Lilith sighed heavily as she lowered herself onto a fallen log beside the campfire. The flames cast dancing shadows across her blue skin, highlighting the curve of her horns and the delicate structure of her wings. This was certainly not how she'd expected her day to unfold.

  Across from her, Sera knelt with her head still bowed, occasionally stealing glances at Lilith with an expression of pure reverence. Those puppy eyes made Lilith profoundly uncomfortable—like she was some childhood hero suddenly made flesh. The half-demon woman looked at her as if she'd hung the twin suns in the sky.

  Lilith thought, guilt gnawing at her.

  Sure, as a game character, she had built the Demon Empire, conquered territories, and established a meritocratic society where demons of all types could thrive. But that had been in a game—pixels and code, not flesh and blood. It felt bizarre to be worshipped for accomplishments that had been, for her, little more than sophisticated role-play.

  "Please, rise," Lilith said, gesturing to the space beside her. "Sit with me."

  Sera hesitated before complying, perching on the edge of the log as if afraid to get too comfortable in her queen's presence.

  The fire crackled between them as Lilith considered her situation. This reverence only deepened her concerns about what remained of Nocturne. If legends of her return had persisted for a millennium, what state must her former empire be in? The gnome's maps suggested the lands had changed significantly from how they appeared in the game, though certain landmarks remained recognisable.

  Lilith unfolded one of the maps, studying it in the firelight. The Wastelands lay to the west, a jagged area marked with skull symbols and warning notes in the margins. She needed to get there as soon as possible, to see for herself what remained of her empire.

  "There's no time to waste," she murmured, more to herself than to Sera.

  After a moment of uncomfortable silence, Lilith cleared her throat. "I appreciate your assistance, Seraphina, but I must continue alone from here. My path leads into the Wastelands, and I have... matters to attend to."

  Sera's face fell, her amber eyes widening in dismay. "My Queen, please—take me with you!"

  Lilith blinked, caught off guard by the desperate plea.

  "I know the safe routes through the border patrols," Sera continued urgently. "I've spent decades mapping the Solarian guard rotations, the hidden paths, the places where the barriers are weakest. I can guide you safely into the Wastes."

  "That's not necessary, I can—"

  "Please," Sera interrupted, then immediately looked horrified at her own audacity. "Forgive me, Empress, but... I've dedicated my life to helping our kind survive. If you're truly returning to reclaim your throne, to rebuild Nocturne..." Her voice cracked with emotion. "Let me serve you. Let me be part of the restoration."

  Lilith shifted uncomfortably on the log, maintaining a regal fa?ade despite her inner turmoil. She had no idea how to respond. On one hand, a guide familiar with current conditions would be invaluable. On the other, Sera clearly expected her to be someone she wasn't—the legendary queen returning to reclaim her throne.

  "I'll consider your request," Lilith said finally, her voice measured and authoritative. "For tonight, we both need rest. Perhaps in the morning, with clear heads, we can discuss this further."

  She hoped that by morning, Sera might reconsider her eagerness to follow a demon queen into danger. But the look of pure gratitude and hope on the half-demon's face suggested otherwise.

  "Thank you, my Queen," Sera whispered, bowing her head once more. "I won't disappoint you."

  Lilith nodded, feeling the weight of expectations she never asked for settling heavily upon her shoulders.

  * * *

  Lilith watched the reverence in Sera's eyes with growing discomfort. The half-demon woman seemed ready to throw herself into fire if Lilith merely suggested it might please her. This wasn't just admiration—it was worship, and it made Lilith's skin crawl despite its warmth.

  "Sera," Lilith said firmly, leaning forward. "I need you to stop calling me 'my Queen.'"

  Sera's eyes widened in alarm. "Have I offended you, my—" She caught herself, swallowing hard. "Forgive me. How should I address you?"

  "Just Lilith is fine," she replied, offering a reassuring smile. "I've been... away for a very long time. The formalities feel strange to me now."

  Sera nodded earnestly, her small horns catching the firelight. "Of course... Lilith." She spoke the name with such reverence that it almost defeated the purpose of dropping the title.

  "Thank you," Lilith said, though she wasn't convinced the problem was solved.

  Ten minutes later, as they discussed routes through the border regions, Sera unconsciously slipped back into formality.

  "Lady Lilith, the eastern approach would be safest this time of year," she said, tracing a path on the map with her finger.

  Lilith raised an eyebrow. "Just Lilith, remember?"

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  Sera blushed, the colour rising beneath her ashen skin. "Yes, of course... Lady Lilith." She immediately covered her mouth. "I'm sorry! It just... it doesn't feel right to address you so casually."

  After three more attempts with identical results, Lilith sighed and waved her hand dismissively. "Fine. 'Lady Lilith' is acceptable. At least it's better than 'my Queen.'"

  Sera visibly relaxed, clearly more comfortable with this compromise. "Thank you, Lady Lilith."

  Lilith turned her attention back to more pressing matters. "Now, about the Wastelands. Are you certain you wish to accompany me? It won't be safe."

  "Yes," Sera replied without hesitation. "I want to witness it—the restoration of Nocturne. I'll do anything to help you reclaim what was lost."

  Lilith felt a pang of guilt at the certainty in Sera's voice. Did she even want to rebuild Nocturne? Should she try? This wasn't her world—not really. It resembled Infinity, but with significant differences. The game she'd played for years had apparently been reduced to legend and myth in this reality.

  "I need to assess the situation first," Lilith said carefully. "See the Wastelands for myself, understand what remains of... my empire." The words felt strange on her tongue. "I can't promise what will happen after that."

  "I understand, Lady Lilith," Sera said, though her hopeful expression suggested she expected nothing less than full restoration of the demon realm. "But I still wish to accompany you. I can guide you safely across the border."

  Lilith studied Sera thoughtfully. Having a guide who knew the current political landscape would be invaluable. And if Lilith was honest with herself, the prospect of travelling alone through a hostile world she barely understood was daunting.

  Her eyes traced the half-demon's figure appreciatively. Sera was quite attractive, with her athletic build and subtle demonic features. The small horns protruding from her forehead gave her an exotic look, and her amber eyes held both wisdom and strength.

  Lilith caught herself, momentarily confused by her own thoughts.

  Sera shifted uncomfortably under Lilith's prolonged gaze. "Is everything alright, Lady Lilith?"

  "Yes, of course," Lilith coughed, feeling heat rise to her cheeks. "I was just... thinking about our accommodations for tonight. It's getting late."

  "Oh," Sera said, visibly relieved. "I have camping equipment in my storage pendant. We can set up here if you'd like."

  "Storage pendant?" Lilith asked, genuinely curious.

  Sera touched a small crystal hanging from a chain around her neck. "It's a storage artefact. This one has about one cubic foot of capacity. More expensive ones can hold up to ten cubic feet, but those are rare and typically owned by wealthy merchants or nobles."

  "So it's like an inventory system," Lilith murmured, her eyes fixed on the crystal pendant.

  "What's an inventory system?" Sera asked, catching Lilith's comment.

  Rather than explaining, Lilith decided on a demonstration. "Here, let me show you something." She extended her hand, fingers together, and with a practiced motion, tore open a spatial rift. The air shimmered and parted, revealing a portal to a pocket dimension.

  Sera gasped as Lilith reached in and withdrew a small red vial—a basic health potion. Lilith held it up, letting it catch the firelight before returning it to the dimensional pocket, which sealed itself with a whisper.

  "That's... incredible," Sera breathed. "No, no, my pendant is nothing like that. It's much simpler, just a basic enchantment. It can't compare to your technique."

  "Don't sell yourself short," Lilith said, eyeing the pendant with genuine interest. "Magic comes in many forms, and practical tools often prove more valuable than flashy displays. Your pendant serves its purpose perfectly."

  "Anyways, do you often sleep beneath the stars?" Lilith asked, sweeping her hand toward the surrounding forest.

  "Fairly often," Sera replied. "My work requires a lot of travel between settlements."

  "I've never camped outside," Lilith admitted, looking up at the stars peeking through the canopy.

  Sera nodded understandingly. "Of course not, Lady Lilith. As Empress, you would have had proper accommodations wherever you went."

  Lilith didn't correct her. The truth was more complicated—as a game character, "camping" had just been a menu option, a way to regenerate stats. And in her real life as Jacob, camping had never appealed to him. But explaining all that would be impossible.

  "Would you like to see how I usually spend my nights?" Lilith asked, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

  Sera's eyes widened with interest. "I would be honoured."

  "Good. Step back a little, Lilith needs some space," Lilith said, rising from the log.

  "Of course, my Qu—" Sera caught herself, "I mean, Lady Lilith."

  Lilith just shook her head with amusement and began to cast. She spread her arms wide, feeling the familiar rush of mana flowing through her veins. The words came naturally to her lips, an incantation in a language that felt both foreign and intimately familiar:

  "" she began, her voice taking on a melodic, sensual quality. Arcane symbols materialised in the air around her, glowing with violet energy.

  ""

  The runes circled faster, creating intricate patterns as Lilith continued the spell. She could feel Sera's eyes on her, watching in amazement.

  ""

  The air before them began to shimmer and distort, reality itself bending to Lilith's will.

  ""

  With the final words, a shimmering portal materialized—a gateway 5 feet wide and 10 feet tall, rimmed with dancing violet flames. Subtle demonic runes adorned its edges, pulsing with unholy energy.

  Sera's jaw dropped. Her eyes reflected the portal's purple glow as she stared in undisguised wonder.

  "Follow me," Lilith said, gesturing toward the gateway.

  She stepped through first, the familiar sensation of crossing between dimensions washing over her. Sera followed cautiously, gasping as she entered the grand entrance hall of the Infernal Sanctum.

  Obsidian and crimson marble stretched before them, the ceiling soaring overhead. Ornate chandeliers cast a warm, intimate light over the space. The air was pleasantly warm, carrying subtle notes of exotic incense and dark spices.

  "Lady Lilith," Sera whispered, her voice hushed with awe, "what language was that? The spell you cast?"

  "Lisharaya," Lilith replied simply. She didn't elaborate further—not because she wanted to be mysterious, but because she genuinely didn't know much more. The language had been part of the game's lore, but Jacob had never delved deeply into its specifics.

  Sera didn't seem to notice Lilith's brevity, too captivated by their surroundings. Her eyes roamed over the luxurious furnishings, the intricate artwork, the shadow servants who had materialised and now stood at attention, awaiting Lilith's commands.

  "This is..." Sera turned in a slow circle, taking in every detail of the opulent entrance hall. "This is beyond anything I could have imagined."

  Lilith savoured Sera's wonderment, a small smile playing at her lips as the woman's eyes grew wider with each new marvel she discovered.

  "You haven't seen everything yet," Lilith said, gesturing to a shadow servant who glided forward with ethereal grace. The being—taking the form of a beautiful succubus with features similar to Lilith's own—bowed deeply.

  "Prepare dinner for two in the main dining hall," Lilith commanded. "Something impressive but not overwhelming. My guest has never experienced the delicacies of the Sanctum before."

  Lilith turned to Sera, whose expression remained frozen in awe. "Come. Let me show you what true hospitality feels like." She extended her hand, blue fingers beckoning. "Tonight, we rest in luxury. Tomorrow's problems can wait for the dawn."