Eldritch

"You truly are fortuitous mortal. To think you were allowed to witness the glory of my master and continue existing afterwards to treasure the memory of her magnificent presence. Such fortune is beyond measure." (D)

I'm not sure if this day was particularly fortunate for me, but she can be assured that I certainly will never be able to forget it again.
However, now I don't know how to react.
I'm still alive, yet in front of me stands a demon, but with what was said, it sounded like it's not supposed to eat me.

Nonetheless, the demon lady looks, in some way, impatient.
As if it's displeased with me.

"I hope you understand, my master, a supreme being, gave me a task and I intend to fulfill it. So you will do as I say to make that happen. Understood?" (D)

As if I'd dare to argue here.

"Y-yes." (T)

"Good. Then tell me, child. Where is your home, as I was ordered to escort you there." (D)

At this, I can only look forlorn at the ground.
Despair slowly welling up within my too-tight chest.
How can I communicate this?

"We already established that you are not to refuse me. I'm awaiting your answer, mortal child." (D)

What can I answer but the truth?

"I, I don't have a home." (T)

"You don't!? Explain yourself!" (D)

"I, I'm living on the street. The sorcerer of this tower took me from there. I-if you want, I can just go back there. Where I came from." (T)

"No, this won't suffice. The intention of my master was clear, and it doesn't account for leaving you in exposed conditions. In that case, there's but one solution." (D)

"A solution?" (T)

Oh no, am I still going to get killed?

"Yes. We'll have to establish a home for you to return to. Nothing less will satisfy my master, who put her trust in me." (D)

She sounds so proud of it.
An honor that means everything to her.
I don't even know how to respond to this.
It's not like I could even approach her dedication.

"Well, then, first we'll search for any valuables of the original owner of this place." (D)

"We, we do what?" (T)

"The knowledge I was granted tells me that to mortals, mundane goods are of mandatory importance if it's about obtaining anything. Therefore, we'll require such funds to establish a base for you in this world that can be denoted as a 'home'. Now stop stating such pointless questions and follow me. We will have to search this place for resources." (D)

I still can't argue with her.
I'm so frightened of her.
Who knows what this creature might do if she becomes annoyed with me?

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So I don't have any other choice but to tap along with her.

We leave through the halls, and the woman seems confident in finding her way.

"I deem the upper levels to have the highest chance of containing what we're looking for. Therefore, we'll take the stairs upwards." (D)

Well, as I already said.
We follow the spacious paths, yet suddenly, there's rumbling to be heard in front of us.
A moment later, first shadows, illuminated by the magelights, then shapes are to be seen.

Stoneskin, rough shapes, wings, and claws that carry crude pikes.
I quickly realize what I'm looking at.
Gargoyles!

Those are magical guardians!
The sorcerer must've created them to fight possible intruders!
Even trained soldiers would struggle against this kind of creature, and four of them!

"Tsk. Such a nuisance!" (D)

The demon lady seems no less bothered about our situation than by a beetle surring around her face.
The gargoyles close in.
The first one flying straight at us, brandishing a lance of stone.

"You dare?" (D)

Before it can reach us, coils of green and purple grow out of the walls.
They wind around the creatures, binding even the one who was about to stab her directly in front of her face.

"Perish!" (D)

Then she closes her hand into a fist, and promptly, the gargoyles get squeezed by the vines into rubble and dust.
This demon is far too strong.
Is there any hero out there who could defeat such a creature?

"Hopefully, this will be the last distraction. It's annoying to deal with this kind of rubbish." (D)

It's terrifying.
How can this demon wield such power so casually?
Reshape reality in such a manner while still being only a servant.
I'm so deeply afraid of what this creature is capable of.
What kind of devastation it could lay to the things in its wake.

The next group of magical guardians gets ripped apart before I can even gain sight on them.
It's simply ridiculous.
Why was I made a tagalong to this invincible being?

Eventually, we reach the end of the stairs.
A quarter that should be the sorcerer's.
It's filled with all kinds of things.
Books, artifacts, and all manner of luxurious interiors.
Yet the demon lady shows little interest in the splendid ornaments.

"Hm, it seems there's little to be turned into direct funds. We'll adjust our proceedings then. It seems likely that the original owner had a dedicated treasury to store valuables. I'll still take what seems appropriate from here, yet finding this place is the new priority." (D)

Does she intend to raid this whole tower?
I remember that it was quite spacious from the outside.

"I can discern that look. What is bothering you about my planning, mortal?" (D)

Shit!
Oh, no.
Oh, no.
Oh, no!

"N-nothing. I just thought it might take quite a while as it could be well hidden in this place." (T)

Did I go too far?

What if she punishes me now for my insolence?
What kind of punishment could I even incur from a being of such power?

"Hm. You might be right. We don't have all day, and you mortals only possess a limited durability. It would impede my goals if you were to break down before we finish. So, how to proceed instead..." (D)

She considers me?
Seemingly now deep in thought.

"Could I maybe... Hm, yes!" (D)

Abruptly, she plunges her own claw into her chest.
Next, her blood spills all over the ground.
My shock regarding what transpires here gets quickly replaced by disbelief when the drops start to quiver and grow.
They take on considerably large shapes, and then dismorphed, unsightly beings are born.
Mostly consisting of fangs and claws, they turn in our direction.
My mind already shut down long ago, so I don't even try to make heads of this.

"Find me the treasury within this place. Search every nook and cranny!" (D)

With this, they sprint off.

"To think my master's boon could be used like this. A passage between the worlds." (D)

She can create monsters!
Real monsters to serve her!
Oh my god!

The demon lady proceeds to grab the things in the room.
Somehow, she grabs them and they vanish inside her hands.

After this, we walk back down, but before we are at the bottom, a creature returns.

"Ah, seems like they found something." (D)

It seems they fought more guardians.
Not like the demoness would be bothered by that fact.
We follow and eventually reach a heavy set of bars.
Behind these, I spot riches beyond measure.
Gold, paintings, jewels, and artifacts glowing with magical power.
It's crazy!

"This seems good enough." (D)

She wants to claim these riches?
How?

Without even acknowledging my confusion, she walks up to the bars, and quickly vines grow out of the ground and start pulling.
More add to them, and at one point, the bars give in to their accumulated force and allow for entrance.
Next, she steps inside and starts the same procedure as before.
Now I notice that she puts the objects in some kind of sack.
But it's far too small and could never contain that much stuff.
The power these beings wield is truly beyond understanding.

Eventually, the room is empty, and the demoness turns back to me.

"This should do. We'll depart now. I'll rely on you to mark the way." (D)

She seriously wants to bring me all the way to the town?
What may come from this?

"A-are you truly intending to escort me all the way? May-maybe I could go alone? You, you don't need to bother yourself with this." (T)

She gives me such a piercing, stern gaze that my blood runs cold.

"What are you saying? My master gave me an order and I will fulfill it to the closest detail. There is no room for deterring. No matter the cost, it will happen." (D)

I... I'm starting to get afraid.