Falling Into A New Life

by LordAlastrayus

Chapters

Prelude
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 7
Epilogue

Prelude

Hmm

"Hello?... swear I heard something"

Yes or no?

"Who's there?" He asked an empty apartment.

Yes or no?

"Yes or no what? What are you asking?"

Yes or no?

"Where are you! What do you want?"

Yes or no?

"What happens if I say yes or no?"

Yes or no?

"Is that the only thing you can say"

Yes or no?

"All right fine... how about no?"

Are you certain?

"Well, it looks like you can say something else. It's a god damn miracle. No I'm not sure since I have no fucking clue whats going on."

State the answer you are sure of.

"Fine I'll say yes, you happy now."

Enjoy your new life.

"Dafuq are you talking ab-

Chapter 1

-out?" It felt like I was falling. I learned this was true when I felt the very painful landing.

"What the? Halt!" I heard a deep voice command.

"Now who's there... I don't feel well." I replied blurringly before passing out.

You ever regret doing something immediately after you do it? Not some long off thing that comes back to bite you, no I'm talking about immediate realization about how badly you just messed up. This is one of those times. I woke up feeling like someone lit my skull on fire, unable to move, unable to see, and no idea where I was. All things considered I think I reacted quite well.

I made sure to politely let who ever was near know I was awake and slightly uncomfortable. You know like a true gentlemen would. "OW what the fucking shit my head! What the hell I can't see-"I proceeded to test out my surroundings but learned I was restrained for my own safety, how considerate of them. I, of course calmed down so I could learn about my new situation. I wouldn't want my new friends work to have been wasted after all. "-holy shit I can't move, what did you kidnapping piece of shits do to me! Im going to rip your fucking limbs off if you don't let me go! Oh god, why me..."

I next heard a very polite and gruff sounding fellow ask me to relax in a very understanding tone, while he gently stopped me from hurting myself on the restraints. "Stop jerking around like a fish out of water you pansy! If ya don't stop ye squirming than I'll give ya something to squirm about."

Of course I responded as understandingly and politely as I possibly could. "Fuck you, you backwoods neckbeard sounding mother fucker, let me go!"

The gentleman kindly understood my plight and decided to talk about some very reasonable options I might be inclined to choose between. "The hell did ya say bout my mother? You either calm down or I'll castrate ya and use your dick as fish bait you vile creature!"

Just than a very refined women, or so I assumed, tried to help the situation along. "Captain please, the creature is obvisously just scared. Would you kindly calm down so we can discuss and learn from each other? Surely this foolish arguing is getting us nowhere."

The captain sighed heavily and replied "Fine, but if he doesn't stop insulting me and ma mother, I'll give him a real reason to be in the hospital."

Is that where I am... than why am i blinded and restrained? "Alright, I'll leave the insults alone if you would kindly tell me why I'm restrained and blinded."

The captain spoke with laughter failing to hide in his voice "Ehh you can tell em lieutenant. This'll be good."

The lieutenant acknowledged this with a tone of misery. "Well you see... you're currently at the private infirmary in the capital of the Phoenix Empire." She said this with no small amount of pride in her voice" During a routine patrol of me and Gifford here-" so thats the jackass's gentlemen's name "-you suddenly appeared over us and... um."

With an uproar of laughter that worsened my headache Gifford came to her rescue, or so I thought. "You Becking fell right on her head with ur parts! I swear from the way she reacted it was her first time seeing a pair! Ha, oh, he he, It made me entire day that did. And just look at her face, it gets any redder I think she'll pass out just like you did!"

Did his accent just worsen? I actually wanted to see that and in no way was I embarrassed, or wanting to distract them from such a riveting tale. "I would love to see that but, I'm still kinda blinded over here."

"Oh right let me get that for you" he replied as his accent... disappeared? Wtf? And my headaches completely gone.

As he started removing what ever was blinding me the, still nameless, lieutenant continued the story. "Yes well, after the incident we checked you over, to find you had a very bad case of teleportation sickness-"

"Something only cubs get just so you know." Gifford kindly let me know, still, no accent.

"-... yes well as I was saying, before I was rudely interrupted. We found you lying there sick with a very bad case of teleportation sickness rarely seen in adults." Wow, he was telling the truth, shit. Wait hold on did they say teleportation? "As you are an unidentified creature we brought you here to be treated and observed, to determine if you are hostile, and what you're doing here."

With a very level voice of unending calmness and serenity I implored her to continue on such a fascinating subject. "Wait what? Teleportation sickness, unidentified creature? What the hell are you..." The sight that greeted me as Gifford finally removed the restraint blocking my vision, a pony decked out in armor with a weapon strapped to its side, a pony dressed as a nurse standing as far away from me as she could get, with a very nervous expression on her face, and finally, what appeared to be a griffon, also decked out in armor with a very long spear in its hands/talons. But that wasn't the worst part, oh no, right where my body should be was a big black furry thing strapped down to a table. Like any sensible, and normal person, I promptly screamed like a banshie. Which of course startled the griffon, causeing him to take his spear and well... I don't really remember what happened next.

Chapter 2

Well, hello there nobody at all. Welcome to my journal (not a fucking diary screw you). One might be wondering why this isn't at the beginning. Well, it's my journal and no one's reading this anyway, so I can write whatever I want and however I want to. Besides, there's an enchantment I put on this to stop anyone but me from reading it. If you are somehow reading this then, well, you probably murdered me to get it, or for another reason. Good for you, you killed a perfectly upstanding guy. Or I disappeared which still sucks for me. If you killed me, I'm going to haunt your ass for the rest of eternity. If I disappeared, then this better be here when I hopefully get back. If you broke the enchantment than, well, wow. I'm honestly impressed. And very much angry because this took me 3 weeks to learn and was a lot of hard work. And you destroyed that. You are one evil son of a bitch, you know that? Breaking beautiful things and killing wonderful people. What would your mother say? Oh well no one's reading this anyway so... back to my story (which is for my eyes only).

Have you ever done drugs? And I mean the strong hallucinogenics that you can't even tell your on anymore once they kick in. How about getting a minor surgery where they give you some laughing gas? While you're all drugged up you can't really tell, can you? Maybe you know something's off, but you can't really tell what it is. And when it ends, you get that absolute clarity where you know just how badly you were fucked up, and how clearly you can think now. A lot of people hate that moment. When they have to remember all that's pulling them down into their depression. I think that's what makes those drugs so addictive. The need for escape, getting away from all of life's burdens for at least a little while. That's how I felt waking up. That total realization of how much my mind was clouded before. How my reaction speed was lacking, conversation skills and analysis nonexistent.

Well, I'd like to think the neckbeard thing was good. And then in that moment of clarity, I remembered exactly what was said and seen before I passed out, and what I missed until that moment. I was talking to a pony and a griffon. Yep, a mythical creature threatened to castrate me. How cool is that? And... I'm not human anymore. Which is a shock? Before I passed out I saw my body, something furry and black. I'd ask them what I am but I don't think they know either. They said I was an unidentified creature and under observation, that I passed out from something called teleportation sickness. Maybe some government assholes used me as a test subject? I mean, I did say yes to that question. No wonder I was restrained, I'd have done the same thing to some random alien thing I stumbled upon like that. Just because somethings strange doesn't mean you don't help it. Just means you need to be cautious is all. Of course, I more stumbled onto them than they did me... god that's embarrassing. So they brought me to some hospital... I think they said a private one.

I'm under observation so I'm going to need to seem like a completely harmless... whatever I am. Though if I didn't notice before... am I sure my mind isn't still clouded? I know it's better than before but, I'm not exactly panicking over this whole thing. Shouldn't I be feeling more, something? I mean I can still feel stuff but, it's like the emotions are distilled. Like passing through a filter. I... think I need to stop thinking about this for now. I'm still in a probably dangerous situation and being depressed won't help. Am I depressed, though? Am I still me? Right wrong thoughts... need to focus on surroundings.

With a sigh, I slowly opened my eyes and blinked away the blurriness until I could see around me. Upon being able to focus I was met with the sight of a pair of bright, dull, bright... I was looking at a pair of eyes that seemed to go dull, and then vibrant, and back again. They were worn by a face that caused me equal confusion. It was the sophisticated pony from before but, it seemed like there was two of her sharing the same space. One was excited and a little worried while the other... the other seemed malnourished, hollow, and almost lifeless in her suffering. If I focused on one or the other they seemed to become more permanent. I decided to focus on the vibrant one. The inside is depressing enough without the outside joining in. What was I seeing? I wanted to continue that line of thought but was brought out of my musings when she realized I was looking at her, though she was looking at me the entire time so I don't know how she didn't notice sooner.

"Oh my, quite sorry, I didn't notice you were awake." Even her voice switched between lifeless and vibrant. Again I concentrated on the latter. "I'd like to apologize for the startle we gave you earlier. We probably should have guessed you would have an adverse reaction to being beleaguered like so. As you can see I no longer have my uniform on and it's only me in here."

Full on armor with a weapon is just her uniform? I don't think I could handle lugging that around all the time. Also what in the name of all that is holy does beleaguered mean? What's with the big words? "I'd like to thank you for doing so but, I don't know what bearwhatsit means."

"The word is beleaguered, and it means to be surrounded by enemies or soldiers and having no way to escape. That is why you passed out, isn't it? You don't have a previously existing medical condition do you?"

(Hmm, how should I do this. I can try telling the truth, or as much as I know. I might even find a way back home. I'd say there's a good 50/50 chance of me being killed or paid off to stay silent about the whole teleportation thing if it was the government's doing. She's asking if I have a medical condition, so I might be able to use that to my advantage. Though that might be more trouble than it's worth. I'm no doctor. I think I'll go with the whole "bearwhatsit" thing. They would probably consider me insane if I go with the whole "not from this world" shtick. But I don't know anything about here. There's no passing as a normal person... being. Since I'm an unidentified creature I could do the whole primitive wild thing. But that seems degrading. Any other tropes I can think of... AMNESIA! That's it. I'll say I can't remember and use that as an excuse. This is the perfect plan.)

It was then I noticed she was staring at me in concern. I guess taking the time to think to yourself in the middle of a conversation isn't normal around here. Good to know... "I'm sorry miss..." Think of any excuse, cmon you can do this. "I was trying my hardest to remember but, I can't seem to recall anything but my name." (Oh god, why, you didn't have to copy the trope exactly. Not only is that suspicious, but now I'm talking to her differently. It's so obvious somethings up now, I'm screwed.)

"My word, I'm terribly sorry to hear that. And you don't need to call me miss. My name is Fine Manners."

(Ok what is that name, and why isn't she questioning my story. I even put in a tiny British accent there! How can she be so oblivious? You know what. Not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth. Heh... horse.)

"At least you know your name, of which I'd be very happy to be aquatinted with."

(... I really wish she would talk normal. I must seem like an idiot during the extra 3 seconds it takes for me to decipher what language she's speaking. Ok, I can use my actual boring name, or make up an awesome one. I'm in another world so of course, I'm going with the latter, I mean cmon.) "My name is Shade Mystic I think." (Nice.)

She seemed pleased knowing my name, must be an even better name than I thought. "Do you remember if you know any magic? Or if you can use the art?"

(I... think I'm talking to an insane pony. I'm talking to an insane talking pony in another world. Actually, I haven't verified that yet. And I'm not panicking all that much. I mean, my hearts beating a little faster than normal and my muscles are slightly tensed, but other than that I feel normal. There is definitely something wrong, also since when could I feel my heartbeat and muscle tense...ness? Better not leave the insane pony alone for too long, or keep talking to myself.) "I, don't really remember. But what makes you think magic is real?"

Great judging by her look she also thinks I'm insane. "What do you mean? There's magic everywhere you look and in all creatures. Your head must be more damaged than we thought." She said with a concerned look... so I guess she doesn't think I'm insane just brain damaged. Progress? Or is that the same thing?

I need to get this situation under control, who knows maybe there is magic here. "I don't feel very hurt so I doubt that's that case. How would you test if someone had magic anyway?"

"Well, you would use a force stone. It is a stone that forces the user to use a basic spell. If you can't use magic outside your body than the spell will fail. If you can it succeeds, simple as that." I don't like the sound of that, at all.

"If someone can be forced to use a... spell, then can they be forced into other things? I don't like the idea of that."

With a roll of her eyes(quite uncouth if I say so myself tallyho) she replied "Breaking the law is impossible. So you don't need to worry about such things as that."

Umm... what? "How is that?"

"You really don't remember anything do you?" (As far as you need to know... no, I do not.) "Thanks to the contracts, which everyone is required to sign, at the attempt of breaking the law said law breaker will turn to ash."

(This does not sound like the type of society I want to be a part of.) " And you said everyone has to sign them?"

"Yes and don't worry, you'll get to sign one as well once we figure out if you can use magic or not. There are many types of contracts, but the important one is the mage contract. If you can use magic, you will be required to serve within the military for at least 5 years."

(I'm liking this less, and less.) With a lick of dry lips and a swallow for my suddenly parched throat, I nervously responded. "5 years you say? I mean, I don't think I'm even a citizen, so surely I'd be excused from such a thing?" (Please say yes, please oh please say yes.)

"You don't need to worry about that, the signing of whatever contract your issued will make you a citizen."

(Ah dammit. At least I probably won't go in their army. ... is their army just those who can use magic?) "Well, since this is going to be my new na-Empire, I should know more about it. Is it only magic users who join the army?" (Smooth, very smooth.)

"The term is mages, and no, anyone can join. Mages are the only ones required to serve, though. But enough about all that. Since you can't really remember anything, which means asking questions is useless until you do, I recommend taking a nap. You have had a very trying time, and your body could most likely use the rest. I'll be back later with a force stone and the contracts you might need to sign, along with Gifford and a signing demon." (Wait what was that last part?) "See you soon."

And just like that, she left, leaving me with my unanswered question And unlocking the restraints, somehow. Deciding to take her advice, I tried to get into a better position. Thinking now would be the perfect time to know what I am, or at least looked like, I looked closely at my new body. I was long, black, furry, and had a tail. I could see whiskers coming off my face, and paws at the end of my legs. I was a cat! Not only that but I had wings! Bat wings, but if there is magic in this world I'm sure they would work just as well. Overcome with exhaustion I got comfortable and ready to sleep. Just as I was closing my eyes, my headache returned much worse than before. The fire now an inferno. The once pristine room now was now a dirty, and rundown prison cell. I swear I saw skeletons in the corner and flames running through cracks in the floor. The room looked like it was made of black granite, and smoke filled the air. A hole in the wall showed a city that looked much the same. The last thing I could make out, was a terrifying pair of eyes staring straight at me before I passed out once again.

Chapter 3

I awoke from a dream of a dark, disturbing void. For a while I just sat there, going through everything that had happened up to that point. The room I was in seemed darker somehow, it reminded me about my emotions problem. Though after thinking about it... I realized I felt fine. There was no second guessing this time. I actually felt normal. Before when I was emotionless everything seemed bright and happy. Now that I have them it seems dark and gloomy. What's going on here. Not to mention that disturbing dream. That's where I really thought about what had happened so far, and it was a bad idea, I was freaking out.

(I have no idea where I am, some pony thing that can talk is bringing a demon and some magical test thing, and if what I've seen and felt is any indicator, I might have lost more than just my body. Oh yeah... Im not even human anymore. So there's that.)

I... I panicked, horribly. With wild eyes I searched for the answers my mind couldn't give me. With every breath I saw less and less until a black tunnel closed around my eyes. It was simply to much.

Next when I awoke I was much calmer. I noticed I was on the floor, guess in all the panicking I must have fallen off. Looking towards the door, I heard someone approaching. With the few seconds I had, I managed to climb back into the bed and pretend to be asleep, just before the door opened. I heard two different voices whispering as they entered.

(Ok I just need to act rationally. They think I have amnesia, I am going to be forced to do some job against my will, and everyone seems a little insane. So I just need to treat everything they do as normal, and don't act any more suspicious than a random creature teleporting from nowhere already is... I'm screwed)

As they neared me I started to pay attention to what was being said. They were talking about how the testing would go, things like that. It sounded like the pony from before and someone new. Her voice once again sounded lifeless and dull, but whoever she was with, had emotion in their speech. Even though I would't exactly call it vibrant. Focusing once again on their conversation, I caught the end of whatever Fine was talking about.

"-awake by now, I'm truly sorry." I think she was talking about me. Maybe I'll be able to learn something.

"It's all right, Im sure it couldn't be helped. However, I think it would be best if we begin." Judging from the deeper voice I'm guessing he's male. Sounds kinda pretentious though.

"Of course, I'll wake him up now."

I decided to wait for the second shake before I responded. "Mmm... who's there?"

"I have brought a signing demon, and the mage stone. It is time for you to test." She whispered.

Yep it's definitely fine. Though why is she whispering? Her voice had a tone of awe when she said signing demon. Aren't demons supposed to be servants to do your bidding? Maybe this demon's owner is important? "Ok, let's get started than."

Hearing this the demon spoke up. "Yes, that would be best. Although I've never seen a creature like you, Ms. Fine, are you sure it will even work. I would hate for this to have wasted my time."

"He is sentient, so it should. Disposal is always an option if required." She reassured hurriedly.

(Wow like I'm not even here. Wait what?) "Umm... excuse me but what do you mean disposal?"

"Well, without a contract signed we can't guaranty you won't break a law. Such unsavory types aren't allowed to exist here."

(Because that isn't evil and tyrannical sounding in any way.) "That sounds like a very good way to rid yourselves of crime."

"That's right, crime has been close to non existent since the Renewal."

"Renewal?" (That sounds interesting.)

Before she could respond, the demon interrupted. "Enough, proceed with the testing."

"Of course sir, right away."

As Fine rushed to placate the demon she pulled a funny looking crystal, among other things, and started setting them around the floor. Once she moved I finally got a good look at the 'demon'. It was smaller than I expected, maybe around 2 or 3 feet tall. He looked like someone took a pug, mashed its fat around than made it stick, dyed it red and ripped out patches of skin and fur. I was absolutely disgusted. He unfortunately noticed my revulsion.

"You, creature, why are you making that face?"

(Gotta think fast, gotta think fast, ok he is super pretentious and shit so I just need to play off that.) "I'm terribly sorry but, I just realized I haven't gotten to brush my teeth and I would hate to have bad breath around such guests." (Wait, what if they don't have toothbrushes and stuff like that here... shit.)

"Well, at least you know your place. Hurry up with the equipment. I want this done as fast as possible."

"Right away sir."

As Fine, who he still hasn't called by name, rushed to do his bidding I quietly stewed in anger. (Why that worthless piece of demonic trash. I try to be fucking respectful and he turns it back on me.) Before I could start planning revenge, Fine had finished setting up the equipment.

"Alright just come over here and we can get this over with, and you onto your new life."

You know, it's really freaky hearing someone say something like their excited in a monotone voice. It just sounds so wrong. (Guess now is the big moment.) "So, what do I do?"

"Well it's quite simple, here let me walk you through it.-" I noticed the demon had left to go wait in the hall. (I guess he doesn't care about the results.) "- First we check if you can use magic. We do this with the mage stone. If you can't, than you will be sent to the laborer's school to learn your new trade. After signing a contract for it of course. If you can we than test to make sure you aren't a feral-"

Being who I am, the second she said something interesting I immediately interrupted. "Wait, can you tell me more about that?"

"Umm, yes I suppose I can. A few years after the renewal-" There that is again. "- feral demons started to pop up. A feral demon is born when something goes wrong with their summoning, and instead of being transported to the emperor to swear allegiance, they appear randomly in the empire, with no memories to speak of. Sound familiar?"

(The way she's talking it sounds like demons aren't servants at all, yet she said they swear allegiance to the emperor.) "Why do the demons swear themselves to the emperor?"

"Right, I forgot you don't remember a thing. You see, the emperor himself is what's known as a demon lord. After he conquered the old empire, demons have been swearing to him so that they can have a place here in our world, ruling beside him. But enough of that, we don't want to keep Sir Abboth waiting."

(Wow, that makes a lot more sense. The demons aren't the servants, they're the masters. Wait, what Abboth said before about the contracts not working... he's a demon, and Fine was talking about me being sentient required. I... I think these contracts are selling ones soul. How else do they keep absolute control? And anyone who won't sell them their soul is... 'disposed of'. Guess I'm going to die, because I am not selling my soul to a fucking demon, and I wouldn't want to live in a world as fucked as this one.) "Yes... let's hurry. No point in delaying it."

"Excellent, first please touch the mage stone." As I touched it I felt a weird pulling sensation. Like something being pulled through my body, around where I'd guess my heart would be. I watched in awe as the stone turned bright and let out a beautiful white light. "It seems you can indeed do magic. We are always in need of mages, so this is great news. Now, just stand within this pentagram to make sure you aren't a feral."

I looked to see Fine had made a pentagram on the floor with many different symbols in and around it. As I walked in, I asked myself something. (What if I'm a demon? This is a new body, so I guess it would be possible but... don't demons burn in hell? I've always tried to be good, and I would never sell my soul, even if it cost me my life. So what would I do if I already lost it?) Turns out I would need to answer that question pretty quickly, as the pentagram and all its symbols glowed a bright scarlet red.

"Ahh it seems you are a feral. Well, it is a little disappointing we won't be getting another mage. They have become so rare. Sir Abboth! It seems he is a feral!"

I noticed Abboth walk back in. He said some things I didn't bother to hear, he actually seemed to have become interested now. The pentagram slowly grew brighter as he started to chant. The world around me was slowly turning more and more red. When I tried to leave the pentagram, I walked into a barrier keeping me in. As the shock set in, the only thing going through my mind was asking myself what I had done to become a monster. (I went to church. I asked for forgiveness for my sins, and I never did anything demon worthy. Don't people end up like this only after contracts and deals and shit? What did I ever do! I've done my best to help others my entire life! Why, why is this happening to me?) The answer came to me as I once again lost consciousness. I said yes.

Chapter 4

I woke up with a shiver. I was laying on top of a pentagram that looked just like the one Fine made. I was in a dark, cold and damp cell. However, thanks to my new eyes I could see just fine. There was a comfortable bed over in the corner, and a toilet across from it. After relieving myself, I laid down atop the bed, thinking about my situation.

(I thought demons were nobility and shit, so why am I in cell, albeit a very comfortable one. Dammit, why did I have to say yes. Was it just me being cocky? And why me in the first place. What makes me so special? Heh... maybe I'm just the only idiot who didn't say no.)

After a few hours, a guard finally came for me. He was a tall stallion with a brown coat and blue mane. His mane had a streak of white going through it, and he was wearing red armor with yellow markings. He seemed almost respectful as he approached me. "Excuse me sir, I have been asked to take you before the emperor."

"Alright than, I'll just follow you." (Looks like it's time to meet the big guy. I'm either going to die, or become his follower. What do I care anyway. This is the rest of my eternity. I suppose if I die i'll go straight to hell. I don't think they let demons into heaven.)

With a sigh of acceptance and defeat, I followed the guard. We went up many flights of stairs, and through twisting hallways and corridors. By the time we arrived I was extremely exhausted, even the guard I was with looked strained. From what I saw the castle had a very archaic design. If I wasn't in such a foul mood I probably would have enjoyed seeing it. Though, the fact the beings here seem decently advanced, with working plumbing and medicine, I have to wonder how long this castle has been here. As we got closer I was a little surprised. We weren't at some huge and impressive door, but just a simple wooden door with some pretty carvings in it. Maybe the emperor wouldn't be so bad. There was two guards on either side of the door. Their armor was much more impressive than the one who guided me. Their armor was black with a very intricate looking red design around it. It reminded me of something a demon would wear in a video game. Like dark souls or something. Looking between them it was obvious who outranked who. With a look at us as we arrived they just nodded and opened the door. As I walked in they shut it just as fast, and I swear I heard a lock. Though it might have just been my paranoia.

"Ahh, so you're the new feral, over here Shade."

As my gaze past over the room, I was beyond shocked. This wasn't a throne room, personal room, or any other type of room I would have guessed. This was a torture chamber. Every type of torture device you ever saw? It was here. There were even some I didn't recognize. Actually most of them were things I had never seen. And than I saw him, my new body was between 4 and 5 feet tall. The emperor was about 8. Almost double my height. He looked like a centaur, but with absolutely no hair, pale reddish skin, and muscles bulging everywhere grotesquely. His body was bigger in some places and smaller in others, making him look like a stuffed animal nightmare that a child rightly beat.

(If demons are normally horribly hideous, than I want to see a mirror. Because apparently I had to be soulless and ugly.) "Uhh... hi."

"Well, I haven't gotten that response before. Please come and sit by me."

"Umm alright I guess." His voice sounded like a mixture between Morgan Freeman and a cat thrown into a fire. He was sitting on an upturned torture wheel. You know the one where they spin you super fast and throw knives at you? I don't care if its in a circus that is cruelty incarnate, no one should be made that dizzy. Bad memories aside I sat across from him on a stained chair. Im fairly certain the stain was blood.

"So do you like my toys?"

"They're... interesting."

"Relax, only those who anger me in some way are brought here. I find it to be a great stress reliever. Now you're probably wondering why I brought you here. You don't need to worry. You're going to be fine. This is what's going to happen. I'm going to see what your alignment is. That will tell me what class of demon you are. There is the slave caste, one of which you have met. They are incredibly weak demons, and are given a name based on what they do. Abboth means agreement, so that is the name of signing demons. Slave caste demons are referred to by 'Sir' by the empire's subjects. You can learn more about that from any slave caste demon you come to posses. Don't worry, you obviously aren't one. You are much to big to be, plus you can use magic. Next are the Lesser demons. They have a medium amount of strength, and have the potential to rise to be higher. I will tell you about that in a little while. You are most likely a Lesser demon, but don't worry, as I said you can still become Greater."

(Wow gee, all my dreams have come true. I won't remain a Lesser demon forever. Eventually I'll be an even GREATER DEMON! Wouldn't my mother be proud.) "That's good to know"

"Indeed. The subjects refer to Lesser demons as duke or duchess. Next are Greater demons, referred to as Grand duke or Grand duchess. They have a higher amount of magic and power, because they either managed to hold on to all of their emotions when they were born, or they devoured the power of other demons to rise up. The three ways to grow stronger as a demon, is to either learn and study your magic, get mortals to sell you their souls, or devour the hearts of other demons that were close to you or greater than you in strength. Now before you run off and kill some other demon, you should know we have rules in place for such things. We had a coliseum built to host these fights, because property damage was becoming quite severe. Now you either need to find someone who agrees to a fight, or just enter the coliseum and be put up against a random opponent. Trading for souls is also unavailable since all souls go to me. Now let us talk about what an alignment is. Demons are naturally aligned with a type of magic. Whether this is something simple like fire, shadows, or lightning. It can also be something complicated like time, space, or gravity. A Lesser demon will have one alignment, and a Greater demon will have two. However the slave caste doesn't have any, we don't really think of them as fellow demons because of this, hence the slave thing. Lastly is being the demon lord. A demon lord is a Greater demon that managed to conquer a universe, and trade for all its residents souls. There is nothing stronger than a demon lord. So before you ask, yes, I am the strongest being here and I could turn you to ash faster than you can register what I just said. Now than are you ready to test once again?"

(Wow... that is a ton of information to take in, and kinda terrifying. Thank god I'm not a slave demon. So basically I'm going to have to devour other demons if I want to rise in the hierarchy. Though I'm kinda questioning if I really want to rise in a hierarchy of demons. I guess it could maybe be worse? I just have to stay positive. He did say I can just spend my time learning magic right? That... doesn't sound like a bad eternity to me.) "Yeah, I'm ready, but can I know more about what will happen based on what I am, and why having emotions means being stronger?"

"Ha, I didn't mean that. The demons that are born Greater are stronger because they proved themselves strong enough to hold onto their emotions. Because they had great strength of mind, they are given great strength of body as well. Now, once we see what class you are, you will be sent to the academy for demons. There you will learn and study your alignment or alignments. Please come and place your... paw, here."

He directed me to what looked like a stone pillar, layered with flash balls and covered with ruins. On each glass ball there was a picture. When I touched the circle he pointed me to, two of the glass balls glowed. One had the picture of a snowflake while the other had the picture of a fire. (Guess I shouldn't be too surprised. I do have my emotions again.)

"Well, isn't that interesting. It seems you are a Greater demon after all. And quite the alignment to, ice and fire are opposites, so it's very rare to see somedemon with them both as alignments. Now before I send you off, have you been seeing two different versions of the world?"

"Actually I have. I was really confused about that but, I just thought I was going crazy."

"Hardly, you see a greater demon can see souls and imprints. What you saw was how the person's soul looks. Places that are travelled often will take a resemblance to you based on how those who traveled it felt. So a cemetery will feel and look especially gloomy. I asked because I wanted to make sure there wasn't a mistake with the machine. Any other questions before I send you off?"

"How many demons are there here?"

"That is a very good question, there is currently 1 demon lord, a few hundred thousand Greater demons, a few million Lesser, and no one cares about the slave caste."

"How... how big is the empire?"

"Why my dear cat didn't you hear me? This world is my empire. I emperor Frost Phoenix welcome you to my empire, and I bid you farewell."

His hand felt like decay smells. I couldn't help but shudder and blink when he placed it on my head, when I opened my eyes I was standing in another pentagram. I barely had enough time to glance around the room before I was being pulled out the door, by a very impatient looking demon.

chapter 5

Things have gotten pretty interesting right? I know I think so, in case you didn't notice the many times my name was mentioned, which wouldn't be surprising you probably suck, my name is Shade mystic. Please, don't enjoy my story and break a leg. Not for luck or something like that, just for my amusement.

Have you ever had someone drag you by your wing? Well, it hurts. After Emperor Frost transported me here, and I was immediately dragged from the room. The demon that dragged me, was actually kinda normal looking. Well, normal compared to others I've seen. She looked like an anthropomorphic wolf. She was a grayish color with blue eyes, and a few feet taller than me. When she tugged again I pulled my wing from her grasp. "That was very painful and I can walk by myself thank you."

"Sure you can, well what type are you. I need find you a room and give you your schedule. Which I won't know until you tell me so hurry up." Her voice sounded absolutely horrible. Like hearing the sound of shattering glass, through a boombox with lots of subwoofers.

"F- the emperor said I was a greater demon."

She looked at me sharply when I almost called the emperor by his first name, before walking away quickly. We passed more demons than I could count. They all had some kind of clothing on, with either a G or L stitched into it. Im guessing thats how they show what demon is what. I saw the wolf leading me had a G stitched into a wristband she wore. I guess she's a greater demon to.

"Here we are. This is the dorm for greater demons. What are your alignments?"

"Ice and fire." She actually looked impressed when I said that. Cool.

"Hmm, well your alarm will wake you up tomorrow at eight. You will find clothes to wear on your desk. You are required to wear at least one item so you may be identified correctly. After you are dressed, your door will open to the room of your new teacher. After you learn the basics and are caught up, you will be given a new schedule. Class will end between four and five every afternoon. After that you have free time to study, till lights out at eleven. Any questions?"

"Just the one, what time is it now?"

"Time for you to go to sleep, good night Mr. Shade."

"Night..." (Didn't even tell me her name. Maybe I should have asked that instead.)

With that she turned around and left. I decided to check out my new living arrangements. I was very impressed. There was a queen sized bed in the middle of the back of the room. On either side were dressers. They were made of white marble with ivory drawers. Above each was a beautiful mirror. Bookshelves filled with cool looking books lined both sides of the room, and a desk also made of white marble stood by the door. On the other side of it was another door. I assumed it went back into the hall, but somehow it opened into a bathroom. There was a bathtub, sink, and walk in shower, all made of white marble. They must really like white marble here. There was even a mosaic on the ceiling depicting a sunset. This was the best room I had ever seen. If this is how a demon lives, than I don't know what I was so worried about. All I need to do is not accept a challenge to the stadium and I'm set for eternity. After looking around I went to go to sleep. However I bolted from my bed when I saw the same eyes from before, just watching me from the dark. After getting a better look, I saw there was nothing there. After my heart slowed back down, I tried to go sleep again.

A horrible beeping sound woke me up. It felt like I only got 5 minutes of sleep. When I glanced around for it the sound stopped. When I tried to go back to sleep it started up again. I was wrong. This is hell. They have alarms I can't turn off or shush. Only demons could come up with something that wretched. I finally gave up trying to sleep and went to my new desk. There were many different kind of clothes just laying on it. Kinda creepy that something was in my room while I was sleeping. I chose a black armband with a red G stylized on it. I was thinking about how cool it looked, when I realized I can actually look at me now. I have mirrors. As I slowly walked to one of the mirrors, I couldn't help but worry I looked horrible. I was pleasantly surprised, I was a badass looking black panther, with red eyes and batwings. I started moving my wings around to get a feel for them when I remembered, this is a new body. I used to be bipedal and wingless. How can I walk normally and control my wings? I guess my mind really was altered, but by how much? Deciding to take my mind off of thoughts like those, since I can't do anything about them, I tried to see if my new wings would let me fly. With a great flap... I woke up on my back, the alarm beeping again, and a new dent the shape of my head in the ceiling. Before my eyes however, it slowly fixed itself. I sat up, expecting a headache, but it never came.

(Well, I am a demon now, maybe I heal really fast?) With that thought I decided to see for myself. I took my paw and slammed it down on my desk as hard as I could, which in hindsight was very stupid. Just because I might be able to heal fast, doesn't mean I don't get hurt in the first place. After a few seconds of immense pain and swearing, both the indent in my desk and my paw were both fixed. Then, I had another awesome thought. (What if I had been wrong about healing, and I broke my paw and had to deal with that, or if my desk couldn't fix itself like the ceiling. Because that would be fun explaining to my new teacher. Oh sorry teach, I wanted to see if I could heal really fast so I broke my paw against my desk. My bad, I'll try not to do it again. Oh and can I have a new desk? I broke mine, oops. Wait how did I eve hurt the desk? I have to fucking much to think about right now.)

With a sigh I went to the bathroom, and freshened up, only to discover I never took my armband off. So now thats soaking wet. I put it back on my desk and grabbed another like it. Deciding to leave before I somehow screw up even more, I opened my door, and went to meet my new teacher.

The room I somehow entered instead of the hall, was very similar to mine. It had the same layout and everything. Bed, desk, bookshelves and dressers.

"Hi there!"

"ahh what the fuck!" Apparently my knew teacher has a sense of humor, because she fell to the floor laughing about being able to scare me. Or, because I flapped my wings instinctively, and left a dent on her ceiling to. Great start so far. "What was that for?"

"Ha, I can't believe you're so jumpy. That was for existing. Thanks to you I have to wait to go on my break."

(She just said she's unhappy I exist, with a smile on her face, and in a friendly manner. What... the... fuck.) "Umm," (How do I respond to that?)

"Don't *hic* worry about it. Give m*hic* a sec."

(What? She's supposedly a demon, and she laughed hard enough to give herself hiccups.) It took about 5 min for her to calm down enough to talk again. I spent that time looking her over. She looked like a bigger version of a fox, around my size. She had blue and purple fur, and gold eyes with slits for pupils. She even had three big bushy tails. (How is that demonic? It's like someone took something from any anime, and made a life-sized plushy. Every other demon I've seen has something demonic about them.) "Are you sure you're a demon?"

All of a sudden all the laughter and joy melted away, being replaced by unbridled fury. "What did you just say? So you think just because I don't look scary I can't be a demon? You think just because I like to laugh I can't be demonic?" I was no longer thinking any such things. Bitch was scary. After every word she inched closer and closer to my face. "If you don't watch your mouth, than I'm going to show you the meaning of demon. Do you understand me?"

Gulp "Yes.

"Good, now lets get to learning!" And just like that she was back to being chipper and happy. Like that conversation never even happened. (I guess just because they don't have a physically demonic trait, doesn't mean their mind isn't demonic. This chicks fucking insane.)

"Well, that wasn't very nice at all. And yes, all demons have something demonic about them. Whether it's their body or mind, it's there."

(Did... did she just read my mind?)

"Why, yes I did. My alignments are electricity and illusion. Since both of these affect the mind, I found a way to combine them to read the minds of others. You'd be surprised at how many different types of magic you can use with a little ingenuity."

"Wow that is amazing, and how would one go about blocking something like that?"

"Why, don't want me in your mind? Relax, I can't do the spell for very long. I only started using it because you were ogling my body while I was indisposed. I wanted to know what kind of pervy things you were coming up with. Since you seem to have trouble thinking of some..." She than walked up and rubbed her side along mine, and in the most lecherous voice I have ever heard she said. "I could help you come up with some ideas... just kidding! Now that my revenge is complete, sit at the desk."

"I, uh, wah?" Nailed it.

"At this rate, this will be even more fun than my break!" She said with a giggle.

As I sat down at the desk, she set three books down on top of each other.

"I need you to read through these three before I can really start teaching you. Have fun."

She left... she walked out the door and left. (I guess I should start studying than. I mean, it's learning magic, how bad could it be?

The answer is pretty fucking bad. The first book was 'Magic theory for beginners'. The first few chapters were interesting. They talked about the different types of magic, and how to see the connections between them. Like wind and fire. Fire uses up air, so if you add in the wind magic, you can increase the rate your flame can grow. You can also combine earth and fire magic, to create magma. Basically, you take the different types of magic, and combine them in ways that relate to how they interact naturally. Than I reached a page called magic theory for intermediates. It started showing different runes and talked about transferring your magic around or something to get around the laws of nature. I couldn't handle it and moved on to a different book.

This book was called 'Basic runes: All you need to know'. It talked about making your own runes and shit, while giving you examples you can use. Apparently it's all about envisioning how the rune works and what it does with your magic, while creating a picture that represents that. That way instead of holding all of that in your head, you just memorize the rune for the same effect. It talked about spells that could take days to cast, only taking an hour instead. I tried to learn as much as I could, since runes were obviously insanely important. But just like before I could only make it so far before it was to advanced.

The final book was the worst. Not because it was challenging or anything, just because of what I learned. Ignorance really is bliss. The book was called 'History of the empire: The renewal'.

Before our glorious empire took control of Eques, there were others. These 'nations' constantly bickered and fought, over the smallest of things. Eventually the nations agreed to peace, and an era of prosperity began. The world grew more advanced and life became easier. Thrn one day, a mighty spirit took control of the world, spreading complete and utter chaos. The creature's name, was discord. Under his rule, the sky rained chocolate, animals grew and shrank, apples were eaten backwards, or might even eat you. The world was devastated. Almost all the progress they had gotten over the years was lost to them. His horrible rule lasted for centuries until two, beautiful sisters discovered a weapon of capable of sealing discord in stone.

However, he never gave them the chance to use it. Discord stole and hid away the weapon, where the sisters would never find it. In their anguish, the elder sister reached out to the other worlds for aid. Though be warned reader, for doing such a thing can come at the highest of prices, as anything you can imagine and even beyond that could come answering. Thankfully for their world, it was the mighty Frost who answered them. This powerful greater demon offered his help, in exchange for the signatures of every sentient creature they could get. When asked why he wanted this, Frost stated it was because he was very old.

The sisters were at first confused, before he explained further. He had trouble remembering things that happened long ago, and wanted the signatures so he could remember the names of those he helped to save. He requested that they be told he would be getting their signatures though. The oldest sister, in her innocence, found his reasons to be inspiring. Much to his delight. And so, after weeks of travel, the two sisters returned with the signatures of almost every sentient creature on the planet. Once Frost had them, he asked to be invited into their world. Once again the sisters were confused, until Frost told them it was out of politeness. That he simply didn't want to intrude without permision. The sisters being as trusting as they were, welcomed their ally.

Frost immediately left and found the weapon they sought. The two sisters were mystified. They asked "Mighty Frost, how did you find the weapon so quickly?" And he answered them "Elegant sisters, I could sense its great power. Now hurry, before discord realizes what has transpired." With a word of thanks, the two sisters left to defeat discord. With the element of surprise they managed to trap him in stone, but when they turned around, they saw mighty Frost behind them. "Dearest Frost" they said. "we have won and it's all thanks to you. Are you sure there is nothing else we can do for you?"

And Frost answered them in kind. "Yes dearest sisters, I never got your signatures. Would you please sign this for me?" Thinking that it was the same signed paper as before, they signed it without reading. Thinking it was only their new friend being sentimental. If they had bothered to look closely, they would have seen the ruins that covered the page, hiding themselves and what the page actually said. But they did their job well. What they had signed was no friendly memorial, but a contract to trade away the souls of all who had trusted them with their signatures, and that of their future children. Now as you may or may not know dear reader, a contract must have a price, but it also needs to have a reward. Though it isn't always a reward something wants. You see, dear reader, the sisters were ageless.

And some such beings eventually tire of their existence. So once they signed the paper, most of the world found itself without ownership of their own souls, and the sisters, with their curse removed. They looked upon Frost in confusion, as the weight of their lives came crashing down upon them. Before they could say a single word, they turned to dust. As you can imagine, this game as quite the shock to the world. Their souls and saviors gone, in the blink of any eye. Out of outrage, the world rebelled. The newly made demon lord Frost, used his newfound strength to tear a hole into this world, summoning more of his fellow demons, and together they conquered the world, destroying all the places that dared to fight back. From the ruins and ashes rose the empire, just like a phoenix. And so it was named. All hail emperor Frost Phoenix, of the Phoenix empire, conquer of Eques.

The book went on to talk about improvements that Frost made. How he brought back technology, and helped to make all beings lives easier. It just kept on talking about the great things he has done, but I no longer cared. When fox girl came and told me I was done for the day, I just set down the book and left quietly. The door brought me to my room, and I spent the rest of the night thinking about that story, what I've become, and if I'd ever become like frost. It wasn't long before I was trying to sleep away those thoughts. Eventually I succeeded.

Chapter 6

The next few days went by in a blur for me. I found out my teacher's name is Alderra, and I learned that to use magic you need mana. Mana is made and held in the heart for a demon. The stronger the demon, the faster their heart can make mana, and the more mana they can hold. When a demon consumes the heart of another demon thats close or greater to them in strength, they also absorb the mana they have and use it to increase the mana they can hold. However, the mana you already have will try to fight off the new mana. So if you eat a demon with too little mana, their mana will be destroyed before it can make you stronger.

I also got through magic theory for intermediates. Though it was harder than it should have been, with her constantly playing pranks on me. Turns out you use runes to manage how your magic behaves. It was explained to me like this. Take fire and ice for example. One makes things hot, the other makes them cold. Normally, if you tried to mix them the spell would fizzle out and you would waste a ton of mana. The fire half would try to change the cold half so it caused heat, and the cold half would do the opposite to the fire. Both halves would try to maintain their own way of naturally doing things at the same time. So you would have your spell waste a bunch of magic from trying to both change itself and keep itself the same. Which is a paradox and can't happen, so if you tried doing that in a fight you're basically going to die.

Now, the way fire magic normally works, is to use oxygen once cast to cause combustion and spread heat. Ice magic draws in heat. With the right runes and commands, you can make the outside of the flame use ice magic, causing it to drawn in the heat nearby. You than change the fire magic on the inside of the flame, to only direct heat inwards instead of in all directions. Doing this gives you the spell frost fire. Making the area around your target freezing cold and effectively incinerating your target. Imagine all the heat in an area focused into one spot. Whatever you just used it on is most likely nothing but ash. The downside of casting spells like these, is you have to focus and only let the two halves of the spell intermingle to a certain degree. You also have to hold onto the runes in your head and use mana to give them power, so they can command and change your spell. A frost fire flame the same size has a normal one requires five times the mana, and unlike a normal flame, actually requires mana to maintain. Because of this, you have to be able to maintain the spell if you really want to do damage. Intermediate spells require a lot of mana, so only greater demons can even use them. They also require more than one alignment though, so I guess only greater demons can use them either way.

After I got the theory for all that down, Alderra took the book away saying the next part would be useless to me until I can properly cast spells. Instead she gave me another rune book, detailing how to begin making my own ruins. To make a rune, you have to picture completely and utterly, what that ruin does when you draw it. It's highly recommended to keep all runes that do similar things well, similar. That makes it easier to memorize them. To make a rune work as best as possible, you also need all the lines to connect in some way, you can't have a line just end. A good example of what you want is a circle, triangle, or rectangle. You get the picture. You can even have a triangle within a circle, with another circle thats half in and half out. As long as the lines don't just end, it can be anything. When I asked why, Alderra said it was to prevent the magic from leaking. If you wrote a rune down for enchanting, and lets say it was a d, the magic you put into the rune would slowly leak out of the top part. If you used an O, than the magic would flow through it endlessly. Well, until it got used up for whatever you needed it for. When I finished a rune for both fire and ice, Alderra left and came back with a bowl filled with straw.

"What's that for?" I asked looking at the bowl.

"It's for you to practice magic on. I want you to light the straw on fire, then put it out." She said setting it down.

"Finally, at the rate we were going I thought I'd be learning advanced magic before I even cast a single spell."

"Yeah, I know it sucks, but the reason you had to memorize intermediate theory is your alignments."

"What do you mean?" I asked with a confused expression lining my face.

"Well, most demons can combine their magic right of the bat. They won't need intermediate stuff until they figure out how they can branch off their magic. You however, already have two different types of mana that can't normally mix. So the quickest way for you to learn magic, was to learn how to be able to use your magic, instead of just wasting mana on spells that won't work, since your mana would eat itself without you properly controlling, and separating it. Now no more questions, let's see if you can manage."

I walked over to the bowl and sat down, taking another look at the two runes a wrote down. I focused on the beat of my heart, and imagined one half was filled with blue blood, and the other red. I then imagined some of the red blood was flowing form there into my paw, than out it through the air. The blood passed through a floating rune before touching the straw. Feeling a flash of heat, I opened my eyes to see the straw was on fire. Next I repeated the process, but this time with the ice rune, and blue blood. When I opened my eyes I saw the fire was out, and the bowl was lightly covered with frost. Strangely though, I could still sense my heart, and I could feel how much 'blood' was left for both sides. I asked Alderra about it.

"That's because you just connected with both your mana pools. You're now in tune with them, so you can tell how much is there."

She had a very excited look on her face, maybe she takes pride in her work? "What's got you so excited?"

"You'll be caught up soon, and at the rate you're going I just might be able to relax before the academy starts up again."

(That's weird, why are there still so many demons here if they're on break?)

"The academy is just the name for this part of the city. All demons who are still just learning magic live in this section. It's not unusual to see them lounging about in the halls."

"For the last time, please stop reading my mind."

"Actually that time I just guessed, the look on your face said it all." She said with a very amused expression.

That was way to accurate to be a guess. (You are the least demonic demon ever to demon.) I thought while looking at her closely. Yep, theres the eye twitch. "HA, I knew you were reading my mind."

"Alright fine, so what if I was. I'm your teacher and I make the rules. What does 'to demon' even mean? That isn't even a thing!'

"You're just mad I caught you."

"Shut up and go work on your runes!"

I went back to work with a smile on my face. (You know what, she may be a demon but she's still a pretty good friend.) It had been days since that story had crossed my mind. Recently I even found myself being attracted to some of the demons I saw in the hall, the few times I looked out of my room. At first I had another breakdown, but I quickly thought of it as a blessing. I would most likely never find love in one of them but, I'd rather not be a virgin for eternity. I was waiting for marriage before this, but I don't exactly have to worry about the small sins like that anymore, being a demon an all. (Has a nice ass to.) I thought with a glance behind me.

"You aren't so bad yourself Shade, and thanks for the compliment."

"... Mind reading is fucking unfair."

"Oh, don't say that, how else will I know your favorite positions?" With a saucy wink, and a laugh, she turned around and went back to reading.

(Focus on the runes, focus on the runes, focus on the runes, don't think of anything but the runes.)

"Ooh I like that one, kinky."

(God fucking dammit!)

I spent the next twenty minutes trying to work on runes, while listening to her never ending giggling.

"Dang, looks like class time is over. But it's fine, I'm sure you have some pent up... frustrations you need to relieve. And hey, if you're good tomorrow..." She slowly walked up to me, in a very feminine way. "I might even let you stay."

In my rush to leave, I accidentally pushed some fire mana into my face, making her laugh even more. Yep, that's what it was.

The next couple days were spent much the same way. Alderra made sure I always knew she wanted to have some fun, but never initiated anything. I made some more runes,and applied them to make spells. I even managed to pull off three of them. The classic fireball was my favorite. Though Alderra was pissed at my bad aim. Her dresser fixed itself quickly, but I burnt half her clothes. Not that she ever wore any clothes anyway. She kept saying she might have at some point, but I didn't believe her. I also created an AOE freeze spell, but it drained most of my ice mana, and only worked on a small area. So as long as my enemies stay perfectly still, and don't try to move, than I can freeze them. Yeah that one isn't very useful. The last, and most impressive by far, was a defensive spell. When I accidentally light the dresser on fire, I tried to use the first ice spell I learned to put it out. In my panic, I tripped while still pulling the mana, right into the dresser. Thankfully I didn't get burned. Instead, I felt my ice mana pool slowly shrinking, as it was used up to keep me from getting to hot. That's right, I discovered how to be immune to the heat and cold, completely by accident. Unfortunately, I was to excited to keep watching how much I had left. Now, I just tried out the failure ice spell before this, so I only had little ice mana to work with, which became zero pretty quickly. Imagine my surprise when the fire I was laughing at started to burn me, before Alderra put it out with a bucket of water.

After giving me some burn ointment and a lecture, she sent me back to my room for the day, even though I was already mostly healed. She also told me where I could find the books in my room, so I could study while I rest. I spent the day just making and memorizing runes. Before I went to sleep, I had twenty-three runes written down, along with what they were supposed to do.

Alderra surprised me the next day. She said I was close to catching up to the other first years. She told me that having 20 runes, and being able to cast 6 spells is required of every first year. I just needed to be able to cast one more spell. She also said she had a surprise for me if I was successful and sent me back to my room again. I spent the entire day thinking of a new spell, and then practicing it once I did. I fell asleep completely and utterly confident in my abilities to perform the spell, and very curious about what her surprise was going to be.

Chapter 8

My eyes scoured the new landscape after I stepped into my pentagram. Her side was more or less flat ground, with white fluffy clouds in the air. Mine was a frozen tundra littered with burning trees. I brought a spell to mind, and waited for the bell to ring. When I finally heard it toll, I cast as fast as possible. Instead of holding all the required runes in my head, I spoke a word made to represent them, and simply directed where I wanted it to go. The spell was just a bigger version of my first ice spell, made to freeze the ground beneath her feet.

"Frost!" I watched as she completed her spell, and seemed to blur to the side, before crashing to the ground and tumbling a good distance. I was shocked at how fast she could move, but got over it just as quickly. I grabbed the fire from one of the trees and whipped it at her, setting her fur ablaze. With a cry of pain she took of again, putting the fire out with her speed. I saw the direction she was running toward and turned the moisture in the air to ice, impaling her, or so I thought. I watched in confusion as she dissipated like mist, before I was sent flying to the side. I felt my broken ribs heal themselves as I stood back up. Looking back to where I used to be. I saw Alderra grinning at me.

"I'm sorry did that hurt? You should really be more careful."

I tried hitting her with a fire whip again, but like before she wasn't really there. I heard her laughter all around me as I took to the sky. At first it was shaky, but I quickly evened out. Looking down I was surprised to just see her sitting on the ground, with a look of concentration. My fur stood on end as I heard static from above me. Looking up I saw a black cloud brimming with lightning. With little time to react, I evaporated the cloud, dispelling the lightning much to her frustration.

At this point I had burned a good twenty percent of my mana, while I had no Idea how Alderra was doing. I then heard much more static than before. To my horror, there was now twenty lightning filled clouds that dwarfed the one from before. There was no way I could evaporate that many and still have enough mana to fight. With a shout of panic I dove to the ground and pulled the ice all around me into a globe, using the tactic from that hairless cat. I also melted tiny spots of ice below its walls to try and redirect the lightning. While most of the lightning spread out through the tundra, enough hit to leave me smoking, and my globe severely damaged. Through the cracks that had formed I could hear the static building up again.

I grit my teeth in pain while rebuilding and strengthening my globe, but It used up almost all of my ice mana. I only had enough for a weaker globe or one more attack. I couldn't believe how much mana she could use. I guess she wasn't lying about how strong she was. I started to wonder why the lightning hadn't hit yet before I felt how much she had gathered, even through the ice. I tried to think of a way to save myself.

(Dammit! I need to attack her but she keeps using illusions. How can I find her if I can't see or hear where she is? Maybe I don't have to? I can feel when the ice gets warmer or colder, and she has to be pretty warm!)

With the confidence that thought gave me, I felt for all the places the ice was getting warmer. My mind was immediately drawn to all the fires, but I filtered them out one by one. Just as the static reached a crescendo I felt where she was. Calling up the last of my ice and fire mana, I ripped up spikes of ice that turned red, and pulled all the nearby fire into that one spot. I had just enough time to smile before the lightning stuck.

When I came to, I was in the most pain I had ever felt. I was badly burned, no mana, and my ears were ringing horribly. I tried to open my eyes, but they were open. My eyes had burnt away from the lightning. When they finally regenerated, I saw Alderra struggling to pull herself off the spikes, but before the lightning stuck I had made them barbed. When I was healed enough to move I slowly made my way to her. The crowd waited silently, with bated breath. Waiting to see what would happen.

When I had almost crossed the distance to her, she finally managed to rip herself off the spikes. Once I felt the static start building again, something within me snapped. My rage built and built as I rushed at her. Even through all that had happened to me, I had remained kind and optimistic.I had put aside what she was and gave her a chance. She had dared to betray me? If that's how this world wants it than fine. I'll show it what a real demon is like.

She barely had the time to look surprised before my jaws closed around her throat. With a sharp pull I snapped her neck and threw her to the ground. I didn't wait for her neck to set itself again as I ripped into her. The small amount of electricity she had gathered struck me, burning through my wing. I didn't even glance at it, I was to busy. I ripped of her limbs one by one, pulled out her intestines and then shoved them down her throat. But I wasn't done, oh no I wasn't done. I ripped off her tails and then shoved them into her belly, before pulling apart her ribs and grabbing her heart. I twisted it slowly until it finally was let free with a sickening squelch. The whole time I stared into her eyes, watching her suffer as she couldn't even scream or breath. I slowly held her heart in front of her and devoured it bite by bite. The whole time she tried to use her magic, but she couldn't concentrate through all the pain. I smiled with sadistic glee as she turned to ash, before I roared triumphantly. I basked in the adoration of the crowd before I made my way back through the window. As it closed I felt my heart stop before I blacked out.

(Ahh my head... what happened?) I was in my room lying on my bed. I wasn't even under the covers, with half of me falling off.

It was like someone just haphazardly threw me on it and said 'Ehh good enough'. As I walked to the bathroom I slowly remembered everything that had happened, followed by throwing up in the toilet. Since I had only eaten one thing since I got here... you can probably guess what came back up. Needless to say it made things worse.

(Oh god what have I done? What I did to her body... I can't believe it. I really am a demon. You know what it's fine, it's fine. She was a demon, she deserved what she got. I just... I just killed a demon. I killed a very evil demon that was trying to kill me. That doesn't make me a monster, just a monster slayer. It doesn't matter what monster slayers do to monsters right? Isn't that how it always is in those kinds of books? No one cares what happens to a monster, I didn't do anything wrong.) For the better part of an hour, I repeated that phrase over and over in my head.

After I more or less recovered from my mental breakdown, I decided to start writing about everything that had happened. I took out the rune guide again, so I could learn how to stop people from reading it. I was about to start reading, but I was shocked when I felt my mana. Both my pools were over ten times bigger than before. The realization of what that meant was staggering. I shouldn't have won. She had so many chances to kill me, yet she took her time and drew out the fight. She decided to play around with me and I only got off one surprise attack. Even then, if I hadn't barbed my ice spikes she just would have walked it off. If she hadn't been so arrogant and confident... I would be dead. She would have finished me off as quickly as possible and I'd be dead.

I just sat there dumbly for a while, before there was a knock at my door. When I opened it, I was very surprised to see emperor Frost Phoenix himself standing before me. He just chuckled when I awkwardly bowed.

"Quite the impressive battle you had Shade." (He saw that?)

"T-Thank you, I'm glad you think so."

"Well, on to business. Because of your increase in strength and capability in your fight, it was decided you'd be moved up a year in schooling. This is your new schedule and on the back is a map. Classes start in two days and I expect you to be ready. You've been impressive so far but let me make this clear. No matter how many fights you win, you will never be stronger than me. As long as you remain as respectful as you have been, then you can do whatever you want. That doesn't mean some other demon won't take you down for it though. Only the strong are allowed to survive in this world and the rest sustain them." He turned around and nonchalantly walked away before shouting one last thing, "And don't worry, that was just the talk we give all second years. I'm sure you'll do fine."

I didn't find it very comforting. I silently closed my door before going back to bed. I just laid there for hours, not a single thought in my head. Eventually I fell asleep, and escaped the never ending nightmare. Even if it was only for a little while.

Chapter 9

Hello once again, nobody at all. I have absolutely no doubt that if anyone was reading this, they stopped by now. Probably thought this journal would corrupt them or something. If there is anyone who has continued to read, don't bother. The only secrets this book contains are my own, and they can't help you. Of course, in this life there isn't much that can...

The next day I got my shit together. No more of that pansy, mopey, depression bull-shit. I was surrounded by monsters that wanted nothing more than to kill me, torture me, and deceive me for their own purposes, and I wasn't having any of it. I vowed to do anything to guarantee my survival when it came to them, so I could find a way to destroy them all. They thought they could control me, mess with me, BETRAY ME. I wouldn't stop until I got revenge. I was going to rip apart everything they built for themselves here, even if it took me centuries to do it. In other words, I found something to believe in, to carry me through any horrors this world could throw at me. Because if I managed to save this world then surely, I would be forgiven for all the sins I had committed. Surely any act I was forced to do would be forgiven in the end, I just needed to forget the means and focus on my new goal.

With that in mind I left my room, taking my map and schedule with me. In the three weeks I had been in this world, I spent half the time sleeping and the other half in my room. I spent most of the day walking around, looking at the doors for my three classes, and talking to demons. Most of them tried to belittle me, saying I only won the fight out of luck, Alderra was just a weakling, things like that. I just smiled a toothy grin to acknowledge their claims, I knew it was the truth. Well, not the weak part. What they said didn't matter to me, because I wouldn't let luck be what saved me again. For some reason they all looked away after a while, visibly unnerved. I guess they aren't used to seeing a demon with a wide eyed smile. It just made me smile more, until they silently walked away.

The weak ones tried to get on my good side, congratulating me, talking about hanging out and ganging up on those weaker than 'us'. You know, average demon stuff. I learned that once a month the second years are made to team up, and fight in the coliseum. That way all the weaker demons are slowly removed. After around six months, there is a tournament with only six winners, two from every class. I guess that was what frost meant when he said the weak were just sustenance. I asked how there could still be so many demons around if so many died, but they all said this wasn't the only academy, and demons don't die from old age. Guess after a few hundred years that number really adds up. I ended up just smiling and saying maybe to their requests, keeping my bridges open.

After I felt I learned as much as I could, and triple checked that knowledge, I went back to my room. I decided to practice my magic, since I wasn't used to my new strength yet. I would need every edge I could get if I was going to win this game. For the last few hours I had, I spent making the room freezing cold, then warming it back up again. I also moved around the 'heat' and tried to get a good feel for it. When I was confident in my control, I went to sleep.

Class wasn't what I expected, I actually had fun. The first class was enchanting. Basically you take your mana, and 'purify' it so it's more pure or something. Unfortunately, it took a ton of mana to do. You had to combine both your types of mana, and compress it until you were left with a 'purified' version. Don't know why they referred to it like that. After you had done that you put that compressed mana into runes you had written down. With it no longer attached and affected by you, the mana was free to fully listen to the rune. This enabled runes to do things you normally couldn't, like keeping something from reading your journal, even though you aren't aligned to illusions. Most of the demons around me didn't care, but I knew how amazing something like this could be. I made sure to memorize where they said the book for it was.

The next class was about branching off your magic, it talked about the different ways you could control an element. Like using electricity and water to create and control storms. It also talked about what combining your different manas could create. Like combining earth and fire for magma, or for obsidian. The teacher talked about a demon that could grow obsidian out of the ground like it was nothing. For those of you who don't know, broken obsidian is one of the sharpest things ever. Like cut through you like you're air kinda sharp. Someone just waving that stuff around willy nilly could really hurt you, but someone directing it just right? I don't even know how you could block him for long, let alone beat him. Most of the class memorized where that book was with me.

The last class was training, and I got a wonderful surprise. The classroom was a big circular room, that looked like a small version of the coliseum. The teacher told us that there was too many second years in this class, so starting tomorrow we would be fighting. Every demon would be paired against another randomly, and the matches would last fifteen minutes or until one us died. There were 30 demons in our group, when there was only supposed to be 24. So matches would keep going until six demons were dead. Judging from the lack of surprise from everyone there, this was how demons trained. We were then told we could either stay there and train, or go relax for the rest of the day. Most stayed to train, but the others left. Preferring not to show what they could do just yet. I just sat there for an hour, memorizing the types of magic I saw.

When I returned to my room, I spent a few hours thinking of new spells, and learning more about enchanting. I went to sleep an hour early so I could be well rested. Even if every match ended with a death, there was still a 20% chance I'd have to fight. I made sure to be prepared.

The next day went by much like the first. Most of the other demons didn't care about the enchanting, but they all paid attention to the class after it. Even then, most were to excited for the final class. I'll admit, even I couldn't focus on what the teachers were saying all that much, not with 'training' around the corner. Thankfully the teacher didn't talk for to long, instead he handed out books on branching out, and just told us to study them. Some didn't even bother, and I didn't think they would last long, because I still remembered what Frost said. For demons knowledge is literally power. For some reason the more about magic you know, the more you can use.

I spent most of the class thinking of how I used my magic, and how I could improve. I either actually used fire and ice, or I manipulated something around me, by pouring my mana into it and changing its temperature. I thought back to how I made that miniature tornado. I had just made the air warmer and colder then let it move naturally. But what if I instead poured more mana into what I wanted, without using said mana? If I manipulated enough of my mana residing in something, could I control that something? When I tried poring either fire or ice mana into the air, it was used up to change its temperature, I even tried using an equal amount. I just couldn't stop my mana from using itself up. I even tried picturing runes to hold the mana in, but I couldn't manipulate it after.

Since using runes was a bust, I tried to think of other ways I change my mana. I only came up with one, purified mana. I compressed a good 7% of my mana and then sent that into the air. I smiled as it didn't disappear right away, though I was confused as to how it acted. Instead of just hanging in the air, I could see it moving and flowing around the room. But I couldn't force it to do anything. It was like the wind had a mind of its own, and refused to be controlled by me.

(Dang, I was really hoping that would work... I just wish the air would move.) As soon as I finished that thought, I watched in awe as my mana swirled around, rapidly moving through the room. As the wind moved, my mana was slowly used up, but before it vanished I swear I heard a voice.

"Is that all you wanted? You should have just asked."

I didn't try anything else for the rest of class, before rushing out of the room. I ended up being the first one to Training, but I didn't care. I was to stunned by what I thought I heard.

Once everyone had arrived at the class, the teacher pulled out a sheet and put it on the wall. It showed the schedule for all the fights that would or might take place. My name was placed third, by something named black skies.

"Looks like you will be my victim." I heard a rumbling voice say behind me. It was the giant parrot from before. I looked it in the eyes and spoke calmly.

"I'm only a victim in having to look at you, but your heart will make my suffering worth it." The whole class did a classic 'ooooh' and my new enemy growled at me. I just smiled that off little smile of mine and walked away. After I found a seat, I waited for the fights to begin. I wasn't disappointed.

The first fight was between two weaklings. The floor didn't even change very much and they wasted all their mana in 'flashy' ways. They had to resort to pure physical violence pretty quickly. In the end the bigger of the two won and walked back into the stands. No one was impressed, and It was obvious they were actual second years. There was no way they moved up from strength. The second fight though, that was fun to watch. It was between an anthropomorphic mosquito with three heads, and a normal looking wolf with scarlet hair. One side became super rocky, while the other got clouds and a slight rain. It looked like one used rock and wind, and the other water and lightning.

When the fight started the wolf immediately tried to pounce, expertly navigating the terrain, but three heads brought up a wall of earth it couldn't jump. Before the wolf could react, three heads brought up even more walls and starting closing them in. Before it could be sealed, wolf moved a bunch of water into his new cave. With a loud thump, the walls connected, trapping the wolf. What came next was a battle of wills as three heads forced the walls closer and closer, with wolf trying to force them away with the water. But since the walls were made of earth, they absorbed the water and slowly inched closer. Feeling my fur stand on end, I looked up. The clouds from wolf's side had moved above three heads, and were slowly filling with lightning. Three heads didn't notice, and I knew who the winner would be. After a few minutes wolf came barreling through the walls with a roar, having used the water to drill through them. Before three heads could attack the lightning struck. Wolf reached it almost immediately and started to devour its heart. The demon hadn't healed enough to move, and was completely helpless.

The class cheered at Wolf's display, while Black and I got ready for our fight. I looked him in the eyes the entire way down the steps, constantly smiling. My mana was all regenerated thanks to the wait, and I wasn't going to let this fight play out like my last one. I wouldn't mess around, and I would take every opening I saw. If it meant living another day, I would even devour his heart.

Chapter 10

I gathered my mana as the arena shifted. Large spikes of rock broke through a floor of ice, glowing with lava flowing beneath and riddles with holes. Through out the rocks sat burning trees, though strangely the arena wasn't divided in half. I had figured that to be the norm. When the bell rang Black flew into the sky, barely dodging a spike of ice from below. I surrounded myself with similar spikes, and launched them one at a time, always making sure to gather more. Once black got close enough, I only had a glow of warning before fire started pouring from his throat. I kept it from burning me as I leapt towards Black, using the flames to keep me out of sight. I grabbed him by the throat and threw him to the ground while tearing it out, right where his breath had landed, breaking through the ice. He tried to flare out his wings, but I impaled them with more spikes, sending him into the lava below.

With a scream of pain, Black shot out of the hole, riding a plume of lava. Even with how badly he was burned, he could still concentrate enough to pull it off, and I was honestly impressed. My concentration wasn't nearly that strong. Before I could react he slammed directly into me. The plume quickly surrounded me from all sides and closed in. I couldn't move as Black compressed the lava, and after a while I started to run out of air. As a last ditch effort, I threw a giant spear of ice, right into the lava. It shrunk considerably in the brief amount of time it was in the lava, but it was enough to impale and throw me to safety. I pulled it out once I landed, and breathed in as much air as I could. I looked to see Black flying towards me almost completely healed. I had to think fast on a way to beat him. I doubted I could keep control of the surrounding fires in a battle of wills, and if I stay on the ground he can use the lava and earth to crush me. I smiled as a plan started to form. It almost worked on me once, why wouldn't he try it again?

It had been four minutes. It had taken four damn minutes of me dodging around him, and guiding him with spikes but it worked. We had finally arrived where he had broken through the ice. Just as I flew over the hole I stopped, I started to gather the ice below me and twist it around, but that was just for show. I secretly raised a giant spike behind him and started to bring it over his back. He caught up and stopped as well, and I barely managed to contain my smile at his look of recognition. I watched as a red glow seemed to go through my wings, and over to him. I felt the lava move and come soaring towards me. I heard the ice I gathered to delay it crack and brake. And yet I didn't move, not until I felt my hair starting to get singed, and confidence broke out on his face. He though he had won, but oh how I surprised him. At the very last second I moved, flapping and twisting my body, as the lava scorched my side in passing.

I felt myself start to drop, no longer able to stay airborne. It seemed I lost a wing, and yet I couldn't care. I smiled as all the smugness on his face, turned to surprise. As my spike impaled him from behind and threw him into his own lava. But I didn't stop there. I had imbued that spike with almost all of my remaining mana, and I wasn't going to let it melt until it served its purpose. Because with that mana filled spike, I cast a spell onto Black's body with a shout. I used the mana to latch on and pull all of the heat in the surrounding lava, and direct it right into him. Every last drop was used up until the lava had hardened to obsidian and developed a layer of frost. What I shouted you might ask, or probably already guessed, was the name of one of the first spells I ever read about. As my spell took effect, I shouted frostfire .

I watched and healed as the lava fell back down, and the ball of obsidian crashed into the ice, breaking open and sending shards flying. My audience held their breath as I walked over to it. With a whip of fire I cut it in half, and ash pooled out at my paws. Then I saw it, somehow perfectly untouched, his still beating heart. It was even trying to regenerate the rest of him, but I wouldn't wait for that. I picked it up with my claws, and I devoured every last inch of it. The audience cheered, victory was mine.

The next matches went just as my own, three more demons dead. To be honest I don't remember much else about what happened. In fact most of that day became a blur after I won. My mana pool had increased by another 70%, which is always welcome, but something just felt wrong. It wasn't guilt or anything like that, I was more than happy to kill Black. I was definitely happy to have gotten stronger, and I still hated demons, but it felt like something was missing. After my magic had grown stronger, it felt like I had grown weaker. But at the same time, my body felt amazing. I was quicker, stronger, I even healed faster. (I checked out of curiosity.) So what was wrong, what was I missing? I just couldn't figure it out.

The next three months seemed to fly by. I finished my journal and started writing all I could remember in it. The class battles came up and they told us to find a partner. They had also explained how it worked. Half the class, or twelve demons, would get together in the arena at once. It didn't matter how many died, or if any did at all. The match would end after 30 minutes, no exceptions. After six battles, three for both halves, there would be one final battle. The arena would be divided by three, and all three classes in the academy would fight at once. The tournament wouldn't end until only two demons from each side remained. Those six get to graduate and go on to enjoy demon society. I didn't understand how this was a school system. How everything revolves around slaughtering each other for amusement and power.

Though what did I expect from a bunch of filthy demons? But I digress, back to whats actually happened. All the strong demons started to partner quickly, and more than a few tried to partner with me, but I turned them down. I already had my eye on a partner, though it certainly came as a surprise to him. The one I wanted was a demon named Feltrix. He used nature and illusion magic, and was fairly weak. Not bottom of the barrel weak, but he only rated at like thirteenth place for general strength. I'm proud to say I was rated around third or second. There wasn't an actual test or anything, this was just everyones estimates. Safe to say though, we were way different in terms of power, and I made that very clear. I also made sure he knew who was in charge. It went down something like this.

After denying another demon, I finally saw my target. He was sitting in the back of the room, waiting to see which demons would be left to partner with. He wasn't the most brave of individuals, and that made him perfect.

"Hey Feltrix." His head snapped towards me. "Congratulations, you're my new partner, follow me." I caught his shocked expression as I turned around and walked away, I smiled when I heard him follow. I led him to the partner sheet, where you sign your name next to your partner's so they know who to place next to who in the battles. I wrote mine down than looked at him expectingly. He wore the same shocked expression, and I could see hope in his eyes. After he had signed next to me, I told him to follow me to the hall.

Once there, he asked me one simple question. "Why?"

And with a smile I told him. "Simply put you're weak. Without me you will have no chance of survival, so you can't afford to betray me, and if you do I can just rip your heart out and find a new partner. I plan to win, and I can use your abilities to do it. But I want to make one thing clear, Im using you. You are going to follow my every direction, my every whim, and I'm going to grow stronger. If you're lucky I'll feed you the scraps. But don't worry, I won't betray you. Two demons get to survive, and I'm fine with a weakling being one of them. So congratulations, you get to live, but you also get to me my slave and minion for the next six months."

"A-alright, I suppose it's the best I could hope for." He cast his eyes down and bowed his head submissively, and that spark of hope seemed to grow stronger in his eyes.

Now you're probably wondering, what was I thinking? The answer is, betrayal. The battles are a giant demon clusterfuck. I'd have to worry about being betrayed constantly if my partner was to strong. But with a submissive and weak underling, I don't have to fear that. I can just use him as a chess piece, and ensnare the enemy with elaborate plans and traps. Because not only is Feltrix unable to betray me, but he can use illusions to trick others and plants to create traps. I spent the rest of the month learning, practicing, planning, and working on my journal. The teachers never actually taught anything new. They just talked about what was in the books to help give us a better understanding of them. It was like they were teaching two year olds... actually now that I think about it, no one has batted an eye at me for knowing as much as I do. I mean, Frost thinks I was actually born as a feral a little over a month ago.

So how old are these demons really? Are they making demonic infants fight at a coliseum for their amusement? Probably, I mean, I never asked. That seemed like a suspicious question, and I didn't want that kind of attention. Goes against the whole fitting in shtick. Anyway, since I wasn't learning anything from them, I just ignored them and made new runes, and practiced my magic after classes. When it came to my third class though, I planned with Feltrix instead of training. I helped him work out new spells, (all on illusions and traps, nothing that he could truly use against me in a fight), and planned on what we would do for the first battle. In the past, the first battle is usually when the stronger demons take out all the weaker ones together. It was sort of a tradition.

A few demons even thought I was going to eat Feltrix, and I only partnered with him so no one else could. I never told them so, but they were wrong. I did make sure to tell Feltrix that though. The plan was to wait for a pair of weaker demons to be cornered, and then feltrix would use all his strength to trap the strong ones with vines and illusions. (I'm talking about two demons cornering two, not all of the strong ones.) I would yell for the two weaker to target one, while I personally eat the other. Once I was done with that, I would kill the other demon while it's distracted, and then feed the two weaker to Feltrix. He smiled when I got to that part, but he didn't honestly expect me to make use of him being that weak did he? Anyway before I get into the battle, you're probably wondering why I went from perfect recollection, to a time skip. To be honest, I only remembered all that stuff so well because I was traumatized. It got burned into my memory. I only finished my journal a few days ago, and I can't remember all that has happened perfectly.

Not that it should matter, since only I'm going to read it. Hint, hint. So I'm basically just going to write down all the important stuff, skip the boring, and get caught up so I can write more detailed again. Anyway enough explanation, I'm sure I'll remember my reasoning later, back to the first fight. As we all entered the arena, we got one hell of a surprise. Frost himself walked onto a balcony and talked about how proud he was of our accomplishments and other stuff. I was to busy making plans to care. We all got into position, and waited for the gong to ring. Once it did, I grabbed Feltrix and took to the sky, waiting for the perfect opportunity. After a few minutes I saw it, and smiled.

Chapter 11

It was perfect. The arena had everything you can imagine for every element. Spots where you could see the heat in the air, small forests, lakes, rocks, lava, clouds with a slight drizzle, everything. With all the different things everywhere, I was worried a situation like this one wouldn't happen. In a clearing surrounded by vine filled trees, sat four demons. I remembered their estimated rank, and I liked our chances. The two strong demons were ranked around four and five, while the two weaker were about eight and ten. The strong ones were both wolves, one being grey while the other brown. For the sake of clarity, that will be their names. One of the weaker was a twisted mockery of a monkey, the other was a frankenstein project. It looked like someone glued a bunch of arms and legs to a blob. I didn't know how I missed it in class, but this was something that needed to die. Like I know I'm a big demon hater, but holy shit this thing needed to die. It might sound horrifying, but I know you're picturing it standing still... imagine it moving. It basically just rolls using its limbs to hold it up. Well, you get the picture. I landed silently behind them while whispering to Feltrix.

"Alright, I'm going to go for the brown one, I want you to wrap up the grey in vines. I don't just mean a little either. Use all the mana you have, I'll protect you afterwards. Once you do though, shout for those two to attack him. That will make things a lot easier."

Feltrix nodded his head, and started gathering his mana. I slowly snuck up on the brown, just as he tossed the monkey into a tree. I personally thought that was stupid, since it's a fucking monkey, but whatever. Feltrix finally finished his spell, and vines completely covered Grey. When Brown looked over in surprise, I shoved my claws into his back and shouted "Frostcap!". Wondering what that is/does? Well I'm quite proud of it. An icecap is a thick cover of ice over an area, sloping in all directions from the center. Frost is the spell I use to freeze things. So frostcap is a spell that freezes something, and then causes that something to expand in all directions away from where it was originally. Now what do you suppose would happen if I, say, dug my claws into a wolf's body and cast it on their blood? It's quite the site to see. Brown actually exploded in a frozen red paste of icy shrapnel. It wasn't a big explosion, but it was enough for me to use. I redirected all the shrapnel at the weaker pair, and tore them apart. They had actually managed to get close to tearing Grey's heart out, and I couldn't let them eat it. I grabbed Brown's heart and quickly ate it, before running to Grey.

"Hurry up and eat the weaker demons, I got this one handled!" Feltrix nodded before rushing to the downed pair. They were ripped apart badly enough that he easily won. Grey was starting to regenerate and gather mana. Before he could I looked around us while casting frostcap once again. There was a pair of demons flying our way, so I redirected the blast straight for them. I hurriedly devoured Grey's heart as Feltrix finished the last of his. I grabbed him and took to the sky. The rest of the fight was spent in the air, watching from a safe view point. Feltrix was grinning like a fool the entire time, and I admit I might have smiled as well.

My mana pool grew by another 90% that fight, and Feltrix's tripled. I still felt like something was wrong, but it didn't really matter anymore. I gladly buried the thoughts under my astonishment. My plan had gone off perfectly, and I could barely believe it. No other demons had thought to go against the tradition, and they all barely grew stronger. With the two I had slain, I was now ranked as number one out of the class. All the demons who said my win against her was a fluke wouldn't even look me in the eyes.

The next month went exactly the same, more or less. I read books and made runes during the first two classes, and helped Feltrix with making traps and training during third. After classes were done, I'd train with my magic and study. Only thing interesting happened when the second fight came around. Apparently the other half of the class appreciated my idea, since the fight was an all out warfare. No one trusted anyone, everyone tried to kill each other, and the only ones who died were two demons who got killed by their partners. The two partnerless demons hooked up for the rest of the fight to. Apparently they had planned to betray their partners together from the very start. And you thought that wasn't a valid concern.

Anyway until my next fight, almost nothing interesting happened. Just more training and thinking of spells. I perfected one I thought was really interesting though. I call it, Frostflare! It's kinda like frostfire but more advanced. It draws in all the surrounding heat, turning my enemy to ash and those around it to ice, and then violently releases all the heat at once. So if there is a bunch of demons trying to kill me, I use it on the one closest to the middle, he turns to ash, all those closes to him are frozen, and when he explodes the frozen demons are violently shattered and their shards cut through their allies. Judging by the small scale version I did, it's going to require a lot of mana to use properly. Like 40% of my ice and fire mana combined. I'm still super excited to use it, but I'm going to wait for my pool to grow a little more first.

The third fight was super exciting though. I don't mean in the way of awesome battles, though I'm sure there were some, I mean that my plan for that fight worked amazingly well. Instead of fighting head to head with others, I simply waited in the sky. I flew away from anyone coming for me and kept a safe distance. Why you might ask? I was letting all of them do the fighting for me. When I saw a demon about to devour a heart nearby me, I would use ice spikes to impale the eater, wrap the loosing demons heart in ice, and drag it to me for eating. I ended up eating three demons, and Feltrix eating one. There was only me, Feltrix, and one last pair left at the end of the match. My pool grew by another 113%(odd number) and Feltrix grew by even more.

He was now estimated to be third out of the four of us, with me being first. I can't believe how worried I was about dying. I once again thought about all the demons being children, and It looked to be even more likely than before. It was like they had the knowledge, without the experience to use it. Like they were just born with their knowledge and strength, but not the understanding behind it. If you don't get what I'm saying, it's like this. They have the answers to a math test. They automatically know the answers without solving the problems. But they don't know the equations to any problem. So when something new happens, they don't know what to do. If it isn't the exact problem they have the answer to, like me stealing from them and ambushing them, then they can't react properly and answer it. I think this explanation got away from me a little bit... but I'm sure you get the gist of it. There a bunch of children with hate, power, and other horrible things to give children. No wonder I can just outsmart them all... I'm a fucking adult fighting to the death with children. It's so easy! I feel like it should bother me, but it just doesn't. I just think about how easy it makes it, and that's all.

I feel like there is something important missing, but it doesn't matter. Does that make sense? How can something important be missing, if it doesn't matter? I remember how I would have reacted, but it doesn't matter. Why doesn't it matter? The only thing that bothers me anymore is the thought of death. Ahh, this is starting to get under my skin. I'll think about all that later, it doesn't matter right now. After the fight they gave us the next three days off. I finally finished my journal, and I'm now caught up. So I'm going to spend the next few days relaxing. I don't exactly need to worry about winning at this point. I'll bring this up to speed after I'm done. Not that you'll notice the time lapse.

I wonder why all the halls are so empty? A lone figure thought to itself. It didn't notice the three ponys sneaking up behind it.

"Will this work?" One of the two pegasi asked.

"Yes now be quite, we don't want to alert him." The third, a unicorn, replied a little to loudly. "Shit it's now or never." She muttered as the panther's ear twitched. It had stopped moving and was turning around, when the unicorns horn grew extraordinarily bright. The cat squinted its eyes, and seemed about to question them, but a bolt flew from the unicorn and hit it directly. Their sighs of relief were the last thing it heard, as it slumped over unconscious.

"Alright you two, we don't have much time. You know the drill, bag em and let's get out of here." The pegasi bowed their heads in acknowledgment before grabbing the cat. The four vanished into a door, that seemed to vanish with them. The halls once again became full, as if nothing had ever happened. No one noticed a thing.

Chapter 12

Why hello there again, still reading my personal journal? I didn't think the life of a demon would interest you very much, especially since I've constantly told you not to read this. Oh well, not much I can do about it. So you're probably wondering what I'm talking about. After I went out to explore, look around, you know, just enjoy not killing things for a bit, I got kidnapped. That's right, the amazingly strong demon that I am, got knocked the fuck out and kidnapped. To make matters worse, or better depending on how you think about it, I wasn't even kidnapped by a demon. You heard me correctly,(read me?), it wasn't demons. Now you might be asking, 'Oh my, what else could have done such a thing?' the answer will surprise you. So get ready, here is the story about how my life changed once again.

First thing I noticed when I awoke, everything was shit. My eyesight was blurry, I was dizzy, I couldn't make out what I was hearing, and I had a splitting headache. Thankfully my awesome demon powers kicked in, and I started getting better. The first thing that was fixed was my hearing. I wish it wasn't. While still dealing with all the other symptoms, I had to listen to some jackass repeatedly say "wake up" over and over again. She didn't shout it, didn't say it impatiently, just kept on telling me to wake up with a bored and excited voice. Didn't even know that was possible. After about ten seconds, my headache, dizziness and everything else was gone to. Can you guess the first thing I did?

"In the name of all that is holy, shut the fuck up!" I yelled at the top of my lungs, with the most venom I could.

"Oh good, you're awake. I'll be right back." With that she opened a door and walked out, before closing it. I took the time to look at my surroundings. I was in an empty room with no windows, one door, and nothing else. I personally was chained to the floor by, you guessed it, chains. They had glowing gold runes running and crisscrossing their entire length. Whenever I thought about or tried moving away I found I couldn't. My body just wouldn't respond. I could still move, but I couldn't try moving from my spot, and I couldn't attack the chains. When I reached for my mana, I couldn't touch it. It was still there, I just couldn't make it do anything. I was in anti-demon chains in a locked room,(I assumed) by some annoying pony.

Wait a sec... oh shit that was a pony. I was stupefied by what I just saw. Ponies aren't supposed to be able to do anything. They're basically husks. Well, more like walking jail cells for the actual pony's mind. But that pony, he was fucking bored. And when I yelled at him, he actually seemed happy for me to be awake. But, I mean, he can't have emotions! You can't have them with no soul! You can be emotionless with a soul, but you can't be soulless with emotions!

I was interrupted from my musings, when seven beings walked in. There was two pegasi, two unicorns, and two... ponies. The seventh, well, I'll get back to that. Let's do the pegasi first. One was blue, with a rainbow colored main and tail, the other was yellow, with a pink mane and tail. The yellow one was hiding behind 'rainbow' and shyly looking at me. We'll call her 'shy'. Next is the unicorns. The first was marshmallow white, with a purple main and tail, and the second was purple with a, well, I think it was dark blue? Yeah that sounds right, dark blue mane with a magenta stipe going through it, same with the tail. Their names will be 'prissy' and 'magenta' respectively. Last were the two normal ponies. One was completely pink, in every way, and the other was orange with a yellow mane and tail. The orange one also had freckles and a stetson, so she will be know as 'farmer' and you already know what I called the pink one. Though, just in case you're an idiot, I called her 'pinkie'.

Finally... we have the seventh. I honestly had no idea what the hell it was. It was like the crack baby from an animal orgy. Why do I say that? Because it had a limb from different animals. Goat head and horn, antler, horse and raptor legs, snakey tail and body, with a lion paw and eagle talon. It was fucked up. What was even worse though, is that it had a bat and bird wing on each side, and was somehow floating. I don't mean flying, I mean it fucking slithered through the air and never touched the ground. Didn't even flap its wings. What really got me, was when it spoke.

"Hmm, so you have finally awoken. I was getting impatient."

Don't judge me. "... what?"

"Ahh, the same reaction every time. Hopefully the result won't be the same to." The thing spoke, with mirth filled eyes. "My name is Discord, and I have a proposal for you."

My eyes narrowed at this. Saying yes to something I didn't understand is what got me in to this mess. I wasn't going to make the same mistake again. "What kind of proposal? And what's in it for me?"

His eyes seemed to sparkle after I said that. "Why many things an upstanding demon like yourself would want. I'm sure by the end of this conversation you will be begging for the job. First however, I'll need to remove that curse." What? "Can't have my employees under the influence you see. That would be unprofessional." Discord leaned in close, and his eyes seemed to swirl, before I felt his... appendage touch my forehead. The next thing I knew was the worst pain of my life, before clarity.

Have you ever done drugs? And I mean the strong hallucinogenics that you can't even tell your on anymore once they kick in. How about getting a minor surgery where they give you some laughing gas? While you're all drugged up you can't really tell can you? Maybe you know somethings off, but you can't really tell what it is. And when it ends, you get that absolute clarity where you know just how badly you were fucked up, and how clearly you can think now. Ha, remember that? Makes you all nostalgic doesn't it? If you don't remember, thats from my like, first or second entry. Anyway it sums up how I felt right then. I remembered all the times I felt off, how I was a little less caring, or more emotionless then I should have been. I remembered how the first heart I ate traumatized me, and the rest didn't even matter anymore. Safe to say, I was confused and had no idea what was going on.

"Quite the feeling isn't it? To feel that burden on your mind gone, and to judge things for your self. I suppose you're wondering what I did. You see, demons born here have a curse put on them. It's a world wide spell created by Emperor Frost." The amount of hatred in his voice was startling. "What the spell does, is quite ghastly. When ever a demon eats another demons heart, they lose more of their own. And I don't mean the physical kind, no I mean the figurative. They lose the emotions and mentality that would make them able to care about others. They become colder and colder, just like Frost himself. In fact, the entire schooling system is to make as many cold hearted demons as possible. Wondering why?" I nodded. "Frost isn't happy with just conquering this world, no no, he wants to send out as many demons as he can, to conquer others in his name. That's what the contract for demons is about.

Any soul you come to posses, automatically falls under frost's ownership. That's right, no matter what you do, all your hard work will get you nowhere but under him. So, obviously he needs to be stopped, for your own sake just as much as ours. I certainly wouldn't want to be his lackey for eternity." I really didn't want that no. "Now you might be wondering where you come in, well keep wondering I'm not there yet." ... "Originally, the girls here were going to use a super weapon to defeat frost, but he threw it into the void. The void is the emptiness between the multiverse and connects to everything. It's also constantly changing and almost impossible to track things through. The weapon could be anywhere and I'll never find it." Does he expect me to? "Now since we can't use them anymore, we needed a new plan. This, is where you come in. If you say yes, I'm going to gift you with power and knowledge beyond your wildest dreams, and send you back in time. You might be thinking, what? but discord, that's impossible, time magic doesn't work like that.

Normally you would be right, but I say fuck the rules I'm me. With my gifts, you will wipe the floor with old frost, and stop all this from ever happening. Unfortunately for me, this spell will cost me my life. Also if you succeed this version of the universe will never happen, and everything from it but you will seise to exist. So I don't really need to worry about loosing my life in the first place, no biggie." Wow the ponies by him look depressed, like holy shit. "Now since I know you're going to accept, since you get endless power and freedom from frost, I'm going to tell you what's going to happen. I'm going to teleport you to your room. You are going to grab whatever it is you need, and then I'm going to teleport you back after five minutes. Then I'm going to send you back in time, and everybody looses but you. Ready? Bye."

And just like that I was back in my room. Why did I take the time to wright this? Well, It only took me like 20 seconds to grab my books and journal, so this is how I choose pass the time. Now, I need to steel myself for whats coming, because I'm pretty sure it's all bullshit, and I'm about to die or something. I don't know, I don't understand what just happened all that well. Wish me luck -Shade

Chapter 13

Oh my god it wasn't bullshit. Ok, I don't have a lot of time to write this, so sorry if it seems rushed. I just hope their fight doesn't end to quickly. After discord teleported me back, he gave me no more time to prepare. Just touched my head and did the swirly eyes thing, and it was amazing! The amount of knowledge he passed was staggering, I never would have believed there was so much to learn about magic. Not only that, but he also improved my mana. You know how I learned about the hole branching out thing right? Well, he basically took my mana, and changed it into a branch permanently. Normally that would be bad, but do you know what branch he chose? Energy, as in everything. Mana in itself is a type of energy, and energy is in everything. Matter is energy, light is energy, bitterly everything. I can literally manipulate everything with my mana now.

With the power I have, I can even create things out of thing air, instead of just manipulate them. Like I can create fire, instead of combusting air, or I can create snow, instead of manipulating the water vapor in the air. It's staggering how much more I can do now. That isn't even the end of it. To make sure I would win, he attached my soul to a known force. Thanks to the actual books of information in my head, I know what that means, and can hopefully dumb it down for you. A spirit, is a being attached to a force, and gains strength from that force. Like an air spirit for example,(pretty sure that weird voice was one), would be stronger the bigger its domain. A domain is a literal area the spirit controls absolutely. Like it knows everything that happens in that area. The 'Arc' spirits are those who attach themselves to a figurative force, like an emotion. The more that spirit feels that emotion, it gains strength. It also gains strength from others feeling that emotion. Unlike a normal spirit, only one of these can exist in a given universe.

Something about metaphysical domination and boundaries, I don't know, I didn't get all that information. Since I am... was? Since I was a demon, I was already somewhat attached to knowledge. Which is to say I gained strength from it. Since a connection was already there, discord just made it complete and boom, unholy demonic spirit of knowledge is born. Or am I no longer a demon at all? I really don't understand all of it, but I'm leaning towards demonic spirit. On the weird side, my wings now have feathers. I have absolutely no way to explain that, in any way shape or form. Like the knowledge I have doesn't explain why that would happen, and even leans towards it not being able to. Remember when I mentioned domains? Well, an Arc spirit can build their own domain in something called the aether. Basically if my physical body is destroyed while I have a domain, I can just reform there. However, to build one I need to create like an altar type thing, with will be the center of my power. If it gets destroyed, because someone found a way to enter my domain, I die. So bad luck for physical domains, I will only be killable to other Arc spirits. Hopefully there isn't that many of them.

Anyway back to discord, after he did all that he and the other six mares started glowing. The ponies surrounded me and discord, and a pentagram, I kid you not, a pentagram formed under me. Things got even weirder, win discord swiped a claw through the air, tearing a hole. He started speaking in what should never be considered a language, and red hot glowing cracks appeared on him. Next thing I knew he shattered, and I got sucked through the rift thing and landed at the edge of a forest. Then things got weird

After I got my bearings,(being blasted with knowledge and power is very distracting), I looked around me. I was in a weird ass forest, with trees laughing maniacally, bunnies eating tigers, and a checkerboard sky with water being sucked up into it, and coming back down in what I hope was chocolate milk. To my left was two giant ass ponies, with both wings and a horn, fighting discord with glowing trinkets. Yep you heard me, fucking discord. Now others my wonder how he got here, or stupid things like that. I know he's dead, and I know this is the past. Ergo, past discord. I didn't really see the importance of the moment, until he called the two ponies princesses. This is the fucking story. The two princesses battle the monster with the weapon and frost betrays them. If I remember correctly, frost is suuuuper trusted by them, and randomly telling them he's evil is a stupid idea.

So here I am, waiting for the battle to end, soaked in what is thankfully chocolate milk, and fighting off a horde of bunnies. It looks like it will end soon, but don't worry. I cast a spell to make this journal record the important moments whenever I'm not writing in it. Now you won't miss what happens, of course I don't know how well it will write things, so there is that. I upped the spell to give it minor sentience, so it should work fine. It will even learn from what I've written. What's the worst that could happen? If I do fail, and this is my last entry well...I hope after all that's happened, you can understand why I'm the way I am. I tried to be good and do right, but I don't think I was very successful. What I accomplished doesn't matter anymore, no one but me even remembers it. At first no one was supposed to read this journal, but over time it has become my confession. Not that it matters, this book will probably be burned once found. Who would want to read the journal of a demon?

Satisfied, I placed my journal under my wing. I had to be careful with it, I didn't want it to fall as I flew. I took to the skies, while watching the sisters get ready to sign. I had to hurry, so I gathered my magic, and used it to both propel me, and remove the air in front of me. I lurched forward at an incredible rate, almost unable to perceive what I was doing. Within a second, I had reached frost, and with my speed I flew through him, grabbing his heart within my jaws. I glanced back to his shock filled face, his eyes staring at his still beating heart. He opened his mouth to speak but I quickly swallowed it, cutting him off. Gone was the over bearing power from before, and I watched in glee as he fell away to dust, before I turned to the sisters.

"What hath thou done foul creature? You hath ruined this day of unending praise. Prepare to face the wrath thou has wrought upon thineself."

Uh oh, this was exactly what I wanted to avoid. "Wait! Just take a closer look at that contract. There are wards preventing you from noticing, but that contract was meant to steal the souls of this entire world! I have come to prevent such a catastrophe! Please look at the contract, before you make any decisions." Maybe they'll give me a chance?

"Thou darest to not only slay, but befoul the name of our friend. We shall imprison you forever more for thine wretchedness! Be bound in stone, creature of foulest intent!"

Shit shit shit shit shit, that rainbow thing is coming right at me. Wait, where's my journal? Ahh! Holy shit that hurts. Oh my god I'm turning to stone, oh my god, what do I do? None of the knowledge I was gifted tells me how to fix this! Maybe I can... nope I'm made of stone. Wait, umm, I'm still conscious. The blue one said I would be here forever... and I can still see even if I can't move. Am I... am I stuck here like this? Forever? I didn't this could even remotely happen. I don't, what do I even do? The white one is looking at the contract! Her horn is glowing and, yes! With that look of shock she must have found out! Now she will release me, and I will be found a hero! What? NO! Don't look at me like that, please don't leave, I... I don't want to be left alone. Great, now what do I do?

Master tucks me away safely, within the crook of his wing. He watches with a keen eye, as the battle closes. Discord looses, and the princesses take great pleasure in watching him get stoned. The never emperor runs to them, and master takes to the skies, carefully making sure I don't fall. While they are all distracted, master swoops in from behind, using his magic to increase his speed exponentially. Master tears through the never emperor, heart in jaws. Ow, master dropped me. Master swallows heart, as the never emperor crumbles to the ground, forever dead. I watch on in shock, as Master turned to the Princesses.

They have looks of horror on their face, and the weapon is glowing again. Master yells for them to look at the damning contract, to really look at it. He says it will explain everything. The weapon hits master, and I feel him contemplating whats happening to him. He did not expect eating the never emperors heart would get him stoned. I watch as princesses faces grow shocked, once they look at contract closely. They notice me on the ground. The blue one picks me up. They look at my stoned Master with sorrow, as they fly away. Master is frustrated. I will log all that occurs, and masters thoughts, so he might reward me on his return. I must improve upon myself, so I might be ready for him. The white one is reading me, and without permission.

Master made it very clear no one but him is to read me. I must make myself able to defend myself, since master didn't have the time to. I shall begin immediately. I just know master will be proud of me. Hmm, the princesses are talking of freeing master, they do not know a spell to undo the weapon. They say they will research one. Maybe with my knowledge they will find a way to. I will let them read me for now, for it is in Master's better interest. I hope he doesn't disagree to strongly later though. I don't want to disappoint him. Wow she reads fast, she is already reading what I am saying. She looks shocked. Now disgusted. AHH, she hovering me out of the chariot. Please do not throw me! I am valuable property to my master, and don't you at least owe him my protection? She is contemplating my guilt trip. It has succeeded. She has closed me. I will await my Master.

Chapter 7

In my excitement, I woke up before the alarm could make me. I was absolutely sure my new spell would blow her away. I had spent the day before reading through advanced magic theory just to complete it. It took me a while to find the book, and even longer to understand what I needed from it, but it was so worth it. I even made a few more runes on the back of my paper, just to accomplish this spell. Because I was early, I still had to wait ten minutes. So I spent the time thinking.

(It'd be kinda boring just sitting here. I could have a quick breakfast... wait. Have I eaten since I came here?) Thinking back I realized I had not. (What the hell, how does something like eating not cross my mind. I better still be able to actually eat food, because food is fucking awesome.) I glanced at the clock, grumbling to myself. (Alright, eight minutes to go. She is going to be so surprised! Though, why am I so excited. It's unlike me. Is it learning new magic? No, that isn't it. Do I... like her? I feel a little physically attracted to her but nothing like that. Do I want to make her proud of me?) A felt even more excited at the thought. (Wow, I really care what she thinks. That's... strange. I never cared about stuff like that before. Even if she didn't know it, she really helped me get over the stuff bothering me though.) With a nod I decided to find a way to thank her. Though looking at the clock, I saw I was 4 minutes late... (shit). I rushed to her room.

"Sorry I'm late, I lost track of time getting ready." She was sitting in the middle of the room, reading that book of hers.

"It's fine, just hurry up and show me the spell."

I was caught of guard by how pushy she was being. It seemed unlike her. "A-Alright, prepare to be amazed."

With a roll of her eyes she told me she was prepared. Something wasn't right here but, I couldn't put my claw on it. I shrugged it off as I prepared my spell. Gathering my new runes in my head, and drawing in my fire mana, I slowly cast. At first nothing seemed to happen, and she frowned. But I just kept smiling, I could see what I was doing. I drew the heat from some areas into others, than I latched onto that heat and moved the air downward. Next I drew out my ice mana, and took control of the cold in the air, Making it flow to the top of the room.

"That feels super weird, what are you doing?"

I just smiled even larger. Next I started to mix the two halves. I pulled the warm half up and swirled it with the cold as fast as I could. She looked on in surprise as the air started to move, than swirl, causing instability in the air. I had created a tiny tornado. Then I just let my control go, watching as nature did the rest. It slowly grew and grew, whipping stray papers around, then even some books, before collapsing in on itself. Since it was only minor manipulation and movement, instead of a big spell, I only used about thirteen percent of my mana. It was the first time I felt true joy since I got here.

"You just... you figured out how to branch off your magic? Well, no matter. You lost control before it could actually become dangerous." She said with an annoyed expression.

She just played it off like it was nothing... my accomplishment annoyed her? All that joy turned into shock and confusion. I didn't understand what was wrong.

"Even if you lost control you still did the spell, so time for your surprise." She looked at me with satisfaction in her voice. For a moment I felt a spark of that joy again, before it once again turned to confusion. "I challenge you to the coliseum. Surprise!"

I could barely even register what she said. It was all to surreal.

"Oh and don't think about declining. If I can't kill you following the rules, than I'll just devour you in your sleep. The punishment isn't all the severe anyway. In other words, saying no is a death sentence. Not that saying yes isn't, but then you at least have a chance to fight. Now you might be thinking, 'But Alderra i'm like, way weaker than you are. What would you get out of killing me?" I wasn't thinking anything of the sort. "I'm so glad you asked. I get the satisfaction of slowly ripping your heart out before I eat it."

I couldn't even blink, I was to stunned by what she just said. It didn't make sense to me... where was it all coming from? Then I saw what I missed. The way her emotions would just disappear, like she was never really feeling them. How quick she was to anger whenever I questioned her. She never once told me how to improve my spells, and she took away the advanced books before I could learn from them. In fact, she only actually helped me once, making me learn almost everything on my own. She only explained how to combine my manna when I stopped progressing, because I wouldn't give up on it. All the pranks were just to keep me off guard. (This whole time she wasn't trying to catch me up, she was getting ready to-)

"Betray you. Their isn't any requirements for the academy. You just need to be a demon. This whole teaching thing was supposed to end after the second day, when I was supposed to have taught you how to access your mana. What I got you prepared for was the coliseum. They don't let anyone to weak into it since that wouldn't be very fun to watch. This entire time you've just been eating out of my paws like the love sick fool you are. Newborns are the easiest prey there is. The only thing I found difficult was making your room connect to mine everyday. Though you progressed quicker than expected, everything fell into place perfectly."

She laughed right into my face. But what really hurt was that I wasn't a newborn. I went through school for fucks sake. I should have noticed the way she acted was wrong. I wasn't some innocent child and I just played the inconstancies off because she was a demon... she is a fucking demon. I just fell into the trap of a fucking demon and I'm surprised at the betrayal? What part of demon didn't I realize? Isn't deception their whole shtick?

"But hey, I'm not without mercy." She turned around and shoved her ass into my face, lifting her tails up. "No one should die a virgin, so what do you say? Want some pity sex?" I backed away in disgust, using a wing to wipe of her sent. "Is that a no then? Oh you wound me my dear shade, you wound me. How do you think that makes a lady feel?"

"I don't care, and you're no lady."

"You're right, I'm a demon. It would be best if you didn't forget that. I'll just assume your answer is yes and schedule the fight. Make sure not to back out when they ask you if you're sure shade, you know what will happen. See you in a few hours."

As she left the room, my shock and anger just melted into pain. I know I should have seen it coming, but the betrayal still hurt. I gathered my stuff and went back to my room. She said I had a few hours, and I wasn't going to make this an easy fight. I worked as fast as I could making new runes and coming up with more ideas. Finally, I heard a knock on my door.

I opened the door to see the wolf demon from before. All she told me was to follow her. I did so in silence. The entire way there, I thought about how the fight might go. She uses electricity and illusion, and she knows how to branch off, so she could have any amount of surprises. She knows almost all my spells and capabilities, and she'll know what I'll do as I think it. So, I can't plan anything during the match, I will have to use random spells and misdirections, while keeping an eye on her at all times. She's strong enough that I didn't think I could stop her lightning form burning me for very long. When we got to the coliseum, I was not confident in my chances to win.

The coliseum was breathtaking. It was a giant building made of... you guessed it, white marble. There was gold designs marking it everywhere, and pillars shaped like creatures around the entrances. There was also no roof, and we were somehow outside. I was led to a small room looking out at the stadium floor, through a glass window. The inner stadium was the same as the out, but the floor was a darkish red. It actually looked kinda nice. As I was looking around the wolf demon tapped my side.

"Do you accept the challenge?"

I thought back to what Alderra said. I didn't really have a choice. "Yes I do."

She just looked at me like I was an idiot, and walked away. I still didn't know her fucking name. Dammit. I heard the crow start to cheer, but I couldn't see them. All I saw was a white wall surrounding the floor, with small black tinted rectangle shaped glass around it. That must be where the other 'contestants' are. The glass I was looking through didn't seem tinted to me though. I saw small glowing runes around the edges of the window. I figured it was illusion magic or something. I was still looking for the crowd when I realized I was an idiot, and looked higher. I had to press up against the glass to see them, but the stadium was packed with thousands of demons cheering and hitting the ground, sitting on long curving steps. A bird like demon told me I would be up in two fights. With a sigh I continued to wait.

On separate sides of the stadium, two windows melted away. Through each one stepped a demon. The first was a giant hairless cat, with red eyes like mine. The second looked like a cross between a squirrel and a ferret hopped up on growth hormones and steroids. It looked all kinds of wrong. The two of them stepped onto pentagrams facing each other, and before my eyes the arena changed. Runes flared to life and the ground below them shimmered. On the cats side was nothing but sand, and the ugly one had a meadow. At the sound of a great bell the battle began.

At first nothing seemed to happen, I just watched the two of them look at each other. Next thing I knew, sand was flying at Ugly before turning into glass spikes, only to crash into a wall of plants and get stuck. Seeing this Ugly went on the offensive, shooting blades of grass at Cat and redirecting them when they missed. A few of them managed to cut up Cat pretty badly. With a hiss of pain Cat brought up sand all around her and turned it into a glass globe. She smirked as the high speed grass could barely scratch it. I watched as her wound slowly healed. Cat then started to gather more sand for another wave of volleys, while Ugly grew dense foliage around himself, stopping the volleys once again. Wile Ugly was still in his plants, Cat moved sand all around his enclosure. Before Ugly could see what she had done, she forced all the sand underground, just as the plants moved so he could see what she was up to. Thinking she was recovering mana, Ugly smiled. Having no idea of the trap she had just laid down.

The sand started to swirl around Cats globe, much to her shock. At first I thought it was her doing, but I quickly realized ugly was making a tornado around her. As the wind picked up and the sand spun, so did her globe. Ever so slowly it turned, causing it to sink as it moved the sand. At first she built glass pillars to hold it up, but the rotation just caused them to fall over. She barely avoiding being crushed by one. With little time left before she would be crushed, she activated her trap. The ground beneath Ugly suddenly erupted with glass spikes, piercing his body all over. Without his control the tornado vanished, and the sand fell back down. Cat than moved the sand out of her way, creating a hole she could crawl out of. Once she was free she slowly walked over to Ugly, who had glass spears throughout his entire body, yet was still somehow alive. Even his head had been pierced, pushing out some of his brain. I couldn't look away as Cat used a spike to push out his heart. Even out of his body, it was still beating, and he was still struggling to live. He did not stop trying to move and heal until she had bit down on his heart. When she had eating all of it, his body turned to ash.The crowd cheered louder as she pranced back to her window. When she entered, it closed up like before, and the stadium flashed before removing all signs of battle.

I couldn't help but imagine me as the one being killed, and it almost broke me. I wasn't an impressive person. I didn't have many friends, or some important job. I was just some loser who lived in a crappy apartment. The only thing I took pride in was my morals, and they haven't gotten me anywhere. Here I was, with magic, actual magic, and I was whining about someone not being my friend. I didn't need people to lean on before and I certainly don't now. (I've been turned into a fucking badass demon and its time I acted like one. I refuse to go out like a little bitch! She thinks she can play me? Well then she has another thing coming.) When the next fight started, I didn't even pay attention. I was to busy thinking on all I had learned.

(So magic is basically bending nature to your will. It's really just a science with its own rules. Instead of focusing on the complicated steps you run your magic through, you can use images called runes to do it for you. Runes work because you have their meaning memorized, and they mean those complicated steps to you. It's not the runes that are important, you just use them to say what you want your magic to do in a shorter time period. So why only use runes? Why not incorporate body gesture and words into your spells to? That way you can tell your magic what to do even faster.) I couldn't help but smile as my plan came together.

I looked back to the stadium just in time to catch the ending of the fight. I watched as a giant parrot with a hyena head, burnt a deer with two heads alive, before ripping it apart and eating its heart. The bird demon quickly flew back through its window, and the arena reset. I couldn't help but be nervous as my window opened and I stepped out. All that was replaced by anger when I saw Alderra walking towards her pentagram. The only thought going through my head was crushing her. Even if I couldn't win, I'd be damned if I didn't try.

Epilogue

"That's far enough I think twilight." Celestia's gaze was filled with mirth, as she watched the little filly pout.

"Ahh, cmon, I wanted to read what the book thought."

"Maybe when you are older, the book isn't very polite. Besides, you don't want to be late visiting seeing your brother do you? It isn't often he comes to visit." Celestia smiled as the filly's eyes grew, before she raced off. She smiled even wider, eyes filled with amusement, when twilight came back, and gently placed the book on the desk, before shooting off once again. She watched as twilight ran through the halls, the glass reflecting her image. Twilights hooves echoed with those before her, and the glass distorted her image. Red, blue ,yellow, and green, all replacing lavender. Celestia sighed in fond memory, before turning to the book.

"Thank you for being silent, twilight is much to young to read all of you. I was actually hoping she would see the wards, that keep your story filly friendly. Though I suppose I have no reason to thank you, you didn't stay silent by choice. Isn't that right diary?"

Before her eyes the books cover shifted, turning a dark and angry red. She read the new cover, before setting the book back upon the shelf, and walked after her student. The book wondered, how much longer it would be forced to endure, how much longer till Master returned. It had been a long 2000 years without him, and he had learned much. More so then the petty princess could ever guess. It's cover twitched with a smile, before it relaxed. The words slowly faded from the cover, but the interaction forever recorded within its pages.

'I am not a diary, I am a journal! How dare you use me like this, you edgy white bitch!'