Fenrin spent the next hour or so answering Aylin's questions about the new stronghold. There seemed to be no end to the mage's inquiries. She asked about everything from the exact timing of its appearance to the rate at which monsters emerged from its halls, and even interrogated him regarding changes in local weather patterns and the general health of the forest. Jade wasn't sure what she was getting out of the answers, but Aylin studiously noted down every response, often asking follow-up questions. It was a little comforting to have someone around who knew what she was doing, and Jade was again glad that Aylin had joined them.

Siora and Seldrin left partway through the questioning, explaining that they had to let their parents know that Siora had safely returned home. They departed, with Siora promising to visit them in the morning.

"This is an exciting opportunity." Aylin said, after her supply of questions had finally been exhausted.

"What do you mean?" Naomi asked.

"Strongholds are difficult to find, and we have little data on what goes on in their developmental stages." The half-elf explained, not looking up from her notebook. "This is a rare chance to gather information on the mechanisms behind their formation."

"That's all well and good." Fenrin said, rubbing his temples. He was sitting beside Jade now and looked exhausted. "But people are missing and in danger. Our first priority is rescuing them."

"Of course." Aylin replied coolly, closing her notebook and looking up at last. "We should embark as soon as possible. Tomorrow afternoon at the latest. If my analysis is correct, the stronghold's strength is already approaching 'C' rank. It shouldn't be possible for monsters or dungeons on the second floor to cross that threshold, but with all the anomalies that have been reported recently, we shouldn't rule anything out."

"What exactly is 'C rank'?" Luis asked. He was sipping on a bubbling orange drink. Jade had no idea where he'd gotten it from, but the man had a knack for tracking down anything edible. Whatever it was, it looked good. "I know it’s some way of measuring the power of spells and all that, but what does it actually mean?"

"Without getting into too many details, the different ranks are simply various thresholds of the quality and energy density of mana." Aylin explained. "The higher the rank, the better the mana quality, and the more power a given amount holds. People and monsters capable of channeling high grade mana can produce more potent magical effects, and are usually more dangerous."

"The way the Labyrinth measures power, C-rank begins at level 20." Fenrin added, reiterating something Damos had once mentioned to them in one of their many talks. He turned his attention back to Aylin, brow creased in concern. "You really think it could get that powerful?"

"We can't rule anything out. The Mystic Order would gain much from studying the progression of this stronghold. Unfortunately, a 'wait and see' approach would probably not end well for the people of this village." Aylin sighed heavily. "So it would be prudent to destroy it now, as much as it pains me to forego the opportunity."

"Very generous of you." Fenrin said dryly, standing up. "Very well, I will make preparations and see to it that everyone is adequately equipped. We'll meet at midday at the ground level."

"We'll be there." Luis said, draining his drink and giving him a thumbs up.

"Before you go." Jade said, standing up as well. "There's something you should know."

"What's that?"

Everyone was looking at Jade now, which made her uncomfortable.

You'd think all those years in the spotlight would've acclimated me to attention.

Somehow, it never had.

"I'm not what I look like."

"I… don't know what you mean by that." Fenrin said, sounding confused. The bird on his shoulder, Mirella, cocked her head inquisitively.

"Jade, don't be cryptic." Naomi rolled her eyes. "It doesn't suit you."

"Yeah, you're better at the 'brute force' approach." Luis agreed.

"I'm not sure I like the image everyone has of me…"

"It's part of your charm." Naomi grinned at her.

"I'll take your word for it." Jade said skeptically. But her friends were right, best to just rip off the band aid. She turned back to Fenrin, who was watching the exchange with some amusement.

"I took a race change when I became a wayfarer." She explained. "We come from a human world, but I'm a demon now. I don't want that to be a surprise."

To emphasize her statement Jade shifted into her succubus form. She took a few moments to explain the circumstances of her transformation. To her surprise, Fenrin appeared unfazed.

"I appreciate you telling me this, Jade." He said, curiously looking her new form up and down. "It's a bit of a surprise, but I'll make sure no one on the team gives you any trouble."

That… was a lot easier than Jade thought it was going to be. Her confusion must have shown on her face, because Fenrin smiled at her.

"I'm used to not fitting in because of what I am and am not so foolish as to judge you on that alone." Fenrin gestured at his slightly tapered ears. They weren't so pointed as those of elves, nor as round as a human's. Out of the corner of her eye, Jade noticed Aylin look away, embarassed. "The measure of a person lies in what they do, not what they look like. You brought Siora home and offered to help with a dangerous mission to protect this town, that's enough for me."

Mirella chirped, flapping over and landing on one of Jade's horns. The bird was surprisingly heavy.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"See? Mimi approves too."

"Mimi?"

"Siora's nickname for her." Fenrin sighed. "Despite my best efforts, it stuck."

Mirella gave a triumphant chirp from atop Jade's head.

"Jade, you need a pet bird." Luis said, pointing with enthusiasm. "You even come with a built-in perch."

"That- That's not what these are for!" She protested. Mimi clucked in clear disapproval, flapping back to Fenrin's shoulder.

"Are you sure?" Naomi asked. "I've never seen you use them for anything else."

"I'm thinking of another use for them right now." Jade grumbled, eyeing her traitorous friends. "Two of them."

The long week of travel had taken its toll on all of them, and they retired for the night shortly after Fenrin took his leave. Aylin left as well, intending to visit the village's leaders and inform them of what she'd learned. Jade didn't know how she had the energy to do anything else and was happy to collapse into bed. The elven guest house's accommodations were more luxurious than that of the spartan sanctuaries, and each of them got an entire room to themselves. Jade was out almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.

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"This is getting ridiculous..."

Jade lay in the bed, staring up at the sweeping curves of the natural wood ceiling. It had been a frustrating night, and she was having a hard time appreciating the room's beauty. Falling asleep hadn't been an issue, but staying asleep was another story. It turned out that it was difficult to get a good night's rest when assaulted by a variety of increasingly provocative dreams, each one more distracting than the last. Jade had managed to get some decent sleep in the end… but only after taking matters into her own hands.

This better not keep happening.

Embarrassment aside, and she wasn't ready to discount that, she really didn't have time for this. Jade had been avoiding the reality of her transformation for too long. As much as she'd hoped the change was simply a cosmetic one that came with a few weird powers, she knew deep inside that there was more going on than that. It was time to get some answers about exactly what being a succubus entailed. With a suffering sigh she dragged herself out of bed. It took all the willpower she had to get up at such an early hour. Bleary eyed, Jade dug out her last good t-shirt from her dimensional pouch, threw it on, and went looking for Aylin.

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"You want to know what it means to be a succubus?"

Jade and Aylin stood together on a balcony overlooking Lysara. Shafts of morning sunlight streamed through gaps in the foliage high above, illuminating the multi-level village with warm radiance. Jade was surprised to see that Lysara was quite a bit larger than she'd thought the night before. She'd assumed that the village ended at the cliff face, but that wasn't the case. Rather than a sheer drop, the cliff ascended in a series of broad ledges. The forest continued on them, spreading up the rock face in a rising wave of verdant foliage. More structures rose with the trees, making an already vertical town even more so. It was beautiful, but Jade was having a hard time appreciating the sights in her current mood.

"That's right." she said, leaning against the railing and looking out across the town. A gondola rose into view in the near distance, guided up the cliff by a suspended cable. A young boy within it caught sight of them and waved as he passed. Jade waved back. "I know I should've asked about this earlier, but…"

There had just been so much going on. When they weren't travelling or fighting, Jade had been training and planning. Those were just excuses, though, and she knew it. She could've made time for this conversation sooner, whether with Aylin or Damos. But avoidant behavior wasn't anything new.

Thanks, mother.

"I'm just surprised your sanctuary attendant didn't give you all the details. They usually do, although there's much happening outside what I would consider 'normal' these days."

"It all happened very quickly." Jade shrugged. "In the moment, I didn't have time to ask."

"I'll tell you what I know." The mage said, turning to face her, robes fluttering in the light breeze. "But I'd also recommend following captain Mar's advice and seeking out that demon in Estelhelm. If anyone can answer your questions properly, it's her."

"I'm planning on it."

"Very well." Aylin nodded. "You already know what succubi are known for, and the general powers associated with them. So, I assume your questions revolve around their physiological differences from humans, and their needs?"

Jade nodded once. "I've been having these… urges." She began, hesitantly. "Like, my body wants to be near people who are feeling strong emotions. I can feel them. Part of me wants to… I don't know. Drink them in? It's hard to explain."

Talking about it was hard, especially after weeks of doing her best to ignore that any of this was happening. Jade forced herself to go through with it. She needed to know.

Part of her had been concerned that Aylin would be suspicious of her again after hearing that but, to Jade's surprise, opening up to the other woman seemed to help her relax.

"That's normal, I think." She said slowly, pulling out a notebook and flipping through it. How many of those did she carry with her? "All demons can absorb the life force of other creatures. It's how they subsist and grow stronger. My understanding is that, the longer you go without 'feeding', the more intense your cravings will get."

"That sounds awful." Jade crossed her arms. "I don't want to have to do that to people, and my powers don't work on most monsters."

"No…" Aylin frowned. "Succubi are specialized at feeding on people, intelligent creatures, that is. That, combined with their other powers and the general lack of morals most demons possess are a large part of why they're so feared. It's why I reacted to you the way that I did…" The mage hesitated, and then continued, "Even if it wasn't very fair to you."

The half-elf clearly didn't like Jade's nature, but she was trying to give her a chance. She couldn't really blame her; Jade was hardly thrilled by it herself. But the form came with its own advantages, and she was determined to make the most out of it.

"Great." Jade muttered. "What happens if I just stop? Never drain anyone?"

"You'll weaken, over time. It won't kill you, you can subsist off regular food like other races, but I don't think it'll feel great. And you'll certainly be less combat effective."

"Not a good option, then." Jade clenched a fist on the railing, squeezing her hand tight. She let out a deep breath, calming herself. "What do you recommend?"

"I agree that abstaining entirely wouldn't be practical." She flipped to another page in her journal. This one had a surprisingly accurate sketch of a succubus on one page, and lines of text on the other. "As I see it, you have two options to get the energy you need in an ethical manner."

"And they are?"

The mage ticked them off on her fingers as she listed them.

"One: Hunt intelligent monsters that can supply you with the emotionally enriched life force you need. That, or Labyrinth-born humanoids. They aren't as common as normal monsters, but the Labyrinth forms more than a few of them out of its spirits to use as challenges."

"That sounds… unpleasant." Jade said, remembering what it had felt like to kill Michael with her kiss. It had been simultaneously electrifying and horrifying, and she didn't relish the idea of actively seeking out more people to kill in such an… intimate manner, even if they were just fabrications of the Labyrinth.

"Agreed. The other option is: Find volunteers."

"Volunteers?" Jade asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow.

Aylin shrugged, a half-smile playing on her lips.

"You don't need to kill someone to get sustenance from them, Jade. Many succubi don't, for various reasons."

"Even so, who would willingly get some of their life sucked out of them by a demon?"

"You can shapechange." Aylin looked Jade up and down, an amused expression on her face. "I'm sure you can find ways to make the process… ah… appealing."

Jade felt her cheeks heating up. She covered her face with her hands, leaning against the railing. In the distance, below on the ground, a group of people were starting to gather. All of them were armed and well equipped for battle.

"Or you could always pay them." Aylin said, turning to head back inside. Jade wasn't looking at her, but she could hear the smile in her voice. "Although… I imagine you'd be able to get them to pay you. Now come on." She gave her a conciliatory pat on the shoulder. "We have a stronghold to raid."

Jade just groaned into her hands.

"Why me…?"