The chamber exploded into motion.
The illusions shattered like glass as Elias charged forward, Devour burning through his veins like molten silver. The succubus hovered above the ground, crimson wings spreading wide as if welcoming the attack.
"Oh good," she purred.
Her voice echoed strangely in the chamber.
"You finally stopped pretending to be immune."
Nyx moved at the same time Elias did.
Steel flashed.
Her blade cut upward toward the succubus's wing joint with deadly precision.
But the creature twisted gracefully in the air, barely avoiding the strike.
"Careful," the succubus laughed softly, drifting backward. "That almost hurt."
Her eyes glowed brighter.
With a flick of her fingers, another wave of illusions surged outward.
Not dozens this time.
Hundreds.
Copies of Nyx filled the chamber—each slightly different. Some armored, some not, some smiling warmly, others whispering his name in soft voices that echoed around the stone walls.
"Elias…"
"Over here…"
"You don't have to fight anymore…"
The whispers pressed against his mind like warm breath against his ear.
Corruption Trace: 51%
Devour pulsed violently.
Elias clenched his fists.
"Enough."
The illusions moved closer.
Hands reaching.
Voices coaxing.
The succubus watched from above, amused.
"Such strong restraint," she murmured. "Most men break far sooner."
Nyx stepped forward beside Elias.
Her sword cut through two illusions instantly, the false bodies dissolving into crimson mist.
"You picked the wrong person to test."
"Oh?"
The succubus tilted her head.
Nyx's eyes were sharp as steel.
"You think he's the one with self-control?"
The succubus smiled slightly.
"Isn't he?"
Nyx grabbed Elias by the collar suddenly.
Then pulled him down into a quick kiss.
Not soft.
Not hesitant.
Just direct.
Deliberate.
The illusions flickered.
Elias blinked in surprise as she released him.
Nyx glanced toward the hovering succubus.
"You're not the only one who can use distraction."
The succubus stared for a moment.
Then slowly began laughing.
A genuine laugh.
"Oh…"
She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.
"Oh I like you."
Her wings beat once as she descended lightly to the ground in front of them.
"You're much more entertaining than the usual prey."
Elias didn't lower his guard.
"You're still an enemy."
"Am I?"
The succubus walked slowly around them, examining them like an artist studying an interesting sculpture.
"You didn't kill the Guardian."
"You resisted my illusions."
She stopped in front of Elias again.
"And most importantly…"
Her gaze shifted between the two of them.
"You're honest about what you want."
Nyx frowned slightly.
"That's supposed to be rare?"
"Extremely."
The succubus's tail—thin and dark crimson—curled lazily behind her.
"You would be amazed how many adventurers lie to themselves."
Her eyes gleamed.
"But you two?"
She gestured toward them casually.
"You know exactly what's going on between you."
Nyx crossed her arms.
"And you were trying to use that."
"Of course."
The succubus shrugged.
"That's literally my job."
Elias relaxed slightly, though Devour still hummed beneath his skin.
"So what happens now?"
The succubus smiled slowly.
"Well…"
She tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"I could keep fighting you."
She gestured toward the chamber.
"But honestly?"
Her wings folded neatly behind her.
"That sounds boring."
Nyx raised an eyebrow.
"You attacked us first."
"And you survived."
The succubus looked pleased.
"That's the interesting part."
She walked closer again—too close.
Elias could feel the heat radiating from her skin.
"You intrigue me."
Nyx stepped between them instantly.
"Back up."
The succubus blinked.
Then grinned mischievously.
"Oh relax."
She leaned sideways slightly to look at Elias past Nyx's shoulder.
"I'm not stealing him."
Nyx's eyes narrowed.
"You'd better not try."
"Oh I will absolutely try."
Nyx's sword moved halfway out of its sheath.
The succubus laughed again.
"I'm joking."
Mostly.
She turned and began pacing slowly around the chamber.
"You're going deeper into the spiral."
Elias nodded cautiously.
"Yes."
"And you'll need guides."
Her crimson eyes flashed.
"Creatures like me exist throughout these levels."
"Wardens."
Nyx frowned.
"So you're saying there are more of you."
"Several."
The succubus stopped walking.
"But most of them aren't nearly as reasonable."
Elias studied her carefully.
"What do you want in exchange?"
The succubus's smile returned.
"Simple."
She stepped closer again.
"You let me come with you."
Nyx stared at her.
"…What?"
"I'm bored."
She gestured lazily toward the shattered chamber.
"I've been guarding this fragment for centuries."
Her eyes flicked toward Elias.
"And now something interesting finally appears."
Nyx's expression was flat.
"You're kidding."
The succubus shrugged.
"Not even slightly."
Elias folded his arms.
"You attacked us."
"Yes."
"You tried to break my mind."
"Yes."
"And now you want to join us."
The succubus nodded cheerfully.
"That's the summary."
Nyx looked like she might explode.
"Absolutely not."
"Oh come on."
The succubus leaned closer to Elias again, clearly enjoying Nyx's irritation.
"I'll be very helpful."
"How?" Nyx snapped.
"I know this dungeon better than you."
She smiled sweetly.
"And I can smell corruption."
Elias raised an eyebrow.
"You mean mine."
The succubus nodded.
"Yes."
Her voice softened slightly.
"Yours is… unusual."
Nyx glanced at Elias.
"You didn't mention that."
"I just learned."
The succubus leaned back against a stone pillar casually.
"So?"
She spread her hands.
"What's the verdict?"
Nyx immediately answered.
"No."
Elias hesitated.
Nyx turned toward him slowly.
"…Don't you dare."
The succubus's grin widened.
"Oh this is going to be fun."
Elias sighed.
"She does have a point."
Nyx stared at him.
"You cannot be serious."
"She knows the dungeon."
"She's a succubus!"
"Technically Desire Warden."
Nyx groaned.
"You're impossible."
The succubus clapped her hands happily.
"Excellent!"
Nyx glared at Elias.
"If she causes problems I'm blaming you."
"That's fair."
The succubus walked over and draped an arm casually across Elias's shoulder.
Nyx immediately shoved it off.
"Personal space."
"Oh relax."
The succubus winked at Elias.
"I'm mostly here to watch you struggle."
Nyx pulled Elias slightly away from her.
"What's your name?"
The succubus blinked.
Then smiled slowly.
"Lilith."
Nyx sighed.
"Of course it is."
Lilith looked delighted.
"Oh we are going to have so much fun."
Elias rubbed his temples.
"I already regret this."
Lilith leaned closer again, whispering just loud enough for him to hear.
"You say that now."
Her crimson eyes gleamed mischievously.
"But I haven't even started teasing you yet."
Nyx groaned.
"This is going to be a nightmare."
Lilith's wings folded comfortably behind her as she followed them toward the tunnel leading deeper into the spiral.
Her tail flicked playfully behind her.
"Relax."
She smiled brightly.
"I promise not to corrupt him too much."
Nyx muttered something under her breath.
Elias just sighed.
And together—
The three of them stepped deeper into the dungeon.