Succumania

That night, nightmares haunted him.

First, he dreamt of that fleshy prison, his thoughts drowning slowly.

But then—

He dreamt of that place. The land of his heart, the one where he suffered thousands of deaths in a single day.

His mind was broken, and for a moment, he had thought of ending it all by jumping into the abyss, where true Death awaited.

No more Luka no matter the timeline.

Just the void. 

But someone had caught him just before he took the step. Someone he thought would never cry for him. 

Someone who had lied to him about everything, that was the cause of his suffering.

And yet—she caught him. She cried, she pleaded, she told him how she never loved anyone in her life besides him. 

At that moment, he didn't even believe her. After all, she had lied about everything, why would she tell the truth now? 

But it didn't matter. That gesture alone was enough to pull him back. All those deaths, for nothing? All this suffering, to let him win? 

No. Even if she lied, even if they lied about loving or even just liking him—

He loved this world, these people, her. 

But now…

Why did it feel like he couldn't take it anymore? 

In the middle of that night, a silent shadow entered the house. A fluffy shadow, one might say. 

Her concern wasn't directed toward the young man she had her eyes on this time. After all, she had a bigger task at hand. 

Daji headed toward the cave, where one tail of the Daji of this world was bound. The gagged fox looked up in the dark place, and her eyes met the golden pupils of the purple fox. 

"Hello, inferior me from this world," the purple Daji grinned, towering above the black one.

The gagged fox's eyes widened, and she began thrashing against her bindings. 

"Hohoho… No need to trash around so hard," the fox grinned, her form shifting. Her fluffy tails disappeared, and her skin began glistening like slime. "How about we get better acquainted?"

The next morning—

There was no trace left of the gagged fox in the cave.

Finally, dawn broke, and Alma Elma rose from her bed with a satisfied groan. Despite the feast she'd savored the day before, her stomach growled, announcing the time for breakfast. She stretched languidly, her tail unfurling behind her as she rose while rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.

With a few steps, she opened the window, the faint scent of rain still clinging to the air. Her old sheets were outside, drying from the ordeal of last day. 

With a few barefoot steps, she shuffled to the window and pushed it open, letting the cool morning air sweep in. The faint, earthy scent of rain lingered, mingling with the damp fabric of her old sheets strung outside, still drying from yesterday. Leaning her elbows on the window frame, she gazed out for a moment, then sighed, her hand drifting to her belly. Her fingers traced its gentle curve as she murmured to herself, "To think I'd be starving again already… Guess it all went to patching me up yesterday."

Alma Elma lingered at the window, the breeze tugging lightly at her hair as she watched the first rays of sunlight glint off the wet sheets. Her tail swayed idly, brushing the floorboards with a soft rustle, while her stomach gave another insistent growl. She pressed her palm harder against her midsection, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "You're a greedy thing, aren't you?" she muttered, half-amused, half-annoyed. "Alright, let's get some toast downstairs…"

Pushing off the frame, she turned back into the room, her bare feet padding quietly as she made her way to the hallway. The house was quiet as usual since she was always waking up early, but she didn't mind. 

Descending the stairs, she hummed softly to herself, already imagining the crunch of toast slathered with whatever jam Eva hadn't hoarded yet. But as she reached the bottom and glanced into the living room, she froze mid-step. Luka sat there, sprawled on the couch, eyes fixed on the flickering TV screen. Alone.

He's up early… she thought, her brow arching in surprise. It wasn't just that he was awake—unusual enough at this hour—but that he'd apparently already eaten, a half-empty plate of crumbs resting on the coffee table beside him. She tilted her head, curiosity flickering as she leaned against the doorway, watching him for a moment. Something about the set of his shoulders, the way his gaze seemed distant despite the bright chatter of the TV, felt… off.

"Morning," she called from the doorframe. "Did you sleep well—"

But Luka suddenly sat up, turned off the TV and walked past her into the kitchen. 

Eh? she blinked, clearly taken aback. 

"Oh, perhaps you haven't taken your breakfast," she said, trailing after him as he rummaged through the cabinets. She watched, bemused, as he pulled out a mug and poured himself a cup of coffee.

Coffee? He never drinks that either…

He took a sip and twisted his face in disgust, before gulping it down.

"Luka—"

But before she could even process it, he teleported away using a talisman. 

"Huh?" Alma Elma blinked again, staring at the empty space where he'd stood, her tail flicking in bewilderment. "What just happened?"

Alma Elma stood frozen in the kitchen, the faint hum of the talisman's magic still buzzing in the air as she processed Luka's sudden disappearance. Her tail lashed once, twice, before settling into an agitated sway. "Well, that's new," she muttered, crossing her arms with a frown. "He completely ignored me…"

The mug sat abandoned on the counter, a faint ring of dark liquid staining its rim, and she narrowed her eyes at it as if it might offer answers. Luka wasn't the type to bolt like that—not without some snarky comeback or at least a grumbled explanation. 

She sighed heavily. "Well, there goes my appetite. Now I'm all worried…"

"Hello, Alma Elma," Succubus-chan chirped, padding into the kitchen in a pair of borrowed pajamas—a light blue shirt and tight pants that clung to her curvy frame, clearly swiped from Luka's stash.

Alma Elma glanced at her, forcing a half-smile. "Morning, troublemaker. You're up early."

Succubus-chan grinned while preparing some tea. You aren't with the Lilith Sisters? I thought you'd go with them."

"Is that so?" Alma Elma muttered, her tone distracted as she ran a hand through her hair. "I was too busy sleeping off my food coma to notice they'd left already."

"Ahaha…" Succubus-chan laughed, her black scaly tail swishing playfully. "Guess Luka and Nina were tasty, huh? Anyway, Astaroth, Minagi, and Morrigan went to check on Lilith yesterday."

"I see…" Alma Elma sighed. "And they haven't come back already? What's going on?"

"Who knows," Succubus-chan shrugged, hopping up to sit on the counter, her legs dangling as she swung them idly. "Anyway, I will borrow Luka today, no one minds, right?"

"Of course not," Alma Elma chuckled. "Make sure to give him plenty of love. He was looking pretty worn out."

"All right," she winked. "I have a plan in mind already. I'm sure he will love it."

She smirked with a fanged smile. That is… If he makes the right choice, she added silently to herself.

"Ah… Ah…" Nina whimpered, her voice trembling as she shuddered through her hundredth climax since the previous evening. Her body glistened with sweat, enveloped in the swirling glow of three distinct auras that pulsed around her like living flames.

The sharp sound of flesh striking flesh echoed through her room in the lab, each Lilith Sister taking a turn to deliver a resounding slap to her backside with an aura-coated hand.

"Take that, you idiot!" Morrigan snarled, her voice dripping with fury as she brought her hand down hard. The slap landed with a force that stung but didn't truly harm, the aura cushioning the blow just enough to keep it from crossing into real pain.

Nina's breath hitched, her body trembling as she slumped forward against the lab table, her glasses fogged and askew. Her legs wobbled, barely holding her up as she gasped, "Y-You're… gonna kill me at this rate…"

Minagi scoffed, crossing her arms with a scowl. "Don't worry, we won't kill you," she sighed wearily. "But you'll suffer as much as my daughter did in that wretched machine. That's a promise."

"I know big sis did a bad thing but still—" Astaroth gritted her teeth as she slapped Nina's ass cheeks again. "Drugging her to increase her sensitivity and then putting her in a fuck machine is no way to treat someone!"

"You also lied about Luka wanting to clone us!" Morrigan growled. 

"And you cloned me," Lilith added with a slap that resonated throughout the room. "It's a good thing I got rid of it myself. Truly a despicable sight."

"You know…" Astaroth sighed, her hand pausing mid-air as her gaze darkened. "If you hadn't done it, I'd have killed that clone myself. Making a mockery of our sister won't be tolerated!"

Nina groaned, her arms buckling as she pressed her forehead against the cool surface of the table, her body a tangle of exhaustion and overstimulation. Each slap was excruciatingly painful and her orgasms weren't coming from pleasure at all. She sucked in a shaky breath, her voice barely a whisper. "I… I get it, okay? I messed up. Can you just… stop already?"

"Alright, let's stop," Minagi nodded. "We went at this for the whole night," she slapped Nina's ass, making her climax once more. "Put her into the machine with the same drugs."

"Alright!" Morrigan grinned evilly, holding up Nina's exhausted body with her psychic powers. 

Nina's head lolled forward, her glasses slipping down her nose as her body hung helplessly in Morrigan's grip. Her breaths came in shallow, uneven gasps, her skin flushed and slick with sweat. "W-Wait…" she croaked, her voice barely audible over the hum of the lab's machinery. "You can't… I'm already—"

"Save it," Morrigan cut her off, her grin widening as she maneuvered the science girl toward the sleek, ominous device in the corner of the room—a capsule bristling with tools designed to torment and tease a woman's body. Suction cups gleamed menacingly, poised to latch onto breasts; an array of dildos in every conceivable shape and size jutted from its interior; perfume dispensers hummed faintly, ready to flood the air with cloying scents; and massaging panels lined the walls, promising a relentless assault on every inch of her flesh.

Nina's eyes widened, a flicker of panic cutting through her haze of exhaustion as Morrigan maneuvered her closer to the capsule. The device loomed like a mechanical predator, its polished surface reflecting the dim glow of the lab lights. "No… please…" she rasped, her voice cracking as she squirmed weakly against the psychic hold, but her strength was long gone, drained by the night's ordeal.

"You built this thing, didn't you?" Minagi sighed. "Time to see how well it works for a human woman."

"Minagi-sama, if I could—" Lilith interrupted but was quickly shut down by a glare of her master.

The capsule whirred to life as Nina was lowered in, its mechanisms clicking and shifting with cold precision. The restraints snapped shut around her wrists and ankles, pinning her in place as the suction cups descended with a soft hiss, latching onto her chest with a firm, unyielding pull. She yelped, her body jerking against the bindings as the first dildo—a thick, ridged monstrosity—positioned itself, its mechanical hum vibrating through her already-frayed nerves.

Minagi stepped forward, her expression a mask of stern resolve as she adjusted a panel on the machine's side. "Same dosage," she said, her voice clipped as she dialed in the settings. "Full sensitivity boost. Let's make sure she feels every second of it—just like she made my daughter endure."

Morrigan, lounging against a workbench, smirked as she watched the scene unfold. "Karma's a bitch."

Lilith lingered near the edge of the room, her eyes still a bit dazed from what she had been through. Ever since she had become Nina's slave, she had been inside this machine day in and day out. It was a miracle that Minagi intervened to save her.

Still… she was feeling aroused ever since. 

The perfume dispensers activated with a faint puff, flooding the capsule with a sickly-sweet scent that made Nina's head spin. The massaging panels pressed in, their rhythmic kneading amplifying every sensation as the drugs kicked in, a sharp prick from the injector sending fire through her veins. Her breath hitched, then exploded into a scream as the machine's full arsenal sprang to life—suction, penetration, and vibration crashing over her in a merciless wave.

"There we go," Astaroth chuckled as she crossed her arms, savoring Nina's cries of pleasure. "What a good girl when she behaves."

"Let's leave now," Minagi turned toward the door. "The machine will work for an hour and then stop on its own. No need to stay here."

Morrigan lingered a moment longer, her smirk widening as she watched Nina writhe. "Enjoy your timeout, science girl," she taunted, her blue aura flaring briefly before she turned to follow Minagi.

Astaroth trailed after her, casting a final glance over her shoulder with a faint, mocking laugh. "Don't break too fast," she called. "Wouldn't want to put Luka to shame, would you?"

Lilith hesitated at the threshold, her gaze flickering back to Nina's trapped form. Her own memories of the machine surged. A shiver ran through her, equal parts revulsion and a shameful flicker of arousal she couldn't suppress. She clenched her fists, forcing herself to turn away as Minagi's footsteps faded down the hall.

The lab door slid shut with a heavy thud, sealing Nina in with the machine's ceaseless hum. Her cries softened into choked sobs, her body slumping against the restraints as the drugs burned through her, heightening every touch, every pulse, until pain and pleasure blurred into a single, overwhelming torment. Her glasses fogged completely, slipping further down her nose as tears streaked her face, but there was no one left to hear her pleas.

Outside, the Lilith Sisters and their master moved through the corridors of the facility, their auras dimming as they left the lab behind. Minagi led the way, her posture rigid with a mother's quiet fury. "To think she is that man's friend…" she said, more to herself than the others.

"I heard she was devoured with Luka by Alma Elma yesterday…" Astaroth sighed. 

"I still haven't had my turn," Morrigan growled, her blue aura flickering with irritation as she cracked her knuckles. "But I've got my tournament coming up soon. It got delayed because of some new challenger who signed up at the last minute yesterday. Why's she so special, dammit?"

Minagi's tail flicked sharply, her crimson eyes narrowing as she glanced back at Morrigan. "A new challenger?" she asked. "Who's got the nerve to throw off your schedule?"

Morrigan shrugged, her scowl deepening. "No clue," she muttered, her tone thick with annoyance. "Some mystery girl, apparently. Tournament organizers wouldn't shut up about her—like she's some big deal.

"Anyway," Lilith sighed. "Is Luka back home? I would like to have a word with him."

They all stopped to look at her warily.

"Don't look at me like that, I understood the lesson," she grumbled. "I wanted to teach him something to resist pleasure."

"That's generous of you, Lilith," Minagi said, her stern expression softening into a nod of approval. "I'll join you for this lesson, if you don't mind."

"As you wish, Minagi-sama," Lilith replied, dipping her head slightly, a flicker of respect in her tone.

Once they returned to the house, however, Luka was nowhere to be seen. 

Indeed, he was strolling in the city, alone, his hands in his pockets, absentmindedly looking at the passersby and the shop windows.

The city buzzed around Luka, but to him, it felt silent. The air carried the faint tang of rain from the night before, mingling with the warm scent of fresh bread wafting from a nearby bakery. He walked without purpose, his shoulders slouched, his mind a fog of half-formed thoughts.

And a deep burning sensation inside his chest.

It wasn't hatred, it was something else, softer. 

Discontentment, perhaps. A pain he couldn't quite place. 

He had purposefully ignored Alma Elma this morning, in fear of lashing out at her. Because after everything, she had—

"Hello there, Luka-kun!" Succubus-chan's bright voice sliced through his reverie, jolting his head up.

He didn't want to respond. Not to her—not to the one who'd gleefully suggested that damned "human-wich."

But to be blunt, he didn't want to talk to anyone. Not even the imps or the mayor.

Still, his eyes narrowed as she sauntered closer, her blood-red jacket hanging loosely off her shoulders, the fabric swaying with her confident stride. Her white sweater with a high collar strained against her chest, a daring boob-window in the center barely containing her jiggling breasts, drawing stares she either didn't notice or didn't care about.

Luka's jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists within his pockets as Succubus-chan closed the distance, her crimson eyes glinting with that infuriating mix of mischief and oblivious charm. She stopped a few steps away, tilting her head with a grin that showed off her fangs.

"Out for a morning stroll, huh?" she chirped, her voice bright and teasing as she rocked on her heels. "You look like you're plotting something dramatic—don't tell me you're still sulking over yesterday!"

He didn't reply, his gaze dropping to the cobblestones as he sidestepped her, the ache in his chest flaring hotter. "Leave me alone," he muttered. 

Why was she awake so soon? Usually, she wakes up way later like a cat…

"You know, that reminds me of last time," she chuckled, her tone warm with nostalgia as she skipped to keep pace with him. "You were all grumpy like that too."

Luka blinked, his head tilting slightly despite himself.

She was right. The first time they'd really talked had been right here, in the city center—on that ridiculous fake date she'd roped him into.

"How about we go on a long date, just you and me?" she said, leaning in closer, hands clasped behind her back as her wide, gleaming eyes locked onto his.

The city's morning bustle faded into a dull hum around them as Luka froze, her words hanging in the air like a sudden gust. The faint clatter of carts and the chatter of merchants dimmed, leaving only the soft rustle of her jacket and the steady thud of his own pulse in his ears. He turned his head slowly, meeting her gaze—those crimson eyes wide and bright, brimming with an earnestness that clashed with her usual mischief.

A date?" he echoed with a stern look. "You're kidding, right?"

Succubus-chan's grin didn't waver. "Nope! Totally serious," she said, straightening up and puffing out her chest—making the boob-window even more precarious. "You look like you need a break from everything, and just like last time, I'm here to offer it."

"Succ-chan," he sighed.

"Huh? Is that a nickname you're giving me?" she chuckled.

"Honestly, between you and the mayor, it's hard. So you'll be Succ-chan for now."

"Eh?" she recoiled slightly but didn't mind. "Okay, it's cute so it's fine, I guess…"

"Whatever," he grumbled, shoving his hands deeper into his pockets. "I'm not saying yes to your date."

"Why not?" she blinked, her wide crimson eyes searching his face with genuine confusion.

"You literally gave Alma Elma the idea to eat me," he bit his tongue in an attempt to not lash out.

"Oh," she looked down, holding her arm. "Yeah… I was very curious about how her tail worked. You…" She glanced up at him, tentative now, "didn't like it?"

"...in retrospect, I wouldn't mind doing it again in a more gentle manner," he sighed wearily. "But that doesn't mean I was okay with how it happened."

"Ah… I see."

"Before yesterday, I was already curious about that," he said, his eyes flicking away as a faint flush crept up his cheeks. "I would've liked to do it in a more controlled way with Alma, that's all."

Succubus-chan stood there, her usual bubbly energy dimmed as she processed his words, her fingers tightening around her arm. 

"I get it," she said quietly. "I thought… well, you always roll with it, Luka. But…"

"What?"

"I really mean it with this date. I have a place I want to show you," she tilted her up to meet his eyes. "It's very important."

"Important?" he repeated, his voice softening as he studied her, searching for the catch. "What kind of place?"

"You'll see," she said matter-of-factly. "It's not just some random spot—I've been saving it for the right moment. And I think… maybe now's the time. For you."

He blinked, the flush on his cheeks fading as suspicion warred with intrigue. "For me?" he asked, his hands slipping from his pockets to hang loosely at his sides. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She sighed, clutching his arm in earnest. "Just roll with it, okay? I'll explain later." she tugged at his arm to guide him. 

"Alright, fine…" he sighed. "But it better be something calm, okay?"

"It will, I promise," she said, her smile widening into a bright, reassuring curve as she guided his steps with care.

The city's bustle ebbed around them as Succubus-chan led Luka through the crowded streets, her grip on his arm light but steady. He glanced at her sidelong, the ache in his chest still present but muted for now. 

She wasn't teasing, wasn't pushing—in fact, she looked serious, her sharp crimson eyes fixed ahead with a focus he rarely saw in her.

Finally, they stopped at a dark, narrow alley where she nudged open a broken door, its hinges creaking in protest. They'd reached a forgotten corner of the city, where crumbling buildings loomed like silent sentinels, their cracked facades home to squatters and drifters seeking shelter for the night.

She climbed the rickety stairs, her steps sure despite the groan of warped wood beneath her feet, until she pushed open one last door. It swung wide to reveal a small room, its walls painted a stark, peeling white, a lone bed sitting in the center—simple, unmade, and faintly musty.

Luka barely had time to process her intent before she slammed the door shut behind them, a faint ripple of magic shimmering across the walls, sealing the space with an eerie hum.

He spun to face her, his teeth gritting as the ache in his chest flared into something sharper—betrayal, maybe, or dread. "What the—"

Succubus-chan turned to him, her smile gone, replaced by a look of quiet determination that sent a chill down his spine. The ripple on the walls pulsed once more before settling, a barrier locking them in, and Luka's hands clenched into fists at his sides.

"Explain," he demanded, his voice low and taut, the earlier softness replaced by a rising edge. "Now."

"It's a room sealed by a powerful magic," she replied, her voice calm. "Not mine of course, I'm not strong enough."

"For what purpose?!" he snapped.

She paused for a moment, before slumping her shoulder in a deep sigh. "To fuck, obviously," she chuckled. "You know the trope of the room where you can't get out unless you fuck?"

A searing light was pointed at her forehead in response.

"Unlock it."

"I can't," she shrugged. "Also, I don't think your Dawnstar will do much here."

"Really? Then—"

"Outside is just the void."

He didn't reply, his jaw tightening as he fired the spell at a lower intensity. A blinding flash flooded the room, the blast tearing a jagged crack through the wall—but beyond it, there was no city, no alley, just an endless black void. The debris hung in the air, floating as if caught in a sluggish current, suspended in eerie stillness.

"I wouldn't go there if I were you," she said, glancing at the dust and broken plaster drifting, then slowing to a near-stop. "No one's gonna catch you out there."

"What the fuck are we doing in this subspace?" he snapped, his eyes widening as the realization hit. This wasn't some abandoned squat—it was a pocket dimension, a place only the primordial sins could conjure. Which meant—

"…Saki?" he muttered, reeling, his voice trembling with shock. "N-No… Saki wouldn't put me here, wouldn't put me in danger, right?"

"Luka," Succubus-chan called, her voice cutting through his spiraling thoughts as she flashed a fanged, predatory smile. "Don't overthink it, really. We're just gonna have sex—simple, right?"

"I'm not in my house! If I die here—"

"You die for real, yeah," she chuckled, her tone light, almost mocking, as she took a step closer. "Devoured by me, a succubus."

"Don't fuck with me—" he growled, pointing another finger at her. But this time, the room's magic pulsed, a pressure making him fall to his knees. 

"This room is controlled by your friend, Lust," she explained, kneeling beside him, her voice smooth and unshaken as she tilted her head to meet his glare. "I'm not gonna say anything else except let's have sex—since it's the only way you're getting out alive."

Luka's knees dug into the cold floor, his breath ragged as the pressure pinned him down, a suffocating weight that squeezed his chest and made his head spin. The room's white walls shimmered faintly with the arcane pulse, the void beyond the cracked wall a silent, yawning threat. His hands shook as he braced them against the ground, the Dawnstar's glow flickering weakly in his palm before guttering out entirely.

"Saki would never—" he glared up at her, sweat beading on his brow.

"She did," Succubus-chan cut in, her tone matter-of-fact as she settled onto her haunches, her tail curling lazily around her. "She asked me to do it if you were feeling a certain way."

"W-What?" he asked, lunging forward only to collapse again as the magic tightened its grip. 

"So…" She shrugged off her red jacket, letting it pool on the hard floor with a soft rustle, her crimson eyes glinting as she leaned closer. "Your only way out, like I've said twice already, is to fuck me."

Luka's chest heaved, each breath a battle against the relentless pressure pinning him to the floor. His hands clawed at the ground, nails scraping uselessly as he fought to steady himself, his glare locked on her—her calm, her certainty, her bare shoulders now free of the jacket.

"Saki… asked you?" he rasped, his voice raw with disbelief. 

"Yeah, ever since I was at the casino she asked me not to touch you and to keep an eye on you."

Her deep purple wings unfurled from the base of her back and she removed her sleek black skirt, revealing black straps around her waist with a purposeful hole in the middle straight to her succubus' mouth, her pussy.

Then, with a gentleness that clashed with the room's oppressive air, she caught his head in her hands and lifted him to his feet, her touch firm yet strangely careful.

Luka stumbled as he rose, the magic's pressure easing just enough to let him stand, though his legs trembled beneath him. His breath came in sharp, uneven bursts, the room spinning faintly as he steadied himself against her grip.

"The casino?" he muttered, his voice hoarse as he pieced it together, his glare sharpening.

Succubus-chan's lips quirked into a faint, almost wistful smile, her hands lingering on his face for a moment before dropping to her sides. "Yup," she chuckled. "She gave me your photo. That's why I recognized you at the casino that day."

She pushed him on the bed, his body melting into the mattress. 

"B-But…" he stammered, biting his lip hard enough to taste copper, his voice trembling as he fought to find words. "If I do fuck you…"

"Yeah," she smirked, her crimson eyes glinting with a predatory edge as she dropped to her knees, closing the distance between them. Her hands reached for his belt with practiced ease, fingers brushing the buckle. "That's not exactly good for your health, that's for sure."

"W-Wait…" he started, his voice cracking as tears welled in his eyes.

That's unfair.

The word hung unspoken in the air, trapped behind the lump in his throat as Luka's hands shot out, grabbing her wrists to halt her advance. His grip was shaky but firm, his chest heaving as he stared up at her, the tears spilling over to streak down his flushed cheeks.

"Unfair?" she finished for him, her smirk softening into something less cruel, though her eyes still burned with intent. She didn't pull away, letting his hands hold her in place. "Maybe. I've never asked myself those kinds of questions when hunting, to be honest."

"Y-You—" He bit his tongue hard, the coppery taste grounding him as he fought to keep his voice steady, knowing the room's magic would crush him again if he lost control.

"You can hate me," she chuckled, her tone light but edged with a dark undertone as she deftly finished unbuckling his belt, her fingers brushing his waistband with a deliberate touch. "But let's cut to the chase and have sex."

She shifted closer, climbing onto his lap with a rustle of wings and fabric, her wet pussy pressing against him, enveloping his unwillingly eager cock with a slow, consuming heat.

Luka's breath hitched, a sharp gasp escaping as his body betrayed him, caught between the instinct to pull away and the raw, unbidden response she drew out. His hands tightened on her wrists, a desperate anchor as the tears continued to fall, his flushed face a mask of conflict—anger, shame, and sadness.

"This isn't—" he choked out, his voice breaking as he tried to push her back, but his hand instinctively wrapped around her in an embrace. "You can't just—"

"Can't I?" she murmured, her hands catching his back while she went up and down on his dick. It's already happening, Luka. You're here, I'm here—it's reality."

The mattress groaned beneath them as she slammed herself slowly against his lap, the room filled with the sound of their union. Luka's tears fell unchecked, soaking into her shoulder as his arms tightened around her, a paradox of resistance and surrender that left him dizzy. The void beyond the cracked wall loomed in his periphery, a silent specter, but it was her warmth, her weight, her unrelenting presence that anchored him to this moment—whether he wanted it or not.

"I thought…" he rasped, his voice barely audible, muffled against her skin as his body rocked with hers, caught in a tide he couldn't fight. "I thought you liked me…"

Her rhythm faltered for a fraction of a second, a subtle hitch in her movement as his words sank in, but she didn't stop. Luka's tears seeped into her skin, his breath ragged against her shoulder as his embrace tightened—not just holding now, but clinging, as if she were the only solid thing left in this warped reality.

"Liked you?" she echoed, her voice low and soft, almost lost in the creak of the mattress and the wet sound of their connection. She tilted her head slightly, her crimson eyes catching his for a fleeting moment before she pressed her cheek against his hair. "I do, Luka-kun. More than you think."

"Then why—" His voice broke again, a sob swallowed by the strain as his hands dug into her back, fingers brushing the base of her wings. "Why like this? You're going to kill me…"

"You don't want to die?" she asked, never stopping. She could feel his shaft throb inside her despite his tears.

"I'm scared to die!" he lashed out, his voice raw and jagged as he lifted his head, his tear-streaked face meeting hers.

His words cut off abruptly as pleasure surged to its peak, overwhelming him. His body tensed, then convulsed, spilling inside her in multiple forceful spurts, each one a jagged release that left him trembling. Succubus-chan's hand shot to the back of his head, clutching him tightly and pulling him against her bosom, cradling him there as he shuddered in her grasp.

While feeling his hot seed flood her, she drew in a sliver of his life force, a faint, electric pull that tingled through her. She muttered in a soft, breathy whisper against his hair, "You taste good…"

Luka's face pressed into the soft heat of her chest, his breaths coming in shallow, broken gasps as the aftershocks rippled through him. His tears mingled with the sweat on her skin, his arms still locked around her, though their strength was fading, draining away with the life force she'd sipped from him.

Her wings flexed slightly, curling around them as she held him close, her grip firm yet strangely tender—a paradox that mirrored the act itself. The warmth of his release pulsed within her, a stark contrast to the chill creeping into his limbs, and she inhaled deeply, savoring the faint, sweet tang of his essence as it mingled with her own energy.

"Scared, huh?" she murmured, her voice a quiet purr as she ran her fingers through his hair, soothing despite the predatory edge beneath it. "You're still kicking, Luka-kun.

"Why…" he sobbed. "Why is it always like this with you all…" 

"I know," she admitted. 

"I thought some of you liked me… but…" His words trailed off, swallowed by a fresh wave of tears, his face buried deeper against her as if he could hide from the ache.

"You don't think we do?" she asked, stroking his hair gently. She had stopped all her movements, letting him talk.

"I… Do people even love me…?" 

She stopped. For a moment, they both cradled each other, lost in the moment. The succubus listened to his sobs, his hiccups until she exhaled slowly. 

"At least I know Saki do," she replied. "But, I will tell you something, Luka-kun. Wouldn't you like to rest now? To finally go on a long and well-deserved sleep?"

"Huh…?" he tried to tilt his head but she kept him pinned on her chest. 

"Don't you think you've done enough?" she continued, her tone low, almost hypnotic, as her fingers traced soothing patterns through his hair. "After all, what's coming next is just too cruel… I know this sounds strange, but I can make you sleep, if you want."

"You mean eat me…" His voice quavered, a flicker of clarity cutting through the haze as the implication sank in.

"Yes, but…" She paused, her breath warm against his scalp as she tightened her hold, her wings curling closer. "Trust me when I say this is a mercy."

"Mercy?" he whispered, the word barely audible, muffled against her skin as his head rested there, too tired to fight her grip. His eyes fluttered, half-lidded, the weight of her offer pressing down on him—a temptation wrapped in dread. "You'd… kill me? After all this?"

"Eat you," she corrected, her voice softening further. "End it. Gently. No more pain, no more fighting—just sleep. You're a good guy, Luka. And those days in this house was very fun, but I would hate to see you sad."

"Fun…" he murmured, the word tasting bitter on his tongue. "You had fun…?"

"Yes," she replied, her tone brightening slightly, a flicker of nostalgia threading through it. "And I think everyone would agree on that. Now, I'll stop speaking for me and tell you what she wanted you to know." She leaned back slowly, easing away just enough to take his hand in hers, her grip gentle and deliberate, grounding him as she met his gaze. "Luka, you've loved for so long without it being able to come back to you. Even now, you've tried to love us, but you feel like none of us really do. It's okay to feel that way. You can't expect someone to keep loving forever without it being returned, after all," she chuckled, her eyes tender as they held his.

"You're saying… it's okay?" he rasped, his voice raw and unsteady, the tears welling again as he searched her face. "That I'm not… wrong to feel this? To be tired?"

"Not wrong at all," she chuckled with a grin. "You're a guy who gives without much in return. You were about to break and ruin the trial right now, and that is why I decided to step in. It's not your fault, none of this is. It's just… what happens."

"Why are you telling me all this…?" he finally asked, the tears spilling over again, silent now, tracing quiet paths down his flushed cheeks.

"Because I want to corrupt you, of course," she grinned wickedly, her fangs glinting in the dim light, though the playful spark in her eyes made it clear she was teasing. "Your dick's fresh, you taste good, all that jazz…" She leaned into him, pushing him back against the mattress with a gentle but insistent nudge, her wings rustling as she hovered over him. "But… I had fun on that date. I had fun at the beach. And you're a guy who, I don't know why, feels like he'd be a hero or something…"

"Eh?" he blinked.

"What I'm saying is…" she sighed. "You're afraid of death? Good. You're normal. You're afraid of not being loved back? Good too, only fools lose themselves in a one-sides deal," she chuckled with a fanged smile. "But do you have the strength to get back up and face something soul-crushing later on or not? That's what I'm asking."

"What's this soul-crushing thing you're talking about?" he swiped his tears away with the back of his hand.

"Can't say," she pouted. "Saki didn't tell me more. But she told me that you were the only one capable of helping us. And you know what? I believe her!"

Luka looked at her in disbelief, his eyes searching her for any trace of lie.

"So, what will it be?" she asked, smirking as she leaned closer. "Eternal sleep in my arms? Or fight until the end like a hero?" 

"What would you prefer?" 

"Honestly, I like both ideas…" she whistled, her voice light and teasing as she stretched out beside him. "But… The second one sounds more cool, right?"

"So… all of this was a pep-talk?" he groaned, pushing himself up to stand, his legs shaky but resolute as he glared down at her.

"Kinda…" She grinned, unabashed, propping herself up on her elbows. "I was planning on making you cry to see if you were still scared of death or just numb to it by now."

"You fucking terrified me…"

"Yeah," she chuckled, her grin widening as she tilted her head toward the door. "I noticed. Anyway, we fucked. That means the door's back to normal—we can get out of here."

"How about we continue back home?" he asked, feeling a faint blush creeping his neck.

"Eh?" She beamed up at him, her eyes lighting up with delighted surprise. "Wow, you really bounce back fast!"

"Yeah… I'm still angry about yesterday, though," he sighed, his shoulders slumping as he ran a hand through his hair. "From now on, no more weird tricks. I'll tell everyone—if they want to do something with me, they need to ask first."

"Fair rule," she said, her voice bright as she sauntered toward the door, throwing him a teasing glance over her shoulder. "Consent's sexy, Luka-kun.I'll spread the word—no more ambushes, just straight-up invites. Though…" She paused, her grin turning sly before leaning toward him with her hands around her back. "Can I eat you at home?"

"Ugh…" he sighed. "Fine. But one time, okay?"

"Yay!" She practically bounced, latching onto his arm. "Also, also—does this mean you'll really try again with Alma? Can I watch?"

"Yeah and no," he grumbled, stepping out of the room with her. 

"Aww, come on! Be a good boyfriend for me!"

"When did I become your boyfriend?"

"Just now!"

"Good grief… A girlfriend doesn't make her guy cry to prove a point."

"Sorry…" She hesitated for a beat before adding, softer, "I kind of hated seeing you crying."

"NOT YESTERDAY, APPARENTLY!"

"THAT WAS DIFFERENT!"

Luka had passed the final test with flying colors. He was ready for what lay ahead.

In the stillness of the lord of the night's chambers, Ntwali sat beside an opulent bed, a book in hand, its pages turning slowly as he kept a quiet vigil over her sleeping form. The faint flicker of candlelight cast wavering shadows across her face—flushed, her breath uneven.

Time was slipping away.

And soon—

The Moonlight Festival would begin.

"Saki..." he whispered, his eyes never leaving her.