In a city called Ylora.

The liveliness and noise went up real quick within your mindscape. Added are sounds of horses clopping on the dirt ground, merchants calling from their stands, and the murmuring of passerbyers.

It takes a few blinks before everything completely visually changes around you. Bending your mindscape to her will, Seriath shows you a lively city, one that you don't recognize. You rotate in place, taking in the sprawling cement and wooden buildings that materialized along with a blue, cloud-less sky above.

Suddenly, someone passes you and you bump into them. Thrown a little off, you back off and closer to the succubus who remains still as she finishes building up the setting and its people.

You let out a heavy breath. "Wow."

Seriath hums, pleased by your awe but downplayed what you are witnessing. "This is nothing. Give it time and I can teach you how to better control your own mental landscape. For now, though, I need to show you the past in order to help you understand Kylesa."

You furrow your eyebrows. Even though you are standing in a crowded merchant path, the people ignore you even after bumping into them. It feels a little unfair since everyone is avoiding Seriath but considering she's in control, perhaps it's not too surprising.

"The past? Where is this then? I can say I've been to a lot of cities, but I haven't seen one as bustling as this!"

Seriath smiles. "This city is called Ylora, second largest of the kingdom Eraevia."

"Ylora?" you cock your head, then slowly widen your eyes, "Wait, I've heard of this city! It was renamed after the first great war between kingdoms! But that was at least-"

"Papa!"

Your words hang in your throat as a young voice shouted in glee not far from your position. Taking your eyes off the succubus, you look past her and notice a small girl with bright curly red hair, no older than five or six. In a frilly pink dress, she jumps into the arms of a rather large man with a reddish-brown trimmed beard, square face, and a shaved head. Though he wears casual hide clothing, it's clear that this man is a warrior and a father.

The father laughs out heartily and picks up his daughter, swinging her around, much to the girl's happiness and to the annoyance of other people who couldn't get past him. Yet, the father didn't care.

"There you are, Nai!" he spoke in a rough voice, "...I'll get a beating from your mother if I lose you!"

Held into his arms, Nai leans back and points to a food stand serving kabob sticks. She seemingly doesn't sweat any details about her wandering. "Look, Papa!"

The father chuckles, shaking his head silly. Of course, he can't help but spoil his daughter and moves to the stand to order two. As they wait, your eyes return to Seriath who smirks. Between the girl and her obvious red hair and the grown-up woman before you, things start to click.

"Wait, so this is..."

"...two hundred and twenty-five years ago," Seriath finishes for you, closing her eyes and breathing in. When she opens them again, her expression saddens. "...when I was still human."

You open your mouth in surprise, but if she's claiming to be so, then you feel no reason not to believe her. You still wonder how this connects with Kylesa, not that you mind her sharing some history.

Taking a moment to think, Seriath explains further. As she talks, you stare at the young clone of the succubus, nothing like how she is currently and happy as can be for someone with such an exceptional father.

"You might think that the only way for a new succubus to be produced is through birth. If one of us wills it, we can be impregnated though it is difficult since there is a risk of eating the baby's lifeforce if not careful. What is not known to many though is that it is possible to convert a human woman into a succubus, but only by one powerful enough to invoke such corruption."

"I'm starting to see the picture. Kylesa is the one who made you into who you are?" you ask, returning your attention her. She nods silently.

Knitting your brows, you question further, "...and your real name is Nai too?"

Seriath snorts and shakes her head. "It was, but not anymore. Nai...died a long time ago."

"You're speaking metaphorically, right?" you ask, unable to help grin.

Seriath narrows her eyes and slightly pouts. "Master, do you enjoy killing the mood? I won't even answer that!"

You laugh a little but only because you know there's probably not going to be much to enjoy if your gut feeling is to be trusted. Clearing your throat, you apologize.

"Sorry, but you were quite adorable from what I can see."

The succubus lifts her chin up proudly. "Of course! If you were a kind master, you'd say that I'm still adorable!"

You snort, shaking your head silly. She's more than adorable, but you won't stroke her ego further. Turning back your attention to Seriath's father and younger self, they disappear into the distance within the crowds. Your expression turns solemn as they leave and once gone, you look back at the succubus who is ready to move the scene forward now.

She snaps her finger. Things started to shift around you and blur, but you can't afford to be dazed or distracted as the succubus asks you a question.

"First, what do you know about Ylora during the Great War?"