Despite the nice temperature the park was relatively empty. Possibly because of the demon attack. The park was less patrolled than the streets and a surviving monster could be hiding in there. I decided to use an open area next to the lake. Since I suspected that we were watched anyway, why bother hiding? At least we should see an attack coming.
I started my preparations by drawing the ritual on paper. I had an idea, an intent. Now I needed to translate it into a ritual, decide on the exact runes and their placement in the circle. While I worked Lilastheria began to cook. I wasn’t entirely certain what a maids duties included, but she prepared and served food and drink, while I worked. I could get used to that.
I was so focused that I barely noticed the passage of time. When I was satisfied with my creation it was already late in the afternoon. I stood up and stretched. Then I took my sword and carved my creation into the soil.
“Lucy, Lilastheria, it is ready!” I shouted. Then I summoned Shani to stand guard.
“Who are we slaughtering today?” She asked as a greeting.
“Um no slaughter, for now. We just need your help with a ritual. Please stop anyone from attacking us. Also, I hope you have recovered from the last battle.”
“Of course! I regenerate fast.”
Shani’s gaze fell upon Lilastheria. The demon froze as the elemental approached. Shani floated around the succubus inspecting her. Then she started sniffing her. “I like her, you should keep her!”
“Eh, yes that is the plan. We are changing her bond and she will be our loyal maid.” I explained.
Shani nodded. “A lady like yourself needs proper servants! I shall slay any who intrude on this ceremony!” She summoned her scythe and rested it on her shoulder.
“Perfect. Now, Lilastheria is going to kneel here.” I pointed at a spot in the circle. “Lucy and myself will stand there. Both of us will have a sword and place it on your shoulder. Kind of like a knighting ceremony. Meanwhile you will give us an oath of fealty. At this point the circle should glow, then Lucy and myself will feed a 9th circle slot into the ritual. The swords will be consumed and that should be it.”
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“Are those special swords?” Lucy asked.
“Not really. They are magical but nothing too significant.” They were good steel swords with heightened durability and a sharper edge. Basic loot for a high level character in a game.
Lilastheria looked determined and proud as she knelt before us. I gently placed the sword on her shoulder, Lucy did the same. I mentally activated the ritual.
“I, Lilastheria, pledge myself to serve you faithfully.”
“WILL YOU BE THEIR MAID?” Shani suddenly shouted. That was not part of the plan. What was going on? I could also feel the air changing. The sky was darkening as black clouds appeared. I considered stopping her, but somehow this felt… right?
“Yes.” Lilastheria answered.
“WILL YOU BE THEIR SWORD?”
“Yes.”
“WILL YOU SERVE THEM UNTIL THE FINAL DAWN?”
“YES!”
“THEN BATHE IN THEIR ENEMIES BLOOD AS THEY ACCEPT YOUR OATH!”
Blood? Where did she get blood? I was concentrating hard on the ritual and not totally aware of our surroundings. There was a reason why Shani was here as a watcher. Said elemental levitated a bunch of blood and dumped it on the succubus.
The circle glowed in a bright purple, as did the swords, and I fed my spell slot into the ritual. I heard the sound of thunder as lightning flashed in the sky. The swords dissolved into smoke. The world lit up as a bolt of lightning struck the kneeling Lilastheria, yet she seemed unharmed. The electricity coursing through her touched our bond and it changed. Our control over her was burned away. The connection looked like a storm but it was gentle, comforting.
Rain began to fall. As the water washed away the blood, I could see changes in the succubus. She still looked like a dragon kin but her hair was now black, as were her scales and tail. The white part in her eyes had turned black as well, her iris was purple, as were the tips of her horns.
“THE HEAVENS HAVE ACCEPTED YOUR OATH. ARISE KNIGHT OF THE STORM!” Shani shouted.
The ritual was over and I looked around. Behind me were husks of masked people. Corpses drained of blood. As I stared at them Shani explained: “They attacked as soon as you started. I was so relieved, I had no idea how to get blood otherwise! I am sure you had some stored but fresh is better! This is my first time making an elemental knight!”
“What’s that?” Lucy asked.
“It’s an archfey thing. They always name someone their knight and bestow elemental power on them. I met an ice elemental lord once who endlessly bragged about this ceremony. How he helped establish the connection to this famous winter knight. Forgot the name though.”
“What does this mean?” Lilastheria asked.
I focused inward and examined the bond. What I found was rather surprising. “Shani has opened a connection to the plane of air inside of you.” I said. “The bond is an anchor for that connection and a filter. Normally the power would electrocute your body. But the harmful energy is absorbed by Lucy and myself. If we weren’t immune to electricity the three of us would currently be lying on the floor, dying in agony.”
Shani nodded. “Yes! That’s why you need an archfey! Hm. Or maybe an ancient dragon? Do they have knights? Eh, who cares! I am so happy you invited me. I always wanted to do this!”
I still needed to process what happened. When I told Shani to help I only meant by defending us. But I did not specify.
“Is she now our knight, or our maid?” Lucy asked, sounding confused.
“Both!” I declared. “We are now establishing a new knightly order of maids!”