Lilith soared through the open

  sky, the wind rushing past her face as her wings cut through the air

  with practiced ease. Beside her, Sera wobbled occasionally but was

  quickly mastering the magical flight, her ethereal wings leaving faint

  trails of blue-white energy behind her.

  “You’re getting better at this,” Lilith called out, genuinely impressed by how quickly Sera had adapted.

  Sera beamed with pride. “It feels… natural somehow. Like my body always knew what to do, but never had the means until now.”

  Hours passed as they flew over

  the rolling hills and forests of Landskavia. Lilith had to recast the

  Flight spell twice more, each time feeling the warm tingle of mana

  flowing through her. Each casting seemed to come more easily than the

  last, as though her body was remembering ancient patterns rather than

  learning new ones.

  When they finally crossed the

  border into Solarian territory, Lilith felt a subtle shift in the

  landscape below. The farmlands became more orderly, the villages more

  uniform in their construction—everything arranged with geometric

  precision.

  “We should stay high,” Sera

  advised, pointing toward a patrol of mounted soldiers in the distance.

  “The Solarians have mages who can spot flyers, but they’re usually

  stationed at major crossroads or cities.”

  Lilith nodded, impressed. “You weren’t exaggerating about knowing the patrol routes.”

  “Fifty years of guiding people

  to safety teaches you a few things,” Sera replied with a hint of pride.

  She gestured toward a distant mountain range. “See that peak with the

  split top? That’s Widow’s Crown. If we follow the range eastward, we

  should be able to reach the edge of the Wastelands by nightfall.”

  Without Sera’s guidance, Lilith

  realised she would have been hopelessly lost. The map from Gimbel’s

  store showed major landmarks, but navigating by them alone would have

  been challenging. In Infinity, she would have simply followed the

  mini-map or quest markers—conveniences that no longer existed.

  As they continued their journey, dark clouds began gathering on the horizon, rolling toward them with concerning speed.

  “That doesn’t look natural,” Lilith observed, noting the uneven patterns in the storm front.

  Sera’s expression grew serious.

  “It’s not. The Wastelands affect the weather near the borders. The

  clash between tainted magic and normal air creates these sudden storms.”

  She pointed to a forest area below. “We should find somewhere to land

  before it hits us.”

  The first fat raindrops struck

  Lilith’s face as they began their descent. By the time they located a

  suitable clearing, the rain was coming down in sheets, drenching them

  both. Lightning flashed overhead, followed by a crack of thunder that

  seemed to shake the very air around them.

  “This way!” Lilith shouted over the storm, pulling Sera toward a dense copse of trees that offered minimal shelter.

  Once they reached relative cover, Lilith closed her eyes and began the incantation for her Infernal Sanctum.

  The portal shimmered into

  existence, its violet flames dancing despite the downpour. Lilith

  grabbed Sera’s hand and pulled her through the gateway.

  They stumbled into the obsidian

  entrance hall, dripping water onto the polished floor. Shadow servants

  immediately materialised, bowing low before their mistress.

  “Towels,” Lilith commanded, and within seconds, the servants returned with plush black towels embroidered with crimson thread.

  Sera accepted one gratefully,

  her wet clothes clinging to her form in a way that drew Lilith’s gaze.

  Droplets of water traced paths down Sera’s neck, disappearing beneath

  her collar. Lilith found herself following their journey with her eyes, a

  warm flutter building in her chest.

  “That was close,” Sera said, towelling her hair dry. “Those storms can last for hours, sometimes days.”

  “Then we’re fortunate to have

  this,” Lilith replied, gesturing to the luxurious surroundings. She

  noticed her voice had taken on a sultry quality without her conscious

  intent.

  As Sera removed her outer

  jacket, revealing the damp shirt beneath, Lilith felt her mouth go dry.

  The wet fabric clung to Sera’s curves, outlining the gentle swell of her

  breasts. Heat pooled in Lilith’s core, her wings flexing slightly

  behind her.

  “We should get out of these wet

  clothes,” Lilith suggested, the words emerging before she could

  consider their implications. “I’m sure the servants can find something

  suitable for you to wear while these dry.”

  “That would be wonderful,” Sera agreed, seemingly oblivious to the effect she was having on Lilith.

  “You know… a warm bath would do

  wonders for us both,” Lilith suggested, the words flowing naturally.

  “Especially after getting soaked in that downpour.”

  The moment the words left her

  mouth, Lilith realised the implication. She’d just invited Sera to bathe

  with her. Together. In the same bath. The same luxurious, steaming pool

  where she’d explored her new body just days ago.

  Heat crept up Lilith’s neck

  that had nothing to do with her inner fire. She opened her mouth to

  clarify, to backtrack, to say anything that might make this less

  awkward—but the words wouldn’t come.

  “That sounds perfect,” Sera

  replied with a casual smile, already unfastening the top buttons of her

  sodden shirt. “I’ve been dreaming about that bath since yesterday. It’s

  easily the most magnificent bathing chamber I’ve ever seen.”

  Lilith’s throat tightened. The

  worst part was that Sera didn’t seem opposed to the idea at all. Why

  would she be? They were both women, after all.

  Except they weren’t. Not really. Not in the way that mattered.

  Sera didn’t know that less than

  a week ago, Lilith had been Jacob, a man. Would she still be

  comfortable sharing such an intimate space if she knew the truth?

  Lilith’s gaze drifted to Sera’s

  profile as the half-demon pulled a wet strand of hair behind her

  pointed ear. The small, curved horns protruding from her forehead caught

  the light, and Lilith felt a flutter in her stomach that was becoming

  all too familiar.

  She had to admit she’d always

  had a thing for demonesses. It was part of why she’d created Lilith in

  the first place—the blue skin, the horns, the wings and tail. Jacob had

  spent hours perfecting every detail of this character, driven by a

  fascination he’d never fully acknowledged.

  And now here she was, faced

  with Sera, something in Lilith refused to speak up, refused to object

  and send Sera to bathe alone again.

  “I’ll have the servants prepare

  it,” Lilith said, her voice betraying none of her inner turmoil. She

  gestured to the shadow servants, who bowed and glided away to carry out

  her unspoken command.

  “You’re quiet,” Sera observed as they walked toward the bathing chamber. “Having second thoughts about our journey?”

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  “No,” Lilith replied quickly. “Just… thinking about what we might find in the Wastelands.”

  It wasn’t entirely a lie. Part

  of her mind was indeed wondering what awaited them—whether any trace of

  the empire she’d built in the game still existed in this reality. But

  the rest of her thoughts were firmly anchored in the present, in the

  woman walking beside her, and in the strange hunger that seemed to grow

  stronger with each passing hour.

  The bathing chamber door swung

  open, revealing the sunken pool already filled with steaming water.

  Aromatic oils perfumed the air, and soft light from the embedded

  crystals cast a flattering glow over everything.

  “After you,” Lilith gestured,

  suddenly uncertain of bathing protocol. Should she turn away? Should she

  help Sera undress? The customs of this world regarding nudity and

  privacy were still a mystery to her.

  Sera solved the dilemma by

  simply turning her back and beginning to undress without ceremony. “I

  hope you don’t mind,” she said over her shoulder, “but I’ve been looking

  forward to this since we left.”

  Lilith swallowed hard and began

  removing her own clothing, trying to focus on anything but the curve of

  Sera’s spine as it disappeared beneath the water’s surface.

  * * *

  Lilith lowered herself into the

  bath, her movements slow and deliberate. She wanted to avert her eyes,

  to disappear beneath the water’s surface, but her body refused to obey.

  Her gaze remained fixed on Sera’s form, drinking in every detail—the

  gentle curve of her shoulders, the swell of her breasts, the faint scars

  that marked her otherwise flawless skin.

  Instead of sinking into the

  water opposite Sera as propriety demanded, Lilith found herself

  positioning her body directly in front of the half-demon, almost

  challenging her to look, to appreciate what she saw. The water lapped at

  her blue skin, doing little to conceal her perfect form.

  To distract herself from the growing tension, Lilith gestured to the array of bottles and jars arranged along the bath’s edge.

  “These lotions aren’t just for

  cleansing,” she explained, her voice steadier than she felt. “The amber

  one contains essence of night bloom—it soothes the skin and enhances

  natural regeneration. The silver jar holds crushed moonstone and

  lavender, excellent for easing muscle tension after long flights.”

  Sera leaned forward, examining

  the collection with genuine interest. “And this one?” she asked,

  pointing to a deep purple bottle.

  “Passion orchid extract,”

  Lilith replied, recalling the item description from Infinity. “It…

  heightens sensitivity and leaves a subtle fragrance that lingers for

  days.”

  “May I?” Sera asked, reaching for the bottle.

  Lilith nodded, watching as Sera uncorked it and inhaled the scent. The half-demon’s eyes widened slightly, pupils dilating.

  “It’s intoxicating,” Sera murmured. “Would you like me to apply some for you?”

  The question hung in the steamy

  air between them. Lilith’s breath caught in her throat. The thought of

  Sera’s hands on her skin sent a jolt of desire through her core.

  “I… yes,” she managed. “That would be… helpful.”

  Lilith turned, presenting her

  back to Sera, grateful for the momentary reprieve from looking at her.

  She felt the water shift as Sera moved closer, and then warm hands were

  on her shoulders, slick with the fragrant lotion.

  If Lilith had access to her

  game interface, she was certain her Inner Fire would be well above 1000

  points by now. She’d never experienced such intense desire, not even

  during her most intimate moments as Jacob. Yet her mind remained clear

  even as her body ached with need. The dichotomy was maddening—to be so

  consumed with desire yet still fully aware of every reason she shouldn’t

  act on it.

  Sera’s fingers worked

  methodically, tracing the contours of Lilith’s back, following the curve

  of her spine, massaging the base of her wings where they emerged from

  her skin. Each touch sent ripples of pleasure through Lilith’s body.

  “Your wings are magnificent,”

  Sera murmured, her breath warm against Lilith’s ear. “The way they

  connect to your muscles here… it’s beautiful.”

  Lilith couldn’t suppress the

  small sound that escaped her lips as Sera’s fingers found a particularly

  sensitive spot. The half-demon’s hands paused momentarily before

  continuing their exploration with renewed purpose.

  “Turn around,” Sera said softly. “Let me do your shoulders.”

  Lilith complied, turning to

  face Sera. Their eyes met, and something in Sera’s expression—a mixture

  of wonder, desire, and openness—broke the last of Lilith’s restraint.

  She leaned forward and pressed her lips to Sera’s.

  The kiss was gentle at first,

  tentative, but quickly deepened as Sera responded with unexpected

  eagerness. Lilith’s hands found Sera’s waist beneath the water, pulling

  her closer until their bodies pressed together, skin against skin.

  When they finally parted, both

  breathing heavily, reality crashed back into Lilith’s consciousness. She

  pulled back slightly, her eyes wide.

  “I—I warned you this would

  happen,” Lilith began, then stopped herself. The words sounded

  accusatory, as if she were blaming Sera for her own lack of control.

  “I’m sorry,” she amended quickly. “I should have maintained better control. This body… I didn’t mean to—”

  Sera placed a finger against

  Lilith’s lips, silencing her. “Don’t apologise,” she said, her voice

  husky. “I knew what I was doing when I offered to apply the lotion.”

  “But after everything you’ve been through—”

  “This is different,” Sera interrupted. “This is my choice.”

  Lilith searched Sera’s face,

  finding no trace of hesitation or regret—only a hunger that mirrored her

  own. The realisation that Sera had enjoyed their kiss as much as she

  had sent another wave of desire through Lilith’s body.

  “You understand what I am,” Lilith said, not quite a question. “What I need.”

  Sera nodded, her fingers tracing patterns on Lilith’s shoulder. “You’re a succubus. You need to feed.”

  * * *

  Vespera Nightingale sat in her

  dimly lit study, ancient tomes spread across the polished ebony desk

  before her. The small silver lamp cast dancing shadows across the walls,

  its flame steady and unwavering unlike the sudden jolt of panic that

  shot through her core. Her hand froze mid-turn of a yellowed page as the

  magical connection to Seraphina’s protective amulet abruptly vanished.

  “No,” she whispered, her voice barely audible even in the silence of her sanctuary.

  The enchantment she had woven

  into the medallion—a complex working of shadow magic tied to her own

  essence—had maintained a constant, reassuring presence in her awareness

  for decades. Now there was only emptiness where that connection should

  be, as if the amulet had been destroyed or its magic forcibly dispelled.

  Vespera closed her eyes,

  focusing her considerable power on the fading remnants of the magical

  link. Nothing. Not even the faintest trace remained to follow. Her

  granddaughter had simply vanished from her mystical senses.

  “Foolish girl,” she hissed,

  rising from her chair with a grace that belied her apparent age. In her

  agitation, her human disguise flickered momentarily, revealing the

  obsidian skin beneath. “Why didn’t you activate it? Why didn’t you call

  for me?”

  The shadow demon moved swiftly

  through her cottage, gathering essentials with practiced efficiency. Her

  movements were precise, controlled, but the pinpoints of silver light

  in her otherwise black eyes flared with barely contained fear.

  She had lived too long, lost

  too much to take chances with Seraphina’s safety. The memory of finding

  her granddaughter in that Solarian prison cell, broken and bleeding,

  flashed unbidden through her mind. Vespera’s hands trembled slightly as

  she fastened her travelling cloak.

  “Not again,” she murmured, her voice hardening with resolve. “Never again.”

  Within minutes, she had

  transformed fully into her human guise—the dignified elderly woman with

  silver-streaked black hair that the few humans who knew her would

  recognise. This form had served her well for decades, allowing her to

  move through human lands without drawing unwanted attention.

  Before departing, Vespera

  approached a small wooden box on her mantelpiece. Opening it revealed a

  collection of seemingly ordinary objects—a dried flower, a child’s

  carved wooden toy, a tarnished silver ring. Mementos of a family history

  marked by persecution and flight. Her fingers hovered over them before

  selecting a single strand of dark hair—Seraphina’s—preserved for

  precisely this purpose.

  Closing her eyes, Vespera

  performed a locator spell, one of the oldest and most reliable in her

  considerable repertoire. The hair should have guided her to Seraphina’s

  current location, but instead of the expected pull in a specific

  direction, the strand merely curled in on itself before crumbling to

  ash.

  “Impossible,” Vespera

  whispered, genuine fear creeping into her voice. Only the most powerful

  magic could block her tracking spells. Either Seraphina was dead—a

  possibility her mind refused to entertain—or she was somewhere shielded

  by magic beyond Vespera’s considerable experience.

  Neither option boded well.

  Vespera swept from her cottage,

  locking it with both physical and magical wards. The night air was cool

  against her skin as she moved with purpose toward the road. She would

  begin at the last place she knew Seraphina had been—the abandoned tower

  near Westbridge where her granddaughter often gathered information from

  other outcasts.

  As she walked, Vespera’s

  thoughts turned dark. If someone had harmed Seraphina, there would be no

  sanctuary remote enough, no protection powerful enough to shield them

  from her wrath. The humans who had tortured her granddaughter decades

  ago had learned that lesson in their final moments, as Vespera had shown

  them the true face of a shadow demon’s vengeance.

  She would do so again without hesitation.

  The protective instinct that

  had driven her since the day her son Malakai was executed burned hot in

  her chest. Seraphina was all she had left—the last of her bloodline, the

  only being in this world she truly loved. Vespera had not survived

  centuries of persecution, had not preserved the history and culture of

  her people through the fall of Nocturne, only to lose her granddaughter

  now.

  “Hold on, little one,” she whispered to the night. “Grandmother is coming.”