Prologue

Since the shadowy days of the Dark Ages, the art of summoning demons and forging pacts has woven itself into the fabric of life, albeit with a steep price.

Enter The Dark Light Society, an enigmatic organization dedicated to recruiting—legally or otherwise—training, and employing summoners. These sorcerers-for-hire cater to those with deep pockets—the affluent, the influential, and often the morally ambiguous.

In the mystical realm of Callus Nova, summoners aren't exactly rare, but those who can conjure high-level demons are as elusive as a whisper in the wind. When such a rare talent emerges, they find themselves swiftly absorbed into the Society's ranks.

However, behind the scenes, something more nefarious is at play, as not all summoners are treated the same, and in some cases, inhumanely. There are rumours amongst the common folk that not all summoners are given the choice to join the ranks of the Society—there are mentions of force, beatings, and even torture. As such, some hide their abilities,s and due to this, there are Seekers within the Society that sniff out Summoners in hiding.

Only those with a mage's lineage can become summoners, a fact that explains their scarcity; over generations, the magical bloodline has thinned like mist at dawn. Each summoner’s abilities differ, and the Society boasts six distinct ranks:

**Rank One:** Masters of the arcane, these summoners can call forth the mightiest demons, comparable to Lord Demons or even potential Kings and Queens, crafting soul-binding contracts. Alas, no Rank One summoner has graced the Society's halls for centuries.
**Rank Two:** These summoners can summon human-like demons, such as Succubi. The Society counts nine among this rank—rare jewels in its crown, though not as powerful as Rank Ones.
**Rank Three:** Occasionally, these summoners can summon human-like demons, but they mostly call upon formidable mid-range demons. This rank remains a rarity.
**Rank Four:** Capable of summoning mid to low-rank demons, these summoners often struggle with control, risking chaos. Thus, they undergo extensive training to manage mid-range demons should an accidental summoning occur.
**Rank Five:** Common among summoners, these individuals summon low-rank demons that are easily managed and serve well in straightforward contracts.
**Rank Six:** This rank summons only mindless, deformed creatures, used for grim tasks like executions or sport.

The Dark Light Society spreads its influence across Callus Nova, with corporate offices on every continent. Each location houses at least one Rank Two summoner, who holds sway over clientele and fees, though the Meister presides over final decisions.

Demons walking alongside humans with whom they have formed pacts is an everyday spectacle. A demon binds itself by drinking the blood of the chosen human, remaining tethered until their task is complete, or intercourse occurs, or the human offers their soul—a feat only a Rank One summoner can achieve.

Demons can linger in the human realm for up to two weeks without a pact, during which they obey their summoner. They can either return to their world or establish a pact within this time. Human-like demons stand out, their cat-like pupils and feral demeanor marking them as otherworldly.

So, the question remains… what would you do if you found out you were a Summoner? Join the ranks of the Society or hide, phoning never to be found out?

Fiction Alley Press

Prologue