Chapter Text
Ed paced back and forth in his small, dimly lit cave, frustration etched on his features. He had spent days painstakingly performing summoning rituals, but each attempt had ended in failure. The ritual was a rite of passage for demons, a symbol of their power and strength. But Ed was different. He was weak, and his magic was unpredictable. Doubt crept into his mind, whispering that he would forever remain an outcast, an anomaly in the demon realm.
With a deep sigh, Ed focused his thoughts and channelled his remaining energy into one last summoning. As ancient symbols glowed faintly around him, he closed his eyes and whispered the incantation, hoping against hope for a different outcome this time.
The air crackled with an electric energy, and Ed's eyes snapped open. Before him stood a figure, but it wasn't what he expected. Instead of a daemon familiar, a human stood before him, wide-eyed and eager.
The blond man said, “Oh! Hello. I have no idea how I got here,” he gestured to his surroundings. “I was on something of a cryptozoological hunt just now, and now I’m here.” He giggled to himself and looked around again, taking in more of his surroundings. “Do you mind if I ask who you are?”
Ed was bewildered and fascinated. He’d summoned a human! A real life human! Was that illegal? He didn’t know. He realised the human was waiting for him to speak. “Uh— Ed. I’m Ed.” He stuck out his hand.
The blond man focused on Ed then, eyes widening with interest as he took in his horns and tail. The man came towards Ed too quickly for Ed to retreat, ignoring his proffered hand.
“Oh wow, are you a demon of some sort?” he said, running his fingers lightly over Ed’s horns. Ed shuddered at his touch. Horns were sensitive things and not meant to be manhandled like that. “I’ve never seen a demon in person before. Are these goat type horns? Or that of some other creature?” He lifted Ed’s tail and smoothed the tuft at the end between his fingers and groaned in satisfaction at how soft it was. “Aww, it’s just as soft as I’d imagined a furry tail would be. Is it easy to sit with? Like at a fire? How does that work? Does it help you balance when you’re moving or jumping in any way? Does it swish uncontrollably when you’re angry like a cat?”
Ed found himself speechless during all of this. Partly from all of the unexpected physical contact he was receiving, and partly because the human didn’t seem to be even a little bit afraid of him.
The blond looked up from running his hands over every demon aspect of Ed when he didn’t get a response. His eyes widened. “Oh, where are my manners? I’m Stede,” the human said, beaming at Ed, like that was the only obvious next step to this whole weird situation. “I've always been fascinated by demons, and I've been studying creatures like you for years back home.” Stede waved a hand behind him like he could point to his home from here despite it being on another plane of existence. "I've always dreamed of exploring the demon realms firsthand," he finished.
Ed had been silent as Stede rattled off his background, but shook himself to speak and admit his need. “Look, Stede, the long and the short of it is that I need a familiar, and you seem to be the one who the fates have chosen for me,” said Ed apologetically, expecting a rejection.
Stede's enthusiasm was undeterred. "A familiar? Oh, this is amazing! I've always wanted to explore the demon world. The opportunities for research are endless!"
Ed blinked. No one had ever reacted to being a familiar with such excitement. "Uh–y-yeah. Well, I suppose it's not every day you get to explore a new realm."
Stede began to rummage through his backpack, producing a notebook, pencils, and a small camera. "I've got all my gear right here, so I’m good to go. Oh gosh, this is exciting!"
Ed's scepticism began to melt away as he observed Stede's genuine eagerness. This human was unlike any he had encountered before. Whereas others would cower in fear or seek to exploit demons for their own gain, Stede possessed an insatiable curiosity and an earnest desire to learn.
"You actually want to be my familiar?" Ed asked incredulously.
Stede nodded eagerly. "Absolutely! It's an incredible opportunity for me to document everything I see and study the demon realm up close. Plus, who wouldn't want to have a demon friend by their side?"
Ed studied Stede for a moment, his brown eyes searching for any trace of deception or ulterior motives. But all he found was genuine excitement and a thirst for knowledge.
A small smile tugged at the corners of Ed's lips. Perhaps this unconventional pairing was exactly what he needed. Maybe Stede could be the companion he had always longed for—a partner who believed in him when he struggled to believe in himself.
"Well then, Stede," Ed finally said, extending his hand towards his newfound familiar. "Welcome to the demon realm. We have a mission. My old mentor, Hornigold, went missing a while back and now I want us to find him."
Stede beamed, clasping Ed's hand firmly. "A treasure hunt? Count me in! Oh, I just know this will be the start of something extraordinary!"
As they settled down for the night before travelling, Ed couldn't help but feel a surge of hope coursing through his veins. With Stede by his side, maybe he could overcome his weaknesses and prove himself worthy as a demon after all.
Tomorrow they will begin their first task: to find Ed's old mentor, a powerful demon named Hornigold.