The hallway was dimly lit, the flickering torchlight casting long, wavering shadows across the
stone walls. Aria's senses were sharper than ever, her skin prickling as she felt the faint
presence of something—or someone—lurking just beyond her sight.
Mira tightened her grip on her sword, her eyes scanning the corridor. "We're being followed,"
she whispered, her voice low but steady.
Aria nodded, her body tense. The mark on her chest pulsed faintly, a warning she had come to
recognize. Her hunger gnawed at her, clouding her focus, but she forced herself to push it
aside.
The sound of footsteps grew louder, echoing in the empty hall. A shadow shifted at the edge of
their vision, and then another.
"We can't fight here," Aria whispered. "We're too exposed."
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Mira glanced around, her expression grim. "We need to find cover."
Aria's gaze darted to a side passage, the narrow corridor leading into the deeper recesses of
the castle. "There," she said, tugging Mira's arm.
The two of them slipped into the passage, their steps light and deliberate. The air grew colder
as they descended, the walls narrowing around them. It was quieter here, the distant hum of the
castle muffled by the thick stone.
But the shadows followed.
---
A Sudden Ambush
Before they could react, figures emerged from the darkness. Cloaked in black and moving with
inhuman speed, their attackers struck without warning.
Mira drew her sword in a flash, the blade gleaming in the dim light. She parried the first strike,
the clash of steel ringing out. Aria stepped back, her magic surging instinctively to her hands.
One of the cloaked figures lunged at her, a dagger aimed for her throat. Aria dodged, her
reflexes heightened by the changes in her body. With a burst of energy, she unleashed a wave
of magic, the force sending her attacker crashing into the wall.
But there were too many of them.
Mira was surrounded, her movements swift and precise as she fought off their attackers. Aria
joined her, their backs pressed together as they defended themselves.
"They're not normal," Mira hissed, her sword cutting through the air. "Their strength—it's
unnatural."
Aria could feel it too. The dark energy that radiated from their attackers was suffocating, like a
black fog clouding her mind.
She summoned more magic, her body trembling with the effort. But as she prepared to unleash
another spell, a sharp pain shot through her chest. The mark burned fiercely, the heat searing
through her skin.
Her vision blurred, and for a moment, she faltered.
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"Aria!" Mira's voice snapped her back to reality.
---
The Succubus Returns
Before their attackers could strike again, the air shifted. A sultry, otherworldly voice echoed
through the corridor, dripping with amusement.
"Now, now," the voice purred. "Is this any way to treat my precious child?"
The attackers froze, their movements halting as if controlled by an unseen force.
From the shadows, she emerged—the succubus who had marked Aria before. Her presence
was overwhelming, her beauty as intoxicating as it was terrifying. Her crimson eyes gleamed,
and a smirk played on her lips.
Aria's knees nearly buckled at the sight of her. The hunger inside her roared to life, stronger
than ever.
The succubus raised a hand, her fingers curling lazily. The attackers crumpled to the ground,
their bodies limp. "Insects," she said, her tone dismissive. "They don't know their place."
She turned her gaze to Aria, her smirk widening. "And you, my dear... You've grown more
radiant since we last met. The mark suits you."
Aria swallowed hard, her heart pounding. "Why are you here?"
The succubus tilted her head, her expression playful. "To protect what's mine, of course."
"I'm not yours," Aria said, her voice trembling with defiance.
The succubus chuckled, the sound low and melodic. "Oh, but you are. The mark I placed on you
is proof of that. You may deny it now, but in time, you'll understand."
She stepped closer, her presence suffocating. Mira moved to intercept her, but the succubus
waved her hand, and Mira was thrown against the wall, pinned by an invisible force.
"Do not interfere, little knight," the succubus said, her tone sharp. "This is between me and her."
Aria's body trembled as the succubus reached out, her fingers brushing against the mark on her
chest. The touch sent a jolt of energy through her, both intoxicating and terrifying.
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"You're changing, Aria," the succubus murmured. "You've felt it, haven't you? The hunger, the
power, the desire... It's only the beginning."
Aria clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. "What do you want from me?"
The succubus leaned in, her lips brushing against Aria's ear. "I want you to embrace who you
are. To grow strong. To come to me when you're ready to learn the truth."
She stepped back, her smirk returning. "Until then, my dear, take care of yourself. And
remember—your hunger cannot be ignored forever."
With that, she vanished, her form dissolving into the shadows.
---
The Aftermath
Mira slumped to the ground as the invisible force holding her was released. She scrambled to
her feet, rushing to Aria's side.
"Are you alright?" Mira asked, her voice laced with concern.
Aria nodded, though her body trembled. The succubus's words echoed in her mind, her touch
lingering like a brand.
"We need to leave," Aria said, her voice firm despite the turmoil inside her.
As they made their way out of the castle, Aria couldn't shake the feeling that her transformation
was far from over. The hunger clawed at her, more relentless than ever, and the mark on her
chest seemed to pulse with a life of its own.
The succubus's parting words lingered in her mind: Your hunger cannot be ignored forever.
She clenched her fists, determination burning in her eyes. Whatever lay ahead, she would face
it. But deep down, she knew that her journey was only beginning—and the darkness within her
was growing stronger.