TheShingPen
An Unsettling Invitation
Zarin’s footsteps echoed lightly on the old wooden floor as he walked deeper into Lady Mariel’s home. The air inside was stale and heavy, and there was a scent of dust everywhere. An unsettling atmosphere seemed to press down on Zarin with each step.
‘Lady Mariel’s daughter should be here somewhere’, Zarin thought as he moved through the dimly lit halls.
He felt a growing sense of unease, but he pushed it aside. He had a task to do, and despite how dire things seemed, this was his first real quest. He couldn’t afford to back down.
Eventually, he found her—a young girl sitting by a window, sunlight casting an almost ethereal glow around her. She seemed entirely out of place in the worn-down house, her appearance vibrant and healthy, starkly contrasting to her mother’s fragile state. Her long, silky black hair shimmered in the light, and her skin looked flawless.
‘Is this really Lady Mariel’s daughter?’ Zarin thought as he approached cautiously. She looked too perfect, too well-kept for someone living in such a deteriorated home. But this was the girl who might have answers about her mother’s mysterious ailment. Maybe she knew something that could help.
“Excuse me,” Zarin said as he came closer. “Are you Lady Mariel’s daughter? I’m Zarin, from the Lionhead’s Guild. I’m here to help find a cure for your mother.”
The woman slowly looked up at him, her large, deep-set eyes locking onto his with an unsettling intensity. For a moment, she didn’t respond, simply staring at him. Zarin shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, the silence stretching longer than he liked.
A soft, innocent smile appeared on her lips. “Do you want to play with me?” she asked in a sweet, sing-song voice.
Zarin blinked, surprised by the sudden question. “Uh… play?”
She giggled, the sound light and sweet, though something about it made Zarin’s skin crawl. “Yes, play. Just a little game,” she said, twirling a strand of black hair around her finger. Her gaze never wavered from him. “It’ll be fun.”
Zarin hesitated. Something about this didn’t feel right, but he didn’t want to offend her. Maybe it’s just an innocent game, and she’s trying to lighten the mood. He forced a smile. “Sure, I guess I can play for a bit.”
The girl’s smile widened—too wide—the moment he agreed, and her eyes darkened. Her lips twisted into a sinister grin, and the air in the room seemed to grow heavier.
“Perfect,” she whispered, her voice dropping to a sultry tone. “That’s all I needed.”
Before Zarin could react, an invisible force gripped his entire body, freezing him in place. His muscles locked up, refusing to move as if they were bound by chains. Panic surged through him as he tried to struggle, but no matter how hard he fought, he couldn’t so much as twitch his fingers. It was as if his body had betrayed him, leaving him completely immobilized.
“W-What’s happening?” Zarin stammered, his voice strained as he tried to move. His eyes were wide with terror. His heart raced in his chest as fear washed over him in waves.
Suddenly, a glowing notification window appeared before his eyes, breaking through his panicked thoughts.
————————————————————
Condition: Paralyzed
Source: Succubus Charm (Tier 2 Ability)
Effect: Cannot move or take action.
Duration: Indefinite until dispelled.
————————————————————
Zarin’s breath caught in his throat. A succubus? He stared at the notification, his mind racing. That’s what she is?
The girl before him—no, the succubus—changed before his eyes. Her skin darkened into a rich, shadowy hue, and her once beautiful eyes turned into glowing pools of red. Her black hair lengthened, flowing like liquid darkness, and large leathery wings unfurled from her back. Her fingers elongated into sharp claws, and a long, thin tail swayed behind her. What had once been a beautiful, innocent-looking young woman was now a creature of pure malevolence.
Zarin’s heart pounded harder as the realization sank in. He had walked right into her trap and was now at her mercy.
The succubus let out a low, sultry laugh as she stepped closer, her clawed hand lightly tracing the edge of his jaw. “Mmm, it’s been so long since I’ve had someone fall for this game,” she purred, her voice thick with satisfaction. “You’re a curious one, though. So quick to agree... so easy to ensnare.”
Zarin tried to scream for help, but his voice was stuck in his throat, his muscles still locked in place. The succubus’s magic held him tight, her dark power preventing him from moving. His mind screamed in frustration. I’ve got to get out of this!
The succubus smiled wickedly as she circled him, her claws lightly grazing his skin. “You poor thing,” her voice dripping with mock pity. “So young, so naïve. But don’t worry—I’ll savor every moment.” Her lips curled into a sinister grin. “I’ve been here for so long, longing for someone new.” Someone like you.”
Zarin’s thoughts raced.
‘I need to break free of this charm… but how?’
The system had warned him about the paralysis, but nothing was in the notification about how to dispel it. Think, Zarin, think!
The succubus leaned in closer, her breath hot against his neck. “I’ll try not to break you too early,” she whispered seductively, her voice sending shivers down Zarin’s spine. “After all, where’s the fun in that? But you’ll need to last long enough for me to enjoy this.”
Zarin’s mind screamed in panic. He couldn’t move, couldn’t fight, and his thoughts were spiraling into desperation. The succubus had him completely at her mercy, and her magic was far too strong for him to shake off simply.
“I think you’ll do nicely,” she whispered, her lips brushing against his ear. “It’s been so long since I had a plaything... and you, Zarin, will be my last indulgence before I leave this wretched place.”
Her words echoed in his mind, and Zarin felt the total weight of her power pressing down on him. His body remained frozen, but his mind refused to give up. I can’t let it end like this. There has to be a way out... but the more he resisted, the more desperate he became, as the power holding him was too much.
The succubus’s grip tightened as she prepared to move in closer, her claws tracing a line down his chest. “Don’t worry,” she whispered, her voice a dark promise. “I’ll make sure you remember this... for as long as you can endure.”
Zarin’s heart pounded in his chest, each beat more frantic than the previous one as the seconds ticked by.
‘I need to think of something. Fast.’