Danny's Demons Chapter 26 (Early Preview) (Patreon)

Chapter 26: Let There Be Light

The night had settled over Amity Park. The celebration had finally ended, and the Fenton household had gone to bed. Danny, however, snuck out and climbed onto the roof.

He found his usual spot on the ledge. Without warning, there came a soft flutter. Stolas and Octavia came back and portaled on the rooftop railing. 

Stolas leaned over him and smiled. “Oh, I remember when you were just a curious child, barely reaching my knee.”

It made Danny smile bashfully.

“Hey, Stolas,” Danny said, sliding along the ledge to make room. “Vi." Octavia hugged him in return.

Stolas’s expression shifted. “I have a final birthday gift I wish to bestow.”

Danny tilted his head. He had a guess but didn’t want to assume. “What kind?”

Stolas ruffled his feathers. “If you recall the first night we met, we touched upon demonic pacts. I believe you’re ready now.”

Danny’s heart pounded. He could barely contain the excitement. “Stolas, are you saying…?”

“Indeed. I want to make an official pact with you.” Stolas produced a grimoire. Its dark leather cover was etched with Stolas’ symbol that glimmered.

Danny stared, awed by the book. “My own grimoire?”

Stolas nodded, offering it reverently. “Tailored to your potential as a warlock. By accepting this pact, you will gain access to magic and knowledge far beyond your imagination. I’ll guide you, but the final choices will be yours.”

Danny swallowed, excitement buzzing through him like electricity. “That’s…wow. But what do you ask for in return?”

Stolas smiled, remembering one of the first lessons he had taught Danny. Stolas placed a comforting hand on Danny’s shoulder. “All I ask is that you follow your path. You should grow into the best version of yourself and continue toward whatever dreams call to you. I never received that freedom from my father, and I don’t want to fail you as I was failed. We will be master and apprentice until I have nothing left to teach you.”

Emotion swelled in his chest. He felt a lump in his throat as his eyes watered. “Stolas…”

Stolas cleared his throat softly. “Moreover, with the power I grant you, I trust you to use it responsibly. Protect those dear to you: friends and family.” His eyes twinkled with amusement. “And as Octavia’s best friend, please protect her to the best of your ability.”

Octavia’s cheeks flushed. “Dad!”

Danny couldn’t help a small laugh. “I don’t need a pact for that.”

Stolas’s eyes reflected his approval. “Then…do you accept?” He raised his hand, now with the purple glow of his magic. In that moment, Stolas saw both the teenager and the earnest ten-year-old he’d first met.

Danny's heart hammered in his chest. He reached out. “I accept.”

Dark purple energy wove from Stolas’s palm into Danny’s. Stolas's sigil appeared on the back of his hand, flaring bright before fading into his skin.

Stolas withdrew his hand. “Then it is done.”

Still holding his breath, Danny traced the newly minted sigil, his fingers tingling with raw, unfamiliar energy. 

Stolas ran a feathered hand fondly through Danny’s hair. “This power will grow with you as you learn and mature. I trust you to use it wisely.”

Danny nodded, chest tight with gratitude. “I won’t let you down.”

“I know you won’t,” Stolas replied. He inclined his head in a small, affectionate bow. “Happy birthday, Danny.”

Before Danny could fully take it all in, Octavia all but bounced, her excitement impossible to contain. “Can we finally teach him a spell now?!”

Danny’s grin spread wide. “Yes, please!”

Stolas chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. “Very well. Let’s begin.”

#

Octavia sat nearby, leaning back on her hands, listening, though she had heard this lesson before.

"Now that our pact is formed, your magic will come naturally to you," Stolas began. "However, it is important that you understand how it works.”

Danny sat cross-legged, his new grimoire resting in his lap.

Stolas rested a guiding hand on Danny’s shoulder. “Your mental power strengthens your magic,” he began. “At its core, it’s the ability to inflict your will upon the world around you. You could say that your intentions overwhelm reality until it changes to fit.”

Danny raised an eyebrow, processing the words. “So… I just want something to happen hard enough, and it does? That sounds…incredible,” he admitted. “But also kinda terrifying.”

Stolas let a sympathetic smile curve his beak. “Not quite. It can be both, which is why control is vital. If your mind is clouded and your intent is unclear, the magic will not respond as you desire. 

Danny tried to make sense of it. “And what happens if my mind isn’t strong enough? Do I lose control?”

“Not exactly. On the other side of the spectrum, your magic is also your ability to maintain your sense of self in the face of powerful outside forces. There are entities in the world, both mortal and supernatural, that will try to impose their will upon you. You need the mental discipline to stand firm.”

Octavia spoke up then. “It’s about knowing who you are and not letting anything—or anyone—change that.”

Danny glanced at her, then back at Stolas. “So… this magic is about control. Over the world and myself.”

Stolas continued. “Your pact magic is tied to your mind, to the strength of your thoughts and convictions. The stronger your belief in your own power, the greater your ability to enforce your will upon reality. A weak mind will fumble, but a disciplined one can accomplish miracles.”

Danny exhaled a slow breath, letting the night air calm his nerves. “So…this pact we have—it’s like a bridge, right? Between me and the magic  you’re sharing with me?”

Stolas nodded. “Precisely. Through our pact, you have access to my demonic lineage, as well as the magic it carries. I’ll lend you knowledge and power, but ultimately, you shape it with your own will. You decide how to use it—and how to keep yourself from being consumed by it.”

A shiver of anticipation ran through Danny, equal parts excitement and caution. He glanced at his grimoire, recalling the initial spells Stolas had introduced him to. “So the more focused I am—more certain of what I want—the stronger the spell becomes?”

Stolas smiled once more, gently squeezing Danny’s shoulder. “Exactly. Confidence and clarity of purpose are the bedrock of any spell. Keep those in mind and in your heart, and the magic will respond. A warlock’s magic is both a sword and a shield, a force that can shape and defend. That is why I will teach you carefully—so you learn to wield your power and understand it.”

Danny exhaled, nodding slowly. “Okay… I think I get it. My magic works because I work. If my will is strong, the magic follows.”

Stolas smiled approvingly. “Well put.”

Danny smirked. “And here I thought it was all about throwing fireballs.”

“That can be arranged.”

Danny flipped his grimoire open to the first page.

“Good. That’s exactly the attitude a young warlock needs. Before you can learn anything advanced, you must start with the fundamentals. One of the most essential spells is creating a magical light. 

Danny leaned forward slightly. “Light? That’s the first thing I learn?”

Stolas nodded. “Indeed. You could say it was the first use of magic in the universe.”

“It is?”

“Tell me if you've heard this before.” Stolas recited a familiar passage: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.”

Danny’s brow furrowed. He recognized them, though he’d never given them much thought. “Huh. I think I’ve heard something like that on the History Channel.”

“Yes, well, even among mortal beliefs, the importance of light is universally acknowledged.” Stolas gave a little laugh. “Light is the first and simplest of magical energies. It moves more swiftly than heat or sound or substance.” With a slow, fluid motion, Stolas raised a hand and extended his fingers. “Watch closely. Fiat Lux.”

An orb of light flickered into being.

“Whoa…” Danny breathed. He reached out hesitantly, feeling the warmth emanating. 

Octavia smirked slightly. “Cool, right? I practiced that one a lot.”

Danny grinned but didn’t take his eyes off the hovering light. “That’s… kinda amazing.”

Stolas lowered his hand, allowing the orb to hover lazily between them. “The basic spell requires only verbal and somatic components. You can cast it at will with enough practice with just a wave.” He turned Danny’s grimoire to the very first section, where runes and small diagrams detailed the fundamentals.

Running a finger beneath the words, Stolas said, “Read this page carefully and imitate the gestures shown. Hold your hand like so—fingers together, tips touching your thumb—and trace the pattern in the air. Begin at the red dot and move toward the blue.”

Octavia grinned. “You can do it, Danny!”

Danny squinted at the the page. It depicted a circular motion with a single continuous line, swirling around an invisible center. “Alright… like this?” He raised his hand, hesitating before giving it a try.

“That’s right,” Stolas encouraged. “Steady breath. Visualize the energy gathering in your palm. Speak the incantation—quietly or aloud, whichever helps you focus.”

Danny tightened his fingers into a precise gesture, just as Stolas had instructed, and focused on the space before him. Light. That’s all he needed to create. Simple. Straightforward. He inhaled slowly, steeling himself before whispering, “Fiat Lux.”

Nothing.

Danny blinked. He tried to visualize the energy inside him. But after a tense moment of waiting, nothing happened. His shoulders slumped, frustration clear.

This should have worked.  His jaw clenched as he adjusted his stance and tried again. “Fiat Lux.”

Still nothing.

Danny groaned, rubbing his temples.

Stolas reached out and placed a reassuring hand on Danny’s shoulder. “Take heart, Danny. Failure is part of learning. You will stumble, but each attempt brings you closer to success.”

Danny knew Stolas was right, but patience had never been his strong suit. 

Octavia leaned forward slightly. “Try again. Remember. Enforce your will.”

Danny fixed his gaze on his palm. Closing his eyes, he focused. He opened his eyes and tried again. “Fiat Lux.”

This time, he visualized the light forming in his hand, letting the energy flow. 

A tiny blue ember spluttered into existence before vanishing.

Danny’s eyes widened. “Did I—?” It wasn’t much, barely even a real light, but it was something.

“Yes,” Stolas confirmed with a pleased nod. “You did.”

Danny flexed his fingers, staring at his palm. He felt it that time, even if it didn’t last.

“That was better,” Stolas said, nodding approvingly. “Now, you refine it.”

Even so, Danny felt a jolt of excitement. It wasn’t much, but it was there. 

Stolas smiled. “Excellent. You see? Progress.”

Danny tried again. “Fiat… Lux.”

A flicker danced at his fingertips and lasted a little longer than before. 

“You’re almost there!” encouraged Octavia.

Again.

Danny grinned. This time, the light appeared faster, steadier. It wasn’t as smooth or effortless as Stolas’s, but it was stable. 

Danny’s eyes snapped open. “I did it? I did it!”

After a few more tries, it swelled into a small sphere of light, gently bobbing above his palm. 

The girl jumped. “You did it!” Octavia leaned forward. “Not bad for your first night.”

Danny chuckled, still staring at the tiny glowing sphere floating before him. “This is awesome.”

Stolas nodded with approval, folding his arms over his chest. “Very good. You see? I’m quite proud of you, Danny. I daresay you got it faster than Via.”

The owlette crossed her arms. “What?! No way.”

Danny grinned. “Yeah! Well, I have a good teacher.”

Octavia stared at him flatly. “We have the same teacher.”

Stolas watched him with pride. “Keep practicing.”

Danny smirked. “So… what’s next?”

Stolas let out a rich laugh. “One step at a time, my dear apprentice. Master this, and then we shall see.”

Danny nodded. He truly felt like a magician in the making.

At this point, Octavia joined in with a light spell. She murmured a few arcane words. A lavender orb flickered to life. She grinned at Danny, who smiled right back.

Danny bounced the glowing sphere. He shrunk it down before stretching it out. “I wonder how far I could throw this thing.” He mimed winding up as if about to hurl a fastball.

Stolas quirked a brow. “Would you like to see just how far your magic can reach?” He extended his hand.

Danny paused, not entirely sure what Stolas had in mind. Still, he trusted his mentor. He pushed the floating orb forward until it settled in Stolas’s grasp. 

A swirl of dark blue and violet energy flowed around the glowing sphere, intensifying. “A skilled magician can upcast a spell.”

Danny’s eyes widened. “Whoa…”

Awestruck, Danny watched as Stolas lifted the shining orb above his head. The demon flicked his wrist, and the orb soared into the sky, leaving a trail like a comet.

It arced above Amity Park until it melded seamlessly with the real stars dotting the night.

Stolas folded his arms. “Congratulations, Danny. You’ve just added a new star to the heavens.”

For a second, Danny said nothing. His eyes were glued to the sky. “Did we just… make a star?”

Stolas chuckled and set a hand on Danny’s shoulder. “Oh, if only. If you want to see something like that, you must ask the Lightbringer himself.”

Danny blinked. “Who?”

“Lucifer. That’s one of his former titles.”

“Oh… Wow…”

“Our little light ball should be in the upper atmosphere and will eventually fade.”

Pride swelled in Danny’s chest, and he couldn’t help but smile. Octavia clapped softly with a grin.

Stolas gave Danny’s hair a friendly ruffle. “This is only the beginning. Your magic will be strong enough to do far greater things one day. Keep that sense of wonder alive, and you’ll find no limit to what you can achieve.”

Danny stood there momentarily, breathing in the silence and staring at the pseudo star he and Stolas had cast into the sky.