The moon gracefully hung in the sky, a young woman staring out her window with an anxious gaze. She wasn’t much of a girl of faith. Her mother’s side of the family were never particularly religious and her father was too eccentric and curious about its inner workings to be swayed by faith either. Consequently, she never had much interest in prayer much less how one would go about doing it in the first place. From how her father and friends described it, she imagined it as a form of meditation, but something seemed different about it, a difference which plagued her at the moment.
The girl looked up at the moon, as if drawn by some inner instinct, a deep desire to understand the prayer growing within her. She wished to pray for her mother, her younger sister, and her new friends. “I hope you’re all okay,” Leah muttered to herself.
“They have been gone a while,” Cleo grumbled as she sat in a nearby chair, equally anxious as the teenager. They had sat like this for hours now, becoming increasingly impatient, worried, and nervous as their loved ones went unaccounted for.
“I keep telling you, their auras are alive and well,” another voice stated. The two turned to look at the blue haired draconic woman, the Babylonian goddess, Tiamat. “I’m certain they’ll return soon.”
“You also said you noticed they all seemed to change while we’ve been waiting,” Cleo countered. “What if something happened and they’re in danger?”
“They did change,” Tiamat admitted, “but it was far from a negative one. It was more like… they became bolder and more vibrant.”
“What does that even mean?” Leah grumbled.
“Perhaps they awakened to a new power,” Tiamat stated. “Their energy does feel more like Melody’s does now.”
“I have no idea what you’re going on about,” Cleo huffed.
“S-sorry,” Tiamat apologized. “I… huh?”
“What’s wrong?” Leah asked.
“Their energies, they’re… How did they move so quickly?”
“Tiamat?”
“They’re here,” she stated, turning to look at the door. As if on command the door lock rumbled and clicked, revealing a group of familiar faces.
“Sis! Mom! You’re okay!” Leah squealed in excitement as she ran up to greet them. “Are the others okay?”
“Yeah, they’re safe. They went home though,” Vivi said with a grin, her top wings curling joyfully as her tail waved behind her. Leah gawked at her as she processed her new features. “There’s so much to tell you.”
“What do you mean? I mean... What happened to you? You're like Mom now.”
"Yeah... That's..."
"Mommy!" Wisp exclaimed as she fluttered past Vivi and over to Cleo, hugging her tightly.
"I'm glad you're safe, sweetie," Cleo chuckled. She looked up at the others, noticing Tiamat staring past Vivi. "Tia?"
“You brought a pair of unknowns with you, I see,” Tiamat noted.
“Dang, you’re good,” Erika giggled as she entered. “So, you’re Tiamat! It’s good to finally meet you, your highness!” she giggled.
“Oh, you’re the dryad that Vivi’s been dating. I should’ve seen that coming,” Tiamat chuckled.
“W-we only just started dating,” Vivi mumbled as her lower wings curled around her defensively as a blush encroached upon her cheeks.
“There, there, Vivi. It means she thinks we’re cute together,” Erika encouraged her.
“Damn, and you were saying I'm good,” Tiamat chuckled.
“It’s almost a shame she’s not one of mine,” another voice giggled. Tiamat turned to face it, a scowl crossing her face. “I appreciate your patience for the past few months.”
Leah looked between the new mysterious woman and Tiamat in confusion. “Tia, do you know her?”
“No. I’ve felt the energy of different goddesses pop up a few times, but I was never certain who they were or what they wanted. Among them was one that felt particularly mischievous that seemed to be keeping an eye on me. Guess I’ll finally get to learn why now. So, who exactly are you?”
“Right to the point, I like that.” The demoness goddess grinned. “Lilith, mother of succubi at your service. Particularly mother and grandmother of these darlings,” she gestured towards Vivi, Leah, and their mother who entered behind her. “A pleasure to meet you, o' ravishing dragoness.”
“R-ravishing…?” Tiamat repeated, her cheeks lighting up.
“I always have had a thing for strong, cool women, you know.”
“Mother, I know you enjoy theatrics, but could you maybe tone it down a bit?” Mary sighed.
“Mother?” Leah repeated. “Wait… that would mean... no way! You’re...”
“It’s been a while, sweetie.” Lilith smiled. “My, you’ve grown a lot in the last year.”
“Th-thanks...” Leah nodded. “But I don’t get it. What’s going on? Why is grandma here, and what did she mean when she said she was ‘mother of succubi?’ And...”
“Leah, calm down,” said Cleo as she gently held her shoulder. “Give them a moment.”
“I guess I should start by saying your friends are safe and sound.” Lilith explained, smiling at Cleo partway through. “It was a bit cruel of me, but I needed them all to go through a series of trials to get stronger.”
“Stronger? What do you...” Cleo started to ask.
"Yeah, we got all sorts of new powers!" Wisp declared. "I can turn into all sorts of cute little animals now!" A pair of cat ears and a matching tail popped out of her body. "And big sis became a succubus like Miss Mary!"
“It turns out grandma is the source of our magical girl powers,” Vivi stated. “And she wanted to help us get stronger by proving ourselves to other goddesses, like Melody did with you, Tiamat.”
“Trial? I don’t remember…” Tiamat mumbled. “Wait… Now that you mention it, I do remember feeling rather taken with her when we fought Zeus.”
“Exactly.” Lilith smiled excitedly, her wings flaring out with pride. “Since the girls’ powers originated from me, they all received a bit of my natural ability to absorb magical energy. It took some work to nail down the specifics, but you and Athena bonding with Vivi and Melody helped us figure out the most important details.”
“I see,” Tiamat said as she considered her words, her own wings tightening behind her as she placed her chin between her forefinger and thumb. “My memories of my past life are still hazy, but I do recall your kind being quite resourceful due to such abilities back in the day. Although, I mostly remember how beautiful you all were,” she whispered the last part. “But that doesn’t answer why.”
“Come now, I’m sure you can figure that out,” Lilith chuckled. “You already rejected him rather thoroughly after all.”
“So, Zeus then?” Tiamat asked, Lilith confirming with a nod, her head wings bobbing in affirmation. “I see. Unfortunately, I’ve lost track of him, so I’m not really sure what he’s up to now.”
“Don’t worry about that, some of our other allies have been observing him.”
“Really?” Vivi asked. “You didn’t mention that before.”
“I suppose it slipped my mind with all we talked about,” Lilith chuckled. “That said, I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time to discuss that and our future plans. For now, might I ask that we give them a chance to relax?” She looked to her daughter and granddaughter.
“Yes, please. It’s been an exhausting day,” Mary agreed.
“Yeah,” Vivi said with a frown, her wings drooping and her tail coiling upon her right forearm causing Lilith to look at her concernedly.
“Alright, you all sit down. It’s late, so I’ll run out and grab something for us,” Cleo stated.
“Oooh, can we have pizza?” Wisp asked.
“That does sound nice,” Vivi agreed. “It would be a nice pick-me-up.” She frowned, Erika quickly moving in to gently hug her, wrapping Vivi up in her lower wings and her own vines. As the others discussed food plans, Lilith glanced at the pair and frowned, her worries growing.
“So...” Lilith finally said as they got to sit down. “Vivi. I know I’ve put a lot on you today, between your awakening and all the revelations, but it feels like something else is bothering you.”
Vivi frowned, struggling to figure out what to say as her fingers nervously fidgeted with the tip of her tail. Erika stroked her hand and whispered to the young succubus, Vivi nodding to her plan.
“I’ll explain,” Erika stated. “Vivi got outed to our class this morning. It started as a small mistake during roll call, but a jerk in our class made a big deal about it. Some of the teachers have been pretty awful about it.”
“She got outed during...” Lilith looked to Mary, who sighed.
“I did everything I could,” Mary commented. “I was under the expectation that everything would be changed over, but it seems some of the faculty isn’t happy with that.”
“Like I said,” Erika clarified, “it started as an accident. Vivi didn’t hear her name at first and our teacher used her last name, and… well...”
“It was Todd,” Vivi whimpered as her tail coiled tighter and her wings tightened closer to her body. “He just won’t leave me alone,” she wept.
“Of course it was that Habernaker boy,” Mary hissed, her own wings arching with anger. “Unfortunately, it’s worse than that,” she admitted, the three looking at her, Vivi and Erika having a frightful look. “Sorry, I didn’t get to tell you two with everything, but I tried calling the office, and it sounds like some of the faculty is trying to overturn the paperwork I submitted. They’re dead set on deadnaming and misgendering her. I wanted to throttle the man I was talking to earlier when he started prattling on about ‘special treatment.’”
“Th-then...” Vivi quaked. “That’s not fair,” she whimpered. “I’m not a boy. I’m not…” she choked. “I don’t want special treatment. I just want to be treated like any other girl.”
“Oh, Vivi...”
“Vivi,” Lilith finally spoke up. “Tomorrow you’re going to stay home. I’ll go over and make sure that everything gets fixed.”
“Grandma?” Vivi looked at her confusedly, as the succubus goddess's wings elegantly settled to her sides and her tail rested neatly in her lap.
“Don’t worry. Granny has her ways,” she said with a gentle yet disturbing smile.
“O-okay...” Vivi nodded.
“I hate to impose, dear, but Erika...”
“Don’t worry ma’am, I’ll keep her company,” Erika smiled gleefully.
“Thank you, I appreciate it. And I’m sorry today was so rough, sweetie.” Lilith frowned. “Had we not been so tight on time, I would’ve waited a little longer.”
“Tight on time?” Mary questioned.
“Yes, Ami and the others needed to start getting ready for some other things, so we really needed to try to do the trials before they get back.”
“Before who gets back?” Erika asked.
“Oh… right I haven’t told you that, have I? I came here specifically to see and help all of you, as did most of the others, but Sue and Ami will have other obligations soon. They’re just waiting on the field team from Japan to get back to the states.”
“The field team?” Mary repeated.
“From Japan?” Erika added.
“You mean...” Vivi gawked. “Dad’s coming home!?”
Lilith could only chuckle as she nodded. “If nothing else, I’m glad I had some happy news to share to end the night with.”
* * *
Giggles could be heard from down the hall as Vivi and Erika chatted with each other in Leah’s room as they all watched anime and excitedly chatted about the day’s events and their revelations. Cleo and Wisp had gone home, leaving Mary to finally collapse onto the couch with her mother and Tiamat talking beside her.
“I’m glad we weren’t the only ones put off by his vision.” Tiamat smirked as she talked to the demonic goddess.
“Honestly, I’ve been rather surprised how many shared our doubts. I was suspecting others would fall into his trap like you did. Speaking of, I’m glad you changed your mind.” Lilith smiled.
“Yes, well, I didn’t really go with him of my own accord. I initially turned him down. It wasn’t until he brought up how I died that I started to cave.”
“He’s truly insidious from what I’ve heard. I’m sorry you had to go through that.” Lilith frowned. “Tiamat, I know it might not be much, but succubi like myself are pretty good with emotion based magic. If you’d like, I’d be happy to help you if you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed.”
“I’m familiar. I can tell the magic she was using at the time was a bit different, but Vivi used a similar spell. I did quite like it, although...”
“What’s the matter?”
“That kind of intimacy...” She shook her head. “I don’t want to put upon you too much or anything.”
“Not at all. If anything, after everything Palu told me about what happened, I want to help. Being betrayed by people you care for… it’s so painful..."
“You mean… you were...”
Lilith frowned. “Like you, I don’t have too many strong memories of my past life. But I do have some. A man I knew and trusted tried to force himself upon me and treated me as an object, and then moved on to another girl I cared for when I rejected him.”
Tiamat grimaced. “I’ve read parts of the bible since awakening and… I read that story, about Eden. It says you were born to be his partner and you turned him down.”
Lilith sighed. “In all honesty, I don’t know. I don’t believe we were the first humans, but… I think the latter may have been true. The only thing I remember is feeling betrayed and used, and then feeling betrayed over him picking Eve… I… think I may have loved her.”
“Lilith...” Tiamat looked at the succubus goddess. Her tail wrapped around her, summoning a gentle blush to her face. “The same goes for me. Neither of us are in this alone. So… if you need someone to talk to, I’ll be there for you too.”
“Tia… Thank you, having someone else to talk to about this kind of stuff sounds really nice.” Lilith smiled gently.
As the two goddesses talked, Mary couldn’t help but sigh. “Is something the matter dear?”
“I don’t know,” Mary grumbled. “Just, so much has happened. First all the magic stuff, then everything with Vivi and Tia, and now finding out you’re a goddess… and...” She looked at Lilith cuddling up to Tiamat. “I don’t know, I just...”
“It’s been a lot of changes, hasn’t it?” Lilith lamented. “Palu told me things didn’t go well with you and Vivi at first.”
Mary sighed. “I… don’t know why I did it. Just something snapped in me. Looking back, I should’ve noticed it. She was behaving differently. She’s always been rather skittish, but she got even more so after the Magic Mist showed up. And I had said such awful things about her and her friends. I don’t know, maybe I was scared that our family was finally being affected by the chaos going on around us, or… I don’t know.”
“Well, I’m glad you both managed to figure things out.” Lilith smiled. “But it’s still a lot, isn’t it?”
Mary frowned. “I don’t want to admit it, but… yeah. Honestly, dealing with Vivi has been the easy part. Sure, there’s been some adjustments. Her new fascination with fashion and make up has taken some getting used to, but she’s been so happy. It… It almost feels like she came home after being gone for so long. I wouldn’t trade her smile for anything,” she sighed. “It’s more that I’ve started having to deal with all the people around us trying to deny who she is. And now...”
“What’s wrong?” Lilith frowned.
“Mom… be honest, I… are things going to be okay between us?”
“Mary...”
“I… I have no idea what to think about any of this. You being younger is… well maybe weird is the wrong word, at least with everything going on, but it’s disorienting at least. But, then you show up out of the blue, give everyone these weird tests, and then tell me you’re a goddess.” Lilith could only grimace as Mary explained everything so bluntly. “In some ways, you’re still acting the same way I always remember you acting. But at the same time, it’s as if part of you has changed. And… I don’t know… maybe it’s like Vivi, and you’re just more of yourself, but...” Mary looked Lilith in the eyes, her gaze trembling with fright. “There’s also this part of me that’s afraid that… you’re not really my mom anymore.”
Lilith trembled for a moment, tears filling her eyes before she grabbed hold of her daughter, Mary shocked by her speed. “Of course, I’m still your mom. Nothing is ever going to change that. No new memories are going to make me forget holding you in my arms as a baby, or taking you to school, or me catching you with your girlfriend.”
“W-wait… you… I never told you she and I were...” Mary stammered, trying desperately to hide her blushing cheeks as her mother released her.
“I could tell, sweetie,” Lilith giggled as tears trickled down her cheeks. “I remember so many things. And I cherish each one of them. You’re my daughter. Nothing is ever going to change that. Just like Vivi will always be your daughter.”
“I… I’m sorry Mom. I didn’t mean to make you cry. I… I don’t know where those thoughts came from. I’m sorry, I...”
“There’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Tiamat pipped up. “We’re all trying our best to deal with how things are now. You’ve just had more unique changes to deal with than others. It’s okay to feel a little lost with all of it.”
“T-thank you, Tia,” Mary said, scratching her still red cheek. “And thank you Mom. I’m glad you’re home again.”
“I’m glad too, dear.” Lilith smiled.
* * *
“It’s been such a long day,” Erika said as she sat on the bed before giving a small yawn. “I’m glad your mom is letting me stay over, I’m really tired.”
“Uh… um...” Vivi mumbled.
“Vivi, what’s… up…?” she asked, her words falling to a whisper as she saw Vivi’s reddened face and bright red eyes. She fidgeted uncomfortably as her wings wiggled and fluttered, her tail trembling in her lap, and her ears noticeably twitching. Her gaze batted across the room, each time her eyes falling upon Erika prompting yet more nervous fidgeting.
“E-Eri… I…” Vivi panted. Erika giggled and grabbed at her arm, pulling the flustered succubus to the bed. “Wh-what are you…?”
“It’s okay Vivi, you’re safe with me.”
“B-but...”
“Let me guess, watching that episode got you all hot and bothered, didn’t it?” she asked, referring to the anime they’d just watched. Vivi’s cheeks blushed as she thought of the pretty cyborg women, filling her mind. “It’s okay. If you want, we can have our own fun.”
“N-no… it’s okay, you're tired and...”
“Aww, is my little pinkubus getting all nervous?”
"P-pinkubus...?" Vivi stammered.
"You like it?" Erika looked at her teasingly.
Vivi chuckled. "I like all of your ideas... You're always so clever and funny and-" Her eyes widened as a kiss silenced her. Her mind began to blur as her arms instinctively wrapped around Erika and pulled her closer, her breasts pushing against Erika’s own. Her wings instinctively wrapped around her girlfriend possessively as she leaned into it, until… It ended too soon Erika pulled away with a satisfied look.
"Was that a good idea too?" Erika giggled, her eyes shut as she grinned with pride. Vivi looked at her, the heat in her beginning to pool and morph, a hole appearing at her core that lapped up the warmth. It was ravenous. And as its hunger began to grow, so did hers. Vivi leaned in, her hands claiming Erika's rosy cheeks and tilting her head upwards, much to her surprise. "Vivi...?" her breath hitched.
Vivi giggled mischievously. "I think you'll have to decide that for yourself," she teased back. Erika's eyes widened as the red in Vivi's eyes pulled away, leaving a tantalizing and dazzling pink behind. She pushed forward, Erika falling backwards onto the bed. Vivi loomed over, her tail teasing the young dryad by tugging upon Vivi's bodice.
Erika gazed up at her, her mind blanking, her thoughts vanishing, lost in the possessive gaze of Vivi's enchanting pink gems. Vivi's wings flared out, a soft radiance coming off of them, bathing them in a quiet light just bright enough to allow Erika to see Vivi lick her lips. Erika shivered in anticipation as one of Vivi's hands landed upon Erika's breast, a moan emerging from the dryad as her girlfriend's reward.
"Holy shit..." Erika mumbled.
"There's that silliness again," Vivi giggled again with an enchanting coo. She leaned further down, her lips hovering beside Erika's ear, her breath tickling its tiny tip. "I'm a succubus, cutie, not an angel." Vivi drew Erika's hand off the bed and delicately planted it upon her breast causing her to release a heated moan which sent shivers down Erika's spine.
"Vivi... you..."
"It's like you said." Vivi's body began to press against Erika's again, causing the dryad to watch their valleys join together, her hand pinned against their breasts, trapped against Vivi's soft tit, a sensual warmth filling them both. "This side is a part of me too. And it's been really hungry for a very very long time. Are you willing to help satisfy it with me?" Vivi asked.
Erika's voice failed her, only heated pants managing to pass her lips, save of course an invasion from Vivi's own. She moaned from the rapturous release.
"Oh... my goddess..." Erika's voice nearly collapsed as Vivi's lips departed.
"You got it right this time," Vivi cooed. "As your reward..." Her lips grazed Erika's cheek, a puff of warm air alerting her to the skin's fate as her lips descended, marking it with a kiss. Erika's voice hitched.
"Don't stop..." Erika whimpered.
"Is that a yes?" Vivi asked. "You won't get it until-"
"Yes!" Erika begged. "Please!"
Vivi grinned as her wings wrapped around her beloved. "Don't worry. I won't forget to water you too, my lovely flower."
Erika's mind melted, that single question echoing at the back of her mind. 'Is this really a good idea?' She quickly found the answer.
No.
It wasn't a good idea.
Vivi hesitated, her eyes cooling back into a clear blue. "Eri... I..." She was silenced by a kiss, the heat within her stoking stronger as Erika's hot breath grazed Vivi's cheek as she sucked on her lips.
"Keep... going..." Erika panted between kisses.
Vivi's eyes fluttered, pink light claiming them once again. She wrapped her arms around Erika, the two dropping to the bed again, their landing answering the question.
It was an earth-shattering idea, its totality equal in pleasure and revolution.
It wasn't a good idea. It was a beautiful, intoxicating, and impossibly perfect idea.
It was a life changing idea, one she could never let go off again.
"Vivi!" she nearly screamed, as she surrendered to her lover's embrace.