The days that followed the summoning were a blur of activity. Aelric had spent most of his time within the dense woods surrounding his village, honing his newfound abilities and seeking to understand the true depth of the bond he shared with Liora, the dragon. She had been both an invaluable teacher and a daunting taskmaster, pushing him to learn and adapt, testing him in ways he never thought possible.
But it was the arrival of the succubus, whom Aelric had summoned on a whim, that truly marked the beginning of his journey into the world of true power.
The succubus—whose name was Selena—had appeared in a burst of shadow and flame, her dark wings unfurling like the night sky itself. Her presence was commanding, seductive, and dangerous, and she exuded an air of authority that made even the towering Liora regard her with caution. The very air around them had seemed to warp when she had first stepped into existence.
Aelric, however, had not been intimidated. He had come too far, done too much, to let a mere demon throw him off course. He stood firm, meeting her gaze with a quiet confidence that surprised even him. The succubus's eyes—red as blood and as deep as an abyss—had studied him for a long moment before she spoke.
"Mortal," her voice had been a whisper in his mind, a voice full of dark promise. "You wish to control me, do you? To make me your servant, your slave?"
Aelric had not flinched. His resolve had hardened since the day of his Rite. "Yes. You are bound to me now, as is the law of summoners. And I will see that you fulfill your purpose."
Aelric's heart had raced as he said the words. He had no idea what the succubus could do. He only knew that he had to make this work, or he would lose her—and potentially his chance at gaining the power he sought.
To his surprise, Selena had simply smirked, her lips curling up sensually. "You think you can control me with mere words, mortal?" She had taken a step closer, her movements predatory and slow, as though savoring the moment. "We shall see if you are truly worthy."
And just like that, the bond had been established. Aelric had felt the magic surge through him, felt the invisible chain that now tethered Selena to him. It was unlike the bond he shared with Liora. With the dragon, it had been a matter of respect and mutual understanding. But with Selena, it was different—it was raw, unrefined, and intoxicating.
After the summoning, Selena had shown no sign of defiance or rebellion. Instead, she had become an enigma—always watching, always calculating. Aelric had known he needed to gain her trust, or the succubus could become a very dangerous ally.
That first night after the summoning, Aelric had barely slept. He had spent hours trying to comprehend what had just occurred. The power to summon and control beings of such immense strength was something that many in his world could only dream of. Yet, here he was, a boy who had failed his Rite, now in command of a dragon and a demon.
He could hardly contain the fire that burned in him. This was only the beginning.
But the path ahead was fraught with danger, and Aelric was not naïve enough to think that everything would fall into place so easily. He had seen how quickly power could corrupt, how quickly those who wielded it could lose themselves to their own desires. The more power he gained, the more difficult it would be to keep control. He knew this, and yet he still yearned for more.
The following morning, Aelric ventured deeper into the forest, this time with both Liora and Selena at his side. The dragon's massive form loomed above him, a reminder of the raw, unrestrained power she represented, while the succubus walked with a fluid grace that seemed to defy the very laws of nature.
"Are you ready for what comes next, summoner?" Liora's deep voice echoed in his mind. "This world is vast, and there are many who will seek to destroy you. You must learn to wield your power, not just for yourself, but for the sake of your survival."
Aelric nodded. "I understand. But I will not let fear control me. I will master my magic."
Liora's amber eyes glowed faintly. "Good. But be warned, summoner. The power you seek comes with a cost. If you are not careful, it will consume you. Power is a double-edged sword."
Aelric's gaze shifted to Selena, who walked a few paces ahead. Her wings fluttered slightly, and the edges of her cloak billowed as if caught in an unseen wind. Her smile was knowing, as though she saw something in him that he hadn't yet realized.
"You should listen to the dragon," she said, her voice sultry. "She speaks the truth. Power is intoxicating, but it is also dangerous. You will have to be careful who you trust, and how far you are willing to go to achieve your goals."
Aelric clenched his fists, determined. "I will not falter. I will control the magic. And I will build an empire."
Selena glanced over her shoulder, her red eyes flashing. "An empire, you say?" She let out a low, amused laugh. "The road to power is long, and many who have tried before you have failed. But if you are truly as ambitious as you claim, we shall see what you are made of."
With those words, they reached a clearing—a place where Aelric had been preparing for the next stage of his journey. He had been gathering materials, texts, and ancient scrolls from hidden corners of the kingdom, trying to learn everything he could about summoning and the art of controlling creatures. But now, with Selena and Liora by his side, the time had come to take his knowledge to the next level.
Aelric raised his hand, invoking the next spell. This time, he would summon a creature of his own design, a being he had carefully studied and prepared for. The ritual was delicate—one wrong move could result in disaster. His mind focused as he spoke the incantation, feeling the magic surge through his body, his pulse quickening with each syllable.
The ground trembled beneath his feet, and a blinding light erupted from the earth. For a moment, Aelric thought he might lose control of the magic, but then, as the light dimmed, he saw what he had called forth.
A towering creature, armored in dark iron and covered in jagged spikes, stood before him. It was a Golem—an ancient construct created from the very earth, brought to life through magic. Its eyes were glowing blue orbs, filled with a silent, burning rage. The air around them crackled with energy as the golem raised its massive arm, ready for Aelric's command.
Liora's deep voice rumbled in his mind. "This one will be your protector. But remember—though it is bound to you, it is not loyal by nature. It is a tool, nothing more. Use it wisely."
Aelric nodded, stepping forward, his heart pounding in his chest. "I will control them all," he muttered to himself.
The golem's eyes locked onto him as if waiting for an order. Aelric knew this was his moment to assert his dominance—to show his summons that he was not weak. He would prove to Liora, to Selena, and to himself that he was ready for whatever the world had in store for him.
"Golem," Aelric commanded, his voice steady and firm. "Stand by my side and protect me."
The golem responded with a deep, gravelly voice. "I obey."
It was only the beginning, but Aelric could feel the power within him grow stronger with each passing moment. The path he had chosen was a dangerous one, but he was no longer afraid.
Power was within his grasp. And soon, the world would bow to him.