Page 13 of Sacrificed to the Mountain Demon

As she eats them, her eyes begin to glaze over. Her trembling subsides and is replaced by an eerie calmness. The villagers back away, leaving her alone in the center of the clearing.

My tentacles twitch with anticipation. Part of me wants to charge in, to claim what they've so willingly offered. But another part holds back, wary of this strange ritual and its unknown consequences.

The girl sways on her feet, the effects of the herbs taking hold. Her gaze sweeps across the treeline, unfocused, until suddenly – impossibly – her eyes lock with mine.

A jolt runs through me. For a moment, the world narrows to just us two.

The moment shatters as one of the villagers steps forward, a dirty rag clutched in her gnarled hands. My eyes narrow further and my muscles tighten. What fresh fuckery is this?

The old hag approaches the girl, who sways like a sapling in a storm. Her glazed eyes still seem to seek me out, even as the rag descends over her face.

"What the—" I growl, low and menacing.

The girl crumples to the ground. The villagers gather around her fallen form, muttering and gesturing. My body writhes with agitation. I desperately want to lash out and scatter these pathetic humans like leaves.

But I hold back. Something about this whole goddamn situation doesn't sit right. I've seen plenty of rituals in my time, but this? This is new. And I don't like new. New means unpredictable. Unpredictable means dangerous.

So I wait, watching as they lift the girl's limp body onto a makeshift altar. Her white garment catches the moonlight, making her look like some kind of ethereal offering. Which, I suppose, is exactly what she is.

"Fucking humans," I mutter, flexing my claws. "Always thinking they can buy protection with flesh and blood."

The procession retreats, torchlight flickering between the trees. As the last human disappears from view, I straighten to my full height. Seven feet of muscle and terror. The forest seems to hold its breath around me.

I stride forward. Each step is deliberate and powerful. The clearing beckons straight ahead of me.

As I approach the ritual site, my senses are on high alert. The scent of fear lingers in the air. It's a sweet aroma that makes my mouth water. But there's something else. Something... off.

I pause at the edge of the clearing, scanning for any sign of trickery or trap. These humans may be weak, but they'renot entirely stupid. I've underestimated them before to my own detriment.

Finding nothing immediately threatening, I inhale deeply. The night air fills my lungs, carrying with it the promise of... something. Something new. Something that makes my black skin prickle with an odd excitement.

"Alright," I growl to myself, flexing my tentacles. "Let's see what kind of mess you've left for me this time."

With that, I prepare to step into the clearing, ready to claim what's been offered – and deal with whatever consequences may follow.

I approach the unconscious girl. My footsteps are silent on the forest floor. The moonlight bathes her pale skin, making her look like some ethereal creature rather than a mere human. Every part of my body twitches with curiosity as I crouch beside her.

"Well, well," I murmur, my voice a low rumble in the quiet clearing. "What have we here?"

I lean in, inhaling deeply. Her scent hits me like a punch to the gut. It's intoxicating - a mix of fear, innocence, and something uniquely... her. My mouth waters even more, and I have to forcibly restrain myself from sinking my teeth into her soft flesh.

"Fuck," I growl, shaking my head to clear it. "What the hell is this?"

I've never reacted this way to a human before. They're usually nothing more than prey or annoyances. But this girl... she's different. My tentacles reach out, almost of their own accord, gently brushing a curl from her face.

Her skin is warm under my touch, despite the cold night air. I trace the curve of her cheek, marveling at how delicate she feels. How breakable. And yet, something in me rebels at the very thought of harming her.

"This is insane," I mutter to myself, but I can't seem to pull away.

I slide my arms under her limp form, lifting her effortlessly. She weighs nothing to me. Her head lolls against my chest, and I feel a strange tightening in my gut.

"Alright, little one," I say, my voice gruff. "Let's get you somewhere safe."

I turn towards my cave, cradling her close. The forest seems to part before me, sensing my determination. Nothing will stand in my way. Nothing will harm what is mine.

And she is mine now, I realize with a start. These foolish humans have given her to me, and I'll be damned if I let her go.

As I stride through the trees, I can't help but glance down at her face. Even unconscious, there's a strength there. A resilience. It intrigues me.

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