The Incubus King rubbed his hands together, a grin stretching across his face as he watched the party deliberate over the single, blatantly obvious switch in the room. He leaned forward on his throne, surrounded by an array of mirrors enchanted to display different angles of his domain.
“Let’s see how these meddlesome fools handle my pets,” he purred to himself, snapping his fingers. A portal opened nearby, spilling forth a trio of Fae-Succubi Hybrids. Their appearances were absurdly overdesigned: glittering wings, skimpy vine-like clothing, glowing eyes, and voices that could melt steel beams.
“Go,” he commanded, pointing dramatically at the screen. “Toy with them. Seduce them. Break their spirits before they ever touch the switch.”
The hybrids giggled in unison and fluttered off, wings sparkling. The Incubus King leaned back with satisfaction, propping his chin on his hand. “Let’s see how they handle this…”
=====
The Fae-Succubi descended upon the party, giggling and twirling mid-air like some bizarre synchronized performance troupe. They hovered just outside sword and staff range, their voices dripping with saccharine temptation.
“Brave adventurers, surely you don’t mean to fight us?” cooed the first hybrid, flipping her hair dramatically.
“Wouldn’t it be better to relax with us instead?” added the second, leaning forward in an exaggerated pose that made Percival quickly look away, cheeks flaming.
“We can grant all your deepest desires...” whispered the third, her glittering wings flaring as she floated over the Knight, her fingers trailing ominously toward Melisentia’s helm.
Percival gulped. “Uh, guys? They look... kind of serious.”
“They look ridiculous,” Melisentia said flatly, raising her shield. “Watch yourselves.”
Helen tilted her head, studying the hybrids with bemusement. “I’ll admit, they’re pretty. But... is that glitter? Did they bedazzle their wings? That can’t be standard issue for succubi.”
“I like glitter,” muttered Ariana, earning a sidelong glance from the others.
“Enough!” Ingrid barked, stepping forward with a snarl. “I don’t care if they’re glittery, shiny, or whatever. I’ll knock them out of the air!”
Before she could lunge, the first hybrid darted closer to Percival, batting her eyes. “And you, handsome hero, surely you won’t let these cruel women hurt us? After all, we’re just misunderstood creatures. Couldn’t you spare a little compassion?”
Percival froze, his heart doing backflips. “I, uh—”
“HE’S FALLING FOR IT!” Ingrid shouted, her fists already swinging.
“Wait, no, I’m not—!” Percival ducked just as Ingrid’s punch missed him by inches, narrowly avoiding decking the hybrid, who squealed and flew higher.
Melisentia groaned. “Percival, if you’re going to be useless, at least stay in the middle!”
“I am in the middle!” Percival protested, scrambling back into formation.
The hybrids regrouped, this time circling Harmonie. The rogue-elf-princess-possibly-not-a-rogue glared at them, her hand twitching toward her knives.
“Oh, princess, you’re so tense,” one of the hybrids crooned, drifting closer. “You should let us show you how to relax.”
“Or how to really use those knives,” added another, grinning wickedly.
Harmonie’s face turned scarlet, her voice quivering with fury. “I... am not... a rogue!” With a primal yell, she flung one of her knives, which zipped past the hybrid’s ear and lodged itself in the dungeon wall.
“Oh dear,” Helen said, holding up her staff. “This is getting chaotic. Shall I handle this?”
“No!” Melisentia said, slicing at one of the hybrids, who dodged with a somersault. “We can’t afford collateral damage right now!”
“You’ve seen my fireballs! I can aim!”
“Aim better than that stupid knife throw?” Ariana quipped, earning a glare from Harmonie.
“Everyone, focus!” Percival cried, raising his sword, which was mostly for show. “We just need to...” He trailed off, his attention drifting to the glowing switch. “Wait a second.”
While the others bickered and the hybrids cackled, Percival stepped toward the switch.
=====
The Incubus King leaned forward again, eyes narrowing. “No. No, no, no. He’s not... They’re still fighting my hybrids! Surely, they won’t—”
Percival pressed the switch.
The dungeon shook. A booming, mechanical grinding noise echoed through the chamber, and the ornate door to the Incubus King’s throne room swung open.
The hybrids froze mid-air.
“Oh, come on,” one of them groaned.
=====
The door creaked as the party stepped into the throne room, battered but victorious. The Incubus King sat stiffly on his throne, visibly sweating.
“...You weren’t supposed to solve that so quickly,” he muttered.
“Your puzzle sucked,” Ingrid said bluntly.
Helen grinned. “Maybe next time try hiding the switch behind literally anything.”
The Incubus King pointed a trembling finger at Percival. “Y-you! Surely you’re too weak to defeat me!”
Percival stared blankly, then slowly turned to the others. “Am I supposed to be the one to fight him?”
“Just stay in the middle,” the party replied in unison.
The Incubus King groaned, burying his face in his hands. This was going to be a long day.
The Incubus King dropped his hands from his face and stood, wings unfurling with dramatic flair. “Fine! If I can’t outsmart you, I’ll destroy you with my might!” He stomped forward, his hooves clanking on the marble floor. “Prepare yourselves, fools, to face the wrath of—”
“Wait,” Helen interrupted, raising a finger. “Do you even have any combat skills? Or are you one of those bosses who’s all talk and no action?”
The Incubus King froze mid-monologue, his mouth still open. His eyes darted left and right, searching for a convincing answer. “Of course I have skills!” he bellowed. “I’ve trained in dark arts, forbidden magics, and, uh, seduction techniques that can bring even the mightiest hero to their knees!”
“Seduction isn’t a combat skill,” Melisentia said flatly, hefting her sword. “Unless you’re planning to smooch us to death.”
The King hesitated again. “...Would you be into that?”
“Absolutely not,” Ingrid said, already charging forward with a war cry. “Enough talk—let’s smash this overgrown pigeon!”
Ingrid’s fist connected with the Incubus King’s chest, sending him stumbling back. He gasped, clutching his ribs. “You dare strike me?!”
“Yeah, that’s kind of the point,” Ingrid snapped, winding up for another punch.
Before she could land it, the King flapped his wings furiously, creating a gust of wind that sent her skidding backward. “Fools! You underestimate my power!” He raised his hands, summoning a dark aura. “Feel the might of my Dreambind Chains!”
Black tendrils shot out from the floor, lashing toward Ingrid. She dodged most of them, but one caught her ankle, yanking her off balance.
“Ugh, fine! Restrain me, see if I care!” she growled, trying to tug her leg free.
“That’s the idea,” the King sneered, before turning his attention to the others. “Now, who’s next?”
“Okay, okay, I’ve got this!” Percival stepped forward, gripping his sword with trembling hands. “You’ve had your fun, but it’s time for me, the last descendant of a great hero, to—”
Ariana yanked him back by the collar. “Not yet, sweetie. Let’s soften him up first.”
“Softening him up is my thing!” Helen said, spinning her staff. “Time for some fireworks!”
She pointed the staff, and a massive fireball shot toward the Incubus King. He yelped and dove behind his throne, which immediately caught fire.
“Really?!” the King shouted. “Do you know how long it took me to decorate this place?”
“Maybe spend less on decor and more on defenses,” Helen retorted with a smirk.
The King peeked out, glaring. “You’ll regret this! Minions, to me!”
Portals opened on either side of the room, and more Fae-Succubi Hybrids fluttered out. These ones were armed with oversized candy-colored weapons, making them look like mascots from a magical girl show gone horribly wrong.
“More glitter?” Ariana groaned. “This is getting ridiculous.”
“You’re just jealous,” Helen teased. “You wish your staff sparkled like that.”
Ariana ignored her, instead raising her hands to cast a spell. “Sanctuary Bloom!” A wave of light rippled outward, causing the hybrids to shriek and cover their eyes.
“Gah! Why does it burn?!” one of them cried.
“It’s called being outclassed,” Ariana said smugly.
While the hybrids flailed around, Melisentia waded into the fray, shield up, sword swinging. Ingrid finally broke free of the chain and joined her, roaring with renewed fury.
“Stop destroying my minions!” the Incubus King wailed.
“You brought them into this!” Helen pointed out, casually flinging lightning bolts from the backline.
Meanwhile, Harmonie had slinked off to the side, blending into the shadows. She crept closer to the King, knives glinting faintly as she drew them. Her glamour made her practically invisible, and she smirked as she got within striking distance.
“Time to end this,” she whispered, raising her blade.
Suddenly, the King spun around, his eyes glowing red. “You think I can’t sense your rogue-ish tricks?” he snarled. “Nice try, elf, but—”
“I’M NOT A ROGUE!” Harmonie screamed, stabbing him squarely in the shoulder.
The King howled in pain, flailing as he tried to dislodge her. “Ow, ow, ow! Why do you all hit so hard?!”
Harmonie jumped back, smirking. “I’m a Princess, you dolt. And don’t you forget it.”
The King stumbled, his movements sluggish. “No... This can’t be... I’m invincible! I’m—”
“Oh, shove it,” Melisentia said, knocking his legs out from under him with a sweep of her sword. He hit the ground with a resounding thud.
“Percival, now!” she shouted.
Percival blinked. “Oh! Right!” He hurried forward, sword raised. “Take this, villain!”
The Incubus King looked up just in time to see Percival trip over his own feet, his sword accidentally plunging into the King’s chest.
Everyone stared in stunned silence as the King groaned dramatically, his body disintegrating into black smoke. “Cursed... incompetence...” he muttered before vanishing completely.
Percival scrambled to his feet, looking around sheepishly. “Uh... did I win?”
“Sure, let’s go with that,” Helen said, patting his shoulder.
“Congratulations, hero,” Harmonie added, though her tone was heavily sarcastic.
“Great,” Percival sighed. “So... who’s carrying the loot out?”
The girls groaned in unison. It was going to be a long trip back.
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