The Hidden World

Yuki didn’t know much about Erica’s history. She knew some, but Erica always held back on the exact details. All she knew was that someone important she loved had died and that she was rejected by her people after that. It seemed that it was Erica’s job to protect this person and that she failed.

‘Though, that does seem a bit extreme,’ she thought. 

But Yuki chalked it up to how succubus society worked. She was curious about details, but prying was a tricky ordeal and she didn’t want to put Erica in an uncomfortable situation.

Now, Erica was going back to the place that exiled her just to help Yuki. She couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty about it. The only reason Erica was going back was because of something that Yuki told her about.

‘Well. I’ll keep an eye on her,’ she decided. ‘I’ll make sure that she’s fine. Or at least, try and make sure that she’s fine.’

A few moments later, Erica found her bearings. She announced it, and began to lead the pace as she set off at a brisk jog. The rest followed her with ease, Yuki just a few paces behind to give Erica some room in case she needed to stop to look around. 

True to Erica’s prediction, they traveled on foot for three days, taking periodic breaks in between to rest. At night, Akira or Yuki would find a place to set up camp and they would eat rations that Akira had before sleeping.

On the second day, Akira’s rations had run out as she hadn’t prepared for a long journey and another person other than Yuki. Because of this, Mathali took it upon himself to hunt for food on the third day even after Yuki offered to do it. 

“We’re approaching,” Erica said during the afternoon of their third day of travel. The sun was high in the sky, but the trees around them blocked the rays. “We’ll walk the rest of the way.”

“How much farther?” Yuki asked, looking around at the forest around them. 

“About four miles, give or take.”

They continued onward, twigs snapping beneath them. As they progressed further, Yuki found that her eyes weren’t deceiving her. The trees were thinning at a steady rate. The sun’s rays were piecing through the blanket of leaves more and more, heating the air. With more sun hitting the ground, grass became more and more abundant. Deer began to pop in and out of Yuki’s vision, many of them running before she got a good look at them.

When the last of the trees thinned, the group stepped into a grassy field with small hills and flowers that peppered the green canvas. Rabbits hopped about the grass as birds flew overhead. But other than that, Yuki couldn’t see anything but nature.

“We’re here,” Erica said. 

“There’s nothing here,” Yuna said, looking around with a confused look.

“You’re not looking hard enough,” Mathali said quietly.

“The devil gets it,” Erica smiled. “Did you think a village of succubi with mental magic would be easy to find?”

Erica stepped forward, her smile melting off as her jaw clenched and her eyes narrowed. She looked like she was preparing herself for something. Yuki watched her as wings sprouted out from her back and a tail curled out along with two pairs of horns. Her eyes brightened into a stormy violet. 

An aura began to roll off of her, a bit dampened by her bracelet, but its effects could still be felt. A feeling of lust rose within Yuki that created a strange mixture with her urges to protect Erica. She clamped down on it with a bit of effort, but looking at the others, she saw that Yuna was especially struggling. Mathali looked unphased which Yuki found intriguing.

“Mat, are you alright?” she asked.

“Of course, my lady,” he replied with a bright smile. “A succubus’s charm will never work on me for I never lust. It is an attribute of mine that has proven useful a number of times in my life.”

“I see.”

“Shush you two,” Erica said. Her voice had changed a bit, becoming softer with a sort of charm behind it. “They’ll be opening the gates right about now.”

At her words, the air in front of them shimmered as a veil was pulled away. A wall stood in front of them that encircled a village within it. The gate of the wall was pulled all the way up, revealing a brick path that ended at the wall. 

“That’s our invitation in,” Erica said. “When you go in there, hold onto your wits. Do not talk to anyone. Except for Mathali and maybe Yuki, the presence of so many succubi will overwhelm you. Understand?”

“Why not put up charms?” Akira asked. Erica frowned at that.

“It’s rude. We’re entering their village under their grace,” she replied. “Imagine if you invited someone into your house and they sprayed air freshener around themselves because they didn’t like the perfume you use.”

“So how do we hold on?” Yuna asked. Her eyes held a bit of apprehension within them. “I don’t have experience with this.”

Erica gave her a smile, and Yuki almost laughed as Yuna nearly swooned before she got a hold of herself. Erica turned away quickly.

“A good piece of advice would be to not look at any succubus directly,” she said. “If it’s a woman, you will be able to resist very easily, so you can speak to them. The incubi are another problem. Those you need to avoid getting too close. Do not let them touch you. When they speak, repeat a song or poem in your mind. Other than that, if I see that you’re faltering, I’ll help when I can.”

“Alright,” Yuna said. “Err. But why are the women fine for me to speak to when you’re...you know.”

“Because they’re not like me,” Erica replied her voice tight. “Anyway. Let’s go. Stay close.”

Following right behind Erica, the group walked through the gates. The village they stepped into was one that couldn’t quite be called modern. Its buildings were made of brick and their designs were quite old. But there was some technology in the hands of the people that walked along the street. 

Looking closer at the people, Yuki found that they all were succubi. That was to be expected since it was a village for succubi. No one other than a succubus would want to live here if they had a choice. Yuki could feel the magic in the air that clouded her mind. 

The succubi were, to be blunt, extremely attractive from the few glances that Yuki risked. Combine that with their innate charm that exuded from them, she understood why Erica was so insistent on warning them. She peeked back at Yuna to see how she was doing. She had her eyes glued to her the ground, her jaw clenched as she shuffled forward. Akira had taken her hand to lead her forward.

“Are we heading to an inn?” Mathali asked. His voice low, but the quiet atmosphere of the village made it sound like he was shouting. 

“The only one in town,” Erica replied. “Remember. No talking to anyone.”

As they walked further into the town, Yuki gradually felt more and more attention landing onto them. Many gazes seemed curious, but she didn’t look long enough to confirm it. 

Erica turned, heading down a narrower street. The buildings alongside the street casted their shadows, darkening the way. She marched forward with purpose, never giving anyone the group passed a second look. 

“We’re here,” Erica said. 

They stopped in front of a plain looking two story building with a sign that labeled it as an inn. Through the windows, Yuki spied a restaurant on the lower level. The rooms must be on the second floor. 

Erica opened the door and stepped inside as Mathali held the door open for the others. The restaurant on the first floor was nearly empty save for two people that sat at opposite ends. The succubus behind the register of the inn brightened as she saw them enter. 

“Newcomers!” she greeted with a wide smile. “How may I help you? Here to find a room?”

“Yes,” Erica replied. “One night and one day.”

The succubus froze as she stared at Erica. Her smile began to gradually melt away as her eyes widened. 

“Why are you here?” she asked in a hushed whisper. “Do you realise that you’re exiled?”

“Of course I do, Saren,” Erica said. “I’ll be leaving in a bit. I’m just reserving rooms for my friends here.”

“Why are you here though?” 

“Some business. I’m not here to cause any trouble.”

“You know that I’m going to have to report you, right?” Saren said. “Otherwise, I’m going to get in trouble.”

“I know that. Go ahead. I’ll be turning myself in anyway,” Erica shrugged. 

“Alright. So. One night and one day?”

“Yes. Thank you, Saren,” Erica said.

“No problem.” She hit a few buttons on her register before she hesitated a bit. “Erica. I just want to say sorry. I wanted to talk to you, but, you know…”

“Can’t exactly talk to someone exiled,” Erica completed. “I do know. Don’t worry about it. It’s not your fault. It’s mine and I accept it.”

“Okay,” Saren said. She hit one last button. “One silver.”

“Shouldn’t it be more?” Erica frowned. 

“A discount. It’s the least I can do.”

Erica smiled and Saren turned away, her face reddening a bit. 

“Your magic is as potent as ever,” Saren said. 

“Ah. Sorry. I’ll take my leave now,” Erica said, backing away. “You guys stay here. I’ll handle the rest.”

“I’m going with you,” Yuki said. Erica began to protest, but Yuki cut her off. “I’m going with you. You can’t stop me.”

“It’s not safe,” Erica replied. “Especially with so many succubi and incubi around.”

“I’ll be fine. I’m worried about your safety.”

“You don’t need to. Nothing will happen to me.”

Yuki frowned. Erica didn’t sound so convinced by that. 

“No arguments,” Yuki said, grabbing Erica’s arm. She stared directly in her eyes. “I’m going with you.”

Erica stared back for a moment before sighing a bit. Then she nodded and looked at the rest of the group.

“Just Yuki. The rest of you stay here,” she said.

“Mathali, protect them,” Yuki added.

“Yes, my lady,” Mat bowed.

“Saren, if you need to report me, do it now,” Erica said. “Yuki, let’s go. This might take a while.”