The wind howled as Aria and Mira approached the entrance of the ancient ruin. Hidden deep
within the forests east of the capital, it was a relic of a forgotten era—a crumbling monument of
jagged stone and twisting vines, shrouded in an aura of mystery. The discovery in the royal
archives had hinted at its significance, but the details had been cryptic at best.
Now, standing before its towering archway, the air felt heavier, laden with a magic that prickled
against their skin.
"This place feels... alive," Mira said, her voice barely audible over the rustling leaves.
Aria nodded, her glowing eyes scanning the intricate carvings etched into the stone. Symbols
she couldn't understand seemed to pulse faintly, as though responding to her presence. She
rested a hand against the archway and felt a jolt of energy course through her body.
Her mark burned.
"Aria, are you okay?" Mira asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Aria flinched, pulling her hand away from the stone. The burning subsided, but a lingering
warmth remained. "I'm fine," she said, though her voice betrayed her unease. "Let's move."
---
Descent into Shadows
The interior of the ruin was as foreboding as its exterior. Narrow corridors stretched endlessly,
their walls adorned with faded murals depicting battles, rituals, and figures cloaked in shadow.
The air was damp, and the faint scent of decay lingered in the stagnant atmosphere.
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Aria led the way, her senses heightened by the changes in her body. Every sound—every shift
in the air—was magnified, keeping her on edge.
As they delved deeper, the corridors opened into a vast chamber. At its center stood an ornate
pedestal, atop which rested a glowing orb. The light it emitted bathed the room in a soft,
ethereal glow, illuminating more of the strange carvings on the walls.
"This must be what the archives mentioned," Mira said, stepping closer to the pedestal. "But
what is it?"
Aria approached cautiously, her mark pulsing in rhythm with the orb's glow. "It feels... familiar,"
she murmured, reaching out tentatively.
The moment her fingers brushed the orb, a surge of energy erupted from it, throwing her
backward. Mira caught her before she hit the ground, but the force left her breathless.
"Aria!" Mira's voice was frantic.
"I'm fine," Aria managed, though her head throbbed. The orb's glow intensified, and a
voice—soft and melodic—filled the chamber.
---
The Voice of the Past
"Bearer of the mark," the voice said, resonating in Aria's mind. "You tread a path of destiny,
entwined with light and shadow. The hunger within you is both your strength and your burden.
Embrace it, or be consumed."
"What do you mean?" Aria demanded, forcing herself to stand. "Why was I brought here? Why
is this happening to me?"
The voice didn't answer directly. Instead, it spoke a single name: "The Matriarch must return to
the cradle of her kin—the land of demons."
The light of the orb dimmed, leaving the chamber bathed in shadow once more.
---
The Cost of Hunger
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As they exited the ruin, Aria's body felt heavy, her steps faltering. Mira noticed immediately,
rushing to her side.
"Aria, you're burning up," she said, placing a hand on her forehead.
"It's... the mark," Aria muttered, clutching her side. Her body ached, and a familiar hunger
gnawed at her insides, more intense than ever.
Mira hesitated, worry etched across her face. "We need to stop. You're not okay."
They found a small clearing nearby, where Aria collapsed against a tree. Her breaths came in
shallow gasps, and sweat beaded on her forehead.
"Aria," Mira said softly, kneeling beside her. "What can I do?"
"I don't know," Aria admitted, her voice trembling. The hunger was unbearable now, a relentless
force that demanded to be sated. She could feel her body changing—her senses sharpening,
her skin tingling with an unnatural energy.
And then she looked at Mira.
The realization hit her like a wave. The hunger wasn't just for food or rest—it was for vitality, the
essence of life. And Mira, glowing with the light of her own magic, was a beacon in the dark.
"Mira..." Aria's voice was strained, filled with desperation. "I—"
"You're starving," Mira said, understanding dawning on her face. She hesitated for only a
moment before taking Aria's hand. "Do it. Take what you need."
"No," Aria protested weakly. "I can't—"
"You have to," Mira insisted. "I'm not losing you, Aria."
---
An Unwanted Revelation
Aria gave in. She reached for Mira, her trembling hands gripping her shoulders. The energy
transfer was immediate—a rush of warmth and light that coursed through her, easing the ache
in her body and quelling the hunger.
But it wasn't just energy she felt. The connection between them deepened, emotions and
sensations flowing freely. Aria could feel Mira's concern, her resolve, and... something else.
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When it was over, Aria pulled back, her glowing eyes wide with guilt and shame. "Mira, I'm so
sorry. I didn't mean to—"
Mira silenced her with a gentle touch. "It's okay, Aria. I trust you."
But Aria didn't trust herself. She could feel the darkness growing within her, the mark's influence
becoming stronger with each passing day. And now, she knew it wasn't just her own life at
stake—Mira's was entwined with hers.
---
A Glimpse of the Truth
As they rested that night, Aria couldn't shake the voice's words from her mind. The Matriarch.
The land of demons.
She pulled out the book she had taken from the archives, flipping through its pages until she
found a passage about succubi:
"The Matriarch of the succubi is the source of their power, a being born of both light and
shadow. Her mark binds her to her kin, her body a vessel for their magic. But this power comes
at a cost—a hunger that can never be truly sated."
The words sent a chill down her spine. She looked at Mira, sleeping peacefully beside the fire,
and felt a pang of fear.
"I won't lose myself," Aria whispered to the night. But deep down, she wondered if the battle had
already begun.