When Ross awoke he found himself in a featureless black void. There was nothing else around him. Not even emotion. He felt no fear, no dread, not even shock as he blankly saw his naked form float throughout the inky darkness.
Then... where there was painfully empty nothingness, a shape appeared. A large figure, painfully male with a throbbing equine erection that seemed to radiate with an intense evilness, a scaled torso adorned with two draconic wings, and the antlered head of a maned lion that grinned with pure lust and malice. It carried a dark tone with its right paw, the pages constantly flipping wildly as if there was a harsh wind buffetting them.
“Right now you’re in a comatose state so what I’m about to say will be very important very soon once you wake up. I’m Gorgi and I represent a group of powerful entities that are currently having a certain rebel prove to be a thorn in our sides.” The being spoke with a friendly voice that seemed to betray it’s gazing eyes that examined every inch of Ross’s naked flesh.
“While I have already contracted a fellow demon to take care of the rodent already and I have personally offered him a high position as ruler of your world should he succeed, I am not a demon who doesn’t crave excitement. Equus, the demon I recruited, does have incredible potential and has already created a decent power base, but I think he requires a challenge to really prove his worth. “ Gorgi explained, giving a friendly smile all the while. However Ross would later remember the almost sadistic tone in his voice as he spoke.
“Equus has already started expanding his influence over other species of animals but I feel that the position I promised him could always go towards someone else. You. Begin your life anew as a demon of lust and make this battle become a full out three sided war. Should you win, this world will become the ultimate paradise filled with pleasure and sin, and all of it will be under your firm grasp. Obviously I think you don’t need me to explain what could happen if you lose.”
What was this guy blathering about? Ross dimly thought in his mind. Demons, lust, paradise? Sounds too complicated...
Seemingly unaware of Ross’s current uninterest in what the demon was saying, Gorgi continued, willing the book in his hand to stop at a certain page. Showing it Ross at first it was nothing but a blank page, until three letters formed across the pages, glowing faintly as the word “Lur” appeared.
“After some debating with some of my higher ups, we’ve decided it would be somewhat unfair for a new player like you to start with nothing and while your opponents are already far ahead.” As a sort of compensation we’ve given you the knowledge of the first part of Equus’s true name.
Each demon has a true name, each separated into three parts knowing it grants you great unimaginable power, but should it fall into the wrongs hands, knowledge of even one part of that name could spell disaster. I won’t go too in-depth but with this part, you’ll have some tiny influence over Equus’s mind. You can make him see illusions, make him more prone to rage or depression and that influence will grow with you knowing more of his true name to the point where if you were to know all three parts, Equus would become a slave in every sense of the word to your will. Of course you’ll know more once you finally get transformed into a full demon.” Gorgo said, grinning from ear to ear. His voice was so comforting you just wanted to melt into it. Ross thought, staring into Gorgi’s eyes, unable to determine their color.
“Now you’ve heard me yap enough today, I’ll be transporting you to a small town well hidden enough that you’ll be beyond the detection of Equus or Ponius, your other opponent, for a while. Normally I would ask whether or not you agree to this challenge but I can sense that spark of corruption deep within yourself, it’s so tainted we both know you’ll say yes. Enjoy your transformation, it’s a once in a lifetime kind of thing.” Gorge said, waving with a scaled claw as he faded back into the darkness.
Ross suddenly felt his naked body pulled from away himself as a portal formed around him. He felt like he was zipping through space for a moment before landing face first into the mud. The forest around him shifted at his presence. It was nighttime and he could make out the lights of a town not too far away. But that wasn’t Ross’s concern. His awareness kicked back in as the entire experience he just faced was realized. He had no time to ponder as he felt the transformation start.