The Silk Labyrinth (Pt. 03)

The recovery was brutal. The days blurred together--his body wrecked, depleted beyond anything he had ever experienced. Confined to his bed, fevered and weak, his skeletal frame was a ghost of what it once was.

Over the following days his skeletal figure and grey gaunt skin gradually gave way to healthy flesh, muscle rebuilding itself in agonizing slowness. His strength returned bit by bit, thanks to Edwards recovery potions--elixirs of vitality left to him in his will. These were the exact concoctions needed to restore energy after a draining of this.... sexual nature. He must have foreseen that Matthew would go against his advice.

"Thank you, Edward," Matthew murmured, his expression filled with eternal gratitude. But his mind wouldn't rest. Matthew ruminated over Samantha's revelation; "some of us weren't born this way," what did she mean? What was she before the Silk Labyrinth? There were so many unanswered questions. But the most pressing matter was to retrieve Edward's soul and free him from eternal damnation--and that meant going back to the Silk Labyrinth. The thought made his stomach churn, and yet it ignited something else...

After contemplating for some time, Matthew forced himself to move. He dragged his exhausted body down to the basement and rummaged through Edward's personal belongings. Frantically turning over boxes and flipping through documents, something caught his eye. It was a picture of Edward sitting beside an attractive, but frail blonde woman in a hospital bed at the cancer ward. He looked to be in his earlier 20's, long shaggy brown hair, he was a handsome man back then. This was before he met his wife, Veronica, his dad's mother.

There was a striking resemblance between this blonde women and Samantha... this was decades years ago. If it was her, Samantha would be in here mid 70's by now. Then again, she had been offered immortality and eternal youth. Matthew brushed off the absurd thought and returned to the documents, placing them neatly back on the shelf. Matthew lied on his back, exhausted, staring at the ceiling, musing.

Would Lilith appear every time? Or only for the addicts whose souls are ready for extraction, does that mean he needs to visit the bordello multiple times! The thought sent fear curdling through his spine, and... to his shame, intense arousal.

The following Monday, school holidays were over, and Matthew entered Eldford academy--an elite institution attended by some of the wealthiest and most powerful families. He looked terrible. Dark circles painted his eyes, and small bouts of lethargy plagued him. He could have used a few more days off--at least the first class was on portal spells, his strong suit. But before the lesson could even begin, the speakerphone blared out:

"All students must report to the main lecture hall for an emergency meeting immediately, this is not a drill."

"Alright class, please proceed to the lecture hall promptly, we'll continue afterwards," Mrs Eldrich instructed, sounding both surprised and puzzled herself. Rumours and rumblings filled the hallways as students made their way toward the grand assembly room.

As Matthew paced down the corridor, an arm suddenly wrapped around his neck. "Matthew, you look like hell! I've been trying to get a hold of you for days, where have you been?" Damien asked. One of Matthew's closest friends. He's a chancer, always shooting from the hip, and constantly getting into trouble.

"If I told you, you wouldn't believe me," Matthew replied. Damian laughs but quickly changes the subject.

"What do you think this emergency meeting is all about?"

"Six students and even two teachers have gone missing in the last month alone. The disappearances have only gotten worse," Steven interjected. He was another close friend--the smartest of the trio. Methodical, rational, the kind of person Matthew should have brought along with him to the Silk Labyrinth.

They took their seats in the grand semi-circular hall. Steven and Damian flanked him as the students waited impatiently for the principal's announcement. The lecture hall was a masterpiece of architectural splendour, its perimeter lined elegantly with cream-colored marble pillars. Each was punctuated by towering bookshelves, filled with the rarest of grimoires. The imposing bookshelves were crafted from dark Mohogany, adding a layer of sophistication and grandeur to the place.

Suspended from the centre of the high ceiling was a luxurious golden chandelier, its tiers adorned with decorative crystal trimmings. It was multi-tiered, with a vast array of bulbs, illuminating the vast hall. This was a place steeped in rich history--an awe-inspiring environment, ideal for intellectual pursuits and learning. But today was different, there was a clear sense of unease in the air, someone was about to deliver uncomfortable news.

The murmur's increased in intensity as the Headmaster Alric Eldenmore strode onto the stage, there was an urgency in his movement. One of the academy's esteemed founders, he was a man in his late sixties, with a neatly groomed moustache and frizzled white hair. He was made to look every bit like the seasoned scholar, radiating both wisdom and authority. Silence fell on the room as he spoke.

"I have brought you here for an emergency meeting regarding the disappearance of numerous students and faculty members." Edenmore hesitated; this was uncharacteristic of him.

"We have made a troubling discovery," he continued, his voice grave.

"It has come to our attention that the demonic races have conspired to set up an establishment within the demonic plane... its purpose is to harvest souls." Fearful murmurs permeated the halls. Matthew's stomach twisted, he already knew what this was about.

"These creatures are no match for the powerful sorcerers among us--most are banished the moment we encounter them. However, their tactics have evolved. They've masterminded a more sinister and cunning method to gather souls."

Mr Eldenmore took a deep breath, as he braced himself, about to reveal something he knows will stoke outreach and embarrassment alike.

"They have built a luxurious bordello within the demonic realm. They call it the Silk Labyrinth." A stunned silence swept through the hall.

"There, these creatures have mastered the art of extracting our life force, and our very souls, through sexual intercourse. They wield pleasure as a weapon, disarming and devouring their victims. They no longer need to fight us; they simply offer, and we willingly surrender. Theses beings grant otherworldly pleasures and sensations beyond anything you've ever known. Many great sorcerers have already fallen prey to their seductive wiles, consumed by ecstasy."

A smattering of nervous laughter escaped the students, the scandalous nature of the revelations momentarily overwhelming their initial fears. Matthew glanced at Damian. Unlike most of his peers, there was no shock or disbelief, just mild amusement.

"Amateurs," Damien muttered.

"If they used the correct potions, showed a little more restraint, they could have kept their lives." Matthew and Steven turned toward him in astonishment.

"Are you telling us you've actually been?" Steven asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

"A few times? Sure. As long as you don't overdo it... it's an experience you'll never forget," Damien said, a grin spreading across his face.

Matthew exhaled sharply, a wave of shame crashing over him. "I've been too," he confessed, his face flushing with embarrassment.

"What!" Steven nearly shouted, jaw hanging open.

Damian burst out laughing. "Matthew, I would've never expected it! You dog." He slapped him on the back, smirking.

Bang.

The headmaster fist slammed onto the wooden lectern; the sound echoed throughout the hall; the room was enveloped in silence.

"Do you think this is funny?" his voice boomed, staring menacingly into the crowd. The hall shrank under his gaze.

"George Lemont, a finer teacher and dear friend, gone." His voice wavered, thick with grief.

"He leaves behind 3 children and a loving wife. Veronica Mogg, next in line for school principal. A remarkable woman, and an expert in geometry. Gone. Those are shoes that'll never be replaced. She leaves behind a distraught husband, a widower now, and another close friend of mine."

His voice trembled, struggling to hold back tears. "And six students, vanished. All have fallen prey to the bordello's allure. Their souls have been confirmed lost, devoured by malevolent entities. Do you understand? They are trapped in eternal purgatory--no escape, no afterlife, no salvation."

Alric choked up, tears strolling down his face. The great Alric Eldenmore, the unshakable pillar of Eldford Academy, the man who embodied the stiff upper lip, reduced to this...

Matthew's heartbeat pounded in his chest. The weight of the revelation left him stunned, breathless.

Then Alric's grief hardened into fury. "I need not remind you that once a demon consumes your soul, it is gone forever."

His voice rose, trembling with anger. "This is the Faustian Bargain, a fleeting moment of pleasure for your soul.... the consequence is an eternity of suffering!"

He leaned forward, his presence commanding attention. "So, ask yourself, is it truly worth it?" His roar shook the hall, stricken with sorrow. Chaos erupted. Students whispered, gasped, hands clutched their mouths. Even Damian's bravado dimmed, his smirk slipping into solemn silence. Matthew glanced at Steven, his friend was stone-faced, staring at the ground, thinking, calculating. Matthew could see it--Steven was already planning something. Matthew swallowed hard, but held his composure. This aligns with Samantha's revelation; she was telling the truth.

"Quiet please." The headmaster's voice cut through the panic. The hall stilled.

"We know some of you have already been, more times than you'd like to admit."

His gaze pierced through the crowd, as his accusation filled the room with tension.

"You sampled the fruits of ecstasy and returned unharmed. You think you're invincible? the hubris, do you think the missing faculty members and students were free from danger!" He shook his head.

"The Silk Labyrinth allows its victims to return, but it's a deliberate ploy. It never hunts you down, it lures, it entices. And once you've had a taste, you're hooked.

Edenmore's voice darkened; his expression sombre.

"The memory of their pleasure will invade every corner of your mind, until you think about nothing else. Then you'll return--not because you want to, but because no other earthly sensation will ever compare. The Labyrinth has mastered the art of addiction. Its pleasure is a poison, delectable at first, but slowly gnawing at your soul until there is nothing left." He waited for his words to settle before continuing.

"The Labyrinth feeds on human desire." He took a measured breath, gathering his thoughts before pressing on.

"Plato once compared human desires to a wild horse--if left unchecked, it runs rampant and leads to ruin. A man consumed by vice, whether gambling or alcohol doesn't know when to stop until he's already too deep. And the tragedy, the universal truth is that we do not always recognize what we are losing until it is too late." He paused; his voice grew solemn.

"Let the recent victims remind you of that." Alric took a deep breath, stealing a quick sip of water before delivering the final blow.

"There is one more troubling revelation," he said grimly. "The demons have discovered a method to transform humans--turning them into vampires, succubae, and other sex-demon hybrids. They recruit them into the bordello by offering eternal youth, immortality--a life free from suffering. But in exchange, they belong to the Silk Labyrinth forever... a gilded cage."

Gasps and shock filled the room again. Matthew sat frozen; his mind reeling. Samantha... his grandfather's first love, the woman in the cancer ward. She was the one who had accepted the deal, trading her dying human body for eternal youth. A shiver ran down his spine.

"As of immediate effect," Eldenmore declared, "I am banning all travel to the demonic plane. Any student caught using dimensional portal magic will be suspended from Eldford Academy." With that, he turned and exited the hall.

Matthew swallowed hard. Despite everything, despite the warning.... he had to go back. Later that evening, he gathered Damian and Steven in the library and recounted everything--his near-death experience, the fate of Edward's soul, the horrifying reality of the bordello. After much arguing and debate, the three made their decision. They were going back.

"You don't leave your friends behind. Ever," Damian said firmly. All three placed their hands together in a vow of loyalty. The trio spent the following week preparing in Matthew's basement. Steven, a master of alchemy, worked tirelessly, concocting potions that enhanced willpower and vitality--designed to counteract the demonesses' intoxicating influence. The potions would dull the overwhelming lust and strengthen their ability to resist. Edward didn't leave enough potions behind, never in a thousand years had he expected Matthew to visit the place multiple times. Incredibly, Steven had mastered portal magic at an alarming rate, stabilizing gateways with near-perfect efficiency. He would be responsible for opening and closing the portal. As for who would undertake a session with the demonic courtesans...

"No offense, Matthew," Damian smirked. "But last time, you barely made it out alive. You ended up good as dead in the bordello's basement, and thanks to some lucky miracle, your demonic fiend actually took pity on you and let you go. We can't risk that again."

Matthew scowled. Damian was right. But he was alone then. This time, he had backup. After much arguing, they agreed--Damian would be the one to visit the Lamia. He had already been with her twice, a seductress named Callisto. He was confident she would grant them access to the lower floors of the Labyrinth.

"Damian... your soul may have already started to ripen. I'm not comfortable with this," Matthew said, his voice laced with concern.

Damian waved him off. "Relax, this time I'll be prepared. I'll drink a hefty cocktail of potions--elixirs of vitality and willpower. I'll be able to survive a substantial loss of life force, and more importantly, it'll give me the strength to refuse if she pushes too far." He was as cocky as ever, his swagger unmistakable.

For the sake of solidarity, Matthew reluctantly went along with it. But he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that Damian wasn't being entirely honest, although he had never lied to him before. Matthew had always known there were worrying things about him. He had lost both his biological parents at a young age; their disappearance remained a mystery to this day. To his knowledge, he had never been intimate with a human woman, and never had a partner. His outward confidence, his bravado--it was a mask. A carefully constructed shield against the emptiness of growing up without loving parents. The kind of emotional void that creates a deep-seated longing for affection, intimacy and belonging--which a demoness could exploit masterfully. And that would make him the perfect victim for the Silk Labyrinth.

For now, Matthew pushed the thought aside. Thanks to Steven's help, he had learned powerful offensive spells. This time, they wouldn't be helpless victims. Friday flew by, Matthew yawned, rubbing his tired eyes. "I think that's enough for today," he murmured. The others nodded in agreement, they promptly gathered their things and left. As soon as the door shut behind them, Matthew collapsed into bed, exhausted. Within moments, he drifted into a deep sleep.

He awoke, suspended in mid-air. He found himself gazing into her beautiful eyes. They were piercing blue, shimmering with a hypnotic pull, ensnaring him. Her dusky-pale skin was lusciously smooth and flawless. But then there was her infectious smile--disarming and inviting. At that moment, he noticed her soft, velvety coils encircled him. They were snug, firm, and unyielding. They squeezed and slid in slow, rhythmic waves, kneading his body, massaging each sensitive nerve with meticulous precision. Every motion was designed to caress and tease with agonizing pleasure. Matthew groaned softly, the sensation was overwhelming, she knew his body better than he did. The pressure increased, as the pleasure built and built--until it was unbearable.

"Ahh..." he moaned involuntarily.

Her coils tightened with one powerful squeeze--he erupted. His glowing, golden essence streamed into her. She milked him in slow, continuous waves, sensuously draining every last drop. His hazy eyes flickered down, catching glimpses of golden light rippling into her wet, fleshy pussy, enveloping his penis. The sensation was heavenly.

A prolonged moan of ecstasy escaped his lips. His vision blurred, and his muscles weakened. Her smile was utterly captivating as she whispered soothing words, sang to him--cradled him as she devoured his essence. She was mesmerizing, and then... he surrendered completely, the world around him faded into darkness.

Mathew sprang upright in bed, coughing and gasping for air. His heart thundered in his chest. He glanced at the clock, breathless-- 9:00 AM. Another dream, they've been getting worse, more frequent, more intense since his last visit. This wasn't normal. It felt like the Labyrinth's pulling him back. His stomach turned; he had to talk to Steven today. They needed to go over the research, the findings, everything. Only when they were fully briefed, fully armed, fully prepared--would they cross over.

Steven's garage was a mess of magical experiments, grimoires and vials of empty potions littering the place. They had consumed copious quantities of vitality and willpower elixirs--especially Damian. The side effects tomorrow would be brutal. It would take at least an hour before the potions took full effect, enough time for Steven to deliver his briefing. He stood before a whiteboard covered in diagrams and calculations. Wearing dark evening jeans, paired with a soft cashmere sweater--he gave off a look that was both smart, and casual. His notes lay scattered across the desk. Adjusting his sweater, he took a deep breath, and began.

"Matthew and Alric's revelation has provided us with critical insight into the Labyrinth's operation. But my own extensive research has uncovered some rather disturbing developments." He paused, adjusting his glasses as he braced himself.

"Based on my analysis, I estimate that at least 15% of the entire school has visited the Labyrinth at some point." Matthew and Damian gasped; it was more than they anticipated.

"My research involved surveying students who have visited the bordello, and running blood tests on a few willing volunteers. The results were consistent, and rather worrying--every subject still had residual traces of a foreign compound in their system." He reached for the desk, picking up a small glass vial. Within it, a thick, dark liquid swirled, shimmering faintly.

"This substance is the culprit of your symptoms," he explained, his tone serious.

"It's triggering the vivid dreams, heightening your sex drives. It's what's keeping the silk Labyrinth at the forefront of your consciousness--fresh and irresistible." He placed the vial on the table. "The scientists at Eldford Academy have named it Noctessence."

Steven's fingers traced his notes. "It's a neuroactive agent with demonic origin. But it's not your typical toxin, it selectively binds to dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins receptors--the so called 'feel-good' chemicals. They enhance pleasure responses beyond natural limits. Essentially, it rewires your brain to crave what you experienced at the Silk Labyrinth. It was biologically designed to be unforgettable. You don't just remember the pleasure--you obsessively relive it, crave it like an addict chasing their next high."

He exhaled sharply. "And this isn't a random process." I recalled Matthew's revelation. Samantha had said:

"She discards demons the moment they outlive their usefulness. That got me thinking, Lilith ensures only the most potent demons remain at the Silk Labyrinth. Those that possess the most addictive, venomous aphrodisiac, and an enchanting beauty that is impossible to resist. Through countless generations of selective breeding, she has forged them into the perfect predators. These creatures represent the pinnacle of evolutionary engineering, aesthetically flawless--every part of them honed to seduce, ensnare and consume. I believe this is the culmination of her grand plan; centuries in the making. The silk Labyrinth is her ultimate weapon."

Steven took a deep breath. "I have to admit, her strategy is brilliant. It takes foresight and ruthless efficiency to create a being with such precision. And a system which attracts its prey, keeps them coming back, rather than hunting them."

Then he paused, his voice darkening. "This is what makes her, and the Silk Labyrinth so dangerous. She is callous, calculating and ruthless--enslaving people, ensuring they never want to leave. And with Alric's revelation that she's expanding her recruitment into the human world, it puts us all at risk. She will stop at nothing to fulfil her master plan."

Matthew froze; his breathing uneven as he tried to process the revelation. He glanced at Steven, mildly unsettled at his momentary admiration of Lilith--but his attention quickly shifted to the vial.

"This substance.... it makes me addicted?"

"Yes, however it's more sinister than that," Steven explained, his expression serious. "Noctessence doesn't merely heighten desire--it creates a physiological dependency on the pleasure it induces. That's why your dreams are becoming more vivid, more intense. Your neural pathways are desperately trying to recreate those sensations. And there's more...."

He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a serious murmur. "The Labyrinth is neurologically imprinting itself onto you, conditioning you to crave its pleasures. It's creating a hunger that won't fade, all while whispering into your subconscious--urging you to return for just one more session." A chill ran through Matthew.

"That's how they ensnare people," Steven went on. "The bordello doesn't need to forcefully steal souls. It lets Noctessence do the work for them. Once someone is exposed enough times, they'll return willingly--not because they want to, but because every other pleasure will feel dull by comparison. Food, drink, human intimacy--it won't matter. No mortal could satisfy this kind of hunger, only a being of demonic sexual prowess will ever be enough. The Silk Labyrinth will be the only thing capable of making them feel satisfied."

Matthew ran a hand through his hair, his pulse pounding. Damian folded his arms, intrigued. "Let me guess--it stays in the system for a while?"

"Two months, at minimum," Steven confirmed. Damian let out a low whistle.

"And that's assuming zero further exposure," Steven continued. "If you return to the bordello, it'll accumulate in your bloodstream like a slow-acting venom. Two months can quite easily become much longer. Given enough time, your body will drag you back on its own--not as a want, but as a need."

A chill settled over the garage.

"So," Damian exhales, while folding his arms. "What's the solution?"

Steven hesitated. "There isn't one. Not yet. Normal detoxification methods are ineffective--healing spells, potions, even blood purification barely slow it down. This compound doesn't just bind to neurotransmitters, it latches onto your very soul essence. Once it's fused to both your mind and soul, you can't purge it like a normal toxin."

"There is a silver-lining," Steven continues, a spark of optimism in his voice.

Matthew looked up. "Go on."

"None of the students I interviewed ever saw Lilith. That means she's selective in who she appears to. But we know she's interested in you, Matthew. Your connection to Edward's soul makes you valuable to her. We can use that."

Matthew's stomach tightened.

"If we can make it to the lower chambers, I have something that might work. An angelic vial--a potent weapon that can banish even the strongest demons." He held up a small, crystalline flask, filled with a pearlescent white liquid that glowed hypnotically. "But we have to get close. If we can reach Lilith's chamber, and the liquid makes contact with her.... she will be destroyed." Matthew exhaled shakily; his hands clenched into fists.

"Ideally, we reach her on the first visit. Second attempt at the very worst. Any more than that... and the risk rises exponentially." Steven shut his notes. A sombre mood settled over the room. "The compound alters your very biology," he warned. "Even after the effects wear off, traces of it remain."

Matthew broke the silence first. "We need to do this," he said, his voice hoarse. "My grandfather... I can't leave him in Hell. The longer we wait, the more chance Lilith has to devour his soul." His eyes burned. "I'm going. With or without you."

A firm hand landed on his back. Damian. "We're all going," Steven declared. Damian smirked. "You think we'd let you get eaten alone?" Steven nodded. "Let's do this." The three young sorcerers braced themselves.

"Step back," Steven instructed, as he began casting the spell.

With lightning speed and precision, Steven opened the portal--a swirling vortex of gold and violet materialized before them. Matthew swallowed hard, bracing himself, this might be a one-way trip. Without hesitation, they stepped through. This time, they landed upright.

"The last time I travelled through, it hurled me onto the ground," Matthew recalled, his voice laced with curiosity.

"That's because you didn't stabilise the exit portion of the gateway, it takes tremendous magic and focus to anchor a portal over such a distance," Steven replied, straightening his glasses. His tone laced with a touch of smugness. Matthew sighed, brilliant as always, he thought.

They made their way into the heart of the Labyrinth--the main hall. The air immediately filled their lungs, it was intoxicating, laced with arousal. Polished marble flooring gleamed beneath their feet; latex-padded walls pulsed ever so slightly. Above them, golden, shimmering chandeliers hung from the abyss, illuminating a spectacle of flesh and debauchery below.

Matthew could hear a medley of moans rise and fell, like a soothing, sensual music, designed to lower inhibitions. The sounds aroused him, stroking his loins, flooding his mind with erotic thoughts. Edward described how the pulsating walls filter the moans, converting every sound into a tranquil symphony that seeped into the consciousness of the guests, lulling them into a state of calm, and igniting their passions with each note.

The sight of the grand hall was as wondrous as ever, an extravagant exhibition of the most beautiful demonic courtesans known to human imagination. These perfect creatures strutted and posed before them--dressed in high heels, wrapped in classy lingerie, tight-fitting latex, their sculpted bodies on full display, every movement a deliberate display. However, this time, it was even more spectacular, more intoxicating than he remembers. Could this be the Noctessance venom amplifying his senses?

But something else unsettled him. The number of humans had grown, last time they were scarce, barely perceptible, and now... It wasn't just young students, but middle-aged old professional, even women. The venom was spreading fast, altering their biology, binding them to this place--enslaving them. Matthew's heart sank at the perverted reality unfolding before him. Here, prey willingly walk into the arms of a predators, offering their lifeforce in exchange for pleasure.

He noticed two young vampires, clad in glossy black stockings, garter belts, and matching bras, flanking a balding man in his fifties. They giggled at his every word, their hands intertwined with his like lovers, and their eyes gazed at him with adoration. The man never looked so happy; as though he was living a dream. Matthew's stomach churned. Was he oblivious as to his eventual fate? or was Noctessance too deep in his system for him to care? Matthew gulped.

His gaze followed them, ogling the young vampires' pert derrieres, barely covered by see-through heart-shaped underwear. Their slender legs, thick luscious hair, and the hypnotic sway of their hips captivated his attention, mesmerising him. They led their prey deeper into the Labyrinth's tunnels--into the boudoirs for pleasures he could only imagine.

Then he glimpsed a middle-aged woman, possibly in her forties. She wore a silk blouse, knee-length black leather skirt, a trench coat, and polished black boots that clicked softly as she walked. Her hair was neatly styled, and lips painted with care, clearly putting in the effort to make herself pretty. It was almost as if she was preparing for a romantic rendezvous, not a demon. She clutched a small bag in one hand--perhaps containing a swimsuit? And made her way casually towards the opening in the walls, leading to the Scylla's lair.

Then he saw her eyes. Dilated, unfocused and slightly rolled back. A shiver ran through him, she's addicted. She wasn't there by choice; her body was making the decision for her. How many times has she been before? Has she lost all control? The thought made him queasy. Matthew pulled his gaze away, casting a glance over his shoulder. He could see Steven and Damian gawking at these gorgeous creatures. He cleared his throat, interrupting their trance.

"Focus on the mission," he said curtly. Turning his gaze to Damian, "do you know where Callisto is?"

Damian shrugged, anxiously searching for her. "The last time I saw her lounging on one of the large beds, scattered across this hall," he replies. Matthew frowned, the hall's enormous, there's hundreds of beds dotted around this place. There's no guarantee she'll be here.

He sighs, "so we have no idea."

Steven suddenly interjects, "look over there," he said, pointing towards a massive tent stood in the middle of the hall, reminiscent of a grand circus Big Top. Matthew tensed; this was new. Its entrance was draped in golden silk, shimmering invitingly.

"I don't recall seeing this the last time I came," Damian says, sounding upbeat. "Neither do I," Matthew responds.

Piqued by curiosity, they approached the tent. A painting of a beautiful lamia hung above the entrance. With a deep breath, they walked inside. Lounging on the lavish bed of lush, golden satin, a gorgeous creature awaited them.

Damian exhaled softly. "Callisto," he whispered, his voice hushed with awe and desire.

The tent's interior was a Lamias paradise. Silken drapes lined the ceiling, cascading down in sensual waves, giving the space an intimate, womb-like warmth. Moroccan lantern lamps hung from the ceiling, illuminating the tent with a soft, cosy light. The air was thick with an exotic scent, sweet and caramelized. It was soothing... pheromonal.

At the centre of it all, Callisto, sprawled across her luxurious bed, her soft amber coils draped lazily over plush cushions. Her torso was a vision of perfection, with a generous bosom pressing against her glistening gold bar, and wavy chestnut-brown hair tumbling over her shoulders. She radiated dangerous allure, her hypnotic eyes flickered with joy. The moment she saw Damian, her lips curled into a welcoming smile.

"I'd thought you'd never come back, I missed you," she purred.

Then, with startling speed, her lusciously smooth tail coiled around Damian--lifting him effortlessly off his feet, and drawing him in for a passionate kiss. Their hands caressed each other like lovers. Matthew and Steven watched the spectacle with mild amusement, and a hint of unease.

How many times has he visited her? Matthew thought, but this wasn't the time to press him. Callisto places Damian down slowly, though not relinquishing her grip entirely. She then turned to Matthew and Steven; her emerald eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Smiling, "I can see you've brought some friends," she acknowledges, scrutinising them.

"Hi", they said in unison, maintaining a courteous tone. Damian interjected, breaking the awkwardness.

"Callisto, we've been told Lamias have access to the lower floors of the Labyrinth. Lilith holds something very precious to Matthew, his grandfather's soul. We're here to get it back," Damian said, his voice sounded urgent, his eyes pleading.

Callisto jerked her head slightly, fingers pressing into her palms--betraying a fleeting sign of shock. But under the prying eyes of three humans, she quickly composed herself.

"The lower floors... where the higher-level courtesan's dwell," she mused. "Their sexual prowess exceeds our own, but so does the risk." Her flickering eyes were unreadable, but possessed a captivating allure--they were almost impossible to look away from.

"However, I could be persuaded. For a price," she mused, trailing her hand softly over Damian's cheek, her touch gentle, affectionate. Matthew and Steven tensed, but Damian nodded without hesitation.

"A full session this time. In exchange for access," an uneasy confidence permeated his voice.

"Very well, complete surrender then, for passage to the lower depths." Callisto's smile widened, a clear sign of her satisfaction.

"Meet me in The Crimson Cocoon, room 999. Thirty minutes. And, darling..." She leans in, her lips brushing his ear.

"This room will be... different."

Something in her tone felt off. Underneath her usual seduction--her words were cryptic, he sensed both a warning, and a tantalizing promise of something more. Afterward, Matthew was unable to shake her words, "Full surrender." "Full session." They suggested something ominous, the phrases lingered at the back of his mind. However Damian was resolute, Matthew knew he couldn't talk him out of it.

A sense of imminent foreboding settled over them as they ventured deeper into the labyrinthine corridors. Room 999 was much farther than Matthew's Boudoir, the distant location felt deliberate. And the further they progressed, the tunnels grew more distorted and convoluted, as though the Labyrinth itself were shifting, adapting... ensnaring them.

Here, the columns were a darker black, veined with deep gold. Some appeared subtly twisted and warped, giving the impression of movement. Unlike the latex-padded walls of the upper floor, the corridors were lined with floor-to-ceiling cascades of crimson drapery, covering murky windows with intricate marble and golden frames. The drapes were translucent enough to allow faint amounts of light to filter through, yet dense enough to obscure to view beyond. The curtains appeared to be in motion, although the air was still--as if something unseen was moving behind them. The corridors were lit by ornate, golden lantern's swaying side to side ever so slightly, casting a warm amber glow.

Underneath them, the floors transitioned from polished black marble veined with blood-red to a darker crimson--slick, with a sheen like wet silk. The surface emitted subtle ripples, like living flesh beneath their feet. It was no longer felt like a man-made structure; it now resembled an organic material.

Steven whispered, uneasy. "This place is alive."

Matthew swallowed hard. "Yes, the place coils around you, disorients you... it's designed to draw you deeper into its grasp."

The further they went, the stranger the bordello became. The sounds of pleasure faded, the once vibrant moans now muffled, warped--distorted. It's as if they were not merely coming from behind walls, but emanating from inside something...

A low shudder crawled up Matthew's spine. "It's like we're inside something," he thought. A stomach, perhaps--albeit a warm, welcoming one. The air thickened, saturated with a fragrant aroma. It was nice, soothing, too pleasant. They inhaled deeply--without meaning to. The scent lulled their minds, its warmth wrapping around them like cotton wall, as they descended further into the unknown.

They eventually reached door 999, The Crimson Cocoon, carved across the top, it glowed faintly, pulsing like a slow heartbeat. The surface was engraved with intricate arabesque and floral motifs, fused with ancient text that covered the entire panel. Golden accents framed the door, but the handle... was gold and shaped like a coiling serpent. However, what struck them the most was a gilded eye at the centre of the door, its hypnotic gaze mesmerizing them. For a moment they couldn't move, but with a surge of willpower, they managed to pry themselves away.

"What was that," Mattew exclaimed, staggering back, breathing heavily.

"The magic is stronger down here," Damian responded, his voice revealing a hint of anxiety.

"And more dangerous," Matthew murmured, shifting uncomfortably.

Steven exhaled sharply. "I don't like this one bit; the moment I detect anything untoward; I'm pulling you out," Steven declared, his voice grim and resolute.

They exchanged glances, knowing it was too late to turn back now. With a swift press of the door handle, Damian stepped forward --and in a blink of the eye the door sealed shut. The lock engaged with a metallic click. Steven pointed towards the side of the door; two peepholes had opened up in the walls. Matthew gulped; they knew the labyrinth was watching them.