The laughter finally subsided, leaving Jacob gasping for breath on the grass. His chest—Lilith's chest—rose and fell as he stared up at the twin suns of Infinity. The familiar celestial bodies provided his only anchor to sanity in this madness.

  He lay there for several minutes, letting his racing thoughts settle into something resembling order. Panic wouldn't solve anything. If he was going to survive this—whatever this was—he needed to think clearly.

  "Okay," he whispered, Lilith's melodic voice still jarring to his ears. "Let's figure this out."

  He sighed deeply as he pushed himself up from the grass, brushing away stray blades that clung to his leather armour. His Human Visage spell still held, the rosy skin of his arms a reminder of the disguise.

  In his blind panic, he'd run for who knew how long. He needed information, needed to determine if this was still Infinity or some other world entirely. The twin suns suggested Infinity, but nothing else matched his memories. The Demon Empire—his empire—seemed non-existent. And what was this "Shattering" Miroslav had mentioned?

  Was he somehow in Infinity's past? Or its future? The timeline made no sense.

  With renewed determination, Jacob decided to return to the village. He needed more information, needed to understand this world before he could navigate it.

  He stood, dusting himself off, but as his hands brushed down his body, he froze. His gaze dropped to his chest, to the unfamiliar curves beneath the leather breastplate.

  "No," he muttered, shaking his head. "Focus on what matters."

  But a whisper of curiosity crept through his mind. If this was just some elaborate bug or dream, an opportunity like this might never come again. Just a small exploration...

  Before he could reconsider, his fingers moved to the straps of his breastplate, unfastening them with surprising dexterity. He set the armour piece aside and, with trembling hands, cupped his breasts through the thin fabric beneath.

  An electric sensation shot through his body, so intense it made him gasp. Pleasure radiated outward from his touch, nothing like anything he'd experienced as Jacob.

  "No," he said aloud, snatching his hands away. His mind snapped back to reality, clarity returning. This body was affecting him, clouding his judgement with unfamiliar sensations and urges.

  He cursed his teenage self for making a succubus character in the first place. Why not a human warrior or some other ordinary thing? No, he had to make a sexy character that he could admire from behind a screen, never imagining he'd one day be trapped inside her form.

  Jacob re-fastened his armour with quick, frustrated movements. "Stupid hormonal teenager," he muttered, Lilith's melodic voice making even his complaints sound musical. "Couldn't just make a normal character, could you?"

  Still, as he stood and brushed the remaining grass from his legs, a small voice in his mind pointed out some positives. Lilith wasn't just any character—she was an Ascended Demon, powerful beyond measure. How many people dreamed of becoming the hero of their own story? How many gamers fantasised about stepping into their character's shoes?

  Sure, becoming Lilith in the flesh wasn't exactly what he had in mind when daydreaming about adventures, but it beat being an average nobody back in his world. At least here, he had power. At least here, he mattered.

  Jacob chuckled, realising he was desperately trying to cheer himself up.

  But surprisingly, it worked.

  "Besides," he whispered to himself, "becoming Lilith isn't that scary. After all, Lilith is me."

  The thought crystallised in his mind with unexpected clarity. Lilith was his in-game persona. He created her. Her actions were his actions, just executed through a computer screen. In many ways, she was simply his inner self expressed through the game.

  Well, except the horny succubus part—that was the result of his teenage days. But he couldn't fix that now. His teenage self had made his bed, and now he'd have to lie in it.

  "Fine," he said with newfound resolve. "I'll live as Lilith."

  At this moment, the discomfort that had plagued Jacob faded. No—that had plagued Lilith. She was still herself, just draped in a different body with different needs.

  Yes, there were aspects of this body that scared her, aspects she had yet to discover or experience, but she wouldn't pretend anymore. This wasn't a game, nor a dream. This was her life now.

  Lilith looked at her body one more time. The whisper urging her to explore its crevices was still there. She knew what it was—an aspect of this body, once flavour text now reality. Succubus Insanity. It had become an intrinsic part of her being, a constant undercurrent of desire flowing beneath her thoughts.

  But there were more pressing matters now. Besides, it wasn't like she couldn't embrace those urges later.

  She straightened her shoulders and turned back toward the village, her mood improved. The path ahead was uncertain, but at least she had a direction now. She was Lilith, Ascended Demon, and whatever this world threw at her, she would face it head-on.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  * * *

  The village of Oakhollow bustled with evening activity as Lilith made her way back through its modest paths. The twin suns had begun their descent toward the horizon, casting long shadows across the dirt roads while its twin lingered higher in the sky. Farmers returned from their fields, children chased each other between cottages, and the aroma of cooking fires filled the air. The normalcy of it all felt surreal after her existential crisis in the clearing.

  She caught herself adjusting her leather armor, still uncomfortable with how it sat against her curves. The disguise felt necessary but constraining after experiencing the freedom of her natural form—a thought that made her smile wryly. Natural form. Nothing about this body was natural to her, and yet it responded to her every thought with perfect precision.

  "There you are!" Miroslav's voice cut through her contemplation. The apple farmer waved from beside a wooden cart, his weathered face creasing with a smile. "I was beginning to worry. You ran off like you'd seen a ghost."

  Lilith approached him, her human disguise holding firm. "I'm fine. Just needed to clear my thoughts."

  "Glad to hear it." Miroslav nodded, wiping his hands on his worn trousers. "Strange times make for strange thoughts, I always say." He gestured toward his cart loaded with barrels. "Just finished my work. The taverns in Landskavia proper pay good coin for my cider."

  "It looks like you've had a productive day," Lilith said, seizing the opportunity to gather information. "Your village seems... peaceful."

  Miroslav chuckled. "Peaceful as can be these days. Not much happens in Oakhollow—that's why we like it." He studied her with newfound curiosity. "Say, I never did ask what brings someone like yourself to our humble village. You're not exactly the usual traveller we get."

  Lilith chose her words carefully. "I'm... searching for something. Knowledge, mainly. I've been away for some time, and much has changed."

  "Away?" Miroslav raised an eyebrow. "You're a Bleider, aren't you?"

  The unfamiliar term caught her off guard. "A what?"

  "A Bleider," Miroslav repeated, as if it were obvious. "You know—a sword for hire, monster hunter. The way you carry yourself, the armour... you've got that look about you."

  Lilith nearly laughed at the irony—a demon disguised as a human being mistaken for a monster hunter. "Something like that, yes. Though I've been... inactive for some time."

  "Thought as much," Miroslav nodded sagely. "Not many other reasons for armed strangers to wander these parts. Though most Bleiders stick to the main roads or head straight for trouble."

  "And where would trouble be these days?" Lilith asked, trying to sound casual.

  Miroslav's expression darkened. "West, mostly. The Solarian Empire's been fighting a losing battle against the demons in the Wastelands for generations. Every few decades, some new demon lord rises up, unites the clans, and pushes at the borders. Empire sends heroes to cut off the head, demons fall apart, and the cycle begins anew." He shook his head. "If you're looking for work, that's where you'll find it."

  Demons. The word resonated through her. The Wastelands—that had to be where the remnants of her empire lay.

  "These demons," she ventured, "what do you know of them?"

  "Nasty business," Miroslav said with a shudder. "Creatures of darkness and sin, they say. Twisted things that corrupt everything they touch." He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "My sister's husband was a soldier on the western front. Said he saw one tear through a platoon like they were made of parchment."

  Before Lilith could respond, a young woman approached carrying a small tray with three cups. Her resemblance to Miroslav was unmistakable—the same strong jaw and kind eyes.

  "Father, I thought you and your friend might want some refreshment," she said, offering the tray.

  "Ah, perfect timing!" Miroslav beamed. "This is my daughter, Elara. Makes the best cider in Landskavia, though I might be biased." He took two cups, handing one to Lilith. "From our own orchard, just north of the village. Been in the family for three generations now."

  Lilith accepted the cup with a nod of thanks. "You have an orchard? It must be beautiful this time of year."

  "That it is," Miroslav agreed, his chest swelling with pride. "Fifteen acres of the finest apple trees this side of the mountains. We press the fruit ourselves—old family recipe for the fermentation."

  Lilith took a sip of the cider, its crisp, sweet flavour with a hint of spice surprising her. The taste was complex and rich—far more detailed than any beverage she'd experienced. Another reminder that this world was painfully real.

  "It's excellent," she said truthfully.

  "They say that some demons can disguise themselves," Miroslav continued abruptly, returning to their previous conversation. "Take human form to walk among us. But I think it's a load of rubbish."

  Lilith choked on her cider, coughing as the liquid went down the wrong way. Miroslav patted her back with a heavy hand.

  "Easy there! Strong stuff, isn't it?" he laughed, misinterpreting her reaction.

  "Very," she managed, wiping her mouth.

  "Speaking of travelling," Miroslav said, his expression brightening, "my nephew Tomas is heading to Westbridge tomorrow—first stop on the road to the Solarian Empire. He's delivering some of our preserves to a merchant there." He scratched his beard thoughtfully. "Roads aren't as safe as they once were. Would be a comfort to know a Bleider was accompanying him, if you're headed that way."

  Lilith considered the request. A travelling companion might slow her down, but would also provide cover and more information about this world.

  "I could escort him," she agreed. "It would be no trouble."

  Relief washed over Miroslav's face. "That's wonderful news! Tomas is a good lad, but he's never travelled far from home." He hesitated, then added, "Do you have arrangements for the night? My sister has a spare room she rents to travellers. With no proper inn in Oakhollow, it's the best accommodation you'll find."

  "I appreciate the offer, but I'm fine," Lilith said. "I have my own... accommodations."

  Miroslav looked puzzled. "Out in the woods? That's no place for a proper rest."

  "I have a spell," Lilith explained, careful not to reveal too much. "It creates suitable shelter."

  "Ah, magic!" Miroslav's eyes widened with understanding. "Not common among Bleiders, but useful, I imagine. Well, the offer stands if you change your mind."

  As twilight deepened around them, Lilith found herself oddly comfortable in this simple farmer's company. The conversation continued, with Miroslav sharing local gossip and Lilith carefully extracting information about the Shattering—apparently some cataclysmic event that had occurred a millennium ago.

  "The old stories say the world broke," Miroslav explained when she pressed him. "The gods abandoned us, or died, depending on who you ask. Great heroes vanished overnight. Kingdoms fell. Magic went wild." He shrugged. "That was a thousand years ago. The world rebuilt, as it always does."

  By the time they parted ways, Lilith had confirmed her suspicions. This was indeed the world of Infinity, but centuries after the game she knew. And somehow, she had been thrust into it.

  As she walked away from the village to find a secluded spot to cast her spell, one thought crystallised in her mind: the answers she sought lay to the west, in the Wastelands, among the demons who might still remember Lilith's name.