The moment they stepped past the massive, wrought-iron gates, the world seemed to shift. Lust, in its most extravagant form, was never a place Gem thought she would return to. But here she was, standing in front of Asmodeus's grandiose mansion, staring up at the gaudy, golden pillars that rose toward the sky. The house itself was adorned with statues of entwined bodies, too perfect to be anything less than a demon's twisted sense of indulgence.
A bouncer, an enormous horned demon with shimmering, gold-lined skin, stood at the door, eyeing Gem as she approached. His gaze flickered briefly to the niece before locking on Gem's face. With a stiff, formal gesture, he gestured to the gates. "Invitation?" he asked in a low, rumbling voice.
Gem gave a brief nod and reached into her pocket, pulling out a folded piece of parchment that looked incredibly old, worn at the edges but still carrying the unmistakable insignia of Asmodeus himself. She handed it to the bouncer, who studied it for a moment before silently stepping aside to let them pass.
Her niece tilted her head curiously, looking up at her with wide eyes. "How did you even get that?" she asked, her voice laced with incredulity.
Gem tucked the invitation back into her pocket, her lips curling slightly. "It was a gift… from someone I used to know, long ago." She quickly turned her gaze forward, avoiding the conversation. The memories that invitation stirred were ones she didn't want to revisit, not now, not ever.
But as they stepped inside, the door shutting softly behind them, a wave of nostalgia and discomfort washed over her like a cold tide. The sweet scent of roses mixed with something heavier, more intoxicating—a blend of perfumes, spices, and that ever-present aura of indulgence. The kind of indulgence Gem had once thought she could escape, but instead, found herself drawn back to, again and again.
Asmodeus's mansion was a marvel of decadence. Velvet couches adorned with gold trim, mirrors and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling in sparkling clusters, and floors of soft marble that seemed to gleam as though they were alive. The air was thick with the promise of pleasure, of things unspeakable.
"This is amazing!" her niece squealed, glancing around at the sumptuous surroundings, her eyes practically sparkling. "You've gotta tell me everything about this place, Aunty. Look at the dinner options!"
Gem barely heard her. Her mind was elsewhere, back in the past. She saw herself as a new sinner—young, naive, and hungry for everything this place offered. It had been intoxicating back then. But now? Now it just felt like a trap.
"I think I'm going to sit down," Gem muttered, clearly annoyed by the overwhelming stimuli. She pulled herself toward one of the many plush chairs, lowering herself into it with a sense of discomfort.
The niece bounced up to a nearby display table where a wide selection of extravagant dishes and drinks were laid out. She was already eyeing everything with excitement. "What should I get? Everything looks so good!"
Gem sighed, rubbing her temples. "Just... pick something simple," she grumbled, feeling a slight irritation bubble up. "I'm getting some dumpling soup. I don't feel like playing around with... whatever that is." She gestured toward some elaborate dishes some other patrons were having with strange, shimmering contents.
The niece laughed and gave her a playful look. "You're so boring, Aunty." She was already picking out an assortment of things, clearly in no rush to disappoint herself.
Gem ignored her, leaning back into the chair as she let her mind wander, trying to distract herself. She couldn't help but remember what it was like, the first time she came here, when she was nothing but a little sinner—brash, eager, and easily manipulated by the promises of excitement and ecstasy. Asmodeus himself had been just as dazzling and dangerous as she remembered: charming, seductive, and a master of making others feel wanted in a way that felt impossible to resist.
The hum of the crowd in the dining hall, the music echoing in the background, slowly faded into the background. It wasn't until she heard a sudden, bright shine of light above her that her attention snapped back to reality.
A spotlight focused directly on Gem, and she immediately stiffened. A low chuckle rang out, followed by a voice she had hoped she'd never hear again.
"Ah, Gem... always so delightfully evasive. How charming to see you again," Asmodeus's voice purred, a flame appearing behind her like a serpent winding its way through the air.
The blue fire separated, revealing Asmodeus himself: tall, impeccably dressed in a tight, blue velvet suit, his flame hair sweeping around his three heads. His faces floated by the flickering blue flames, his tail swishing, but his eyes—always the most piercing—glittered with a mischievous glint. The moment he laid eyes on her, Gem could feel a cold twinge of dread rush through her chest.
She didn't flinch, though. She had lived through this once already, and she wouldn't let him see her fear.
"Asmodeus," Gem said flatly, her voice laced with annoyance. "You're as insufferable as ever."
Oblivious to the tension building, her niece leaned forward with wide eyes. "Oh wow, this is Asmodeus? He's... uh, interesting!" She grinned like she was meeting a celebrity.
Asmodeus gave the niece a languid, appraising glance. "And this must be your... delightful companion?" His voice was smooth, but something sinister in it sent a chill down Gem's spine. "What's your name, dear?"
"I'm... I'm just—" the niece began, but Gem quickly interrupted, pinching her lips with a sharp, disapproving look.
"Stop," Gem hissed, giving her niece a pointed glare. She turned her attention back to Asmodeus, who watched her with far too much amusement. "Don't bother him. He doesn't need to entertain the likes of us."
Asmodeus tilted his head, clearly intrigued by her response. "Oh, darling," he cooed, his voice slipping like velvet. "You've always had such an interesting way of looking at things. Tell me—why do you still hide from yourself?"
Gem stiffened, her eyes narrowing at him, though she didn't dare raise her voice. "I don't know what you're talking about, Asmodeus," she retorted sharply. "I'm not hiding anything. But I do prefer to keep my distance from your... antics ."
Asmodeus laughed softly, but his expression was far too calculating. "We both know the truth, Gem. You hide from what you did. You may fool everyone else with your cold exterior, but I see everything ." His eyes glinted with knowing as if he could peer into her soul and dissect every part of her.
Gem's teeth gritted. "What exactly do you think you know?"
But before he could respond, Gem stood up abruptly, feeling the heat of the moment threatening to overwhelm her. "I'm done here," she muttered, her voice thick with irritation. "I don't need to listen to you or anyone else."
Her niece, still half-eaten dessert in hand, gave Gem a curious look. "Aunt Gem, what's wrong? You've barely eaten anything."
Gem waved her off. "I don't care. I'm going outside for a moment. You stay and enjoy your dessert."
The niece pouted but nodded reluctantly as Gem slipped past the whispering partitions not having time to know what they were saying.
The cool air outside was a welcome relief, though the murmurs of distant voices still haunted her thoughts. "Foolish, foolish..." she muttered to herself. "I should've never come back here. Never... What was I thinking?"
She stared at the fireflies dancing in the air, their glow a quiet reminder of the chaos she had once reveled in. But now? Now, it only made her want to turn away. "I should have stayed away. It was all just an illusion..."
But no matter how far she tried to run, those haunting memories of the Ring of Lust never seemed to loosen their grip on her.