Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

He needed to summon a demon. 

It was the only way. 

All his hard work, countless hours of studying well into the night, working on his spellcasting until his fingertips were bloodless and his muscles were only working on pure will and nothing else — it was all futile, if he could not progress. 

Have something to show for everything he had sacrificed. 

He knew how deep his insecurities were, how toxic his mindset had become, how his jealousy of his peers grew every day.

It wasn’t good for him.

If he could only say to himself: “It’s okay. You don’t have to become the strongest. You can settle for being less.”

He just couldn’t. He owed it to himself to improve.

Any spell he was currently practicing had already been mastered by someone else, written down into history by pioneers. Nothing he accomplished was anything new, anything groundbreaking. 

Whenever Megumi had mastered a spell, he would hear whispers amongst his peers of how privileged he was, having their professor as his guardian and therefore being favored and probably given private lessons. The worst ones would also spread rumours about Megumi seducing him even, making him sound like a fucked-up pervert. 

It was all false. They didn’t know anything of Megumi and Gojo’s relationship, and how it was nothing like that. 

Megumi could beg him, beg for private lessons and for Gojo to shape him into being the next great sorcerer, but Megumi wouldn’t. 

He worked so goddamn hard. He skipped meals, was sleep deprived, found himself repeatedly losing track of his own self when he was too deep into his training, all to make a name for himself.

No way in hell would he throw away all his hard work just for another sorcerer to hand him an opportunity, especially not the one he wanted to overcome. 

Yet, he found himself at a standstill, and something needed to be done. 

“Fushiguro, please go home,” the librarian at the university asked him, standing above his desk in the library. “It’s past midnight, you know I have to lock up,” he said, fiddling with the big iron key that hung onto a chain around his neck. 

Megumi looked up, furrowing his brows, making his eyes look bigger and sadder than normal. 

“Kiyotaka, this is important. If I don’t study enough for the test on Monday, I don’t know what I’ll do. Please let me stay.” 

Kiyotaka sighed loudly. “I can’t leave until I’ve locked up, it’s protocol. The dean will have my head you know.” 

“I’ll lock up for you. You know I’m trustworthy, there is not a single place on earth I care more about than this library. Give me the key, and I’ll return it in the morning. No one will know.”

When he didn't answer right away, Megumi pushed harder. 

"I know your wife would like to have you home by now. Give me the key, call it a day, and go home."

Kiyotaka groaned. "You," he stammered, cursing under his breath. "You kids have no notion of healthy studying! The books will be here in the morning, you know? Some sleep wouldn't kill you," he ranted, but pulled the chain off all the same. 

He handed Megumi the key, but did not let go. 

"It's just because I know you won't trash the place. And don't go yapping about this to other students, because the same can't be said for them. And I like this job." 

Megumi smiled sweetly. "Thank you for the trust. I won't let you down." 

Kiyotaka finally let go, and left Megumi.

Then he was all alone in the dimly lit library filled with books that seemed to whisper and beckon to him with promises of wisdom. 

However, tonight there was something else he was after than mere wisdom. What the sought was forbidden. 

As soon as he heard the large metal gate creak, letting Megumi know Kiyotaka had gone outside, he bounced up from his chair. 

There was something extraordinarily eerie about the library at this hour, dark and empty. In daylight, colors would dance along the three-stories high bookcases, sunlight streaming in through stained glass windows flanked by thick walls of ancient stone. 

The wooden floors and furniture would look warm and inviting, soaking up the sun. 

Now everything was just darkness and total abyss the further away he tried to look. The electrical lamp on his desk wasn't much of a lightsource either, only good for lighting up the books he read.

A shiver ran down Megumi's spine, as he felt a chill draft coming from somewhere in the building. 

He normally felt quite at ease in the library, even in the late hours by himself. Perhaps tonight felt different, based on what he was trying to do. 

But he couldn't back down now. The only sorcerers who made a name for themselves, were those who took risks. What he was doing could be the worst idea ever, a complete suicide mission, but it could also be the greatest decision of any sorcerer in modern history. 

Backing down or failing was not an option.

So, Megumi lit a match, grabbed a wax candle from his desk, and with the tiny flickering flame leading the way, Megumi went towards the closed off basement, containing forbidden, tempting, and dangerous knowledge, and that was highly off limits to not only students, but also to most of the staff at the university. 

His heart hammered in his chest as he unlocked the iron door. It was perhaps the heaviest door he had pushed. It looked like a prison gate, just as much designed to keep something inside as to keep something out. 

Staring down into the descending steps leading into an abysmal drop, Megumi's mind somehow wandered to his childhood bullies. 

How they had teased him, ridiculed him, claimed he was a coward and a crybaby. Would they stare into the abyss as fearlessly as he did now? Would they leave all rational thought behind, in order to pursue their ambitions? 

Megumi smiled, perhaps out of lunacy. 

They wouldn't. 

As he made his way down the spiral stairs, that almost felt like it was wobbling despite being made out of solid stone, he noticed the air changed. 

It got heavier and drier, as if climbing a tall mountain.

He swallowed, trying to suppress his nerves. 

Be fearless.  

His candle flickered some more as another draft hit him, and it took everything in Megumi's might not to imagine it as a spirit passing him by.

Once he had descended, both legs on firm, steady ground, he tried to take in his surroundings. 

Looking for the book would be impossible in pitch darkness like this. He found a wall, followed it, and finally found a torch he could light.

Apparently electricity was reserved only for the upper floor, and not the basement. The torch was archaic in nature, however it wasn't as unimpressive as it looked. The minute Megumi's candle lit it, so did all the other torches in the room. 

Bound by a connecting magic, they lit up the dark, frightening basement, revealing its content. 

Books – to no one's surprise – and books, books and books. At first glance, it was nothing special. You'd never guess why they were kept down here instead of upstairs. But, as Megumi walked closer to the rows of dusty bookcases, he started to understand. 

He could hear them, feel them, whispering into his ear, hovering by his skin, desperate to touch.  

It was mostly unintelligible, made out of different languages, most of which he didn't even recognize. Pagan mutterings perhaps. But certain words occasionally stood out. 

Boy. Look. Come here. Sweet. Touch me. Open. Read. Set me free. 

Like words of encouragement from a lover.

Good thing Megumi wasn't particularly affectionate. The evils hidden away between the pages would have to try harder than that to tempt him. 

Despite often feeling inadequate, Megumi wasn't an idiot. 

He didn't come here to let himself be fooled into unleashing havoc on campus, and consequently, the world; he just needed to get his hands on one particular book, so he could summon one particular demon. 

That was it. 

He'd read about it in a different book from upstairs, that referenced an ancient tome that was a compendium of demons. It wasn't his intention at the time to summon a demon, simply learn about them, so he scoured all the upper floors for it. 

With no luck, Megumi sneakily took a peek the long list of works in the basement that Kiyotaka kept inside his desk. 

And there it was on the list, practically calling his name: Daemones ab inferno.

Supposedly it contained every single name of the demons residing in all the nine circles of hell. That was what Megumi knew , judging from the book that quoted it. It said nothing of whether or not summoning them was possible, or written like recipes in the tome. However, Megumi had a hypothesis. 

There had to be a reason why the book was locked down in the basement, why it was forbidden. As far as Megumi could tell, partially from his prior understanding and now his own experience standing in front of the books, there had to be a level of danger involved for a book to become locked away. 

Knowledge, any kind of knowledge, no matter how valiant, immoral or basic it was, was the core of the university's philosophy. In fact, it weighed heavier than physical spellcasting did. So why would a university, priding themselves on an extensive collection of knowledge that was available to everybody, keep something away?

Being a threat to a life, the school, or the world, might be reason enough. 

A name in itself was harmless. A name, coupled with knowledge on how to summon what the name represented, was definitely not. 

So, Megumi decided to see for himself if his hypothesis was true. 

He stood next to the endless rows of whispering books. Despite knowing that if he performed any sort of spell here it would be like bleeding in front of a vampire, he realized roaming through it all with his mere eyes would take hours he did not have, and would possibly cost him his sanity too. 

"Venite ad me, daemones ab inferno," Megumi whispered, placing his hand in the air and moving it in a wiping motion, characteristic of a simple location spell. 

He didn't know what the book looked like, only its title, but hoped the book would somehow find him as well and meet him halfway. 

Certain books didn't want to be perceived, but perhaps this one would hope a young, naive student would come across it. 

From what Megumi knew, demons liked to manipulate their way into others' lives after all. 

He walked slowly on instinct, moving further into the basement. The whispering belonging to other books, scrolls and artifacts had seemed to decrease, being reduced to background noise as Megumi focused on his target.

It felt like it was physically pulling him. If he changed his mind - which he wouldn’t - he’d probably be yanked forward anyway.

Unlike the other various things in there, this one wasn’t noisy. It didn’t call out to him sweetly, because it didn’t need to. Megumi had made his desire known already by casting the spell.

And there it was, in its humble, yet intoxicating glory. 

The edges of the cover were frayed, the dark red color of it splotchy and faded, and the pages were yellow from age. It wasn’t like the oldest spellbooks Megumi had learned about in class, codexes that were kept locked up and protected with various spells. This could’ve been any old book, yet Megumi knew it wasn’t like them at all.

This book was cunning, and wanted to blend in. Who knew if it was to be ignored and left alone, or oppositely, to lure curious scholars into its grasp? 

Time to find out. 

Megumi touched the spine of the book first, feeling the ridges of it under his finger. Almost like a gentle greeting. Then, he pulled it out of its spot.

While being humble in appearance, it certainly was quite heavy.

He looked down at the title on the front. Daemones ab inferno. In big, gilded and slightly faded letters. At least he had not been led astray. 

Part of him wanted to open the book, but he quickly let go of that thought. Not here, with so many dangerous books and artifacts that could interfere. It wouldn’t be good to do it on campus either. By the sizable chance of fucking up, and by a miracle not ending up dead, he certainly did not want to be expelled. 

He had a perfect alternative in mind. 

Megumi entered the mouth of The Whaler’s Deathbed. He walked carefully, carrying the tome along with other necessary items for his ritual in a knapsack. In his other hand he held an oil lamp, helping him find his way in the darkness without falling into the sea. 

It was absolutely terrifying walking on the wet rocks. Why this was the designated party spot for fresh sorcerers was beyond him. For the thrill, most likely. 

The Whaler’s Deathbed was a cave where the sea met the cliffs. During particularly stormy days, the water would fill up large parts of the cave, but on calm days, it was possible to enter it without getting wet, and it was big enough for a student gathering.

The story behind it was that a whaling ship had been destroyed by waves at sea. One of the whalers survived and somehow swam to shore. However, just before being able to climb up on land, a wave caught him and sent him into the cave. The waves were relentless, continuously drowning him while keeping him sealed there. The storm lasted for days, and when it finally ended, it was too late. The cave had become the whaler’s coffin.

And now it was a hang-out spot for morbidly curious sorcerers.

Megumi’s teeth chattered. Gods, it was cold. The autumn night was no warmer than winter, and it was only accentuated by the wet stone that surrounded him. 

He quickly set up his summoning circle. He wasn’t sure if the tome consisted of specific summoning instructions, but Megumi had done his fair share of summoning other things, both living and dead things. 

In theory, demons shouldn’t be much different.

Instead of a singular circle, Megumi added eight more. Each representing one of the circles from hell. The outer circle was Limbo. Then came Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Wrath, Heresy, Violence, Fraud, and the inner circle, Treachery.

And in the centre of it all, was the Devil himself. Or so they said. Hopefully, this is where Megumi’s desired demon would appear.

After drawing the circles with chalk, Megumi set up candles and lit them. The flames casted dramatic shadows on the rugged walls of the cave, the light being reflected where the stone was wet.

It was almost ready. What came next was sacrifice.

For usual summoning, sacrifice only meant spending your innate magic. The magic would only be spent for a while, and always came back. How much you used depended on the size, difficulty and nature of the summon.

Megumi had shadow familiars, some of which were small, like rabbits, that he could summon in a large quantity because the magic spent was a small amount. Others, like his elephant, required more.

Those were partially illusionary because they consisted of shadows, so it did not take a huge toll on his magic. However, when you dipped your toes into different natures, it could become less predictable. 

Living things, like plants and animals, were unpredictable because they too harbored innate magic that sometimes resisted the sorcerer’s magic.

Dead, or undead beings, were even worse. A walking skeleton would usually push the limit of any sorcerer’s reserve. An undead, consisting of flesh and blood and innate magic was only possible by those who somehow had managed to expand their reserve, or by those who made pacts with the undead.

Megumi was hoping for the latter, although he wasn’t sure if a demon would operate on the rules of undead… After all, demons were something else entirely.

He had read of people making pacts with demons, but only in form of communication, not necessarily summoning. Verbal and written contact was apparently much easier to initiate. 

But it wouldn’t be good enough. 

Megumi inhaled deeply through his nose. This was more than a wish to initiate a pact with a demon. This was a test. 

A test for himself to see how far he was willing to go in order to become a better sorcerer.

He had tried not to dwell on it, but the risk of death was high. Even if he did everything right, pronounced the right words, summoned the demon without fault, he’d heard of countless sorcerers who died from their magic reserve being exhausted.

Megumi might die on the spot just from that. 

Perhaps he had gone insane, but he was willing to take that risk.

He would be his own sacrifice today. 

He placed a silver bowl in one of the outer circles. Then, he fished out a knife from a pocket on his vest. 

Without much thought and with enough pressure, Megumi dragged the knife across the palm of his hand. For a few short seconds, Megumi watched the blood form painlessly. Then, it stung. 

He ignored the pain and turned his hand over, letting the blood drip into the bowl.

Minutes passed, as Megumi watched the steady flow turn to dripping. 

His hand was paler than usual, and started to lose feeling. 

“Okay,” Megumi whispered to himself, feeling lightheaded. He wrapped some cloth around his hand, adding pressure to the wound. 

Then, he sat down, and opened the book in his lap.

Megumi flipped through the pages, until he found the demon he sought.

Bune. 

A wise and strong duke of hell that had the form of a dragon with three heads. He was his best chance of a demon who would answer questions, and go along with his commands.

Megumi’s eyes skimmed the introduction, until he saw the chant he needed to read in order to summon him.

“Rex fortis, exaudi vocem meam,” Megumi said, hoping his latin was satisfactory.

Mighty king, hear my call.

 “Exaudi orationem meam in hoc tempore opportuno. De fortitudine, de dominatu, de libidine tua prodite.” 

Answer my prayer in this time of need. With your strength, with your dominance, with your lust-

Lust? 

Megumi furrowed his brows, but kept chanting. 

“Salve rex Sukuna.”

Hail king Sukuna.

His brows shot up, mentally reading the last line even though he had already voiced it. 

Sukuna? He swore his name was Bune. Perhaps he had several names…

Megumi looked at both of the pages that were stretched out before him, but he did not have time to investigate further, because the circles were starting to glow.

His heart stilled at the sight of the white chalk changing color, into an ominous shade of red. 

He had done something, that was certain. 

The first thing he felt was warmth, like time had moved backwards, the season changing into summer. However the warmth soon went from gentle heat to a scorching inferno, making beads of sweat roll down Megumi’s temple.

Then, a gust of wind, cool like in a snowstorm, swept throughout the cave. 

All the candles were extinguished, including the oil lamp. 

Now it was only the red summoning circle that glowed, a stark contrast to the darkness surrounding it. Megumi’s eyes widened as he saw symbols appear, adding to the circles, perhaps a form of writing.

Megumi blinked, and in the span of a miniscule second, he was no longer alone.

He jumped back, falling backwards onto the cold ground, and looked upon the summoned entity. 

The first thought that struck him was how human the demon looked. He was in the shape of a man; well-built, tall, with ten fingers, ten toes and… well, he was completely naked, sporting a rather impressive member that was half-way erect. 

Very human-looking indeed… 

The manlike demon made a sound, sounding like a chuckle, and Megumi tore his eyes upwards, finally looking at his face. 

“Well, hello there. You called?” the demon said, drawing his words out in a seductive manner, and cocking his head in curiosity. 

In the red darkness, it was hard to make out his coloring. But lustful eyes glowed red, he was almost positive of it. His brows were thick, cheekbones sculpted, his jaw wide and mouth stretched out in a smirk, with a sliver of teeth showing.

Black, sharp markings covered his face and other areas of his body, mirroring some of the new symbols in the circles.

With a dry mouth, Megumi finally made himself speak.

“Are… Are you Bune?”

Part of him already knew the answer, considering it was not a three-headed dragon looking at him. 

The demon’s smile widened, and he erupted into laughter. 

“Bune?” the demon repeated, laughing some more. “Is he the one you were expecting?” 

Megumi kept his mouth tight, not answering.

He had fucked up.

“Hah! How marvelous,” the demon said, laughter slowly coming to a stop. “Based on my intuition, you’re a student, are you not? Probably somewhat versed in latin. And yet, you read the wrong passage?”

Megumi felt his cheeks burn in humiliation, in addition to simmering anger starting to build up. 

“Who are you then, if not Bune?!” he snapped. 

The demon rolled his eyes, and crossed his arms. “Bune,” he muttered under his breath. “Of all the infernal demons, you wanted him? I’m offended, little sorcerer. He’s a boring one.”

He leaned forward, as if to take a better look at Megumi. “How lucky you are, summoning me instead. Perhaps your mistake was fated.” 

Megumi frowned. “Tell me your name.” 

“You read it aloud.”

Megumi thought back to the passage he read.  

“... Sukuna.” 

“King Sukuna, actually. I’ll let it slide for now.”

“And which kind of demon-” Megumi shook his head. “Well, never mind that, could I make a deal with you, similar to one I could make with Bune?” 

Sukuna raised his brows, with a sly smile forming. “Depends. I’ll need more context than that, little sorcerer.” 

Megumi, remembering he was still on the ground, quickly dusted himself off and stood up. Even while standing, the demon towered above him.

“Fulfill my commands. Like expanding my magic reserve, giving me knowledge that no other sorcerer has access to, teaching me ancient spells. Being obliged to answer any question I might have.” 

Sukuna nodded slowly, although it was not in confirmation. More like he had come to an understanding, of sorts. 

“Ah, you truly are young,” he said, and started to pace around him slowly, like a predator. “An arrogant, naive little sorcerer. Who thinks he has the world figured out, yet he is ignorant to all the other planes of the universe. Who considers a scholarly text the epitome of knowledge. Who read some old, biased sorcerer’s deduction of a demon being obliged to answer truthfully, to become one's thrall when summoned.”

He stopped behind him, leaning in to whisper in his ear. “If only it was so black and white. No, you have a lot to realize, young one. Starting with properly reading a passage before saying it out loud.” 

Megumi exhaled through his nose, the whispers sending shivers down his spine.

“I’d reckon you’d be a gory mess right now if a less civilized demon had been summoned instead of me, speaking like that. Do not get it twisted, you frail, fleeting mortal. It is not the sorcerer who has the power in an audience with a demon.”

Then, he circled back in front of him, closer now. Suddenly Megumi felt Sukuna’s finger underneath his chin, gently tipping his head up. 

However, the intense glare looking into Megumi’s eyes, was not gentle at all. 

“I do,” Sukuna said, voice rumbling like a volcano before erupting.

Megumi had stopped breathing now, feeling trapped beneath his gaze. The human facade seemed to fade in Megumi’s mind, as he finally realized what he was. 

An entity far older than him, wiser than him, stronger than him, and Megumi had no idea what he was capable of. 

The corner of Sukuna’s mouth turned upwards, looking like he was pleased by Megumi’s fear that must’ve been oozing off him like perfume. 

“That’s more like it,” Sukuna mumbled, and let go of his chin. “Humility suits you.” 

Sukuna stepped back, scouting the cave, and taking note of the silver bowl with blood in it. Megumi watched as he picked it up and sipped it. 

“Oh,” Sukuna said, licking his lips. “What sweet blood. A pleasant surprise indeed…” he murmured, and looked at Megumi’s wrapped up palm. “... and wholly unnecessary.” 

Megumi frowned. “It’s my sacrifice.” 

“Your sacrifice is yet to come, little sorcerer. And I am very much anticipating it.” 

Megumi felt overcome with confusion and uncertainty. Yes, he had read the wrong passage, but he thought he at least had a grasp on the nature of summoning and sacrifice.

“So… You can’t do any of the things I mentioned?”

Sukuna’s gaze darkened. “Of course I can,” he said sternly, anger seeping through his voice. “I can do it all, and more.”

“Are you willing to help me, then?”

Sukuna set the bowl down, its content gone. “I would, for the right price. However, what can a mortal like you offer that I cannot do myself? Besides the obvious.” 

Megumi wasn’t sure what he meant by the obvious, it certainly wasn’t obvious to him, but he did not dwell on it.

“Please, make me into a great sorcerer. Help me, and I will become the greatest asset possible among all sorcerers. Surely that can in some way help you. I summoned you, and I swear, there are few who would even consider doing such a thing. Suk- King Sukuna, I promise I will be of use.” 

Sukuna seemed to ponder it, never taking his eyes off Megumi. As moments passed, he finally spoke. 

“There are a few things you could offer me for greatness in return,” he admitted. “Your devotion and worship, for one. You are also correct, in that few people here on earth would summon me, let alone another demon. It’s been about a quincentenary since my last visit… This is a place I would like to frequent more. This cauldron of good and evil, how satisfactory it would be to spoil it.”

He saw it, the bloodlust in his eyes. His yearn for power, for chaos and domination.

A sense of regret started washing over Megumi. 

He wanted to be strong, knowledgeable and powerful. He wanted to be the most successful sorcerer of his generation, if not of all time. But could he guiltlessly pursue that quest if it destroyed the world?

There were more important things in life… Weren’t there? 

“I don’t… I don’t know if I can agree to that,” Megumi said, slowly backing away. He felt his back hit a wall, but it was not made of stone. It was an invisible wall, going along the outer circle. 

He was trapped. 

“I don’t want destruction,” he said. 

Sukuna cocked his head curiously. “You’ve gone through too much trouble to back out now. Is your ambition so fickle?” 

“I don’t want destruction,” Megumi repeated, sternly now. “I will worship and devote myself to you, I will utter my spells in your name, I will help you create your presence on earth, establish a following if you so wish, I will do it. But I will not let you ruin my home, ruin those I care about or those innocent,” he drew a sharp breath. “You can ruin me, but not them.” 

Megumi couldn’t read Sukuna’s expression, but despite his voiced limitations that surely would not be pleasing to hear, he didn’t seem annoyed.

“Oh, I will certainly ruin you, little sorcerer. You can rest easy, destruction and chaos will not be unleashed any sooner than your powers will come to fruition. I shall also take your loved ones into consideration.”

“No,” Megumi said, his earlier fear and humility subdued. “You won’t consider it. Say that you won’t hurt them, or else the deal is off.”

Sukuna laughed. “A summoning either ends with a deal, or death. Are you sure you’re in the position to bargain with me?”

“Then kill me, and be done with it. I have told you my terms,” Megumi said, crossing his arms. 

He closed his eyes, almost anticipating instant evaporation, but seconds ticked by with nothing happening. 

“Very well… I find the outcome of death too boring for my taste. And my desire, far too great to ignore. I shall accept your terms. I will help you become a powerful sorcerer, and in turn, you will devote yourself to me. I shall also refrain from harming your loved ones during my business on earth.” 

“And innocents too,” Megumi added. 

Sukuna rolled his eyes. “You’d have been better off summoning one from the heavens, with these obnoxious morals of yours.” 

“According to biblical history, even the innocents faced God’s wrath, for no reason at all. So no, I’m not sure if I would have been better off.”

Sukuna chuckled. “Witty,” he murmured. “Fine. I shall restrain myself, and do no harm towards innocents as well. Luckily, there are few mortals who fit that description, and few I won’t be able to influence into committing sin.”

With the snap of his fingers, Sukuna materialized a golden page out of thin air. In pretty, cursive handwriting, sentences describing the terms they discussed had been written. At the bottom was space for two signatures, and Sukuna’s name was already there.

Sukuna handed Megumi the contract and a quill. “Sign your name.”

Megumi took it, but made sure to read the contract first, paying extra attention to the smaller writing at the end.

If the sorcerer breaks the contract, the demon will, without consequence, decide what’s to become of the sorcerer’s fate. Alternatives could include, but is not limited to, imprisoning one’s soul in the hells for all of eternity. 

Megumi frowned, and looked up at Sukuna. “You seem to have left out what happens to you, if you break the contract.” 

Sukuna smiled wickedly. “Nothing happens. The contract ceases to exist, and well… That’s it.”

“Hardly seems fair that only I face consequences.” 

“I will remind you again, especially after your vigorous bargaining… Do not think that it is you who has the upper hand in this deal, little sorcerer. Now, sign the contract.”  

Megumi did as he was told. He felt a bit more at ease now, with Sukuna agreeing to not hurting his friends or family. It would be a difficult walk to balance, not letting chaos take over while he strived for power. 

But he could do it. He had to.

He handed the signed contract back to Sukuna, who briefly looked at it. 

“Fushiguro Megumi,” Sukuna uttered, each letter weighed on his tongue. “Blessing,” he said, the meaning of his name. “I do hope you will shower me lavishly with your blessings.”

“Likewise.”

He was starting to feel restless, and slightly anxious, from the invisible wall keeping him trapped.

“So what now? Will you let me out?”

“In due time. First, this pact will need to be consummated. I need something… tangible , of course, to confirm your devotion,” Sukuna said, rubbing his chin.

“I thought the blood would suffice, do you want me to cut myself more-” 

“No, no, not at all. Your blood is sweet, but limited. Offer it to me another time, and I will accept it.” 

Megumi looked around himself, as if he could somehow find answers next to him. “Then… How do I show you my devotion? Do I go down on my knees and pray?”

Sukuna laughed heartily then, it burst out of him as if he really hadn’t expected it to entertain him so. 

“I would like to see you on your knees. But not necessarily with prayers on your lips. You have no idea who I am, do you, little one?”

“Then tell me,” Megumi said, embarrassed. 

“Very well.” 

The markings on Sukuna’s body started to glow red and expand. Then, even though it seemed impossible, he grew taller and wider. On his cheekbones, right beneath his eyes, another set of eyes appeared. A wooden mask started covering the left side of his face, yet his eyes still peeked through it. And perhaps most perplexing of all, was the additional set of arms that grew out of his torso.

Megumi gaped. 

“I am Sukuna, the king of the second infernal circle. Surely you know what it represents, since you drew it so nicely?” Sukuna asked, gesturing to the chalk circles. 

“L-lust,” Megumi uttered. 

“Exactly. That should also indicate my nature. For while some demons feed on and relish sickness, death, blood, flesh, betrayal, destruction, violence… I, on the other hand, favor something far more delicious. I am an incubus, you see. And the way for you to show me your devotion, sweet blessing, is by surrendering your body to me.” 

Megumi stared at him, wide-eyed. 

“Your virginity will make a fine feast to start off this companionship,” Sukuna said, licking his lips. “Now, remove those rags of yours.”

“No,” Megumi immediately said on instinct, backing away but again getting pressed up against the invisible wall. 

“No?” Sukuna asked. “We made this pact mere minutes ago, and now you already want to break it? You do realize that if you do, I could very well decide to take your body and soul with me to hell and have my way with you there for all of eternity.” 

“This isn’t part of the deal! You never said-”

“Oh, but you didn’t ask. This is how you show devotion to an incubus. Perhaps if you had done your research beforehand, you’d know that.” 

“You’re vile,” Megumi spat, as he crossed his arms across his torso, as if to protect himself.

"I'm a demon. Were you expecting sunshine and rainbows?" 

"And were you expecting me to be willing?" 

A darkness swept across Sukuna's face. He was more intimidating like this, in his true form. Like some ancient deity that followed no one's authority but its own. 

"Willingness does little to stop me. I will have you weeping and screaming, bleeding and paralyzed if it comes to it. Although I would prefer a bit more enthusiasm, but… It will come with time."

With time? As if he expected this to not only happen once, but several times? 

What had he gotten himself into? 

Slowly, he finally processed the decision he had to make. Surrender to Sukuna, and work on realizing his goals. Or die, abandon his goals, and still end up surrendered to Sukuna. For eternity.

Either choice ended up with his body violated. 

That was the price he had to pay for greatness. And not only that, but for his own mistake. 

"So, will you honor the contract?" Sukuna asked. 

Megumi looked away. He couldn't look him in the eye as he nodded. 

"Good. Although I would love to take you in this form, I'm afraid it would be too much for your mortal, frail body. We'll work our way up to it." 

Although nothing about the situation was kind, it was a small mercy that Sukuna returned to his initial humanlike form. 

Megumi hated himself for even feeling slight relief at the thought.

He didn’t follow Sukuna's earlier command of taking his clothes off and instead stood still, looking at the ground as his breathing turned uneven.

He wanted so desperately to put on a brave face. Stay stoic and unbothered. But he had never done any of the sort with someone else, let alone a demon of all beings, and his body betrayed him. 

Sukuna didn’t command him again, and took initiative to undress him. He unbuttoned his vest, not roughly but slowly. The vest fell, and then he untied his shirt.

Megumi, pliant although frozen, let his arms be raised as Sukuna slipped the shirt over his head.

He shivered then, properly. The cave would be cold anytime, but especially so during an october night. The chilly wind caressed his skin, making his hairs stand up and nipples stiffen. 

As his body shook, he immediately closed off, covering himself, both as if to warm up and to hide from Sukuna’s gaze. 

Sukuna sighed, disappointed. “This won’t do.” 

Megumi looked up briefly then, feeling a mixture of shame and inferiority.

But Sukuna had already turned around. 

Was he that undesirable that even an incubus rejected him?

However, it seemed Sukuna had a different reasoning. 

Suddenly, as Sukuna snapped his fingers, the cave was transformed.

Candles were everywhere, candelabras and oil lamps and even floating ones. Logs crackled on a bonfire, immediately warming up the air and the stones. A round, persian rug covered the summoning circle. And in the middle of it was a mattress with red silk sheets. Next to the mattress stood a table, with goblets, vases and jugs of wine and oil. 

“There,” Sukuna said, sounding happy with himself. “This should be more comfortable. I’d rather not fuck an icicle.”

Megumi ignored his obscenity. 

While he immediately felt warmer, and his shivering was subdued, his anxiety still prevailed.

Sukuna walked over to the table, and poured red wine into one of the goblets.

“Drink,” Sukuna said. “For the nerves.” 

He accepted the goblet. He’d do anything to make this more bearable. He almost wanted to ask Sukuna to knock him out somehow, put him under a spell, and just go through with it. 

But he had a feeling that wouldn’t be in Sukuna’s interest, or be classified as devotion at all. 

Megumi took a few sips at first. The taste was rich and sweet, probably the best wine he had ever tasted. Wine reserved for infernal kings, most likely. 

It trickled down his throat smoothly, and before he knew it, the goblet was empty. 

Sukuna raised his brows.

Megumi reached for the jug of wine, getting drunk seeming like the best solution. He was about to pour himself some more, however Sukuna put his hand over his, stopping him. 

The touch of his hand was much warmer than Megumi had anticipated. Not scorching, but hot like a cup filled with tea. 

"You should probably wait for it to take effect before drinking more," Sukuna warned. 

Why, Megumi wanted to ask. Perhaps it wouldn't be the most pleasant drinking experience, downing all that wine, but it would get the job done. 

He didn't quarrel, and instead looked at Sukuna, as if waiting for his command.

"You seem less on edge. We should start." 

Megumi frowned. "I will have you weeping and screaming, so be it," he paraphrased. "So why all this accommodation?"

Sukuna smiled. "I can have you that way. And I can be cruel, sadistic, emotionless and manipulative. But it just so happens, pleasure is a rather important aspect to sex. It is the essence of my being, my foundation and the very thing I feed on. And I am ravished," he said, a growl in his voice. 

"You'd have better luck extracting pleasure from a rock." 

Sukuna chuckled. "We'll see."

"Let's just get this over with," Megumi said, impatiently.

He waited for Sukuna to make a move towards him, continue undressing him, but instead, Sukuna sat down on the mattress and looked at him. 

Megumi stared back, wide-eyed. 

"Well? Do you need my command?" 

He didn't answer, not allowing himself to sound so submissive. 

"Undress yourself," Sukuna said. 

After a few seconds of silence, Megumi unlaced his pants, letting them fall and pool by his feet. Only his underpants were left covering his privates, and he really wanted to stop there.

However, Sukuna was looking at him with an expectant gaze. 

He did want to be done as soon as possible, so he removed them as well.

The embarrassment was excrutiating, but he bit it back.

It was harder to meet Sukuna's gaze now, while he was completely bare, so he focused on taking off his shoes and staring at the ground. 

He hated the warmth that filled his cheeks, and the lightheadedness he started feeling - all from one glass of wine? 

It had to be his fatigue. He had studied and practiced all day, and then some. Then summoned a demon, and it must've taken a huge toll on his reserve and stamina. 

Now, he had completely lost track of time. Perhaps it was nearing dawn. 

"There's oil on the table. Would you like to loosen yourself up, or should I?" 

Sukuna's comment made Megumi's eyes shoot up towards him. 

He must've looked confused, because Sukuna explained further. 

"For your rectum. I'd advise it-" 

"No!" Megumi said, cheeks burning. 

"If you'd rather bleed out of your ass for the next days then I won't stop you."

Megumi's eyes skirted towards the table and the bottle of oil.

Bleed out of his ass? For days? 

He winced.

"Preparation can be very pleasurable. I'll help you," Sukuna said, reaching for the bottle, but Megumi grabbed it instead. 

"I-I'll do it myself." 

Sukuna's maroon eyes seemed to light up with that. 

"Coat your fingers first," he said, and Megumi followed his order. 

The oil slid down his fingers, dripping onto the rug. 

"It's better to do it bent over," Sukuna mumbled and moved over, making space on the mattress. 

"Get on your knees. Relax your body, and start with one finger."

The mattress dipped as Megumi's knees sank into it. Then, although ashamed out of his mind, he leaned forward, onto his arm. 

He looked down onto the silk sheets, as he shakily positioned his fingers by his hole. 

This was a crazy situation. Out of all things to happen - and Megumi had anticipated the absolute worst - this had been beyond his imagination.

And for a moment, while he was caught up in embarrassment as he slipped the finger inside, part of him truly thought he’d be better off dead.

Then, Sukuna leaned forward, and while Megumi refused to look up at him, he whispered into his ear: “Just like that.” 

Megumi’s breath hitched, the words sending electric currents through his blood. 

He was taken aback by the sultriness of his voice. 

Megumi frowned and slammed his eyes shut, trying to force himself to shut him out. 

He was a demon. 

Megumi would honor the pact, but he would not be reduced to some puppet without agency. 

Instead, he focused on preparing himself. 

“Add another one,” Sukuna murmured.

“... It’s fine, let’s just get on with it,” Megumi said through gritted teeth.

“Do it. I’d rather not tear you up.” 

Megumi obliged then, slipping another finger in. His breathing turned heavier, and Sukuna noticed. 

“You’re starting to like it now,” he stated. “It finally rises.” 

Megumi opened his eyes, and looked down at his body.

His dick was hardening. 

He bit his lip. 

Suddenly, Sukuna gripped his chin, and made him look up.

His eyes were dark and half-lidded, clearly pleased by the show. Megumi wanted to tear away from his gaze, but he was frozen. 

“Let’s give you more of a challenge,” Sukuna said, sliding his hand down Megumi’s torso while still holding his chin in place. He reached his behind, and alongside Megumi’s slender fingers, he added one of his own.

The sensation was completely different.

Megumi gasped at the feeling of the thickness and slight sharpness from his claw-like nail.

Worst of it all, was that it didn’t hurt. 

Instead, Megumi’s cock stirred more. 

“After this, you’ll never want anybody but me to satisfy you. Not even yourself,” Sukuna said, slowly working the finger further in.

“The hubris,” Megumi spat, almost on instinct. “You should know I’m not easy to please.” 

Perhaps he took it as a challenge, Megumi realized then. It seemed to be the case, judging by the look in Sukuna’s eyes. Hungry, excited and fired up.

Sukuna chuckled and suddenly curled his finger, pressing something inside him that made his vision blur for a second.

Megumi had to bite down on his lips harder, not to cry out. 

“And you should know there is no one better suited to make you feel pleasure, than I. After all… This encompasses everything I am,” Sukuna said matter-of-factly, and as if interfering with Megumi’s teeth digging into his lips, he brought his thumb in between his lips.

Too dumbfounded to react or resist, Sukuna slipped it into his mouth, the flat of his thumb laying against Megumi’s tongue. 

Megumi shut up, and stopped breathing. 

If Sukuna pressed down further and harder, he’d end up choking.

“I wonder how much of this is your honest reaction, and how much is spurred on by the aphrodisiac,” Sukuna mumbled, and started to prod with another finger.

How the hell would it fit? 

And what was that about an aphrodisiac?! 

Megumi was unable to ask, but Sukuna didn’t need to hear the question at all. 

“The wine is spiked with a potent aphrodisiac. I thought it would help loosen you up a bit,” he said, and sank his finger in. 

Megumi couldn’t help the whine that escaped him then.

Just after a few rounds of pushing it in and pulling it out, Sukuna stopped and removed his digits, guiding Megumi’s fngers out as well.  

“You’re loose enough now,” Sukuna said. 

Megumi expected him to just have his way now that he was prepared, but instead, Sukuna leaned back against the mattress with his arms behind his hand. 

His phallus stood tall, while he stretched out with his eyes closed. 

Megumi frowned at the sight. 

“Well, I’m waiting,” Sukuna said, opening an eye after a minute of pure silence. “Since this is your first time, you can run the show. Less painful that way.” 

“There is no way.” 

“I saw you finger yourself open for me, little sorcerer. There is little you can do in my presence to embarrass yourself. Quite on the contrary. All that’s messing with your inability to act at this moment, is your mind. Your erection and the flush in your face speaks volumes of how your body feels.” 

He wasn’t wrong, Megumi realized, feeling his cock stir and warmth radiating off his skin. 

He was horny. 

And it felt like a betrayal. 

It’s the aphrodisiac. 

And the thought was like a lifeline, saving him from the deep abyss that mocked him. The wine made him this way. 

Not his thoughts, not his feelings or his nature, but the aphrodisiac.

It was the only excuse he could come up with for going through with what was coming. 

Drawing a deep breath, Megumi finally made a move. 

He climbed on top of Sukuna, mounting his lap.

Sukuna’s brows perked up with interest.

Megumi didn’t look at him. He was just a body to use, he thought. He could forget that what he was fucking was a demon.

He grabbed the manhood, ignoring how thick it felt in his hand, and positioned himself over it.

“Slowly,” Sukuna warned, but Megumi blocked his voice out.

He pressed down rather quickly. 

He had just had four fingers inside of him, it really shouldn’t have been so difficult. 

But it was. 

Before he could force himself down further, Sukuna had his hands wrapped around his waist, keeping him still.

Megumi’s head snapped up, looking at him now. Hadn’t he just said Megumi was to do it himself?!

Sukuna’s expression was different from earlier. A little bit more serious. 

“You’re rushing, and it will hurt,” Sukuna said. “Of course I shouldn’t have trusted a sorcerer blindly summoning a demon not to hurt himself.” 

“I’ll manage.”

Sukuna laughed to himself in disbelief. “I’m too merciful.”

“I didn’t ask for your mercy,” Megumi said, annoyed. 

Then, Sukuna’s hip slowly angled upwards. Megumi felt the strain of his cock entering him, but when he expected Sukuna to shove inside even further, he stopped.

Megumi’s chest collapsed and expanded with irregular breathing.

He already felt full and it was only the tip.

The only thing holding him up was Sukuna’s hands, and if he let go, Megumi wouldn’t trust his own thighs to do the job. 

“You would be less pleasing to look at while flaccid and covered in blood,” Sukuna said, staring intensely into Megumi’s eyes. 

Megumi couldn’t come up with another remark. He became too preoccupied with the feeling of Sukuna filling him. 

Whenever some time passed, Sukuna would penetrate him further. Slowly he sank him down as well, letting gravity do some of the work.

When he bottomed out, Sukuna let out a deep, guttural sigh. 

Sukuna moved one of his hands, cupping the bulge in Megumi’s abdomen.

“Look at you,” he murmured. “So tiny, yet you fit me so well.” 

Megumi didn’t dare to move, both frightened and mesmerized by the fact that all of him was inside him now.

"And so hard," he added, and wrapped his hand around Megumi's so far neglected cock.

Megumi gasped, shivering, as Sukuna slowly started to pump him. It was a new and overwhelming sensation, being completely full with Sukuna poking him from the inside, while stroking him externally. 

He didn't care to count how many strokes it took for him to ejaculate, but it were embarrassingly few.

All of a sudden he saw white, and he couldn't keep control of his mouth and the sounds he let out. 

Then he looked down, at the stains now covering Sukuna's sculpted abs and chest.

Megumi breathed heavily, coming down from his orgasm. 

Although, there would apparently be no resting. 

Sukuna stirred within him forcefully, making his presence known, as if to say "do not forget about me." 

Megumi yelped as Sukuna's hips started to move. 

"We are only getting started, blessing."