The biting wind that blew through the Grand Hall whispered that winter was closing in. The robes favored by the residents of the Hall were supplemented with heavy cloaks lined with fur or thick underclothes, but even the extra layers couldn’t keep the casters warm without the presence of the sun, something Orphelia could attest to.

Orphelia Yemen stood outside the Gold Dorm in the pre-dawn gloom, blowing on her cold hands and contemplating her life choices. One could say that she was doomed from the start. Born with the coveted light affinity and no one to shield her from the interests of greedy men, she was sentenced to live her life in the dark. A fate that she had protested at first but since accepted.

Humans’ greatest strength was their ability to adapt. After years of harsh training, she no longer felt quiet horror when someone died and was numb to the suffering she witnessed, endured, and caused. Lives became a currency with which she would buy a better future. She embraced the world that existed beside the one most people inhabited, a place rife with danger and intrigue. Her callous disregard of others and familiarity with cruelty provided ample defense against the stressful circumstances of her life but her ‘armor’ had its own flaws.

Only now, forced to evaluate herself frankly, could she admit that she never truly discarded the life that could have been. The pride that should have been hers for being born with the revered light affinity and a noble had been twisted into the pride of a wolf that walked amongst ignorant sheep. How could she not see herself as better than people she knew she could kill with casual ease? How could she not look down on people who had no idea that the lives they took pride in could be destroyed by the words of truly powerful people?

She contented herself with the knowledge that although she had been denied a happy childhood and lived a life where one wrong move could see her killed, at least she was not one of them. The foolish idiots shepherded by the rich like cattle. The weak who could do nothing to defend themselves and had to fear traveling between cities less they fall prey to bandits or hungry manabeasts. Today, she suffered and toiled, but tomorrow, she would be one of the people who mattered.

How humbling it was to realize that she was not one of the chosen. That there existed no difference between her and the people she despised. That, perhaps, they were to be envied as their ignorance of the true chosen, the monsters that existed beyond their continent, beyond their realm, was true bliss.

The steady clomps of horse hooves brought her out of her reflection, drawing her attention to an approaching carriage. An extensive education of all the noble houses of Harvest had been a crucial part of her training. Information without context cold do more harm than good. So, although she had never seen the combination of purple, white, gold, and green on any house’s crest, she quickly recognized the image of an open book over a circle. The crest of the Tome family, a family of little renown. Yet, seeing that crest made her shiver as she knew who it heralded.

The carriage rolled to a smooth stop before her. The man on the driver’s bench turned coal black eyes with puffy black bags beneath them on her, the gaze startlingly apathetic. If she weren’t standing right in front of him, she’d think he was staring at dirt. She had shown her victims more regard than the young man gave her in the brief moment their gazes met before he turned away, jaw popping in a wide yawn.

The door opened. Taking a deep breath that did nothing to steady her nerves, Orphelia slowly walked toward the carriage, climbing inside. The shutters of the singular window were closed but a small red flame hovered in the corner of the carriage, giving the space a glow similar to candlelight.

Seated on one of the benches was the creature responsible for her anxiety and self-reflection. At first glance, the feminine figure inspired the opposite of fear, despite her otherness. Her gray skin held a youthful vibrancy despite its pallor. Long, black hair the envy of even the most beautiful women fell to her lower back in a shiny wave that begged viewers to run their fingers through it. The tiny black horns and her dainty hooves added a unique charm rather than detracted from her appearance. The finishing touch were her rose pink eyes, as beautiful as they were alien.

Orphelia gazed upon her tormentor and hated the admiration that she felt. She managed to keep her face neutral as she took a seat on the opposite bench, but it was an empty victory. Her facial control meant nothing as the creature was in her mind. No feeling gave it away, but the succubus had already proved that her lack of perception would not shield her.

“Orphie~” she crooned. A black tail with a leaf-shaped tip waved in front of her. “You were early. It must have been dreadful standing outside in the cold.”

Orphelia held her tongue. They both knew she didn’t dare make the creature wait even a moment. The remaining shreds of her pride made her hesitate to voice such a submission and it was a bitter feeling knowing that the succubus ‘heard’ it anyway.

“I suppose you’re wondering why I called you here.”

“No.”

“Hm?”

She swallowed as the pink eyes narrowed and the warm smile gained a cruel edge. Despite her trepidation, Orphelia continued. She had questions, questions she had been pondering for days, and her future depended on the answers. “I want to know what you are.”

“You know what I am. A succubus contracted to Lourianne Tome.”

“Then tell me who you are.” Because you are more than a servant.

“Isn’t it a little late in our relationship for introductions?” The succubus giggled. “Oh, well. I suppose I can indulge you.” She bowed her head. “Nice to meet you, I am Geo, a circle four thrall from Burning Earth. There, your turn.”

“…don’t play games with me.”

The succubus’ smile faded. “Everything is a game, my foolish blade,” the creature spoke gravely. “The only difference is whether you are powerful enough to be a player as opposed to a piece. I could tease you for longer, but we are on a schedule, so I’ll cut to it. I can give you the answer you seek but there will be a cost.”

“…what?”

“No need to look so apprehensive! It would be rather counterproductive for me to harm you. The cost is simply your memory. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the opportunity to shield your mind from the bumbling casters of this kingdom and it is not information I want escaping. I will give you your answer, but I shall take the knowledge from you.”

Orphelia frowned. “Isn’t it rather pointless then?”

“I only said I would take the information. You will remember you asked and you will remember what the response made you feel, but the exact words will escape you. More than enough for your purpose.”

Knowing that her inner thoughts may as well be written on her face before the creature unnerved Orphelia in a way she’d never experienced before. The succubus’ knowing smile terrified her, filled her with a unique helplessness. At the same time, there was an element of disbelief. A part of her that refused to believe the privacy of her mind could be penetrated so easily. It made every intrusion feel like the first time.

“Well? Do you want your answers?”

“Yes.”

The succubus giggled as the end of her tail touched Orphelia’s forehead. “Ask whatever questions you like.”

“Who are you?”

For the first time, Orphelia felt a sensation like a thousand ants crawling along her skin as the succubus’ mana invaded her body, concentrating on her skull. “I have adopted many names, the most recent of which being Geo, the docile thrall of a lecherous summoner. However, the most recognizable of these names for the inhabitants of this plane would be Geneva, the Crimson Flame. Circle seven don, one of the rulers of Burning Earth.”

Having little knowledge in the realm of summoning, the name and description meant nothing to her. “How powerful are you?”

“Haven’t you witnessed it for yourself?”

Orphelia shivered as she recalled how easily the succubus had manipulated her and everyone around her. “What you can do is impressive, but it basically amounts to parlor tricks. Someone will catch onto your game eventually. I want to know what you will do when a dozen royal knights kick down your summoner’s door.”

She shook her head. “Primitive races and their obsession with brute strength. Very well.”

Suddenly, the carriage disappeared and Orphelia found herself hovering over a strange land. A place of blackened earth and smoky skies. From her position, the many fissures in the ground looked like cracks in a shattered pane of glass, the lines glowing with yellow-orange material that flowed like the waters of a river, plumes of smoke rising from them. She couldn’t feel her body but that didn’t stop her from feeling the unbearable heat or nearly choking on the cloying smoke.

With no thought of her own, her attention was pulled in another direction. A titan of pulsing red flesh moved over the barren land. Orphelia didn’t have the words to describe the creature. The largest thing she’d ever seen was the Summer Palace, its tallest spires dwarfing the surrounding city.

This thing dwarfed them. She could stack a dozen palaces on top of one another and it still wouldn’t come close to the thing’s height, not to mention its girth. It was like watching a mountain made of flesh move. The sight was as awe-inspiring as it was nauseating and horrifying.

As she watched, the red mountain began to undulate. The flesh moved, twisting and distorting in a way that hurt to watch. She watched it fold and roll, gradually shrinking. It extended a long tendril and a drop of red matter fell from it, though a drop from a mountain was still the size of a building. That piece folded on itself, until it became the size of a person. Then, it changed. Ash gray skin. Small horns and dainty hooves. Pink eyes and a knowing smile.

The vision broke and Orphelia was back in the carriage, staring at the creature. She could feel her body once more but remained frozen, paralyzed by shock and fear.

The succubus, and Orphelia had a whole new appreciation for what that word represented, chuckled. “How rude. A lady has just undressed before you and you can’t even spare her a compliment.”

“Y…you…” She swallowed, pushing through her roiling emotions and organizing her chaotic thoughts. “Are you…that thing’s child?”

Geneva chuckled. “Humans. I’ve found that you all have such limited perspective. Something even my summoner suffers from. No, my pretty blade. I am that thing.” She laughed at Orphelia’s dropped jaw. “I have lived for millennia, traversing multiple realms and building my power. Do you really think all that effort would amount to this paltry form and a mere coefficient of a thousand? That would be rather embarrassing.”

“How…”

“What do your casters call it? Organic construction. I took a piece of myself and constructed a vessel to answer the summoning in my place, with enough knowledge and power to suitably impress the summoners of this realm. The ‘drop’ is like the drone of a beehive. It accepts the contract in my stead. Once it lives out its contract, it returns to me and I reabsorb it, taking its knowledge and the power it has accumulated. Though, I may have miscalculated in regard to this realm. My summoner is a bit too capable to be corralled by the vessel constructed for her.”

Orphelia sat stock still as she absorbed the information given to her. Then she put her head against the wall and closed her eyes. “We’re all royally fucked.”

Geneva’s tail whipped back and forth in amusement. “Of course. The moment I accepted the contract to a human summoner, your leaders were destined to be toppled. The more resources I provide my summoner, the faster she grows, which means the faster I grow. I have done it many times to races far more impressive than balding monkeys. Do you understand, Orphie? There is nothing you can do to stop what is coming. It is only a question of whether you will be behind me or before me. And those who stand before me will be trampled.”

Orphelia nodded weakly. She thought she knew the meaning of the word futile. Another word the succubus had redefined.

“Do you have any other questions?”

She shook her head.

“Then it is time to forget~”

The unnerving feeling of invading mana assaulted her and then the succubus pulled back her tail. Orphelia frowned, as she felt the same. No pain, no confusion. At first, she thought the spell had failed but when she tried to recall the…she couldn’t remember what she wanted to recall.

Whenever she thought about the last few minutes, nothing came to mind but a lingering dread. When she looked at the smiling succubus, the creature invoked muted horror and fear, fear even more profound than her memories of being a little girl facing trained killers.

“What excellent timing. We’ve arrived at our destination.”