Note: Hello! Thank you for reading my story. I wanted to make readers aware before they started reading that this story is not set in the Forgotten Realms, Faerun, or any other WOTC official setting. This setting was created by my DM. This story is about my character, Najma Torunn, a Tiefling Sorceress. I wanted to clarify that because there is the use of the name "Zariel" within this writing, but it does not fully relate to the Forgotten Realms Zariel. While there are similarities, in this setting, Zariel is more similar to the fallen angel Lucifier.

This scene is occurring a few days before Najma and her party set out towards Batravian Mountains to attempt to find an item that the BBEG is trying to get their hands on. The party's goal is to collect as many items before the BBEG can, and keep it out of their grasp. Najma, has decided to put her skills of research and arcana to use to aid the party in doing more information about this mysterious "key", and the Horned Prince who wields it. This scene is the fifth day of straight research, and Najma, sadly only has two days left before the group sets out.

In this dark room, there is only the sounds of my pen on the paper, my growls of frustration, and the ticking of that damned clock. It serves as a reminder at how little time we have before we must go find this key. A reminder of how little I have accomplished in the five days we have spent at Melody's preparing for this journey. A reminder that I only have roughly less than a year to make it to Nith to save my sister.

"Damn it! What am I missing?! Why can't I find a single answer about who this Prince is and what this key is" I pound the wooden desk in anger, shaking awake my snoozing familiar, Fury. With every hint of annoyance in his cat-like body, he huffs and opens one eye slowly. "You do realize it isn't the desk's fault that you're not getting what you want, right?".

I stop for a moment and look at the cat and then back at the stack of books surrounding me. I have been pouring over these tomes for five days, almost straight. Had it not been for Melody and one of my companions, Koko, I may not have even slept. But I felt like I had barely scratched the surface for our goal...I was running out of time. My hands began to shake as I stared pitifully at my notes, almost nonsensical at this point.

The black cat sat up and began to stretch, ear flicking in annoyance. "All this effort, and I could just...give you the information."

I shot him a glare. "You're not getting to roam around again. That was risky enough the first time. Besides, I thought you hated having to help me" I spat as I absent-mindedly began turning the pages of my notes.

Another ear flick. I looked back down at my notes, feeling the wave of a migraine beginning to come on. Biting my lip, I began to rub my forehead, in hopes I could keep the pain away. Surprisingly, in an almost absurd cat-like fashion, my familiar walked on top of my notes, careful to not disturb the pen.

"If you keep on like that, you won't be able to go any further. And that will be just an absolute bore to watch." Fury said languidly as he in a cat-like fashion laid down on the notes, preventing me from any further work. I scowled at the fiendish cat and continued rubbing my forehead, hoping that I could fight away the usual pain.

Migraines, body aches, stomach pangs: some of the symptoms I felt constantly at home. Migraines I usually had to ride out until it ran its course, or fight through it. Sadly...this was a situation where fighting through it didn't seem possible. I pushed my chair back and covered my eyes from the dim lamp near my desk. "Fine...I'm still not making a deal with you. So don't think you've tricked me or anything." I muttered wearily as I stood and began walking to the chaise Melody kept in the office. I think I was beginning to appreciate Melody's odd sense of decor.

I gently lowered myself onto the plush, white couch as I gritted my teeth, trying to get the stars in my head stop. I softly closed my eyes and hoped this attack would subside quicker than usual. From above me, I heard Fury's satisfied voice, "See, now that you're not being ridiculous and resting like I said, you'll be able to work again soon". Gingerly I opened one eye and looked up at the solid black cat, being met with a self-satisfied smug that only cats could truly ever muster.

"Who are you and what have you done with Fury?" I mumbled painfully. This was going to be a long one, I could feel it. It had been months since I had experienced a symptom and this didn't bode well for me if it continued into our journey.

"I'm going to ignore that, and say that as someone with a frail body such as yours, you ought to know how to take better care of it by now. How else will you be as useful as you want?" Fury commented, using his tail to flick me gently only the nose. Not even waiting for my response, I heard the sound of the cat settling onto the back of the chaise. "I will give you an hour to rest. And not a moment earlier or later."

Weakly, I opened one eye to see the black cat had curled up on himself as he wrapped his tail around himself and closed his own eyes. "Why are you being nice for once?"

"Hah. If you call this nice, I wonder what you truly call cruel" he responded flatly.

"You know what I mean…" I responded softly. "Usually you wouldn't care if I was hurt or sick."

The sound of a sigh echoed in the room. "I have begun to realize that while you do have power, and some brains, you lack any true survivability. Although I've been unfortunately tasked to be your minder by your... grandfather " he spat the last word, "I've decided it would be more interesting to watch you flounder while still alive."

"...I'm sorry you had to take this on" I responded softly. Although the extremity of the pain was more than just a throb, I could feel the remnants of the pain lingering. "I didn't...I didn't know how the ritual worked."

"Instead of talking, you should save that energy for getting in a nap so you can actually be useful to your group. Remember, while you were able to kill that abomination, they still don't actively trust you".

"Fine...fine." I said softly as I motioned towards my cloak on the back of the chair. A ghostly white hand pulled my cloak off the chair and pulled the cloth over me, almost as if tucking me in.

I never liked the dreams I had during these bad bouts. Always of feeling my body decaying, or the fear of falling apart. This time was no different. But instead of the fear of death and decay clinging to my mind...I dreamt of Alayah. Of her bound in the Futoshin prison. Of her pleading eyes looking to me for help as I couldn't run towards her. Hot tears stung my eyes in my dream-prison as every step I took pulled her farther from me. As I finally neared her, I saw a large figure hold up a large axe. With one mighty swing-

"ALAYAH!" I sat up with a start. Darkness surrounded me. Instead of stone walls of a prison, stacks of books came back into view, with a desk covered in notes. The only thing that remained from my dream, was the stream of tears from my eyes.

"It's only been 45 minutes, Princess " I heard a voice behind me. Grabbing my cloak, I pulled it towards me as I curled up in a ball. While I no longer had the intensity of pain from the migraine, I still felt weak. The nightmare had not helped either.

"I'm sorry to disturb you…" I whispered, trying to calm my heart and slow my tears.

The cat sighed as he sat up, slowly stretching. "I don't care if you get the full rest. I just merely wish to get this all over with so I can return home".

I stopped for a moment. "You wish to go home?"

Behind me was an indignant huff, "No, I enjoy babysitting a princess on her trek across the countryside along with her band of merry idiots...Of course I wish to go home. I have better things to do" Fury spat as he jumped off the chaise, sitting down with his back to me.

"What kind of things?" I asked softly.

"None of your business." Fury said flatly.

"Sorry...I just, I wanted to get to know you". I looked at the sleek black cat. He seemed to pause and he slowly looked back towards me, eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"And why, would you want to do that? I'm just a familiar. A fiend. Sent by your grandfather. I am of no consequence". If I think he could, Fury would've rolled his eyes.

Pulling my knees to my chest, I gazed at the floor. "I...I know you weren't given a choice on whether or not you would have to come be my companion. But I want you to know that, I want you to feel as if I appreciate you."

The cat stiffened and continued to near-glare at me. "You realize that, there's no point in asking me that question. You have my true name. Just order that information from me."

My eyes met his. "But I want you to have a choice".

The cat stopped and peered at me searchingly. Then in an instant I heard an indignant laugh. "Choice? There is no such thing as choice where I am from." The cat returned his gaze to the floor, anger seeming to emanate off his small frame.

"This may be like a paradox, but I want you to have a choice. Although right now I'm asking you to stay with me because I need your assistance, I want you to know you have the choice to- Within limitations!" I interrupted as I saw Fury look as if he was going to interject.

"I want you to feel like if you wish to tell me about yourself, you can. If you don't, you don't have to. That is all up to you. However I wanted you to know that I appreciate you. And you have listened to me about all my fears and doubts. I want to extend the same courtesy to you" I whispered.

"Read."

"Huh?"

"I wanted to read." Fury said flatly.

I softly smiled and slowly began to recline in the chaise. "What specifically?"

Fury's ear twitched in annoyance. "Philosophy. History. Poetry."

"I've not read much in Philosophy...history I was never good at...But poetry? I never expected you to be much into that" I grinned mirthfully.

"Hmph." the cat snorted. "Poetry is one of the best arts to learn to sway. All it takes is pretty nothings whispered in the right ear and you have them hooked".

"Do you write?"

"Poetry? I-" Fury paused. He started at me searchingly and then sneered, "What. Do you wish me to serenade you, Princess ?"

It was my turn to snort derisively. "As if you could charm me. I have no interest in your games of flirtation or whatever it is you Incubi do".

A flash of wickedness flickered in the green eyes of the cat before me. "Don't make statements that we both know you couldn't handle, Princess " Fury responded coolly.

I felt my cheeks flush for a second. Looking away I quickly changed the subject. "How about when I am done, I will send you home? I know it won't make up for you having to come here...but I'll try to send you home more regularly. If that is what you want."

The cat returned his gaze to the floor and pawed absentmindedly at the wood. "Whatever you wish." He then returned to lock his green eyes with mine intensely. "Are you no longer afflicted with your weak body? You should return to your research then". I couldn't tell if he was happy with my statement...but hopefully he could tell I did wish to give him a choice. I won't pretend to understand the machinations of fiends. While I have some understanding of the pang of feeling trapped, I still have choice and power in my own way.

I know he was merely doing what is required by any spirit who has become a familiar. I know that anything I ask of him, will be (mostly) done by the way of the ritual. But I have noticed over time he has fought me more on giving me help. While that has frustrated me to no end...and even made me briefly consider giving into his demands. There is still a small part of me that...is happy that he feels comfortable challenging me.

I still won't easily make a deal with him. The day I accept a deal from that ass, is the day I have truly felt backed into a corner and have given up. Although...had I more time, I wonder what Melody's library mentioned about how one could gain a soul. Fury is the first fiend I have ever met. So all of his posturing may just be an act. But I want to prove that I am not Zariel. I am not my grandfather. If I can find a way to free him from his bonds, as a thank you for having to serve me, then I will do my best.

"We haven't much time left Princess , better hurry before your group leaves you" Fury's voice knocked me out of my own head. I blinked softly and looked at the bored black cat staring up at me again.

Smiling softly I slowly put my feet onto the floor from the chaise. I stood and began walking back to the desk...But not before scooping up the black cat and giving him a hug and a soft scritch on the cheek. This, of course was met with the usual resistance and struggle. "Put me down!"

I gave one gentle squeeze and whispered, "Thank you for encouraging me to rest. You're a good friend, Hezrael" I put him down gently and walked back over to the desk, staring back down at my notes. I heard a bit of a growl behind me, "I hate it when you do that…"

I grinned toothily as I sat down and opened the next book on the large stack and gently began flipping through the pages.