Varaxis: A High-Rank Demon

Roxana and Lior found themselves dwarfed by the imposing figure of the demon that loomed before them.

The demon was towering with draconic figures whose blood-red scales glistened with malevolence. The demon's muscular limbs, adorned with razor-sharp claws, promised destruction for those who dared oppose him.

The tattered wings that arched behind him told tales of many battles, yet they retained a sense of dark majesty, a testament to his ability to soar above the abyssal landscapes. His eyes, glowing a deep, haunting blue, cut through the surrounding gloom, holding within them a formidable intelligence and an iron will.

Having previously encountered high-ranking demons, Roxana knew that the demon in front of them was slightly weaker yet comparable to those beings. Roxana might even consider fighting or fleeing a middle-rank demon; however, with a high-rank demon, both of those options were moot.

Roxana's best option for now was to go back to the abyss using the world's replusive force before a contract was made, because if she stayed here, submission or death were her only options.

As these thoughts raced through her mind, the demon's voice rumbled through the area, "Huh, girl, you seem to be intelligent.. how about you serve this lord for the rest of your life? You are young for now.. but you have your uses in some years.."

All Roxana could feel as she watched the demon lick his so-called lips was disgust. No matter how sure she was that she would lose, Roxana would never compromise her integrity. She'd die before letting someone take advantage of her.

Roxana stood her ground, projecting a confidence she was far from feeling. "I might not be the strongest demon here at this moment," she stated boldly, "but don't think I'm alone. I have a powerful family backing me, and I bow to no one but them." Her statement was a calculated risk; a facade based on the impression she had gained from her conversation with Caelum regarding the hierarchy of clans deep within the abyss.

She locked eyes with the towering demon, her stance unyielding. "Remember, I am a Kitsune, skilled in the art of illusion. Any hasty decision you make could be... regrettable." Her voice carried a weight of implied threat, a subtle display of the royal air she hoped would convince the demon of her highborn pretense.

The demon's commanding presence wavered for a moment, a shadow of doubt passing over his fearsome face. It dawned on him that he could have inadvertently drawn a member of a formidable clan from the lower abyss—his incantations, in their reach, may have grasped more than intended.

Forcing a noble demon into servitude risked sparking a conflict between his Vesparum clan and the lineage Roxana professed to belong to. While the lower abyss was home to numerous Kitsune, those without a clan rarely wielded illusion magic, at least to his knowledge. It was a talent reputed to be exclusive to the principal family of the Kitsune lineage, a hallmark of their esteemed bloodline.

"You speak of illusion, Kitsune," he rumbled, the words rolling off his tongue like boulders down a mountain. "Show me your prowess. Weave a mirage so I may see the extent of your clan's reputed magic."

Roxana had attempted to harness the world's replusive force to return to the abyss, yet an unseen barrier seemingly thwarted her efforts. It left her wondering if eliminating her summoner was the key to her return, or if there were other forces at work complicating the situation.

Understanding the importance of this display, Roxana focused her energy inwards. With a graceful flourish of her hand, she invoked [Environmental Camouflage] and [Complex Visual Illusions], the twin aspects of her illusion magic. The mundane river and jungle around them began to shimmer and shift, the very fabric of the surrounding bending to her will.Before the demon's watchful gaze, the scenery transformed.

The river's placid waters turned a molten red, mimicking the flow of lava that one might find in the abyss. Around them, the jungle twisted and contorted, its trees reshaping into jagged volcanic formations, spewing forth clouds of ash and smoke. The sky darkened to an oppressive crimson, embers dancing like malevolent stars above them.

Roxana then subtly employed [Emotional Manipulation], weaving through the illusion a sense of oppressive heat and the distant, echoing roars of abyssal beasts, igniting a nostalgic fear that would resonate with any demon of the abyss. She watched the demon closely, her own senses sharp, ready to react to any sign of aggression or disbelief.

With a mere burst of his own formidable energy, the demon effortlessly shattered Roxana's illusion, the fabricated landscape of lava rivers and volcanic ash dissipating like a mirage. The abrupt return to their original surroundings underscored the demon's own power, a silent reminder of the hierarchy that existed between them.

"I am known as Varaxis," he introduced himself with a voice that carried the weight of centuries. "Given your distinguished lineage, it would be beneath both our stations to engage in petty squabbles. Let us discuss terms that befit our noble blood."

"This realm offers riches beyond mere power. As we are both of high-rank lineage, I propose an alliance. Serve under my command, Kitsune, and I shall grant you a share of 14% of our collected spoils."

Roxana, though taken aback by the sudden dissolution of her magic and the subsequent proposal, maintained her composure. Even though the deal seemed alluring, demonic deals were notoriously treacherous, so Roxana had to be on her guard.

Roxana, aware she held no sway to negotiate the terms of their agreement due to her limited strength, resorted to deception. "What if my clan comes looking for me?" she challenged, her voice steady with practiced bravado. Behind her composed facade, she harbored doubts about the actual scope of her family's influence and the validity of her claim.

Varaxis, undeterred, specified, "This contract shall bind us for a mere five years. Time flows differently here than in the abyss, a trivial duration for beings such as us."

Unwilling to be chained for so long, Roxana negotiated, "Six months." Her mind raced, calculating her abilities against the task of soul collection. "If I aid you in amassing 20,000 souls within that period, then our contract concludes."

Varaxis was surprised by her claim. "A bold proposal," he conceded after a moment's contemplation. "Very well, if you succeed, the contract will end after six months. But fail, and you will remain bound to me for the original term."

With a casual snap of his fingers, Varaxis summoned another demon to join them. The air vibrated, the forest canopy shivered, and from the shadows emerged a figure of imposing stature and intricate design.

The newcomer, clad in armor that mimicked the patterns of a butterfly's wings with an otherworldly elegance, towered beside them. Its eyes, set into a visage both insect-like and regal, surveyed Roxana and Lior with a dispassionate gaze.

"This is Atraxon," Varaxis introduced the demon, whose every step seemed measured and precise. "He is a trusted warrior of mine and from this moment, you shall accompany him. He will be your guide in our endeavors."

With a final authoritative look that lingered on Roxana—a look that betrayed his simmering interest, yet tempered by his control—Varaxis departed, leaving a palpable tension in the air.

Atraxon turned to Roxana, the light catching on his armor, making it gleam like the very insects that flitted around the jungle. "Follow me," he commanded simply, expecting obedience without question.

Roxana, maintaining her facade of confidence, gave Lior a reassuring nod, as if to say she had everything under control, and followed Atraxon stepping silently into the thick of the jungle.