The Northern Caves loomed before us, their jagged entrance a dark maw against the crimson hellscape. Crystalline formations cast an eerie glow across the obsidian rocks, their light somehow making the shadows deeper rather than dispersing them.

"Are we sure this is a good idea?" Aria shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her usual cheerfulness subdued. "I mean, he's a Lich. They're not exactly known for their straightforward dealings."

I adjusted the silver whip at my hip - a gift from Isabella that had already proved very useful. "Neither are demons, besides if we don't like the contract terms, we can always leave. He can't force us to sign anything."

"Lily's right," Isabella's ice-blue eyes scanned the cave entrance. "A magical contract must be entered willingly to be binding. Any attempt at coercion would invalidate it."

We approached the same side entrance we'd used during our previous expedition. The narrow passage looked exactly as I remembered - rough-hewn walls glittering with embedded crystals.

A clicking sound echoed through the tunnel. From the shadows emerged a skeleton, its bones polished to an unnatural sheen. Unlike the weathered undead we'd fought before, this one moved with precise, almost elegant movements.

"Welcome." The Lich's voice emanated from the skeleton's jaw, though its teeth remained still. "This servant will escort you to my laboratory. Please follow it closely - the tunnels have been... rearranged since your last visit."

The skeleton turned with mechanical precision and began walking deeper into the caves. Its bones gleamed in the crystal light, each step measured and exact.

We followed the skeleton through a maze of tunnels, each turn bringing us deeper into the complex. The passages looked different from our last visit - wider, more structured, with crystalline formations arranged in purposeful patterns rather than natural growth.

The Lich's hideout doors swung open silently. The Lich stood at his workbench, his ethereal eyes flickering as we entered. The room remained largely unchanged - walls lined with preserved specimens, bubbling alchemical apparatus, and that mysterious floating book still hovering near his desk.

"Welcome back to my humble workspace." The Lich's voice carried that same hollow resonance I remembered. "Would any of you care for refreshments before we discuss business?"

"I'm fine, thank you," I said, noting how the magical apparatus had been cleared from the central table, replaced with chairs.

Isabella shook her head. "Nothing for me."

"Oh! Do you have any tea?" Aria perked up, earning a sideways glance from Isabella.

The Lich's skull tilted slightly. "Indeed. Minion, bring our guest some tea."

The polished skeleton that had guided us bowed and left the room. Within minutes, it returned carrying a delicate porcelain cup filled with what looked surprisingly like normal black tea.

"Please, be seated." The Lich gestured to the chairs around the ancient wooden table. Its surface bore countless scratches and stains from centuries of alchemical work.

We took our seats, Aria sipping her tea with evident pleasure while Isabella maintained her usual composed posture. The Lich's bones creaked softly as he settled into his chair, placing a roll of parchment on the table.

"Now then, shall we discuss the terms of our confidentiality agreement?"

"Before we discuss terms, can you actually help us?" I asked, leaning forward in my chair. "I'd hate to waste everyone's time with contracts if you can't."

The Lich's ethereal flames flickered with what might have been amusement. "Indeed I can. I happen to be from that world, so summoning you there should pose no difficulty."

"Wait, you're from Earth-005a?" My eyes widened. "But magic there is heavily regulated by governments, hidden from the public."

"It wasn't like that two millennia ago." The Lich waved a bony hand dismissively. "But let's return to the matter at hand. My terms are quite straightforward."

He gestured at the parchment before us. "You cannot inform anyone besides those present in this room about anything concerning my research or what was discussed here, nor intentionally take any actions that could lead to revealing such information."

His ethereal eyes burned brighter. "This will be a soul binding contract, meaning you physically won't be able to violate its terms. It shall last until I complete my intended work or for ten thousand years, whichever comes first."

Isabella crossed her arms. "Despite its simplicity, those terms are quite encompassing."

"True," the Lich nodded. "But it ensures what's said between us, stays between us."

"Hold on." Aria set down her teacup. "That second part means we couldn't get help from anyone else if whatever you're doing turned out to be dangerous. It would violate the terms about revealing information."

The Lich's jaw clicked in what might have been a smile. "True. Though notice I didn't forbid you from taking action against me directly. And I didn't make it permanent either."

"You should also add a clause binding yourself to tell us only truth," Isabella interjected. "And sign the contract yourself."

The Lich remained silent for several moments, his flame-filled sockets studying Isabella. Finally, he gave a slow nod. "Agreed."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

I watched Isabella and Aria negotiate additional terms with impressive skill. They secured clauses about information sharing between us three, protection against indirect harm, and even added specific conditions about the Lich's research methods.

"What about limiting the scope?" Isabella tapped her finger on the table. "The contract should only cover your current research, not future projects."

The Lich's bones clicked as he nodded. "Reasonable. I'll add that specification."

"And we should be able to defend ourselves if needed," Aria added, surprisingly focused. "Without worrying about accidentally revealing something in the process."

Each point they raised was met with careful consideration and precise wording adjustments. After what felt like hours, the Lich presented us with the final draft.

I read through the document carefully, my thoughts drifting to Faith. She was still up there, dealing with Cain. This contract might be our only chance to help her quickly. I looked up at my friends.

"I'm going to sign this, but you both can leave if you're uncomfortable with the terms. This doesn't have to be your fight."

Isabella straightened in her chair. "Don't be ridiculous."

"We're not letting you do this alone." Aria flashed a warm smile.

The Lich raised his skeletal hand and snapped his fingers. Three identical parchments materialized before us, along with elegant quills. Each document contained exactly what we'd discussed, word for word.

I stared at my parchment, quill hovering above it. What name should I use? After a moment's hesitation, I wrote 'Lily Morningstar' in flowing script.

Aria signed hers with a flourish, while Isabella's signature carried the precise elegance I'd expect from her.

A shimmer of magic enveloped us. I felt something trying to take root inside me, like fingers grasping at my soul. Then suddenly, it shattered. The magic dissipated, leaving no trace behind.

The Lich showed no concern at this outcome, so I assumed everything had worked as intended.

"Excellent," he said, gathering the signed contracts. "Now then, I assume you're curious about why I need your blood?"

"Yes," I nodded, leaning forward slightly. "Very curious indeed."

The Lich's ethereal flames flickered in his eye sockets as he began his explanation.

"My research primarily focuses on succubi transformation - specifically, the possibility of reversal or memory recovery." His bony fingers traced patterns in the air. "Your blood, Princess Lily, is the closest match to Lilith's available. I believe the key to understanding the process lies within it."

I shifted uncomfortably in my chair, remembering my mother's expression when discussing Naamah. The weight of guilt in her eyes whenever the topic of that first transformation arose.

"If you found a method," Aria leaned forward, her usual playfulness gone, "it could cause massive upheaval. You'd essentially have a way to permanently kill succubi by reverting them to mortals."

The Lich's skull nodded slowly. "Now you understand why this research couldn't be discussed openly."

He gestured toward a wall of complex alchemical formulas. "Perfect reversal is likely impossible. The transformation fundamentally alters the soul. Even if magic could theoretically undo the physical changes, there are too many variables involved." His voice took on a scholarly tone. "My primary focus is on memory recovery."

"Even that would cause major problems," Isabella's ice-blue eyes narrowed. "The political implications alone..."

I nodded, thinking of my mother's face when she spoke of Naamah. The profound regret she carried for centuries over that imperfect transformation - not just for the physical changes, but for the memories Naamah had lost.

I watched Isabella's posture shift, her natural grace taking on a predatory edge. "How much progress have you made with your research?"

The Lich's skeletal fingers traced the edge of his workbench. "Mostly theoretical. Though I've had opportunities to study specimens that wandered into my domain."

"You mean succubi you've captured," Aria's voice carried an unusual edge.

"Indeed." The Lich showed no reaction to her tone. "But I've limited my work to observation and sample analysis. Comparing traits between different succubi, tracking common elements in their transformation." He gestured to a wall of complex formulas. "Nothing that would expose my true research goals."

Isabella circled the workbench, examining the equipment. "And your conclusions?"

"I believe I could trigger memory recovery in small amounts." The Lich's flames flickered. "Though the memories would be fragmented, unclear. Like trying to recall a dream through fog."

His empty eye sockets fixed on me. "Which brings me to my offer, Princess. Would you be willing to assist my research in exchange for help reaching Earth-005a?"

I felt Aria and Isabella tense beside me, ready to object. But this was my decision to make. The possibility of understanding more about myself - about who I really was - tempted me. Yet the thought of being this creature's test subject made my skin crawl.

"What exactly would this assistance entail?" I kept my voice steady, channelling my mother's diplomatic tone.

"I only need a few blood samples." The Lich's tone remained clinical. "Nothing invasive or permanent. I have no wish to harm Lilith and Lucifer's daughter."

I stared at the Lich's empty eye sockets, weighing my options. Going to my parents would be disastrous - they'd likely destroy half of Earth-005a hunting down Cain, not caring about collateral damage. And Faith... Faith needed help now, not in decades.

"I'll agree to provide blood samples," I said, straightening my posture. "But I want to know the results of your research. If you discover anything about succubi memories or transformations using my blood, I expect to be informed."

The Lich's flame-lit eyes flickered. "Of course. Knowledge should be shared with those who contribute to its discovery." He pulled out an ornate vial from his robes. "Shall we begin?"

I nodded, rolling up my sleeve. The sooner we finished this, the sooner we could help Faith.

"Just remember," Aria's voice carried an unusual edge, "if anything happens to Lily because of these samples, no contract will stop us from turning your bones to dust."

The Lich's eternal grin remained unchanged as he prepared to draw my blood. "Noted."

I watched as the Lich traced intricate patterns in the air with his bony fingers. Three ornate vials floated between us, and I felt a slight tingle as my blood flowed through the magical connection into each container. The process was painless but strange - like having three mosquitoes bite simultaneously without the itch.

The vials sealed themselves with crystalline stoppers, each glowing briefly before settling into a deep crimson colour.

"Thank you, Princess." The Lich carefully arranged the vials in a velvet-lined box. "Your contribution will advance my research significantly."

"About the summoning," I leaned forward slightly. "How soon can you perform it?"

"Eager to return, I see." His eternal grin seemed almost knowing. "When would you require it?"

"As soon as possible. For all three of us."

The Lich reached into his robes and produced three clear crystals, each about the size of my thumb. "Here. Infuse these with your mana. I'll need them as focusing components to ensure I summon you specifically, rather than random demons."

I took my crystal, feeling its smooth surface. Channelling mana into it felt natural, like breathing. The crystal began glowing with a soft white light.

Beside me, Aria's crystal pulsed with violet energy, while Isabella's emanated an icy blue aura. We handed them back to the Lich, who examined each one carefully.

"Excellent. I should be able to proceed within three hours."

As he turned to leave, a thought struck me. "Wait - you're from Earth-005a, right? Do you know of any powerful vampires from there named Cain?"

The Lich's ethereal flames flickered intensely as he turned back to face me. His skeletal hand gripped the edge of his workbench, bone scraping against wood.

"How do you know that name?" His usual scholarly tone carried an edge I hadn't heard before.