Succumania

She sat on her throne at the pinnacle of the world, untouchable and unbothered.

Her very existence was meant to be worshiped.

Her presence alone demanded reverence.

A boundless arrogance, absolute and unshaken—one that none could breach, none could diminish.

Of course, there could only be one reason for her presence in this world. Because it needed her.

She reclined with effortless grace, her golden eyes gleaming as she gazed down at the grand stadium below. 

Let them grovel. Let them praise. Life's only true purpose was to kneel at her feet in adoration.

Soon the preparations shall be finished. The nightmares were gathered.

And then—

The world, and that boy, would finally witness her beauty.

And with it—salvation.

A good day could only begin with a good yawn. 

The young man stretched lazily, his body still sluggish from the deep, satisfying sleep he had just woken from. He arched his back slightly, feeling the pleasant crack of his joints loosening, and let out a slow, contented sigh.

Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. The house was quiet, the kind of peaceful stillness that made it easy to drift back to sleep.

Unconsciously, he pulled his 'plushie' closer, burying his face into its hair.

"Will you let go of me already?" a voice muttered in annoyance.

His drowsiness vanished in an instant. Blinking groggily, he opened his eyes—only to be met with the piercing pearl-blue gaze of the little succubus currently trapped in his arms.

Oh. Right.

She was the one who had rudely woken him up at 3 a.m. last night.

He frowned, his grip loosening but not letting go entirely. "I always wondered…" he mumbled, blinking away sleep. "Why do your eyes change colors? Or glow? Almost every one of you has that."

She let out an exasperated sigh, clearly not in the mood for morning questions. "Is that really how you start the day?"

"Well, yeah. It's weird."

Rolling her eyes, she wriggled free and sat up on the bed, arms crossed. "Mine change colors to blend in with humans. Have you ever seen a normal human with glowing golden or red eyes?"

"Fair point," he shrugged and stretched his arms with a yawn. "Oh man… I still feel tired. I guess this is because you woke me up threatening to kill me."

The succubus averted her eyes before hopping off the bed with a light chuckle. "I guess you're lucky that I didn't kill you."

"Uh-huh," he sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. "Can we, like… not do that? We already talked about this last night."

"We did," she nodded. Then, just as he was about to lie back down, she suddenly paused, closing her eyes in thought.

After a few seconds of silence, she spoke.

"Boy. From this day onward, I will teach you."

Luka sat up quickly, blinking in surprise. "Wait—where did that come from?"

She placed a hand on her hip, smirking. "Good grief, don't take me for someone who can't honor a promise."

Luka's mind raced as he processed her words. "Hold on… So you're actually serious about this?"

"Of course," she said, flicking her tail. "You are my student now, after all. And you can't back down from this. I expect results."

Luka let out a low whistle, rubbing his chin. "So that's the power of hugs…" he muttered, glancing at his hands in mock contemplation.

Vinum's eye twitched. A vein popped on her forehead.

"Don't make fun of me," she growled.

"I would never," Luka said, voice dripping with exaggerated innocence.

She folded her arms, her tail lashing behind her. "I'm not doing this because…" She paused, clicking her tongue in irritation. "Never mind. I think you have great potential, and it just so happens I lost two of my students."

Luka's teasing expression softened. "Vinum…"

"Don't weep for them. And don't weep for me. Or else I'm going to show you what a true succubus is."

Luka held up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. No weeping. Got it."

Vinum studied him for a moment before nodding. "Good."

Then she turned on her heel, heading for the door. "Get dressed, boy. My teachings start now."

Luka groaned, flopping back onto the bed. "Can't I have breakfast first?"

"Of course," she sighed in annoyance. "I'm not expecting you to follow without a full stomach." 

Then, she opened the door and quickly walked off to her own room. 

Luka blinked. "Huh. That was… surprisingly reasonable."

Vinum paused mid-step, glancing back with a raised brow. "What, did you think I'd starve my own student? You wouldn't last a day without food."

He smirked. "Guess succubi do have a little kindness in them."

Her tail flicked in irritation. "Don't push your luck."

Luka chuckled, finally dragging himself out of bed. His body still felt sluggish, but at least he wasn't being thrown straight into some insane training on an empty stomach. Small victories.

As he stretched, he heard Vinum's door shut across the hall. He let out a long breath, running a hand through his messy hair.

"Guess she is taking this a bit harder than I thought…" he muttered to himself.

Vinum wasn't one to show many emotions besides her psychopathic behavior of wanting more knowledge and entertainment. Seeing her this irritated and quick to anger was new to him.

Still, a succubus as ancient as her as a teacher? It was a good opportunity to learn more and it wasn't that far off from his old teacher. 

With a shake of his head, he grabbed some clothes and made his way toward the bathroom. Whatever she would teach him, he hoped it would help in resolving this situation.

After washing his face and dressing up for the day, he headed down the stairs and found that most of the succubi were still asleep.

Except four of them.

The Lilith Sisters were sitting at the table in their original clothing and…

"Alma Elma?" Luka called out, seeing the purple-haired succubus wrapped in bandages around her torso. 

At the sound of her name, Alma Elma turned her head slightly, offering Luka her usual playful smirk—though it was noticeably weaker than usual.

"Morning, sleepyhead," she said, her voice carrying a teasing lilt despite the exhaustion in her eyes. "Took you long enough to wake up."

Luka frowned, his gaze drifting to the bandages wrapped tightly around her torso. Even with her relaxed posture, he could see the stiffness in her movements.

"What the hell happened to you?" he asked, stepping closer.

One of the Lilith Sisters—Morrigan—sighed, setting down her teacup. "Man… We got destroyed."

"It's a big word. He didn't even fight," Lilith corrected. 

Luka's brow furrowed. "He?"

Lilith's gaze flicked toward him, her lips curving into a slow, knowing smile. "Good morning, Luka. I trust you slept well?" Her voice was sickly sweet, almost cloying.

Astaroth, seated beside her, matched the expression with an equally unsettling grin. "Yes… You must feel very well-rested after such a… warm night."

Luka hesitated mid-step.

Okay, they definitely know something.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, I get it. One of you peeked into my room and saw me hugging Vinum, and now you're all having fun messing with me."

"I wonder what you're talking about…♪" Alma Elma chimed in, her teasing voice perfectly matching the sisters' mischievous tone.

"I wonder what you're talking about…♪" Alma Elma added, mimicking the same sweet smile as the others. 

Luka groaned. "For the first and last time, it wasn't like that. I was asleep."

Lilith rested her chin on her interlaced fingers, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh? So you're saying you accidentally wrapped your arms around her in such a protective embrace?"

Astaroth leaned forward, her voice dripping with faux innocence. "And that you accidentally nuzzled into her hair?"

"Damn, didn't know you were into that, Luka." Morrigan quipped with innocent eyes."

"It was punishment for her, nothing else," Luka sighed in frustration. It was useless to argue with them at this point. "If you're jealous, I'll give you some punishment as well, but it won't be as sweet."

That shut them up.

For about two seconds.

Then—

"Oh my…" Lilith purred, a glimmer of amusement dancing in her eyes.

Astaroth pretended to shiver. "Be gentle with us, Luka."

Luka's smirk never wavered. "I'll personally make sure your precious hair is gone," he said, his smile unnervingly angelic. "And how about I force you to wear stacks of clothes until you can barely move? Especially you, Astaroth—those two knockers of yours could use some proper coverage. Or else... I'll do it myself, and it's going to get ugly real fast."

Astaroth's smirk faltered, her eyes going wide for just a moment as she froze. Lilith's usual confident posture faltered too, as she let out a soft, surprised chuckle.

"So now that the pleasantries are over," Luka sighed, glancing around at the sisters, his expression hardening. "What the hell happened? I never imagined Alma Elma could lose."

"We're right here, you know," Morrigan deadpanned. "Big sis can beat her any time."

"Please Morrigan, this is not the time," Astaroth slapped the back of her sister's head. "Nina has been kidnapped and… A man stopped us from saving her."

Luka's expression darkened, the lightness of the teasing fading from his face. His brows furrowed deeply as he glanced between the Lilith Sisters, trying to process the shock of the news. "Kidnapped? And a man stopped you? Who the hell is this guy?"

Morrigan slouched back in her chair, casual despite the tension. She tapped her temple lazily. "Wore a big hat, long coat," she said, trailing her hands down her sides to mimic the silhouette. "Said he knew you."

"...What?"

The Lilith Sisters froze, the mood in the room shifting entirely. 

"Uh… he wouldn't stay dead, either," Astaroth added, her voice tightening as a knot formed in her throat. "Kept coming back no matter how many times we killed him."

"And he could shapeshift," Lilith said, her shoulders stiffening under Luka's piercing stare. "Ring any bells?"

The only thing that matches is his appearance and the fact that he knows me.

His shoulders relaxed slightly more. "No, that can't be him. Sorry, I got worked up for nothing."

But the sisters barely answered, giving wary looks toward him.

Luka leaned back, crossing his arms as he forced the tension out of his body. "Alright, let's back up. Where was Nina when this happened? And what did this guy do—exactly?"

Lilith straightened, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear as she regained her composure. "It was in her laboratory. Alma Elma sent us there after you received a phone call from Nina. But when we arrived…"

"Nina was already gone," Alma Elma added, her tone growing heavier. She looked directly at Luka, her frown deepening. "And that man was there instead. Which brings me to something I wanted to confirm."

Luka raised an eyebrow, sensing something more was coming. "What?"

Alma Elma stepped closer to him, her arms suddenly gripping his tightly, locking him in place with surprising force. Luka froze, startled by the sudden contact. "W-Wait, what are you—?"

"Don't move," Alma Elma interrupted, her voice softer but firm. "I don't have a nose as sharp as other monsters, so I need to get close."

Luka's heart raced, but he forced himself to remain still as Alma Elma leaned in, her face close to his neck. Her breath was warm against his skin for a split second before she let go of him.

She sighed softly, an odd, pensive look crossing her face. "It's similar… but different at the same time. Like a nostalgic feeling." She gave him a small, almost apologetic smile. "Sorry, I got worked up for no reason, too…♪"

Luka, still caught off guard by the proximity and the strange moment that passed between them, cleared his throat and tried to push the discomfort aside. "So… what now?" His voice came out a little sharper than intended. "Do you know where they took Nina?"

"About that…" the queen of succubi's face grew darker. "He said he was going to let her roast in broad daylight."

Luka's heart lurched, a spike of dread cutting through him. "What?" He took an involuntary step back, alarm flashing in his eyes. "Then we need to get back there—now!"

"We already went back to the laboratory," Lilith shook her head. "There was no one left there. Even the man was gone and with him, a lot of different gadgets she had shown to Morrigan and Alma Elma."

Luka stood still for a moment, his mind racing to process the new information. The lab was empty, Nina was gone, and the man… whoever he was… had vanished without a trace. It was all too clean, too calculated.

"Dammit…" Luka muttered under his breath. "This is a setup. Whoever this guy is, he's planned this."

"Seemed that way," Astaroth said grimly. "And it gets worse. Alma Elma's hurt—and she's not healing."

Luka's gaze snapped to the bandages wrapped across Alma Elma's torso. "That's what those are for? Why can't you heal?"

"Healing spells don't work on her," Lilith explained. "Probably because of that white sigil on her wound."

"A sigil?" Luka stepped closer, his tone urgent. "Show me."

Alma Elma hesitated, then tugged at the edge of her bandages, peeling them back just enough to reveal the injury. A jagged gash marred her side, raw and unhealed, but what caught Luka's eye was the faint, glowing mark etched into her skin—a stark white sigil, pulsing faintly like a heartbeat. It was intricate, angular, and utterly foreign.

"Don't undress me like that Luka…♪" Alma Elma teased. 

"Shut up, you're hurt," he took a closer look. "It reminds me of… Holy Knights magic? Something to curse demons."

"He used a healing spell on Alma Elma after wounding her," Astaroth added, her voice carrying a hint of disbelief.

Luka frowned, his gaze shifting back to Alma Elma's injury. "He… healed her?" His mind was racing now, trying to make sense of the situation. "Makes no sense. Which means it's definitely not him. Unless he had an ulterior motive."

Or maybe…

"Or maybe that healing spell is what caused that sigil. Perhaps it's halting Alma Elma's natural regeneration."

"Now that I think about it, I'm getting a bit hungry…" the succubus queen sighed. "Perhaps I should get me some replenishment to heal myself."

"I don't think that'll work, but you can try," the detective nodded. "Just… Nah you already know the drill."

"Of course…♪" she spread her wings. "Well then, I'll go on the hunt!" With a flourish, she headed outside, leaving Luka and the three sisters. 

"Let's hope she heals fast…" Luka sighed, running a hand through his hair. He turned to the Lilith Sisters, his expression serious. "In the meantime, we should find information about this man and Nina. If he's using Holy Knights' magic, there's a chance he's connected to the Order—or someone who's stolen their techniques."

Lilith nodded, her blazing red eyes narrowing as she stepped forward. "Agreed. We'll start by retracing our steps. The laboratory might be empty, but there could still be clues left behind."

Astaroth crossed her arms. "And if we're lucky, we might find something that points us to where Nina was taken."

Morrigan, who had been unusually quiet, finally spoke up. "Or we could just track down the nearest Holy Knight and beat the answers out of them. That usually works."

Luka shot her a look, though there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Let's try the subtle approach first. If that doesn't work, we'll consider your plan."

After that, they spent the whole morning looking for clues in the laboratory. But alas, nothing came up. While Luka was uneasy by the appearance of the man, his use of talismans that Astaroth mentioned as soon as they arrived, and his knowledge of him, he couldn't think of a possibility where the Hatman had returned.

It was simply impossible. Even if he wasn't there to witness his death, Saki clearly told him he died. Even Kanami confirmmed it.

Besides, why would he be back now of all times? It made absolutely no sense. 

By noon, the search of the lab had led to a dead end, and they reluctantly decided to head back home.

Before they left, Lilith's keen eyes caught sight of something: faint tire tracks outside the lab. "They took Nina by car or van," she observed, tracing the size of the marks. "Could've been either one, but they're too big for anything smaller."

Luka frowned. It wasn't much, but it was a lead. They followed the tracks for a while, but soon, the trail started to fade, leaving them with nothing but a vast, empty stretch of road. The pursuit grew impossible, and they had no choice but to turn back.

Once back home, they all slumped on the couch, slightly defeated. 

Eva, sitting nearby, sucked on a lollipop while scrolling through a borrowed phone, seemingly unfazed by the tense atmosphere.

"You guys should rest, you look all tired," she remarked, glancing up at the trio with a casual air.

Astaroth shot her an exasperated look. "Nina is gone, and Alma Elma is hurt. How can you be so casual about all this?"

Luka groaned, sinking deeper into the couch as he looked at Astaroth. "Please, for the love of god, put something on, Asta…"

Astaroth raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "I don't know why it bothers you so much. We're inside the house after all. Your human rules are strange."

"I agree with you but if our host says so, please oblige him," Lilith replied. 

Astaroth sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes. "Fine, fine," she said, pulling on a loose shirt. "I'll put something on."

At that moment, the door slammed open. "I'm back~!" Alma Elma's voice rang through the house as she strutted into the living room, a confident smile on her face. She paused when she saw Luka, her eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. "I have a problem. Could you please come upstairs with me?"

Luka raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. He looked at the others briefly before nodding. "Alright. Let's go."

He followed her upstairs and into her room. It was the first time he ever truly entered that room since she arrived, and it was clear she had customized it to her preferences.

While the colors of the walls didn't change, the bed was replaced with a larger one with pink sheets and a small desk with various tools on it for painting or writing. She jumped onto the bed with a sigh, flicking her tail lazily in the air as she made herself comfortable.

"So…" Luka said, his voice a bit more cautious now. "What's wrong? You manage to find something to eat?"

"Oh, yes," Alma Elma giggled, her smile playful. "It wasn't hard to find an eager volunteer, but…" She trailed off, her gaze turning more serious, though the mischievous glint in her eyes remained. She lifted her bandages up. "My wound hasn't closed up at all. It still hurts a lot."

"So you can't heal through energy drain…" Luka mused, bringing a hand to his chin. "That's odd. It's one of your primary qualities as succubi."

"I know right?" she pouted. "How rude of him to do that. Which brings me to the more urgent matter."

Luka remained silent, waiting for her to continue.

"I'm becoming increasingly hungry for some reason," her expression darkened, her voice almost a whisper. "If it keeps going at this rate…"

"I get it," Luka interjected, his brow furrowing. "You'll start to go crazy?"

Alma Elma nodded, her tail flicking nervously. "It's the only thing I can think of. If I don't feed soon… I won't be able to control myself."

Luka cursed under his breath, his thoughts racing. "This is bad… Was that his goal all along?" he muttered, trying to piece things together. "Okay, don't move. I've got an idea."

"Be quick," Alma Elma said, a note of urgency in her voice. "Otherwise, you might have to stop me."

Luka raised an eyebrow at her words. "You're that certain you might go crazy?"

"Trust me," she said, her tone sharp and serious. "If that were to happen, don't come near me. Let the sisters handle it."

"Okay… I hope it won't come to this," he nodded before dashing out of the room. 

His hurried footsteps echoed in the house as he made his way down, passing by Mayu who shot him a surprised look. She quickly shook her head and went back to listening to her music through her headphones.

Once at the ground floor, he quickly picked up the phone from Eva's hand and began typing a number.

"H-Hey!" Eva shot him a frustrated look. "I was going to win!"

"Sorry, but it's an urgent call to a specialist of the Council," Luka said briefly, not giving her much attention as he waited for someone on the other end to pick up.

Finally, the call connected. "Hello?"

Luka's voice was sharp and urgent. "I need to know everything you can about energy drain curses—specifically something that could prevent a succubus from healing by feeding off energy. It's for someone I know, and time is running out."

There was a pause on the other end before the voice replied, "What are you dealing with, exactly?"

"Long story, but the short version is… one of my friends has been cursed. She's a succubus, and she can't heal the usual way. We're on a clock, and I need to know if there's any way to reverse or deal with a curse like this."

The voice on the other end sighed, a slight rustling noise heard as if the person was searching for something. "There are multiple possibilities. Holy magic, energy manipulation and redirection, magic block, or even conceptual impairment that sealed her very core as a devil."

"Anything cast by a talisman?" Luka pressed, his grip tightening around the phone as he glanced up the stairs toward Alma Elma's room.

"Hey, is something wrong with the violent girl?" Morrigan asked with a frown.

"Shh!" Luka pressed his fingers to his lips, listening to the voice at the other end of the call. 

"Have you ever heard of Nicholas' blessing?" the voice said. 

Luka's mind raced as he processed the new information. "A blessing of Nicholas… Is it something that could affect a succubus' ability to feed? Something that could seal her healing?"

The voice on the other end hesitated for a moment before answering. "It's primarily a countermeasure against hunger, used by Holy Knights for their own kind. It seals or numbs hunger for a short time, but if adapted against a demon, it could work on any creature that feeds off energy or life force. It might stop the succubus from feeding, blocking her ability to drain and heal."

Luka frowned, glancing up the stairs at Alma Elma's room. "So, if someone used this on her, it could explain why her wound isn't healing?"

"Exactly," the voice confirmed. 

"Great," Luka muttered under his breath. "So we're on the clock. Any idea how to remove or counteract this blessing?"

"Starvation has its limits. If she stops herself from feeding for a few days, it might come off on its own. Otherwise, you'll have to find a Holy Knight to dispel it."

Luka cursed under his breath. "A few days? She can't last that long. You don't understand—if she doesn't feed soon, she's going to lose control, and things will get worse."

"Then you're going to have to find a way to speed things up," the voice on the other end replied, sounding more serious now. "If you can't get to a Holy Knight, your best bet is to find some way to draw the blessing out—either through magic or a ritual. But be careful. It's not something you can just remove casually."

Luka's mind was already racing with possible options. "So there's no quick fix?"

"Not unless you have a way to manipulate the blessing directly," the voice said. "But it's tricky. I'd say finding the caster would be your best option."

"I'll see what I can do." Luka's voice was tight with urgency. "Thanks. I'll keep you posted if I need more info."

"Good luck. And remember, don't let her feed until this is over. If she loses control, it might be too late to fix."

Luka ended the call quickly, his mind focused entirely on the problem at hand. He rushed back upstairs, his steps heavy as he approached Alma Elma's room.

He found her sitting on the bed, her face still strained with hunger, but she didn't look like she was losing control just yet.

"Okay," Luka said, stepping into the room. "Here's the situation. It's a Holy Knight's blessing. It blocks your ability to feed, and it's keeping your wound from healing. If we can't find a way to break it, it'll take a few days for the curse to fade on its own, but you can't afford to wait that long."

"I see…" she sighed. "But I guess you have a plan?"

Luka winced. "Not exactly..." The words were hard to admit, but the helplessness was clawing at him. Seeing her suffer like this—it wasn't something he could just stand by and let happen.

Her expression softened slightly, but it was still tinged with hunger, impatience, and a trace of despair. "Well then, what's the next step?"

Maybe Vinum knows something?

"I'll be right back," Luka muttered, turning swiftly and exiting the room. He made his way toward Vinum's room, his pace quickening as his mind settled on the plan.

When he opened Vinum's door, she shot him an irritated glare. "You're late," she snapped. "I told you to eat breakfast and—"

But before she could even finish, he grabbed her hand and dragged her forcefully outside. 

"You better have a good reason for this, boy," she growled but wasn't resisting nonetheless.

"I need your help," Luka growled, his voice rough with urgency. "It's about Alma Elma. She's in trouble. A curse was placed on her—something blocking her ability to feed, and it's keeping her wound from healing. I need to know everything you can about curses like this. Now."

The succubus blinked and her expression turned from annoyance to curiosity. When they entered the room, she immediately stepped to Alma Elma and examined her wound. "I see. I'm glad you did not drag me here for nothing."

"Can you do something about this?" Alma Elma asked, her voice tinged with hope, though her gaze flickered back to Luka, as if seizing him up.

Vinum didn't answer immediately. She continued to inspect the curse, tapping her chin thoughtfully. After a moment, she let out a frustrated sigh and shrugged. "Hmmm… It's not that complicated, really," she said, her fingers still tracing the sigil on Alma Elma's wound. "But it's a bit of a hassle. The blessing is designed to block your feeding, right? So, I'll have to work around that."

Alma Elma's tail flicked nervously behind her. "Can you do it or not?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of impatience.

Vinum smirked, a flicker of confidence in her eyes. "I can do it. It's just a matter of undoing the seal. But this will take a little time, and you'll need to stay still, Alma Elma. I'll need to concentrate."

Luka felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Good," he said, his voice tight with both exhaustion and hope. "Just… make it quick. Time's running out."

Vinum's eyes softened slightly as she turned to him. "You really care about her, don't you?" she observed quietly.

"So what?"

Vinum tilted her head, almost amused. "If I were to leave her like this… she'd probably go on a rampage and eat you in the process," she mused, the words coming out far too casually.

"Please don't joke about this…"

Vinum sighed, her patience running thin, and her hand hovered over the sigil. It began to glow softly, an ethereal light enveloping her fingers. "Good grief…" she muttered, raising her other hand to wave at Luka. "Get out of here before she jumps on you. I can already see her drool."

"I trust you," the young man finally said before leaving the room.

Vinum's face was scrunched in concentration as she worked, her fingers moving with precision, tracing the lines of the curse. Alma Elma, still perched on the bed, shifted uncomfortably, her stomach growling quietly, but she did her best to hold herself together.

The hunger gnawed at her from the inside, intensifying with each passing second, but she knew that if she gave in, she'd lose control—lose everything. The pain of the wound, the overwhelming need to feed, and the helplessness of being stuck like this was nearly unbearable. But she clenched her teeth, gripping the sheets beneath her, and kept her focus.

"You're strong," Vinum remarked. "At this moment Myusca would already have stormed off."

Alma Elma managed a weak smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Don't joke, it's only been a few hours…" She chuckled softly, though it sounded strained. "I've seen worse."

"If only most succubi were at least as restrained as you," she sighed. "I hate waste of food."

With a snap of her fingers, the sigil shifted in color, and Vinum took a step back, her task complete. "There. It will come off in a few days, but the hunger should ease."

Alma Elma blinked, her eyes wide with confusion. "Why hasn't it come off immediately?"

Vinum smirked, clearly satisfied with her work. "I simply redirected the target," she said casually. "I stuck the boy's hair on it."

"YOU… YOU DID WHAT?!" Alma Elma's eyes widened and she stormed out of the room in a hurry.

Vinum leaned back against the doorframe, her smirk deepening as she watched Alma Elma's furious retreat. "Always so dramatic…" she muttered under her breath, clearly enjoying the chaos she'd caused. Then she shrugged, her mischievous grin still plastered on her face. "I guess pranking people is fun from time to time. Though I didn't use his hair…" she added with a glint of even more devious amusement. "It was an insect. That should really get her going."

Her skin was burning. It was unbearable. Like a hot flame searing her from the inside, she could feel nothing but the scorching pain. The rest of her body had faded into numbness, the echo of her heartbeat the only sound in her ears. Her vision blurred, the world around her reduced to a haze of light and shadow. She tried to move, to scream, but her body refused to obey. The sunlight was relentless, its rays piercing through her like a thousand needles.

"Holy shit, you see how many moles there are on her skin?" one of the mercenaries said with an amazed laugh. His voice was distant, muffled, as if coming from underwater. "Looks like someone's been under the sun too long."

Another voice chimed in, this one colder and more clinical. "Focus. We just have to let her fry here and then report to our client that it's done."

Nina's mind raced, her thoughts fragmented and chaotic. She tried to focus, to piece together what was happening, but the pain was overwhelming. The mercenaries' voices faded in and out, their words barely registering as she lay there on the ground, helpless, bound by shackles.

She caught glimpses of their faces—cold, indifferent, masked by visors that reflected the harsh sunlight.

The pain was soon too much. Her vision blurred, her thoughts slipping away into a jumbled mess. The last thing she heard before losing consciousness was the sound of shouting voices…

And of a drumming heartbeat.

"Repent in hell!" Ntwali shouted as his fist collided with one of the mercenaries's heads, the helmet cracking. 

"Saki kick!" another voice chimed in, the foot of a succubus slamming one of the man's rifles down.

The clash was followed by a flurry of movement, the mercenaries stumbling back as they tried to defend themselves against the unexpected assault.

Saki quickly grabbed Nina and tried to shield her as best as possible using her own shadow. "Hang in there!"

The remaining six mercenaries quickly regained their bearing and aimed their rifles at the priest.

However the beat of Ntwali made them fumble with their weaponry, their fingers and arms not moving as they wished to. 

"Let's turn up the beat!" Ntwali shouted, his grin wide and unshakable. He lunged forward, his fist slamming into another mercenary's helmet. The impact sent the man flying, his body crumpling against a nearby tree. The sound of cracking metal echoed through the clearing.

The mercenaries hesitated, their weapons now useless against the onslaught. One of them cursed under his breath, his voice trembling with frustration. "What the fuck is this? I can't aim at him!"

Another mercenary dropped his rifle entirely, opting instead to draw a combat knife. He lunged at Ntwali, but the priest sidestepped with ease, his body moving in perfect sync with the rhythm of his heartbeat. With a swift, precise strike, he disarmed the man and elbowed him in the gut, sending him sprawling to the ground. The mercenary gasped for air, clutching his stomach as he curled into a ball.

Saki, still shielding Nina, glanced over her shoulder. "Ntwali, we need to get her out of here! I'm opening the portal again!"

Ntwali nodded, his expression serious for the first time since the fight began. "Right. Let's wrap this up." He turned to the remaining mercenaries, his grin returning. "You boys might want to consider running. Or I will make you retire permanently."

The mercenaries exchanged uneasy glances, their confidence wavering. One of them took a step back, his hands raised in surrender. "We're done here," he muttered, his voice barely audible over the sound of Ntwali's rhythmic footsteps.

As the mercenaries retreated, Ntwali turned his attention to Nina. His expression softened as he knelt beside her, his hands moving to the shackles that bound her wrists and ankles. With a sharp tug, the chains snapped, freeing her from the restraints.

"Let's get out of here," Saki said, her hand glowing as a portal opened to her domain, the Dreamworld. 

Ntwali carefully lifted Nina into his arms, his body hovered over her to give the maximum shade, before jumping into the portal. 

Saki looked around one last time, her sharp eyes scanning the area for any remaining threats. Satisfied that the mercenaries were truly retreating, she nodded to herself and jumped inside the portal as well. The gateway closed behind her with a soft whoosh , leaving the clearing eerily silent.

Once inside the Dreamworld, Ntwali carried Nina through the grand halls of Saki's castle. The air was cold and fragrant, filled with the scent of burning incense and flowers. The soft glow of enchanted lanterns illuminated their path, casting a golden light on the polished marble floor. 

They reached a room on the highest floor, its doors opening to reveal a spacious chamber. he room was dominated by an outrageously large bed, its frame carved from dark wood and draped with crimson silk. A fireplace crackled softly in the corner, creating shadows that danced on the red tapestries, and the scent of burning wood mixing with the scent of lavender.

Ntwali placed Nina on the bed with care, his movements gentle as he adjusted the pillows beneath her head. Her breathing was shallow but steady, her face bright red from the exposure to the sunlight. He stepped back, his expression unreadable as he watched her for a moment.

Saki entered the room shortly after, her wings folding neatly behind her. She moved to Nina's side, her hands glowing faintly as she began to examine her. "She's stable for now. But the exposure to sunlight has taken a toll on her. She'll need time to recover."

Ntwali crossed his arms, his usual grin absent as he leaned against the wall. "Unfortunately, I'm not good at healing. Will you be able to do it?"

"Of course," Saki gave him a confident smile. "I'll give her some of my life force, it should do the trick."

Ntwali raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with skepticism. "Your life force? Isn't that a bit… risky?"

"It's nothing for me," Saki shook her head, her hand already touching Nina's skin. 

Ntwali sighed, his gaze shifting to the ornate fresco ceiling above. The artwork depicted a scene of naked demons engaged in a chaotic, yet strangely elegant, dance. "Fair enough. Just don't overdo it. We still need you in one piece."

As the process continued, Ntwali glanced around the room, his eyes taking in the opulent surroundings. "Also," he said, his tone shifting to one of mild amusement, "never in my life did I think I'd find myself in the chamber of the Lord of Dreams. You hid your identity well, Saki."

Saki's smile turned mischievous. "What? Are you saying you're disappointed to find out I'm one of your worst enemies?"

Ntwali chuckled, his usual grin creeping back onto his face. "I'm honored. Not many Holy Knights made it this far."

"Right," she sighed. Her tone suddenly turned solemn. "Most of these brave men died before entering the castle. I'm nearly invincible here, after all."

Ntwali's grin faltered for a second, realizing he had pushed the subject a bit too far. He scratched the back of his head, his tone more respectful. "I can say you've changed, at least. You're not the ruthless nightmare who threatened to drown the world in carnal pleasure."

Saki's expression softened, a hint of nostalgia flickering in her eyes. "I met someone," she said, her voice quieter now. "He… changed my perspective on a lot of things." She chuckled softly, her gaze drifting to the flickering flames in the fireplace. "Speaking of him, could you send him a message, please? Tell him I've got Nina so he doesn't worry too much."

Ntwali blinked, his grin returning as he raised an eyebrow. "Phones work here?"

"I installed some antennas around the castle," she smiled back.

Ntwali frowned, crossing his arms. "You're making fun of me, aren't you?"

"I am," Saki admitted with a light laugh. "But yes, phones work here. Take mine. It's in the bag on the desk."

Ntwali rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a grin. "Of course, you'd have a phone in the Dreamworld. Why am I not surprised?" He walked over to the dark wood desk, its surface ornate with gold filigree that gleamed in the firelight. He rummaged through the bag, pulling out a sleek, modern smartphone. "You really have adapted to the modern world, huh?"

Saki shrugged, her wings shifting slightly as she turned her attention back to Nina. "I also am a singer at a local bar back where Luka lives. I sometimes do performances there. Now hurry up and send that message. I don't want him panicking and meeting the Hatman by mistake."

Ntwali unlocked the phone with a swipe, his fingers moving quickly as he navigated to the messaging app. "Alright, alright. What do you want me to say? 'Hey, Luka, your succubus girlfriend has Nina. Don't freak out'?"

Saki shot him a glare, though there was no real heat behind it. "Just tell him Nina is safe and that I'm looking after her. Don't tell him too much."

Ntwali chuckled as he typed out the message. "Got it. 'Nina's safe. I got her. Everything's okay.' How's that?"

Saki sighed.. "Close enough. Send it."

Ntwali hit send, then tossed the phone back onto the desk. "Done. Now what?"

Saki's expression turned serious as she finished healing Nina, the glow around her hands fading. "Now, we wait. With the Hatman, you need to be patient and work around his own plans. Also, we need to make sure Luka doesn't meet him."

Ntwali raised an eyebrow, his grin returning. "You know," he said, leaning against the desk, "I was joking earlier, but is he truly your boyfriend?"

Saki's eyes narrowed, though there was a flicker of amusement in them. "As a priest, shouldn't you be concerned if that was the case?"

Ntwali shrugged, his grin widening. "I guess if it's you, it's fine… But this Luka guy. Why do you want him to stay away from the Hatman? Isn't he a very good mage who can help us?"

Saki's expression darkened, her playful demeanor fading as she turned to face Ntwali fully. "The Hatman killed his parents and basically ruined his life."

"Oh…" Ntwali frowned, understanding more what was going on.

"But the worst part is…" she looked away for a second, her face turning sadder by the second. "He never got the chance to enact vengeance. And I believe if he were to know the Hatman is still alive, he would…"

"He would what?" Ntwali pressed. He could see the heaviness in Saki's expression, the way her wings and tail drooped slightly as she spoke.

Saki hesitated, her gaze fixed on the flickering flames in the fireplace. "He would stop at nothing to confront him," she said finally. "And for a man who is repairing himself piece by piece… this would be the worst thing happening to him."

"You're protecting him," he said, not as a question but as a statement. "Even if it means keeping him in the dark."

"I'm doing this because if he were to charge into a fight with the Hatman right now, he would get himself killed. And if that were to happen…" She trailed off, her hands clenching into fists. "I don't know what I'd do."

Ntwali studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he chuckled, running a hand against his shaved head. "Love is a beautiful thing."

"Hey!" Saki shot him a glare, her cheeks flushing faintly. 

Ntwali raised an eyebrow, his smirk returning. "You never answered my question," he said, leaning casually against the desk. "Is he your boyfriend or not?"

Saki's wings twitched, and her tail flicked in irritation. "Why do you switch moods like that so easily?"

"I don't like sad moments," he said with a shrug. "But seriously, is he?"

"No," she looked away with a sigh. "Because he can't…"

"He can't be your boyfriend? Because you're a primordial one?"

"No, it's not that," she shook her head, her voice tinged with sadness. "It's because he can't really love anymore… Or at least he… He's afraid to."

Ntwali's grin faded, replaced by a look of genuine curiosity. "Afraid to love? What do you mean?"

Saki hesitated, her fingers tracing the edge of the bed frame as if grounding herself. "The Hatman didn't just take his parents. He took… everything. His sense of safety. His trust. His ability to let people in. Luka's been rebuilding himself, piece by piece, but love? That's something he's not ready for. Not yet."

Ntwali tilted his head, his expression thoughtful. "And you? Where do you fit into all of this?"

Saki's wings shifted slightly, and she looked away again, her tail curling tighter around her leg. "I don't know," she admitted. "I care about him. More than I ever thought I could care about anyone. But I can't force him to feel something he's not ready for. And I won't."

"Sounds like you're in a tough spot."

"You think?" Saki said dryly, though there was no real bite in her tone. She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It's complicated. He's complicated. And I… I don't know how to help him without pushing him away."

Ntwali chuckled softly, though there was no mockery in it this time. "You know, for someone who's supposed to be the Lord of Dreams, you're carrying a lot of human problems."

She showed her fangs and curled her fingers like a vampire. "Maybe because I hide in your walls. Muwahaha!"

Ntwali pushed off the desk and walked over to the window, staring out at the surreal landscape of the Dreamworld. The sky was a swirling mix of colors, and the distant mountains seemed to shift and change shape as if alive. "You know," he said after a moment, his tone thoughtful, "maybe you're overthinking it."

Saki raised an eyebrow. "Overthinking it?"

"If you think that guy will bring down the heavens just to find a friend like that girl over there," he pointed at Nina. "Then that means he is capable of loving. Just not in the way you think."

Saki almost shot back at him but restrained herself just in time before sighing. "You don't know the half of it. Luka wants to save everyone because that's what's left for him. He's not doing this out of love, though I guess he does like us."

"Ah, so that's what it is…"

"Yes," Saki clicked her tongue, her tail flicking in irritation. "He is a hero because Tamia forced him to be one. And even if he doesn't acknowledge it, he still acts like one. All I want is for him to have a normal life again."

"A normal life…" Ntwali muttered. "It's tough. Once you know of the other side of the world…"

"I know," Saki said quietly, her gaze dropping to the floor. "There's no turning back."