A young, (and therefore very weak) Witch in a crusades-like time (with a few modern amenities and substitutions, due to convenience and the authors' lack of convenient medieval knowledge,) accidentally manages to master one extremely powerful spell...
"You cannot withhold secrets from the Demon General of Wisdom, Lady Falkirk... but it sorrows me to hear of your mother and sister. They were friends to the Demon Royalty. Is Baba Yaga still alive? I'd hate for the answer to be no... whatever could kill a Demon Princess would be a terrible Foe indeed."
I blinked. "Aunty is a Demon Princess? Holy shit... no, Baba is alive and well..." I was reeling from the massive amounts of information I was being force-fed.
"Aunt?... hmm..." He scratched his chin again, his eyes holding mine.
"She is my many times great-aunt." I answered woodenly, and then growled. "Stop that! Ask a question if you want an answer, I'm not a liar! I don't like being forced to speak!" I snapped at him.
He laughed, dust falling from the ceiling as the room shook. "My apologies, feisty little Falkirk... accept a gift, both in mourning for your family, and for my apology."
He slowly plucked a spike from his tail, and placed it on the edge of the circle.
I cocked my head and approached, looking at Gregor for permission. He nodded, and I picked it up slowly. It suddenly came alive, and I squealed as it turned into a gigantic Metal Cobra, three times my height.
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The snake shrank, and soon was only a few inches long, when it slithered up my foot and then tried to reach my arm. I quickly snatched it from my thigh, blushing, and scolded it. "Now that is not a proper place for snakes to be, do you understand?" I tapped its nose roughly, and it slithered around my wrist, stopping movement.
I blinked and looked at Azathoth. "What is it? A familiar?"
He shook his head. "A Thorn. Much like your Baba's 'Scale's'. A powerful relic, a connection you its original owner. It will protect you, and its death will alert me of your need. For a Price, I may even answer the call." He grinned again.
I smiled. "Ahh, a homing beacon, then? Very interesting... can you teach me how to make those? I'd really love the knowledge."
He blinked. "You are very bold, little Falkirk." He said louder, his voice becoming slightly threatening.
'What's his true name, Mirage?' I asked quickly.
'Acanthus, General of The East.' She responded just as quick.
"Why Thank you, sir Azathoth, General of the East, or... more properly, -" I stepped into the circle and whispered his true name "-Acanthus..." I grinned up at him smugly as I stepped out.
"How do you know that name?" He asked simply, confusion and amusement on his features replacing anger and indignation.
"Mirage, my demon companion, is one of the 100 Guardians of Hecate. She knows quite a bit." I shrugged, smiling.
