Chapter 01: The First Summons
In a dark room, several candles surrounded a red pentagram overlaying a strange symbol on the floor at each point. A lone hooded figure was kneeling over them, reading a book and chanting.
"Esor Ysiad Sram"
"Ainutep Pilut Nrutas"
"Retipuj!"
Suddenly, the pentagram lit on fire, and a voice filled the room. "Hahahahahaha!" From the fire, a red and black bird-like shadow emerged. "Who dares summon the Goetic Prince of Hell, Stolas?" However, now that the fire had lit the room, Stolas had a good look at who was summoning him. At the pentagram was a young boy in a black hoodie who now stared at him excitedly with big blue eyes at his summoning. "Really?"
'Strange. Usually, the humans would scream in fear at my demonic form.' Stolas reverted to a more manageable appearance as the fire died. He was an anthropomorphic owl demon, tall and slender. He had two almond-shaped red eyes, one set atop the other, with no visible irises or pupils. His gray-blue feathers contrasted his long, thin black limbs and bird-like clawed feet. He wore a deep red tunic with six linked golden buttons down the breast, beige breeches, a feathery top hat adorned with a regal gold crown encircling it, and a long burgundy cape.
Stolas sighed, "Apologies, child. I had a long day today, so let's keep things simple. What's your name, and what do you want?" He expected the boy to ask for something trivial like candy or no school.
The boy stood up with a smile. "My name is Daniel Fenton, Mister. I like Danny, though." He walked over to his bookshelf and pulled out an encyclopedia with an image of the solar system on the cover. "Can you teach me more about space?"
Stolas paused at the request, his disbelief giving way to a hint of joy. "You want me to teach you astronomy?"
Danny jumped in anticipation. "Yeah! I wanna be an astronaut when I grow up. I heard you know all about stars, planets, and stuff."
Stolas' eyes softened, and a warm, fatherly smile spread across his beak. "Well, young Danny, you have summoned the right demon." Stolas coughed into a fist and tried to maintain his composure. He walked over to the wall, flipped the light switch, and extinguished the remaining embers. He noticed the room was filled with rocket toys and posters of the wider universe beyond Earth. He turned to Danny. "Where are your parents, young one?"
"My parents are busy in the basement working on their science stuff, and my sister is away on a sleepover." Danny frowned a bit, downcast. "My parents are always busy."
The boy before him tugged at Stolas' heartstrings, reminding him of his daughter. He looked down at the pentagram and unlit candles. "How did you learn to summon me, Danny?"
Danny smiled as he held out the book he was reading. "I got this from the library."
Stolas read the title. "Satanic Rituals and Bargaining for Dummies: The Beginner's Guide to the Occult and the Demonic. Huh..."
Danny suddenly remembered something. "Wait, Mr. Stolas!" he called, hopping out of bed and rushing to his closet. He pulled out a plate covered with a napkin and a glass of milk. "I almost forgot! Offerings are part of the summoning, right?"
Stolas raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Indeed they are, young one. What do you have there?"
Danny proudly unveiled the plate, revealing an assortment of fudge and a glass of milk. "I brought these for you. My mom says it's polite to offer guests some snacks."
Stolas' eyes gleamed with delight at the sight of the baked goods. "How thoughtful of you, Danny," he said, taking a piece of fudge. He took a bite, and his eyes widened slightly. "This is quite tasty."
Danny beamed with pride. "This fudge is my dad's favorite."
Stolas nodded appreciatively. "Your father has good taste. This is excellent."
Danny's smile grew wider. "I'm glad you like them!."
Stolas sipped the milk, feeling a rare contentment. "Thank you, Danny. This is a most generous offering."
Danny beamed with happiness. "You're welcome, Mr. Stolas."
Stolas placed the empty glass back on the plate. "You have made this visit quite pleasant. I shall remember this."
"So, can you read to me?" asked Danny, wide-eyed.
Stolas sighed and smiled. "Well, I'll be more than happy to read to you tonight; no deal required." Stolas sat on the boy's bed. "Now, before I do, perhaps I should check if you know the rules for future reference. After summoning a demon, what is the usual payment when you make a deal?"
Danny raised his hand like he was in class. "Ooh, ooh. Your soul."
"Correct! Do you know what happens when you give up your soul?"
Danny tilted his head. "Uhh... I don't know. I didn't read the book that far ahead. I think my parents mentioned it with ghosts."
"Well, you go to Hell."
Danny blinked. "Oh... Hell? Is that bad? The mean kids at school tell me to go there sometimes."
"Yes!" Stolas set aside that tidbit about his schoolmates, picked up the boy, and placed him on his bed. "Now... Hell is a terrible place full of thieves, murderers, just overall scum."
Danny frowned. "You don't seem like a bad person, Mr. Stolas." The child reached out and felt his tail. "Your feathers are soft too, not like any monster I know. You even know all about space. I think you're cool!"
Stolas' heart seemed to swell from the praise. Growing up, none of his so-called friends thought highly of his interests. This child was different. "I'm trying to say wait until you find something worthy of your soul. Hell is a horrible place to suffer for all eternity. Now, not all deals require a soul to be paid. The deal shall proceed as long as both parties accept the trade, whatever it may be. In this case, I would gladly teach you about the universe in exchange for the snacks. Do you accept?" Stolas held out a hand that glowed a soft purple.
Danny didn't miss a beat and shook it. "Sure!"
Stolas giggled at the boy's enthusiasm. "As with any deal, always know what's on the table. Remember what I said, child."
Danny swung his feet at the side of the bed. "Oh, okay." He got comfortable and was prepared to learn.
Stolas picked up the encyclopedia and opened up a chapter. "Let's start with something simple: The moon."
Danny's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "The moon? That's awesome!"
"Indeed it is," Stolas said, settling into a more relaxed position. "The moon is Earth's only natural satellite, the fifth largest moon in the solar system. Did you know that the same side of the moon always faces Earth?"
Danny's jaw dropped. "Really? Why?"
"It's because of a phenomenon called synchronous rotation. The moon rotates on its axis in the same time it takes to orbit Earth, so we only ever see one side."
"That's so cool!" Danny said, his previous disappointment forgotten. "What else can you tell me?"
Stolas smiled, enjoying the boy's enthusiasm. "Let's see. Did you know that the moon has quakes, just like Earth? They're called moonquakes."
"Moonquakes? No way!"
"Yes, way," Stolas chuckled. "They are much weaker than earthquakes, but they do happen. And, the moon has no atmosphere, so there's no weather, wind, or rain."
Danny was mesmerized, hanging on to every word.
#
"Do you know what a nebula is?"
Danny's eyes widened with curiosity. "No, what's that?"
Stolas waved his hand, and the room filled with tiny, twinkling lights resembling stars. "A nebula is a giant cloud of dust and gas in space. Some nebulae are regions where new stars are being born, while others are the remains of dead or dying stars. They are the nurseries of the universe."
Danny's mouth formed an 'O' of amazement as he watched the miniature light show. "That's so cool! Can you show me more?"
Stolas chuckled softly, enjoying the boy's enthusiasm. "Of course. There is much to learn about the cosmos, and I will be delighted to guide you through its wonders."
#
About an hour had passed in their reading. Danny's eyes began to droop, and he yawned widely. Stolas noticed the signs of sleepiness and closed the encyclopedia.
Stolas' fatherly instincts took over as he helped tuck Danny into bed. "Goodnight, young Danny. Perhaps we will see each other again for another lesson. I would look forward to it."
Danny, half-asleep, mumbled, "That'd be awesome, Mr. Stolas. Thank you."
Stolas smiled softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from Danny's forehead. "Sleep well, little one. Sweet dreams of stars and planets."
As Danny drifted off, Stolas stood by the bedside with a thoughtful expression. It had certainly been a while since he considered an apprentice. The boy's genuine curiosity and kindness had touched something in him. 'Hm... They are about the same age. If things go well, perhaps I could introduce them. Octavia needs friends that aren't bought.'
"Goodnight, Danny," Stolas replied softly, his heart warmed by the boy's sincerity. Stolas glanced around the room, taking in the child's wonder of his domain. He whispered, "Until next time." With a wave, he extinguished the remaining candles and vanished, leaving the room bathed in the soft glow of a nightlight.
Chapter 02: New Bonds
About A Week Later
"Esor Ysiad Sram"
"Ainuetp Pilut Nrutas"
"Retipuj!"
From a fire, a familiar red and black bird-like shadow emerged. "Who dares summon the Goetic Prince of Hell, Stolas?" Hold on. This room was familiar. He reverted to normal, and with a snap of his fingers, the lights went on. It was the same boy from before in the same black hoodie.
"Hi, Mr. Stolas!"
Stolas smiled. "Oh? This was sooner than I expected."
Danny frowned. "Oh... I'm sorry. If you're busy, you can come by later."
"No. No. That's not what I meant. To be honest, I could use the break." Seeing the plate of fudge and milk, Stolas helped himself.
"Oh." Danny picked up on the change in Stolas' mood. "Who else summoned you? Is everything okay? "
Stolas sighed and sat down in the chair beside Danny's desk. "I suppose so, Danny. It's just that sometimes I grow weary of why people summon me."
Danny tilted his head, curious. "What do you mean?"
Stolas recalled the underground cult he had been brought to earlier that morning for some sort of sacrificial ritual. Not only did he not appreciate those offerings, but they also forgot to bring the cake they had promised. "Some demon worshipers don't know the first thing about hospitality and what I like." He patted Danny on the head. "Unlike you, my wonderful student."
The young boy giggled. "My neighbors call my family devil worshipers, but my mom said that we're... ag-... agn-... Uh."
"Agnostic?"
"Yeah, that."
Stolas made a mental note to ask more about his parents and what they did for a living. Stolas looked at Danny, his red eyes reflecting sadness. "Most of the time, when people me, it's for selfish reasons. They want power, wealth, revenge, or other selfish gains. They see me as a tool to achieve their desires, not as a being with my thoughts and feelings." He grumbled. "I don't even like hurting people. I find it rather pointless."
"They didn't know? That's one of the first things I read about you in my book." Danny's heart ached for his otherworldly teacher. "That sounds tough, Mr. Stolas. It must be hard to deal with that all the time."
Stolas nodded. "It is. People often forget that I have my own desires. They don't care about me beyond what I can give them." His thoughts drifted to the rather shallow relationship with his wife. "It can be quite disheartening."
Without a second thought, Danny got up from his chair and wrapped his arms around Stolas in a warm hug. The gesture momentarily took the demon aback, but it was comforting, just like those from his child.
"I'm sorry you have to deal with that, Mr. Stolas," Danny said softly. "I don't want power or anything like that. I just want to be your friend and learn cool stuff from you."
Stolas placed a hand over his chest, remembering his lonely childhood and the lack of true friends, except for one. He gently returned Danny's hug, feeling a rare warmth. Unlike some people he knew, most children wore their hearts on their sleeves. "You truly mean that, don't you, Danny?"
Danny nodded, looking up at Stolas with earnest eyes. "Yeah, I do. You're awesome, Mr. Stolas. You're super smart and nice. You even like fudge!"
Stolas' eyes softened, and he gave a heartfelt smile. "Thank you, Danny. That means more to me than you can imagine. I'm happy to call you both my student and a friend."
Danny beamed. "I promise to be my best in both!"
Stolas gently ruffled Danny's hair, feeling a rare sense of contentment. "And I promise to always be there for you, Danny. As your friend and mentor."
For the first time in a long while, other than his daughter, Stolas felt truly appreciated. "Now," Stolas said, his voice lighter and more cheerful, "how about we continue our lesson for tonight? I believe we were going to explore the fascinating world of comets."
"Yay!" Danny exclaimed, his excitement bubbling over.
Stolas brought an illusion of the cosmos to life in his bedroom with his hand. Stolas picked up the encyclopedia and turned to the chapter on comets. "Comets are often called 'dirty snowballs' because they are composed of ice, dust, and rocky material. They originate from two main regions in our solar system: the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud."
Danny's eyes widened with curiosity. "What's the Oort Cloud?"
"The Oort Cloud," Stolas explained, "is a vast spherical shell surrounding our solar system, filled with icy bodies. It's far beyond the orbit of Pluto, and it's where long-period comets, those that take more than 200 years to orbit the Sun, come from."
As they continued their lesson, Stolas explained how comets develop tails as they approach the Sun. "The heat from the Sun causes the ice to vaporize, releasing gas and dust. This creates two tails: one made of gas, which points directly away from the Sun due to the solar wind, and one made of dust, which forms a curved path."
#
The room's imagery shifted to an ancient galaxy. Nebulae swirled around them, and distant stars shimmered like precious gems scattered across the velvet expanse of space.
"In the great expanse of the nether, there exist boundless amounts of magnificent phenomena: the great brilliance of an exploding star, the nimble dance of space dust through a nebula. But once every one thousand years, our corner of reality is treated to an incredible sight from the deep eldritch recesses of the cosmos: the tears of a forgotten colossus begin to fall."
Stolas' voice resonated deeply as he continued, "Tears made of the hopes and dreams of every living thing that never came to be. Condensed and sent shooting across the night sky in a dazzling final display. What appears to mortal beings as a meteor shower, we can see for what it is: Azathoth's Tears."
"Woah... When is it gonna pass by Earth next?" asked Danny excitedly, his eyes wide with wonder.
"If my math is correct, it should be over five years from now."
"More than five years?! That's so long." Danny pressed his face into his pillow in annoyance.
Stolas laughed. "You remind me of Octavia. She had a similar reaction when the wait time settled in."
Danny lifted his head. "Octavia?"
"Yes. Octavia is my lovely little girl."
Danny gasped in excitement. "You have a family too?! Is there a Mrs. Stolas? Are they both owl demons, too?"
Stolas coughed into a claw, momentarily caught off guard. "Well, my wife is... um... unique. Her name is Stella."
"Octavia and Stella? They have such pretty names."
"Yes... One matches, the other, not so much."
"What's Octavia like?" Danny asked, his curiosity piqued.
"She's around your age and very special to me. Octavia is a bright and curious young owl demon," Stolas began, his voice filled with affection. "She's very intelligent and deeply loves the stars, much like you. However, she doesn't have many friends her age, and I worry about her feeling lonely."
Danny's expression softened. "That sounds a bit like me. I don't have many friends either. Most people think my family is weird. But I'm lucky to have you as my new friend, Mr. Stolas."
Stolas felt a warmth spread through his heart at Danny's words. "And I feel fortunate to have you as my friend, Danny. I think you and Octavia would get along very well."
Danny's face lit up with excitement. "Do you think I could meet her?"
Stolas smiled, a twinkle in his eye. "I believe that could be arranged. How about this: If you do well during our next lesson, I'll bring Octavia along so you two can meet."
Danny's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Really? That would be amazing! I'll do my best, Mr. Stolas, I promise."
Stolas chuckled, pleased by Danny's enthusiasm. "I'm sure you will, Danny."
#
The lesson flew by, filled with animated discussion. As the night drew near, Stolas helped Danny organize his notes and prepare for bed.
Stolas held the plate of leftover food. "Do you mind if I take the rest? I'm sure my daughter would love some."
"Sure! I hope she likes them too," Danny said with a big smile.
"You did very well tonight, Danny," Stolas said, tucking him in with a proud smile. "I look forward to our next lesson, and I feel you'll enjoy meeting Octavia eventually."
Danny grinned, already dreaming of the possibilities. "Thank you, Mr. Stolas. Goodnight!"
"Goodnight, Danny," Stolas replied softly. "Sweet dreams."
As Stolas vanished into the shadows, Danny drifted off to sleep, filled with anticipation for the next Thursday.
#
Stolas walked through the hallway of his mansion, the plate of fudge in hand. He couldn't help but feel content. "Perhaps I'll tell Danny about pacts next time," he mused.
He soon found Octavia reading a book in the living room. She looked up and smiled when she saw him. "Dad! You're back!"
"Yes, my dear," Stolas said, sitting beside her. "And look, I brought you some treats."
"Thank you, Daddy!" Octavia's eyes widened as she took a fudge square, bit into it, and smiled. "This is delicious! What store is this from?"
"On the contrary, they came from my new student."
Octavia paused to recall what her father mentioned last week. "Your student? You mean the human boy you started teaching?"
Stolas nodded. "Yes, his name is Danny. He's quite the curious and bright young lad. I think you two would get along splendidly."
"Oh..." Octavia curled up on the couch nervously. "Is he nice?"
Stolas laughed and hugged his daughter. "Very, and if he holds up to my expectations, I would like you two to meet."
Octavia seemed unsure before looking at the plate. "Will there be snacks?"
Stolas ruffled her feathers gently. "I'll be sure to tell him to have extra for all three of us."
Despite her initial fears of meeting new people, she trusted her father. She was sure this would be much different from the times her mother tried to introduce her to the other noble kids. "Okay..."
"Don't you worry about a thing. It'll be fun!" Stolas had found a promising student and a potential friend for his beloved daughter. The future looked a little brighter.
Chapter 03: Price for Power
The familiar setting of Danny's room was bathed in the soft glow of candlelight as Stolas sat beside him. As promised, Danny was on his best behavior during Stolas' visit a week later. Granted, Danny had been consistently well-behaved with the owl demon since they first met. This time around, Stolas offered to teach Danny about some of the precious stones he worked with. While the boy was initially unsure, conjuring up chromatic crystals in the palm of his hand brought back the wonder in his eyes.
#
During one of their breaks, Stolas decided to ask a question that had been on his mind for a while.
Books and notes were scattered across the floor. Stolas, reclining in a chair, looked at Danny thoughtfully. "Danny," Stolas began, his voice gentle, "I've been curious about something. Do you mind if I ask?"
Danny looked up from cleaning up his room a bit. "Uh, sure."
"You've mentioned your parents a few times, but what exactly do they do for a living? You've mentioned that others see your family as weird and possible devil worshipers."
Danny shifted a bit, glancing at his desk where a family photo sat. "Well, I already told you that we aren't. They're scientists." The boy seemed to hold his tongue.
"I take it that they study something on the paranormal side of things," the owl demon chuckled.
Danny looked to the floor. "Yeah..."
Stolas ruffled Danny's head. "Don't worry, young man. I've met devil worshipers, and you are very much not like them."
Danny rubbed his arms. "My parents study ghosts," he said, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Stolas blinked at the answer. "Ghosts?" He was expecting them to be demonologists, religious scholars, or something.
Danny nodded. "Yeah. They spend a lot of time in their lab, inventing gadgets and trying to prove that ghosts exist. "
Stolas raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued. "That's quite an unusual profession. Do they have much success in their pursuits?"
Danny sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, not really. They still haven't proved they exist. Most people in town think they're crazy. No one believes them, and their inventions don't always work the way they're supposed to. But they're really passionate about it. It's their life's work."
Stolas tilted his head, his red eyes reflecting a thoughtful glow. "Interesting."
Danny sat on his bed. "You're from Hell, Stolas. Do ghosts exist?"
Stolas made a thoughtful expression. "I must admit, I don't know. Typically, souls either ascend to Heaven or descend to Hell. The concept of lingering spirits is rather foreign to me. If it's any consolation, I've heard of places like Limbo and Purgatory in literature, but I don't know if they actually exist. Humans are known to say all sorts of things to trick themselves into believing they won't go to Hell."
Danny shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, I get that. But my parents are convinced ghosts are real. They're always talking about ectoplasm and the spirit plane. I don't really understand all of it, but they're so dedicated. I don't have the heart to tell them they might be wrong."
Stolas leaned forward, his expression softening. "It's commendable that you support them despite your doubts." Thoughts drifted to the King of Hell and how he was cast out. "Passion can drive people to remarkable lengths, even if their beliefs are unproven."
Danny nodded. "Yeah, I guess. I just want them to be happy.."
Stolas smiled, placing a reassuring hand on Danny's shoulder. "That's a noble sentiment, Danny. Your parents are fortunate to have such an understanding son."
Danny grinned. "Thanks, Mr. Stolas. It means a lot to hear that. I just hope they don't get into too much trouble."
Stolas chuckled softly. "I'm sure they'll manage." Thankfully, he wouldn't have to worry much about his parents. After all, ghosts were just superstition that humans made up. Right?
#
With how things were going, he was sure Octavia would be coming with them next time. If his visits to Danny's home were going to become a regular thing, it would be best for him to be transparent about the typical relationships other people have had with demons and their pacts. It was more than likely he would encounter more demons, especially on the rare chance he would ever visit his home.
Near the tail end of their lesson, Stolas adjusted his tophat and looked at Danny with a serious yet gentle expression. "Danny, I know I touched on it before, but I wanted to get you more acquainted with demonic pacts and possibly having me as your patron down the line."
Danny leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "I know some stuff about deals with demons, but what's a patron?"
Stolas nodded. "Well, as you may know, in the realm of the occult, a pact is an agreement between a mortal and a demon. Contrastingly, I have read that there have been oaths with angelic entities. The demon becomes a patron, providing guidance, power, or knowledge in exchange for something from the mortal."
Danny nodded innocently. "So, like how you've been my teacher."
Stolas chuckled. "Well, that depends on what the agreed deal is. You and I already have a pact of sorts, but to be a true patron means to have a deeper connection with one another." He smiled. "How do you feel about having a share of my power?"
Danny frowned slightly. "Is this where I'm supposed to offer my soul or something?"
Stolas sighed, his eyes softening. "No. No. I won't be asking that from you. While other demons might ask for a soul for any of their power at all, I would like to think of it as a high-risk, high-reward sort of situation."
Danny listened intently, absorbing the information. "So, what kind of pacts have you made, Mr. Stolas?"
Stolas leaned back, recalling his many interactions. "Over the years, I have entered into numerous pacts. Some mortals sought knowledge, others power or protection. Unfortunately, desired too much and suffered the consequences of their desires."
Danny's brow furrowed. "Have any of them ever asked for something good? Like, to help someone else?"
The demon made a face. "There have been few about saving a loved one in danger. I honestly prefer those. Sadly, many mortals are driven by selfish desires." Stolas took a deep breath and began, "I've been around for a long time, Danny. I've made many pacts with mortals during that time, but I have rarely offered my magic."
Danny blinked. "Oh, well. I don't want to make you sad." He shrugged. "Magic tricks are cool and all, but I like us just hanging out."
Stolas chuckled and booped young Danny on the nose. "I shouldn't be surprised, but in some regard, I am happy." Stolas patted Danny on the back. "So long as you continue to be a good student of mine, I don't mind sharing some of my knowledge and power for small spells and cantrips. I don't expect you to comprehend the weight of the offer at your current age, but I would like you to keep the offer in mind. You'd be my little warlock in training."
Danny blinked with a smile. "That sounds cool... What does that mean? Are they like wizards?"
Stolas smiled. "Not quite. Warlocks are just the other side of the coin to their patron."
#
As the night drew to a close, Stolas stood by the door of Danny's room, ready to return to his realm. He observed Danny tidying up his notes, a satisfied smile on his face from a night of learning and wonder.
"Danny," Stolas began, his tone gentle yet filled with a hint of excitement, "you've behaved exceptionally well tonight. As promised, my daughter Octavia will be joining me on my next visit."
Danny's face lit up with a bright smile. "That's awesome! I can't wait to meet her."
"There's one thing I must ask of you," Stolas continued, his expression turning a bit more serious. "Please prepare some extra snacks for her. She can be a bit of a glutton, especially regarding treats."
Danny laughed, nodding eagerly. "Got it. I'll make sure we have plenty of snacks."
Stolas smiled warmly but then grew slightly solemn. "There's something else you should know. Octavia is quite shy, especially around new people. She's had some poor experiences with other noble children in Hell. They haven't always been kind to her."
Danny's expression softened with understanding. "I'll be patient with her, Mr. Stolas. She'll be my new friend."
Stolas felt a surge of gratitude for Danny's kind-hearted nature. "Thank you, Danny. Just be your wonderful self, and I'm sure she'll warm up to you."
Danny beamed. "I'll do my best. We'll have a blast!"
Stolas placed a hand on Danny's shoulder, reassuringly squeezing it. "I have no doubt you will. Now, get some rest."
"Goodnight, Mr. Stolas," Danny said, his voice filled with anticipation for the next Thursday.
"Goodnight, Danny," Stolas replied softly. "Sweet dreams."
With that, Stolas vanished into the shadows. As Danny drifted off to sleep, thinking of all sorts of stuff for him and Octavia to do.