Her Eyes Were Not Human

Chapter 2: Her Eyes Were Not Human

The morning mist clung to the cobblestone streets of Grendale like ghostly breath, giving the sleepy town an almost enchanted appearance. But enchantment was the last thing on Alex Darnell's mind as he slung his backpack over one shoulder and began his daily walk to school.

He kept his head down, hoodie up, earbuds in — the usual routine for avoiding awkward conversations. The night before had left him rattled again. The dream had returned, more vivid than ever.

In it, he stood in a palace of obsidian and fire, surrounded by thousands kneeling in silence. The air reeked of lust and blood, and the throne behind him pulsed like a beating heart. A woman's voice — sultry and ancient — had whispered into his ear:

"Soon, my king. Very soon."

When he woke, his sheets were drenched in sweat. His heart thundered, his skin tingled, and there was a dull ache in his chest. He'd chalked it up to stress. Or maybe it was the lack of sleep. Maybe.

But deep down, some primal part of him knew better.

At school, things were… normal. Annoyingly so.

"Yo, Alex!" his best friend Darren grinned as he caught up to him in the hallway. "You look like shit, man. Rough night?"

"You have no idea," Alex muttered.

"Still dreaming about that vampire chick?"

"Succubus," Alex corrected before he could stop himself. Darren blinked. "Wait, I mean—what? No, shut up."

Darren snorted. "You need a girlfriend."

If only you knew, Alex thought grimly. He didn't say more as they headed toward first period.

But his thoughts weren't on class. They were locked on her.

Sophia Liane.

She sat near the window in the second row — same place as always. Her posture was graceful yet relaxed, her silver braid draped over one shoulder like moonlight woven into silk. She barely spoke to anyone. Most students gave her a wide berth.

Not out of dislike. Out of instinct.

There was something about her. Something wrong.

Alex took his usual seat behind her and tried not to stare. He failed. When she turned her head slightly and caught him mid-gaze, her lips curled into a small, knowing smile.

His face burned, and he quickly looked away.

But her eyes lingered.

The day dragged.

Nothing could shake the unease buzzing beneath his skin. His senses were sharper. Noises felt louder. Colors seemed too bright. Everyone around him moved just a beat too slow. He felt like he was watching the world from outside a glass wall.

At lunch, Darren tried to drag him into another pointless debate over anime power levels. Alex nodded along but barely heard a word. His attention kept drifting toward Sophia, sitting alone under the old oak at the edge of the courtyard. Her lunch sat untouched.

Something compelled him forward.

He wasn't the kind of guy to approach a girl like her — especially not when he looked like a half-dead raccoon. But his legs moved anyway.

As he crossed the yard, Sophia turned her head slightly, as if she'd sensed him the moment he stood. Her smile was soft, but her eyes…

Her eyes weren't human.

Not glowing or monstrous. Just… wrong. Too deep. Too ancient. As if they held memories from before the world was born.

"Hey," he said awkwardly, standing a few feet away.

"Hello, Alex."

He blinked. "You… know my name?"

She tilted her head. "Of course. We're in three classes together. And you stare."

He flushed. "Right. Sorry about that."

"I don't mind."

Her voice was calm. Measured. Almost hypnotic.

"Mind if I sit?" he asked, already lowering himself before she answered.

She watched him for a moment, then nodded. "You've been having dreams, haven't you?"

The words hit like a hammer.

He froze. "What?"

"Dark places. Red skies. Fire. Voices you don't understand — but feel like you should."

His heart stuttered. He opened his mouth, then closed it.

She smiled again, and it wasn't comforting this time. It was knowing.

"It's starting, then," she said, more to herself than to him.

Alex stood abruptly, heart pounding.

"Wait—what the hell are you talking about? What do you mean, 'it's starting'?"

Sophia rose with fluid grace, eyes narrowing slightly. Her aura — he didn't know how else to describe it — shifted. The air felt heavier, warmer. He could hear his own blood rushing.

"You're not ready yet," she said softly, brushing a hand over his chest. "But soon. Your essence is… ancient. Sleeping. But it's waking up."

He stumbled back, his breath catching.

"Who… what are you?"

"A friend," she said. "And more, if you let me be."

Then she walked away, her footsteps making no sound.

The rest of the day was a blur.

He couldn't focus. Couldn't breathe. His mind replayed her words over and over, like a scratched record.

Dreams. Essence. Ancient. It's starting.

Was he going insane?

By the time he got home, the sky was already a pale gold. He locked the door, ignored dinner, and retreated to his room.

Something had cracked today — something invisible but real.

He collapsed into his bed and stared at the ceiling.

And then, just before sleep claimed him, he whispered:

"Who am I?"

The dream came again.

But this time, it wasn't just a dream.

He stood in the center of a circle of obsidian pillars, each inscribed with glowing runes. The air pulsed with power. A throne of bone and silk awaited him at the far end — and upon it sat her.

Not Sophia.

Someone else.

A woman of impossible beauty, with black horns curving from her head and eyes like crimson galaxies. Her skin shimmered like starlight over dark wine, and her voice dripped like honey and venom.

"Finally," she purred. "My king remembers how to find me."

Alex tried to speak but no sound came.

She rose, her every movement a symphony of seduction and command. As she stepped down from the throne, the runes pulsed faster.

"You forgot me."

A shadow of hurt crossed her divine face.

"But I never forgot you, Asmodeus."

The name hit him like lightning. His knees buckled.

"No—I'm not—" he tried to protest.

But she placed a hand over his heart.

"You are. You always were. I am Lilith. Your first. Your last. Your voice."

Her fingers pressed against his chest — and pain blossomed through him like wildfire. Visions exploded behind his eyes. A kingdom of pleasure and power. A war fought in shadows and secrets. A betrayal. A death. A choice.

And then darkness.

Alex woke screaming.

He fell from the bed, gasping, his whole body slick with sweat. His heart raced. His chest burned. His skin was hot to the touch.

And then — it happened.

A soft ding echoed in his head.

[Primordial Lust System: Online]Welcome back, my King.

A crimson-tinted overlay flickered into his vision like a HUD from a game. It displayed basic stats: Strength, Agility, Appearance, Mana… and something new.

Lust: 1.0 / 100

"What the—"

And then, a voice — soft, sultry, and familiar — whispered directly into his mind.

"Hello again, my love. I've missed you."

It was her. Lilith.

The system interface shimmered with her voice. Her presence. Her memory.

Alex stumbled back, falling against the wall.

"No. No, no, no—"

But it was too late.

The Demon King of Lust had awakened.