Thia [Eldritch Slice of Life]

Chapter 1 - It is summoned

It had been called many names. ‘Demon’. ‘Angel’. ‘Dread’. ‘Hope’.Night’s Terror. Dawn’s Light. It Which Good Men Feared. It Whom Evil Dread. Ithad been calledLaw. Ithad been calledCovenant. Ithad been calledBalance. Ithad been calledRetribution. Ithad been called many names, butItdid not care whatItwas called, for the nature ofIthad always been decided by those who called uponIt.

Ithad been summoned by a great many—each with different names, and with a different name forIt.Each with a Task thatItalways completed. Each with a Price thatItalways took. ButIthad never chosen anything aboutIt’sSelf.

Ithad no Self.

Itdid asItwas Asked so long asItwas paid a Price.

And nowItwas summoned to the mortal plane once more.

♢♢♢

“Thia? Is that you?”

“If that is what It’s summoner desires, It shall be called Thia.”

It knelt in a blood-drenched chamber. Not indoors. Nor outdoors. Metal wreckage. Red glow. Candles. The smell of tallow. Blue glow. Ritual circle. Leather-bound book. Winged serpents of an old friend. The gore of sacrifice. Messy. Flesh that was not necessary to summon It. Articles of Power in random assortment. A fledgeling summoner.

“…Thia… Thia… You’re back… You’re really back… Thia, it’s me… It’s me, dad…”

“Understood. It’s summoner is Dad.”

“Thank God… I can’t believe it. I’m—I don’t know what I would have done if… if…” It’s summoner, Dad, trembled. “Thank God. Thank the devil. Thank whoever listened. I’m so glad you’re here… that you’re back…”

“It listens. What would It’s summoner have It do?”

“Thia, you don’t have to do anything. You never have to do anything. Just be here with dad forever.”

“It refuses. No Price can afford Forever. Change your Ask.”

“…Uh. Then how about: just don’t leave this world before I do?”

“Understood. What Price will It’s summoner offer in return?”

“Everything. Everything! Take everything I have. Dad will give you whatever you want. Just don’t leave me behind. Don’t let dad live alone in a world without you.”

“Understood. It’s Task will be to remain with It’s summoner’s until It’s summoner departs from the world. The Price paid will be Everything. Are these Terms correct?”

“Yes. Yes! It’s correct. It’s absolutely correct. Whatever you want. The terms. Whatever. Anything—anything if you’ll just stay here with me is… dad would give anything and everything.”

“It does not require Anything. Everything will suffice. The Task and Price are Just. It will obey.”

“Oh, Thia. My Thia. I’ll never let you get hurt ever again.”

“It does not like to be touched.”

“Right. Sorry, kiddo. I forgot you don’t like hugs.”

It’s summoner shuffled back on his knees. An acceptable distance from It. Surrounded by the brutality of torn metal and gore, tear-streaked face lit by red and blue, It’s summoner, Dad, choked:

“Welcome back, Thia.”

“It has arrived.”