Trembling, the young stallion Jericho Alerain slowly opened a small chest in the vaults under Castle Deniral. The bruise on his cheek was still stinging, and the tears still welling up in his eyes, but he unlatched the chest regardless.

'If father catches me down here, he'll do worse to me' he thought, but his hands almost were acting on his own.

At age 20, Jericho was still as scrawny and frail as he was as a boy. His younger sister, while still five years younger than he could beat him up as she pleased. Tonight was a night where she pleased.

'I'll show her' Jericho thought. 'She won't laugh when she sees me next!'

The hinge on the chest squeaked softly as he opened it, and inside on a velvet cloth was a hand-sized ruby. It had a faint red glow to it. The gem had been an heirloom of House Alerain for centuries. It was said to be able to grant your heart's desire.

Tonight, Jericho desired to be strong.

His hands still trembling, he picked the gem up in his hand. It began to pulse in sync with his heartbeat.

'Hello Jericho.' A soft voice spoke in the young stallion's head. 'I've been waiting for you for a long time.'

A knot formed in Jericho's throat. A voice!? He went to drop the gem, but it hovered in place. An immense shadow grew on the wall; vaguely wolf-shaped, but with monstrous features and four arms, two ending in large pincers.

'Do not be afraid.' The voice softly cooed. 'I want to help.'

Jericho's heart began beating faster. The gem pulsed in sync.

“Will you grant me a wish? I heard Demetrius talking about it?” Jericho whispered.

'Of course.' The voice whispered back. 'I am honour bound to serve the Lords of Deniral. Whatever your heart's desire, I shall grant to you...but for a price.'

Jericho's heart skipped a beat.

“A price?”

'Every wish has its price, if you want it bad enough.'

Jericho put his hand back on his stinging cheek. A lifetime of memories flashed in his mind. Neglect, verbal abuse, torment at the hands of his sister. His cheeks grew warm, and as a single tear rolled down his cheek, he raised his hands to the gem and spoke; his voice louder and clearer than it has ever been.

“I wish to be strong!”

'Your wish is my command, my Lord.' The voice whispered before all went dark.

* * * *

Sharp pain filled Jericho's body as he rolled down the stone steps of the castle's terrace. His arms, now engorged with muscle ached as the two guards in black leather threw his meager belongings after him. Standing between them in black armor and cloak, his mane billowing gloriously and intimidatingly behind him, Lord Adrastus bellowed down.

“No son of mine resorts to black magic for his strength! Be gone, or Thunder shall feast on blood and I be a kinslayer!”

The doors slammed shut. Jericho may now be strong and muscular like he wished, but was now alone, no less afraid than before. As his eyes welled up again, he limped away from Deniral, banished and never to return.

Every wish has its price, indeed...

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Commission for of his D&D character, Jericho Alerain gaining his powers from a dark entity. Perhaps young Jericho will return home and exact revenge on this being for further ruining his life