It looked like a cliff, a bare stone wall on the edge of a forest, more forest above and behind her, barest animal track leading to it. But something about it called to her, the blade feeling sated, warm and slumbering in her hand. This was where she was meant to be, where she had been shown. As she approached, a glyph flashed on the wall, night-black slashes appearing on a smooth patch of stone, before part of the stone rumbled apart to reveal a dark passageway.

Feeling not entirely in control of herself, Ruesin stepped forward into the stony passageway. It was smoothly cut and unornamented save for irregular rune-marks, their darkness fading as she approached. Mage-lights hovered in the air, illuminating a long tunnel delving deep into the earth.

Cullis stayed close to her, flinching as more and more of the mage-lights flickered into existence, those behind them blinking out. She heard a distant rumble, the entrance shutting behind them, cutting out the daylight.

They came to a large and square chamber with a massive sarcophagus in the centre. The atmosphere here was cold and dry, like wherever that other place had been, but even with the mage-lights, the shadows were darker and thicker than they should have been, warping into spiked and horned shapes, clawed hands reaching for her from the corner of her eyes, always snapping back when she tried to look at them. She waved the sword around, the shining black metal seeming to ward them off slightly, although they still crept and skulked at the edge of her vision. Even though the mage-lights shed an unwavering glow, the shapes flickered and warped, as though made by a shifting fire, not a steady light.

Cullis was sticking close by, his bags clanking and clashing, the sound discordantly loud and making Ruesin shudder, the blade jumping in her hands. It was slightly differently shaped than before, with stubby little spines starting to grow from the blade, sprouting from the straight edge. She caught a glimpse of herself in the blade – her eyes burned with a black-red light, ridged and spiked horns protruding from beneath her hair, tufts glowing scarlet.

The blade throbbed in her hand, another vicious spike emerging, neat the hilt, shifting into a cruelly barbed thorn. The mark on her hand was more vivid now, a black tattoo-mark in the shape of a sword, wound about by decorative swirls.

‘Hey, look at that!’ Cullis pointed at a side-chamber, lit by a red-tinted light. It was filled with practically a river of gold, coins and other treasure, throbbing with an inner light. Thoughts of bloodlust and murder fled her mind – this must be enough to buy a kingdom! Cullis took a stumbling, awe-filled step forward, hands reaching forward.

The air shimmered, one of the shadows turning material, spike-edged darkness transforming form ephemeral darkness into a physical shape. It appeared as human, at least apart from the long and scaled tail that whipped the air behind it, and the three horns curving up from beneath glossy and well-groomed black hair. It was dressed in finery, exquisite silken robes concealing their body, with faint touches of brightly-coloured scales on their face and neck.

Cullis stumbled backwards in surprise and fell over, his kit clanging and clashing together, fumbling for a belt-knife. Ruesin held the blade across herself, ready to fight.

The thing spoke, voice calm and melodious, sounding slightly amused. ‘The bearer of the Blade? A pleasure to meet you. And now, perhaps, we can help each other.’ They looked at Ruesin, cat-slit eyes gleaming. ‘You are rather more petite than I was imagining, but it has made odd choices before. It certainly seems enamoured of you.’ They reached out a long nail and lightly tapped the blade to make the metal chime, a blush-red tinge rippling down the blade.

‘Who are you?’ She stepped back, readying to swing the sword, although its bloodlust seemed to have vanished suddenly.

‘My? Oh, how unexpectedly polite! You are charming, despite your appearance! I am Kal’fra’shenaree. “Kal” will suffice, as you mortals seem to find it hard to pronounce my name properly and that does grate after a while. It’s good to see that Kinnevar is upholding his end of the deal. It doesn’t entirely make up for being stuck in this cave for however long it’s been, but such is the way of things, I suppose.’ Still in the same breezy and light tone, they continued to speak. ‘I don’t suppose you would let me eat this one?’ They pointed at Cullis. ‘I prefer finer fare but am willing to lower my standards in this case. It has been some time, after all!’

Cullis scrabbled backwards, before the creature made a lazy gesture and bands of energy appearing around him, locking him in place.

‘No! You can’t eat him.’ She gestured with the sword, and the creature stepped backwards.

‘If you insist, blade-bearer. Now, I imagine you will be wanting to take as much of this with you as possible?’ They gestured at the gold. ‘As this place will be sealed once you leave. Quite what you mortals want with it so much, I’m not sure. It is pretty, to be sure, but seems of limited use beyond that.’

Ruesin looked past him, seeing the stacks and heaps of gold – the whole room looked full of the stuff! She nodded.

‘Then I believe that we may be able to help each other. As agreed with your master, I can make the Blade nice and drowsy, to stop it running about and causing all kinds of chaos and to extend the life of this world for some little time. Where the other two are, I don’t know – doubtless having their own troubles – but it should be a little quieter without this one running around.’ They tapped the blade again. ‘Always was something of a troublemaker, I’m surprised Kinnevar was able to keep it under control for so long! But I have been instructed to serve, and so serve I shall, in exchange for my freedom.’

They pressed a palm against the blade, hard enough to break their skin, a droplet of thick, dark blood welling up and getting absorbed into the blade, mingling into the crimson-black colours. ‘You seem a little dazed, but I do hope you haven’t forgotten me? Not that memory was your strongest trait, that was always something the Book was better at. I suppose you’ve been good enough to let this one’s own mind go unaltered.’

The blade murmured and mumbled, a vague and distant rushing sound, impressions and memory fragments that Ruesin couldn’t quite parse, but that left her feeling dazed and overwhelmed, as it grew itself, until it was a two-handed weapon again. Despite its size, it was far lighter than expected, allowing her to hold it without strain.

‘I don’t know how he did it, but Kinnevar seems to have managed to place at least a limited binding upon it. Impressive! And it seems very enamoured of you.’ The blade tinted crimson, the hilt warming in her hands. ‘Almost a shame to separate you. Although I find that you mortals tend to fare badly when confined without food or water for more than a few days – you really are very fragile. It must be dreadfully inconvenient, dying all the time.’

They whistled a tune, sweet and entrancing, the sword starting to get heavier in her hands, as the crimson light throbbed and faded, turning to a deep and glossy black. Her arms started to strain before she couldn’t support the thing anymore and let the end drop to the floor, metal cutting a gouge into the stone.

‘If you would move it to the centre, young lady. Time for the Blade to slumber now and sleep off some of the souls it has consumed.’

She managed to drag it over to the large sarcophagus in the centre of the room, her arms straining and burning after she had lifted it up onto the top. The pattern cut into the rock burst into dark light, sigils and glyphs now alight with the same radiant darkness as the blade.

‘Yes, that should do.’

‘The treasure!’ Ruesin glanced over at the stacks of wealth.

‘Oh, yes, that. I suppose you will be wanting to take it with you? Well, Kinnevar can scarcely complain. Use this.’ The demon pulled out a sack of crimson leather stitched with golden thread. ‘It it rather larger on the inside than the outside, and should be able to fit most most of that.’

She grabbed it from his hand and left him to chant soft and crooning spells over the blade, running into the treasure room, flinging a handful of gold into the bag. It fell inside without the bag feeling any appreciably heavier. She looked inside, seeing nothing but darkness, before tipping it up, the coins falling back out.

She started scooping up the gold, pouring it into the bag, opening it was wide as possible and running it through the heaps of gold and treasure. It steadily diminished, bare rock appearing from beneath the shining loot. Amongst the gold were occasional copper and brass bits, which she flicked to the side when she noticed them – she had enough money now not to care about such things! Giddy with delight, she heaved a gold ingot into the bag, which was now only slightly heavier than when she had started. With this she could do… What could she do? Anything, surely! Certainly not pick over corpses for scant coins!

Eventually, the room was empty except for some scattered brass coins. She kicked them aside, not even bothering to gather them. With the wealth she had, such things were beneath her! She heard a strangled gasp from the main chamber, where Cullis was no longer surrounded by the binding light, and was scrabbling along the ground in fear, trying to get away from the demon without going into the clutching shadows.

The demon chuckled. ‘The fat old one seems a trifle anxious. Worry not, I have been requested not to eat you, even though it has been a very long time indeed since I ate. But with this, my services to Kinnevar will be over.’ He raised a hand, showing off a swirling black mark about his wrist, shaped like a manacle. ‘Quite how he learned such things I do not know, but I doubt you have the skill to replicate it. Mercifully – I am looking forward to something outside of this cave. I suppose I could eat you both then.’

He smiled, showing his teeth, and Ruesin wasn’t sure if he was threatening or not. The sword, still atop the stone slab, rumbled and shook, dust falling from above as a trace of red flickered along the blade.

‘Or perhaps not. The blade really does seem enamoured of you. But I find myself desirous of company – is there still a settlement close by? You humans do seem to destroy as fast as you build. But I would relish some company – and some food, and drink.’ He snapped his fingers and a coin appeared there, bright and shiny. ‘You, fat one, look like the sort of person that knows where to find some soft flesh. For fun, rather than food.’

Cullis’ fear seemed to diminish and he nodded, slowly standing up, groaning from the effort. ‘Aye, sir. I know the fleshpots. And ain’t averse to helping a, uh, person of quality find their way around.’ The thing flicked the coin into the air, Cullis’ eyes following it until he snatched it out of the air. Despite its origin, he still bit it to test its purity, before hiding it somewhere in a pocket. He gave a vague attempt at a bow. ‘I’m sure there’s those that’ll find your horns, uh, appealing. Might want to cover up a little, the Sun Knights have a base here.’

The creature sighed. ‘I had hoped they would have been destroyed by now! But they seem annoying persistent, even if those of the true bloodline are mercifully scarce. I can sense some of their essence on you, I assume they tried to stop you? Good job on binding the soul of one though, a richly deserved fate.’ They gestured at the spectre, still floating in the darkness. ‘I suppose I should do my part for my side by sporting with the locals. Although there is this matter to deal with first. You, the one that bonded with the blade – if you would help me. It seems to have taken to you, which may make this process faster.’

Ruesin slowly approached, feeling a vague sensation from the blade. When she raised her own hand, it murmured and clattered, twisting slightly on the stone. The demon winced. ‘It’s almost asleep, don’t wake it! It must have devoured countless souls – Kinnevar’s doing, I assume. Well, there’s always more of you, I suppose, you do seem to breed fast. One almost has to admire the effort you put into it! It’s certainly created enough sustenance to lull the blade. It can rest here for a while. I’d rather this world not be destroyed – it was hard enough getting off the last one.’

They were chatty, strangely conversational, their tail lazily flicking about. Their fingers wove and twisted, more and more runic circles appearing in the air, slowly settling onto the blade, sinking into the metal.

‘I would have preferred that Kinnevar not bind me into this cave, but it at least granted me the opportunity to hone my skills. And you, blade-bearer, really do seem to have made quite the impression. Even with the bindings placed upon it, you seem to have come through remarkably well! I was expecting a soul-dead lump, especially with the binding placed upon you but you’re quite intact. Well, you could certainly do with some finer clothing, but aside from that, I mean.’

They smiled again, an actual smile this time, a crimson halo flickering into being around their three horns for just a moment. She nodded, not sure what to say, pulling out one of the daggers, feeling a bit better with a weapon in hand. ‘How long is this going to take?’ She tried to sound authoritative and commanding, but her voice was quiet, getting soaked up and absorbed by the stone and darkness.

‘Oh, not long, even by the standards of you mortals. At least, if the Blade slumbers properly. If you could try and think calm thoughts, as you seem to be well-attuned to it.’

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, slowly exhaling. She could feel a presence, thick and currently sated, but still threatening to explode into violence and wrath. But there was a strange warmth there, protective and powerful. She tensed a hand and felt a sudden weight there. When she opened her eyes, she was holding a sword of black metal, razor-sharp and bright along its edge.

The demon was staring at her with worry, the red lights flickering still. ‘Kindly don’t do… whatever you’ve just done. You really shouldn’t be summoning up shadows of it. I wonder if there is something unusual in your parentage? No mortal should be able to bond with it so easily, at least without being consumed, and I doubt it is capable of affection.’

Ruesin sliced the blade through the air once or twice – it moved like an extension of her body and will, light and powerful, before she tucked it into her belt. Then she closed her eyes again, and tried to focus on that power, red and fat and full. She crooned a little lullaby under her breath, feeling the power grow even more vague and unfocused. When she opened her eyes a crack, then she could see that the sword was glowing with less intensity, the barbs having withdrawn into the blade. More and more red glyph-marks were appearing around the sword, slowly fading into the metal.

She could feel herself growing drowsy, struggling to keep her eyes open, despite her surroundings and the sight of the demon, three-horned and tailed, softly incanting countless spells. Cullis remained where he was, fearfully pressed against the will, unwilling to leave the pool of light and venture towards the exit.

Finally, the demon finished, the sword now shining with reflected red light. The demon raised a finger to his lips, before nodding his head towards the entrance as he whispered. ‘And so to slumber, until the two of you are dust. Now, if we could quietly make our way from here? I have spent quite long enough in this dark and lonely pit, and would rather have some more pleasant company.’ He produced another coin and flicked it at Cullis. ‘I do expect the finest service. And would rather not be disappointed.’

Cullis grabbed the coin from the air. ‘Of course, of course! Worry not, good… sir? I can guide you to the finest establishments.’

They started making their way out of the cave, the shadows growing thick and dark, ominous shapes looming and swelling.

‘They should provide sufficient sustenance to keep the Blade from awakening. And if not, then… Well, best not be around to find out.’

The mage-lights started to blink out, faster and faster, prompting them to move faster and faster. Ahead of them, the entrance opened with a grinding sound, sunlight pouring in. It was a relief to be back in the open, fresh air, bright sunlight streaming down. The demon hissed, then twisted their fingers to call up fabric, a silken cloak settling over their body and covering their horned head.

They set off down the forest paths, Cullis already speaking of the pleasures and delights to be found in Redcastle, clearly wanting to earn another coin. Ruesin didn’t mention her own bag of wealth – that should be enough for her to be happy and wealthy, and do whatever she wanted. She flicked her wrist, a blade flashing into existence.

‘An interesting thing. You may wish to be careful, as that seems rather… unique. Even Kinnevar had to charm and suborn the blade, and fight to resist it. But that is something for your future. My own involves rather more pleasure.’