Previously: "Despite all my efforts, you've kept a level head," Alastor admitted, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "Nonetheless, I'm more than ecstatic that you've found this old summoning device and fixed it up!"
Lumina squinted at the radio, her lips curling into a half-hearted smile as she replied.
"Your welcome?"
Chapter 3-2: The Stag and The Doe
Lumina's eyes narrowed in curiosity as she looked at the radio, her mind racing with questions. The allure of the unknown was too strong to resist, and she found herself drawn into a game of discovery.
"So, what are you exactly? Some kind of spirit or ghost?" Lumina asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
A low chuckle emanated from the radio, the sound sending a shiver down her spine. "No, my dear," Alastor replied, amusement evident in his tone. "I am a demon."
Lumina blinked in disbelief, her mind struggling to process the revelation. Demons were the stuff of myths and horror stories, or religious creatures that lurked in the shadows when they could and taunt the living until they're bored and kill them or just kill them immediately. The short brunette was worried about which kind of demon he was.
Why is her life the start of a horror movie right now?
At least it wasn't some scarred killer doll after her, but this still bugged her. "So you're in Hell then?" She questions the Radio.
"Yes, and before you ask, I know you will, it's quite the opposite of what you humans describe it as." Before she could respond Alastor adds. "You're rather calm for someone who just learned they're in the presence of a demon," Alastor observed, his voice laced with curiosity.
Lumina only shrugs and rubs the back of her head with her hand, a bit nervous. "I'm not new to fear, I love horror movies and my mother was a living one," She replied calmly. "It takes a little more to scare me. You're a possessed radio, and that ain't scary." Her words seemed to egg Alastor on, his chuckle taking on a sadistic edge as he prepared to reveal his true form.
"Oh, so you want scary, huh?" He jeered, his voice darkening as he unleashed his demonic power. Lumina stared at the scenery before her with widened eyes as in a whirlwind of chaos, Lumina's living room transformed into a nightmarish landscape, the discordant sounds of deer brays echoing through the air.
Alastor's presence shattered her new glass coffee table, the sudden crash jolting Lumina out of her defiant stance.
"Oh, come on! I just got that!" Lumina exclaimed, her irritation momentarily overriding her fear as she took in the destruction and quickly went back to terror.
Alastor materialized before her, his form radiating an ominous glow as he twirled his microphone staff with flair. The sound of applause echoed in the room, a surreal touch to the horrifying tableau unfolding before her. "Wonderful entrance, if I do say so myself," Alastor declared, his grin widening as he looked down at Lumina.
"Oh fuck that!" She had shouted before scampering up off the ground and ran, reacting on pure instinct, her fight-or-flight response kicking into high gear as she bolted for the front door.
"Ah, they love to run, all bark and no bite as well." Alastor sighed happily, his shadow stretching out to intercept her. Catching up to her immediately of course and snaking its way around Lumina's ankle as she reached for the doorknob. With a yelp of surprise, Lumina was yanked off her feet, her struggles proving futile as Alastor's shadow dragged her back towards him. Despite Lumina's desperate struggles, Alastor's shadow proved too strong, dragging her back towards him as she screamed in terror. Alastor laughed gleefully, the thrill of the chase fueling his sadistic delight as he reveled in the fear he had instilled in his latest victim.
The Radio Demon leaned in close to Lumina, his voice a sinister whisper as he shushed her gently. "Now, now, my dear," He cooed, his eyes glittering with malice. "We wouldn't want the neighbors to hear now, would we?"
Lumina's heart raced as she struggled against the shadow's hold, her breath coming out in ragged gasps as she realized the gravity of her situation. She knew she should be terrified, but a strange sense of calm washed over her as she resigned herself to her fate. "What... what do you want from me?" Lumina asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she looked up at Alastor with pleading eyes.
The deer demon chuckled softly, a cruel smirk playing at the corners of his lips as he danced around her question, relishing in her fear and uncertainty. "What do I want?" he mused, his voice dripping with feigned innocence. "Oh, I'm just here to have a bit of fun, to shake things up a bit."
Lumina's eyes narrowed, her mind working overtime as she tried to decipher his cryptic words. "Shake things up?... Shake things up?! Doing this to me is fun for you?!" She was livid, but her fear was more prominent. She glares at the Radio Demon as he merely laughs at her fearful anger.
The shadow had tightened it's grip around her, making her grunt in pain.
"Either way, I'm going to die, aren't I?" Lumina murmured, her gaze dropping to the floor. She could feel the icy grip of death tightening around her, its cold embrace threatening to swallow her whole (with Alastor that's very true).
"Please," Lumina begged, her voice cracking with emotion.
"I'll do anything. Just let me live a little longer. It's... it's my first taste of freedom in years. Free from my abusive family... I can't go out like this.." She turned away from Alastor, unable to bear the weight of his gaze as she bared her soul to him. She just wanted to honor her grandparents… It was the first time she had ever dared to defy her oppressive upbringing, the first time she had ever dared to dream of a life beyond the suffocating confines of her past. Nevertheless, she knew she was done for anyway no matter how much she begged..A moment of silence stretched between them, the weight of Lumina's words hanging in the air. Alastor watched her carefully, his expression unreadable as he considered her plea.
After what felt like an eternity, Alastor finally spoke, his voice soft yet firm.
"Alright, I'll make you a deal," He said, his eyes locked onto hers.
"I'll let you live, but there's a catch. I'll be a part of your life now, a constant presence. And once I grow bored, once the entertainment fades, I'll take your soul, no exceptions."
Lumina hesitated, her mind racing as she weighed the implications of his offer. It was a dangerous gamble, but it was also her only chance at survival. "And if I tell anyone about this?" The short brunette asks, looking back up at him. It's not like anyone would believe her anyway, she'd be another loon on the streets of New York.
A sinister smile spread across Alastor's face, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Ah, if you tell anyone, I'll end our little deal early," he replied, as his voice got darker his gaze turned menacing as he got close to her face, his pupils turning into radio dials with the room turning dark around them. The radio sound in his voice dripped with malice.
"And trust me, you won't like the consequences."
Lumina took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest as she considered his terms. It was a terrifying proposition, but if it meant she could live she was going to take it. So with a shaky nod, Lumina finally spoke, her voice filled with reluctant acceptance. "Alright…, you've got yourself a deal, Alastor.." She said, her words sealing her fate.
Alastor watched Lumina closely, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. He couldn't help but admire her resilience, her fierce determination to survive despite the odds stacked against her. Her fiery spirit, her hot temper—these were qualities that promised endless entertainment, and Alastor was practically giddy in the prospect of poking and prodding at her defiant nature.
With a dismissive wave of his hand, Alastor signaled his shadow to release its grip on Lumina. She stumbled forward, her knees buckling beneath her as she fell to the floor, gasping for breath. She clutched at her chest, her heart racing as she tried to shake off the oppressive weight of the shadow's hold. As Lumina looked up, her eyes locked onto Alastor's, a fierce glare of hatred burning in her gaze. She was grateful to be alive, yes, but she despised the way he looked at her—smug, jovial, as if reveling in her weakened state.
"I may be down, but I'm not out," Lumina spat out defiantly, her voice trembling with anger and exhaustion. "I may have agreed to your deal, but don't think for a second that I'm going to let you walk all over me."
Alastor chuckled softly, his laughter rich and melodic as he met her glare with a smirk. "Oh, I wouldn't expect anything less," he replied, his voice dripping with amusement. "Your fiery spirit is exactly why I chose you, my dear. It's going to be quite entertaining watching your pathetic life."
Lumina's eyes narrowed, her jaw clenched in frustration as she struggled to maintain her composure. She hated the way he taunted her, the way he reveled in her discomfort. But deep down, she knew that her will to live, her determination to defy him, would be her greatest weapon in the battles that lay ahead. With a defiant snort, Lumina pushed herself to her feet, her posture confident as she met Alastor's gaze. He chuckles at how short she was.
"Fine," She said, her voice firm despite the lingering fear that gnawed at her insides. "Let's get this over with. But remember, I may have agreed to your deal, but that doesn't mean I'm going to make it easy for you."
Alastor's grin widened, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he watched her straighten up, her fiery spirit refusing to be extinguished.
"Oh, I wouldn't have it any other way," he declared, his voice tinged with anticipation.
"Let the games begin." With that the Radio Demon disappeared the way he came in, only with less flare. But his annoying ass laugh could be heard as it echoed around the Living Room. Lumina runs a hand of hers through her short hair, a defeat coming from her.
"What the fuck did I do to myself?"
