text: [Themes: fantasy, fantasy]
  
  "My face is fucking freezing," says Lars.
  
  No shit you think to yourself. It's the middle of winter and you both are assigned to guard duty. Normally, the cold isn't an issue. However, due to increasing demon sightings, a few unlucky bastards have to spend the night outside the city walls keeping watch.
  
  Snow begins to fall, and your cheap leather armor offers little resistance.
  
  "I can't take it anymore, I quit."
  
  Lars tosses down his sword and walks towards the city entrance.
  
  "What about the demons?" you ask.
  
  He turns to you and a slight grin appears on his face.
  
  "Demons? I welcome them with open arms. The city could use some heating up."
  
  With that, he leaves. It's just you and the dead silence of the night. You try to stand still and focus on the dirt road leading away from the city. This road is where nearby demon sightings have occurred. A few minutes past and you swear you saw a red flash. Your hands shake and your heart beat slows down. Is your mind just playing tricks on you? Surely you're just reacting to the cold, right?
  
  Mere moments after this thought you hear a laugh. Unlike what you were expecting, this isn't the laugh of some badass demon. No, it's the laugh of a female. You try to tighten your grip on your sword but can't move your fingers. Shit, maybe Lars had the right idea. Spending the night out here is a death sentence, regardless if demons attack.
  
  You can't bear to stand any longer and lower yourself to the ground. You drop your sword and curl into a ball. You don't have the energy to move a muscle and your body becomes stiff. Your eyes shut close and you're out cold seconds later.
  
  "What's a strong soldier like you doing out here all alone?" a soothing voice inquires.
  
  You open your eyes to find yourself staring at barely clothed succubus. She radiates an intense heat, although it's not enough to burn.
  
  "Who are you?" you ask.
  
  "My name's Catia and you never answered my question. Why are you all alone?"
  
  "My other guard, Lars, left. Look there's his sword right there," you say, feeling compelled to give more information than necessary.
  
  Catia walks towards his sword and picks it up.
  
  "Is this supposed to kill me? Ha! Don't make me laugh. Why is your equipment so poor?"
  
  You see no logical reason to tell a demon this but find yourself doing so instinctively.
  
  "Ever since demons came near our city, trade has been impossible. We have no experience with a threat this large and thus don't have the weapons or equipment to deal with it."
  
  She grins and salivates to your every word. You take a moment to stare at her figure. She looks more human than succubi are told to be. Still, there are a few stark differences. These being her bright red eyes, dark red curled horns, and pink tail. Oh, and she utterly beautiful. More so than any human you've seen. Despite being face to face demon for the first in your life, you feel entirely calm. Dare you say, the calmest you've ever felt.
  
  This calmness is ripped away when she begins to leave.
  
  "Where are you going?"
  
  "Hm? You want me stay huh?"
  
  "Yes... I do."
  
  She grins again and starts chewing on her tail in a seductive manner.
  
  "Sorry, no can do. But if you want, I would love to see you again. Trust me, it will be the most pleasurable experience of your life. All you have to do for me is one small favor."
  
  You feel an intense compulsion to comply with her every demand, but you stop yourself. Making deals with demons is serious business. You have enough willpower to at least ask what the favor is.
  
  She explains how if you want to meet again you need to be a more suggestive state, like you are right now due to the cold. She recommends going to a bar and drinking for a few hours. Then, all you have to do is whisper her name and she will come visit, provided that you're alone.
  
  She walks away leaving you all alone. As if in a trance, you make your way to The Drunk Tortoise Tavern.
  
  [Author's Note: You are a weak-willed guard for the city of Ashton. Demons have infested the surrounding landscapes, making trade impossible. When a succubus saves your life, will you follow her to the end? Or die trying? Entry for the Succubus Contest, 2019.]
  
  > A few hours later...
  "This is the last time I'm saying this Greg, immortality is not worth cutting off your cock. What's the point of being immortal if you're deprived of the best feeling in the world?"
  
  "Ey' maybe he's lacking in that area. No wonder he wants immortality if all he has to do his cut off an inch or two worth of pecker."
  
  Greg suddenly stands up, drawing your eyes to the bickering trio. They've been arguing random hypotheticals since you've gotten here. All you wanted was to get a quiet drink before meeting with Catia. As long as these buffoons are here, that's impossible.
  
  Even as Greg stands up he's shorter than the other two sitting. It's no wonder they pick on him, he looks pathetic.
  
  "Can you both just shut the fuck up? I mean, god damn. All I'm saying is living forever outweighs the downsides of not having a dick," he says in a whiny voice.
  
  The other two laugh uncontrollably at his pitiful attempt of defiance. One manages to calm down and spits out,
  
  "Maybe when it's smaller than a gnome's toothbrush, but for the rest us it's not so easy."
  
  Queue more uncontrollable laughter as Greg's face becomes redder than demon blood.
  
  "I'll shove a gnome's toothbrush up your ass if you say that one more time! C'mon, let's move on to another question."
  
  The trio quiets down and you zone them out. You take a swig of whisky and start to remember the reason while you're here. Oh yeah, the succubus. She wanted you to drink a bit before meeting her. You didn't necessarily jump at the idea of getting drunk before meeting with a demon, but she promised you she would make it worthwhile. You're pretty sure that means...
  
  Your thoughts are interrupted by the thickheaded trio once again.
  
  "You're telling me you'd prefer your child be retarded and kind than ingenious and mean?"
  
  "Yes Connor, I would."
  
  "God damn it, Greg! You want to spend an eternity with no dick while taking care of a retarded child? Pathetic. I would kill myself after a week."
  
  "Har har har! I would kill myself in a week if I had to live Greg's life as it is. No, scratch that, a day!"
  
  "Fuck you Tom. I can't be the only one who thinks this..."
  
  Greg glances around nervously looking for a savior. Eventually he turns his gaze towards you and his eyes light up.
  
  "Hey you over there! What would you rather have, a dumb, but kind child; or a smart, but cruel child?" he says while pointing at you.
  
  You stare blankly ahead and breathe a deep sigh. This is beyond stupid. You briefly consider just ignoring him and getting the hell out of this place.
  
  "Why do you think that man would agree with you? He's a soldier. Surely, he recognizes the benefits a genius could provide for society. Especially when you consider the need for mages regarding the growing demon problem."
  
  Soldier? Shit you forgot to change out of your uniform. So much for staying inconspicuous. You can thank your lucky stars none of the other guards are here to see you in this shithole.
  
  "Now now, let the man speak. Just because he's a soldier doesn't mean he agrees with you," says Tom.
  
  "Fine, what do you think...and hurry up! We don't have all day."
  
  > say "I prefer a retarded but kind child."
  "Thank you," Greg whispers.
  
  "You what!"
  
  "Pfft! And to think, I used to respect soldiers."
  
  Tom and Connor start shouting about how much of a dumbass you are. You don't bother to engage with such idiotic banter. Instead, you walk out of the tavern without a second glance. As you make your way outside you are hit with a rush of cool air.
  
  "I can't wait to meet Catia," you mutter to yourself.
  
  "Who's Catia?"
  
  You turn around and only see the entrance to the tavern.
  
  "Hello?"
  
  "Ermm down here sir!"
  
  You glance down and instantly recoil. It's Greg, what's he doing here?
  
  "What the hell do you want?"
  
  He begins to squirm uncomfortably and hyperventilate.
  
  "I...uh...I...erm..."
  
  "Spit it out!"
  
  "I wanted to thank you for agreeing with me," he says between irregular gasps for air.
  
  Oh, that's why he's here. You normally wouldn't mind but you have plans tonight and have no time for conversation.
  
  "People don't agree with you often kid? That's too bad," you say while walking away.
  
  "I'm not a kid, I'm 20. But yeah, everyone I meet either ignores or makes fun of me. I almost prefer the latter as at least they keep me company," he says while following behind you.
  
  "Damn that really sucks," you stop walking and stare him in the eyes, "Look I'd love to keep you company, but I have somewhere very important to be."
  
  Greg looks at you with a face of disappointment. But he lights up to ask,
  
  "Where do you have to be? Maybe I could come with you."
  
  Gah! As bad as you feel for Greg, under no circumstances could he come with you. She agreed to see you, not Greg and you.
  
  "Sorry I don't have time."
  
  "God damn it. Can you at least tell me why? I don't want to be near Connor and Tom right now. They make me feel inhuman."
  
  Does this guy ever shut up? You been trying to exit this conversation gracefully since it started. You should just tell him to fuck off and be done it. Of course, you could humor him and tell him what you're doing. It's been hard keeping this succubus thing a secret and having someone to confide in wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. On the other hand, you really want to go have demon sex.
  
  > talk to Greg
  "Fine I'll tell you why. But be warned, it's a long story."
  
  "That's alright, the longer I'm away from the other two the better."
  
  You take a deep breath and begin to describe your recent encounter with a succubus.
  
  "Well it all started when I fell asleep during guard duty."
  
  Later
  
  "And that's why I came to this tavern."
  
  Greg looks off in the distance, taking in everything you've told him. He starts speaking aloud slowly asking,
  
  "Do you think she was immortal?"
  
  Immortal? Aren't all demons immortal, unless killed? You're no expert, but you have never heard of a demon dying of old age.
  
  "I don't have a clue to be honest. I was under the impression that her actual age is much more than her physical appearance would suggest though."
  
  Greg gives a nod satisfied with your answer. You feel like you've told Greg more than enough and decide it's time to go. You wish him goodbye and feel a hint of longing in his response.
  
  "Goodbye friend."
  
  You tuck your hands in your pockets and begin the walk to your home. You're going to have to get home fast as the cold is unbearable. You decide to take the alleys, as not only is it faster, but it also provides protection from the wind.
  
  Common sense says going through alleys at night isn't safest, but Ashton is different than most cities. Crime is low, and poverty is uncommon as anyone can get a job as a guard as demand is higher than ever. The night's sky combined with the tight spaced alley nearly blinds you. When you finally get out you're relieved to have arrived at your parents' house.
  
  Most guards sleep in the barracks, however, since your parents never returned from their trip their house is all yours. If they ever return, you hope they don't mind you bringing a demon inside the house. Although, they were always bugging you about finding a girlfriend, this might not be what they had in mind.
  
  You walk to your parent's porch and open the door. The wooden door squeaks loudly as you open it.
  
  "Some things never change," you whisper to yourself.
  
  You immediately start making yourself more presentable. You change out of your soldiers' uniform and put on a loose-fitting black tunic. You probably should take a bath but your too excited to see Catia that you forget to. Do demons mind odor?
  
  You feel like this is your purpose. It's time to see Catia.
  
  "Catia".
  
  A dark cloud appears in your room, dispelling a toxic fume. You start violently coughing as you vision blurs indiscriminately. Your eyes shut close and you feel you grip on reality slipping away from you.
  
  "Ah shit," you whisper before passing out.
  
  Your eyes jitter open and you're greeted by Catia stroking your face. Her palm flushes the coolness off your face. Beads of sweat drip furiously down your neck as she continues caressing you.
  
  "Couldn't wait a single day before seeing me again? How cute."
  
  She crawls onto your bed and moves closer to you. Her aura is all consuming and you feel your free will being drained away. Yet, the whole process is extremely pleasing to you. She moves her mouth to your ear and whispers,
  
  "Do you want to see everything I have to offer?"
  
  You bite your tongue to avoid instinctively shouting yes. This may be your last chance to not go through with this. At the very least, it would give you chance to ask her a few more questions.
  
  > Yes, you're ready.
  She takes no time to hesitate and begins kissing you. As she does so, she unties your tunic and throws it off. Her warm body pushes against your bare skin as you are filled with euphoria.
  
  Soon both of you are completely naked. Catia pleases you in ways no other woman has or will ever be able to. Afterwards you both lay in bed panting as one thought races through your mind.
  
  How do you get more of this?
  
  1 Month Later
  
  It's been a month since you've started having sex with Catia on a regular basis. The first few times you felt great afterwards. However, lately she has been demanding more out of you.
  
  First, you no longer have to say her name to see her. She visits you most nights whether you like her to or not. Last night she told you she wants to introduce you to a group: The Order of the Inferno. She told you they are a group of demons who could give you unimaginable powers in exchange for your help. You protested as you feared what could happen. Demon attacks are becoming more common and more lethal. Their reputation proceeds them and stomps out any curiosity you have of meeting one. Tales of rape, human consumption, and slavery are a few of many horrendous acts they have committed.
  
  Yet, as always, she managed to convince you. As much as your mind tries to resist, her presence is intoxicating. You embrace it as fighting gets you nowhere. She tells you to meet you in a nearby forest tonight. This is the first time you're seeing her outside your bedroom since the day you met. You sneak out the city walls when no one is watching and blend into the shadows.
  
  Although it is still winter, the temperature has unexpectedly risen. Some say its because of demonic power, others view it as being coincidence. Whatever it is, the cold will not be a hindrance. You reach the edge of the forest and feel your heart leaping out of your chest. While the city has many focused-on demons, other creatures lurk during the night. Just because Catia is on your side doesn't mean you are safe. You keep this in mind as you take cover in bushes and flora periodically.
  
  An intense red light comes into view causing you to close your eyes. You begin to stumble and fall to the ground. When you're able to open your eyes, you find yourself staring up at a hooded figure.
  
  "Who dares disturb me?" she hisses.
  
  Behind a dark brown hood lies a demonic face. Compared to Catia, she is clearly not human. Although none of that matters now, you begin to explain,
  
  "Catia told me to come here. Are you part of The Inferno Order?"
  
  "She sent a human to the center of The Order of the Inferno! I guess she wants to make up for earlier. I could never turn down a good meal."
  
  She begins advancing towards you as a snake-like tongue hangs out of her mouth.
  
  'Wait! She told me you wanted my help and would give me powers in exchange."
  
  She begins to laugh as she towers over you. You're helpless as she grabs your neck and leans in... to kiss you?
  
  "My kiss is to die for!"
  
  You surprise yourself when you send a punch flying at her mouth. She seems equally surprised as she falls backwards.
  
  "I guess I can still resist," you say.
  
  You get up and start running away but it's no use. She's much faster than you, especially considering she can fly. You don't have many options left but need to decide quick. Do you run deeper in the forest and hope to lose her or run back to the city and put everyone at risk?
  
  > go deeper into the forest
  You start running to the heart of the forest praying that you lose her. It's to no avail, she easy catches up to you and it seems you reached your end. Right as she is in arm's length she stops. Before you know it, she has flown away leaving you all alone. What's the deal?
  
  You quickly get your answer as you hear a monstrous screech. You suddenly feel extremely cold as a ghost like entity hovers above you. There's no doubt about it, this is a wraith. They're well known for their madness and spreading it to all they encounter.
  
  Your mind is assaulted with a barrage of incomprehensible whispering. Within seconds you wish that demon would have killed you as the pain you experience is like no other. Your life energy is sapped away from you when the wraith eats your soul. You haven't died technically but exist as one of hundreds of souls trapped within the wraith's body. You're never heard from again.