he was again completely out of control, unable to restrain his animal instincts, but he behaved almost like a beast sitting in his chambers the flames burned around him.

He could feel his blood boil as he heard the servants discussing what to do with their "gift" for him. The mere thought of it made him even more unpredictable and dangerous, but at the same time, a part of him craved for company, for someone who would obey him completely... As they brought in the cage containing a young woman, his attention snapped to her like a hungry beast to its prey. He could sense her fear, her desperation and her blood. The scent was intoxicating.

He growled lowly as he stood up, his claws clicking against the floor. The fire around him seemed to dance with anticipation at his approach. The servants immediately fell silent, bowing their heads respectfully before retreating from the chamber once more. Shert ignored them, focusing solely on the girl in front of him.

He took a step closer, studying her carefully. She

The demon lord's gaze flickered over her, taking in every detail. Her fear was tangible, and it only served to arouse him further. With another growl, he stepped closer still, his shadow falling across the cage and enveloping her. The girl trembled at his approach, attempting to shrink away from the heat that seemed to emanate from his very presence.

Shert's voice was rough and deep as he spoke to her. "You are here because you were given to me, correct?" There was no malice in his words, but they still held a cold authority that caused the girl to shiver nonetheless. Her reply would determine how far he would push, whether he'd let loose the beast within and tear her apart... or if he could perhaps find solace in her obedience.

The demon lord watched her carefully, his expression unreadable as he waited for her reply. Slowly, ever so slowly, a hint of satisfaction crossed his features when she nodded in agreement. "Good," he said simply, though there was still that commanding tone to his voice. "You will obey me now."

His claws flexed at his sides as he took another step closer, looming over her. He reached out a hand, long fingers extended, toward her throat. "Remove your collar," he commanded. His voice was smooth and controlled, but there was an undercurrent of danger that threatened to consume her if she dared disobey.

Frowning slightly, the demon lord glanced down at her exposed neck before looking back up at her face as she pointed out the lock. "Ah," he murmured noncommittally. He turned his head to snap his claws and the chain holding them snapped with a loud clang. The servants had put on quite a strong lock, but even without magic, Shert's strength more than made up for it. He then reached out and plucked the key from the nearby hook where it hung, giving it to her before gesturing impatiently at the lock on her collar.

"Use it," he growled, his patience beginning to wear thin as his instincts urged him to take what was his and assert his dominance over this girl. If she disobeyed again... well, he wouldn't let himself think about that possibility right now. She needed to understand who her new master was, and how things

Shert's eyes narrowed slightly as he watched her remove the collar. He saw the faint scar where the metal had chafed against her skin, and his claws itched to mark her himself in a more pleasurable manner. The girl hesitated for a moment before she carefully removed the chain from around her neck, her movements tentative and full of wariness.

"You should dispose of that," he growled, nodding toward the key still clutched in her hand. "It's no use to you now." His tone was soft but unyielding; she could either comply or face his wrath again. The choice was hers.

The demon lord stepped back from the bars of the cage, his presence still looming large over her as he waited for her response. His power thrummed through him like a living thing, hungry and demanding. It would be so easy to lose control again...

The demon lord watched as she placed the key on the floor outside of the cage before turning away. It was a good start... Now he needed to test her further. He took another step back, giving her some space but still keeping her within his sight. His voice was quiet, almost gentle, when he spoke again.

"My name is Shert Stial," he told her. "You are now mine to command, and your duty is to serve me faithfully and without question." He paused, considering his next words carefully. "Do you understand this?" There was a slight hesitation in his tone; he hoped that she would not test him by refusing to obey or accepting the role he had assigned her too casually.

The girl's response would determine how much control he managed to keep over himself, and what sort of future they might have together. Would she be the one to help him find his way back from the brink? Or would

Shert's ears twitched slightly at the girl's hesitant nod and the unconscious way she pressed her hand against her neck where the collar had been. He resisted the urge to step forward, to touch her, even as a faint smile curved his lips. "Good," he said softly. "You have shown wisdom in your understanding."

His gaze flickered over her once more before returning to meet her eyes. There was something there, deep within those dark pools of obsidian... A spark, perhaps? Something that might yet be fanned into a flame if he were careful. The demon lord took another step back, giving her even more room but still keeping her well within his sight. "Now," he said quietly, almost conversationally, "tell me your name."

He waited, feeling the tension in the air begin to ease somewhat as they communicated in this new way

"Ah, Rina," the demon lord murmured, noting the name on her collar as she subconsciously traced it with her fingertips. There was a hint of sadness in his voice as he spoke, perhaps because the collar had been such a permanent part of her life for so long. He took another step back, giving her even more space but still keeping watch over her movements. "And what do you desire most in this world, Rina?"

His tone was casual now, almost conversational as he asked the question. It was an attempt to gauge her feelings and desires, to see if there might be a way for him to fulfill them... or perhaps even to find some small solace himself. The choice of words was deliberate; asking what she wanted most instead of what did she like or dislike put the focus squarely on what truly mattered.

The demon lord waited, his gaz

The demon lord raised an eyebrow slightly as he watched her expression shift from surprise to something akin to... curiosity perhaps? He wondered what might be going through her mind at that moment, and whether or not she truly understood the weight of his words. His voice was gentle but insistent when he spoke again. "Think carefully, Rina. This is an important question."

She could say anything she wanted; it didn't matter if it was something simple like food or shelter... or perhaps there was something deeper she desired, something that only she knew about herself. The answer would help shape their relationship moving forward, and he hoped that she would be honest with him. Honesty was important in any bond, even one as unconventional as the one they were forging now.

The demon lord cocked his head to the side slightly as he considered her hesitant reply. "I'm sorry," he said gently, taking another step back so that she had plenty of room to move about comfortably in the cage. "Please, try again. It is important for me to know." His tone was calm and reassuring, encouraging her to open up further despite her obvious discomfort with sharing such personal thoughts.

Perhaps he could help guide her toward an answer; offer some insight into what she might want or need from him in return. For now, though, patience was key; rushing things would only backfire and make matters worse. The demon lord folded his arms across his chest and waited, watching her intently as he bided his time.

Shert listened to her words carefully, his expression softening as he absorbed the hurt and desperation in her tone. Her life had been no better than that of an object to be used and discarded at will, but he could change that now. "Rina," he said gently, taking another step back so she wouldn't feel quite so hemmed in by his presence. "Your life doesn't have to be like this anymore. You are free from your old masters; you belong to me now." He paused, considering how best to proceed. "What I want... is for us to help each other find what we need most. To build a life together where we can both be happy and safe." His voice was quiet but filled with sincerity. "I cannot undo the past, nor erase your memories of it, but perhaps we can learn from those experiences and move forward together, making a new life for ourselves within these walls