Out of Hell

by Azvameth Rose

Rating: mature
Tags: Romance, Sex, Fetish, Non-consensual, Adventure, Violence, Death, Alternate Universe, Anthro, Gore, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Comedy
Length: 6005

Other planes of existence do not respect the same laws we know. And just like always, you have to play by the rules.

Tartarus, the prison that contains the worst criminals in all of Equos. This prison represents the initial area of Tartarus. An area braved by a few courageous beings that managed to colonize the entrance to this realm.

Beyond the walls of this prison, lies a world of fire and smoke. All who ventured this land died and never returned. The very air you breathe is poisonous. The corruption and darkness can taint even the purest of souls. Nightmarish creatures are said to devour the poor fools that wish to brave this realm.

No good shall ever come from exploring this land. And no good shall ever come from this hellish landscape seen only in the worst nightmares of the living.

"Now that's just plain rude."

Published 2020-04-21 01:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2020-07-26 01:05:14 UTC

Left behind

Sneaking through the halls, Nerok searched for the fabled exit of Tartarus. That stone building was the only non-demon construct in all of Tartarus. Meaning it was the only place where the legendary portal could be. The residents of the building supported such theory, none of them were demons, none of them had demonic energy, and none of them made an effort to interact with a demon. However, their placement was odd as the heavy-duty soldiers were placed outside of the building while the guards inside were considerably weaker.

Having found his way into an archive room of sorts, Nerok started to search for any documents on the building's purpose and design. There had to be a clue on how to get out of that place hidden amongst those papers.

So, this is a prison? Hellhound, multiple cages, magically sealed door, and guards. They don't want anyone getting out, do they? But where is the map? There has to be a map or a plant of sorts, right? Oh! Found it! Ok, I'm here at the archives, the exit should be around here. Awesome, I'm close.

Rolling up the map, Nerok placed it on his shoulder bag before heading toward the exit. However, something struck him as he approached the door.

They don't want anyone on the inside leaving. None of the guards outside had two horns. And none of them had horns twisted like mine. I need to hide them. What do I have on me? Mother's dagger, father's arm guards, succubus extract, my core, the rotting, father's grimoire, and my clothes which don't match pony clothing. Shit, I need a cloak, pony clothes, maybe a scarf to hide my mouth? That should do it. I guess the barracks should have all of that.

Pulling the map back out, Nerok searched for the barracks. He had passed it a few moments ago. It shouldn't be too hard to use the darkness spell in the room. He could see just fine in the dark thanks to his eyes. Ponies, on the other hand, they would need a curse to see in his darkness. Sneaking back out, Nerok made his way into the barracks. After opening the door, Nerok cast the darkness spell and started his search. There was a trash can in the corner, within it, a set of tattered clothes rested quietly.

I can pass for a beggar with these. That should keep them off my tail. Now, I better change into these and store my clothes. After changing into his disguise, Nerok headed out towards the exit. He had to make tracks before any of the guards noticed the pitch-black room.

The halls were light on security. And most of the guards on patrol looked like they were overworked. Which was fortunate for Nerok, the sleep spell was fairly easy to cast without drawing unwanted attention. A couple of casts was all he needed to get past security and find the exit.

What is that four-legged thing with a black and red coat? And where are the hellhounds? There should be, oh. It's a three-headed one. Right. Er, those have short attention spans. I can probably trick it muddled mind. He won't be able to react to anything for a couple of seconds. And I can slip by before he even notices me. Ok. Here we go!

Charging up the spell, Nerok took a deep breath before spitting out a smoke-screen that homed in the hellhound. Barking and whimpering and the smoke, the creature let out coughs and roars as Nerok rushed towards the door.

Nothing left to lose. If the schematics were right, all I need to do is channel regular magic into the seal. Nerok mused as he channeled his energy into his arm. Slamming his right arm at the seal. Please, please, work! Let me ou of this placet! Echoing across the room, the sound of working machinery announced the opening of the path leading out of Tartarus. Nerok saw the rocky road leading outside. Stones he had ever seen before, cold and gray stones. They didn't hurt when he stepped on them.

The air didn't smell like sulfur. A gentle breeze and coolness made him feel at ease. There weren't signs of ambushes in the path. There weren't screams or screeches of battles and suffering. The sky wasn't covered in black clouds. The sky wasn't burning as fire rained down like a curse.

Nerok found himself wandering through the empty valley, mesmerized by the peaceful scenery of the mountain base. When he came to, Nerok realized that he had walked into grasslands. The rocky landscape had given way for a peaceful field filled with small vegetation that wasn't feeding off him. Small bushes filled to the brim with colorful flowers painted a world he had never seen before. A world he never thought could exist.

I did it. I'm out. I left Tartarus behind. I-I'm free. Nerok thought as the feeling of something rolling down his face made him reach his cheek. What, are these? It's transparent. It's salty. It's coming out of my eyes. Are, are these tears? But, I only cry tears of blood. How can I? Was that because of Tartarus? No. It doesn't matter anymore. I need to find shelter. And I have to learn how ponies live in this world.

The days flew by as Nerok wandered across the new world he discovered. Luck seemed to be on his side as he managed to tail a convoy filled with what looked like soldiers passed on the roads. By observing these convoys from a distance, Nerok learned that the herbs by the road could provide sustenance. Ponies would gather around a fire and laugh wildly while drinking and eating. There weren't any signs of hostility between them. They were acting like equals. Why would they do that?

There was a clear leader among them. A tall mare bearing leather armor and a lance gave orders every day. However, when night came, and all of them gathered around the fire, the hierarchy disappeared. She sat with them and drunk as much as the rest did. The soldiers tried to move closer to her, only to end up mocked by the mare. But there was no remorse between the parts. They laughed it off as if the entire thing was a routine. How could these ponies operate with that kind of behavior?

Getting closer each night, Norek found himself sitting in the bushes by the campfire. Quietly watching the group, he cautiously tried to understand their behavior.

If I can understand them, I can interact with them more easily. I've been cautious so far, but I don't know if this stake-out will make me understand them.

"So, you're the one tailing us all this time," A voice called out from behind Nerok as someone grabbed his shoulder.

Jumping out of the bush, Nerok hid his face with the tattered scarf and pulled out his mother's dagger. Surrounded, all of them are staring. I should make a run for it. I can't afford to be caught now. They will toss me back in Tartarus.

"What do we have here?" The mare from the previous nights said while coming out of one of the carts. Her coat was brown and white with a black mane. Her eyes were a deep blue. Lance in hand, she approached Nerok as if ready to strike him down. "A dagger, eh? Assassin, scout, or spy?"

Now, those are terms I am familiar with.

"None of the above," Nerok said with a low growl. "I'm lost. Following your convoy looked like a good idea."

"If you offer no threat to us, drop the dagger." The mare said while spinning the lance. "You're surrounded. Common sense dictates you should surrender."

"Define common sense," Norek said before hurling the dagger at the mare, who deflected it with ease.

Rushing the mare, Norek devised a plan.

First, a blow to the stomach. She will let out part of the air she breathed in. Second, a blow to the center of the sternum, applying enough force will stop her from breathing. Third, use your free hoof to sweep her off the ground. Once she is on the ground, get on top of her and hold her on a lock. She will be my hostage and they will surrender. Now holding the mare in his arms, Norek made sure the mare wasn't able to breathe.

"Surrender or she suffocates. Attack and her neck snaps," Norek threatened with a calm voice. Seeing the hesitation in the soldiers' eyes, Nerok tightened his grip around the commander's neck, causing her to gasp loudly. "I'm not patient. Drop the weapons or her neck is history."

Quickly changing their minds, the soldiers threw the weapons on the ground and raised their arms. Loosening the grip on the mare's neck, Nerok got her up and started to back away from the camp. Once he had a decent headstart, Norek used his magic to recall his dagger and then knocked the commander out before rushing into a nearby forest.

That was a bit too close for comfort. But a hint of excitement now and then is nice. Norek mused as he rushed across the dark woods. Getting lost in these woods seems fairly easy. I doubt they will try to follow me here.

About an hour had passed since the mysterious attacker vanished into the Everfree. The soldiers searched near the borders but, it would seem his tracks led deep into the forest. The stallion was either suicidal or had loose screws.

"What was up with that stallion?" Illith muttered while rubbing her neck. "He used magic, so he was a unicorn. But why was he trained like that? Unicorns are supposed to be mages, not fighters. Oh, I will get my payback for this."

"A strange being you are. In this place forsaken by pony-kind, what is it that you seek?" A strange-looking mare asked while Nerok scanned for other ambushers.

I didn't expect to run into another one so soon. What kind of pony is she? I haven't seen stripped pony until now. And why is she so? Norek mused while staring at the form before him. His blood slowly boiling up as he saw the curves and details around her silhouette. Carefully toned legs exposed by her garments, a strong abdomen, powerful arms, a tantalizing bust, and mesmerizing eyes that made Norek grit his teeth.

Excitement like he never felt before flooded his blood. An urge to posses that mare clouded his mind as his breathing pattern changed. Blood rushed to his groin as his genitals burned with the need to have the mare. Sweat building upon his forehead as saliva filled his mouth. His vision became blood-shot as he locked his gaze onto the mare. I need to do that mare. I HAVE TO. I'll make her mine! I'll do her exactly like, father? WHAT? NO! Raising his right arm, Norek made his claws appear before sinking them on his left shoulder. The sharp pain caused his impulse to subside as his senses returned to normal.

Feeling the urge disappear, Norek shook his head before paying attention to the mare's eyes. "I'm lost. And I'm looking for a place to settle. I take it that you inhabit this forest."

"Correct you are. My home this forest is," The mare replied with an earnest answer.

"Then, I hereby challenge you for the rights over this land," Norek exclaimed while tossing away his cloak to reveal his form. Long, black mane fading into red wine colors as the threads got further away from his head. Two curved horns erupting from each side of his forehead adorned his head. A pair of glowing amethyst eyes shone in the dark forest. The pale moon illuminated his dark gray coat and revealed a marked spot at the base of his neck where fur didn't grow anymore.

"What are you? A pony most certainly you are not!" The mare replied while pointing her spear at Norek. "And how arrogant can you be? Don't you understand that no one can tame the Everfree?! Allow you to do as you please I will not! As a part of this forest, defend it I shall!"

"Do we have a deal then?" Norek replied with a smirk. "As a demon, I have a set of rules I follow down to a T. Every challenge I make requires a contract in which things with equal value are bet. You offer this forest to me as its representative. I offer you my life as my part of the deal since that is all I can offer. However, to meet this requirement, you'll need to offer your life to me if I win," Norek said as a flick of his wrist caused a contract to appear before Zecora.

"A demon, you claim to be. Yet, to a contract, you expect me to agree. Mental, you must be," The mare replied while assuming a stance.

"You carry yourself with pride. Yet, a mere challenge has you up in arms and afraid. All that aggression is merely bravado. I should have seen through it," Norek said while shaking his head in disappointment. Watching with joy, he witnessed the mare reach for the contract and sign it. "Very well," He muttered before making his name appear on the scroll.

"Norek Merlock? An odd name, that is certain. But, why wait until after the contract was signed?" She inquired while slowly moving away. Norek could see through her intent. The mare was loosening her grip so she could send the spear towards him with a thrust, extending her reach.

"Until you signed the contract, if you had my name, you could easily have given me any order, once, that would not bring me harm. Including an order to send me away. However, once the contract is signed you have no control over me by using my true name. I recommend defeating me as soon as you can or receiving my blessing. Otherwise, your mind will be damaged by the name you just learned," Norek explained while cheekily grinning at the mare. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Zecora," He added while making a reverence and taking his eyes off her.

The sound of the mare charging towards him made Norek start his plan.

She will thrust the spear at my chest in an attempt to kill me. She is fast, but the issue with that attack is that she will be left wide open. Weaving to the right, I close the distance between us while drawing my dagger. However, unlike those warriors from before, she lives in this place. Meaning she has more than one weapon on her. Her reaction time ought to be as impressive as her speed. She will draw her weapon, and with the momentum make a horizontal slash. This will force her to change her pivoting hoof. I will duck and use my free leg to make a swiping attack on her supporting hoof.

This will throw her off. Since my leg will be flexed, I'll spring from my crouching position to place myself on top of her. We have around the same height and weight, I can use this to pin her arms down and then put the dagger on her throat. A complete victory. Norek concluded as he firmly held the dagger at Zecora's neck while she did the same.

"A miscalculation. I aimed to lock your arms with my legs and completely immobilize you," Norek said before making a sudden movement that resulted in Zecora's knife being caught on his teeth while he locked her spear arm. Bitting down the iron knife, Norek freed his mouth as the knife shattered. He spat the fragments out before speaking. "I win," He added while his vision began to turn red once more.

His breathing started to pick up. He could feel his teeth sharpening as his mouth flooded with saliva. She was so close now, her scent was intoxicating and her eyes pulled him in like a moth to a flame. His body burned with the need to have her. There was nothing else in that world anymore, just her.

Only her.

Always her.

"Zecora," He muttered with his voice distorting and reverberating in his mind. "I want you." He added while coming closer to her face. "I need you. Right. Now." He whispered while staring at her widened eyes. A glint of terror in her pupils made him hesitate, but his body had taken in too much. He had to do something.

And so he did.

Pushing his lips against hers, Nerok savored the flavor of her skin while playfully toying with her tongue. He could see the fear in her eyes, and that pierced his heart. It hurt him to see her fear him. But he had to do something otherwise, he would end up doing something worse there. Bringing the dagger to his chest, Norek opened a wound on his thorax before using the blood on the tip of the dagger to draw his crest on the center of Zecora's chest. The rush that took over his body slowly faded as he backed away gasping for air.

"I am sorry. You were too much," He said while something rolled down his muzzle. The crystal clear tears fell upon her face as Zecora blinked in confusion. Norek started to sob as he dragged himself away from her. "It seems that, no matter how hard I try. I can't leave this part of me behind. I'm so sorry," He added while turning his back on her.

I did it. Just like him. Why? Why must he plague me even now? All I wanted was to leave all of this behind. Norek thought while quietly cried on his knees. And behind him, watching with confusion and a hint of pity, Zecora wondered what was that stood before her. Was it a demon? Or was it a stallion? Was it something that was born in Tartarus? Or simply something that was forced there, and climbed its way out?

Goal

"This is where you live then?" Norek inquired while making sure not to touch anything Zecora owed. His head hung low as he continued to plague the events of the last hour.

"Correct you are," Zecora answered in a venomous tone. "What is your aim in this world? To force yourself upon all the mares you meet?" She added with a scowl on her face.

"I hadn't considered much besides the idea of living as far away from Tartarus as possible," Norek replied while taking a seat on the floor by the front door. "In terms of goals, I hadn't set anything in motion nor have I determined anything for long term life. I'll go to sleep here. Keep your bed," Norek added while leaning on the wall.

"How can this one sleep with the chance of being assaulted by a demon such as yourself?!" Zecora spat out with enough venom to make Norek flinch at the animosity. However, it didn't last long as he stood up before violently opening the front door.

"DON'T LUMP ME WITH THE REST OF TARTARUS!" He ordered with his voice distorting into a horrendous sound that caused Zecora to flinch and take a step back. Her eyes widened as the horror from before emerged once more. The room turned darker even with the fire crackling at the center of the room. "I, I'll sleep outside," Norek added with his voice softening before calmly closing the door behind him.

I'll scout this place. No way I can sleep today. I need a suitable place for my core and a place to plant the Rotting. That thing was picky back in Tartarus, I wonder if it will be the same here. Norek thought as he made his way into the forest.

Even during the night, the forest was bustling with life. Birds Nerok had never seen before slept on branches, and in trunks. Creatures with wings resembling that of demons flew by him to feed off fruits hanging from local trees. A creature made out of wood caught Norek's attention. The being gnarled and barked at Norek for a few seconds, and then ran away into the woods whimpering with its tail between their legs. Shortly after, Norek found a small bird chirping underneath a tree. There were two other birds on one of its branches. Using levitation, Norek made the bird float in front of his face.

The little bird flapped its wings rapidly while chirping with excitement. Tilting his head, Norek observed the length of its wings compared to the bird's size.

"I don't think you'll be flying anytime soon little bird, thingie," Norek said while offering his finger as a perch. "Be my pet, and I'll give you the powers of the mightiest bird you can think of," Norek added. The bird chirped a few times while getting closer to him. "Very well, visualize your dream. Now, stop moving."

Charging up true polymorph, Norek tapped into the bird's mind. The image of roaring flames taking the shape of a majestic bird with red, orange, and gold feathers that ignited into golden flames as it flew. Opening his eyes, Norek saw the little twerp in the shape of the creature he had seen in its mind.

"You called it a phoenix?" Norek inquired, earning a quiet nod from the bird that was about as big as his torso. "Well, I kept my end of the bargain, you keep yours," The phoenix replied by pumping its chest forward. Chuckling at the gesture, Norek bit his finger to draw blood, and then made a circle on the creature's chest. The blood then drew his family's crest. As much as he dreaded the damned thing, it held contractors true to their word, meaning it had its uses.

When the seal was done, the phoenix's body turned black as its flames and feathers turned into different shades of black, gray, and blue. Its flames created a cold air around it. And the once golden eyes it sported turned into amethyst eyes.

"Sorry for changing your colors," Norek said with a meek smile. The bird replied by proudly opening its wings and letting out a loud cry causing its feathers to light up with a calming blue flame. "Oh, you like it? Ok, then. So, Ao, do you know of a place where I could build a castle or something of the sort?"

Nodding positively at him, Ao flew while leaving a trail of feathers across the forest. Norek followed the trail as fast as he could. The blue lights lit his way through the forest until he reached a ravine that stood between him and a set of ruins. The phoenix swooped in and landed on his shoulder.

"Nice job. Do your parents hunt around here? Nice," Norek said while analyzing the ravine. "This thing used to be a moat. But what is up with that hole down there? It would be a massive oversight to leave a path into the castle through the moat," Norek added before jumping down the ravine and using a feather fall to soften his landing.

Heading into the gaping hole that stood out like a sore thumb in the scenery, Norek poked his head inside to take a peek. Expecting to see some corpses or maybe some inhabitant of the forest, Nerok pulled out his dagger; however, what he saw made him gawk in awe. An enormous tree made out of crystals from its top down to its roots. Cyan crystals that emitted such dazzling lights that Nerok couldn't help but smile at its beauty. Multiple leaves and flowers made out of crystal lay on the ground near the tree.

After taking a few steps towards it, Nerok felt a hint of despair as the light from the tree flickered as multiple dark tendril-like vines sprouted off the dirt and tried to envelop the tree.

Oh, no you don't! Nerok thought as he extended his hands that shone with a brilliant crimson light. Flames sprouted out of his palm flooding the cave in front of him. Calling off the flames, Nerok grit his teeth at the sight of the dark vines still trying to reach the tree. Resistant to fire, eh? Seedlings from Tartarus, no doubt about it. Seeds of Chaos, I thought they were extinct after the God of Chaos took them from Tartarus in a game of dice. Norek observed as he approached the thorn-covered vines.

"Sadly for you, I know a way of dealing with magical weeds such as yourself," Norek muttered as one of the vines tried to attack him. Sprouting out of his body a dark ribbon flew into the vine. As soon as the vine came in contact with the ribbon, it started to contort and shrivel until it crumbled into a pile of dust. "Blight is such a sickening way of dealing with the living. But, it works wonders on plants such as yourself," He added while touching a vine that seemed too busy trying to attack the crystal tree.

Using his Life Sense, Norek detected an entire network of these vines laying dormant underneath the ground. This ability allowed him to sense the presence of living creatures of similar nature to the one he was in contact with. However, there were a few conditions to make use of this ability: first, the target has to be among the living; secondly, the caster had to abdicate their senses until the spell was dismissed. Based on the network's size, it could take over the entire Everfree if all of the roots awakened at once. Chaos seeds were infamous in Tartarus for destroying a soil's fertility, something rare and almost as precious as gold. Therefore, the Everfree would perish if the seeds awakened.

I don't know what's keeping them dormant, nor how long it will last. But this won't do at all. This territory is mine, and I don't intend to part with it. So, my little friend, you'll spread my Blight upon all the roots and seeds of your brethren. Farewell. Norek concluded while sending a flood of sickening dark energy through the vine's body. Through his life sense, Norek felt each of the seeds wither and die in agony as the dark ribbons embraced each of the plants' parts down to their cores. Those that offered resistance were attacked viciously by the ribbons as their bodies withered away in the ground.

That should do it. Norek concluded as his senses returned thanks to the death of the last vine, the one he held in his hand. Now, let's take a look at that tree.

"I thank you for your actions. I've been forced to fend off these pests for hundreds of years," The tree spoke as its light flickered with every word as if to symbolize the vocalization. "But, what is a being from Tartarus doing rescuing the Tree of Harmony? Won't this make things difficult for your master to spread diseases and curses through the land?"

"I don't serve any master. I escaped Tartarus in search of a better place to live," Norek replied while picking one of the leaves on the ground. "And you should know, I don't save things at random. I expect some form of compensation. In this case, I want you," Norek added while touching the tree's trunk.

"Why would you want me? I will not bring harm to this land," The tree replied while Norek prepared a spell. "What are you doing?"

"Give me a moment," Norek replied while activating the Mold Earth spell.

Excavating the ground above them, Norek created a hole in the ceiling that led to the ruins up top. The dirt he removed from the ceiling was used to generate a platform leading to the surface. Once outside, Norek dropped the spell and sat beneath the tree. Ok, that is a lot of magic in a short amount of time. I need a little break.

"It's been a while since I saw the sky, thank you," The tree said with a neutral tone.

"You owe me twice now. And answering your previous question, I don't want you to bring harm to the land," Norek said while looking up at the crystal branches above his head. "I want you because you're the most beautiful tree I ever saw."

"Why, thank you. But, if my beauty is what attracted you, I'm afraid it won't last. You see, I'm dying," The tree replied making Norek stand up in a heartbeat.

"How do I prevent it? ANSWER ME," Norek ordered with his voice distorting once more.

"Why would you-/ANSWER THE QUESTION!" Norek intervened with his voice getting worse by the second.

"In the ruins, you'll find six orbs. Bring them to me and then place the corresponding orbs on top of the slots with the right shape. Once I have them, I should return to my former glory," The tree replied with a strange voice.

Rushing into the ruins, Norek searched the area with terrifying speed. He paid no attention to his surroundings, ignoring anything that didn't resemble the orbs mentioned by the tree. His search continued until he found a total of six orbs suspended in platforms in a collapsed area of the ruins. Using his levitation, he suspended all of the orbs before rushing back to the tree.

"I'm back," Norek replied while making the orbs float in front of the slots on the tree's trunk. Suddenly, the orbs shattered; revealing a set of gems of different colors that perfectly fit their slots. "There, what-?!"

Norek was cut midsentence by a bright flash of light. When he opened his eyes again, He saw that the tree had grown three times its original size. A curtain of crystal leaves fell from the highest branches while the lowest ones sprouted flowers of the same color as the gem closest to them. It was a spectacle of the likes Norek had never seen before.

"Thank you. It seems I owe you three times now," The tree said while Norek gawked at the sight before him.

"Make that two," Norek said with a baffled expression. "What you just showed me, I'll take it as ONE compensation," He added while raising two fingers.

"In that case, allow me to present you with another one of my creations. A garden, just for you," The tree replied with a somewhat prideful tone. "Look at my base."

Looking at the base of the tree, Norek saw a ring of light appear around it. The light kept building up until it expanded turning all of the non-built-on areas into a brilliant white surface. This light dispersed into small crystal shards that floated upwards before disappearing. All that was left behind was something Norek could not believe to be real. A garden filled with nothing but flowers whose petals were made out of crystals. Their colors following the tree's colors as well as its gems. The tree had been considerate enough to create pathways into these gardens as to not step on the beauties it had created.

Kneeling, Norek touched a flower that was closest to him. The petals were smooth as silk, flexible as if it was a regular flower. He plucked one flower, and it turned rigid like a piece of decoration. This is the most beautiful magic I have ever seen in my life.

"You owe me one. Just one," Norek replied while attaching the flower to his cloak. "And I know exactly what to ask," He added with a smirk.

"Oh, and what is that?" The tree replied with a hint of sadness in its voice.

Did it expect praise? Norek mused while raising an eyebrow.

"I want a castle. A crystal one, just like these flowers you made. Nothing resembling Tartarus or my origins from there. I want a castle as beautiful as you and the flowers you created. In short, I want a castle worthy of the beauty you created here," Norek replied with a huge smile on his muzzle.

Silence reigned in the conversation for several seconds.

"I'm sorry. It will take a long time before I can create something like that. I'm not fully recovered yet. If I had a larger energy source, I could do it," The tree replied in a sad tone.

"Then, I have the solution for that problem," Norek replied while reaching for a red orb he had to remove from a fountain in his father's castle. "This thing is filled with life energy. As long as I live, I feed it energy. So, it doesn't ever run out," Norek added while lifting the orb in front of the tree.

"You wand me to assimilate it?" The tree inquired while Norek grinned.

"Correct. This will give you power. Let's consider this a deal. I give you the power to restore you to your might, and even beyond that. In exchange, you belong to me," Norek said as his eyes lit up and his fangs shone with the moonlight. "Do we have a deal then?"

"You promise to not bring harm to the land or its inhabitants, correct?" The tree asked as Norek celebrated the progress internally.

"I can add a clause. I swear to not bring harm to the land. And I promise not to bring harm to the creatures in it, unless they come to bring harm to me or what I own, how does that sound?" Norek asked while offering the orb.

Silence, the tree's light didn't flicker. Norek waited for the answer while holding the orb in front of its trunk. Suddenly, a hole appeared on the trunk. "I accept your terms. So, long as you're willing to not harm others unless necessary, I will be yours. As thanks for saving me and restoring me."

Smiling at the response, Norek inserted the orb in the slot. The tree's bark surrounded the orb before creating a lock around it. The tree began to pulsate with a reddish color inside it, creating a path similar to capillaries inside its crystal trunk. It was an incredible sight.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Norek said while walking away.

"Be careful in these woods. And, see you," The tree replied as he walked away.

I managed to achieve one goal. And now, I have some incredible things with me. I just need to patch up things with Zecora. I will show her that I am more than just a demon. Norek mused while making his way back. Along the way, Ao returned and sat on his shoulder as if it was a perch.

"We are off to a good start, in most fronts. Don't you agree? Yeah, I didn't think it would be that easy. But it was a delightful surprise to see that. Did you like the flowers too? Give it to her? Are you sure this is a good idea? I see, your father gave your mother a few colorful petals to decorate the nest. But, do you think a zebra can respond the same way as a sparrow would? Yeah, I won't know unless I try. What should I ask in return? What do you mean nothing? Why would I give her something for free?? No one ever gives things for free. Do you think so? Fine, I'll give her the flower for free," Norek groaned while Ao looked very happy with the result of the conversation. "Try not to scare her when we get in. Do you mind giving her a few of your feathers? I think she can make something nice for herself with it."

And with that, Norek approached his home with Ao slowly removing a few loose feathers.

I'll make things work, somehow.

Author's Note

Ok! Second one!

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think!