Six Years Later
The sun hung high in the sky, casting golden rays over the vast clearing that had served as their training ground for years. A rhythmic whoosh echoed through the air as a black scythe cut gracefully through the wind, slicing invisible foes with precision.
Lycius moved like a phantom, his body an extension of the weapon. Every step he took was calculated, every movement seamlessly flowing into the next. His footwork was almost artistic, an intricate dance of destruction honed through six years of relentless training under Lana's guidance.
The scythe spun in his hands as he executed a perfect rotation, finishing with a downward slash that sent a gust of force rippling through the air. He held the position for a moment, exhaling softly, golden eyes sharp with satisfaction.
Nearby, a different kind of power stirred.
Vynessa sat cross-legged a few meters away, levitating a few inches off the ground. Her eyes were closed in deep meditation, her breathing steady. Around her, destructive magical particles pulsed in slow waves, shifting between volatile flares and gentle flickers of energy.
Her mastery over magic had evolved beyond anything Elizabeth had anticipated. The once raw, untamed power she had displayed in her early days was now controlled, refined. The energy surrounding her was laced with an almost sentient aggression, like a dragon resting beneath the surface, waiting for her command.
The two continued their training routine in silence, their bond no longer a mystery but a natural part of their existence. Lycius would always be aware of her presence, just as Vynessa instinctively adjusted her magic to his movements. It was seamless, unspoken, and absolute.
They trained until the sky turned shades of crimson, signaling the arrival of night.
---
The scent of roasted meat and fresh bread filled the cabin, a comforting aroma that had long signified the end of their exhausting days.
The family gathered around the table, as they always did. Lycius and Vynessa sat across from each other, still catching their breath from training. Elizabeth smirked as she poured herself a glass of wine. "Vynessa, I swear, you're just showing off at this point."
Vynessa smirked. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Lana chuckled before clearing her throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Before we start eating, I have something to announce."
Lycius arched a brow. "This sounds important."
Lana nodded, her expression growing serious. "It is. Elizabeth and I have made a decision. We've spent years in this forest, training, waiting. But it's time we move forward."
Elizabeth leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "We're leaving the forest. It's time to rebuild the Demon Kingdom."
Silence filled the room.
Then—
"Wait, what?" Vynessa's eyes widened.
Lycius tilted his head. "We're leaving?"
Lana's lips curled into a smirk. "That's right. We'll be traveling to the Desire Kingdom first. We have unfinished business there."
The weight of her words hung in the air.
For six years, the forest had been their home, their training ground, their safe haven. Now, they were finally stepping beyond its borders.
A new chapter was beginning.
And the world had no idea what was coming.
Vynessa's breath hitched.
Out of all the places they could've gone, it had to be there.
She sat frozen, staring at Lana as if the woman had just declared the end of the world. A sharp ringing filled her ears, drowning out the sounds of casual conversation around the table. The Desire Kingdom—the heart of the succubi, the place she had once called home, the place she had escaped from.
A sickening weight settled in her chest.
She hadn't been ready to face it. She had never thought she would have to face it, not this soon, not when she had finally found something close to peace.
Her grip tightened around the fork in her hand.
Lycius, seated across from her, was observing her carefully. His golden eyes narrowed slightly.
He didn't understand yet.
But he would.
Vynessa barely touched her food for the rest of the meal, her appetite drowned by the storm of emotions raging within her. Even as Lana and Elizabeth spoke about their plans, even as Lycius threw in the occasional question, her mind remained far away—back in the cold, empty halls of a palace she once roamed, back in the whispered words of hatred that followed her like a shadow.
She excused herself early, retreating to the shared bedroom, but sleep never came.
A while later, Lycius entered the room. The moment the door closed behind him, his expression shifted from neutral to concerned.
"You're distraught," he stated, voice low but firm.
Vynessa, lying in her bed with her back turned, flinched slightly. She should've expected this—Lycius always knew. Their bond made sure of it.
"…I'm fine," she muttered.
"You're lying."
Vynessa groaned into her pillow. "Of course, I'm lying! You think I'd be fine after hearing that?!"
Lycius sat on the edge of his bed, watching her. "So, it's about the Desire Kingdom."
She went rigid.
His gaze softened. "Tell me why."
Vynessa squeezed her eyes shut. Why was it so easy to talk to him? Why did she want to tell him everything, when she had kept this buried for so long? Maybe because he was the only person she could trust. The only one who had never looked at her with disgust.
She exhaled shakily. "Lycius… do you even know what I am?"
A flicker of confusion passed through his eyes. "You're Vynessa."
She let out a dry laugh. "That's not what I meant." She sat up, finally facing him. "My race, Lycius. Do you know what I am?"
He frowned slightly, thinking. "…I never really thought about it."
Vynessa stared at him for a moment before shaking her head. Of course, he hadn't. Lycius didn't care for such things. To him, she was simply Vynessa.
She sighed, looking down at her hands. "I'm a half-succubus, half-angel."
Silence.
Lycius blinked. "That's… rare."
She let out a bitter chuckle. "That's one way to put it." She looked up, expression unreadable. "My mother is a succubus queen, my father is an angel. Do you know what that means?"
"…That you're a mix of both."
She scoffed. "No. It means I was hated by both sides. Succubi despised me for my angelic traits, and my father's people never acknowledged me at all." Her fists clenched. "My own kingdom—the people who were supposed to be my subjects—treated me like filth. They never accepted me, never wanted me there."
Lycius listened in silence, his golden eyes unreadable.
Vynessa inhaled sharply. "And as if that wasn't enough, my parents—my own parents—never even looked at me. I was 'too untalented' in their eyes, all because I hadn't awakened my system yet."
Her voice wavered, but she forced out a bitter laugh. "They were so arrogant. They thought I was worthless just because my system didn't show itself early. But you and I both know the truth, Lycius. You've seen me train. You know what I'm capable of."
Lycius's expression darkened. "You're not untalented."
She let out a trembling breath. "I ran away because I had to. I couldn't stay in that place. I thought I'd never have to return."
A silence stretched between them.
Then, Lycius stood, walking toward her bed. Without a word, he sat down beside her.
Vynessa blinked at him. "…What?"
He met her gaze. "You're not going back alone."
She stared at him, her breath catching.
He didn't say more, but he didn't need to. The promise in his eyes was enough.
No matter what happened in the Desire Kingdom, no matter what she would face—Lycius would be there.
And for the first time since hearing their plan, the fear in her chest lessened, if only just a little.
Vynessa swallowed, still holding Lycius's gaze. His golden eyes remained steady, unwavering in their silent promise.
The tightness in her chest eased, just a little.
"…Thank you," she murmured, barely above a whisper.
Lycius didn't say anything. He simply leaned back on her bed, staring at the ceiling with an almost lazy expression. A comfortable silence settled between them, the weight of their earlier conversation no longer as suffocating.
After a moment, he turned his head toward her. "You should sleep."
Vynessa scoffed lightly. "You think I can after all that?"
A small smirk tugged at the corner of Lycius's lips. "Then I'll stay up with you."
She blinked at him before huffing, shaking her head. "Idiot."
Despite her words, the warmth in her tone betrayed her. And even though her fears hadn't disappeared, they didn't seem as overwhelming anymore.
Not when she wasn't alone.
Not when Lycius was here.
Eventually, with him by her side, she drifted into sleep.
---
Morning arrived swiftly. The forest cabin, once filled with the familiar routine of training and small talk, now buzzed with an air of anticipation. Today, they were leaving the only home Lycius had ever known.
Lana and Elizabeth stood outside, the morning breeze rustling their dark cloaks.
Lycius and Vynessa approached, their footsteps light yet hesitant.
Elizabeth turned to face them with a small smile. "Are you ready?"
Lycius simply nodded, but Vynessa hesitated for a moment before exhaling. "I guess I have to be."
Lana, arms crossed, eyed them both. "This will be your first time in civilization. Do not cause trouble."
Vynessa and Lycius exchanged a look before both shrugged at the same time.
Lana pinched the bridge of her nose.
Elizabeth chuckled, lifting her hand. "Then let's not waste time."
A surge of power rippled through the air. Vynessa felt the mana pressure shift—dense, controlled, and impossibly strong.
Elizabeth's fingertips glowed, and the space before them distorted. In the blink of an eye, reality twisted, bending into a spiraling vortex of shimmering dark-purple light. The teleportation gate opened, a swirling portal vast enough to engulf them all.
The family stepped forward, engulfed by its pull.
---
The Desire Kingdom—The Heart of the Succubi
The moment they emerged, the atmosphere shifted.
Vynessa inhaled sharply.
The Desire Kingdom.
A vast city unfolded before them, a land carved from twilight and bathed in a perpetual deep crimson glow. Tall obsidian towers stretched into the sky, adorned with swirling runes that pulsed faintly with enchantments. Streets paved with shimmering blackstone reflected the ever-present ember-lit torches, casting a dim yet seductive glow upon the roads.
The air was thick—sweet yet intoxicating, carrying a scent reminiscent of exotic spices and something… unnameable. It wrapped around the senses like a lover's embrace, warm and enticing, urging indulgence.
All around, elegant figures moved with predatory grace. Succubi and incubi, their beauty otherworldly, roamed the streets in luxurious silks and fine jewelry that shimmered under the eternal dusk. Some bore wings of midnight, others had horns curling from their heads—each a masterpiece of allure and power.
At the heart of the kingdom stood an enormous palace, sculpted from dark crystal. It loomed over the city with an ethereal beauty, its spires resembling reaching claws of obsidian. At its gates, banners of deep violet silk hung proudly, embroidered with golden patterns—the symbol of the Succubi Royalty.
Vynessa's heart pounded.
She had once walked these streets. Had once stood within those halls.
Now, she was returning—not as the weak, forgotten princess they had cast aside, but as something more.
Lycius stood beside her, arms crossed, golden eyes scanning the city with mild curiosity. He glanced at her, sensing the storm of emotions within.
She took a deep breath, straightening her posture.
No turning back now.
The past awaited.
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