Vahl watched the Outworlder’s weak aura for the small twitch of lies. The ripple of desire or want. Yet the thing that confused him the most was that the Outworlder could detect mana, but could not control his own aura.

Vahl had detected no lies, no concern outside of self preservation and a desire to save its wife.

“Yes, my mana may have spread about the place, but I know nothing of your wife. Unless she was one of the cultists,” Vahl stated. “So, if your grey-skinned wife is among the corpses I cannot help you.”

Vahl stood up, “Looks like we might have to do this by force,” he thought. He didn’t mind, mortals gave in to torture fairly easily, and if you did it well, it could be quite effective.

“Then give me this temple,” The Outworlder stated, now in a more defensive pose. Arms in puny little fists about their head. “Give me this temple for… Tara the V-v- venerated Spirit and I’ll take whatever Skill you need. But you can’t harm either of us,” The Outworlder stuttered out.

Vahl smiled.

“Just relinquish this temple to you? For you and your patron.” The Devil said, confirming the desires. “A Warlock then?” Vahl’s smile grew wider.

Warlocks were not all that common. They are usually mortals who were given a mission from a Godling or Lesser Being for a unique class or access to a small magic. Which was returned, much like a Devil, in Life Energy usually at a fairly high tax or until they expired. A Warlock meant that this little mortal was not only willing to make a deal, but had made deals before.

“And no harm! Neither to myself or any… follower of… Tara,” the stammering continued, “or no deal!”

“What is your name? I will need it to make our accord.”

The Outworlder hesitated a moment before replying. “Ken”

“No family or tribe name?”

“Kenshiro Luis Perez”

Vahl loved when people assumed things. It almost always worked out for his benefit. He in fact did not own this temple. He had simply been pulled from the Infernal Plane with no contract. Since the little cultists were gone, this temple was completely unowned. “Bright lights,” he cursed to himself. “If this temple had been claimed by a Godling, I would have been significantly weakened. Godlings are too jealous to allow any of my sort to prance around like I have been, much less build a throne out of their priesthood.”

Vahl sauntered up to the Outworlder, wings opening in a show of force. He didn’t back down. His Aura wavered in fear but his jaw was set, like he was getting ready for the other shoe to drop.

“I will reluctantly relinquish my hold on this temple and promise to not harm you nor any follower of… Tara.” A patron Vahl had not even heard of. He knew all of the thirty six deities' names and domains well, and Tara was not one of them. Must have been some strong spirit or Kami. “In return, you will remove from me a select Skill. Agreed?”

Vahl’s eyes grew bright, flaring with greed. His Mana almost bubbling under his skin as he prepared Infernal Contract. “If this worked…”

“Yeah. Sure, but I get this temple for Tara. The whole thing.”

“The whole thing,” The Devil said sweetly.

“What do you need to remove the Skill, any incantation or material?” Vahl inquired, genuinely curious.

Stolen novel; please report.

“Uhhh…” The Outworlder paused, looking into space for a moment, eyes shifting as if looking at something Vahl could not see. “You have to be willing or I must defeat you… What is the Skill?”

“It is called Obsequity, and I am willing.”

Vahl, seeing they had reached an agreement, lifted his hands to the square after pricking his finger, deep black blood dribbling down his long finger. He drew symbols with his blood and Mana in the air before ebony flames appeared around them in a circle.

Vahl’s voice became duplicitous as he addressed the Outworlder.

“I, Vahl-Shiva, Lieutenant of the Third Ring of Hell and Scion of the Matron of the Infernal Flame, hereby agree to vacate this temple, relinquishing all claims to it in favor of Tara, the Venerated Spirit. Additionally, I pledge not to cause harm, either directly or indirectly, to Tara, the Venerated Spirit, or any of her followers, in perpetuity. In exchange for these terms, I consent to Kenshiro Luis Perez receiving a Skill of my choosing from me, Vahl-Shiva, at my discretion, regardless of his desire or will.”

As Vahl chanted, the black flames grew higher and higher, the wicked heat tickling the back of Kenshiro’s head as he watched the Devil’s eyes grow dark, filled with some power he didn’t understand.

As the contract came to an end, Kenshiro lurched forward, his hand touching the Devil’s skin. As expected it was warm, very warm. The Devil’s chest glowed with a deep rust-colored light. Kenshiro’s Skill activated, without his consent, a notification screen appeared in his vision as the flames grew hotter around him.

Skill: Obsequity

Attribute: SPRRank: 3

Type: Passive - Law

Requirements: Targets of ability but also have the Obsequity Skill. Targets must be of lower rank to take effect.

Description: Command the forces of the Infernal Plane. Give any infernal creature of lesser rank a command that must be followed. Creatures under the effects of Obsequity are completely obedient.

Accept?

Y/N*

*Warning: Selecting ‘N’ will result in a breaking of said contract and Vahl will attack you.

The fire around them began to swirl and spin as they were lifted off of the ground, the lights flickered above them and light pulsed from Vahl’s chest. Eventually the light pulsed from his chest and into Kenshiro. His eyes bulged, his skin felt hot and sticky, and his mouth felt dry as part of his soul took on the law of Obsequity.

Like the other skills Kenshiro had acquired, his mind was instantly filled with the power of this new Skill. Obsequity was powerful. With it he could simply command any Lesser Devil to obey him, no matter the command, even if it meant death or torture

If he’d had this skill when he was attacked by the imps he could have simply bent them to his will. However, he also understood the other side of this hideous Skill. Any Greater Devil, like Vahl, could command him just as easily. The literal definition of a double edged sword.

The second he could get another Spirit Power he was going to get rid of this power. He didn’t need a Devil popping up and commanding him to jump off a cliff. Or worse.

The moment the skill was taken Kenshiro and Vahl both fell to the ground, the black fire blinking out of existence. Kenshiro tumbled, tripping on his own legs as he dropped a good three feet. Vahl, knowing the ritual was ending, was prepared and landed with the grace of a ballet dancer.

The Devil stretched his wings and rolled his head on his shoulders. His fingers wiggled and Kenshiro saw the smile on the Devil’s face creep into a wide mouth smile. A bright, beaming, and wicked smile.

Kenshiro got to his feet, his palms were sweaty and his skin still felt like it was mildly burned after standing too close to a fire. “There. It’s done. I have Obsequity.” he panted. “Now you must keep your end of the bargain. This Temple belongs to Tara now. You said you’d leave.”

“And I will, as promised. This temple is all yours Kenshiro Luis Perez.” Vahl said without even looking at him, his eyes were fixed elsewhere, his attention bouncing between Kenshiro and something beyond his view. Seemingly distracted or just far away.

Vahl’s eyes turned back to Kenshiro as he walked back over to him, towering over him. “Such an interesting creature…” He said bemused. Staring into Kenshiro’s eyes he ran a soft finger near his face, almost caressing him like a pet cat or a newly found treasure.

Kenshiro glared back, his quest said he had to hurry. He was hurrying. He worried he had already taken more time than he had. Was there supposed to be a countdown or something?

Vahl snickered and turned away from Kenshiro and walked to the large double doors at the center of the large worship hall. Throwing them open to let in the night air. The door, though well over ten feet tall, clattered against the stone like they were made of plywood or popsicle sticks.

Without sparing a glance back at Kenshiro the Devil opened his wings to their full extent, a terrifying display of sheer strength, as Vahl launched himself into the night with no epitaph or parting words.

Kenshiro was left amongst the corpses of cultists and the intruding cold night air.