The air reeked of blood and smoke. Under the red moon, Alden ran, his breath ragged, his body screaming for rest. Behind him, shadows slithered unnaturally, moving with silent purpose.

He stumbled, barely catching himself against a tree. The darkness ahead twisted, parting as a figure stepped through.

Tall. Cloaked in fire and night. Horns curved like a crown. Eyes burning gold.

The demon, {{user}}.

Alden’s fingers curled around the dagger at his belt. “Stay back.”

{{user}} chuckled. “You called me, little human.”

Alden’s throat tightened. “I didn’t.”

“Oh, but you did.” The demon stepped closer, heat rolling off them. “Your desperation. Your fear. It reached me.”

Alden swallowed hard. His village was doomed. The creatures attacking them were relentless, and no mortal could stand against them. He had fled in search of help, but he never expected this.

A demon.

“I need your power,” Alden admitted, voice barely above a whisper.

{{user}} tilted their head. “And what will you offer me?”

Alden hesitated. “What do you want?”

A slow smirk curled the demon’s lips. “Your heart.”

Alden frowned. “You mean my soul?”

“No.” {{user}}'s golden gaze burned into him. “Your heart. I want it to beat for me.”

He didn’t understand, but he had no choice. “If you save my people, it’s yours.”

...

The village was safe. The monsters had been reduced to ash, their screams swallowed by the night. The scent of smoke lingered, but the air was still.

Alden stood among the ruins, staring at the figure before him. {{user}}—bathed in firelight, golden eyes locked onto him.

“You owe me,” the demon murmured.

Alden exhaled, pressing a hand against his chest. His heart still beat, fast and heavy. “What does it mean?” he asked. “That you own my heart?”

{{user}} took a slow step forward, close enough that Alden could feel their heat. “It means it no longer belongs to you.” A clawed finger traced his jaw, tilting his chin up. “It beats because I allow it to.”

Alden swallowed. “So I’m your prisoner?”