Reflections

Ding-!

The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, and Seraphina hurried out, the shift from the confined space causing a rush of fresh air. The scent of unfamiliar surroundings greeted her, a melange of subtle fragrances lingering in the corridor.

Following the trail of scent, she walked to the fifth door on the left. As she approached, a faint symphony of household sounds—distant murmurs, a hum of appliances—embraced her ears. The texture of the doormat beneath her feet hinted at a lived-in warmth.

About to knock, or rather ring the doorbell, she hesitated. The door beeped open at that moment, revealing an expressionless Sopatra. His damp hair, still holding droplets of water, fell forward, framing a stoic face that betrayed no emotion.

A beat of silence passed before Seraphina spoke. "Um, aren't you going to let me in?"

In response, Sopatra stepped aside, a motion devoid of any particular emotion, gesturing for her to enter. The transition from the hallway to the living room was a sensory shift. The warm, golden glow of table lamps, casting a soft radiance on comfortable furnishings, created an unexpectedly homey ambiance—a stark contrast to Sopatra's seemingly bland demeanor.

Lingering in the living room, she felt a plush rug underfoot, its fibers a tactile invitation to explore. Just as she was about to launch into a commentary on the marvels of this unfamiliar world, she found herself abruptly lifted by the scruff.

"Whoa—Hey! What're you doing!"

Her lack of resistance did little to lessen her perplexity. Turning to face him, she discovered a deep frown etched on his face. Without a word, he carried her into the hallway, leading her into another room that she later identified as a bathroom. The suddenness of his actions left her momentarily frozen.

"You stink, Seraphina, and you stained my rug. Wait here."

With an unusual guilt flickering across her face, she stood awkwardly in place as Sopatra exited the bathroom. The room, illuminated by a fruit-shaped lamp, continued the warm aesthetic seen throughout the house.

Upon his return, he held a brand new towel along with an oversized gray shirt and blue shorts.

"Make do with these. We'll get appropriate clothes tomorrow."

The items dropped by the sink, he turned to the shower, gesturing. "Here's the shower, so you—"

"Turn the left lever for cold water, the right for hot, and the middle to control the intensity."

Cutting him off, she met his unsurprised gaze with a haughty look, silently demanding acknowledgment. He turned away with an ever-stoic expression, leaving her with a lingering question.

"Who did you kill?"

Her attempt to assert her actions met an unexpected obstacle. "Don't worry, it's not an innoce—" She froze in shock. "Wait. How do you know my ability?!"

With an unchanging expression, he exited the bathroom. "Trust me, I know a lot more than that. Now have your bath and meet me in the living room."

With a grumble, Seraphina closed the door, her surroundings now suffused with the soothing scent of lavender-scented candles, creating a tranquil ambiance that contrasted sharply with her recent violent encounter. Her body emanated a soft glow, the residual magic from her Mythic-Grade Artifact pendant dissipating, returning her demonic armor to its pendant form adorning her neck.

She shed the battle-worn clothes beneath the armor, soaked with the her and the Hero's blood, revealing a lithe and toned frame that could rival world-class athletes. Her blood-red hair cascaded down her smooth, plump skin, lending an inviting yet dangerous allure to her otherworldly beauty.

Opting for the comfort of a bubble bath over the conventional shower, Seraphina filled the tub with warm water, the gentle steam rising around her. She liberally applied liquid soap, reveling in the rich lather that enveloped her, a sensory delight that echoed her need for solace.

As she submerged herself in the tub, a moan of pleasure escaped her lips. The warm water caressed her skin, and the subtle fragrance of lavender mingled with the soap, creating a cocoon of relaxation.

Oh how much she needed this. A bubble bath was always the best way to unwind.

Studying her reflection in the fogged mirror, Seraphina's eyes lingered on her prominent horns. With a decision to blend in, a series of cracking and squirming sounds echoed in the small bathroom. Leaning forward, her bountiful chest spilled out in a mesmerizing sight as the mirror cleared.

A glance revealed the absence of horns, replaced by two bloody holes that squirmed with flesh before closing seamlessly. Washing her face, Seraphina could now pass for any other human, save for the unique features of her otherworldly beauty and inhumanly green eyes.

After luxuriating in the bath, Seraphina stepped out, her body wrapped in the warmth of a plush towel. As she moved to dress, her senses lingered on the lingering scent of lavender, a soothing reminder of the temporary escape from the demonic battles that defined her existence.

In the mirror, the image of the terrifying Demon Queen had long been erased and replaces by a young adult lady.

Seraphina nearly couldn't recognize herself.

And after brushing her teeth, eliminating all traces of the gruesome act done minutes ago, she opened the bathroom door, looking at the hallway in curiosity, it's walls lined in beige.

Leaving the hallway, Seraphina was greeted by the warmth of Sopatra's living room. The inviting glow of soft lamps revealed a space that seemed incongruent with Sopatra's expressionless exterior. The ambiance spoke of familiarity and comfort, a stark contrast to the battlefield she had just left behind.

Sopatra, his earlier stoicism unchanged, glanced up from a book as she entered. A flicker of surprise registered in his eyes at her altered appearance, but it quickly subsided. Seraphina, now clad in an oversized gray shirt and blue shorts provided by Sopatra, approached him with newfound confidence.

"Much better, don't you think?" she remarked, a hint of playfulness in her tone.

He nodded, a barely perceptible acknowledgment, his gaze returning to the book. "Your attire suits you."

A subtle quirk of Seraphina's eyebrow betrayed her amusement at the understated compliment. "I suppose it does. Now, tell me more about this realm. Your home is rather... cozy."

Sopatra closed the book, his attention now fully on her. "Coziness is subjective."

She smiled. "Oh, but you didn't deny the fact that it is cozy. Let me guess, it wasn't you who did the what again? Aha! Interior design."

He gazed at her, and taking his silence as a positive response, she strolled around the room, taking in the details. A small shelf adorned with trinkets, a framed photograph on the wall – these seemingly mundane items held significance in the human world. She couldn't help but marvel at the peculiar charm woven into the fabric of this ordinary living space.

Walking to the framed photo she identified an expressionless Sopatra, or rather, a more youthful and somewhat naive version of him, and behind him were two individuals.

A man who bore a striking resemblance, and would in fact pass off as Sopatra's twin if it wasn't for the greying hair and few wrinkles on his face, beside him was a mature woman with soft, inviting features, her hair in smooth brown locks, and her lips curled into a joyous smile.

From his gown, she identified it as a "graduation ceremony" and as such, there were other happy families in the photo's background.

Family... The distant term rolled around her tongue, and her eyes dimmed.

Sopatra, as though sensing her emotional shift, walked to her and took her by the arm, leading her to the kitchen.

"That's my mother, she's the one who designed my apartment. I'm guessing you must be hungry."

And in response her lips curled in an appreciative smile. "Yes, I'm craving something sweet."