble or something?" He asked with a laugh only to be met with a rather grave and nervous look from the attendant. "You can't be serious. What could I possibly have done?"
"Like I said, it's best if he answers any questions that you may have."
"Listen, if I at any point did something that the headmaster considered disrespectful or wrong. I assure you that it was by no means intentional."
"He's here." The attendant muttered. A look of relief washing over his previously uncomfortable disposition as the headmaster entered.
"Thank you very much Aldin, I'll take it from here."
The attendant gave a curt bow closing the door behind him as he exited leaving the two alone to discuss the matters he seemed so keen upon avoiding.
"So Dorian," The head master began circling around him and on toward the other side of his desk before taking a seat behind it. "I assume you know why you're here?"
"Headmaster Hiram, I assure you if I've done anything to offend you or anyone else at this campus then I sincerely apologize and wish for you to know that-"
The headmaster raised his hand silencing the young man, His eyes squinted gaining a new sort of scrutiny within their piercing view causing Dorian to shift within his seat and drop his gaze.
"Lying is something that offends me, quite a bit actually; people pretending to be things that they aren't. Trying so desperately to deceive others and in some cases even themselves. I know what you are. I can see what you are. So why don't you drop this whole act of yours and change back?"
Dorian's eyes went wide at the man's words an eerie sense of unease fully eating away at him with the realization of what the other meant. "Headmaster, I assure you, what you see is truly me. I just-"
"You can change back now by choice, or in a few moments under duress. It makes no difference to me either way, so which will it be?"
Dorian averted his gaze managing for a moment more to hold back the well of tears that threatened to burst forth. No longer trusting himself to speak he simply did as the man had asked watching as the once brown skin upon his arm took on a new chalk white hue. He felt the stumble along his face smooth away as his eyes and hair bleached themselves in time with all else upon him.
"I thought as much, true sight never lies. An often overlooked spell, but useful enough nonetheless." The headmaster stood, taking his eyes from the changeling for the first time since entering upon the room. "Normally I'd have one such as yourself locked away for the safety of the students seeing as how I can't begin to imagine what you've done with the real Dorian."
"I am the real Dorian. I… I didn't kill or impersonate anyone if that's what you're implying. I don't need to do that in order to look human. I can look however I want, please. I'm not dangerous-"
"So I should just let you scamper away? A thing that can look however it wishes. You may hold no malicious will at this very moment, but am I to arm you with magic and unleash you upon Isadore to replace me or Lyric forbid the Grand Cleric himself? No, the potential for danger is to great you will be detained here for the time being and then marked with the Changelings' brand. You won't be fooling anyone else anymore."
Feeling his anger finally overcome him Dorian stood forth knocking his chair over his tears now permitted to flow free with the outburst. "That isn't fair, I didn't do anything wrong!"
"If you aren't planning to use your abilities for anything amiss then you should welcome the brand to prove it."
"Why? So people can regard me with fear as you do? To want nothing to do with me, and then just exile me from within society like I'm some sort of monster or perpetual other?"
"How society chooses to view you and your ilk is of little concern to me so long as my students and city remain safe from those who would prey upon it." The head master sat once more running a hand throughout his darkened hair and then pulling upon his ear. "The guards are on their way. I highly suggest that you don't resist when they arrive they already possess such little reason to be gentle as it is."
Dorian opened his mouth as if to speak, but closed it again soon after. It was clear from his earlier diatribe that headmaster cared very little for any defense that he may propose, and if he were to run it'd be a snowball's chance in hell that he'd actually escape given his current positioning within the building. His best bet as of this moment would be to feign a broken spirit, and bide his time until a better opportunity would arise for a more probable escape. Bending down he reshifted his appearance to its previous state and went about in picking up his chair before sitting within it once more.
"You win." He mumbled feeling the other man's eyes upon him once more. A smug sense of satisfaction seeming to resonate from within his icy blue eyes.
***
Dorian hadn't been sat within his improvised cell for long before the fiend first appeared to him. The thing had arrived as if in a blaze of fire its bluish skin and white eyes seeming to glow with the cool hue of ice. His hair was snow like; white with the slightest inclination of a beard upon his chin, overall he was handsome, tall, and well-dressed enough as if he might've been a noble of some sort. But perhaps most distinct of all in his appearance was the robust set of horns and whip like tail that protruded from within his form.
Surprised by the sudden intrusion Dorian leapt back nearly toppling over before the creature reached forth for his arm, steadying him once more upon his feet before releasing it as quickly as it'd been extended.
"My you are quite the timid one." He laughed a charming smile beginning to tug away at the corner of his lips.
"Ya… you're a fiend."
"Devil to be more precise, but yes. Fiend is more of an umbrella term."
"How did you-" The question died upon his lips making room for yet another. "What do you want?"
"Why I simply wish to help you my dear. After all, you are in quite a pinch are you not?" He smiled again. "What do you say the two of us make a deal?"
"You want to extort me." Dorian more so stated than asked. The Fiend turned then staring intently into the other man's eyes.
"I mean to do no such thing. I want to help you, but in a way that's mutually beneficial."
"I'm guessing that you'd help me escape in some way in exchange for some absurd price or other."
"I don't believe it to be too absurd." The devil took a seat in the room's one chair before glancing back upon Dorian. "But I suppose that much stands for you to decide." Dorian rolled his eyes looking about for a place to be seated before reluctantly giving up and continuing to stand before the devil. "My dearest Dorian, if you'd like a seat, I assure you my lap is always available."
Dorian rolled his eyes, trying his best to ignore the beast's attempts to unbalance him. "What exactly is it that you want?"
"What I want is for your potential to not be wasted. I've been looking for another warlock for quite some time, and as it would seem to stand I've chosen you."
"Because I'm desperate?"
"There are plenty of desperate people within this city Dorian, people who perform all sorts of acts in hopes of garnering my attention." He shrugged. "I'll maybe grant a favor here and there as I have a quota to fulfill, but I am quite selective in who I make deals with as that bounds the individuals onto me."
"So is this some sort of job offer?"
"If it helps you to conceptualize it in that way then by all means be my guest, but I assure you we'd possess more than an employer employee relationship. I'm not some sort of aloof god and you don't seem to me to be much of the paladin type."
Glancing away from the fiend Dorian affixed his eyes to the locked bedroom door before meeting the man's line of sight for the first time within their discourse. "And what do I get out of it?"
The fiend smiled, "Now you're asking the right sort of questions. Well for starters I find that mortals have extremely short life spans. Which isn't particularly useful. I can't make you immortal per se, but I can significantly slow the evolutionary failure that is aging. What're you Twenty?"
"Twenty-two."
"By the time you're forty you'll look twenty-five. Next I can take whatever flimsy magic that you've been learning here and supplement it with my own. This power will be yours to do with as you see fit. And finally, and probably most important to you, I can get you out of here."
Dorian pouted. "Okay, so what's the catch?"
"My, I knew that you were a smart one. It's funny, the first of my current warlock's stopped me after I mentioned slowing the aging process. Between you and me I think he was afraid of going bald."
"You're avoiding the question."
"Am I? Well to be rather concise you'd simply be mine."
"You mean like slavery?"
"No not at all, that's such an ugly word. Think of it more so as… a mutually beneficial contract that extends onward toward other ends."
"What does that even mean?"
"I suppose that if you were to look toward a sort of mortal equivalent then the closest thing might be what this plane considers marriage, although it doesn't quite work as a one to one transfer I suppose the term will have to suffice."
Dorian nodded, "Okay, say I agree to this… marriage, then what? What do you get out of it?"
The fiend shrugged, "Well for starters I suppose I get you." He winked, "Aside from that I could use a warlock in helping with a few plans that I have for later down the line, and your particular skillset will be quite handy in doing as much."
"So you want a blank check?"
"I prefer the term partnership, but call it whatever you'd like."
Dorian exhaled thinking the matter over for a time or two before turning towards the fiend once more. "Okay, if I agree to this, and help with whatever plans you have, will you do the same with me?"
"It depends on what you have in mind."
"What the headmaster's doing isn't fair." Dorian felt his voice break then the beginnings of tears threatening to slip from within the heights of his eyes. "I was a model student, and now I'm being treated as… some sort of monster, because of what I am."
"You want revenge?"
"No, I want justice."
"Dorian dear, there's no such thing as justice. No one ever really gets what they deserve, but this is more or less in line with what I can do. And I'd hate to see such a pretty face cry. Consider it done." The fiend smiled extending his hand. "Do we have a deal?"
Dorian nodded as he wiped along the edges of his eyes taking the devil's hand into his own. Feeling the fiend's intense flames spiral around them, he knew that from this moment forth that all else would be different.
***
Hell was far from how the legends depicted it. Though there was an overall essence of a soul crushing misery the layout was far more akin to a simple office as opposed to the flames of damnation for whence he'd expected. Sitting in a chair much akin to the one within the headmaster's office Dorian made note of the dark wood desk before him that now housed the devil, but perhaps most perplexing of all was the strange cube like device off toward his side. It was pale, almost matching the otherwise bland walls in color. Within it sat a slightly curved black square that seemed to protrude outwards ever so slightly with a bevy of gray vines leaking out from the objects exterior.
"This is-"
"Different than you expected? Yeah, I get that a lot. I assure you the outside is far more akin the rumors surrounding this place."
"Torture and damnation?"
The fiend shrugged, "Mostly just fire, but what're you going to do?"
Dorian nodded unable to peel his eyes from the device. "What is that?"
"This?" The devil asked pointing toward the cube with a smile. "We call them computers. The mortal plane is probably a few centuries off from devising something of the sort. You'll most likely be long dead before then. I wouldn't trouble yourself too much with its finer details."
"What's it for?"
"Hmm, Oh, I suppose somehow both torture and pleasure. But that's neither here nor there. What'd you say we get this paper work out of the way." The devil said as he bent over digging throughout the desk's drawers.
"There's paperwork?"
"Have to have a paper trail for everything, boss's orders." Sitting back up to his full height the fiend placed a rather thick set of pages between the two of them. "This is the standard array that I offered onto my other warlocks, it really doesn't have anything in it that I didn't mention before."
"Then why is it like a hundred pages as opposed to one."
"It's all semantics and legal jargon. I wouldn't worry myself with it if I were you."
"You understand why I don't trust you, right?"
"Dorian, If you'd like to read through that entire contract then be my guest."
"Fine, I will."
***
"I need you to turn to page fifty-three section three subparagraph two."
The devil rubbed at his temples doing as he was asked.
"What is this? What is BDSM?"
"It's a sex thing, all this section is saying is that your consent is implied for any such sexual activity unless otherwise withdrawn with a safe word that will be established at the time. Can we move on now?"
"Why is this in here?"
"Do you have a problem with it?"
"I mean, I guess not."
"Then can we move on?"
"I suppose, but what's this part about a tattoo?"
"That's your warlock mark, it's so other fiends and other entities know not to fuck with you. Don't worry, it disappears when you shape shift. Are we finished?"
"I don't know, I haven't finished reading yet."
The devil dropped his head along the desk before grunting.
***
Satisfied by his scrutiny in reviewing the document Dorian met the devil's eyes before returning them onto the paper lain before him. Below what little of text remained sat four simple lines; the top two containing the devil's name: Sebastien as well as a signature allowing for Dorian to print and sign his own name respectively below.
Watching as the contract faded within a fit of flame Dorian felt a searing heat overtake his right wrist. Grunting at the pain he dropped the pen flipping his hand over to examine its cause only to feel as the pain faded leaving in its wake a blackened and distinct triangle like marking housing an eye within as well as a small three lying beneath.
Sensing his question Sebastien began to speak: "Your warlock mark, designed it myself in fact." He smiled then, although Dorian failed in seeing it as his eyes remained fixed upon his latest marking.
"Why is there a three below it?"
"Because I currently have three warlocks. If one of you dies or I decide to pick up another then the number will change. Speaking of I prefer if my playthings are somewhat acquainted with one another, and I'll be needing their services regardless in order to help you achieve your…justice I believe it was." Sebastien smiled. "What'd you say we pull them down here."
Snapping his fingers the fiend watched on as twin flames burst to life before him each containing the silhouette for which Dorian guessed belonged to his before mentioned subordinates. As the flames died down the figures came more clearly into view with the taller of the two being an orc.
His hair was dark, cropped, and shaved along it's sides with the top being swept back into a form resembling the likes of rather short wave. While his figure would've normally come across with some weight of intimidation given his overall muscular physique and height Dorian couldn't help but to find him somewhat amusing given that his red eyes were bright with terror as he patted and blew upon a flame still alight along his right elbow.
The woman who'd arrived with him was of a different demeanor entirely. She seemed to stand at a height similar enough to Dorian's own. Her hair was of a pale almost white tone that disguised its length, if only somewhat, by being pulled into a tight braid draped over her right shoulder. Her piercing blue eyes seemed to regard Dorian only briefly with a callous disinterest before turning back toward that of Sebastien.
"Right then, I believe introductions are in order. Jacklyn and Luriel, Dorian. Dorian, Jacklyn and Luriel."
"Got a thing for humans now, Sebastian?" The orc asked before giving Dorian a sneer.
"He isn't exactly human. Speaking of, why don't you show your new friends that little trick of yours. Now's as good a time as any."
Turning toward the fiend Dorian gave him a bemused look before relenting and allowing the façade of his form to fall before quickly retaking it. "Happy?"
"No need for such hostility Dorian, you shouldn't be ashamed of such talents."
"More like a fucking curse."
"Aw, does the newbie have self-worth issues? Mmm, poor thing." Luriel laughed his voice deep and robust within its mocking tone.
"I don't know, why don't you ask your hairline?"
The laughter stopped as the orcs eyes seemed to alight with a fierce mix of anger and surprise. His hand subconsciously moving to rub throughout his hair.
"Careful Luriel, it appears that this kitten has claws" Jacklyn muttered through a suppressed chuckle.
"Why you little-"
"That's enough," Sebastien cut in, "As amusing as this all is I owe Dorian here a little favor as a condition of his deal, and the two of you are going to help in precisely that."
"You called me down here to help this runt? I was busy."
The fiend raised an eyebrow, "To busy for me?"
"No sir… I was… that's not…what do you need us to do?"
"Good, compliance is always appreciated. Dorian this is your revenge and I suspect that you're one above a simple and sloppy killing. So I can, with time, create a potion that would allow for a true polymorph of the headmaster to appear as you organically would until the day that he dies. You get your justice, he gets your would be punishment, and I gain the foothold in Isadore that I need for… other purposes."
"Wait, how does that gain you a foothold?"
"Oh that little caveat, I simply need for you to shift and replace him."
"You want for me to become the exact monster that he feared? That validates everything that he said!"
"Oh, you're so dramatic. No it doesn't, It's called poetic justice, because you wouldn't be in this situation had he not forced your hand. He's getting what he deserves plain and simple. Plus it'll only be temporary until you, 'the headmaster', decide to step down." Sebastien shrugged, "Unless of course you find that you like the position."
"That's absurd, I'm not going to do that. I'm not going to be what they made me out to be. Why don't you just make another permanent polymorph potion or whatever it is and turn one of them into him."
"One with a conscience Sebastien, that's new."
The fiend ignored Jacklyn's remark responding instead to that of Dorian's. "Because they have other parts to play in what is to be your revenge. Crafting such a potion is difficult enough and one mistake in its concoction would be fatal. The ingredients needed for it are also…troublesome shall we say."
"Troublesome how?"
"Well they're rare for one, as well as difficult to acquire."
"And that's their part to play?"
"Theirs and yours. This is for you after all."
"So you keep saying. I'll go after whatever ingredients that you need, but I will not replace and act as the head master."
Sebastien shrugged, "If that's the way you'd prefer it, now you'll be working together for each of these as it's preferable that none of you make your way back here as corpses."
"And what exactly will we be gathering?" Jacklyn cut in.
Sebastien exhaled adverting his gaze, "A Beholder's eye."
"A fuckin' what?" Luriel stepped forth his gaze moving between the three of them, "You mean those giant heads that can kill you by lookin' at you? Why can't you do it? You're immortal!"
"And I assure you the Beholder knows that as well, and would likely turn me to stone on sight. An eternity in such a form doesn't exactly sound preferable to me."
"Then why do we have to go!?"
"Worst case scenario it just kills you."
"What Luriel is trying to ask, is how do we kill it."
"You most likely don't. You get what you came for, and then you escape."
"Or we die?"
"Correct, there's one in the mortal plane that I've been keeping an eye on for such an occasion."
"Wait, have you been planning this?" Dorian asked, a slight air of suspicion making its way into his tone.
"No, it was more for the purposes of a potential alliance, but that time has passed. He seemed potentially adequate for such a task given that he doesn't immediately kill anything that walks into his lair."
"Sebastien, buddy. I've got a great idea, how about we just don't do this." Luriel spoke up staring intently toward the other man before Dorian broke through the silence with words of his own
"Is this potion the only way to change him?"
Sebastien nodded.
"Then send me. It'll be done." Dorian slid his chair back and stood as the fiend stared on somewhat transfixed by the determined look within his eye.
"My Dorian, you're much… braver than I at first took you to be. Luriel of course I can send you back. There's no reason that you have to accompany him and Jacklyn if you're too afraid."
The orc blushed standing once more to his full height, "Now wait just a minute. I'm not… Of course I'll go."
"Excellent, I'll pull you back once the deed is done." Sebastien snapped his fingers watching on as pillars of flame engulfed the three sending them onward toward the mortal plane. "And so our game begins, let's hope that these three are more durable than the last set."
***
To Dorian's surprise the flames did not burn despite their warmth. When they'd finally died down he found himself facing the opening of a darkened cave, it's entrance unnaturally rounded in a way far too perfect for the imprecise hands of mother nature. Hearing the snow crunch behind him Dorian turned to see Luriel shivering as he moved toward him.
"It's cold as shit. I never shoulda fuckin' agreed to this. I know, what if I just killed ya here and told Sebastien that the beholder got ya."
"You don't scare me."
"Oh is dat right?" The orc asked pulling a small ax from the loop within his belt. "Let's see if ya 'old on to dat sentiment after I carve ya up like a pumpkin."
Rolling his eyes at the other's musings Dorian clenched his fist feeling as a static array of power sparked it's way to life around his enclosed hand. Within a moment's notice he tossed the crackling red energy towards Luriel who'd only managed to stammer back in response, but before the power reached forth against its intended target it warped around the orc as if some invisible shield or other prevented the blow from landing. The explosion behind him was startling and near immediate acting only to punctuate the before lain gesture.
"It's a clause in the contract, we can't kill or even harm one another, but I'm guessing that you knew as much. So what, you're trying to scare me?"
A laugh pulled the pair's attention away from one another as Jacklyn walked past the two. "I think that I can see why he chose you now, you'll fit in well enough. Now, what'd ya say you two measure your dicks after we finish with this job."
Dorian stepped back somewhat surprised by her words his only response that of the embarrassed blush burning it's way throughout his face.
"Whatever gets me out of here sooner. So tell me oh Jackie, What's the plan?"
"Well first off charging in their weapons drawn is likely to get all of us killed. In addition to that we're unlikely to beat it flat out in combat. Beholder's are known for their paranoia and fear as well as for their power; our best bet is to out think it. And in order to do that we'll need to understand it. As it stands right now we'll need to sneak in and further survey the situation. Follow me, and for the love of Sebastien, stay quiet." She turned then, moving almost silently toward that of the thing's layer.
Rolling his eyes Luriel crouched down following in her stead as quietly as could be managed for one of his size. Dorian moved forward soon after; hoping above all else that if things did take a turn for the worst that the orc would at least provide for some adequate cover.
The cave's interior, like its entrance, seemed almost perfectly rounded as the group entered within it. The immediate area was dark smelling only of molten ash with its ground feeling to be soft as if the rock beneath their feet was covered by a thickened layer of a yet unknown substance.
Continuing to move forward through his pitch black surroundings Dorian felt himself bump into a figure for which he assumed to be Luriel. Hearing only a low and guttural growl Dorian stepped back mumbling a half formed apology.
"Watch yourself ya fuckin' doxy."
Dorian rolled his eyes not caring to engage with the other man, and instead directed his question toward Jacklyn. "What's the matter? Why'd you stop."
"Oh, what's the matter? Those changeling eyes don't let ya see in the dark?"
"Luriel, give it a rest. We're doing this for Sebastien."
"Always the loyal pet aren't you Jack- huh, shit, fuckin' bitch."
Dorian listened as the orc stumbled back and fell silent.
"Can't you change into something that can see in the dark?"
"It doesn't work that way it's…I guess you could call it an illusion." Jacklyn sighed rubbing a hand throughout her hair. "How exactly are you seeing in this?"
"Devil's sight, it…it's a gift from Sebastien, he's probably given you one as well, although he's unlikely to tell you what it is until you prove yourself. Luriel give us some light."
"Oh and now ya need ma-"
"Do it."
"…Hellish flame."
The room lit with a pale and red illumination spawned from the likes of Luriel's hand. As the orc moved closer toward the two Dorian could better make out his surroundings and was immediately surprised to see the blackened precipice that lay before them.
"I imagine it goes down quite a little ways. So, unless either of you is keen for a leap of faith I suppose we find a different way."
"I doubt there's another way, this cave isn't naturally formed. The thing probably made it with its eye rays given all of the ash on the floor. And since it can fly, it wouldn't need to make a path that we can walk on. Our best bet is probably to get a hand from Sebastien."
"That won't work," Jacklyn began as she tried to peer into the depths of the gap. "He doesn't like… 'aiding' in the tasks that he gives us. The hole doesn't look so wide. I'd say our best bet is to climb down and hope that it doesn't end in a spike pit or any other nonsense."
"That doesn't sound like a great idea, this thing could go down for literal miles and it may very well get wider as it extends."
"Oh and you have something better?"
Dorian paused glancing as far as the small flame would allow before returning his gaze onto the other two. "I still say we call Sebastien, tell him we got stuck. He has to understand."
"Listen doxy, you haven't known Sebastien as long as we 'ave. He's not the understanding type. The boring lecturin' type definitely, but understandin' is a no. And I prefer not to get in trouble again if ya catch ma drift. So, either ya come up with something better than Jacklyn or we're climbin' down."
"Fine, just, give me a minute."
"Oh by all means, princess."
Dorian rolled his eyes his gaze once more searching throughout that of the cave before turning back onto the others. "I have an idea, we can't hurt each other, the contract prevents it. So, in theory if one of you were to push me down their I should avoid any immediate impact."
Jacklyn raised an eyebrow, "And you thought that climbing down was a stupid idea?"
"No, Jacklyn this is the first thing that he's said that I've liked."
Dorian swallowed taking a step closer toward the hole before giving a curt nod toward the orc. "Enjoy it while you can."
Luriel smiled wasting no time before charging forth and knocking the smaller man toward the pit. The impact was immediate with the orc stumbling back, a sense of warped confusion overtaking his before arrogant smile as the other stood still before him. He'd taken to covering his face just now beginning to peek from between his fingers as Luriel tried once more; his efforts only leading on to that of which had transpired just before.
"I…I can't push him, It's like running up against a damn wall."
"What'd you think is easier for the spell to accomplish: defying gravity itself or simply stopping you?"
"Well that's right bullshit. What if I dropped him?"
Before Jacklyn could respond the orc had already taken a hold of Dorian's wrist to the sound of a surprised yelp. Raising him above his head he tried once more to be rid of the changeling only to find that despite his deepest desires he remained incapable of releasing his grip.
"Okay, it's not working, put me down. Now!"
Grumbling through his frustrations Luriel replaced the man upon the ground before sitting along it himself. Crossing his legs he rested his head within a hand before glaring up toward the still startled changeling, "Well, any other bright ideas."
"…No."
"Well then, if you boys are done rough housing what'd you say we climb down?"
"Oh I wouldn't do that if I were you." The voice seemed calm, almost reassuring, but that did little to stop the trio from stumbling back and drawing their weapons forth.
"Aight, you've got three second to show yourself before I light whateva' ya are up. One…" Dorian gripped the handle of his knife, tossing a nervous glance toward his companions. "Two…"
The figure stepped forth toward the fire's light revealing himself to be a rather slim if slightly starved man. His glasses were cracked with his long hair's few gray strands seeming to interrupt the flow of his callous green eyed stare as it sized each of them up. "That pathway's a bit complicated you see. It goes for miles and leads on to all sorts of deadly traps made just for bipeds such as yourselves."
"Where did you come from?" Jacklyn demanded as she moved forth, her dual daggers reflecting bits of reddish light when it seemed to suit them."
"Why, the beholder's lair, that's what you're looking for after all, correct? I could show you the correct way, given of course that you have something to offer."
"That depends, what'd you want."
"It's not about what I want. Master Laios always has need for new items. Come, it shouldn't be too long of a trek given that I know the correct passages to take."
"There's a pathway?"
"Oh yes, but it's quite imperceptible to outsiders, and you'll find it quite difficult to open without the right… shall we say key."
The man turned away then, moving back onto the shadows from whence he came. Though Dorian couldn't quite make out what the other was doing he held his guard none the less tightly gripping the handle of his knife as he strained to hear what all may be transpiring from behind the ill curtain of darkness. Hearing a metallic click and rustling of rocks the three watched on as the man reappeared gesturing for them to follow on to him and then disappearing once more. Throwing hesitant glances between themselves Jacklyn was the first to move forth motioning for the other two to follow behind as she held her weapons aloft.
Seeing no other way by which to move forward Dorian followed after the other three bracing his eyes from the palish green glow seeming to encompass the passage by which they'd entered. The area was narrow forcing to group to follow one behind the other in the stretch of its descending terrain.
"Like the glow rocks? The darkness was a bit hard on my eyes so master Laios put them in for me."
"Uh, yeah. They're very…illuminating."
The man laughed, "They sure are."
"If we can ask, what exactly are you doing here?"
"Oh, well that's a rather long story, filled with half-forgotten details by now. I think I came in search of something…although I'm not quite sure what. There was a fight with my group over… something. I think they died and I survived. It's all so foggy now, but I'm sure that Master Laios will be more than happy to sort it out for you."
The group followed on in silence, trying to digest the man's words as they rounded throughout the ever denser space of the caverns. After some time or another they exited from within the tunnel and into a large rounded out husk some ways down into the world. This area housed many of the before mentioned glow stones along it's ceiling and walls giving the place an overall mystical look. Throughout the dwelling piles of books in various states of care were messily distributed along the floor as well as housed upon the few shelves found within the cave.
Reaching over toward a nearby pile Dorian palmed through an old volume housing within it a language which at first he could not decipher. Squinting his eyes Dorian thumbed throughout the pages searching for any indication as to what the book may have been about. Finally relenting when he found no such hints he closed the volume and replaced it upon the pile before noticing that the others had made their way slightly deeper into the dwelling.
"I take it this is your master's hoard" Jacklyn asked.
"Something like that, but you must have known as much given your appearance here."
"What do you mean?"
"You want something, of course you do, everyone does. I'm guessing that it's a book of some importance seeing as how I'm not the only one with a master." He smiled then placing himself upon a pile before casually glancing between the three's faces. "Tell me, which volume is it? Perhaps I can be of some aid in convincing him."
"We're not look-"
"It's fine Luriel," Dorian muttered before throwing the orc a look of warning. "He knows. We don't know its name, perhaps it's long forgotten, but it's text is archaic and it seems to whisper secrets."
"I see, and your master's purposes?"
"He… hasn't told us."
"Hmm, that's interesting. I don't know of us housing any books that 'whisper secrets' as you've put it. But, I suppose I could have another look? Has he at least told you of its aura?"
"…Something from the far realm has touched it, so green I suppose."
The man studied Dorian for a few seconds more before standing. "You are an interesting lot." He opened his mouth as if to speak again only to be interrupted by the swelling sounds of his master's slow decent. The being appeared as if just awoken, it's many eyes blinking and scanning, slowly moving along the space below it before settling upon the band of four as they sat. The creature seemed to have no proper body of its own. Instead showing only a grotesque and ill formed semblance of a head. As opposed to hair it held long tentacle like stocks each of which held within their sockets eyes matching the always searching scrutiny of the one held within center. But perhaps what intimidated Dorian more so than any other crude aspect of the beast before him were the sharp teeth that knit their way into a callous and manic smile just managing to meet the base of its center eye.
Seeing the monster had finished within its decent the group's guide rushed forth bowing somewhat lowly before the thing. "Master Laios, these individuals," He stood gesturing toward the group before returning his gaze on toward the beast, "Were up top, and they claim to be in search of a book for their fiendish master. Something touched by the far realm or other."
The Beholder squinted each of its eyes seeming to fix onto a different warlock. "And what gifts do they come bearing for the pleasure of examining my collection?" It's voice was callous and rough seeming to gargle in a way not uncommon from that of stirred gravel.
"Master, you understand, they work for a devil and devils are known to grant favors."
"I'm aware."
"And that thing that you would like more than any other..."
The monster's eyes went wide then as if the thought had just occurred to him. "And their master… he could grant it?"
"I believe so, but let us ask our guests."
"No, they cannot know, no one can. I speak only with their fiend. Bring him here at once."
Jacklyn stepped forward then ushering the servant aside before speaking. "Laios was it, you understand that Sebastien isn't coming down here without properly knowing why. Especially when…the book hasn't even been confirmed to lie here."
"The fiend will come or there will be no deal."
The woman squinted, "Fine, he'll be here, but he needs to be summoned first, and for that we'll need the room."
"No."
"No?"
"You wish to look through my collection and then make your escape just like all that came before. You may not leave."
She rolled her eyes, "Then leave us with your servant."
"Why!? Why don't you want me here? DO YOU WISH TO CONSPIRE AGAINST ME!?" They always do this, they always wish to trick me. Oh, but I got them first, because I saw it coming. I will remain, and that is final."
"Then Sebastien will not come."
"Why not!?"
"Because you won't leave the room. Your aura reeks of the far realm and it prevents him."
"Then he must find another way! Walk for all I care. I will not leave and neither will you."
"…I suppose he could use one of us as a host, just give me a moment to confer with my… colleagues."
"Fine, but you cannot leave the room."
"Yeah, I got as much."
She turned away from the beast then moving more so towards Dorian and Luriel as she beckoned each of them closer.
"What're you talkin' about. Sebastien isn't coming here, and what's this host nonsense. He can't-"
"Shut up. Here's what we're going to do. Dorian," She pointed towards him, the expression on her face remained hard. "You are going to make yourself look like Sebastien and tell him whatever he wants to hear. Just distract him long enough for Luriel to cut off one of his eye stocks, then in the chaos I'll contact Sebastien and he'll pull us out."
"You're making a lot of assumptions here."
"And are any of them false?"
"What if he keeps one of his ten eyes fixated on you two? Pretty hard to sneak up on something that can see everything, and you saw how paranoid he was already. And what about the servant? What if he's actually dangerous?"
"You have a better idea?"
"…Maybe just a slight amendment to yours."
"I'm listening."
***
Breaking from within their huddle Jacklyn walked back toward the beholder confirming all in which she had previously lain forth onto him. "We'll need to perform a ritual of course."
The monster rolled it's eyes before refocusing upon the woman. "Fine, just get him here."
Nodding she returned onto the others, "Make a show of it. It can't look too easy. We have to play toward the expectations." Forming a circle they each locked hands with Luriel choosing instead to grip along the width of Dorian's wrist eliciting a sigh of annoyance as the three began within their chanting. A minute of this display passed with little incident as Dorian began to convulse mumbling nonsensical half phrases for which he believed to sound demonic enough. When the time came at last the other two released him as his skin took that tell tale bluish tint of the fiend for which he'd met just hours before. Normally Dorian's shifts were close enough to instantons, but he drew this one out hoping to illicit reactions of surprise and ah from his current audience. When he was finished he turned toward the group of by standers flashing them his most charming of smiles. Though he had not known the fiend for very long Dorian believed that he'd felt enough for the thing's personality to replicate it if only along the lines of a surface level impression.
"Ah my darling Jacklyn and my… disappointing Luriel, why have you summoned me?" The words felt strange as they left his lips, but felt all too right for the fiend to say. Jacklyn played along well enough offering him a quick curtsey while Luriel mumbled beneath his breath just barely stifling the urge to fire back.
"Lord Sebastien, we wish not to disturb you, but as you can see we require your assistance in acquiring the book. Our gracious host here," she gestured toward the beholder, "Seems to be in need of some favor or other."
"I see, and what exactly will this favor entail?" Dorian stepped forward closing what little distance there was between himself and the monster. Its eyes focused upon him, seeming to search for any ill intent or deceit. Finding none, it spoke:
"I need…the information for which I divulge does not leave this lair."
"Understood, now on with it."
"I…there's an ability that has always eluded my grasp. I…I can't read, and I'd very much like to."
"What?" Dorian stepped back confusion overtaking his before calm veneer. "Tha…that's it?"
"Do not mock me fiend! Can you do it or not?"
"Of…ye, yeah. I can. I just, I need you to…Focus your gaze upon me, and only me."
"Oh and ya jus' gonna do 'em a favor wit' out so much as any leverage?" Luriel asked as he made his way between Dorian and the beholder. "I say we ge' a gesture o' good faith before you and 'em do anything."
"Luriel, I know what I'm doing. Get out of the way."
The orc squinted his already towering form seeming to grow all the more as he stepped closer toward the 'fiend'. "Make me."
Dorian's new tail shifted restlessly as he took a step back. Clenching his fist he felt that same spark of hellish power carry it's way throughout the entirety of his arm. The energy felt wilder than it had before. The red light for which it emitted sent with it a slight array of stern particles in some way or other mimicking his own nervous energy. Thrusting his arm forth he, with a cry of shock and awe, watched as the energy once more wrapped its way around the orc and onward toward the beholder that lay behind.
The impact was sudden and immediate; landing with an electric boom towards the beast's center eye. Laios blinked his eyes close upon instinct alone letting loose a grave and guttural roar as his stocks extended outward in a manner reflecting his shock.
Jacklyn's movements were quick with a surgeons precision. Moving forward and cutting away at the lowest hanging stock she caught the prize within her outstretched arms watching as a swell of reddened flame began to glow around her and her allies pulling them from within this plane of existence and onward toward that of another.
***
The room by which they entered was the all too familiar setting of Sebastien's office. The fiend sat poised behind his desk a hungry grin adorning his face as he regarded the three.
"My, how well you three play together, and Dorian I must say I love the new look. Too bad about the height though, it's almost a perfect copy."
Ducking his head and blushing at the remark Dorian shifted back toward that of his before human appearance. "How'd you know when to pull us out?"
"Dorian darling," Sebastien stood making his way around the desk and toward the three, "I'm always watching my warlocks. It's especially easy when you're all in the same location."
"Would you have pulled us out if we were in immediate danger?"
The fiend shrugged turning himself toward Jacklyn and gazing into the severed eye for which she offered him. "It's hard to say, most likely not, but who knows." The cauldron's in the other room. If the three of you are ready then I am as well."
"Sebastien, not that this hasn't been fun and all, but I was actually in the middle of somethin' before ya pulled me down 'ere."
The devil waved his hand carelessly throughout the air. "Yes of course, just one last thing, for me Luriel." He smiled.
"O' course."
"Do be a sweetheart and go light the cauldron's fire. When you're done devil's coins are in there usual spot." The orc nodded, trailing off into the other room not so much as sparing a glance in the other's direction.
"Isn't he just wonderful?"
"Not exactly the word I'd use."
Sebastien shrugged, "I'm sure you'll come to appreciate him eventually. Jacklyn, dear, when he's done with that go ahead and drop the beholder's eye in. You can grab a coin as well, oh and pick up a ticket too. I'll be seeing you later this weekend." The devil winked.
"Of course, sir." She turned away from the fiend making her way toward the door before pausing. "Dorian, it's been… you aren't as stupid as Luriel. I hope that you continue to be useful to Sebastien."
"Thank you?"
She nodded, exiting from within the room and on toward the other leaving the two as they stood within a moment of silence.
"And from you Dorian," the fiend reached over plucking a hair from within his head forcing from him a small whimper, "The hair of a Changeling. So what'd you say we finish this?" Sebastien smiled at him once more before moving on into the other room gesturing for him to follow.
As they entered within the room its dwellings were far more akin to a lounge than the before office space for which they'd left. The area sat decorated with various bits of fine art and box like furniture that Dorian had yet to see. Within the center of all of it sat the black rimmed cauldron boiling away above the hellish flame Luriel had ignited. Walking over toward the sickly smelling concoction Sebastien threw Dorian's freshly plucked hair into the batch. Turning he sat down before the brew gesturing over toward the couch adjacent to the chair.
"You can have a seat, this'll take a minute or two."
Nodding Dorian sat along the couch's end closes to the fiend his eyes moving away from the devil and onto the brew before sinking away toward the flames that stirred its continual boiling.
"Hm, tell me. What're you thinking about? Reconsidering this far in?"
Dorian shook his head, "No, Jacklyn said that you'd given her and Luriel gifts. Something about her eyes, and hellfire for him."
"Devil's Sight and Hellish Flame." Sebastien shrugged, "It seemed to fit for them."
"She said that you probably gave me something as well." He glanced over meeting the fiends eyes as they seemed to light up with something akin to amusement.
"Yes, I did. You see devils have certain abilities, and I chose to share some of those abilities with my warlocks as a little added bonus. Of course the extent of the abilities are lessened. I wouldn't want to burn through your mortal souls after all. So I'm guessing that want me to spoil what yours is."
"That might be helpful."
The fiend only shook his head in response. "No, I don't think I will. Besides, I'm sure you'll find out soon enough, and when you do I promise to tell you its proper name. How's that?"
"You love making things difficult don't you?"
"It comes with the job, speaking of. This should be done by now. Dorian would you be a doll and hand me that glass vial over there?"
The changeling nodded turning his gaze toward the wooden table by which he'd been directed plucking from it one of medium size that he believed he could conceal easily enough. Handing the bottle over he watched as the fiend scooped a fair share of the potion from within the cauldron swirling the sickly yellow liquid around as a few bits of settlement moved on toward the glass's bottom.
"You uh, made a lot."
Sebastien shrugged, "I owe someone a favor. They'll get the rest. You shouldn't need much more than this anyway." He turned thrusting the potion toward Dorian's open hands. "Now he doesn't have to ingest it, a splash upon his skin will work almost as well."
"Almost?"
"It will act within a slower manner?"
"How much slower?"
"What would normally be instantaneous would instead take about 10-20 minutes. I'd only really go with that method as a last result. Now I'm going to send you back to the mortal plane, I'd normally have you use a devil's coin, but they can be a little… unreliable as far as exact positioning goes. I'll try to get you as close to his office as I can."
"You're not coming with me?"
"Ah, don't look so disappointed." He smiled, "I'm sure that you've found out by now that I don't baby my warlocks, Dorian. I've held up my end of the bargain. Now you either succeed or fail on your own. However, I promise that I will be watching with captivated interest. Now hold still, I'm sending you back."
The fiend raised his hand a swell of scarlet flame burning along its surface as well as upon Dorian's feet with the fire's growing intensity moving on toward a ravenous crescendo. Gazing back onto the devil before him Dorian gave him a curt nod feeling himself fade away from within this plane and onto the other.
"Sebastien…thank you, for everything."
"Oh darling, think nothing of it, you'll more than pay me back throughout the course of your life."
And with that he was gone leaving Dorian to stand alone, potion in hand, facing towards that of the all too familiar headmaster's door.
Hiding the bottle within the folds of his robes Dorian pushed forth opening the office's door and spying the headmaster sitting somewhat tensely behind his desk. The man raised his head upon hearing the door's metallic click his eyes narrowing as they locked on to the all too familiar figure before them.
"You didn't take very long to turn back up it seems. And here I thought we'd have to search the entire grounds to find you." Running his hands throughout his hair Headmaster Hiram stood making his way toward the other side of his desk before beckoning Dorian forth. "I suppose you have a reason for coming back then. Have a seat, we can be civil about this."
"You want to talk? Fine, answer me this Headmaster: Why are people such as yourself so concerned with appearances of civility when you in fact hold plans all to the contrary."
Hiram raised his eyebrows, his before stern expression melting away to one of unmistakable contempt. "I see that you've somewhat developed a bit more of an attitude since your few hours away. Where did you go exactly? There were no points of exit from your dorm save for the one guarded door, and no one saw you exit from within it… unless of course you had an accomplice of sorts."
"If you're trying to keep me busy before your guards arrive then you can forget it, because I'm ending this now."
"Was it a fiend? There were scorch marks along the floor and the room smelled distinctly of brimstone. You're tangling with forces that you're far from understanding, Dorian."
The changeling ignored the remark, instead moving towards the headmaster closing a large amount of the distance between the two. Reaching along his belt line he pulled forth a knife turning its blade toward that of the other.
"So this is it? You kill-"
"Shut up! Here's what's going to happen: You have a choice to make." With his free hand Dorian reached within the folds of his robes pulling forth the potion that Sebastien had gifted. "You can either drink this, or you can die where you stand."
The Headmaster smiled, leaning himself back upon the desk. "That seems somewhat of a false dichotomy to me, wouldn't you say? I'm not entirely sure what sort of lies this fiend has spun to make you think that this is going to work, but surely you must understand that I am headmaster of this school for a reason."
The man moved faster than Dorian had expected. His right arm extending forth with a sudden force that seemed to push the changeling back with a hefty gust. Dropping the knife and vial Dorian flew forth across the room scrunching his eyes closed as he collapsed against the opposing wall.
Struggling to his feet he scarcely recovered in time to avoid the headmaster's haphazard knife swing. The man's expression seemed wild and almost blood thirsty as he swung once more slashing this way and that cutting upon the edge of Dorian's robes forcing the changeling to retreat all the more before his back was pressed to the southward wall.
Seeing his chance Hiram lunged forward knife in hand only to be halted in place by that of his own likeness standing before him. Though his hesitation was brief it'd been more than enough to provide Dorian with the opportune opening to hit the headmaster with a charged up bout of shock and awe.
Feeling the electric sting of the attack Hiram felt himself fly forth throughout the air as the overall shock resonated throughout his slightly shaking form. Seeing his opportunity Dorian raced back to the headmaster's desk and scooped the vial from its place along the floor. Rushing his way toward the other man he knelt atop him pressing his knees into his shoulders to force the other onto stillness. Removing the vials cork with his teeth he forced the half lucid headmaster's mouth to open with his free hand making sure to pour the likes of the concoction into it. Moving away from the headmaster Dorian fell back as a feeling of aspiration took hold of him. Breathing deeply he watched as the other man roused himself and began to cough.
"What did ya, ah fuck, it tastes like sweat and mud."
"It's devil's polymorph; the transformation will be permanent and only the true sight of a god could manage to see through it."
A look of realization donned along the headmaster's face as his hand reached higher toward that of his growing and ever whitening hair. Pulling at it he saw the little pigment held within his skin begin to fade away to that of almost sickly white. Standing, his hollow eyes searching, the once headmaster stumbled to view his reflection within the office's window.
"Reverse this!"
Dorian shook his and made his way before the office's only exit. "You're now just as guilty as I was when you brought me here. So I believe that the same fate is more than fitting onto you."
Hiram looked away from himself and back towards Dorian. "Oh so you care to prove my point then, commit the exact crimes for which I accused you and replace me?"
"You're little game of reverse psychology isn't going to work. When Sebastien first proposed the idea to me, I was utterly disgusted by it, but now I realize that the only real injustice would be in letting people like you define what I'm supposed to be. I wouldn't be a monster as you claim," Dorian looked Hiram in the eyes for the first time since he'd begun speaking, His body beginning to shift in appearance to the other man's likeness as he spoke. "I'd be a better version of you, because while you're rotting away within some cell of your own making I will be removing this stain of corruption that you and the city's officials have sewn from the inside out. And the world will be all the better for it. Now hold still."
Raising his arm, Dorian charged one last shock of energy unleashing it to its full capacity against his now look alike. The reaction was immediate to the point of satisfaction as the man fell stiff as a board before him.
***
A week had passed since Dorian's ascension the clothes that he now wore were somewhat ill fitting; although not on to the point that a casual glance would ascertain as much. Turning away from the mirror and toward the fiend along his desk Dorian did a small spin in place before moving closer to the other.
"So, how do I look?"
Sebastien smiled, "You've done quite well for yourself my darling, although I must say that I do prefer your other face to this one. And you possessed no problems with their true sight."
Dorian shook his head, "No, so that's my gift then?"
"It is, I call it 'The Greatest Lie' of course it manifests quite differently in devils, but I imagined it to be helpful to you as well."
"It has been, but answer me this: How did you know that I'd come around to replacing the headmaster?"
"I didn't, although you choosing to not do so wouldn't have been a breaking point for me. However, I'm very happy that you've decided to strengthen my foothold in Isadore. The college is quite influential within their politics after all." Dorian nodded, sitting down into a chair before the desk. "No, my dear, by all means, it's your desk now. Take a seat behind it as you should."
Complying Dorian stood moving around as he felt the fiend's eyes upon him. Sitting down he offered an open armed gesture. "Better?"
"Much."
Dorian sighed, "Not that I'm not happy to see you Sebastien, but why exactly are you here? I have a lot of things that I need to get done, if I'm going to go about in fixing this school. Also, I'm still a novice mage so…"
"Ah, don't worry about that. You'll have plenty of time to fix the school and learn magic, but all work and no play makes for such a dull toy."
Dorian's eyebrow arched, "You're here because you're horny?"
"Is that a problem? If so, I could go find Luriel or Jacklyn, I'm sure they wouldn't mind entertaining me."
"No, no it's… I'm glad you picked me, I'm just, a little surprised."
"Really? Is that so, sooner or later we'll work that uncertainty out of you, but for now it's cute. So, shall we?"
Dorian blushed, taking the fiend's offered hand as the two shifted planes much in the same way as they had upon their first meeting.