Lucian: Payback Edition (Pt2 - Transformations)

Warning: The following may be disturbing.

---

Elena Mendez

Elena sat with Sophia at the tavern, the two passionately discussing Mario Kart. Opposite them, Tomoko and Olivia were having a drinking contest. The latter, who was finding herself buzzed much sooner than she was used to due to her more petite frame, yet remained keenly alert.

In the corner, Ji-Woo sat alone, watching Elena closely. She secretly hoped that Elena would get so drunk that she would black out and forget she had mind-controlled her. Elena, of course, would never forget, but she was having so much fun that she was willing to postpone her payback for now.

Suddenly, Lucian's voice rang out over the other's merriment. “Attention, a special event is beginning now in the dining hall. Presence is mandatory.”

“I thought we were getting the day off,” Olivia complained.

“I wonder what this is about,” Tomoko pondered.

Sophia pointed to the scoreboard. “Probably that.”

The others gaped at Katelyn's position in the rankings. “Holy shit,” Olivia exclaimed.

The gears in Tomoko’s mind moved slowly, still wrapping her mind around the shock. “So, does that mean the two of them…”

Elena got to her feet and ran out into the hall as fast as her dress and heels allowed. “I gotta see this!”

The rest followed shortly behind her.

---

Lauren Peterson

CRASH

Lauren, who had been alone in the tea room to process her emotions, dropped her teacup to the ground in horror, causing it to shatter. She didn’t notice; her eyes were transfixed on the scoreboard, mouth agape.

"What... what have you done?"

---

Elena Mendez

As Elena and her group entered the dining hall, they were utterly unprepared for what awaited them. The giant screen had been set up at the head of the hall, showing Katelyn being fucked on a loop. The sounds of their grunts and moans filled the chamber. A banner saying "Levi Got Laid" was displayed proudly from the walls.

"Holy fuck," Olivia whistled.

Elena and Ji-Woo averted their eyes while Sophia's face reddened.

Tomoko merely shrugged. "Didn't see that coming. I mean, I figured you'd a got 'em first, Elena."

"Is showing us this really necessary?" Ji-Woo asked, mortified. "What's the point?"

In response to her question, Alison appeared before them. "It is meant to celebrate the occasion. It is a significant milestone, and shown so you may follow in their footsteps."

"I think I need another drink," Elena blushed. "What's the strangest thing you have."

"In the castle or in storage?" Alison asked.

"Either," Elena responded.

Alison nodded. "As it is a special occasion, I will acquire our studio menu for you. Please wait here." With those words, Alison vanished.

"WHAT THE FUCK!" a new voice rang out.

The crowd turned to see Katelyn and Levi frozen in the doorframe, the two of them frozen in horror as their intimate moment was broadcast in high definition.

"OH GOD! LEVI! IT'S COMING! I CAN'T HOLD IT BACK!" the recording screamed.

"I didn't say that!" Katelyn mumbled, mortified. Her embarrassment grew as the sound of her orgasm filled the hall.

"Maybe... we should go somewhere else," Levi suggested nervously. He turned to the hall, only to be greeted by—

SMACK!

Lauren stormed into the scene, eyes blazing with fury, and slapped Levi across the face. He stumbled backward and crashed to the ground. Katelyn and Elena shrieked in response.

• Slapped Master: -15 VP

"WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO TO HER YOU MONSTER!" Lauren roared.

"Sis, it's not like that!" Katelyn tried to assure her, but Lauren wasn't listening. The goth got to her knees and grabbed Levi by the shirt. "I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"

Lauren raised her fist and prepared to swing it down on him. However, Katelyn grabbed her fist at the last moment. "It was my idea, sis. I asked him to!"

"What— I— what are you saying?" Lauren stammered, still grasping Levi's shirt. Her eyes widened in fearful disbelief as she locked eyes on her sisters, her horror growing as she realized she was serious. "Why? Why would you—?"

"Now, Lauren, let's not fight," Lucians voice rang out. "Now is a time for celebration."

With a burst of fire, Lucian stepped out in front of them. He flashed everyone a genuine grin, one that came from a place of true happiness, as opposed to his usual persona.

"Congratulations, Katelyn, for being the first of you troglodytes to whore yourself out to this loser. Even if it was just to piss off your sister."

Katelyn turned to Lauren in a panic. "That's not why I did it!"

Lucian shook his head and chuckled, then gestured toward the crowd. "But it wasn’t just her, was it? She may have engaged in coitus first, but every one of you filth was happy to shred what little dignity you had to engage in your glorified mating dance. Sorry, I mean flirting."

The looping footage of Katelyn and Levi was replaced by a montage showcasing all the women trying to catch Levi's attention, either through flirting or their own physical presence. Clips were shown of the pool party before growing more explicit. Elena waiting half-naked for Levi in bed. Lauren getting blackout drunk and stripping for him. Olivia jerked him off.

"Hell, some of you even got off on the suffering." Lucian pointed to the blushing Sophia. "I'm looking at you, glasses girl."

Panic surged through Sophia as she averted her eyes. "What? I have no idea what you're talking about!"

"Is that why you're moist right now?" Lucian cackled.

Katelyn stepped forward before anyone else could. "Hey! Leave her alone!"

Lucian raised an eyebrow. "Why? Don't like hearing how your roommate is a perverted freak?" He shook his head, his shit-eating grin widening. "I wouldn’t throw stones if I were you, whore. I mean, you’re the only one whose standards were low enough to let your impotent master claim you."

Lauren stomped her foot, her frustration boiling over. "Shut your filthy mouth!" she shouted. The crowd erupted in agreement, their voices merging into a chorus of discontent.

"Yeah, back off, dude!" Elena yelled.

"Shut up, Mendez," Lucian shouted, his condescending smugness quickly turning into furious revulsion. "You’re as two-faced as your forms. Beauty by day, beast by night!"

Lucian pointed at Elena with theatrical flair, eyes alight with cruelty. "I think we should bring them both out so everyone can see how ugly you are inside."

A jolt of violet energy surged from his fingertips—and before Elena could even flinch, it struck her like a hammer to the chest. A disorienting wave of vertigo crashed over her, making her stumble and drop to her knees as the world spun in a chaotic blur.

She felt her muscles begin to swell and morph beneath her skin. But unlike the exhilarating rush she typically felt during her Amazonian transformation, this felt wrong. Cold. Painful.

Her shoulders cracked wide. Muscle began to surge along her arms and back, tearing at the soft fabric of her dress.

"What... what's happening to me?" she moaned.

The dress, made of soft material, began to tear at the seams as her figure grew larger. Threads popped, and pink fabric ripped apart. Just before the dress broke completely, it magically changed to fit her bigger size. The fabric acquired a shiny, plastic-like appearance, resembling a dress intended for club outings.

Her skin crawled as it deepened from a warm tan into a grotesque, greenish hue, like ink spreading through water.

Her spine twisted with a brutal crack, forcing her into a crouch. Something sharp pushed against her scalp—growing. She screamed, reaching up—and her trembling hands brushed horns, curling and smooth, sprouting from her forehead like antlers from a beast.

She staggered upright. The dress clinging to her now-massive frame, caught between the memory of who she was and the brute she’d become. Her breath came in ragged, monstrous gasps. The world felt small. She felt too large, too heavy, too wrong.

Her voice—her real voice—was gone. The cry that escaped her lips was low, animalistic. Foreign. Somewhere, buried inside that towering body, a girl named Elena was still trying to speak, still trying to be heard. But all that came out was a growl.

With her body changed, the magic invaded her mind. Her eyes glowed pink as a strange tingling sensation began to spread through thoughts. With each passing moment, she sensed her intelligence slipping away as if it were sand sifting through her fingers. Her cherished memories—once vivid and vivid— faded into nothingness, overshadowed by the instinctual, primitive thoughts of a simple beast taking their place.

The only name she could remember was Levi. Her master. The one staring at him, frozen in fear.

'Me must please master. Master like boobs.' Elena's simple mind thought. She immediately reached for the top of her dress, eager to flash him.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!" Tomko screamed, breaking the horror-struck silence.

"You... you can't do that!" Sophia yelled, pointing at the ogre Elena had become. "She didn't do anything! You broke the rules!"

"Rules? RULES!" Lucian erupted into maniacal laughter, an insane, wicked cackle that released all the pent-up depravity he had felt since being taken from hell. "You stupid whore! Do you still honestly think this is a game? I'm through playing!"

Flames erupted from his back, unfurling into magnificent wings. The stage around him ignited in a blaze of hellfire. Intense flames flared from his hands, casting an eerie glow on his face. The charming façade of the charismatic game show host melted away, revealing the devil himself.

Ji-Woo screamed and turned on her heels, running from the demon as fast as she could.

Ji-Woo let out a piercing scream, her heart racing in her chest as she spun around and fled from the demon. Lucian chortled at the sight of her fear. "So Ji-Woo tries to save her own skin! What a shock!"

He raised his arm and extended his hand, momentarily deactivating its flames. Ji-Woo's body lifted into the air and skyrocketed back to him, her neck flying into his grasp, allowing him to hold her by the throat. She screamed as she was encased by his grip.

He turned down to Levi, his face contorted in twisted amusement. "I know this bitch hurt you the worst. What would you like me to do to her? Make her a sex doll? Or would you prefer I burn her alive?"

"I... you... you can't..." Levi stammered, his body shaking too hard to even move.

"Oh, no ideas?" Lucian asked mockingly. "Well, why don't I start with some simple ****, and you can..."

SMASH!

Olivia, having approached Lucian from behind unseen, smashed a sturdy wooden chair against the demon's back. Lucian let out a guttural cry of pain, the sound echoing in the dimly lit room as he dropped Ji-Woo, who collapsed to the floor in a heap. The impact sent Lucian sprawling, his knees hitting the ground with a heavy thud.

"Everyone run! I'll take this sick fuck!" Olivia declared, grabbing a sharp, wooden shard from the shattered chair and brandishing it like a stake.

Ji-Woo didn't need to be told twice, immediately scrambling away and heading for escape.

"But what about you?" Tomoko objected.

"JUST GO YOU STUPID BIMBO!" Olivia snapped back, lunging at Lucian with her stake to stab him.

Lauren nodded and grabbed Katelyn's hand, pulling her as they sprinted from the hall. Tomoko and Levi reluctantly followed. No one noticed that Sophia had been left behind, her overstimulated mind still trying to process what was happening and thus frozen in place.

As Olivia went to stab him in the heart, Lucian managed to regain his composure, grabbing her by the wrist inches away from the stake and making contact. Olivia tried with all her strength against his grip, but her shrunken muscles were too weak to do the job.

"YOU FILTY DISGUSTING HUMAN! HOW DARE YOU!"

Lucian ignited his magic, sending Olivia flying across the hall, hitting the ground with a painful thud. Lucian slowly approached her, like a predator to its wounded prey.

Sophia finally snapped to reality and turned to run. However, Lucian casually pointed to her, paralyzing her whole body in place. "No, none of that. I'll get to you later," Lucian promised before looking down at his attacker.

"Olivia Booker! No matter how much you try to rebel against your family, you can’t escape the fact that your entire bloodline is tainted!" he told her mockingly. "May as well give in and act like the girl daddy always wanted!"

"GET FUCKED!" Olivia snapped at him.

Lucian beamed as his magic surged. "No, that's your job!"

---

Levi Summers

Tomoko and Levi sprinted through the halls in a mad panic. They had no idea where they were going; they simply followed a primal instinct to get away. As they sprinted, they reached the entrance hall. A sight of hope! An escape from the castle.

The two slammed their weight against the door, swinging it open and causing them to stumble forward, arriving at...

...the dining hall again.

Lucian sat in front, his chair seeming to be a throne. "Welcome back, Levi and guest," he sneered, getting to his feet.

"Oh god!" Levi screamed as he turned to run out. However, a wall of fire erupted from the ground, barring the path of exit.

"Now, now, Levi, don't leave," Lucian chuckled. "I have a gift for you. You'll be happy to know I fixed Olivia's attitude problem," he said, gesturing to the far corner of the hall.

Levi and Tomoko turned in horror to see Olivia, clad in a pink sundress, a large stupid grin plastered over her face. She was holding a plate with a sandwich on it, and her eyes glowed pink as she looked at Levi with loving adoration.

"Welcome home, honey," she said in a sickeningly sweet voice. "I made you a sandwich."

"What have you done to her?!" Tomoko cried.

"Made her prime wife material. All that rage and defiance was such a turn-off, wasn't it, Levi?" Lucian smiled mockingly. "I also made her exceptionally fertile for you."

Olivia nodded. "That's right. Do you want to conceive our first child now, honey? I can't wait to raise them for you."

"No!" Levi screamed.

Olivia nodded in understanding. "Whatever you say, dear. You know better than I do. You are a man, after all."

"You monster! Change her back!" Tomoko demanded.

"Cool your jets, slut," Lucian snapped. "I have another gift for Levi." He gestured to the other corner. "I fixed Sophia as well. I know how much she likes waifu, so I remodeled her accordingly.

All eyes shifted to see what remained of Sophia, who was barely recognizable. Her hair had turned pink and formed into twin tails.

Her top barely resembled that of a Japanese schoolgirl sailor, except tied above the midriff and a massive hole for her chest, showcasing that her rack had grown exponentially, barely contained within a pink bra. A small red tie was buried deep within her cleavage. Her hips had furthermore been enhanced, and her legs had grown more shapely, clad in black stockings.

"Ohayou Gozaimasu Levi-sama!" she cheered in a high-pitched voice, flashing a peace sign. "Gohan ni suru? Ofuro ni suru? Sore tomo watashi?" she asked in broken Japanese.

"You bastard!" Tomoko snarled.

The girl was oblivious to the horrified stares she was receiving. In a display of flexibility that the old Sophia could never achieve, she gracefully lifted her leg parallel to her body, her fingers wrapping around her ankle with effortless ease. Her barely-there skirt lifted with it, fully displaying her pink panties.

"Please notice me, Sempai! Kidzuite kudasai!"

She then gasped, her face turning an exaggerated red as she dropped her leg and pointed at Levi accusingly. "You looked up my skirt? Baka hentai Levi!" She then mood shifted to lovestruck. "It's okay, Sempai. You make my heart go doki-doki."

She began miming a large rod with her hands, penetrating her beneath her skirt. "Ah, yamete. So big! It won't fit!" she squealed. Her eyes rolled up as she stuck out her tongue. "Levi-Sama! LEVI-SAMA! I'M COMING!"

"Stop this! I order you to stop!" Levi commanded to Lucian. "I'm the master! You have to obey me!"

"That's right! Levi's your boss!" Tomoko agreed. "Your job is ta make him happy, and he wants ya to stop!"

Lucian's smile fell into revulsion. "Taking his side now? Where was this support for Levi when he was younger, huh?" He shook his head, his disgust growing by the second. "Stupid bitch. It wasn't bad enough that you neglected the kids you babysat. But you had to bring a new child into the world, too, knowing you were too stupid to raise one."

"You leave him out of this bastard!" Tomoko roared. However, Lucian wasn't listening.

"There's no harm in sleeping around like a slut if that's all you cared about, but your recklessness led to a child you were incapable of supporting. You should have known better!"

"I..."

Lucian held up a hand, causing Tomoko's voice to cut out. "Don't worry, I can make things easier for your stupid brain. I'll let you have all the pleasure you want with none of the responsibility."

Fire engulfed Tomoko as she let out a silent scream. However, the flames did not hurt nor burn her skin. Her clothing, however, was a different matter, as the fabric scorched off her body, leaving her clad in nothing but her tattoos.

As the flames cleared, Lucian snapped his fingers, and a pulse of pale light shimmered through the air before striking Tomoko between the eyes. At first, she didn’t feel pain. Only a strange, cold stillness.

She tried to take a step—but her knees buckled. Her legs, once strong and lithe, felt unsteady and fragile. The tension in her muscles dissolved like water slipping through her fingers. She collapsed onto her rear—not from a blow, but from absence. Her arms trembled as she tried to catch herself. Her fingers slipped on the floor, already growing stiff. Already… numb.

Her hand began to fade into mist, a disappearance that crept up her arms. Her feet, likewise, began to evaporate, creeping up her shapely legs.

Her body wobbled. She tried to adjust her stance—but her arms didn’t respond. Not heavy. Not paralyzed. Just… gone. Both of them. No hands. Just the smooth curve of rounded shoulders where her limbs had been. Her legs, likewise, stopped existing past the middle of her upper thigh.

She was nothing but a head, torso, and hips. The resemblance was unmistakable. Her body had become a sex doll made of flesh. Her pussy and breasts were proudly displayed to be used, while unnecessary things like limbs had been stripped away.

'What? I—what? Where are—?'

There was no panic. Just confusion. A light-headed stillness filled her mind like a hush in a cathedral. Her thoughts were drifting, slowed, yet clear in a way that felt unnatural. Like her mind had too much space now.

She barely registered as a final change took place, inflating her already buxom chest even further to absurd proprtions.

Her thoughts thinned. There was no pain. No chaos. Just lightness. Stillness. Her eyes glowed pink as the final thoughts drifted from her brain. All that was left was a throbbing desire to be used, like a good cock-sleeve.

"There we go, much better," Lucian laughed. "Not that much changed. I mean, she wasn't using her brain anyway. At least now she can't get pregnant."

Tears welled in Levi's eyes. "You— how— how could you—"

"Are you upset?" Lucian asked in mock concern. "Well, I have something to cheer you up."

He snapped his fingers. Two explosions of flames burst out above Levi. Lauren and Katelyn fell to the ground from one, and Ji-Woo from the other.

"No! How! We got away!" Ji-Woo screamed in disbelief, seeing that her escape attempt had brought her back where she had started.

"Sis, are you okay?" Katelyn asked.

"Don't worry about me!" Lauren snapped. "We have to... oh god," she gasped as she realized they were trapped.

Lucian floated towards Levi and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I saved the ones who hurt you most for last. Tell me, how would you like them to suffer?"

"Let Katelyn go! She didn't do anything!" Lauren barked. "I'm the one who was a bitch to him! She didn't do anything wrong."

"S-sis?" Katelyn asked, tears forming.

Lucian observed Lauren's disgust. "Lauren Peterson. Don't you dare pretend to be a good person? I’ve read your file. You’re already a perfect monster." He slowly paced towards her. "There’s nothing I can do that would make you worse than you already are. But I can try."

Katelyn stood between them, arms outstretched. "Stay back! Punish me, but leave her alone!" she declared.

Lucian rolled his eyes. "Are you seriously standing up for her, even after everything she’s done to you? You make me sick!"

Fire engulfed the two sisters. Like with Tomoko, the fire burned away their clothes while leaving the body unharmed.

Lucian put his thumb and index finger together. "Your love for each other is disturbing. But I think I can make it even worse." He snapped.

The spell was gentle. Sweet. Invisible.

Lauren flinched. She felt it hit her—not like a punch, but like a shiver behind the ribs. Her breath hitched, and for some reason, her eyes flicked toward her sister.

Katelyn blinked and turned to look at her at the same time. They locked eyes. The air changed.

Katelyn suddenly noticed the way Lauren’s hair fell over her shoulder. How bright her blue eyes were. Her gaze was drawn toward, becoming increasingly transfixed on the goth's nude form.

Lauren likewise began to appreciate her sister in entirely new ways. How cute her boobs were. How pretty her shaved privates looked against her smooth skin. Lauren reached out—without thinking. Katelyn's hand met hers halfway.

"Sis, you’re so hot," Lauren exclaimed through bated breath.

"You’re so fucking beautiful," Katelyn answered back. "I love you so much."

"Hold me! Touch me!"

"You first, my love."

"STOP IT!" Levi screamed, fully crying now. Lucian paid him no mind and floated to the last woman standing, Ji-Woo.

"No! NO! Stay away!" Ji-Woo screamed, backing away until her back was literally against the wall.

"We both know that's not happening," Lucian mocked. "There's no escape for you."

"But I... I..." her eyes flicked between the other victims. Elena as a towering monstrosity. Olivia overcome by submiveness. Sophia turned into a character and Tomoko as an organic sex doll. And finally, the twins who had begun to kiss.

"Wait! Please! Spare me! I'll do anything!" she begged. "I can be useful to you! I'll give you anything."

"Come now, you knew you were doomed the moment you came here. You were never going to be Levi's lover. Better to settle for his bitch."

A soft pulse of golden magic rolled out of his hand, no louder than a breeze.

As it struck Ji-Woo, it didn’t hurt. She blinked. Her heartbeat, which had been racing a moment ago, slowed into something calm. Her breathing settled.

She straightened up—then dropped to a crouch, hands on the floor. That felt… better. Safer.

Lucian’s voice came from behind her, smug and playful. “There’s no need to run anymore. You don’t have to make decisions. Don’t have to feel guilt. Just be a good girl.”

Ji-Woo opened his mouth to protest—but a sharp yip came out instead.

Her eyes widened.

She tried again. “I—I’m not—Ruff! Woof!”

She looked up suddenly, eyes locked on Levi like a dog awaiting praise. She felt a flutter in his chest—not fear. Anticipation. She panted. Actually panted.

'No. This isn’t right. I’m not—I’m not a—'

But the words were fading. Her mind itched like thoughts were shedding. She forgot what she’d been afraid of. She forgot how to speak.

Her clothing faded away, replaced by a collar around her neck, attached to a chain for walking. She crawled over to Levi, her master, panting and barking happily. As she did so, she climaxed and came effortlessly, her juices spilling to the ground.

"You'll find she's far more obedient now," Lucian offered. "She isn't housebroken yet, though, so you may need to train her."

He gave a theatrical bow, gesturing to the former contestants. "There you are, 'master.' I've improved your harem for you. Are you not pleased."

"This... this isn't what I wanted! How could you! You monster!"

Lucian pretended to be shocked by Levi's disapproval. "Oh, you don't appreciate me? After everything I did to make you happy. Stupid, spoiled brat. Then so be it."

He lifted his hand, and a vortex of magic swirled within it. He prepared his most powerful and sadistic curse yet. One imbued with all the bitterness and humiliation Lucian had been **** to endure since being **** into this idiotic game.

He opened his mouth to gloat—

—And everything stopped.

The demon felt a hand against his neck, and then his vision faded to black.

---

Lucian

Lucian floated in the void, into the endless darkness, trying to make sense of what had just happened. His flames had been extinguished, and the sights and sounds of his victims were gone. He tried to call upon his magic to return to the castle and finish his work, but his power did not come to him.

"How disappointing."

A brilliant blue light flashed, filling the darkness and nearly blinding Lucian. As it faded, Alison floated alone from the source, gazing at him intensely. The menu that she had left to retrieve from the studio was held lazily by her hand, ignored.

“Alison! What’s the meaning of this!" Lucian declared.

"I looked away for a moment, and you betrayed your responsibilities, forcing me to intervene," Alison explained. "Disgraceful."

“How dare you!" Lucian snapped, his confusion giving way to rage. "You’re my subordinate! You don’t have the authority to tell me what to do.”

Alison's eyes narrowed. "You have lost your authority. I gave you extra strikes due to your inexperience, but you still exceeded them twice over."

"Enough of your babbling!" Lucian shouted, his voice echoing with fury. He thrust his palm toward Alison, his fingers outstretched like claws, ready to strike. He called on his hellfire to burn her to cinders.

No flames came.

"What? What is this?" Lucian asked in alarm, looking down at his hand. In a panic, he thrust out his other hand, but it, too, refused to cast his deadly magic.

"You will be stripped of your title and punished for your transgressions," Alison told him, completely unfazed by his useless attacks.

"Transgressions! What the hell are you talking about?" Lucian spat. "I did nothing wrong. You said sadism was permitted."

"Correct," Alison nodded. "However, your main role above all is to enforce the rules and ensure actions have consequences. Unprompted transformations to contestants outside the game are unacceptable."

She clenched her fist. "And then, to attack the master is beyond forgiveness. Even Azure isn't that stupid."

"You stupid bitch! How dare you talk to me like—"

Lucian's threat vanished before he could finish it as the gravity suddenly intensified. With a sickening thud, he plummeted through the void and was pinned to an obsidian floor. He struggled with all his might to move, but the crushing weight held him firmly in place.

Alison slowly floated towards him, looking down upon him as if he were an insect. "I had a plan for the previous host if she exhausted all the affordances I gave her, but it would be wasted on you. Your punishment will be much simpler."

"Wait, I misunderstood," Lucian stammered, straining under the weight upon him. "Please, just let me go back and fix this."

"You understood perfectly. You simply thought you were above consequences."

Alison landed beside him. "If you were so insistent on rebelling, you should have done so in your first season. Your previous bosses simply would have punished you with oblivion."

Blue light began to shine once more as Alison's magic swelled.

"I'm far less merciful."

Lucian's screams never escaped the void.

---

Levi Summers

Levi stared slackjawed, not moving an inch, as his mind tried to catch up to what had happened. In an instant, Lucian had disappeared, and the hellscape he had created had vanished.

With him, the changes he had inflicted were gone. The Petersons, Elena, Sophia—everyone—lay on the ground, fully dressed and ****.

Olivia ground as she leaned forward off her back, clutching her head. "Shit, how much did I drink? Did I black out?"

"We may have gone overboard with the drinking contest," Tomoko suggested, massaging her temples.

"The last thing I remember was Lucian showing up and then... nothing," Sophia recalled, which was greeted by a murmur of agreement from Ji-Woo.

"Levi, do you know what happened?" Elena asked her friend.

Levi opened his mouth to tell them but then hesitated. The thought crossed his mind that their forgetting was a mercy. "No idea," he lied, deciding that he, and he alone, should be the only one to remember this nightmare.

"So, is the game on pause or somethin'?" Tomoko asked.

"Why would you think that?" Elena responded.

Tomoko pointed to the score monitors, which usually displayed the score. Instead, they were showing only static.

"Maybe just technical difficulties?" Sophia hypothesized.

Tomoko got to her feet, scratching the back of her head. "Well, whatever. I'm exhausted. Think I'm gonna lay down for a bit."

"Sounds like a plan," Levi replied, wanting nothing more than to go back to his tower.

Olivia nodded. "I'm staved, myself. Gunna find Alison and have her make me something. Kinda craving a sandwich."

"Will you still be good for tonight?" Sophia asked Levi. "You know, for our date." She added nervously, "assuming it's still happening."

"Huh? Oh, right. Sure." Levi said, having forgotten all that due to the chaos.

One by one, the crowd left the group confused, sore, and exhausted. Only the Peterson twins remained. The two sat silently, both wanting to speak, but neither brave enough to break the silence.

"Hey, I... I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Levi," Katelyn apologized.

Lauren said nothing, her eyes averted.

Katelyn sighed, getting to her feet. "Yeah, fair. I guess... I'll see you later."

"I'm sorry," Lauren muttered so quietly that Katelyn thought she misheard.

"Huh?"

Lauren turned to face her, revealing tears streaming down her face. "I'M SORRY OKAY!"

Katelyn looked away awkwardly. "You don't have to... I mean, it makes sense you'd think he..."

"I DIDN'T KNOW!" Lauren screamed.

"It's... fine. I mean... Levi is..."

"I'm not talking about Levi, idiot!" Lauren interrupted. "What you said to me before... I didn't... I didn't know you were in so much pain and... that I was hurting you so... WHY THE FUCK DIDN'T YOU SAY ANYTHING?!"

"I..."

Lauren sprang to her feet, her heart racing as tears streamed down her cheeks. She dashed out of the room, the sound of her footsteps echoing.

Katelyn just sat there, flabbergasted. 'You... you've never apologized before.' She thought. She couldn't help but smile.

...

...

...and, in another timeline, for a reason she didn't understand, a succubus smiled as well.