A Tamia's Tale

It was a long time ago. A distant dream of her past and of a future she was denied. Born from a noble family, the only rival clan to the Dantheas, it was soon revealed that she was different. 

The Sominium Vale was separated into three factions. The Dantheas, were led by the formidable queen who shared the clan's name. Her rule was absolute, unyielding since the beginning like the roots of an ancient tree. 

The Dantheas' strength came not just from their queen's leadership but from the race that formed the backbone of their clan: the nightlords.

Ever since the dawn of this continent, only two 'races' of succubi existed. The first being the ones specialized in seduction and life drain, capable of twisting the minds even of the most hardy warriors, the Nightlords.

The Nightlords were the first and most dominant race of succubi, their powers rooted in seduction and life drain. Masters of manipulation, they could twist the minds of even the most steadfast warriors, leaving behind nothing but hollow vessels to fuel their insatiable hunger.

They were perfection incarnate—beautiful, deadly, and eternal.

And yet, there was another race of succubi, lesser-known and far less prolific.

Where the Nightlords thrived in the art of domination and allure, the Dreamweavers carved their existence in the realm of the unseen. Subtle and mysterious, Their power lay in the enigmatic dream factor—a rare genetic trait that enabled them to manipulate dreams, craft intricate illusions, and plant whispers deep within the minds of others.

However, the Dreamweavers were far weaker than the Nightlords. With their overwhelming power, the Nightlords dominated and oppressed the Dreamweavers, viewing them as lesser beings. Any Dreamweaver deemed too ambitious or zealous was swiftly purged, their existence considered a blemish on the perceived perfection of succubus society.

The Dreamweavers were seen as a disgrace, a burden that held back the greatness of the Nightlords. Unable to defend themselves effectively, as their talents were tailored to influencing humans rather than their own kind, the Dreamweavers gradually retreated. Over time, their numbers dwindled, and they became a marginalized and fragmented group within succubus society.

Living in the slums and excluded from all but the most menial tasks, the Dreamweavers formed a small, isolated community. This was the second faction of the Sominium Vale—a faction without unity, leadership, or purpose. They bore no name, for they were not a collective force but a scattered remnant of what once might have been.

Finally, there was the third and most recent faction. Its rise was marked by the emergence of a noble Nightlord named Valeria, a charismatic and ruthless figure who sought to reshape the Sominium Vale in her image. Unlike the established order of the Dantheas, Valeria embraced the chaotic and destructive nature of the succubi, claiming that this raw, untamed power was their true nature.

Valeria rejected the rigid traditions and protection of the Nightlords and instead preached a doctrine similar to the law of the jungle. A world where the strong eat the weak, dominate the weak, and impose their rule far beyond the Ark. Her faction, though still in its infancy, grew rapidly as she attracted followers who resonated with her vision. To them, Valeria was more than a leader—she was a symbol of what the succubi could become if they cast off their chains of order and restraint.

And it was into this fractured society that she was born, a child of nobility from the only rival family to the Dantheas. 

But for all the honor and privilege her lineage should have bestowed upon her, there was a flaw, one that could not be ignored. She was a Dreamweaver.

In a family that prided itself on Nightlord perfection, a Dreamweaver was not merely a disappointment—it was a disgrace.

And so, without a name, without an identity, without even the faintest acknowledgment of her existence, she was abandoned.

It was the remnant of a dream, one she had clung to since she was a child—a fleeting memory of what could have been, of a life stolen before it had even begun.

As faint sunlight filtered through the heavy veil of the city, she stirred. The dim rays, muted by the ever-present fog of the Vale, signaled the start of another day.

She straightened in her chair, her body aching from the awkward position she had fallen asleep in. Her books, now slightly crumpled, lay open on the table before her. She blinked, her vision blurry as she adjusted to the morning light. With a weary sigh, she removed her glasses and rubbed her tired eyes.

As usual, her limbs felt weak, her feet entirely numb. It was a sensation she had grown used to over the years, though it never ceased to frustrate her.

"Hey, sister, are you awake?" 

A familiar voice echoed in her ear. She turned her head slowly, spotting the figure leaning casually against the frame.

"Yes," she mumbled. "Are you going to get big sister for breakfast?" she replied. 

The figure smiled faintly and exited the door. "Yeah, I'll get her. You should prepare too, your hair is a mess." 

She nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips despite the lack of feeling in her demeanor. 

With that, she looked at the young succubus walking away, and returned to her morning routine. Flipping through the books, she took out with an expert hand a glove from her drawer. 

"Perhaps this one could help him… If he's still alive, that is." 

The dizziness took over her once more. She gripped the edge of the desk tightly, her vision blurring from the strain. With a sigh, she reached out to her drawer once more and pulled out a small capsule. Opening it carefully, she took out a tiny pill and brought it to her lips. Swallowing it in one swift motion, she closed her eyes and waited as the drug worked its way through her system, dulling the discomfort but never quite erasing it.

For a moment, she remained still, her breathing steadying as she clung to the fragments of energy the capsule provided. When she opened her eyes again, the world felt marginally clearer, though the weight in her chest persisted.

She flexed her fingers experimentally and then her toes, a small sense of relief washing over her as sensation returned to her feet.

Her gaze flickered toward the capsule sitting on the desk, and a heavy sigh escaped her lips. "Only four left…"

"Well… Let's wait for them to arrive."

Earlier that night…

The moon hung low in the sky, casting its glow over the shadowed alleys of the slums. A group of three succubi moved with caution, their steps light and silent against the cobblestone streets. Their forms were shrouded in cloaks, the fabric blending seamlessly into the darkness around them.

The leader of the group, a tall succubus with curved features and piercing crimson eyes, raised a hand, signaling for the others to halt. Her gaze swept the alley ahead, scanning for any sign of movement.

"Keep quiet," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the faint rustling of the wind. "The last thing we need is to draw attention."

Behind her, the second succubus, slightly smaller and more nervous, shifted her weight uncomfortably, her hood pulled tight against her face as she glanced around the desolate streets. "Are you sure, Lilith? The queen might not be happy about this…" she murmured softly.

"Shut up you damn weakling," the leader spat, her eyes casting a slight glow on her face. "That human dared to enter here, and he knows what's coming for him. I only picked you because I can use your powers to drain him in his dreams. Don't forget your place."

The second succubus winced, falling silent, her head slightly lowered in submission. She couldn't argue; Lilith was one of the highest-ranking nobles of the valley. The third succubus, a thinner and more agile figure, gave a barely noticeable nod, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger.

Lilith turned her attention to the third succubus, her voice colder now. "And you keep on guard. Knock out any unwanted visitors, okay?"

The third succubus straightened, her posture more disciplined than the others. With a swift motion, she gave a formal bow, her voice strong and steady. "As a knight, I shall not fail."

"Stop speaking like that, damn it…" Lilith muttered, irritation creeping into her tone. "You fucking oddball."

The third succubus didn't flinch at the insult; instead, she simply nodded and fell into position, her eyes scanning the alleyways ahead, her body tense and ready for action.

Lilith sighed but then licked her lips. She was anticipating her nightly stroll this whole evening and was drooling just from the thought of ending this impudent guy's life. 

"We're getting close," Lilith muttered, her gaze fixed on the small, makeshift structure in the distance—a hidden spot reported to be where the human had been staying. Her lips curled into a dark smile at the thought of ending this trespasser's life, the thrill of the hunt building in her chest.

The second succubus, still uneasy but doing her best to keep up, glanced over at Lilith. "Are we really going to kill him?" she asked in a trembling voice, her nerves clearly getting the best of her.

Lilith shot her a sharp look, her eyes flashing dangerously. "Of course we are," she said, her tone colder now, full of disdain. "Don't tell me you care about a random human?"

"Eeek!" the succubus recoiled in fear and trembled slightly. "B-but... if he managed to come this far without falling into the veil's grasp, doesn't that mean he's dangerous? What if he can fight back?"

Lilith paused for a moment, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "Dangerous? Please. No human can resist what we do to them, especially with your powers of Dreamweaver.." Her tone turned cold, more mocking than ever. "It doesn't matter how immune he is to the veil. And you…" She gestured toward the second succubus, her voice dripping with condescension, "You're going to do exactly what I say. You're here because I need you for your skills, not because I care about your concerns."

The third succubus, who had been silent up until now, moved forward. "Do you want me to slit his throat now?" she asked, her hand instinctively reaching for the dagger at her waist.

Lilith's eyes widened with shock. "What? No, you numbskull!" she snapped. "I'm going to devour him! You've already done enough by telling me where he is."

The third succubus blinked but didn't flinch. "But spying missions are boring," she muttered under her breath, her tone almost petulant.

"Boring?" Lilith shot back. "You have no right to complain. You do what you're told, and you do it quietly. You've no idea how lucky you are to be here at all."

Lilith took a sharp, excited breath, her impatience boiling over as she turned to face the others. With a gleam in her eye, she stepped forward. "Now, let's get close and enter his dream. Follow me."

After approaching the hideout, the warrior succubi confirmed that he was indeed sleeping there. With a wicked smile, Lilith approached the Dreamweaver and ordered her to start the process.

"Now, get in his dream," she said after grabbing her wrist. 

Trembling with unease, she closed her eyes and obeyed. Her powers activated, her hands glowing slightly with a blue light as she focused on the nearby dreams of humans. Of course, since only one human was in the vicinity, it was far easier for her to locate it. 

The connection was made swiftly, and as the Dreamweaver's powers took hold, Lilith's own mind intertwined with the human's dream. It didn't take long for the three of them to find themselves in the strange and hazy dreamscape.

She held the Dreamwear's wrist tightly and looked around in anticipation of seeing the helpless state of the human here. Even while not being used to visiting dreams, she was still getting used to it fairly quickly. 

"Now, where is he?" she asked, looking around with a smug grin.

The second succubus, still nervous, squinted into the hazy distance and pointed forward, her voice small but certain. "Hum… I think he is further in…" She gestured toward a door that seemed out of place, standing starkly in the dreamscape as though it didn't belong. "It's the first time I've seen a door in a dream so well represented…" she added, her voice trembling as anxiety crept up her spine.

Lilith waved off the comment with a dismissive flick of her hand, her grin growing wider as she took a few steps forward, her posture filled with arrogance. "Bah, he's probably just very imaginative," she said with a dismissive chuckle. "Now, come here little human… Miss Lilith has a surprise for you~"

She moved toward the door with light steps and turned the knob. But as soon as she cranked it open, a shrill scream stirred her chill attitude.

"Kyaa!" 

The small Dreamweaver screamed as she found herself swallowed by the ground, the dark haze they stood on sinking further until her body completely disappeared.

Lilith froze, her confidence faltering as she looked beneath her from the fear of going through the same fate. 

"M-My feet are stuck as well!" The other succubus cried out, panic lacing her voice. She yanked out her dagger and slashed at the ground in desperation, but the blade met no resistance, slicing through the ethereal haze as if it were air. The more she struggled, the faster she sank, her body disappearing inch by inch into the dark mire.

"Lord Lilith! Please help me! It's cold benea—" Her plea was abruptly muffled as the shadows consumed her entirely, her outstretched hand the last part of her to disappear.

Lilith stood frozen, her breathing sharp and erratic. The icy grip of fear coiled around her chest, squeezing tight. None of this was supposed to happen. No human should be able to overpower a Dreamweaver within the realm of dreams. And yet…

She clenched her fist and raised it in the air. "Show yourself, human!" she snarled, her voice echoing in the emptiness. "You think you can scare me? No one can die in a dream except you!" 

"No one can die, you said?" a voice answered, but hollow and distant, laced with a feminine tone. 

"What? Who is there?" Lilith asked, her head spinning around in search of the voice. 

Suddenly, the door disappeared and she found herself in front of a huge dark castle that stretched out to the horizon. A coldness gripped her heart as an oppressive feeling overwhelmed her senses. 

Her breath itched, taken by the imposing structure in front of her, far larger and wide than the city she lived in.

"What… is this place?" she muttered under her breath. It was perfectly materialized. If she wasn't in a dream, she wouldn't even have believed it could exist. 

Towers stretched endlessly upward, piercing into the dark void above, while others twisted impossibly downward into an abyss, defying the natural laws of architecture. The entire structure seemed alive, floating in the ether as though it were not just part of the dream but the very essence of it.

No, the dream was the castle.

"I must say, you're quite courageous to invade my friend's dream," the voice repeated, closer now and sharper in its clarity. Lilith's gaze darted upward, locking onto the figure of the green-eyed succubus standing on one of the castle's towering battlements. Her silhouette was imposing, the calm confidence radiating from her only adding to the unease creeping up Lilith's spine.

"Pfff… A Dreamweaver protecting a human?" Lilith scoffed, forcing an uppity tone into her voice. She folded her arms across her chest, masking her unease behind a facade of arrogance. Her crimson lips curled into a smirk, though her mind raced for a way out of this nightmare.

"Where has your pride gone, little one?" she added mockingly. 

Her taunt was a bluff, a desperate attempt to gain any kind of upper hand. Deep down, she knew the truth: without another Dreamweaver's power to counter this bizarre realm, she was hopelessly outmatched.

And to add insult to the injury, she knew that in real life she could easily defeat her. She cursed under her breath as she searched for her own slave that brought her here.

"What have you done to my friends?" Lilith asked. "I didn't think you'd be so ruthless as to sink your own kind into a nightmare. Especially one as helpless as that little Dreamweaver."

"You mean that little Dreamweaver with no name?" Saki raised an eyebrow. "Is she your friend?"

"Of course," Lilith answered with a smirk. "Aren't you horrible? Making her sink into such darkness—"

"I don't think you get what's going on here," Saki interrupted her with a stern look. "I'm baffled you even had the gal to lie to me here."

Lilith's smirk faltered, and for the first time, genuine unease flickered across her face.

"Dreams are MY domain," Saki continued. "You other succubi are nothing to me. You could all go die and it would save me the trouble."

"What…?" Lilith's crimson eyes widened in terror as the dreamscape around her began to shift violently in response to Saki's words. The ground beneath her feet grew unbearably hot as rivers of molten lava erupted from the dark haze, spilling and spreading rapidly. The searing heat licked at her skin, forcing her to stumble back in alarm.

Saki's gaze never wavered, her cold expression unrelenting. "Just so you know," she said, her voice devoid of any sympathy, "you can die here. And it won't be the kind of death you're used to. No... you'll be trapped in a loop of nightmares, suffering endlessly for eternity."

Lilith dropped to all fours, the weight of fear crushing her as she scrambled to distance herself from the encroaching lava. "Who the hell… What in the world are you?" she stammered, her voice trembling with a mix of confusion and terror.

It didn't make sense. This was a human's dream, but the level of control Saki exhibited was downright absurd. No Dreamweaver should be capable of such overwhelming power, not enough to rewrite the very rules of their existence. For centuries, the Nightlords stood supreme because succubi could not kill one another in dreams. Yet here she was, facing a power that defied all convention.

"The queen of dreams," Saki answered, her voice calm but laced with an undeniable authority. A faint smirk tugged at her lips as she gazed down at Lilith, who remained frozen in fear. "Remember it well."

Lilith's crimson eyes darted frantically, her mind struggling to process the revelation. This wasn't some ordinary Dreamweaver playing games—this was something far more dangerous, far beyond her understanding or power to confront.

Saki took a step forward, her presence seemingly intensifying with each word she spoke. "You came here thinking you could manipulate and devour. But you underestimated me, and more importantly, you underestimated my desire to protect him."

Lilith's mouth opened to respond, but no words came out. She could feel the oppressive heat of the lava closing in around her, yet none of it dared to touch Saki, who stood untouched as she stepped closer.

"I will release the three of you from here," Saki continued, her gaze never leaving Lilith's trembling form. "But heed this warning: never—ever—threaten my friend's life again."

With a dismissive wave of Saki's hand, the dreamscape shifted again, the searing lava receding into the shadows. The oppressive castle began to dissolve, replaced by a vast, tranquil void. Lilith felt the suffocating grip of the dream loosening as she was flung back to consciousness.

The last thing she saw before waking was Saki's unwavering, piercing gaze—promising that there would be no second chances.