Time was meaningless in the Void-Mother's realm.
Days? Weeks? Maybe eons have passed.
Who cared?
Lucien sure didn't.
The air rippled with technicolor clouds and magic so thick it hummed against the skin. The arena was a swirling platform suspended in an endless void, where floating chunks of stone rotated lazily, sometimes on fire, sometimes screaming in demonic tongs. The scent of vanilla and sin wafted over the battlefield like incense from a pleasure cult's temple.
Lucien blasted across the arena, a streak of obsidian and smoke dodging spells, debris, and the ever shifting environment.
Above it all, Serenith lounged on a plush, violet chaise that drifted gently above the carnage. Two tiny winged void-creatures fluttered around her, refilling her wine goblet and feeding her grapes the size of fists. She giggled, stroking one of them under the chin like a spoiled cat.
"You're doing great, Lucien!" she called between bites. "Love these cute little summons! They're my favorite!"
Below, Lucien slammed into the ground, conjuring a massive wall of ash just in time to block a flaming meteor boulder that screamed at him as it crashed down.
KABOOOOOOM.
Smoke and fire tore across the field. Serenith shielded her eyes with a glowing hand. Then, from the wreckage, Lucien stumbled out… shirtless, bruised, hair tousled, pants clinging to him in a scandalous way.
"Had enough?" the Void-Mother called cheerfully, floating above with thick streaks of swirling magic spinning lazily around her like fluttering moths.
Lucien coughed, spat out a little blood, and raised a shaky thumbs-up. "Totally fine. Ten outta ten. Love the whole apocalyptic aesthetic you got going here."
"Perfect!" she chirped. Then snapped her fingers.
Three more meteorites popped into existence, humming ominously.
Lucien's eyes widened. "Ah, looks like the foreplay's over…"
The air thickened as he dug his feet into the arena floor, gritted his teeth, and roared. Magic burst from him in a shockwave that cracked the stones and made Serenith nearly spill her wine.
"Ooooh," she cooed, rising to her feet. "Now we're talking."
The wild magic condensed over Lucien's body, wrapping him in a flickering membrane of power that shimmered between shadow and flame. He grinned and waved a welcoming hand at the Void-Mother.
"Ready when you are, darling."
She arched a brow, laughing. "Good. Then catch!"
The meteorites screamed through the air. Lucien launched upward like a six-packed cannonball of smoldering sin.
Serenith gasped, eyes wide as she leaned over her podium.
"He's insane! He's gonna die! He's gonna—"
BOOM.
Lucien blurred past the first meteor.
BOOM.
The second.
BOOOOM.
The third.
Each one erupted behind him in a cascade of fire and color, but Lucien didn't stop. He rocketed through the sky, now right beside the Void-Mother.
Her eyes widened. "Not bad."
She swiped a hand and a beam of void-magic tore through the air, splitting reality as it surged toward Lucien.
The beam of void-light slipped through him, splitting him cleanly in half.
Serenith shrieked.
Then another Lucien appeared beside the Void-Mother.
Then another.
And a few more.
Soon, a dozen Luciens circled her, each smirking with the same confident, cocky grin.
The Void-Mother narrowed her eyes. "You sneaky little—"
She erupted in raw magical power, blasting them away in a shockwave that bent reality itself. The technicolor clouds scattered. Space itself shattering like glass under the strain of her power.
Breathing heavily, the Void-Mother scanned the skies. "Where'd he go?"
Her gaze finds Serenith, who smirked, tilting her head upward. "Peekaboo."
The Void-Mother's eyes rose to find Lucien floated directly above her, waving sheepishly as a massive spear of shadow plummeted down toward her.
Before she could react, the spear struck.
POP.
It burst into a cloud of butterflies.
The Void-Mother blinked.
Then burst into laughter, doubled over mid-air, holding her sides.
"You little shit," she chuckled through tears..
Lucien floated down beside her. "Still counts as a win. I just didn't want to hurt someone as beautiful as you."
The demi-goddess flushed. "You're too damn cocky. But you're good."
Lucien bowed dramatically. "I aim to please."
She booped him on the nose. "I'd love to keep going, but... I've been getting some very loud messages from an Elder Dragon named Valgereth. He says he's going to storm my realm if I don't send you back."
Lucien gasped. "Of course. The trip. Might have slipped my mind."
Serenith drifted down, sipping her wine. "Val's gonna skin your ass."
Lucien flexed. "Let him try. I'm not scared of that big lizard anymore."
The Void-Mother chuckled. "You've grown strong... but don't underestimate the wrath of a pissed-off Elder Dragon."
Lucien paled slightly. "Duly noted."
She raised a hand and a swirling portal of midnight and stardust opened beside them.
Serenith punched the air. "Finally. Fresh air! Sunlight! Moisture that doesn't moan!"
She hovered at the portal. The Void-Mother turned to Lucien, planting a kiss on his cheek.
"Thank you for the visit. Always a… pleasure having you around."
Lucien grinned. "Oh dear, no. Thank you. You've been amazing. I only wish—"
She slapped his ass. "Go. Before we end up in my bedroom for two more days."
He sighed dramatically. "Tempting."
"You'll come back," she purred.
"Oh, I will. Promise."
-------------------
Back in the mortal plane...
Lucien emerged from the tent, blinking against the sun. The air smelled of sand and steel. He stretched, bones popping, the warmth bathing him like a welcome home kiss.
"MY LOOOOORD!" two voices shrieked.
Vex and Vile slammed into him, knocking him flat. They hugged him tightly, nuzzling him on both sides.
"You were gone forever!" Vex cried.
"We thought she kidnapped you and turned you into a sex pet!" Vile wailed.
Lucien mock-pouted. "Wait, that was an option? I think I should go back—"
The twins squealed and smacked him repeatedly. He laughed, pulling them close and kissing their foreheads.
"I missed you too."
"Hey!" came Ignara's voice. She, X'zelle, and Alexal approached, arms crossed. "What about us?"
Lucien smiled. "Of course. All of you."
"Don't forget me!" Veyra called with a shy smile, sprinting up with Selena slithering beside her.
Veyra welcomed him back with a deep bow. "Are you alright, my lord?!"
Selena's tail curled protectively. "We were... concerned."
Before Lucien could answer—
"YOU! WHERE WERE YOU?!"
Val strode up. Cursing and scowling. A smear of meat sauce dripping from his chin.
Lucien paled slightly. "Valgereth. Buddy. You look... well fed."
"You were gone a week," Val grumbled. "You promised two days."
Lucien bowed. "Oh, trust me. It was worth the delay."
Valgereth snorted, rolling his eyes. "I care not. We leave immediately." he turns to a group of attendants and barks. "Prepare the carriages!"
"Hey." Lucien pouted. "I just got back! Give me a minute."
"I gave you five days."
Lucien sighed. "I just spent weeks in there understanding my power, and I'm gonna lose all of it once I cross that border. At least let me show you what I learned."
Valgereth turned to him with a raised eyebrow.
Lucien smirked. "How about a little spar?"