I may have read about them in one of the books in the Marduk temple. Demon, was a supernatural being who became a partner of sorcerers. They say they were evil, strong and like to prey on human blood.
I didn't know the truth, because all the books and records about them were mostly stored in the tower of Babylon. So far I only heard of them from rumours, father's bedtime stories, and the legends in the temple inscriptions.
When I inquired about them with the priests, there was always an expression of disapproval. They say humans should not have anything to do with them. Everyone they interacted with were sorcerer. And more than half of the wizarding population in Mesopotamia were users of black magic. The rest was divided between the white magicians as well as those who were neutral.
"What can you do?" I folded my arms and acted smart so he wouldn't fool me. He called me master, I guess it was okay if I talk a little arrogantly.
"I am the partner of the sorcerers, without us you can't do magic," Belzarbi said simply. He was too polite for the look of a beast.
Partner he said? Were Demons like accountants to merchants? Or blacksmith for the soldiers? I still didn't really get it, but if they work with sorcerers, did that mean they were the source of the sorcerers' magic?
My logic immediately worked. Indeed, physically the sorcerers were like ordinary humans. They were not born of stone or vomited from volcanoes. They shouldn't be able to fly, let alone shoot fire from their hands. So, it makes sense that it was all done by supernatural being like Demon.
"Wait, are you asking for a fee for your services? Father said nothing is free in this world,"
"Of course, even though you are my master, our relationship is not that of slave and master. I will forever serve you until you die with a certain price," said Belzarbi again.
"What kind of pay do you want? Ah no, I don't think I'm ready to hear the answer yet," I quickly shook my head. This was just a rumour, but I've heard sorcerers also perform animal or human blood sacrifices. Was that what Belzarbi wanted?
"I suspect wild thoughts are going on in your brain. Master, if there is something you don't understand you can ask me directly,"
"Okay, so are you going to ask me to sacrifice someone's life later?" I said with a tense expression on my face.
"Are you willing to do it?"
"Of course not! That's too terrible!" I shouted while hugging my arm in horror.
"Then don't do it," said Belzarbi again in a relaxed tone.
Huh? So there really was such a blood offering? If I want, could I do it?
"You are still a child, master. Many sorcerers do it. They are all black magicians. There are several quick ways to gain power, including sacrificing one's life," he explained again.
"So you can grant any wish?"
"Not really. There's a lot you need to understand about being a mage and using Jinn's powers,"
"Oh, so your powers are limited?" I asked innocently. I was just trying to understand him but he looked offended. His body was enlarged and his back arched. Oh, was I going to get in trouble?
I stepped back.
"I've been on Earth for over ten thousand years. I can do anything as long as you have enough Mana to keep up with me," he explained.
But I still don't understand. What was Mana?
"I didn't mean to call a Demon. I just want to know about the sorcerers. I found your ring in my father's secret chest and I only read the inscription engraved there. That's it, so it looks like this will be a problem. How about we forget it and I put your ring back under father's bed and never have to see each other again?" I negotiated.
He called me master, that means I have to pay for it. I mean, that means he was my worker right? Even having a slave someone had to pay for his food and clothe him. Twelve year olds like me couldn't do it. I could barely even feed my cat! Father was unwilling to buy fish for my cat and I had to mix some mutton fat with bread for it.
Besides, I was worried that my father would scold me. He would know I was rummaging through his things when he was not home. Then I took the ring. wasn't that like stealing?
The last sentence gave me goosebumps. I was raised like a priest's son even though my father may not believe in gods. He always taught me about good and bad and drew a clear line between the two. I even find it hard to lie, even if it says there was a term 'lying for good'. Sometimes this attitude makes it difficult for me to get along. The kids in my neighborhood used to take me out to play in the river or sneak into the vineyard to steal some sour grapes. When my father asked, I immediately confessed. And he beat me afterwards.
Then, how about now? I'm not sure I could hide Belzarbi and the ring.
"You can't get rid of me. I'll stick to you like a rusty nail in a ship's log. I will follow you even into your dreams, you are bound to me till you die. Except-"
"Except what?" I felt a little goosebumps hearing that. The thought of a Demon who they said was dangerous around me forever, was unpleasant.
"Unless there's a sorcerer stronger to steal me from you," said Belzarbi again.
For a few seconds, my brain thought and it didn't take long for me to come up with a solution.
"Oh, how about I ask one of the sorcerers in the tower? One of them might want to adopt you," I said.
"Master, I'm not an object, you can't force me to leave. You can tell them, but it won't be that easy for them to steal me from you,"
"Not stealing, I'll give you to them,"
"I told you, I'm bound to you. You have to be strong enough to do it. Right now, if a sorcerer does it, you will die," said Belzarbi again.
"Why would I die just because you were taken from me?"
"Ever since you cast the spell on my ring- you became my master. You are now a sorcerer just like them. The difference is, you're still a beginner. You don't have enough Mana to let me go."
"What is that?" I asked him for more explanation.
"It's a part of your soul, something that only a handful of humans on Earth have. All Mana possessors can become magicians. When a person with Mana casts the spell inscribed on the Talisman- he can summon the Demon who resides within it and use its power," explained Belzarbi.
"Talisman?"
"It's the thing that Demon inhabits, like the gold ring with shiny black stones that you're holding right now. You'd better be careful, Master. Because if any sorcerer sees you with my ring - he'll try to steal me from you. Then, because your Mana is not big enough- you will die," said Belzarbi again with a serious tone.
I still hold the ring in the palm of my left hand. The sweat kept it moist and I was worried that it would slip. So I put it on my right thumb and wrapped it nervously in linen.
"Why are you so sure that a sorcerer is interested in stealing you from me?" If all sorcerers could summon Demon, why should they try to steal the Demon belonging to other sorcerers?
By the way. So now I was a sorcerer?
I just realized the reality. How would dad react? He hated sorcerers.
"I don't want to sound arrogant, but there aren't many demons over 10,000 years old in this world." He didn't fully answer my question.
He acknowledged me as his master but he hid many things from me. Oddly enough, right now I didn't feel like I need to know so I'll just ignore it.
"So what can you do?"
"I can make almost all of your imagination come true, except for bringing the dead back to life. But everything has a price," said Belzarbi again with a smirk.