Upon leaving the forge, the squad went on their journey towards the bunker without much issue. There was surprisingly a lower amount of monsters in their path, which boosted morale. However, Samael and Michael were hesitant about this new environment.

As they sat around a bonfire, Raegan asked. "Why so serious, Samael?"

Sweeping his gaze around the surrounding ruins, Samael spoke. "Silence in such areas isn't something you should be glad about."

Desmond's brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"It means there's something more foul around here," Samael replied, which caused his colleagues faces to frown.

A soft sigh escaped Michael's lips. "Allow me to explain. Let's say a hunter lives in a forest and hunts for his food often. Many will notice that animals would avoid that place due to him. Same applies for abominations. Although they all aim for humans when given the opportunity, they are not exactly friendly to each other. What he's saying is that something stronger than most of the ones we've fought has governed over this area, repelling the weaker ones away."

With that revelation, everyone's faces fell grim. Suddenly, the air felt colder and the winds harsher. Even the slightest shift in the shadows was enough to cause unrest in them.

Looking at everyone's reaction, Michael cleared his throat. "Don't fret. While our situation might sound bad, it also means we're getting closer to the bunker."

"Are there any more peculiar spots like the bridge we passed?" Lilith asked.

"Well, there is one. According to the information given to me, to get to the bunker, you must first pass the steel fortress. Apparently, it became home to an ancient beast called Shifter," Michael replied as he took a bite out of the bread in his palm.

"What's a shifter?" Sabbath asked.

"Well, I'm sure that name is foreign even to Samael here, who has killed all sorts of monsters. Shifters are humanoid-like creatures that resemble humans but horribly so," Michael said. "At first, these bastards appear as though they're a bunch of flesh moulded together. But once they consume a living creature's flesh, they mimic their appearance but in a far more sinister way. They may have elongated necks, disfigured faces, or even have two heads."

"What's their weakness?" Samael asked.

"Like every average beast, they can be killed via fatal wounds," Michael replied.

"Then how come they're considered stronger? What makes them superior?" Raegan asked.

"They're smart," Michael said. "They're not only smart but cunning to boot. They can mimic the voices of people or animals; they can use psychological warfare; they are fast, agile, strong, and relentless; and they have the special ability to inflict severe paralysing fear on those that witness them."

Everyone fell silent as they imagined the creature. How can they beat such beings? An abomination that can mess with your head? Isn't that too much?

"How many are there?" Samael asked.

"As far as we know, plenty," Michael said. "Now, get some rest. We'll need it soon."

Everyone dispersed with uncertainty in their hearts. On the brighter side, although they may not see it, everyone is starting to adapt. Now, they can force themselves to sleep even under such harsh conditions and even eat straight after gruesome battles. Perhaps it was because many here were peasants who were already used to life's hardships.

Samael quietly sat by a fallen pillar as he watched the gems in the ceiling glitter. But even amidst their shining beauty, they can never replace the radiance of the stars in the real night sky and the ethereal glow of the moon bathing you in its embrace.

Tonight was his turn to take the watch. Due to his prowess, he was tasked with this job alone while everyone got their much-deserved sleep. Not to mention, his presence alone gave others a peaceful heart.

Staring over in the distance, Samael chuckled when a pair of hands blocked his eyes.

"Hey," a sweet, tantalising voice whispered. "Guess who's this?"

A silent chuckle escaped Samael's lips. "Is it a cheeky girl with horns in her head?"

"Bingo!" Lilith said as she let go, a soft chuckle echoing from her mouth.

"Why are you awake? You should get some rest," Samael said as he made some space.

Sitting down, Lilith rested her head on his shoulder. A rather surprising move.

"I don't know," Lilith answered.

For some reason, Samael could feel an odd heat emanating from her body. Not the common warmth she exudes but something far more fierce.

"Thanks," Lilith abruptly said.

"For what?" Samael asked, his brows raised.

"For protecting me from those machines," Lilith answered.

"I only did what everyone else would have," Samael said when he felt Lilith's hands on his, the heat in her body going to him.

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"No, I really mean it," she muttered, her voice oddly far more alluring than before, almost addictive.

"Is something wrong...?" Samael asked as he peeked at Lilith. To his surprise, the girl was intently looking at him, her ruby-red eyes piercing through him.

"There's nothing wrong," Lilith said as she snuggled closer, her chest slightly touching Samael's shoulder, giving him goosebumps.

As she leaned closer to his face, she draped her lips on his, giving him a sweet and passionate kiss.

Samael could feel his body heat up, as though it were burning. But strangely, it only made his reason blur as he reached out and held the girl's head, his other hand caressing her bare back, deepening the kiss as their tongues intertwined.

Slowly, Lilith's hand started to reach when Samael broke free.

"W-we can't," Samael said.

"Why can't we?" Lilith asked, her pupils strangely brighter than normal. Noticing this, Samael gently pushed the girl back. He could feel her struggle to get closer, but he persisted as he expanded his Void compass.

Samael's eyes widened as he shifted his gaze a few metres from camp. There were roughly three abominations releasing some form of spore in the wind.

"This will be quick," Samael said as his figure vanished, leaving Lilith confused as tears began to well in her eyes.

The abominations mimicked the appearance of flowers, albeit larger than normal, and they possessed large mouths filled with razor-sharp teeth. They swayed back and forth, which seemed to help release spores.

Without warning, a black flash swiftly passed by as one of the beasts was bisected in half.

Seeing this, the other two snarled in rage when Samael's figure appeared beside the second flower. Unable to react on time, the monster was blown away by a single punch before Samael grabbed the last remaining abomination.

The beast struggled in his grasp as it tried to secrete more spores, along with its long tongue attempting to break his hold.

"What does this spore do to Codex?" Samael asked.

The spores are from a creature known as plantoids. The said spores enhance the emotions and desires of the person who's inhaled them, mainly their most dominant as of the present. Judging by the number of spores, the beast has only begun its secretion.

It's only begun...? Then why did Lilith go that far? Samael wondered when his eyes widened.

Demons already have a heightened perception of emotions, and this is more potent for Succubus, which is Lilith. But that also means that her most dominant desire...

Samael's ears were tinted red as he shook his head. It was not proper to think of her in such a way. But still, it does please him. As Samael squeezed, the plantoid in his palm blew to pieces.

After wiping off the stains, Samael made his way back to where he heard Lilith's sobs. Knowing this, he felt his heart drop as he hastened his pace.

Upon arrival, he saw the girl hugging her knees as she cried her eyes out.

"What's wrong?" Samael asked as he hurriedly held her.

Noticing Samael, Lilith's cries stopped entirely as she lunged at him.

"Samael! You suddenly vanished, and I—"

"Hush," Samael beckoned as he pressed his finger into her lips. It must be the effect of the spores.

"Don't worry, the effects will wear off soon. Go sleep for now, Lilith; it's not safe for you to be around me right now," Samael said as he distanced himself from the girl.

He didn't know whether it was because of the spores too, but whenever he went close to the girl, the events earlier kept flashing in his mind, and his body began to burn. He feels the urge to continue where they left off and just let go of his desires. But no, he will not.

"But..." Lilith said when Samael carried her back and tucked her in her deployable bed.

"Sleep," Samael said before he left.

Sitting down in his post, Samael facepalmed. Lilith's charm was too strong, even for him. Was this the true power of succubus's?

"That was dangerous..." Samael muttered.

***

The next morning, Lilith returned to her old self as the squad continued their journey. Fortunately, it seemed that no one remembered anything last night. Or at least they pretend nothing did.

They witnessed everything from start to finish and just remained silent. Lilith, on the other hand, was currently dying of embarrassment. How could she fall for her desires like that?! It was unladylike and indecent!

Lilith's face flushed red as she remembered the sensation of their kiss, their tongues intertwining, and Samael's hand on her skin. So close, yet so far. Oh, how nice it would be to...

"No!" Lilith screamed, attracting everyone's attention.

"I-I, uh, forgot something back in our camp," Lilith said.

"Do you want to return for it?" Michael asked.

"N-no, there's no need," she said.

"Very well," Michael said as they continued forward.

As usual, the road ahead was clearer than normal. Not many beasts were located in the paths they chose, but those that they did fight were stronger and faster than ever.

Most of their battles would often result in a wound or two, even if they worked together. That was simply how strong these beasts are becoming.

They were lying if they said they didn't fear what's ahead. What caused the fall of such a great civilisation?

As they travelled deeper and deeper, the more they witnessed the destruction worsen. Not only that, but the corpses scattered around along with the weapons have slowly withered over time.

The weapons were odd, as they'd never seen anything like them, and most of them were untouched. It was almost as though they never really went active.

Going even deeper, they finally saw a large fortress ahead.

"We have arrived," Michael said.

The fortress was black like the rest and made with rare stones and materials. It's towering walls were sculpted with all forms of designs and all kinds of armour hung high. However, the entrance was desolate, and the air was freezing.

"Be prepared," Michael said as he held the hilt of his blade.

As they entered, they were greeted by the emptiness and the eerie silence the fortress gave out. As they walked further, Samael felt a bad aura around the place.

The ceiling was tall, and there were many pillars supporting it. But there were not many decorations in place, just the encompassing darkness.

Slowly, they found themselves in a large room extending forward. It was so large that it would put to shame even the fortresses they have today.

As they proceeded, the sounds of their footsteps left echoes in the air, repeating multiple times.

However, their movements were soon halted as Edgar heard a whisper.

"I see you."

Edgar's eyes widened as he turned around in haste, his spear brandished.

"What's wrong?" Rhian asked as the group started to huddle closer.

Edgar could feel the cold sweat trickle down his forehead as he frantically swept his gaze around him. Yet there was only darkness.

"I... I heard a voice," he said.

"A voice? But we heard nothing?" Sabbath asked, his brows furrowed.

"I definitely heard something," Edgar insisted.

"That must just be your nerves. Calm down," Alex said.

"No, he's right," Samael said. "I also heard a voice."

Everyone fell silent as they slowly unsheathed their weapons. Fear slowly creeping into their hearts.

"You must be joking, right?" Alex asked as his face fell pale.

"I'm afraid he's not," Michael said. "Look there."

Shifting their gazes in the direction their mentor pointed, everyone felt their hearts drop as they saw a severely disfigured face smiling in the dark. It's eyes large and uneven, with necks extending from the darkness.

"They're here," Michael said as multiple clattering sounds echoed, rapidly approaching them.