Page 15 of Demon Lord's Proposal

Closing my eyes, I focus on my own sense of calm and contentment. I think of peaceful moments, of satisfaction after a job well done. I feel my hexeblood power stirring, and I direct it into the mixture.

The liquid in the beaker begins to glow softly, the colors swirling together in a mesmerizing dance.

"Well, well," Deus says, his voice low. "That's not bad at all."

I open my eyes, looking at the finished product. The elixir is a soft, pearlescent lavender, emitting a gentle warmth.

Deus carefully lifts the beaker, examining it closely. He takes a small sip, his eyes closing as he analyzes the effects.

After a moment, he opens his eyes, a hint of a smile on his face. "Not bad for a first attempt. The calm is there, and there's definitely a sense of contentment. But..."

"But?" I ask, eager for feedback.

"But it's a bit too... gentle for our clientele. Remember, we're dealing with demons and lost souls here. They need something with a bit more kick."

I nod, already thinking of how I could modify the recipe. "I could add a touch of adrenaline essence, maybe? To give it that extra oomph?"

Deus's smile widens. "Now you're thinking like a demonic alchemist. We'll make a proper soultender out of you yet."

As the first rays of the underworld's strange sun begin to seep through the high windows, Deus claps his hands together.

"Alright, that's enough for tonight... or this morning, I suppose. Get some rest. You'll need it for what's coming next."

I nod, suddenly aware again of how exhausted I am. But as I turn to leave, I can't help but look back at the vast array of alchemical wonders surrounding us.

"Deus?" I say, pausing at the foot of the stairs.

He looks up from where he's cleaning the workbench. "Yeah?"

"Thank you. For this opportunity. For teaching me."

For a moment, his gruff exterior softens. "Don't thank me yet, kid. The hard part's just beginning. But... you've got potential. Don't waste it."

As I climb the stairs, my mind is already racing with ideas for new elixirs, new combinations to try. I may be exhausted, but I've never felt more alive.

8

DEUS

The next day her training begins in earnest. The air in the basement laboratory is thick with the acrid scent of brimstone and exotic herbs and charged with possibility. I turn to face Sage. "Listen carefully, hexeblood," I growl, my voice echoing off the stone walls. "You will work every night from dusk till dawn, mastering the secrets of demonic transmutation. Fail, and you're out. Succeed, and you might just survive in this realm. Do I make myself clear?"

Sage nods, a determined set to her jaw. "Yes, Sir. I'm ready."

"We'll see about that," I mutter, gesturing to the array of ingredients spread across the workbench. "We start with the basics. Infernal components are the building blocks of our craft. Each has its own properties, its own... essence, if you will."

I pick up a gnarled, pulsating root. Its surface writhes beneath my touch, as if trying to escape. "Belladonna Infernalis. Harvested from the shores of the River Styx. Highly toxic, even to demons. Used in small quantities, it can induce visions of the damned or drive the imbiber to madness."

Next, I lift a vial of shimmering black powder. The contents seem to absorb the light around it, creating a miniature void. "Abyssal Salt. Crystallized essence of the cosmic void. Highly unstable. A single grain can tear a hole in reality if not handled properly. It's essential in crafting elixirs of planar travel."

I continue, detailing the properties of various components. "Brimstone Petals, plucked from the Flowers of Torment in the Ninth Circle. They amplify pain and suffering when used in potions. Leviathan Scales, shed by the great beast that circles the mortal realm. They grant protection against watery doom and can be used to breathe the waters of the Styx."

Sage listens intently, her fingers twitching as if eager to touch the materials. I notice her eyes lingering on a cluster of softly glowing crystals.

"Ah, you've noticed the Soulfire Quartz," I say, picking up one of the crystals. It pulses with an inner light, warm to the touch. "Formed in the heart of hellfire forges. It acts as a conduit for infernal energies. Crucial for any potion involving soul manipulation or hellfire control."

I set the crystal down and fix Sage with a stern glare. "Now, let's see if you've been paying attention. Grind these Hellfire Pods into a fine powder. Be mindful of their volatile nature."

I push a mortar and pestle towards her, along with a cluster of angry red pods that seem to pulse with inner heat. Sage reaches for them, her hand hesitating for just a moment before grasping one.

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