The glow of the torch flickered ominously in the huge cellar. Emperor Edelgard painted a chalk pentagram in blood with practiced blood didn't come from her, she couldn't have given nearly as much. The book from which she had taken the ritual, noted that goat blood would also work - for whatever reason. She was just glad not to have to spend days collecting her blood for the ritual. She was almost finished drawing when Hubert broke her concentration.
"Your Majesty, are you absolutely sure you want to do this? Consider the price of your intentions."
"I know very well what I'm doing here and what the consequences are, Hubert. Do not continue to question me and my decisions!"
Angered but still conscientious, Edelgard finished the drawing.
"My apologies. I'm only concerned for your well-being."
Hubert bowed low as Edelgard stood up and cleaned her hands with a handkerchief.
"I thank you for your concern, but you know that I would sacrifice anything for my dream - even my soul."
She looked deep into his eyes to show her determination. Nothing and no one would stop her. Finally Hubert began to recite the ancient incantations and strengthen them with his magic.
The blood of the pentagram began to glow and in its center black clouds of smoke began to swirl more and more violently.
Edelgard watched the whole spectacle with fascination, but had on hand on her axe, ready to draw it at any given moment. If the ritual worked, a creature would appear, and if she had made even a small mistake in the drawing, they would attack immediately. It was a risky attempt, but Edelgard was desperate enough to try it.
A long time it seemed there was only summoned smoke, but suddenly Edelgard could make out a figure in the smoke. She couldn't see much, but it was enough that she gave Hubert a sign to stop the incantation.
After a few seconds the smoke cleared and something entirely unexpected was relieved. It was a woman. But only at first glance.
As the smoke cleared completely, Edelgard got a good look at the "woman". She had long unkempt dark blue hair and blue eyes. Her clothes were very strange.
The woman held captive had a dark top which exposed her midriff, black shorts and boots and tights with holes that gave a strange pattern. She wore a white collar with a golden medal lying between her generous breasts. Light armor partially covered her, but it did not seem very practical. She wore a much too large coat like a cape.
And then there were her weapons: a large old sword hanging across her back and a small dagger resting at her hip. The sword had some sort of spikes at its edge and looked at some parts broken. The colour was an odd tone of white and looked a bit like a vertebrae, which sounded absurd.
Overall it was strange, but it could still have been a normal human being. However, there were the very eye-catching dangerously pointed grey horns, the leathery black tail and dagger-sharp black claws that made her look demonic.
Edelgard had to admit that she was very attractive, despite her strange appearance. But she could not allow such base thoughts to gain the upper hand. She had a goal and the demon would help her reach it. With the inhuman unemotional look in her eyes, it was easier to see her as a mere tool.
Edelgard would have expected her to try to break out of the circle or to insult them savagely. Instead, the blue haired looked around, first at the pentagram with the runes and then at the two humans and seemed to be waiting for their reaction.
She took a deep breath after organizing her thoughts and was proud that her voice didn't waver.
"Ashen Demon, I am Emperor Edelgard von Hresvleg and seek a contract with you. I need your strength and power to defeat a foe of mine."