Succumania

East of Laizhou City, Yantai…

A lone tree stood atop the old mountain of Donglai, its gnarled branches twisting like skeletal fingers toward the night sky. 

Perched atop a thick branch, a figure watched in silence, his long coat swaying in the evening breeze. The Hatman, as he was called, tipped his wide-brimmed hat up just enough to get a clearer look. His golden eyes gleamed with curiosity, though a flicker of annoyance lurked beneath them.

"Huh… That's a new one," he mused as he watched from above the tree. It was supposed to be the ritual place to resurrect the Niño's master, but…

"Someone already did it," he sighed, taking off his hat to scratch his head. "Which means… the tails are already scattered?" 

A breeze rustled through the tree, carrying whispers of the sea from the distant coast. The Hatman clicked his tongue, his fingers tightening around the brim of his hat before he slid it back onto his head.

"That complicates things."

Whoever had meddled with the ritual wasn't just some amateur occultist. Because an amateur would've left a corpse at this right spot. 

"I guess it's time to gather the eight tails," he sighed. "I hate treasure hunt…" 

In a flash, he disappeared, leaving no remnants of his passage in his wake.

Meanwhile, at the house full of succubi…

The party had wound down, leaving only a handful of succubi behind to tidy up before retreating for the night. The atmosphere still carried the faint traces of laughter and music, now replaced by the quiet clinking of dishes and the rustling of discarded decorations.

Luka, having spent the last few minutes clearing off the main table in silence, rolled his shoulders with a tired sigh. The night had been long, and he had done more than his fair share. With nothing left demanding his attention, he turned on his heel and headed for the stairs.

He climbed them quickly, the wood creaking faintly beneath his steps. The hallway was empty, most succubi were already asleep. Reaching his door, he pushed it open without hesitation, and stepped into the quiet sanctuary of his room.

"...What?" he paused. 

On his keyboard, near the screen he forgot to turn off, was a white thong draped hazardously. On the bed, a pillow that clearly came from Alma Elma's room.

He exhaled through his nose, rubbing the bridge of it between his fingers. A prank. Of course.

"Really?" he muttered, his tone caught between irritation and resignation. He pinched the thong between two fingers, holding it at arm's length as if it might bite him.

With a tired shake of his head, he made his way to the bathroom and tossed it inside. Not my problem. He'd return the pillow tomorrow, but for now, sleep was more important.

Closing the bathroom door behind him, Luka cast one last glance around the room, half-expecting another surprise. When none came, he let out a final sigh and collapsed onto his bed, letting the exhaustion of the night finally take over.

He closed his eyes, the darkness surrounding him. And, before he even knew it, he was asleep…

The day had finally come—two wishes granted, and an unlikely duo strolled through the bustling streets of the city center.

"Oh, those shoes are classy, don't you think, Danny?" The girl's voice was smooth, almost lazy with amusement. She adjusted her sunglasses with a manicured hand, the red of her jacket standing out vividly against the sea of pedestrians. Fur-lined sleeves draped elegantly over her wrists, as if she were a noblewoman enjoying a day of leisure.

Behind her, Daniel struggled under the weight of a ridiculous number of shopping bags, each one stuffed to the brim. His arms trembled slightly, sweat beading at his temple as he tried to keep up.

"Y-Yeah… just hurry up and pick what you want, Eva. I won't be able to carry everything," he grumbled, shifting the bags in his grip to stop his fingers from going numb. 

Eva merely hummed, barely sparing him a glance before pointing to another shop across the street. "Oh, and I'll get some Chinese food too," she mused, already making her way toward it.

"Yeah, okay," Daniel muttered, trudging after her. His feet ached, his back was killing him, and yet—he swallowed hard, sneaking a glance at her swaying hips.

No complaints. Not yet.

This was just the start.

As they walked through the busy street, the scent of fried noodles and sizzling meat filled the air, mingling with the distant chatter of street vendors. Daniel struggled to adjust the weight of the bags, his fingers cramping from gripping the thin handles.

Eva, on the other hand, strolled ahead with an effortless grace, as if she wasn't making him haul half a department store behind her. She finally stopped in front of the Chinese food stall, her lips curling into a smirk as she glanced at the menu.

"Hmm… Let's see," she mused, tapping her chin with a gloved finger. "I'll have… dumplings, spring rolls, some hot and sour soup—oh, and one of those pork buns."

Daniel groaned, shifting the bags again. "You're seriously still ordering more?"

Eva tilted her head, a knowing glint in her slitted eyes. "Why? You jealous I can eat all this and stay this gorgeous?"

Daniel grit his teeth but forced a chuckle. "Nah… just wondering if I'll have to carry that too."

The vendor handed her a neatly packed bag of food, and instead of taking it herself, Eva turned to him with an exaggerated pout. "Oh, come on, Danny. You wouldn't make a lady carry her own food, would you?"

He gritted his teeth but took the bag anyway, adding it to his already overwhelming load. "R-Right… wouldn't want to be rude," he muttered, his arms shaking under the weight.

She grinned. "Good boy. I'm going to reward you plenty later."

Something about the way she said it sent a chill down his spine, but he forced himself to stay composed. This is fine. This is what I wanted.

As they walked further down the street, Daniel's thoughts drifted. He had everything he had ever wished for now, didn't he? There was a group of women waiting for him at home, all more beautiful than the last, except those four lolis in the mix that he didn't ask for, but whatever.

Still, this wasn't exactly how he imagined it. He never thought that a common-looking girl would be so complicated to please compared to the others.

Still, it was fine. It'll all be worth it.

"Where to next?" he asked, hoping the next stop didn't involve more heavy lifting.

"Home, obviously," Eva sighed, stretching her arms with a yawn, as if the day's leisure had exhausted her. "I'm done walking around."

Daniel exhaled a shaky breath of relief, his aching muscles screaming as he adjusted the bags one last time, the handles digging red welts into his palms. "Finally," he muttered, trudging after her as she led the way, her crimson jacket a beacon through the thinning crowd. The city's noise faded behind them, replaced by the quieter hum of residential streets—rows of neat houses giving way to his own, or at least, Luka's. An unremarkable home he'd somehow turned into a paradise.

Eva sauntered up the steps, not sparing him a glance as she pushed the door open with a lazy shove. "Drop those in the hall," she called over her shoulder, her voice airy as she kicked off her heels, leaving them scattered for someone else—him—to deal with. Daniel stumbled in behind her, the bags thudding to the floor with a chorus of crinkles and clanks, his arms finally free but trembling from the strain. He flexed his fingers, wincing as blood rushed back, and wiped the sweat from his brow with a damp sleeve.

The living room buzzed with life—his "harem," sprawled across couches and chairs, a tableau of beauty that still made his gut lurch with smug pride. He learned all of their names this morning as if he knew them all along. There was Alma Elma, all curves and sultry smirks, glancing at magazines. 

Astaroth, the red-haired he had met yesterday, barely sparing him a glance through flushed cheeks.

Shy as always… he smirked and winked at her, provoking a reaction he liked.

Morrigan, the tomboy sister who'd dared interrupt his game, was outside, kicking a ball around the garden with that rough energy he'd tame later. 

Lilith hummed in the kitchen, her warm smile greeting him like some MILF fantasy— aunt vibes, jackpot, he snickered to himself. 

Succubus-chan scribbled on paper nearby, her quiet focus stirring some weird, nostalgic itch—like a childhood friend he'd never had.

In the package, there were also three girls he hadn't met at the party. One with pigtails, Naoe Mayu, one with blue hair—Mizuki Yukari, and one with brown hair—Misaki Yui. They were all beautiful but he felt like those were DLC and not really important.

But what grated his nerves—

"Daniel," a voice snapped behind him, sharp and pouty. "You done with your errands, you… you idiot?" He turned to see Vinum, the white-haired loli, her cheeks puffed and flushed, blue eyes glaring up at him with that tsundere scowl.

Why the fuck did I get a loli tsundere? he grumbled under his breath, his smirk souring. And it wasn't just her—those three other little brats skittered around too, their giggles like nails on a chalkboard.

Daniel's leer twitched, irritation flaring as he glared down at Vinum, her tiny frame radiating defiance. "Yeah, I'm done—happy now, shrimp?" he snapped, his voice rough with exhaustion as he lumbered to the couch, collapsing onto it with a groan that shook the cushions. With a deft move, he nestled his head into Alma Elma's lap, her plush thighs a balm to his frayed nerves. "Ah… stay like that…" he chuckled, sinking into the comfort.

"Aw… you like big sis's lap?" Alma Elma chuckled, her voice a sultry tease as she ran a hand through his greasy hair, her fingers lingering with a playful tug. "How about you snuggle up with me after a bath, hm?"

"A bath?" Daniel's eyes flicked up, his leer widening. "Eh, why not—I'm beat. But only if one of you comes with me." He smirked, his gaze raking over her curves.

Eva loomed above him, her crimson jacket framing her like a regal shadow. "I'll gladly come with you," she said, her tone smooth and commanding, a faint smirk curling her lips. "I told you I'd give you a reward, my retainer."

Retainer? Daniel's smirk faltered for a split second. Why's this plain Jane acting like some princess? But he shrugged it off, his leer snapping back into place. Whatever—start with the "normal" one, work his way up the ladder. Taste the appetizer before the main course, he thought, chuckling inwardly.

Daniel hauled himself up from Alma Elma's lap with a grunt, her teasing laugh following him as he stretched, his joints popping like a creaky old door. "Alright, let's get this bath going," he said, his voice thick with anticipation as he shot Eva a wink, his eyes lingering on her hips. "You're on reward duty—don't disappoint me, princess."

They climbed the stairs together, Daniel trailing behind as he still wasn't entirely familiar with the house's layout. After all, he had just switched places with that bum, Luka.

The bathroom door creaked open, revealing a spacious setup—steaming tub already filled, the air thick with a floral scent that hit him like a perfumed slap. Eva shed her jacket with a casual flick, letting it drop to the floor, her figure outlined against the misty light. "Strip," she said, her tone clipped and commanding, like she was ordering a servant, not a lover.

Daniel blinked, his smirk twitching. "Uh—yeah, sure," he mumbled, fumbling with his shirt, the damp fabric clinging to his sweaty bulk as he peeled it off. He kicked off his shoes, grinning as he caught her eye. "Like what you see, huh? Bet you've been waiting for this all day."

Eva's grin bloomed, her slitted eyes glinting with a mix of mischief and adoration as she stepped closer, running a hand over his chest—her touch firm yet tender, tracing his doughy frame with a possessive delight. "Oh, I like what I see," she murmured, her voice a velvet purr, thick with affection. "Come on, let's get in—I've been dying to give you your reward…"

Daniel's leer stretched wide, his ego swelling under her touch as he peeled off the rest of his clothes, letting them hit the tiles with a sloppy thud. "That's what I'm talking about," he chuckled, stepping toward the tub, his bulk swaying as he climbed in, the hot water sloshing around him. He sank down with a groan, the heat soaking into his aching muscles, and shot her a smug look. "C'mon, princess—show me what you've got."

Eva's laugh was soft and genuine, a melodic ripple as she shed her own clothes with a grace that made his breath hitch—nothing "plain" about her now, her skin glowing in the steam, every curve a promise. She slipped into the tub beside him, the water rippling as she pressed close, her hands sliding up his arms with a lover's care. "You're such a mess, Danny," she teased, her tone dripping with fondness as she cupped water in her palms, letting it cascade over his shoulders. "All sweaty and tired—but I'll take care of you."

He leaned back, his smirk softening into something smugly content as her fingers worked into his tense shoulders, kneading with a strength that surprised him. "Yeah? This the reward?" he mumbled, his eyes half-lidded, savoring the attention. "I kind of expected more…"

"Oh, this is just the start," Eva murmured, her voice a warm whisper as she leaned in, her lips brushing his ear, her breath spiced and sweet. Without hesitation, she dipped lower, her head sliding down between his legs, her lips parting to envelop his already throbbing member with a bold, loving heat.

Daniel's breath caught, a guttural "Oh— fuck " slipping out as her mouth claimed him, sending a jolt of pleasure ripping through his core. His leer snapped back, wider and cockier than ever, as he shifted in the tub, water sloshing against the sides. "Now that's what I'm talking about," he rasped, his voice thick with triumph as he grabbed her head, fingers tangling in her hair with a greedy grip. "Knew you'd come through, princess—gimme more of that."

Eva's muffled giggle vibrated against him, a warm, throaty hum that only stoked the fire as her tongue flicked with a mix of teasing skill and adoration, her hands bracing against his thighs. She pulled back just enough to glance up, her slitted eyes glinting with a playful, loving glow, her lips glistening in the steam. "Only the best for my retainer," she purred, her voice husky with affection as she dove back in, her mouth working him with a rhythm that made his head spin—slow, deliberate, every move a testament to her care.

Daniel's groan rumbled deep, his smirk stretching into a dazed, victorious grin as he tightened his grip on her hair, guiding her with a clumsy eagerness. "Fuck yeah—good girl," he muttered, his voice rough with pleasure as he leaned back further, water lapping at his chest. "Been hauling your shit all day—damn right I deserve this. Keep going, princess—you're mine now, treating me like the king I am."

"Happy, my lord?" a voice interrupted them. Daniel jolted, nearly leaping from the tub, his heart lurching as the shock almost drowned out Eva's work below.

"S-Shit! Don't scare me like that!" he stammered, his grip on Eva's head tightening reflexively, a startled yank that drew a muffled squeak from her. His eyes darted up, wide and wild, to the doorway where a woman stood—tall, poised, fanning herself with a delicate hand as steam swirled around her like a cloak.

"I'm just here to see if everything's fine," she said, her voice a low, teasing drawl as she waved the fan, stirring the humid air. "Glad you're enjoying your gift so soon."

Daniel's chest heaved, his breath ragged as he tried to steady himself, the jolt of adrenaline clashing with the pleasure still pulsing through him. Eva didn't falter—her giggle bubbled up again, softer now, as she adjusted to his grip, her mouth resuming its tender rhythm with a stubborn, loving focus that made his knees weak. "E-Everything is fine! Now get out!"

The woman's smirk widened, her eyes—dark and sharp, like polished obsidian—locking onto his with a calm that prickled his nerves more than her intrusion. "Are you sure? Because…" She let the words hang, her kimono slipping from her shoulders with a slow, deliberate grace, pooling on the floor to reveal her naked form—lithe, glistening, a vision that hit him like a sucker punch. "I could take a bath too~" she purred, her smirk curling into something downright wicked as she stepped closer, the steam parting around her like a curtain.

Daniel's jaw dropped, his breath snagging in his throat as his eyes raked over her—every inch of her a sculpted body. "W-What the—?" he choked out, his voice a hoarse mess as Eva's relentless attention kept him pinned, her mouth working him with a loving tenacity that blurred his thoughts. His grip on her hair slackened, then tightened again, torn between the shock above and the pleasure below. "You would…?"

The woman—Daji, he realized with a jolt, that freaky wish-granter chick—tilted her head, her smirk unfaltering as she sauntered toward the tub, her hips swaying with a confidence that screamed trouble. "I am here to please you, after all," she cooed as she dipped a toe into the water, testing it with a playful flick. "Let me see how you enjoy your toys." Her gaze slid to Eva, still buried between his legs, and her eyes glinted with approval. "She's spoiling you rotten already—good choice."

Eva pulled back for a breath, her lips brushing his thigh as she shot Daji a sidelong glance, her slitted eyes narrowing with a flicker of something—jealousy, maybe, or defiance. "Shhh, go back to work, you," Daniel snapped, his voice rough with impatience as he shoved her head back down, her muffled squeak swallowed by her resumed rhythm. He grinned, wild and greedy, as he beckoned Daji closer with an outstretched arm, welcoming her into his embrace. "C'mon in—plenty of room for both!"

"Plenty of room, eh?" Daji smiled, her voice a silken tease as she slipped into the tub, wrapping herself around him with a fluid grace that pressed her lithe form against his side. "I wonder if you'll be able to keep up…"

"Of course, who do you take me for?" Daniel smirked, his leer blooming with cocky assurance as he pulled her closer, water sloshing around them. "I'm built for this—king of the damn castle!"

"Otherwise…" she brought her hand near him, glowing, before pulling out something from thin air. A small bottle made of pink crystal, containing a transparent fluid. "This will help you indulge yourself as long as you want… Just make sure to drink only a drop each time, okay?"

Daniel's eyes widened, his leer twitching into a mix of curiosity and triumph as he stared at the bottle, its pink facets catching the light like a jewel. "What the—some kinda magic juice?"

"Yes," the woman nodded, her lips brushing his cheeks. "With that, you can go all day long with your harem. Happy?"

"Happy…" Daniel echoed, his smile stretching wide as he let his thoughts drift, sinking into the embrace of the two women—Eva's loving rhythm below, Daji's teasing warmth beside him, the steamy air wrapping them in a cocoon of indulgence.

The water sloshed, the steam thickened, the floral scent turning cloying and intoxicating as Daniel sank deeper into the haze—his "kingdom" a steamy swirl of pleasure and power, his ego gorging on the women's attention.

His lust… fulfilled. As echoes of pleasure rang out throughout the room, his conquest didn't stop at the bath but at every woman in the house, the once lovely home turned into a house of pleasure.

Daniel's laughter erupted, a raw, triumphant bark as he hauled himself from the tub, water cascading off his bulk in glistening streams, Eva's lips parting from him with a soft, reluctant pop. "Fuck—onto the next!" he rasped, his voice thick with exhilaration as he grabbed the pink crystal bottle, a single drop falling on his tongue. 

Today would be a feast like none other.

Luka jolted awake, his eyes gritty and heavier than usual, a dull ache throbbing behind them as if he'd been dragged through a dreamless void. He lurched to his feet, blinking hard to shake the fog, his gaze darting around—and froze. "WHERE THE FUCK AM I?" he barked, his voice cracking with disbelief as he blinked again, his heart slamming against his ribs. This wasn't his room—no familiar bed, no clutter of gear, no hum of his trusty computer.

He darted inside the hallway. No lingering scent of the succubi's usual perfumes, no clatter of dishes, or the hum of the TV below. In fact, he was already in the floor area.

He stumbled into the hallway, expecting the familiar— expecting the lingering scent of the succubi's heady perfumes, the clatter of Lilith's dishes in the kitchen, the muffled hum of the TV downstairs. But there was nothing—just a stale, musty silence, and a single cramped floor that hit him like a slap: no stairs, no levels, just this flat, alien space. He spun around, his breath hitching, only to be greeted by a grotesque sight—an array of stained body pillows propped against the wall, their printed faces leering back at him in a warped, synthetic parody of intimacy.

"What the…" Luka chuckled nervously, the sound brittle as he scratched his head, his fingers trembling slightly. His face locked in a deadpan stare for a solid minute, disbelief warring with a creeping dread. What happened? Where was his house? And why was no one here, in this dingy, lonely hole that reeked of someone else's pathetic existence?

Luka's chuckle faded into a tight grimace as he stepped closer to the body pillows, their faded, smudged faces staring up at him—bikini-clad models with vacant smiles, some with grease stains, others with frayed edges where hands had gripped too hard, too often. The air was thick with a sour tang—sweat, cheap cologne, and something faintly rancid, like old takeout left to rot. "This is… disgusting," he muttered, his voice low as he backed away, his bare feet scuffing against a threadbare carpet littered with crumbs and crumpled wrappers.

Luka's breath hitched, his grimace softening into a wary frown as he stepped toward the desk, the golden hourglass drawing him like a beacon in the grime. It was out of place—too pristine, too elegant for this festering dump. He reached out, hesitating as his fingers hovered over its smooth surface, the metal cool and faintly humming against his skin as he brushed it. "What the hell is this?" he muttered, his voice a rough whisper as he lifted it, turning it in his hands. It had no sand inside, and the face-shaped carvings were off-putting.

He set it down with a soft clink , his eyes narrowing as he scanned the room again. It wasn't his, for sure. It looked like the kind of room he had before his journey to Tamia but… way messier and stinkier. 

A lonely space, with no one to greet you in the morning. 

Isolation being his day-to-day life, a computer as his sole companionship.

"I'm… alone?" he muttered, almost in disbelief. No succubi to bother him. Unlike that nightmare of a party yesterday night…

No one tugging at his sleeves, pulling him into trouble, no teasing.

Just silence.

Just him.

His breath felt heavier. The thought should've been comforting. After all, hadn't he wished for peace and quiet? Hadn't he wanted space?

His best friend died because of them, he—

"..."

How many times will it happen? How long will I continue to wish to go back to my old life?

There it was. His old life. He didn't need to think twice to realize it. Something had happened, whether he was in a twisted past, or someone had done something, anything to put him here.

He looked at his left arm, where the mark was still healing from the other day, its pain a reminder.

They tried to get him out of his room because he was their ally, that's what Lilith told him.

But…

Hadn't he saved Saki even though he thought she was using him at the time?

Hadn't he saved Kanami, even if she betrayed him at the time?

Hadn't he chosen to love no matter if it was reciprocal?

Why would it change now? 

His reflection in the black screen of the monitor stared back at him, hollow-eyed and uncertain. Luka swallowed.

All he wanted was to go back to his old days, unbothered by all this magical stuff. A way to escape everything that happened.

So for now, he would just accept the situation, and live as it is. A day off without them wouldn't hurt.

Luka stepped outside, the crisp morning air washing over him like a fleeting illusion of peace. He inhaled deeply, letting it fill his lungs, grounding him.

And there he saw them, or at least Succubus-chan strolling with someone while clinging to his arm. 

"...Him?" He muttered, more to himself than anything. He blinked twice, piecing it together. The guy who approached him at the party. 

A cold prickle crawled up Luka's spine. His grip tightened at his sides as he stole another glance at the hour—11 a.m. Did he sleep that long? Although… It was true that he went to sleep quite late but…

He shouldn't care. It shouldn't bother—

Ah fuck… I guess I love them too much to not care, he sighed inwardly. With clenched fists, he stepped forward.

"Awww… Danny-kun!" Succubus-chan was clinging to his arm for dear life. "How about we go play together like old times?"

"Old times?" the man chuckled. "Nah, how about you follow me, okay?"

Luka's heart beat faster than usual as he stepped forward, his hands balled into fists at his sides. "Hey," he called out, his finger jabbing toward them. "Da—Danny? Is that right?"

 Daniel turned, his leer faltering for a split second before snapping back, wider and cockier than ever as he sized Luka up. "Well, shit—look who's awake!" he barked, his voice filled with a smugness that grated Luka's nerves. 

Succubus-chan tilted her head, her grin softening into something curious, her grip on Daniel's arm loosening as she blinked at Luka with a stranger's gaze. "Who's this? He's a friend of yours, Danny?"

"What?" Luka blinked. 

She doesn't recognize me?

"Nah, he's just a loser living somewhere over there," Daniel said, waving a lazy, dismissive hand toward the dingy house Luka had stumbled out of. "Don't worry about him."

"Hey, Succubus-chan, it's me," Luka said, his brows furrowed. "I'm not in the mood for jokes. Where are the others?"

"Well…" Daniel chuckled, a greasy, triumphant rumble as he leaned in, his grin stretching wide enough to split his face. "Eva was sucking my cock not too long ago…" He flashed a leer, crude and unrepentant, the pink crystal bottle glinting in his hand like a trophy.

"I mean… She isn't that picky but still…" Luka deadpanned. Still, something about this whole situation made him uneasy. Especially the bottle in his hand, what was that?

"Well, aren't you fucking slow?" Daniel chuckled again with a smug attitude only matched by himself. "I took your harem, you moron! They're all mine now!"

"My… harem?" Luka blinked again, confused. "Wait, what?"

"See?" Daniel pointed at him, his eyes turning toward Succubus-chan. "This is why I hate losers like him. They don't know what they have!"

"Okay, first of Danny—"

"My name is Daniel! Fucking respect me!" he shot back.

"Right, Daniel," Luka's brow furrowed in frustration as he tried to process the jumble of Daniel's insults and the strange situation before him. "First off, I don't have a harem. Second, why can't she remember me?" he waved at Succubus-chan.

"Because you are a rude person," she replied with her tongue sticking out.

"What?"

Daniel's laughter echoed in the air, rich with arrogance. "Man, you're really slow, aren't you? Guess that's what happens when you're too busy playing 'hero' with a bunch of girls. You don't even notice how you've fucked it all up!" He threw a glance at Succubus-chan, as if sharing some private joke, before looking back at Luka. "See, she doesn't remember you because you don't mean anything to her. You're just some guy they're supposed to forget about, because I—" he paused for dramatic effect, "I'm their new master."

"Master?" Luka almost bursted out laughing at the claim. "Okay, the joke is funny. You can stop Succubus-chan," he said, ignoring the man.

"But I really don't know you though," she blinked, not understanding what he meant.

Daniel's smirk widened, savoring Luka's confusion. "Oh, you're still not getting it, huh? I told you—I've got everything under control now. I've made them forget about you. All of them." His tone was triumphant, each word laced with an air of superiority. "They're mine now, Luka. So you can fuck off to your hole over there," he waved off dismissively. 

"No way you have that kind of power," Luka sighed. "Also, what do you know about me? I don't recall saying anything to you."

"I guess I'm just better," he shrugged, sharing a smile with Succubus-chan.

Was it real? Did this guy really just brainwash them?

Still… He looked very weak.

With a sigh, Luka stepped forward. 

"Hm? What are you gonna do? Punch me?" Daniel smirked. "That would be a grave offense you know?"

Luka didn't hesitate. His fist shot forward, too fast for Daniel to react, and connected squarely with his jaw. The impact sent Daniel sprawling into the grass of a nearby garden, his smug expression replaced by shock and pain.

Succubus-chan shrieked, her eyes wide with horror. "How dare you!" she cried, launching herself at Luka, her small fists pounding against his chest.

Luka caught her wrists, holding her at arm's length. "Release the brainwashing," he said, his voice low and firm. "If you know who I am, then you know why you shouldn't mess with me."

Daniel groaned, pushing himself up from the ground. His lip was split, a trickle of blood running down his chin. "Shit… What the fuck man?" he said, his eyes turning wide in fear as he recoiled from him. "Hitting someone like that…"

"Shut up and put them back to normal. I'm not joking, I'm going to—"

"LET MY LITTLE BROTHER ALONE!" Alma Elma's voice rang out, without Luka having the time to turn around. He felt a deep crunch within him, like something piercing him. 

A burst of wind rushed past him, and he felt the familiar perfume of Alma Elma near him. 

"Wha…" Daniel stammered, his pupils searching what happened. "What the fuck did you do you insane bitch?!" 

A warm liquid dripped down Luka chest, and he looked down. 

Luka's breath caught in his throat as he felt the sharp, searing pain pierce through him. His chest tightened, and for a moment, time seemed to slow. The warm liquid that dripped down his torso told him everything he needed to know.

Alma Elma had just stabbed him.

He didn't even have time to process the shock before she yanked her fist back, leaving a gaping hole in his chest. His vision blurred at the edges, but he gritted his teeth, trying to keep himself upright. He didn't dare look back at her yet, afraid that seeing her face—her eyes—would be enough to shatter whatever remaining strength he had left.

"Alma… Elma?" he rasped, the words barely making it past his lips.

In front of him, he could hear Daniel's voice shaking. "Ah… Ahah… Ahahaha! That serves you right you bastard!" he laughed, pointing a finger at him. 

"That's what you get for hurting my Danny," Alma Elma's voice was colder than he'd ever heard it, devoid of the playful teasing or warmth she had once shown him. "

Luka's knees buckled as the blood continued to pour from the wound, and his body, weakened by the attack, gave way. His vision was fading, the world around him becoming a blur of sounds and muted colors. 

Fighting demons, gods, and even primordial concepts but taken out by the greed of one man…

A normal day was enough for him to fall…

And the hourglass spun once more.