The dawn painted the sky with golden hues, filtering through the forest trees and bathing the ruined sanctuary where Renn had spent the night. He stretched out on the wooden bench, letting out a yawn that broke the silence. The amber crystal on the altar glowed faintly, as if it, too, were waking up. He stood, brushing the dust off his clothes, and looked around.
Lilith was near the altar, standing with her hands clasped in what seemed like prayer. The light streaming through the broken stained-glass windows highlighted her small horns and dark hair, giving her a serene air that contrasted with her succubus nature. Renn approached, scratching the back of his neck.
"Good morning, my lord," she said without turning, her voice calm but firm.
"Good morning, Lilith," he replied, leaning against a pillar. "Praying since dawn, or just earning points with the boss?"
She turned with a faint smile, walking toward him with steps that barely made a sound on the rotting floor. She sat beside him on the bench, close enough for Renn to catch a faint scent of incense that seemed to follow her.
"Just a moment of reflection," she said. "Faith is a habit, even for me."
Renn looked at her, curious. "A succubus with faith? I still can't quite wrap my head around that."
Lilith tilted her head, her red eyes glinting with a touch of humor. "I'm a contradiction, I know. Born to seduce, yet I chose to serve the light. And now, you."
Renn let out a chuckle. "Well, I'm not complaining. You're better company than an old map."
She laughed softly, a sound that sent an unexpected tingle through him. She stood and walked to the sanctuary's entrance, gazing out at the forest.
"We should explore more today," she suggested. "Yesterday, we barely scratched the surface. There could be resources or clues about this place."
Renn nodded, getting to his feet. "You're right. Plus, I want to test that system more. It gave me a reward yesterday for using your skill, so there might be something useful out there."
"The system?" she asked, turning.
"Yeah, a voice in my head. The Holy Order System, or something like that. It guides me and gives me stuff. Guess it's part of being a lord here."
"Interesting," Lilith murmured. "Maybe I can use it someday too."
"Maybe," Renn said with a shrug. "Let's see what we find."
They left the sanctuary and ventured into the forest, heading north toward a clearing Renn had spotted in his enhanced vision the day before. The path was peaceful, with birdsong and the crunch of leaves under their boots. Renn stole glances at Lilith now and then, intrigued by her blend of elegance and mystery.
They reached the clearing: a small meadow dotted with wild herbs and purple flowers. Renn crouched to examine them, recognizing some as medicinal.
"These could be useful," he said, plucking one. "For potions or bandages."
Lilith knelt beside him, sniffing a flower. "Some have magic. I could use them in my rituals."
They gathered the herbs together, storing them in the system's inventory. Working so close to Lilith made it hard to ignore her presence, but Renn kept his focus on the task.
When they finished, the sun was high. "Let's head east," Renn suggested. "I saw a cave in my vision. Might be something useful there."
"Good plan," Lilith said. "Maybe a shelter or resources."
They walked east, where the terrain turned rocky. Soon, they found the cave, half-hidden by vines. Renn pushed them aside and peered in.
"Looks deep," he remarked. "Could be interesting… or dangerous."
Lilith raised a hand, conjuring a sphere of dark light that illuminated the entrance. "I can guide us."
"Perfect," Renn said, stepping in cautiously.
The cave was damp, with stalactites and crystals on the walls that shimmered under Lilith's light.
"These might be worth something," Renn said, touching one. "Maybe we'll take some."
"They've got magical energy," Lilith added. "I could use them for artifacts."
They pressed on to a chamber with a spring. Renn filled his canteen after tasting the water.
"Fresh and clean," he said, satisfied.
Lilith blessed the water with a prayer, making it glow. "Now it wards off corruption."
Renn grinned. "You've always got a trick up your sleeve."
A growl interrupted them. Renn tensed, peering into the darkness. "What was that?"
"I don't know," Lilith said, frowning. "Something hostile."
Renn pulled a dagger from the inventory. "Get ready."
They followed the sound to a larger chamber. Lilith's light revealed a goblin: small, with wild eyes and sharp teeth. Without a word, it lunged at them with a shriek, swinging a broken branch.
"Watch out!" Renn shouted, dodging.
Lilith raised a shadow barrier, stopping the goblin. It crashed into it and fell, dazed. Without hesitation, she fired a beam of light that pierced it, leaving it motionless on the ground.
Renn exhaled. "Nice shot. But damn, that was aggressive."
She nodded, breathing fast. "They don't talk, just attack. I sense corruption in it."
They checked the body and found tracks leading south. "Let's follow these," Renn said. "Might lead to something bigger."
Lilith agreed, though she looked tired. "Yes, my lord. But my mental energy's low."
"Let me know if you need to stop," he said.
They followed the tracks into a denser forest, where the trees were black and the leaves wilted. A howl alerted them, and corrupted wolves emerged from the mist, their red eyes glowing.
"Lilith!" Renn yelled.
She raised a barrier, but the wolves pounded against it hard. "Too many," she said, her voice strained. "I won't hold much longer."
Renn spotted a fallen tree. "Confuse them. Make them turn on each other."
Lilith closed her eyes, sending out a wave of dark energy. Some wolves paused, growling before attacking one another. Renn stabbed the distracted ones, moving quickly.
When the last wolf fell, the mist cleared. Renn panted, looking at Lilith. "You okay?"
She nodded, trembling. "Yes, but… I'm exhausted."
Before she collapsed, Renn caught her. "Easy, I've got you. Sorry if I touch you wrong—I don't want to make you uncomfortable."
She laughed weakly. "Don't worry, my lord. I trust you."
Renn carried her to a nearby tree with roots forming a shelter. He set her down gently and settled beside her.
He handed her the canteen, and Lilith took it with shaky hands. She drank deeply, letting the blessed water slide down her throat. A deep sigh escaped her, almost a gasp, as the liquid's faint glow seemed to restore some color to her pale face. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice soft but laced with relief. "This… calms my nerves."
They settled under the twisted roots, their shoulders brushing in the tight space. The air smelled of damp earth and the faint sweetness of the herbs they'd collected earlier, crushed in their packs. The wind whispered through the branches, carrying the distant call of a night bird.
Renn turned his head, breaking the silence with a casual but curious tone. "So, what was it like growing up in the underworld? I can't imagine that place without wanting to run for the hills."
Lilith closed her eyes, as if the shadows of her past played behind her lids. A bitter smile curved her lips. "Dark, dangerous… a chaos of fire and screams. But amid the ashes, I found an old prayer book, its pages worn thin." She paused, running a finger along the canteen's edge as if recalling its feel. "Those words were a refuge. I snuck into a caravan of lesser demons and escaped to the surface. A convent took me in when I was half-dead—they taught me faith… and chastity."
Renn let out a low whistle, resting the back of his head against the rough bark. "And how do you deal with what you are? I mean, being a succubus and all. Doesn't sound like a walk in the park."
She opened her eyes and glanced at him sidelong, a playful glint in her red gaze. "It's like having a roaring river inside you, trying to sweep you away." She leaned toward him slightly, her voice dropping as if sharing a secret. "But my faith is a dam. Strong, though it trembles sometimes. I decided I'd only give myself to my future lord, and that keeps me steady."
Renn scratched his chin, a crooked smile tugging at his lips. "Wow, you're a tough one, huh? Not everyone tames a river like that."
Lilith laughed softly, a sound that echoed warmly in the root shelter. "I'm flattered you see it that way, my lord." A faint blush colored her cheeks, barely visible in the fading dusk light.
Silence settled again, comfortable this time, woven with the rustle of leaves and the subtle warmth of their closeness. The sun sank below the horizon, painting the sky a fiery orange that reflected in Lilith's eyes, making them glow like living embers.
"My lord," Lilith said after a while. "If you wish, I could serve you… with my body."
Renn blinked, caught off guard. Before she could move, he gently took her hand. "Lilith, don't worry. I know it's your nature, and I won't lie—you're damn attractive. But you're exhausted right now. You need rest."
She looked at him, grateful. "You're kind, my lord. Thank you."
"No problem," he said. "We've got time."
Lilith leaned against his shoulder. Exhaustion overtook them, and they fell asleep curled up under the tree, trusting each other in the midst of the dangerous forest.