10 Minute Tales, Part 2

Aug 2 - What Is a Monster?

The soot coated all she could see, the acrid stench of smoke choking her thoughts. She fled, sobbing openly as she stumbled over the rough ground. The fiend was close behind, his powerful steps echoing over the grumbling fire. She tripped and yelped as she slammed into the ground, coughing again as more soot got into her mouth. She rolled over and whimpered, backing up on all fours.

"Don't... don't hurt me...!" she whimpered, cowering in fear from this behemoth of a man. He raised his hand, palm facing up. A sphere of dark energy formed between his fingers, growing with an ominous hum. She cowered, the fear overwhelming her so much she couldn't even scream. The armoured man paused.

"Your essence..." he paused some more. She couldn't see his face for the helmet; she could only imagine the visage of terror that stood before her. "Yes. You shall make a fine servant." He held his hand out to her, the palm still glowing with energy.

"Wh-what do you want with me?" she whimpered, taking another shuffle back.

"I intend to help you ascend past this tragic start of your life." he looked around. "If you do not accept, this shall be your inheritance. This ash and misery."

"Y-you burnt it to the ground!" she objected, her terror fading to anger. The man nodded.

"I did. This village refused to heed my warnings."

"Y-you demanded we gave you the crops we grew!" she whimpered. An echoing roar from the distance silenced her as she was reminded who she argued with.

"To protect my kingdom, I must conquer yours. It is an unfortunate requirement." he held his hand out again. This time it held a sword. She panicked and slid back again, but he approached with a single step. "If you will not accept my peace, you must instead accept my blade."

"W-wait!" she whimpered, her bravado vanishing. The man held his blade still.

"Speak."

"I... I don't want to die... she sniffled, shaking in her fear.

"Then join me. You will simply be assumed as having perished in the fire."

"Wh-what would you make me do?"

"It is simple." he grinned under the helmet, confident. "All I would ask of you is to take my hand, accept my power." The sword dissipated into purple smoke,  leaving his outstretched hand again. She hesitated, her trembling stopped.

"... i-if I don't, am I going to die...?"

"All I will promise is that I will not kill you." he kept his hand steady. Her mind betrayed her, thinking of the monster that could have made the roar coming to consume her.

"... f-fine..." she whimpered, reaching up and taking his hand. As soon as the two touched, she felt intense power pouring through her hand, up her arm and diffusing through her body. She cried out as it warped her, altered her. She felt her already-petite body shrink further, near-painful growths stretching from her back. She... wasn't even human...! The power coursed through her mind, her body, everything that formed her. The man held her hand carefully, soon scooping the other hand beneath her to support her.

"Now, my dear..." he grinned beneath the helmet, his fangs concealed. "You are mine."