Succumania

(*Snuff warning, just in case. But it's Vinum, you should expect that.*)

Today was the day. 

Today… was the day. He could also hear the bells announcing the evaluation in his head.

Luka woke up alone. The space beside him was empty, the lingering warmth long gone—Alma had risen earlier again. He sighed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes before dragging himself out of bed.

After a quick wash and a simple breakfast, he set his mind on a small ritual he had planned—a quiet moment to center himself before the dreaded evaluation.

In the kitchen, he reached for a small porcelain pot decorated with blue flower patterns. Carefully, he selected a handful of tea leaves and set them aside. 

The water began to boil, soft steam curling into the air. The morning was beginning, no one was present. 

After finishing his tea, he placed the teapot on a plate and walked upstairs. With a soft knock, his knuckles collided with the door leading to Vinum's room. 

"Come in," he heard a muffled voice from the other side, and pushed the knob.

Luka stepped inside, the soft creak of the door barely disturbing the room's quiet atmosphere.

There she was—Vinum, seated at her desk in her usual attire. A crisp white button-up blouse, its short sleeves neatly folded. A red ribbon tied at her neck in a perfect bow. Her high-waisted purple skirt fell elegantly, not a single crease marring its fabric, and her slender legs, clad in black tights, crossed at the ankle.

She was writing something, her fingers moving precisely. The feathered quill in her grasp danced across the parchment, its tip leaving flowing ink trails in elegant script. The candlelight flickered beside her, casting soft shadows across the desk, emphasizing the quiet diligence with which she worked.

Luka lingered in the doorway for a moment, watching her in silence, before clearing his throat. "Busy as always," he said, setting the tray down on a small table near the door with a faint clink.

Vinum didn't glance up immediately. She finished the stroke of her latest letter before replying. "And you are early, again."

Luka poured some tea in an elegant cup and brought it to her, placing it down gently on the desk.

She raised an eyebrow at the unusual gesture. "Are you trying to sweeten the evaluation?" she asked, her tone almost disappointed.

"Nah," he chuckled, pouring a cup for him. "Just figured you would like it."

Vinum studied him for a moment, her sharp blue eyes searching his face for any sign of hidden motives. Then, with a small sigh, she set down her quill and picked up the cup.

She took a slow sip—

And for the first time in a long while, her expression flickered.

It was subtle, barely noticeable, but Luka caught it. A slight widening of her eyes. A pause, as if she needed an extra second to process what she'd just tasted.

Then, just as quickly, she composed herself, setting the cup back down with a soft clink.

"Boy," she said, her voice uncharacteristically blank. "When did you learn how to make tea?"

Luka leaned back with a chuckle, taking a sip of his own. "Let's just say… I used to hate tea before I met a certain girl. She taught me how to do it properly." He swirled the liquid in his cup thoughtfully. "Said it was her grandma's favorite."

Vinum narrowed her eyes at him. "Are you making fun of me?"

Luka smirked. "Not this time. Do you like it?"

"I do," she admitted as she took another slow sip.

A rare silence fell between them, neither unpleasant nor tense—just a quiet moment, filled only by the faint crackle of candlelight and the delicate clink of porcelain. 

Eventually, Vinum placed her cup down with a faint sigh and folded her hands neatly together. "I hope you are ready for your evaluation."

"I'm definitely not," Luka said, grinning despite himself. "If you paid any attention to what happened this week, you'd know that."

"I shall judge myself. Let's go."

"Already? Don't you want to finish writing your script or something? Hell, you haven't finished your tea."

She jumped from her seat and landed on the floor, the pink tips of her white hair fluttering with the movement. "I have a better tea to taste," she said in the most casual manner possible.

Luka sighed dramatically. "Man, I really thought I could stall for at least five more minutes."

"At least you tried," she shot back over her shoulder, pushing the door open with a flick of her wrist.

Luka hesitated, glancing around the room as he trailed after her. "Wait—we're not doing this here?"

"The evaluation is comprised of many checkpoints. Follow me."

Luka hurried to catch up. But while he thought she would move downstairs, she went into the bathroom, switching the lights on. 

"I have a bad feeling about this…" he sighed, the memories of the shower time with Alma Elma resurfacing. While ruffling his hair, he entered the bathroom and she closed the door behind them, the lock clicking in place.

"Good," Vinum nodded to herself before heading toward the bathtub. She turned the faucet with a sharp twist, the pipes groaning faintly before water began to pour into the basin, the sound a steady, rhythmic patter against the porcelain. Steam rose in lazy curls, the air growing warm and heavy as the tub slowly filled.

"So what's the first checkpoint?" he asked, his arms crossed as he watched the water pour inside.

"I will teach you a few things before we start," she said as she began unbuttoning her blouse. "As you may know, we succubi enjoy being clean and take a lot of care in our bodies."

"Right…" Luka's voice came out flatter than he intended.

Is she actually going to lecture me?

After unbuttoning her blouse completely, Vinum slipped it off her shoulders, revealing a white bra tightening around her small breasts. She folded the blouse and set it on a nearby rack before turning to him.

Luka's gaze flickered to the side, a flush creeping up his neck despite himself. "Can't you do this in your other form?"

"No. This one will be better for the first evaluation. And besides, you enjoyed the imps, don't tell me you don't like it."

"That's not—" a vein popped on his forehead but he bit his tongue to not push further.

Vinum's lips twitched into a faint smirk, though she didn't press the teasing further. She slowly undid the strap around her waist and her skirt fell down on the floor in a heap. "Undress too, boy. Unless you want to enter the bath with your clothes," she said as she stood before him in just her white undergarments. 

"So we're really doing this, huh?" he sighed but obliged as he removed his jacket and began removing his shirt by sliding it above his head. 

Vinum removed her tights and dipped one toe inside the tub. "Hm, good enough." Then, with the same calm, she reached behind her back to unclasp her bra, letting it slip off her shoulders and fall to the floor. Her panties followed a moment later, the white fabric landing silently on the tiles

Luka didn't avert his gaze as by now he was used to seeing naked bodies in his house, but it still felt strange to him. He finally managed to remove the rest of his clothes, standing naked as well. 

Vinum stepped into the tub, the water rippling around her as she lowered herself in. She settled against the edge of the tub, a soft, almost imperceptible moan of satisfaction escaping her lips. Then, she turned her eyes to Luka and smirked. "Don't be shy, boy."

Luka grumbled but obeyed, dipping a toe in the water.

"Ah—!" He yanked his foot back immediately, hissing through his teeth as the heat seared his skin. "The hell? It's hot!"

"Oh?" Vinum muttered, tilting her head slightly as her fingers played with the water, sending delicate ripples across the glowing surface. "It's quite cold for me…" Her voice was casual, but there was a faint edge of mockery in her tone that made Luka's eye twitch.

"I knew it," he sighed, clenching his teeth as he braced himself to try again. "You've got dragon blood or something." He stepped into the tub on the opposite side, wincing as the scalding water lapped at his legs, forcing himself to lower down slowly until he was submerged up to his chest. The heat was almost unbearable at first, but it gradually dulled into a tolerable sting. 

Vinum watched him with a faint smirk, her fingers still trailing through the water as she leaned back against the tub's edge, utterly at ease. "Kuku… You may be right. But for someone who enjoys blasting the sun at people, you have a bad tolerance to heat."

"It's different!" Luka grumbled, his hands gripping the edges of the tub as he adjusted his position, trying to find a spot where the heat didn't feel like it was cooking him alive.

Her gaze drifted downward for a moment, and her smirk widened ever so slightly. "Hm. A grower, then."

"You damn pervert hag," he shot back, covering himself with one hand.

"I am merely stating a fact," Vinum chuckled. "Usually I see them already hard."

Luka blinked, realizing what she meant.

"Even if you said you didn't progress this week, it's not true," she explained, her arms crossed. "On the first day, seeing me like this might have been enough to… provoke a reaction. But now…" She tilted her head, her sharp eyes studying him with an intensity that made him feel like a specimen under a magnifying glass. "You've built some restraint. That's progress, boy."

"Right," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he leaned back against the tub's edge, the heat finally starting to feel less oppressive against his skin. "At least getting dryfished twice gave me some kind of resistance."

Vinum's lips curved upward into a faint, knowing smile, her gaze never wavering. "You're enjoying your time in this house a lot, aren't you?" she asked, her voice deceptively soft, though there was a subtle edge to it that made Luka pause.

Luka stared at her, not understanding where she was going with that.

"Good grief," she sighed after seeing his confusion. "I am saying you've become accustomed to feel like a prey in a predator's house."

"Well…" he scratched his cheek in embarrassment. "That's not true, I—"

"You jumped on Astaroth on purpose, didn't you?" her glare turned to ice in reprimand. "You also 'tricked' that fool Lilith, but you could have died too."

"O-Okay, fine, you're right!" he admitted, his fists clenched to his side. "I mean, it feels really good and all… And if that makes them happy…"

"I see," she narrowed her eyes. "So you decided to satisfy them by sacrificing yourself."

"Hey, I haven't given up!" Luka protested, his voice rising slightly. "I'm still trying, still learning. I'm not just some… some toy for you all to play with."

Vinum sighed, her gaze drifting downward as if she'd lost interest in the conversation. "Perhaps," she said, her voice cool and detached. "But desire and recklessness are a dangerous combination, boy. You'd do well to remember that."

Luka blinked. "Are you… actually worried about me?"

"I am not," Vinum chuckled. "I am just asking you these questions so that I can write it down later."

"Hm," Luka grunted, his tone noncommittal as he sank a little deeper into the steaming water.

The water lapped gently against the sides of the tub, the steam thickening the air between them as silence settled once more. Luka shifted uncomfortably, the heat seeping into his muscles and loosening the tension in his shoulders despite himself.

He glanced at her, expecting to see that same piercing stare, but her eyes were half-lidded now, her expression softened by the warmth of the bath. For once, she seemed almost… relaxed. It was a rare sight on its own, and Luka found himself studying her more closely—the faint glint of her pale skin, the delicate curve of her collarbone, the way her white hair clung to her damp shoulders, the pink tips bleeding into the water like ink.

"Boy," she said without opening her eyes. 

"Yeah?"

"Come here and clean my body."

The words hit him like a splash of cold water, snapping him out of his reverie. "Do I look like your servant or something?!" he blurted, his tone a mix of indignation and disbelief as he sat up straighter, water sloshing around him.

Vinum's lips curved into a faint smirk, her eyes still closed as if his reaction was exactly what she'd expected. "No. But consider it part of the evaluation."

"Fine," Luka sighed, shifting in the narrow bathtub. He picked up a bottle of body wash and poured some in his hand. "At this rate, I'll wash every girl in the house…"

"You're a perverted man," Vinum replied with a sigh, her head resting lazily on one hand as if the very thought bored her. "You'll enjoy it."

"Oi, don't call me out like that, professor," Luka grumbled, though the faint flush creeping up his neck suggested she wasn't entirely wrong. He scooted closer, the water sloshing softly as he positioned himself behind her. With a tentative touch, he placed his hands on her shoulders, his fingers slick with soap as he began scrubbing in slow, cautious circles.

Her skin was warm beneath his touch, slick from the water and the faint luster of steam. Vinum didn't move, didn't speak, her breathing slow and even as if she were savoring the sensation.

Luka worked in silence for a moment, his hands moving methodically down the curve of her shoulders, tracing the faint lines of her muscles with ease. 

"You're not half bad at this," Vinum murmured, her voice low and tinged with a rare note of approval. She tilted her head slightly, giving him better access to the back of her neck, her damp hair sliding across her skin.

She pressed her body a bit more against his, her petite frame resting on his legs. "I wonder if you're just fucking around at this point…" he sighed but kept going. "Also, are you tired or is it just me? You're less snarky than usual."

Vinum let out a soft hum, her breath in sync with the movement of his hands. "Tired? Hardly. I am simply enjoying the moment."

"I see…" he exhaled sharply as he began scrubbing her arms. Her eyes were closed, the back of her head pressed against his chest. 

"You know…" she began, her rosy lips moving softly. "A human marrying a succubus this powerful in my world would never happen…"

"And?" he asked, lifting her other arm to scrub it. 

"You better not mess this up, boy," she chuckled. "Before the trial, she stopped by to ask me to find a way for it to work, or to at least protect you."

Luka's hands stilled for a moment. "Protect me?" he echoed."Wait, does that mean she didn't create this trial on the spur of the moment?"

Vinum sighed, nestling further into his chest, her petite frame warm and pliant against him. "No," she admitted. "She's been preparing this for a while now… However, I cannot say anything further without breaking the terms of our contract."

"The hell…" Luka muttered, his brow furrowing deeper as he finished scrubbing her arms. He reached for a bottle of shampoo on the tub's edge, pouring a small dollop into his palm. The scent of jasmine bloomed in the air as he worked it into a lather, his movements mechanical while his mind churned with questions.

Luka's hands hesitated for a moment before he gently began working the shampoo into Vinum's hair, his fingers gliding through the damp strands with a careful touch.

"So… this whole thing," he said after a moment, his voice low as he massaged the shampoo into her scalp, "it's been planned out? Like, she's been scheming this trial for a while?"

"I pity you…" she sighed again, losing herself in the gentle sensation of his hands. 

"What? Why?"

"Don't worry about it for now," she replied softly. "You must focus on resisting pleasure, that is all."

With that, she shifted her weight slightly, her hips rubbing against his soft member in a subtle, deliberate motion. The sensation sent a slight jolt through Luka, a flicker of heat sparking in his core, but it wasn't enough to entice a full reaction. He tensed, his hands stilling as he exhaled sharply, trying to keep his composure.

Luka's grip on her hair tightened for a fraction of a second before he forced himself to relax, his fingers resuming their careful massage as he rinsed the shampoo away with slow scoops of warm water.

"Resisting pleasure, huh?" he muttered, his voice rougher than he intended as he worked to keep his focus on the task. "That's easier said than done when you're pulling stunts like that."

"Kukuku…" she chuckled. "If you can't resist that, then I would have no hopes for you."

Luka finished rinsing her hair, squeezing the excess water from the strands with a small towel before setting it aside. "You're about to give me much worse, aren't you?" he sighed.

"Of course," she hummed faintly, her voice laced with a predatory edge as her hands slid along his thighs, her fingers groping with a deliberate slowness that made his breath hitch. "I will take my time devouring you."

"I figured…" Luka muttered, his voice low as he tried to ignore the heat creeping up his neck. 

Vinum's fingers lingered on his thighs as she raised her head to meet his eyes. "Now, clean the front," she ordered, pulling his hand closer to her bare flat chest.

"You're really not making this easy, are you?" he muttered, his voice rough with a mix of exasperation and reluctant amusement as he reached for the bottle of body wash again, pouring a small dollop into his palm.

"Do it softly," Vinum warned, her eyes closing as he began cupping her small breasts, her tone carrying a dangerous bite that sent a shiver down his spine. "Otherwise, I shall drain you dry on the spot."

"Got it," he muttered under his breath as he started scrubbing with slow, careful circular motions around her nipples.

Vinum let out a soft hum, her head tilting back slightly as she seemed to savor the sensation, her expression serene but tinged with a faint smirk that suggested she was fully aware of the effect she was having. "Good," she murmured. "Keep going."

"Don't get too excited," he grumbled as he massaged, a certain heat rising in his lower half, ironically. 

"Now, go lower," she whispered softly, guiding his hand on her tummy. 

What the hell is this old hag doing? I thought she was going to do something way worse but…

After scrubbing her front clean, she dragged his hand even lower, approaching dangerously close to her inner thighs. 

"...Don't tell me you want there too?" he asked with a deadpan. 

Vinum tilted her head to glance at him over her shoulder, her blue eyes glinting with mischief. "Have you ever learned how to please a woman, boy?" she asked, her voice laced with a teasing challenge as she guided his hand lower still, her fingers brushing against his with a deliberate slowness. "Scrub here."

Luka sighed, his exasperation warring with the faint flush creeping up his cheeks. "You're gonna be the death of me, you know that?" he muttered, but he complied, his fingers moving with a cautious gentleness as he scrubbed the delicate skin of her inner thighs,

"I will kill you, yes," she nodded. "It's not like you didn't know."

"It's a figure of speech," Luka retorted, flicking the back of her head lightly with his free hand while the other remained occupied. "I know you're not going to go easy on me."

Vinum let out a soft, almost exasperated sigh, her fingers tightening briefly around his wrist as she dragged his hand even lower, guiding it to her folds. "I don't think you understand that I am going easy on you."

"H-Hey, here too?" he stammered, his fingers feeling the soft flesh.

"I think it's time I told you," Vinum began, her tone shifting to something more serious as she guided his finger with a teasing slowness, tracing along her inner folds with deliberate care. "Your goal today is to make me achieve an orgasm—no matter what it takes."

Luka's face turned as white as snow. 

"So I will drain you dry as much as needed in your bedroom until I reach it," she continued, her expression unyielding, her sharp blue eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made his stomach twist. "This is why I'm letting you… explore here. You need to learn how to set the mood properly for the challenges ahead—especially after the trial."

Luka swallowed hard, his throat dry despite the humid air. His hand remained where she'd guided it, his fingers trembling faintly against her skin as he tried to process the sudden escalation of the "evaluation."

"You're… serious, aren't you?" he finally managed, his voice rough as he pulled his hand back slightly, though her grip on his wrist kept him from retreating entirely.

Vinum's lips curled into a faint, predatory smile, her eyes half-lidded as she studied him with an intensity that made his pulse quicken. "Deadly serious," she replied. "But don't look so pale, boy. I've given you a head start, haven't I?"

"A head start?" he gritted his teeth. "Can a succubus even cum? Even Astaroth after dryfishing me didn't seem to!"

"I suppose she didn't," she replied matter-of-factly. "Though I wouldn't know—I left early. It was like watching one of those… what do you humans call them? Mukbang videos. Utterly dull." Her lips curled into a faint smirk as she tilted her head, her damp short hair brushing against him. "I prefer to do the eating myself."

"So, how do I make you cum?" he asked, a bit fearful. 

"You try to live as long as possible," Vinum replied as she continued using his hand to rub herself. "And you try to give pleasure in return if possible."

"Like what? Giving kisses and saying I love you?" he smirked leaning against he head.

Vinum's face twisted. "You're welcome to try. Though I doubt that will work."

"What, because your heart feels nothing?"

But no answer came, simply the sudden stop of the movement of her hand. 

"Alright, alright, I was joking," Luka said quickly, chuckling nervously as he sensed the change. "No need to take it so seriously."

"Kukuku… You are right," she chuckled darkly. "It's a chance I have a sense of humor, right boy?"

"Uh…" Luka faltered, his words catching in his throat as her gaze pinned him in place.

Then, without warning, her expression shifted—her sharp features softened into an unnervingly innocent smile, her voice pitching higher, almost singsong. "Because you do love me, don't you?" Her finger traced a slow, teasing line along his abs, her touch featherlight yet burning.

"O-Okay, Vinum," Luka stammered, his eyebrows twitching as he tried to regain control of the situation. "I get the message—"

"Kufufu~" she giggled, her faux-innocent smile widening as she turned fully in the tub, pressing her little body against his. The sudden closeness made his breath hitch, her skin warm and slick against his as she leaned in, her lips hovering dangerously close to his ear. "How about we turn this little bath white?"

"Wha—?" Luka's question was cut off by a sharp gasp as a sudden, overwhelming heat surged through him. He gasped, but before he could truly process it, his penis throbbed and leaked like a broken faucet.

Vinum's smile didn't break as she continued running her finger alongside him. "Oh? Did we go pew pew already?" she giggled. "That's not good!"

Luka's entire body trembled, his face burning crimson as he fought to steady his ragged breathing. This is the most terrifying thing I've ever experienced, he thought, his mind reeling from the intensity of it all.

"Please, just… go back to normal," he managed to choke out, his voice quivering as another wave of heat surged through him, a second release hitting him like a tidal wave. "You're scaring me."

"Kufufu~" Her giggle deepened, a dark undertone threading through it as she relished the shivers wracking his body. Her fingers continued their slow, torturous dance along his skin, each touch sending fresh sparks through his already overwhelmed senses.

Vinum tilted her head, her blue eyes turning golden as she watched him squirm. "Normal?" she said as she pressed herself closer, her nipples teasing his skin. "Isn't that what you wanted? A cute me?"

"Stop… toying with me and get on with it," he clenched his teeth as another orgasm threatened to take over him. 

Why? Why do I want to cum? She did nothing! Is this a mental attack?

"Get on with it?" she echoed, her innocent face fading into a snarky smile. "All right, if you insist, boy." 

Her golden eyes flared brighter, and in an instant, her form shifted. Dark-purple and black horns erupted from her head, curling wickedly, while a thick, white-and-purple tail unfurled from her lower back, its arrow-tipped end swaying with menace. Short, bat-like wings sprouted from her back, their black frames stretched with a white membrane with pink lines. Her small breasts were now adorned with a golden circlet draped in sheer black fabric, and her lower half was clad in high-strapped black panties that hugged her form.

"I hope you are ready, boy," she grinned wickedly. "From now on, even after your death, I shall not stop until I'm satisfied. So that you may understand why your tactic is a foolish endeavor."

Her body glowed faintly with a pink aura. "First, let's see how you handle magical attacks," she chuckled, seeing where this will go already.

Shit, I need to protect myself— Luka's mind raced, his instincts screaming to cast a defensive spell, to do something to shield himself from whatever was coming.

But before he could even summon a single incantation, an overwhelming wave of pleasure seared through him, scorching every nerve in his body. His shaft throbbed with a desperate eagerness, and then—

It spilled, and spilled, and spilled, a relentless, drawn-out orgasm that seemed to stretch on forever, wracking his body with uncontrollable shudders. His vision blurred, his breath coming in ragged gasps as the sensation consumed him, leaving him powerless to resist.

Vinum's laughter filled the steamy air, low and triumphant, as she ground herself against his leg, her glowing aura pulsing in time with his torment. "Kukuku… Not well it seems," she taunted, her tail flicking playfully against the water's surface, sending ripples outward.

"Aaaahhh…! "Luka's hands clamped onto the edges of the tub with desperate strength, his knuckles whitening as his head lolled back, wave after wave of orgasms coursing through him. He could feel his body withering with every passing second, the impossible volume of essence being drained from him signaling that she was truly siphoning everything he had

After only fifteen seconds, his ribcage was already showing. Vinum looked at him with a smile as she traced patterns along his ribcage, her touch both teasing and possessive as she watched his body deteriorate under her power.

"Such a fragile thing you are," she murmured, her voice a velvet purr as her golden eyes gleamed with sadistic delight. "And yet, there's still more for me to take, isn't there?"

"Ah… Ah…" Luka's breaths came in shallow, uneven pants, his mind fogging over as he struggled to form a coherent thought through the haze of pleasure and exhaustion. But the waves of ecstasy refused to relent, each surge more devastating than the last, until finally, with one last, shuddering spurt, his vision darkened completely, and his body went limp.

Vinum stood over his disheveled corpse, a faint, contemplative smile playing on her lips as she surveyed her handiwork. The water around her had turned an opaque white, the sheer amount of semen he had spilled surpassing even her own estimations.

"Ah…" she sighed softly, her power flaring briefly as she absorbed the scattered life force lingering in the water with an audible gulp. The milky hue dissipated, the bath returning to its pristine clarity as the energy swirled into her.

She tilted her head, her golden eyes glinting with a mix of satisfaction and mild disappointment. "Such a pity," she murmured to herself, her tail swaying lazily behind her. "I had hoped he'd last a little longer… but no matter." Her smile sharpened as she stepped out of the tub, her wings giving a small flutter. "This is only the beginning of the lesson."

She licked her lips slowly, savoring the lingering taste of him on her tongue. "Truly, that girl knew how to raise him," she muttered, her voice low and appreciative. "One of the most delectable I've had in quite some time." With a final glance at his motionless form, she turned and stepped out of the bathroom, her bare feet silent against the floor as she made her way toward his bedroom, her tail flicking with anticipation.

Inside the bedroom, the air was cooler, and it prickled against Vinum's damp skin as she entered. Vinum's aura still glowed faintly as she entered, her golden eyes scanning the space. The boy had already reappeared, though he was asleep. 

With a feline grace, Vinum leapt onto the bed, the mattress dipping beneath her slight weight as she straddled him, her thighs bracketing his hips. Her tail coiled possessively around his leg, the pointed tip brushing against his skin with a teasing lightness. "Now. I hope you are ready, boy," she chuckled as she used her aura to make his skin tingle just enough for him to wake up.

Luka's eyes fluttered open, his vision blurry and unfocused as the weight on his chest registered. A low groan escaped his lips, his body aching with the phantom pain of what had transpired in the bathroom. His heart stuttered in his chest as his gaze sharpened, landing on the petite succubus perched atop him, her golden eyes glinting with wicked amusement.

"Hello again," she chuckled, straightening with a languid grace as her hands rested lightly on his chest, her fingers tracing idle patterns over his skin. "Now you know what my hardest is."

Luka swallowed hard, his throat dry as he tried to muster a response. "So… It can't go worse…?" he rasped.

"Kukuku… It can if I insert it inside me while using my powers," she explained. "But from now on I shall take my time. We have all day after all."

"Shit… Luka muttered, his voice trembling slightly as he squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, trying to steady his racing pulse. "Just… give me a second…"

Vinum's smirk widened, her fingers pausing their teasing dance across his chest as she tilted her head, studying him with the intensity of a predator sizing up its prey. "A second? Alright."

"Wai—"

"One," she grinned as she pushed aside the fabric of her panties and shifted her hips, beginning to grind against his already-hard member slowly. Her folds, slick and warm, coated his shaft with a glistening liquid, the squishy sound of their contact filling the room with an obscene rhythm that made his cheeks burn.

Luka's hands shot to her hips instinctively. "Vinum—" he gasped, his voice cracking with reluctant pleasure. 

"What's the matter, boy?" she teased, her golden eyes half-lidded as she watched his face contort with the effort to hold himself together. Her hips continued slow, torturous movements while her fingers rolled his nipples. "About to cum already? Kuku… go ahead."

Ah… It feels so good… his head was spinning despite having been dryfished a minute before. 

Still, this was the evaluation. For once, he couldn't just sit back and enjoy it, he needed to fight back.

Luka gritted his teeth, his fingers tightening on her hips as he tried to anchor himself. "Not… yet," he growled, his voice rough with determination as he forced his eyes open, meeting her mocking gaze. 

His fingers dragged along her body, tracing the smooth contours of her sides until they reached her chest. With a boldness born of desperation, he slipped his fingers beneath the black fabric to caress her, searching for any signs of weakness.

"Oh?" she tilted her head while continuing her movements. "Trying something new?"

Luka's jaw tightened, his fingers trembling slightly as they brushed against her skin, the warmth of her body beneath the fabric sending a shiver through him. "If I'm gonna go down," he muttered, his voice rough with a mix of defiance and desperation, "I'm not doing it without a fight." He pressed his thumbs gently against the underside of her breasts, his touch cautious but firm as he tried to gauge her reaction, hoping to find even the smallest crack in her composure.

"That's a good massage," she replied with a soft hum, closing her eyes. "But that won't be enough…"

"Then tell me what will," he shot back, his voice rough but steady as his fingers pressed a little harder, tracing slow circles against her skin in a tentative attempt to elicit a reaction. "You want me to learn, don't you? So teach me."

Vinum's smirk widened, her wings giving a small, restless flutter as she leaned down, her lips hovering just above his. "Then cum, boy. Moan and writhe under my touch, isn't that what I taught you?"

But before Vinum could lean back and resume her torment, Luka moved swiftly, his hands sliding from her chest to her back, fingers splaying across the smooth expanse of her skin as he pulled her closer. In a sudden surge of boldness, he captured her lips in a fierce, desperate kiss, pouring every ounce of his defiance and frustration into the act, determined to catch her off guard even for a moment.

Vinum's golden eyes widened briefly, a flicker of surprise flashing across her features before her composure snapped back into place like a taut bowstring. Her lips curled into a sly grin against his as she resumed her movement and returned the kiss slowly. She moaned softly, her aura flaring for the briefest of moments to send a jolt of pleasure course through him.

His arms tightened around her further, muscles tensing as the wave of ecstasy pushed him over the edge. He climaxed with a shuddering gasp, his seed spilling in hot spurts across both of their bellies.

Vinum pulled away from the kiss, a smug smile playing on her lips as she gazed down at Luka, still wrapped in his arms. She licked her lips slowly while keeping eye contact as she absorbed the life force he just spilled out, enjoying his flushed face.

"You put up a good front," she commented, her arms wrapping around his neck, her fingers tangling lightly in his hair. "But you're still a long road from pleasing me, boy."

With a soft, almost pitying sigh, she halted her teasing movements and disentangled herself from his arms. Then, in a swift motion, she turned and lowered herself onto his face, her thighs framing his cheeks as her scent—sweet and intoxicating—flooded his senses. The warmth of her soft, slick folds pressed against his lips, and her fingers wrapped around his still-sensitive shaft with a firm grip. "If you truly want to pleasure me, try it."

Luka's nose was filled with her scent in an instant, the warmth of her soft thighs pressing against his cheeks, the slow movement of her fingers stroking him, for a split second he felt overwhelmed. 

Still, his hands gripped her hips again and he began licking hesitantly at first, but eagerly her wet folds.

Vinum let out a soft hum, her body shifting slightly atop him as she adjusted her position, giving him better access while her grip on his shaft tightened just enough to draw a muffled groan from his throat. "Good grief, you're painfully inexperienced," she taunted with a sigh, shifting her ass to grind on his face. "At least don't stop. If you do I will just consider you are not worth my time," she said as she teased the tip of his penis with her index.

Luka focused on pleasuring Vinum as best he could, his inexperienced tongue eagerly lapping and exploring her. Her scent was intoxicating while the taste of her nectar—impossibly sweet with a salty undertone—pushed every male instinct he had into overdrive. And though his technique was unrefined at first, he gradually discovered a few sweet spots that drew faint, barely audible moans from Vinum, her subtle reactions like breadcrumbs guiding him through the labyrinth of her pleasure.

She ground her hips down against his mouth, her face flashing a smug grin as she looked at him from below. "Not bad, not bad," she chuckled. "You're a fast learner."

Luka's heart raced at her words, a flicker of pride igniting in his chest even as his body trembled under the relentless teasing of her finger. Emboldened, he doubled his efforts, his tongue moving with more confidence now as he focused on the spots that had elicited those faint moans, sucking gently and flicking.

"How about I add another challenge?" she grinned, her face growing closer to his member. She flicked her tongue to his tip, making it, and his arms around her hips, twitch violently.

Vinum's grin widened, her golden eyes gleaming with predatory amusement as she watched his reaction, clearly relishing the way he squirmed. "Sensitive, aren't we?" she teased, her tongue darting out again to trace a slow, torturous circle around his tip to savor his taste. "I think it's time to reset you once more if you're already leaking this much," she pondered, her voice dripping with mock pity as she pressed a single finger against his tip, applying just enough pressure before releasing it. A thin strand of precum stretched between them.

Luka let out a muffled groan of protest against her folds, the vibrations sending a faint shiver through her, but Vinum paid it no mind. Instead, she parted her lips and leaned in closer, sucking gently on his tip as her tongue darted out in slow circles. Within moments, a first climax was coaxed from him, his seed spilling in hot, erratic spurts. Vinum parted her lips just in time, pulling back with a calculated grace as his release splattered across the sheets beneath them, the sticky warmth pooling in messy streaks.

Vinum let out a soft hum of satisfaction, her golden eyes narrowing as she surveyed the mess with a pleased smirk. "There, there," she murmured in amusement as her fingers trailed lightly along his still-twitching shaft, collecting a stray drop of his release and bringing it to her lips. She licked it off slowly, her gaze never leaving his flushed, panting face as she savored the taste.

"You stopped licking, boy," she remarked with a sigh. Indeed, Luka was still shuddering, his tongue momentarily frozen in his mouth as the aftershocks of his climax rippled through him, leaving him dazed and breathless. "Fine," she sighed, bringing her mouth to the tip of his member once again. 

She licked again and again, her body flaring with a pink aura once more. In mere moments, he ejaculated again, his seed spurting in forceful bursts into her waiting mouth, which she swallowed eagerly. 

Luka's body trembled violently beneath her, the strength in his hands fading as his grip on her hips weakened, his fingers slipping against her smooth skin. His vision blurred at the edges, a haze of exhaustion and pleasure clouding his senses as the relentless intensity of her aura and the unceasing teasing of her tongue overwhelmed him. Yet, even in his daze, he could feel Vinum's thighs tense briefly around his face, a subtle tremor running through her as she ground herself slightly harder against him while continuing to suck, her slick folds pressing insistently against his lips in silent demand.

And since her sucking continued unabated, her aura pulsing with an unrelenting hunger, Luka didn't stop ejaculating. Each spurt came faster, more forceful, as if her magic was drawing it directly from his core, siphoning his life force with every gulp. Vinum swallowed each burst with ease, her throat moving rhythmically as she absorbed his essence. Luka's body began to wither beneath her again, his frame drying up as his life force was drained with each greedy swallow, his skin growing taut and his breaths coming in shallow, ragged gasps.

She continued until he stopped moving and his breathing stopped entirely. Vinum pulled back slowly, her golden eyes gleaming with a cold satisfaction as she licked her lips, savoring the final traces of his essence that lingered on her tongue. Her aura dimmed slightly, the pink glow receding as she sat back on his motionless form, her wings giving a small, contented flutter.

"Your semen is quite addictive," she sighed in satisfaction before her eyes darted to the left. There, she saw Luka's new body spawn in the air right beside the bed, a faint shimmer of magic coalescing into his form before gravity took hold, sending him crashing to the floor with a dull thud.

"Ah?!" he shouted in surprise, his voice hoarse as he found himself sprawled on the cold hardwood, his limbs flailing for a moment before he steadied himself, blinking up at the ceiling in disoriented shock.

Vinum rose from his old, withered body with a fluid grace, her petite frame moving with predatory intent as she stepped over to him. Before he could scramble to his feet, she pressed one bare foot against his chest, her weight pinning him down with surprising force for her small stature

"H-Hey! You sucked me dry twice now! Isn't that enough?" he protested, but his member was still aching from the phantom pleasure.

"You still haven't made me climax," she replied coldly. "Though I was getting close earlier with her tongue…"

"You liar!" Luka shot back, his cheeks flushing with frustration as he glared up at her, his hands gripping her ankle in a futile attempt to push her off. "Where do you even stock all of my cum anyway? In what belly? I swear it felt like I was cumming a bucket!"

"Such vulgar language," she shook her head. "But don't worry, I have a lot of space left to fill," her foot stepped on his member, making him tremble. 

"H-Hey, Vinum…" his voice was shaky. "Isn't it enough? I got the lesson. Satisfying a succubus by getting eaten isn't the way…"

"So you finally understand," she sighed, her hands on her hips while her foot pressed harder nonetheless. "I still insist on my orgasm, however," she grinned. "So, any idea?"

"H-Huh…" Luka stammered, his mind racing as he struggled to come up with a response. His breath hitched as he met her gaze, the intensity of her stare sending a shiver down his spine as he grappled with the impossible task she'd laid before him.

"Don't tell me you're out of tricks already," she rolled her foot around the base of his shaft. "I'm waiting, boy—impress me, or we'll just keep going until you figure it out."

Luka's eyes hardened with a sudden resolve, and in an instant, he turned the tables, surging to his feet with a burst of adrenaline-fueled strength. He grabbed Vinum by the arms, his grip firm as he caught her off guard, and spun her around. His gaze flicked briefly to his old, withered corpse still sprawled on the bed, a grimace of disgust crossing his face before he kicked it off the mattress with a swift motion, the husk tumbling to the floor with a dull thud.

"Ohoh," Vinum purred, her golden eyes glinting with amusement as he pinned her against the bed, her back pressed into the sheets as she looked up at him with a smug smile. "Is this your first time taking the initiative?"

"Shut up," Luka growled, his voice rough with determination as he sealed her mouth with his lips, silencing her taunts with a fierce, desperate kiss. He felt her tail coil around his leg, the pointed tip brushing against his skin with a teasing lightness as she responded to his boldness, her lips parting slightly to deepen the kiss, her tongue flicking against his.

Now I know all of her sweet spots, it's time to do this!

Vinum let out a soft hum against his mouth, her hands sliding up to rest on his shoulders as she allowed him this moment of control, though the glint in her eyes suggested she was far from tamed. She felt his shaft slide inside her, the tip grazing against her walls and his heat hotter than her own filling her.

She's soooo tight! he gritted his teeth through the kiss as he pushed deeper, her walls clamping on him hard. He almost surrendered to the pleasure immediately, giving her a freeway to suck him dry, but he held on with a bit of Control magic.

Luka's pulse thundered in his ears as he deepened the kiss, his tongue tangling with hers in a desperate bid to distract her, to keep her focus on anything but draining him again. His hips moved cautiously at first, each thrust measured and deliberate, searching for the rhythm that might pleasure her.

"Kukuku… You think you can tame me with this?" she murmured into the kiss.

"Just… trying to keep up." His hands slid down her sides, fingers digging into her hips as he angled himself deeper, recalling the faint tremors he'd elicited earlier with his tongue. He aimed for those same sweet spots now, each thrust a calculated strike meant to coax even the smallest crack in her ironclad control.

For a moment, he thought he felt it—a subtle hitch in her breath, a flicker of tension in her thighs as they pressed against his sides. But Vinum's smirk only widened, her golden eyes gleaming with sadistic delight as she tilted her head back against the sheets, exposing the pale column of her throat. "Good grief," she sighed, "is that it?"

Her words were a taunt, but Luka wasn't deterred. He leaned down, pressing his lips to the hollow of her throat, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin there as he picked up his pace, his thrusts growing more forceful, more desperate. He could feel the strain in his own body, the faint ache in his muscles from the constant revival and depletion, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the faint reactions he was drawing from her—a soft hum, a slight arch of her back, the way her tail twitched against his leg.

Vinum's hands slid from his shoulders to his back, her nails raking lightly down his spine. "Persistent, aren't you?" she murmured, her voice tinged with a rare note of approval as she wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him deeper with a suddenness that made him gasp.

Luka bit back a groan, his fingers tightening on her hips as he fought to hold on, his Control magic flickering like a dying ember against the onslaught of sensation. "You're… not making this easy," he gritted out, his voice strained as he buried his face in the crook of her neck, his breaths coming in ragged pants against her skin.

"Kukuku… Easy?" Vinum chuckled darkly, her aura flaring briefly as she tilted her hips, changing the angle just enough to make his next thrust hit a spot that made her breath catch—though she quickly masked it with another taunt. "I'm not trying to make this hard, just enjoying my meal."

You're goddamn annoying! he clenched his teeth as he pulled back slightly, his hands sliding beneath her to grip her thighs, lifting her hips off the bed to thrust into her, her legs dangling over his shoulders. 

"Thrusting won't help you much, you know?" she taunted, letting him do as he pleased. 

He lifted her up with a grunt while continuing to thrust, his tongue finding her chest to flick her rosy nipples. 

His breath became ragged, each exhale a shuddering rasp as heat pulsed through his head, his legs growing heavy with the strain of holding her up while continuing to pound into her. He knew— knew —that if he came even once, his fragile advantage would vanish, and she'd drain him dry again, leaving him a withered husk on the floor.

And yet—

"Ah…" A low, guttural moan tore from his throat as he came inside her, his hips not stopping despite the intense pleasure coursing through him.

Vinum didn't waste time, her golden eyes glowed in the dark as her aura flared again, the Energy Drain going full throttle. Without ceasing his thrusts, Luka came again and again inside her, each release more forceful than the last, his white life force spilling into her in hot, endless spurts, dripping from her slick, wet 'mouth' as her inner walls pulsed greedily around him, drinking in every drop.

His eyes teared up from the pleasure and pain, unable to stop his imminent demise once more. He couldn't stop—couldn't pull away—his hips moving on instinct alone, as if he wanted to release more inside her. 

Vinum gulped audibly with each spurt, her eyes closed to drown in the sensation. "That's it," she whispered, her fingers tangling in his hair. "Pour everything into me, my dear student."

Luka's vision darkened at the edges, his breaths coming in shallow, ragged gasps as his body began to shrivel, his skin growing taut against his bones with every passing second. The tears streaming down his cheeks burned hot against his cooling flesh.

"There, there," she wiped his wet cheek. "It's okay, don't cry," she grinned wickedly. "Or perhaps those are tears of joy?"

But her words were the last thing he heard as the darkness closed in, his body finally giving out under the relentless drain of her magic. His grip on her thighs slackened, his hips stilled, and with one last, shuddering breath, he collapsed on her.

Vinum sat back with a soft sigh, her aura dimming slightly as she absorbed the last traces of his life. The room fell silent once more, save for the faint rustle of her tail as it pushed the husk of his body away, the lifeless shell tumbling off the bed with a dull thud. "He was close," she chuckled. "Perhaps the next one…"

A faint sound brought her attention beside the bed, and Luka's new body materialized in the air once more. But before he could fall down, Vinum's tail snapped out and coiled around his waist to catch him midair. She drew him closer easily her hands touching his face.

"Good grief," she sighed, her tone laced with mock exasperation as she noticed his eyes were still watering, the tears glistening on his newly formed cheeks. "I hope you're not broken yet. I'm still not satisfied."

"Ah…" Luka let out a small, trembling groan, his frame quivering under her touch as he struggled to regain his bearings, the phantom pain of his latest death still echoing through his body.

"I guess you are," Vinum sighed, her voice softer as she pulled him into a tight hug, pressing his face against her chest. Her warm skin and faint jasmine scent surrounded him as she settled closer, her thighs gently squeezing his sensitive member, making him catch his breath. Her fingers ran through his hair gently, though her eyes still held a sharp, predatory glint. "Good boy, just forget everything, okay?" she murmured, her hips starting to move against him in a slow, teasing rhythm while his tongue flicked out to her rosy nipples, seeking comfort in her familiar warmth amidst his swirling mind.

Vinum let out a soft hum, her golden eyes half-lidded as she tilted her head back slightly, enjoying the feel of his mouth on her. "That's better," she murmured. "Just relax…"

Her words were tempting, lulling him into a false sense of security, but Luka knew better than to fully let go. Even in his tired state, he slowly remembered what he was here for. If he could just find that spark again, maybe he could do it this time. His hands twitched at his sides before slowly grinding up to rest on her hips.

"Still got some fight in you," she chuckled. "Alright, let's see how many more times you'll need."

And again, he died. Her teasing rhythm soon overwhelmed him despite his desperate attempts to hold back, his release spilling into her as her aura flared, draining him dry once more.

The next respawn came quickly, and Vinum gently pulled his newly formed body into her lap, her hands guiding him into a nursing handjob. Her touch was soft, almost comforting, as she coaxed him toward another release, his mind slowly healing from the repeated trauma even as his body withered after each climax, the cycle of pleasure and death repeating once more.

And the respawn after that, and the one after, it went on throughout the day. Vinum found new ways to toy with him, each more inventive than the last. At one point, she sat at his desk, her legs spread as he knelt below her, his tongue working desperately to pleasure her.

Hours bled into one another, the cycle of death and rebirth becoming a relentless blur for Luka. Each time he respawned, Vinum was there, her golden eyes gleaming with an insatiable hunger as she devised new ways to test his limits. Sometimes she pinned him to the bed, her thighs straddling his face as she rode his tongue with a lazy smirk, her tail teasing his sensitive member until he broke beneath her again.

Until finally, in the afternoon—

This time, she was riding him at a relentless speed, her cheeks flushed with a rare hint of pleasure as the hours stretched on. Her breath came in short, sharp gasps, her golden eyes half-lidded as she kissed him passionately while her hips slammed down against his.

Luka's body was limp, but his hand still caressed her back and ass, giving a faint tremor in her thighs that gave him a flicker of hope.

"Ah… Ah…" Vinum's moans grew louder, spilling into his mouth as her tongue swirled against his, her inner walls tightening around him with a pulsing grip.

It was as if she didn't care anymore about breaking him and was only focused on herself. 

Luka's mind reeled, caught between the fog of fatigue and the electric thrill of her response. Her tightening walls and the desperate edge to her moans told him he was closer than ever. His hands, though trembling, gripped her ass more firmly, urging her on as he thrust upward with what little strength remained, matching her frenzied pace.

Vinum's eyes fluttered shut, her moans turning breathless as her thighs quivered around him. 

Luka's heart hammered in his chest, adrenaline surging through his veins as he felt her about to finally climax. He couldn't stop now—not after everything. Ignoring the ache in his body, the pleasure, everything, he slid one hand up her back, tangling his fingers in her white hair as he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. His other hand kneaded her ass, guiding her movements as he thrust harder, aiming for that spot inside her that had drawn those precious reactions before.

"Ah—!" Vinum's cry broke free, sharp and unrestrained, as her body arched against him, her wings trembling violently behind her. Her walls pulsed around him with a desperate intensity, her thighs locking tight around his hips. Her aura flared with an intensity he had never seen before, and his orgasm came stronger than ever, in sync with her. 

It felt like his whole body was being pulled into her as she shook, her tail squeezing his leg so tight he couldn't feel it anymore.

His hands loosened on her ass, fingers trembling as his strength faded, but he held on, refusing to let go even though his body begged for rest.

Vinum pressed herself harder against him as the last waves of her climax ebbed, her chest heaving with labored breaths. her thick tail loosened its vise-like grip on his leg, the numbness giving way to a dull ache.

"Boy…" she breathed, her voice hoarse as she lifted her flushed face to meet his gaze. "You did it…" her lips curled into a sly smirk, though the tremor in her thighs and the faint shake in her hands betrayed what she'd just experienced. 

Luka gave a weak, stubborn grin, his head spinning. "You're… tough to crack…" he muttered, his voice scratchy as his head fell back against the bed. His body felt ready to break, but the pride in his chest burned strong—he'd made her climax, something he didn't think he could do.

They stayed there quietly for a moment, the room smelling thick and musky from their long day.

The silence stretched on, broken only by their uneven breathing. Luka's chest heaved as he lay there, her head rising with each breath. The ache in his leg throbbed where her tail had gripped him, but he didn't care—he'd won, at least this once.

Vinum shifted slightly, her golden eyes glinting as she looked down at him. Her smirk softened into something warmer, almost dreamy, as she nuzzled against his neck, too caught up in her own glow to care. "Delicious…" she mumbled, her words slurring slightly.

"No shit," he mumbled back, barely getting it out. "How many times did you eat me, you glutton?"

She chuckled softly. "I don't know… Ten times?" she said, planting gentle kisses along his neck.

"Wow…" he cradled her closer. "You okay? I've never seen you smile like that."

Vinum's kisses slowed, her lips brushing his skin with a lazy softness as she nestled against him. "I'm fine," she murmured, her voice low and drowsy, a rare hint of contentment slipping through. 

Luka let out a tired laugh, his chest rumbling under her. "Guess I'm a good cook then," he said, his words slurring as exhaustion tugged at him. He ran a shaky hand through her white-and-pink hair, feeling its softness against his fingers.

She hummed, her smirk creeping back but gentler than before. "Don't push your luck, boy," she warned, though there was no bite in it. She rested her cheek against his shoulder, her breathing evening out as her golden eyes half-closed.

"So… I passed?" he muttered, his own eyes starting to droop. The ache in his body was fading into a dull buzz, and the warmth of her against him felt oddly comforting after everything. "You're not gonna kill me again, are you?"

"Barely," she snorted, a quiet laugh escaping her. "You're nowhere near passing, but you're still sane, good job."

"I'm sane because you gave me a break from time to time," he sighed heavily, a small smile tugging at his lips. 

Vinum shifted slightly, her head resting heavier on his chest as she let out a soft huff. "Breaks? Hardly," she mumbled, her voice teasing but tired. "You just didn't give up… stubborn fool."

"What kind of student would I be if I couldn't meet my teacher's expectations?" he chuckled. 

"Your old master wasn't as evil, I assume," she chuckled back.

"Eh, you're right but she wasn't soft either."

Vinum let out a low hum, her fingers resting lightly on his chest, tapping once as if thinking. "Evil's more fun, though," she mumbled, her smirk twitching wider for a second before she nuzzled closer, her hair brushing his chin.

Luka's chest shook with a tired laugh. "Fun for you, maybe," he said, his hand sliding up to rest on her back, too worn out to move much more. "I'm the one dying over here."

"Yet you enjoy it," she pointed out with a soft nudge from her tail. 

"Guess I'm becoming too used to this…" he mumbled.

"It's no wonder for a man who already died so many times before," she muttered slowly.

Luka paused for a moment, his finger brushing her cheek slightly. "How do you know that?"

"It feels like I'm eating thousands of humans at the same time with you," she muttered slowly. "Your soul is darker than everything because you hold the sins of many as well as their deaths, right?"

Luka's hand stilled on her cheek, his breath catching for a second as her words sank in. The room's musky air felt heavier, the quiet pressing down on him. "You can… feel that?" he asked, his voice quieter now, a mix of surprise and unease creeping in.

"Every bite," she murmured, her fingers pressing a little firmer against his chest. "It's thick, but with so many different tastes at the same time…"

He didn't answer, his eyes drifting back to the ceiling, lost in thought.

"If you want," she went on, her voice softening, "I could devour your soul and make you my servant. Then you wouldn't have to clean it in your next lives."

"Eh? Is that how it works?" Luka chuckled, a tired laugh breaking the tension. "I don't really believe in all that stuff."

Vinum tilted her head, her golden eyes glinting as she looked at him, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "Doesn't matter if you believe it. I could do it. One big bite, and poof—no more mess." Her tail flicked against his leg, teasing as always.

Luka's chest shook with another weak laugh. "Sounds tempting," he muttered, his hand sliding from her cheek to rest on her shoulder. "But I think I'd rather keep my soul, messy or not."

She snorted, her smirk widening. "Suit yourself," she said, settling her cheek back on his chest. "It's your funeral… or, well, your next hundred funerals."

"Already used to those," he mumbled, his eyes half-closing as the exhaustion pulled at him again. Her warmth felt good, steadying him even with the weird talk. "You're not gonna eat me right now, are you?"

"Not yet," she chuckled, her voice fading as she nuzzled closer. "Too tired to chew. Sleep, boy. Your dark soul's safe for tonight."

Luka let out a long breath, a small smile creeping back. "Good," he whispered, kissing her forehead gently. The room stayed quiet, her steady breathing mixing with his, and for once, he didn't fight the pull of sleep, letting it take him with her still pressed against him.

A thousand deaths or one more, it didn't matter.

Decapitated, burned, slammed against a wall, hungry, drowning, his mind held memories of many deaths.

Other selves that couldn't go on, other selves killed by the Hatman in an endless cycle Tamia was trapped in.

But dark soul or not, he would carry them. 

For he is them, and they are him.

Evaluation 1: Vinum approved