The morning after the Summoning Rite, Aelric woke to the sounds of birds chirping outside his small window. The world had changed overnight, but to those who still lived in his village, nothing had. He could feel the magic still coursing through his veins, his bond with Liora, the dragon, pulsing like a second heartbeat. It was a feeling of power—raw and unrefined—but it wasn't enough. Not yet.
Liora's presence, however, was no illusion. She was real, her power tangible, and Aelric could sense her waiting for his next command. He still wasn't sure how the bond had been formed, how he had called forth such a creature, but one thing was certain—he had made an irreversible choice. He had made a pact, and the consequences of that pact would unfold as the days passed.
He had no time to waste.
Rising from his bed, Aelric ignored the pangs of hunger gnawing at him. He dressed in the simple tunic and pants he had worn the day before, his thoughts fixed on the dragon waiting in the forest. He had only a single goal now—to understand the power he had tapped into and to harness it completely.
He exited the house, walking with determination as the cool morning air brushed against his face. The villagers were already out, tending to their daily routines, casting occasional glances at him, though most were too polite to say anything. He could feel their stares, the weight of their judgment still heavy upon him. But none of it mattered anymore. Today, he would become something more than the boy who failed his Rite.
The forest loomed ahead, its dense trees towering like ancient guardians. Aelric moved deeper into the woods, the path narrowing with each step. The familiar sound of leaves crunching beneath his boots was the only noise breaking the silence. It was strange, though, because for the first time in his life, Aelric didn't feel alone. He felt… watched. And he knew exactly who was watching him.
At the clearing, where the ritual had taken place the night before, Aelric stopped. The air felt thick with magic, crackling with an energy that was almost oppressive. And then, as if summoned by his very thoughts, Liora appeared before him, her massive form emerging from the shadows of the trees.
Her eyes glowed, amber and fierce, as she regarded him with both amusement and a hint of curiosity.
"You came," her voice boomed in his mind, a deep and resonant sound that vibrated through his chest. "I did not expect you to return so soon, little summoner."
Aelric stood tall, despite the overwhelming sense of power emanating from the dragon. He had learned one thing in his short life: to never show weakness, not to beings like this.
"I had questions," Aelric replied, his voice steady. "I want to know how this works. How the pact works. How I can control you."
Liora chuckled, a sound like rolling thunder, and her large form shifted, lowering her head until her piercing eyes were mere inches from his face. "Control me?" she asked, her voice dripping with amusement. "You, a mere child, would control me? I am an ancient being, one who has lived longer than your entire kingdom. You cannot control me, summoner. At best, you may influence me. At worst, you will become my servant."
Aelric's heart raced, but he did not flinch. "Then why did you answer my call?"
Liora's eyes narrowed, her lips curling into something resembling a smile. "That is a question I will not answer easily. But I will give you a taste of the power you seek."
Before Aelric could react, Liora's massive tail swung down with the force of a hurricane, striking the ground beside him and sending a shockwave through the earth. The trees around them bent under the force of the blast, but Aelric remained standing, his eyes fixed on the dragon.
"You are not yet worthy of me," she said. "But you will be. If you prove yourself."
Aelric's mind raced. He had to make a decision—fast. He couldn't back down now, not after everything he had done. He knew that in order to truly gain control over the dragon—and every other being he might summon—he needed to show strength.
"I understand," Aelric said, his voice unwavering. "I'll prove myself. Not to you. But to myself."
Liora tilted her head, the gleam in her eyes sharp as ever. "Very well. Prove yourself, then. If you succeed, the power you seek will be yours. But if you fail..." Her words trailed off, her gaze turning cold. "You will not live long enough to regret it."
Aelric nodded. He was ready. He had no choice but to be ready.
With a wave of his hand, the magic surged through him, and he spoke the words he had read about in forbidden texts—the words that would summon his second familiar. The ground trembled as the very fabric of reality seemed to shift. The air grew heavy, oppressive, as Aelric focused all his energy on the spell. He had no idea what would appear, but he was determined to push forward.
A blinding light erupted from the ground, the magic intensifying with each passing second. Aelric's heart raced as he kept his concentration steady. The swirling vortex of power grew larger, threatening to consume him. And then, just as the light reached its peak, the magic imploded, releasing a being that was unlike anything he could have imagined.
A dark figure stood before him—a tall, imposing figure with ethereal black wings that stretched out like the night sky. The figure's eyes glowed with a malevolent crimson hue, its form flickering between reality and shadow.
Liora's voice rumbled in Aelric's mind, filled with both surprise and interest. "A succubus. Interesting choice, summoner. But do you have the strength to control her as well?"
Aelric's eyes narrowed as he studied the figure before him. He knew this was just the beginning. The path ahead was treacherous, but he would not falter. Not when he had so much to prove.
"I will control them all," he whispered to himself, his eyes burning with determination. "And no one will stand in my way."
The succubus stepped forward, her gaze fixated on Aelric, her lips curling into a wicked smile. "Do you seek to control me, mortal?" Her voice was smooth, laced with both temptation and danger.
Aelric met her gaze, unwavering. "Yes," he said. "I do."
The bond had been forged. And now, the real battle for power had begun.