Darkness. Calming, soothing darkness.

I took a deep breath. The scent of charred wood and fire filled my nostrils.

Murmurs. Distinct voices, but their words were indistinct. A soothing lullaby felt distant yet close.

Suddenly, my eyes blinked open. The room, bathed in red sunlight, felt strangely rustic. Wooden beams, old furniture, and... an infirmary bed?

As I sat up, trying to piece together my last memory, the door swung open. Two figures, both seemingly half-human and half-demon, stepped in.

"Oh, you're awake." The less-demonic one, perhaps Lilith, remarked.

I blinked and tried to form words, but confusion held my tongue.

"Think she tastes good, Lilith?" The other one, maybe Beatrice, teased with a sly grin.

"Beatrice!" Lilith snapped, her face a mix of irritation and amusement.

Silently rejoicing at my correct guess, I had pushed past my uncertainty, "Where... am I?"

Summoning a burst of courage, I rose from the bed, taking in the room anew. The juxtaposition of old-world charm and fantastical elements created an enchanting tapestry.

"So what's your name, weird creature?" They had asked with narrow eyes. They were suspicious of me, and I had no idea why.

"Y-Yumiko... Ohno..." I responded hesitantly.

Beatrice winked, "Welcome to Mordurn, the grandest slice of Hell!"

I blanched. Hell? Dead? Panic surged.

Sensing my distress, Lilith quickly clarified, "Oh, not THAT Hell. It's just a name. It has a nice ring to it."

"That's right!" Beatrice interjected with enthusiasm.

Pushing back the confusion, I took a deep breath.

"Mordurn...? Can you show me around?" I found myself asking with a hint of excitement in my voice. I wasn't sure if it was a wise decision, but something drew me in.

"Adventurous food... I see..."

"Beatrice! Humans aren't snacks! How many times do I have to tell you this?!"

"Lilith, you should've told me!" Beatrice feigned surprise.

Lilith simply ignored Beatrice and her mischievous smirk.

They led the way—Lilith walked beside me, her graceful demeanour contrasting starkly with Beatrice's erratic energy.

The first stop was the town square. Mordurn's landscape was quite flat, nothing like I'd imagined. A giant obsidian fountain stood in the centre, with red-hot lava gleaming in various shades of red and orange.

Creatures of all shapes and sizes roamed the cobbled streets. Some were chatting; others were bartering at stalls selling otherworldly trinkets and goods.

"Every morning, there's a market here. You can find just about anything, from lava, to food, to demonic armour—not that humans can wear it—and so much more." Lilith explained, pointing out a stall where tiny lava geysers were trapped in glass bottles.

A few demons waved at Lilith and Beatrice as we passed. They seemed popular—or maybe it was just Beatrice's reputation as a potential menace.

One particular devil, a burly figure with massive horns spiralling out the sides of his head, approached us.

"Ah, Lilith, Beatrice. Who's the new face?" He inquired, his voice rumbling like distant thunder.

"This is Yumiko," Lilith introduced. "She's... visiting."

"Is she edible?" the devil mused aloud.

Beatrice laughed, "Still figuring that out!"

"Beatrice!" Lilith chastised, and I felt a chill run down my spine.

Gorgon chuckled, patting my back so hard I nearly stumbled.

"Welcome to Mordurn, Yumiko. And if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to visit my armoury."

As we ventured deeper into the heart of Mordurn, the labyrinthine streets seemed to twist and wind like the minds of those who walked them. Vibrant banners draped overhead, depicting creatures that seemed both nightmarish and captivating.

I couldn't help but feel a mix of trepidation and awe at the sights that unfolded before me.

"So, Yumiko, what brings you to our little slice of 'Hell'?" Beatrice asked, her tone both playful and oddly comforting.

Lilith shot Beatrice a pointed look before turning her attention back to me, her expression more serious.

"She's not joking, Yumiko. Mordurn may seem whimsical, but there's darkness here too, hidden beneath the surface."

Lilith's demeanour switched almost instantly. It was as if she were staring into my soul.

"We are devils, after all..."

"But you look... Half-Human?"

Lilith's demeanour switched back, as Beatrice explained:

"Lilith was just being an idiot. We are actually demi-devils."

"Demi...Devils?" I asked, "Does that mean you're not fully demon?"

Lilith nodded while Beatrice acted like I got the million-dollar question right at a game show.

Lilith, noticing my dazed expression, quipped, "Lost in the sights, are we?"

I blinked.

"It's just... a lot to take in."

"It's not every day you find yourself in a place like Mordurn." Lilith remarked that her arm looped around mine.

Beatrice chuckled, "Speak for yourself! I wake up to this madness every day!"

"You ARE the madness, Beatrice!" Lilith retorted almost immediately.

As the days in Mordurn passed, I found myself drawn deeper into the rhythm of this peculiar realm.

The obsidian fountain and the bustling market became familiar sights, each with its own unique charm.

The initial unease I felt began to ebb away, replaced by a sense of curiosity and a growing desire to integrate into this strange world.

I began to live with Beatrice and Lilith; every day began with Beatrice's chaos or her trying to devour me.

One morning, after Beatrice's fourth failed attempt to taste a strand of my hair, I ventured into the town square and noticed a bulletin board covered in colourful notices. Demons of all sizes gathered around, perusing the offerings with keen interest.

Drawn by my own curiosity, I approached the board and began reading the posted requests.

[Seeking an adventurer to retrieve a dragon scale from the Void Lands. Reward: A pouch of Condensed Lava Crystals.]

[Help wanted at the Hellfire Forge. Blacksmith apprentices needed. Apply within.]

Seeing the array of job offerings, an idea started forming in my mind.

Could I carve a place for myself in Mordurn by taking up these quests?

"First time looking at the job board, huh?" A voice interrupted my thoughts. Turning, I saw a tall, devilish figure with elongated horns.

"Ah, yes. Just thinking of trying one." I replied hesitantly.

He grinned.

"I recommend the blacksmith apprenticeship for newcomers. Hellfire Forge is welcoming to humans."

"Thanks for the tip," I nodded, adding, "I'm Yumiko."

"Name's Akuma," he responded, shaking my hand with his clawed one.

"And trust me, you'll need some allies in Mordurn. Start with the forge. It's easier than hunting for dragon scales."

Taking his advice, the next morning I saw myself standing in front of Hellfire Forge. I entered and was met by a blacksmith who introduced himself as Ignus.

My tasks were initially mundane—fetching tools, lighting fires, and observing.

But over time, I found the rhythm of the forge oddly comforting.

I wasn't merely surviving in Mordurn; I was starting to thrive.

Each day brought new challenges. From understanding the temperamental nature of infernal metals to the delicate dance of hammering them into shape, I was learning and growing.

There were moments of levity too, like when Ignus would craft a molten creature just to make me laugh, or when Beatrice would attempt to cook with lava, often with explosive results.

Every now and then, I'd tackle a quest from the job board.

With the skills I acquired and some help from Akuma, I managed to complete a few, earning Mordurn currency and gaining a reputation.

I wasn't just the 'new face' anymore; I was becoming a part of the community.

Evenings were often spent with Lilith and Beatrice.

Our conversations ranged from my daily adventures to Beatrice's endless schemes on how to make Mordurn even more chaotic.

Lilith, sensing my homesickness one evening, said, "Mordurn might be unfamiliar to you, Yumiko, but it's what you make of it. Besides, it's not every day one gets to live in a demonic world and not get eaten by Beatrice."

Beatrice pouted, "I still say we should taste her. Just a bite."

"You just have to ruin everything, don't you?" Lilith turned to Beatrice.

I asked, "Lilith, why does Beatrice always want to eat me? It's been weeks!"

Lilith smirked, "It's just her way of showing affection, I promise. If she really wanted to, she could've tried by now."

"Speak for yourself," Beatrice chimed in from the corner.

"I just can't resist a challenge."

One day, as I was returning from the forge, a group of demons confronted me.

"Hey, new girl! Think you can just waltz into Mordurn and act like you belong?"

Before I could respond, Beatrice appeared, fire dancing in her eyes, "She's with me. Got a problem with that?"

The demons hesitated noticeably, clearly not expecting Beatrice to defend me.

When we returned home, I asked Lilith why the demons were scared of Beatrice.

"Believe it or not, Beatrice isn't just a nut-job; she's among the elite devils, not just in Mordurn but the entire realm, and is even being eyed for the title of Demon Lord."

"Really? That's really hard to believe." I joked.

"Is it really that hard to believe?!" Beatrice clamoured in disbelief.

"Yes! It is!" Lilith and I spoke simultaneously; we were definitely thinking the same thing.

Days turned into weeks, and my routine in Mordurn began to feel strangely… normal.

My mornings were spent at the forge, and my evenings? Those belonged to Beatrice and Lilith.

Each day after work, I'd trudge back to our shared home, often met by the scent of Beatrice's latest culinary disaster.

"I told you, Beatrice, you can't cook spaghetti with lava!" I'd often lament.

But amidst her chaotic attempts at cooking, there were genuine moments of bonding. I found Beatrice, underneath her fiery demeanour, to be incredibly protective.

Each time I'd come home with a bruise or scrape, she'd be there with some demonic remedy—some of which I was pretty sure were just made up on the spot.

Lilith, on the other hand, brought calmness to our dynamic trio.

The nights were filled with tales of their past escapades, the history of Mordurn, or the challenges of being a demi-devil. She'd often plait my hair, her fingers working with a gentle precision that was surprisingly soothing.

One evening, after a particularly harrowing day, Beatrice surprised us both.

As I stepped through the door, exhausted, I found the house bathed in a soft glow. Candlelight flickered across the walls, and the aroma of… actual food wafted through.

"I thought we'd do something... nice," Beatrice mumbled, her usual confidence replaced by hesitancy.

Lilith winked at me, "It seems you're rubbing off on her."

That evening, amidst laughter and stories, I felt something shift. This wasn't just a place I was living; it was becoming home.

The bond with Beatrice and Lilith grew stronger each day, weaving us tighter together. Their quirks, their stories, even their arguments—all of it became an integral part of my life in Mordurn.

And as time passed, I began to realise, it wasn't just about surviving in this strange land—it was about finding family in the most unexpected of places.

I felt as if I could stay in Mordurn forever...

***

"Yeah… that's not going to happen…"

I leaned back on my desk, my fingers caressing the cover of the book before me. The shimmering letters of its title, The Book of Fiction, forced a sinister smile on my face.

The sight through the pages stirred my derisive smile.

"How quaint. The lost lamb finds comfort among the wolves." I sneered, Her laughter, her happiness—it felt like a mockery.

"To think you've found a haven among those... creatures." I had mused aloud, the derision in my voice unmistakable.

"To think," I had continued, almost laughing at the absurdity, "that you find solace among demons. It's poetic, in a tragic sort of way. After all, isn't that what we are? Demons trapped in human forms, bound by blood and fate?"

There I was, holding the reins of her very existence, while she played house in some makeshift hell.

You've had your time, Yumiko. Your taste of freedom and tranquillity.

"There's a price for everything, dear sister." I whispered, tracing the edge of the book.

The cyan glow emitted by the book's spine had grown brighter, responding to my emotions and my intentions.

"Every smile, every tear, every heartbeat—they're all on borrowed time. And the lender," I paused, savouring the words, "is me."

"These few events might... Jog your memory of who you are." My eyes remained fixated on her, on the interactions she thought were hidden from my prying gaze.

But there was nowhere to hide, no action beyond my reach. Every laugh, every whispered word, every fleeting expression—they had all been under my scrutiny.

The echo of my faint chuckles grew louder, resonating through the room as if to announce my presence and my intentions.

With a maniacal grin, I murmured to the nigh-empty void that was my room, "Let's see how your story unfolds, dear sister." The words were both a promise and a threat.

"Let the games truly begin, Yumiko."