He was still in his father's workshop, still in the glowing circle, still had his hand on the chalk and still held the slate. That strange distance didn't stop Parry from hearing his father's sonorous chanting. But he also heard another voice, this one close, seemingly against his very ear.

Why stop there? You're drawing your own soul, I can teach you to what to add. I can fill you with power. I can even take the chalk and draw it for you.

Parry held still. Compared to the mocking, vicious tone of the Creator, this voice was simple, direct, avaricious, but most of all, weak.

"I don't suppose my father can hear you or me at the moment?"

Indeed, indeed, you are calm and wise, you have such potential, you could go far, very far. You need me. I can give you more than you dreamed.

Childish glee spilled out from the voice, excitement, like an angler tugging on the line, with a prize trout hooked and ready to reel out of the water.

Parry tried to look like he was weighing his options, suppressing a smile. A demon breaking into his Ritual! It was always a risk during leveling: a soul in the process of inscription was a soul vulnerable to invasion. Demons had few chances to gain foothold in the world, they needed a body to act for them, one that could grasp magic.

"What do you want?"

Let me guide you, I have so many spells to teach. Rain gold from the clouds, cure any affliction, learn the secrets of the Grand Mages, fly through the air, oh so very much is within your grasp!

"Wow, all that?" He tried to keep the sarcasm out of his voice, almost pulling it off. "And what do you get?"

Nothing beyond a chance to serve you, Master, accompany you in your soul and advise you in changing the very world. I see your greatness, I simply want to bask in it as I help you achieve your glory!

"Oh come on."

I speak truth! You need only add my name there on the slate. Write it small as you want, I don't mind.

"Stuck out here, aren't you? So little magic, so few chances for corruption, you must be desperate."

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What?

"Just terrible. No one is going to believe you promising everything for nothing. And what an offer! 'Rain gold,' really?"

This is your chance for power!

"What's your name, little demon?"

Glee returned to the voice, if not quite as firmly. This didn't appear to be going its way, but now that names were involved, everything was back on course.

I am Styak, oh Master. Let me guide you to unthinkable riches and powers! Hold the chalk in your other hand, move it just to where that line--

"I don't know it."

My name is one of great power, lost for aeons, waiting for a Chosen One to appear who is worthy of--

"Oh, a powerful demon, like Archlord Aamab?"

The voice actually recoiled, Parry could feel it.

The...Archlord?

"One of the demon archlords, holder of the sword Famine. You must know him. Or maybe Quintus Soul Eater, do you know it? I don't mean to insult you with lesser names, so sorry. The Black Cardinal, perhaps? Better not say his name aloud, I'm standing in a Ritual."

These are all my servants, yes.

Parry startled his father and Domo with a laugh, but reassured them with a smile as he continued to write on the slate.

"Now that's a bluff I can respect. Alright, Master of all Archlords Styak, I'll add your name right here..."

Wait...

But the chalk was dancing in Parry's fingers, putting the demon's name right beside his soul, except with a few extra lines.

That's a binding.

"The binding of the open eye, in fact. Should be enough for you. But alright, since you have such powerful servants, I suppose I'd better be cautious."

I must leave you now.

"Should have left before telling me your name." Parry felt more of the demon now that its lines were written adjacent to his soul. "You do have some power, a bit more than I expected from anything haunting the backwaters of Tyryn. You must have been waiting for decades. Hoping to ensnare Pharryl maybe?"

Stop that. Stop now.

Parry drew an intricate bridge of lines from the demonic name right over the seals and up against his own soul.

What are you doing?!

"What else? Taking your power. I can't believe my luck. This is going to save me so much time and effort."

Stop! You trifle in forces you do not understand, you will be destroyed!

"No, Styak, that's up to you now. Open eye keeps you secure, but I also drew in the Seal of Waters. Recognize? Your only choice now is to capitulate or dissolve. I get your power either way. What will it be?"

...

"I'm closing the Ritual. Last chance."

Master. I obey.