THE STRANGE PET

She didn't know how long it had been since she first arrived at the ancient castle under Userkaf's mentorship, but she had made astounding progress and had begun to adjust to her new surroundings.

In Userkaf's study, the flickering light of several sconces cast dancing shadows on the walls adorned with intricate hieroglyphics. The heavy scent of myrrh and ancient papyrus filled the air as she pored over a text on the nature of the void and its influence on the souls trapped within. She was engrossed in her studies when Userkaf entered the room, his presence commanding immediate attention.

Approaching her with his usual calm demeanor, Userkaf's eyes held a hint of something she couldn't quite place—perhaps amusement or a deeper emotion. He carried a small, intricately carved box, the dark wood gleaming in the firelight.

"I have something for you," Userkaf pursed smoothly.

She looked up from the book, curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

"A gift," he replied, though there was an edge to his tone that made her wary. "Or rather, a companion."

He set the box on the table before her and opened it. At first, she saw nothing but darkness inside the box, as if it contained a piece of the void itself. But then, the darkness moved—shifted—and a creature emerged.

It was small, about the size of a cat, but its resemblance to any known animal ended there. The creature had four legs and a sleek, scaly body that glistened like oil in the firelight. Its skin was a deep, mottled black, and as it crawled out of the box, she noticed it had two pairs of eyes, each glowing with a sickly yellow light. Its mouth was filled with sharp, needle-like teeth, and its long, sinuous tail whipped through the air before it settled on the table in front of her.

She stared at the creature in shock and horror. It was a grotesque thing, a nightmare given form, and it seemed to regard her with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. Its four eyes blinked independently, each focusing on her in turn as if assessing her worth.

"What… what is that?" she screeched.

Userkaf's lips twitched in what might have been a smile. "This is your new assistant," he responded calmly. "It's a creature of the void, born from the same darkness that surrounds us. It will help you in your duties as a guardian, guiding you through the more difficult aspects of your work."

She recoiled slightly, unable to tear her gaze away from the creature. "You expect me to work with this thing?" The idea of it following her around, watching her with those unnerving eyes, was almost too much to bear.

Userkaf nodded, unperturbed by her reaction. "Yes. The void is full of creatures like this one, and it's important that you learn to work with them, to understand them. They are not inherently evil, but they are born of the darkness, and they can be powerful allies if you know how to command them."

The creature hissed softly, its mouth opening to reveal rows of needle-like teeth, and she shuddered. She could feel its presence in her mind, a cold, unsettling sensation that made her skin crawl. It wasn't just a physical being—it was connected to the void in a way that made it almost sentient, almost aware of the world around it.

"Give it a name," Userkaf suggested, as if naming the creature would somehow make it less terrifying.

She hesitated, searching for a name that might suit this dark, twisted being. "Vex," she finally said, the word slipping from her lips before she could think it through. It felt right, somehow—a name that captured the creature's unsettling nature.

Vex hissed again, but this time, there was something almost approving in the sound. It slithered closer to her, its yellow eyes gleaming as it settled on the edge of the table, watching her with an intensity that made her heart race.

Userkaf seemed satisfied. "Vex will be your guide in the void," he said. "It can sense the presence of lost souls, track them through the darkness. It will also assist you in channeling the void's power more effectively. But be warned—Vex is not a pet. It's a creature of the void, and it has its own will and desires. You must assert control over it, or it will seek to control you."

His words sent a shiver down her spine. The idea of this creature having its own will and its desires was unsettling, to say the least. But she understood the importance of the task—if she was to be a proper guardian, she had to learn to command the darkness, to work with it rather than fear it.

She reached out tentatively, her hand trembling slightly as she touched Vex's scaly back. The creature's skin was cold and slick but didn't recoil from her touch. Instead, it seemed to relax slightly, as if accepting her presence.

"I'll do my best," she replied, her voice steadier now.

Userkaf nodded approvingly. "Good. Vex will test your limits, but it will also make you stronger. You have great potential, but only if you're willing to embrace the challenges that come with your new role."

With that, he turned, grabbed some scrolls, and settled on the far end of the room, leaving her with her new assistant. Vex remained on the table, watching her with those unnerving yellow eyes as if waiting to see what she would do next.

"Let's get to work," she said quietly, her voice firm. Vex's eyes gleamed in response.