Cold, bitter eyes bored into Cobalt as he stood shaking like a spring leaf in front of the entrance to the Phrodival Undercroft. Before him, Cherry Lattess stood clutching a clipboard, never wavering. He could feel his heart pound with fear at the mere sight of her, and yet he couldn’t fathom why. Cherry Lattess was… she… she was…

She was his friend, right? A long time ago when they were kids, weren’t they inseparable? Always paired together, lauded as gifted, always playing at each other’s houses…. Why was his memory so hazy? Why couldn’t he properly recall anything about her – not even her existence – up until now? Cobalt barely realised it, but before her name was suddenly thrust into his mind all those months ago, the very concept of Cherry Lattess just… didn’t exist.

And yet, the way she glared at him… The huge burn scar on the side of her face… The moment he saw her, he knew who she was. Even though he could have sworn he had never seen her before in his life.

Unless… Unless he did, but…

Why…?

Why could he remember two things where one memory ought to be…?

“Are you alright, dear?” Felicity Fesser asked as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

She sounded so far away. His world seemed to ebb and swirl all around him, the only focused constant being Cherry’s accusatory stare. Not even Karazelle or Lilith could get through to him; Cobalt felt completely paralysed, frozen in place by this woman he knew, yet did not know.

Glancing down at her clipboard, Cherry clucked her tongue and wrote something down.

“…Is this a joke?” she grumbled in an irritated tone, turning her eyes away.

Staggering back, Cobalt gasped for breath as he felt his entire body struggle to remain calm. Karazelle grabbed his arm in an effort to keep him upright, while his grandmother looked on with a look of concern.

“Are you alright? You don’t look too good, dear,” she murmured, placing her hand against his forehead.

The Incubus pushed them away and stumbled to his feet, doing his best to regain his composure. He couldn’t back out now, not after all he had to do to psyche himself up for this. Forgotten childhood friend or no, he had to get into the Undercroft.

He had a plan. It was reckless and stupid, but even if it only had the slimmest chance that he’d get some answers, he had to take it.

“I- I’m fine,” Cobalt stuttered, choking down the inexplicable fear gripping his body.

Noticing his frayed state, Karazelle patted his shoulder and stepped in, brashly offering Cherry a hand and shielding her teacher from her gaze.

“Hey there, Cherry, right? I’m Karazelle. Sorry for bunking in your bed,” she said, placing her other hand upon her hip.

The security chief just glared at her, not bothering to reciprocate the handshake.

“Spend most nights down under anyway. Still not answering my question; is this a fucking joke?”

“Cherry! What did I tell you about that kind of language?!” Felicity snapped, glaring daggers at the Undercroft employee.

Sighing, she rolled her eyes and checked something off on her clipboard before handing a pair of little cards to Karazelle.

“Passes. Keep them on hand. If you get caught without one you will be taken in for psychflensing.”

“No, they won’t! Cherry, stop trying to scare them!”

“What’s psychflensing?” Karazelle asked with a raised eyebrow.

The Matriarch gave her an apologetic smile.

“N- Nothing you need worry about, dear, just a little joke.”

Clearing her throat, she adjusted herself and stood up straight.

“Right then, can I count on you to give these two a proper tour?” she asked, turning back to Cherry.

The security chief narrowed her eyes.

“What?”

“Oh please, don’t be so brusque, Cherry! This is important; consider it a personal favour.”

She turned her burning gaze back onto Cobalt. He swore he could feel flames lick his skin with every second she spent staring him down.

“… Fine. But don’t expect those cell evaluations to be finished before Monday,” Cherry sighed, folding her arms.

“Thank you, dear!”

Holding Cobalt by the shoulders, his grandmother gave him a kiss on the cheek and a quick hug.

“Have fun, you two! I’ll collect you both in the evening, okay?”

“Okay…” the Incubus murmured.

“Okay! Thank you, Miss Fesser!”

“Any time, dear! Now go on; enjoy yourselves!”

With an excited wave, she trotted off back towards the docks, leaving her guests alone with the surly security chief. Cherry just stood and glared at them both before she sharply turned on her heel and marched into the building.

“Follow me. Don’t hang around; this is a tight ship,” she called over her shoulder.

Karazelle tugged on Cobalt’s arm. She was buzzing with excitement.

“C’mon, sugar,” she said in an encouraging tone.

“R- Right…”

Together, they followed Cherry inside. Within was a bare warehouse, containing little more than a few supply crates. The most eye-catching feature, however, was the massive elevator platform dominating the very centre of the chamber, built from wood and banded iron. Huge spools of chains hung above them, and Cherry stood at the edge of the platform, impatiently gripping a wooden lever.

“Get on,” she sighed, tapping her foot.

They obliged her, whereupon she jerked the lever downwards, causing the entire construct to shudder. As the chain links unspooled far above them, the platform began to lower into a crossbeamed shaft, creaking and groaning with every foot it descended.

“So,” Karazelle began, likely in an effort to break the silence, “what’s it like working underground?”

Cherry glanced at her.

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“Stuffy. You get used to it.”

“I see. Work here long?”

“Two years, going on three. I’m holding this position for a friend. She’s off on a pilgrimage at the minute.”

“Do you like it?”

Cherry narrowed her eyes.

“Mostly.”

“Get many problems?”

“Sometimes.”

“Is that how you got that scar?”

She turned and glared at Karazelle, causing Cobalt’s entire body to break out into cold sweat. But his student didn’t waver; she kept gawking at the security chief, stalwart in her incessant questioning.

“… Something like that,” Cherry eventually answered, hissing her words through her teeth.

The elevator continued to descend. The air around them grew warmer as the light from above faded, replaced instead by dim chemical lamps set into the walls of the shaft. The braced walls soon gave way to smooth stone, warped by millennia-old heat from the meteor impact.

The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Cobalt wanted to say – do – something, but he simply… couldn’t.

“Your turn,” Cherry suddenly said, glancing over at Karazelle.

“Seems fair. Shoot,” she responded, as bold as brass.

“Who the Hell are you?”

“Karazelle, like I said. Karazelle Terna.”

“I didn’t mean your name.”

“Oh, I’m one of Cobalt’s students. His best student, actually,” she laughed, linking arms with the Incubus.

Cherry turned her gaze onto him.

“You’re a teacher?” she asked, sounding genuinely confused.

“I… yes. Yes I am,” Cobalt answered.

“One of the best,” Karazelle added.

Cherry’s eyes glinted as she glanced down at the amulet around her neck.

“You don’t just hand those out to friends. Not even best friends. Or best students. Have to be something more.”

She fixed Karazelle with a stare that could cut through steel.

“Are you something more?” she asked in a quiet, yet seething tone.

“… Something like that,” Karazelle responded, as cool as ever.

The walls turned to sleek, meteoric iron as the heat increased, forcing Cobalt to loosen his tie and undo a few buttons on his shirt. They were nearing the bottom of the shaft, and the entrance to the topmost layer of the Undercroft.

“You stick close to me while we’re here. Observe, take your notes or whatever, but don’t interfere with anything or anyone. This is a sacred place to most,” Cherry explained, tucking her clipboard underneath her arm.

“You’re the boss,” Karazelle retorted cleanly.

She slipped her hand into Cobalt’s and gave it a reassuring squeeze. She could feel his apprehension.

The elevator finally came to a stop in the middle of a grand central chamber, the sight of which took away Karazelle’s breath. The walls had been carved to resemble the interior of a temple, and massive lovingly crafted statues lined them, each set into a dedicated alcove. Chandeliers laden with violet chemical lamps hung from the ceiling, bathing everything in a lascivious glow. All around them, Succubi dressed in black robes bustled to and fro, the ornateness of their raiments signifying their rank in the Fesserite order. A few non-robed women were about; likely regular citizens of Phrodival availing of the Undercroft’s services.

As his student gaped at her surroundings, Cobalt squinted at the statues, each depicting a notable member of Lady Fesser’s lineage. There was a massive depiction of the woman herself at the far end of the chamber, but his gaze settled on a statue tucked away in an alcove far to his left. It depicted a Succubus dressed in a long coat and thick gloves, in contrast to the dresses and robes worn by all the others.

Cordelia Fesser. Cobalt swallowed hard and reflexively ran a hand across his pocket where he stashed the syringe case.

“This… This place is beautiful…” Karazelle breathed as she stepped off the elevator.

“Don’t touch anything,” Cherry reminded her, checking her clipboard.

“I wasn’t gonna!”

“Mm. Follow me. Don’t lag behind, and listen up, otherwise this will be a waste of everyone’s time.”

With that, she hurtled off down a side hall, forcing Karazelle to practically drag Cobalt along behind her in order to keep up. The tour that Cherry gave wasn’t particularly friendly, but he had to commend her thorough knowledge. She took them to the various chambers and antechambers of the Undercroft’s upper layers, explaining the function and purpose of each with practiced efficiency. Meditation chambers, shrines, record rooms detailing the stories and legends of Lady Fesser, alchemical relaxant dens, consulting offices, baths, and many, many locked doors that purportedly led to cushioned rooms reserved for some of the more intimate Fesserite rituals. Cherry refused to elaborate just what went on inside – much to Karazelle’s annoyance – but the heavy panting and moaning that could be heard from beyond left very little to the imagination.

Every time they had to pass through a door, Cherry unlocked them with the same iron key hanging from her belt. It must have been a master of some kind.

They passed many Fesserites as they passed, and each greeted Karazelle with friendly waves, only for their eyes to widen at the sight of her companion.

Cobalt’s name was well-known. Many Incubi entered the Undercroft. Very few stormed right back out.

“This is the fatiguery,” their guide yawned, bringing them to the entrance to another area of the Undercroft.

Within was a large, steamy chamber filled with small pools of hot water, heated slabs, and tables upon which robed masseurs performed their work.

“The what?” Karazelle asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Folks come here when their bodies are giving them grief. Soaking, deep-heat treatment, massages; it all helps. Lady Fesser believed in a healthy body, mind and soul.”

Cherry took a second to think.

“Here, tell them I sent you,” she suddenly said, pushing Karazelle inside.

She stumbled across the threshold, drawing the gaze of some of the masseurs inside.

“W- Wait, you said not to interfere!”

“You look tired. Go.”

Karazelle tried to argue, but a pair of robed Succubi suddenly swept over to her, engaging in zealous conversation as they bustled her over to one of the tables. Left alone with Cherry, Cobalt felt his heartrate rapidly increase, but as he tried to discreetly glance at her, she swiftly grabbed him by the throat and pinned him to the wall. Her clipboard clattered to the floor as she raised her fist to punch him.

He screwed his eyes shut and braced himself for impact. But it never came. Cracking an eye open, he saw Cherry’s fist hovering right in front of his face.

“… Who are you?” she asked in a low voice.

“Wh- What…?” the Incubus stammered.

“I asked who the Hell you are.”

“C- Cobalt.”

“No,” she snapped, shaking her head, “you’re not. Cobalt would have fought back.”

Cobalt cocked his head, confused.

“I don’t understand.”

“Cobalt was a fighter to the bone. He was un-fucking-tameable. And most importantly, he was Incupsychotic,” she hissed.

He just stared at her, eyes wide with confusion.

“Cherry… it’s me…”

She shook her head with disbelief. The look in her eyes… it was like she was trying to convince herself of something contrary to what she was seeing.

“No. Saw you get hauled off right in front of my eyes, bound for the cells. There’s no coming back from that. Hell, you’re still just a fucking kid; that doesn’t… make sense.”

“I- I have Everlast Syndrome, Cherry.”

“Bullshit! You can look and sound like Cobalt, but this… you couldn’t have turned into this. You were a mad dog, Cobalt! My mad dog! And now look at you! Just a fucking… lamb of a man!”

She let go of his throat, allowing him to crumple to the floor. Coughing a little, he looked up to see her eyes ablaze.

“Ch- Cherry, please; I don’t understand. What are you talking about?” he asked, rubbing his neck.

She took a deep, shuddering breath.

“… You don’t remember. You-”

Her breath caught in her throat.

“Of course. You don’t remember,” she repeated in a dour tone, straightening her back.

“Wh- What? What don’t I remember?!” Cobalt cried, clambering to his feet.

She shook her head.

“We were friends, right?! S- Since we were kids, and then… and then I moved and… in third-year-”

Cherry suddenly scoffed.

“Third-year. What a fucking disaster.”

“I- I... I can’t remember anything. Why not…?”

She shook her head again.

“Forget about it. It’s better like this. For you, if no-one else.”

Baring his teeth from the frustration, Cobalt suddenly grabbed Cherry’s shoulders.

“Dammit, tell me! What the Hell happened that I can’t remember?!”

“Let go!”

“Tell me Cherry!”

“You fucked up my face, now let me go!”

Shoving him away, Cherry planted her foot against Cobalt’s chest and kicked him to the floor. In a desperate bid to keep his grip, his claws tore through the leather of her belt, causing her iron master key to clatter to the ground alongside him. As they both recovered from the struggle, a moment of tense silence passed as they noticed the dropped key at the same time.

“Don’t-” breathed Cherry.

She reached for it, but he beat her to the punch. Diving for the key, Cobalt skidded past the security chief and scrambled to his feet.

“Tell Karazelle I’ll be back soon,” he breathed before he suddenly took off down the hall, his footfalls echoing off the metallic walls.

“Cobalt! You get the fuck back here!”

He didn’t heed her words.

Panting for breath, Cobalt took off down the hall, towards his destination. It had been a long time since he had been to the Undercroft, but he knew its layout well enough to know that there would be an elevator at the junction where this hall met the corridor leading to the alchemy labs. He barged past startled Fesserites as he ran, but didn’t dare slow down to apologise. He could hear Cherry charging after him, yelling for her fellow security personnel to raise an alarm.

Spotting locked cage door to the elevator, he jammed the key into the lock and threw himself inside, slamming it shut right as Cherry crashed against it.

“What the Hell do you think you’re doing?!” she growled, pulling at the door fruitlessly.

Taking a step away, he placed his hand upon the lever.

“I… I’m not really sure. But I’ll figure it out.”

“This is your one chance to quit this shit right now. Because if I have to chase you all the way downstairs, I swear to all that burns that I’m gonna-!”

The Incubus pulled the lever.

“I- It was nice seeing you, Cherry.”

His stomach lurched as the lift suddenly plummeted, plunging him into darkness.