Ezerathel, Demonic Possessor

Ezerathel sat on a bench in one of the waiting rooms for contestants in the rodeo, watching a TV screen in the corner as two squid-like commentators prattled on about the history of the possession time trials. Even by demonic standards, Ez was an imposing figure, hunched over on his bench to avoid getting his wickedly curved horns stuck in the ceiling as he waited his turn to display his talents. Scarred from his countless wars with angelic forces along his arms, chest and face, the gruff, monstrous being could frighten away denizens of any dimension with a mere glance. Which was convenient, as Ez just wanted to sit alone, sip at a soda that looked comically small in his hand, and meditate on his approach for the first round.

I am a winner, Ez thought to himself. I am a celebrated warrior, an unstoppable ****, and I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.

This is patently untrue, as Ezerathel's last foray into a randomly-chosen passion after he retired from his millennia of service in the demonic armies was to take up cooking, and three out of five of his instructors in the cooking classes constantly pointed out how everything he made was burnt, overseasoned, used incompatible ingredients, and generally just did not work on a plate. The other two instructors taste-tested a salmon dish Ez prepared and didn't survive the night.

But this, though! A possession competition! Ez was a demon, and demons possessed other people, that was just a known fact. Or, many demons did. Ezerathel never really had to possess others in order to get what he wanted or needed throughout his demonic career. He didn't need to be sneaky or cunning, he just needed to be imposing and make demands wherever he went. So, after he practiced on his roommate's hellcat for a week or so, he naturally felt he was ready to take his barely-attempted possession abilities and demonstrate it on the biggest stage in front of every fan of the Body Chaos Rodeo across the multiverse.

BCR staff hurried into the waiting room, approaching the massive demon to usher him out to the arena, while the announcers on the TV began their introduction. "Next up to the stage, Ezerathel from Universe 334! Everyone, give a big round of applause! Ezerathel, also known as Ez to his friends, is a demonic-type possessor and a retired war veteran. This is his first time participating in the possession time trial event, so he's up against Suzy Leah, a first-timer herself. She might look cute and helpless, but even with her limiter on high, Ez hasn't ever tried to possess a holstaur before and I think he's going to be in for a big surprise."

I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.

Ezerathel entered the arena down a large tunnel that he still had to duck down to fit through, and when he emerged on the other end, the crowd cheered wildly. He raised his arms and grinned his yellowed fangs toward the thousands of spectators lucky enough to be in the stands, and the countless cameras broadcasting into every other participating universe. He was lost in the roar of the crowd for a moment, soaking in praise and adoration for something he hadn't even attempted yet. Eventually, as the crowd died down, he turned toward the center of the arena to see his target holstaur.

Across the way, a lone woman stood in the center of the ring. Since both were first-timers, the rodeo pitted them against another with no other contestants in the way. Suzy Leah looked nothing like a novice to this event, at least to those who followed the sport. With long brunette hair held in a loose ponytail, Suzy's head and torso resembled a fairly normal human's with a cute face sporting a determined expression behind her soft brown eyes, while her extremities resembled more bovine qualities, such as spotted fur, black-tipped fingers, and full hooves in place of normal feet. Suzy's powerful legs and wide hips no doubt helped steady her upper body, from which two truly magnificent, massive breasts threatened to spill out of her overalls. She was by no means tall, but as far as holstaurs that entered this competition went, she would normally be half a head higher than each.

Ez crouched down, looking ready to sprint, though such a massive demon would need only a couple strides, or a mere flap of his absurdly large wings, to reach Suzy's position. Usually creatures like that run from him. Usually there's a chase. This was different, this was weird. It felt so strange being out of his usual comfort zone... especially since they didn't let him bring his favorite scythe into the arena. It's not like he was going to use it! It was just comforting to hold it in his hands. He shook his head, clearing his mind again. It was time to demonstrate his skills.

I am a winner.