The way of the fist

The Monster Lord's castle. A fortress standing tall on the continent of Hellgondo. Its dark presence was a refuge to monsters all around the world, and a warning to any human who dared approach it. 

As Alma Elma approached, the sheer scale of the castle became overwhelming. It was the first time in her life that she approached this continent, the first time she would visit this castle. She landed with a soft thud on the stone platform before the entrance, her wings folding behind her.

Her heart was a tempest of emotions: anger at her mother's betrayal, resentment toward the traditions, yet something profound held her in check.

Was it pride? Was it a sentiment born out of respect for her mother for having made such a great decision? She couldn't know.

Before her, the gates groaned open, as if sensing her presence. A chilling gust escaped from within, inviting her to come inside. Alma Elma stepped forward, her boots clicking against the cold marble floor as she entered the great hall.

Inside, the atmosphere was warmer than the desolate landscape of Hellgondo. Massive chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, their flames casting flickering shadows across the carvings that adorned the walls. Rows of monsters, each more imposing than the last, lined the hall, their eyes fixed on the newcomer. 

Most of them were succubi. But at the end of it, another monster stood on a throne, moved for the occasion, the Monster Lord: Alice XIV. Her mouth and nose were hidden by a transparent cloth, she lay there, her tail coiled around the throne as she held her staff in the shape of a crescent moon in a regal manner.

The air grew heavy as Alma Elma stepped forward, the weight of countless gazes bearing down on her. But it was the Monster Lord's gaze, that struck the deepest. 

Alma Elma's expression remained unreadable, but her heart pounded in her chest. She had come to challenge more than the competitors here; she had come to challenge the very essence of what it meant to be a succubus. And now, standing in the presence of Alice XIV, she felt doubt creeping into her mind for the first time.

"So you've come, daughter of Elira," Alice addressed the newcomer with a watchful glance. Then, with a smile, she gestured for her to step forward. "Step forward. All of the other candidates have already arrived. There are four of you in total."

"I thought the Monster Lord didn't meddle in the affairs of other races," Alma Elma shot back with a smile. "Or are you planning to tip the scales in someone's favor?"

Alice chuckled softly, leaning back on her throne. "No, nothing like that. I am just here to see how it goes. I like watching people compete against each other."

Alma Elma walked closer, her heels clicking against the stone floor. "Observing doesn't mean staying neutral. A single glance from you can sway opinions."

The Monster Lord's expression shifted, a flicker of amusement crossing her face. "Perhaps," she admitted. "But if you're so concerned, perhaps you should focus on proving yourself rather than questioning my intentions."

Alma Elma's smirk widened. "I'll prove myself. I just want to make sure everyone plays fair."

As she stepped forward, Alma Elma noticed her friend Sally standing on one side, casting a single glance at her before focusing on the task ahead. The other succubi were all from different regions, some of them boasting enormous magical power as the wind shifted continuously around them.

"Still," Alice continued, her eyes narrowing with surprise. "Are you sure you want to compete? With scars like these…" she looked at Alma Elma's body.

Alma Elma's expression didn't falter. "Pay them no mind," she replied coolly. "They'll close soon enough."

A ripple of snickers spread through the two other candidates as they took note of her scars. Though not severe, the marks were still a glaring imperfection in the eyes of succubi, whose very nature revolved around beauty and allure.

"Very well," another succubus cleared her throat before announcing the details of the selection. "You have all gathered here because you are candidates for the title of Queen of Succubi. The rules are simple: the last one standing will be declared queen."

She let the statement sink in before continuing. "To determine this, you will face a series of tests. After each one, some of you will be eliminated until only one remains. The first test will be the candy test—a challenge I'm sure you're all familiar with."

Alma Elma's brow arched slightly as she watched succubi line up with trays of candy apples, each glistening with a perfect coat of hardened sugar. She smirked to herself, the pieces falling into place. A tongue test, huh? she mused, her sharp eyes scanning the room. Figures they'd start with this. Classic succubus training.

The sight of the candy apples stirred an unexpected memory. 

Mom used to make these for me every day to practice, Alma Elma thought, her chest tightening at the recollection. It had been one of the few traditions she had insisted on, and Alma Elma had always obliged since she liked those little treats.

"The rules are simple," the succubus announced. "The last one to melt this candy apple using only her tongue will be eliminated. Now, on your marks…"

"Go!"

The room felt silent, only broken by the slurping noises of the succubi licking the red candy. In a matter of seconds, it was already over.

"We have our first winner!"

A hush fell over the room. The other succubi turned, their eyes widening in disbelief as they saw Alma Elma, leaning back casually with a satisfied look on her face, licking her lips and holding an empty stick.

Hm… ten seconds. Not my best. I could've done better, she mused as she glanced around the room. The other candidates were still finishing, and she watched with mild amusement as they struggled to catch up. Sally, finished second with fifteen seconds, the third one just after with sixteen, and the last one unfortunately couldn't keep up with twenty seconds.

"You are eliminated," the judge announced as she pointed her finger at the succubus who failed. "Tongue skills are a must-have for a queen, you do not meet the requirements."

The succubus hung her head in defeat, visibly embarrassed as she was escorted from the competition. Alma Elma couldn't help but feel a flicker of satisfaction. The first test was simple enough, but it had already cut the weaker contenders from the pack. One less to worry about, she thought, her eyes scanning the remaining candidates.

Sally was a worthy challenger, but the other one? She didn't know much about her. 

"Now, the next challenges will be decided with points. Each time someone wins the test, they get the point. The two last remaining with the most points will get to advance to the final test."

Alma Elma nodded to herself. So, it's not just about winning—it's about consistency. 

"The next test will be about presentation and seduction," the judge continued, a hint of amusement in her voice. "The succubi present will rank each of you from most attractive to least attractive. The first two will receive points based on their ranking."

Alma Elma's lips twitched in a quiet, internal sigh. Great. Just what I needed… With her scars still fresh and visible, it would be a miracle if she ranked even remotely high.

As the voting began, Alma Elma stood still, trying to maintain a dignified air despite her growing frustration. When the results were tallied, it was no surprise—none of the succubi voted for her.

Sally and the other succubus, the one Alma Elma still didn't know well, exchanged amused glances. Their chuckles barely registered in Alma Elma's mind. She was already mentally preparing for the next test. It's only one test. Doesn't matter, she told herself, pushing the sting of humiliation aside.

"The next test will be a magical power test," the judge announced, raising a small blue crystal ball onto a table in front of the contestants. "You will unleash your strongest magical attack at it. The one who gets the best reaction wins."

Sally's eyes widened in realization. "Oh," she muttered, surprised by the test's nature. Her gaze flicked briefly toward Alma Elma, as if unsure whether to offer a word of comfort or just continue. "You don't have—"

Before she could finish, the other succubus, a taller one with silver hair, grinned wickedly. She pointed a thumb toward Alma Elma with an exaggerated, mocking gesture. "That one over there doesn't even have a mark on her body. It's clear she doesn't have much magical power."

A few chuckles followed her remark, and Alma Elma felt the eyes of the room turn on her, judgmental and dismissive. She took a deep breath, tuning out the whispers. 

"Yeah, scars don't count, Alma Elma!" another succubus shouted, her laughter ringing out, quickly joined by others. 

Sally shot a disapproving glance at the others. Her expression darkened with annoyance. "Knock it off," she muttered, but her words didn't stop the laughter from filling the air.

"Even if she doesn't bear any mark," the judge interjected, raising her hand to quiet the room. "We will still proceed with the test."

Right. The mark was a form of tattoo possessed by monsters who boasted enormous magical powers. It wasn't made or given, it just arrived and marked the skin, depending on the reserves of the monster.

Sally was the first to step up and unleash a strong wind blade at the crystal, making it emit a strong light that illuminated the hall.

The judge nodded in approval. "Impressive," she said. "A strong showing, Sally."

Alma Elma observed the display with cool detachment. The mark was an indication of more than just power; it often signified lineage, a heritage passed down from strong predecessors. Monsters born of powerful parents could bear the mark from birth.

However, Alma Elma wanted her own strength, something that was unique to her.

The second succubus, Friede, with her silver hair, stepped up next. With a flick of her wrist, she unleashed an aura of seductive pleasure toward the crystal. The light that emanated from the ball was not as brilliant as Sally's, and it dimmed quickly. Friede's expression soured, and she slumped her shoulders, clearly frustrated with her performance.

"Not enough, Friede," the judge said, shaking her head. She then turned her gaze to Alma Elma. "Your turn."

And that mark, with a little bit of magic, could be hidden for many reasons. If turning human wasn't a problem, then hiding these marks was child's play, especially if one harbored their heritage.

Alma Elma passed next to Friede who shot her a mocking snicker, but she didn't care.

"Yeah, show us what you're capable of!" the same succubus who mocked her earlier raised her voice, making everyone laugh again.

The judge tried to raise her hand to silence them but Alma Elma simply shot her a knowing glance.

"I really didn't want to use magic, but I guess I have no choice…" she sighed, now reminded of how much she despised magic lessons. 

I always thought I'd do better without it…  

Though, perhaps, she always tried to hide that part of her to piss off her mom.

Mom was even better than me at that kind of stuff…

With a deep sigh, Alma Elma allowed herself to release her power. A burst of wind spiraled around her, and as the air swirled, faint red curved lines—marks—began to appear along the left side of her body, glowing with an eerie intensity. Of course, it was just to show off as showing them bore no significance to her magical power.

The room fell silent, the laughter dying down as all eyes turned to her.

"You wanted me to use my strongest attack?" Alma Elma looked at the judge with serious eyes, her anger barely showing.

She had built up some frustration and it was the perfect time to blow off some steam.

The judge looked at her with wide eyes and took a step back from the crystal. "Y-Yes but…"

"I'll show you then…♪" she smirked as the wind started to pick up around her fist.

"That's enough," Alice's voice cut through the hall as her staff illuminated the room with a spell, binding Alma Elma just in time. "I don't need you to damage my castle," she chuckled with a knowing glint in her eyes.

"Aww… I thought you weren't going to interfere Monster Lord…♪"

"I'm sorry, but you were going to break the crystal. There's no need for that."

"Y-You're joking, right?" the silver-haired succubus stammered with shock.

"I am," Alice answered with a smirk. "Though I would have loved to see it, I would also hate to have to create another crystal like this."

The room fell into an awkward silence. 

Alma Elma couldn't help but shake her head with a wry smile. "Guess I'll save my strength for the next round."

The judge, still somewhat confused, shifted her gaze between Alice and Alma Elma. "Hum… Does that mean she won?"

Alice's smirk deepened as she nodded. "Yes. She is the daughter of Elira, after all. It's only natural she possesses this much power."

"May I ask who Elira is?" the silver-haired succubus interjected.

"Oh, right," Alice sighed. "She was your queen before that selection."

The room fell even more silent. A ripple of surprise and disbelief spread through the crowd. The name "Elira" seemed to resonate with everyone present, and an intense, wary glare was directed toward Alma Elma. Whispers filled the air as the succubi processed the revelation, unsure of how to respond to the newfound information.

"The one who discarded her title?" one succubus muttered under her breath, her voice tinged with disdain.

"I heard she fell in love with a human…" another added, shaking her head with a disapproving laugh. "How shameless."

"No wonder her daughter is so strange," a third voice chimed in, the words biting. "Her mother was a failure of a succubus."

Alma Elma's expression didn't change, though her fists clenched at her sides. She had anticipated this reaction—there was no escaping the shadow of her mother's decisions, especially not in a place like this.

Though she would have said the same not too long ago, the fact that others were chastizing her own mother made her blood boil. It was one thing to insult her, but to call Elira a "failure," when she knew firsthand the sacrifices her mother had made? That was something Alma Elma would not tolerate.

She had once shared their judgment, too. Before coming here, she had thought her mother weak, a hypocrite even, for walking away from what she always took pride in. But now, standing here, Alma Elma understood.

Elira wasn't a failure. She had been doing her best, navigating a world that was constantly trying to define her. She had embraced the traditions of their kind not out of duty but because they were all she knew, the way she was taught to survive. It wasn't about giving in—it was about making a choice in a world that had no place for alternatives.

Succubi, like all monsters, were shaped by their heritage. Their nature was built on centuries of tradition, of their ancestors' choices. Lust, seduction, competition—it was ingrained in them, a driving force that pushed them to sharpen their skills, to become the ultimate temptresses.

Violence had always been Alma Elma's way of rebelling, a means to transcend the limits that succubi were meant to follow. But unlike many of her kin, Alma Elma had been born physically stronger than most. So, naturally, she had walked the path of strength and combat.

But in the end, what had she proven? She was no different from any other succubus. Competitive, fickle, driven by desire—she had fallen into the same traps, the same patterns that she had tried to reject. And what was worse, she had denied the very essence of her own nature, all the while pretending she was above it.

Her anger flared as Alice's eyes darted toward her, a quiet gasp escaping her lips. "Uh-oh… She's pissed."

In the end, she couldn't get past her mother's shadow. All of the training, all of the lessons to become a proper succubus, she remembered them. 

These tests she just passed were proof as she just won easily two of them.

Being a queen is a pain, I would rather let Sally handle it, to be honest… she sighed internally. But I'm done pretending. I was an idiot, and Mom was right, in a sense.

In the end, Mom knew me better than anyone. Even if she still disliked my violent nature, she knew how good of a succubus I was.

"This selection is over," she sighed, her fists tightening. 

After that, no more violence, she thought, her teeth grating. This is my last attempt at changing their minds. If they don't care or don't acknowledge me, I give up.

With a sharp exhale, she opened her wings wide. 

In this world, might makes right. Especially in the monster world. And today, she would show them what it meant to defy her.

"After all," she said with a smirk, her body rising from the ground, floating effortlessly in the air, "A queen must know how to intimidate, right, Mom?"

Alice looked up, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh… This is going to be fun."

"Alma?" Sally looked up with a worried face. "What are you doing?"

"I challenge everyone in this room," Alma Elma announced, her fists clenched to her side. "If I win, I'm the queen. Is that okay with you Monster Lord?"

Alice let out a light chuckle, clearly entertained by Alma Elma's boldness. "Well... I'll be damned," she said with a grin, her tone teasing but impressed. "By all means, impose your queenship upon everyone."

"Don't get too much over your head, you failure!" Friede shot up in the air, her hands glowing with an aura.

But Alma Elma didn't even flinch. In a blur of motion, she darted past Friede with lightning speed, a surge of wind trailing in her wake. Her fist made contact with Friede's gut, the force of the blow sending the silver-haired succubus crashing back to the ground with a gasp.

The room fell into stunned silence as Friede struggled to regain her breath, clutching her stomach. Alma Elma stood tall, her expression unbothered, as if the strike had been nothing more than a mere warning.

"I've had enough of these petty insults," Alma Elma muttered under her breath, her eyes cold and focused as she turned to face the others in the room. "You can insult me all you want, but don't you dare talk about the previous queen like that."

She then pointed at the crowd, her red eyes glowing with rage."She did something none of you could ever hope to achieve. She became a failure as a succubus... and you still can't see the greatness in that."

"What is she talking about?" one succubus whispered.

"She's crazy…" another murmured.

"She's scary…" a third added, their voices filled with apprehension.

"Well," the judge spoke up, eyeing Friede's unconscious form with some distaste. "It seems like there are only two candidates left."

"I'm giving up!" Sally raised her hand high.

"Seriously!?" Alma Elma shot back, her eyes glaring daggers at her.

"If you had failed I would have taken the title, but I don't mind you having it." she smirked at her friend.

"You little—!" Alma Elma growled, her teeth gritted as she rocketed toward her friend, fury burning in her gaze.

"Whoa! That's the first time I'm seeing you this angry!" Sally exclaimed with a laugh, effortlessly sidestepping Alma Elma's attempt to grab her.

"It looks like it has been decided…" Alice sighed. "Alma Elma, you are now the next queen of succubi."

The crowd fell into an uneasy silence. Some exchanged glances, unsure of what to make of this turn of events.

"Not like it really matters," another succubus shrugged dismissively.

"Let's just hope she doesn't come and beat us up for no reason…" another sighed, rubbing the back of her neck nervously.

Alma Elma stood in the center of the room, her wings unfurled, chest heaving with labored breath.

"Seriously? That's all you have to say?" she asked, incredulous.

Sally rubbed the back of her neck, a little awkward but still grinning. "I mean… Your mother wasn't really ruling over succubi either. It's not like they'll listen to you even if you beat them up."

"Yeah, as long as you don't bother us, it's fine if you're queen," another succubus chimed in, shrugging nonchalantly as if it didn't matter one way or another.

Alma Elma's expression soured, her fists clenching tightly. These succubi were a lost cause. What's the point? she thought bitterly. This is nothing like I imagined. They don't even care.

"THEN IF NONE OF IT MATTERS, WHY HAVE A QUEEN IN THE FIRST PLACE?" she screamed, her voice echoing through the room, filled with the raw emotion of her crumbling expectations.

The room fell silent.

"If you had listened to your mother, you should've known the title was more about having a figurehead than having a ruler," Alice chimed in, her voice soft. "Alma Elma. Being a queen still means you have obligations to uphold. Not to your people, but as an individual. Now, you need to find what those obligations are for yourself."

Without another word, Alma Elma flew off, leaving everyone with a worried look plastered on their faces. 

Sally watched her go, then turned to Alice, her grin fading into a more somber expression. "Sally… You're her friend, right?" Alice asked gently, her voice tinged with concern. "Does she always have a short temper like that, or is this whole situation weighing down on her?"

Sally scratched her head, her eyes focused on the now-empty doorway. "I think… she might be overwhelmed right now. She never liked all this attention, especially not when it feels forced. Maybe I shouldn't have tried to go all-out with this ceremony. I really should've known better."

Alice sighed, her gaze thoughtful. "If I had known how she'd react, we would have just declared her queen right from the start. But now, we need to let her process this on her own. It's going to take time."

"I mean, isn't that how we've always done it?" a succubus from the crowd chimed in. "The daughter of the old queen always became the next one, right?"

"No," Alice answered flatly. "There was a time where a proper selection was held, during Black Alice's period. But considering how the queen of succubi acted at the time, it soon became clear that the next queen shouldn't lead succubi at all."

"Wait… Does that mean I never had a chance to become queen?" the silver-haired succubus, still recovering from her earlier defeat, asked weakly.

"Yup, sorry about that," Sally giggled, her tone lighthearted despite the tension in the room. "Alma Elma was always supposed to be queen in the end." She then turned to the Monster Lord, her expression growing more thoughtful. "By the way, you do know that Elira tried to raise Alma Elma into a leader, right? Wouldn't that have been a disaster if she succeeded?"

Alice waved her hand dismissively, unfazed by the comment. "It wouldn't have mattered. Elira was a natural-born leader as well, but none of her kind listened to her. In fact, she ended up in more fights than she could count because of it."

Sally nodded, the smile on her face fading into a more somber understanding. "Yeah... I get that. Being a leader among succubi is no easy task."

"She stopped trying when she was defeated by a human. It shattered her confidence," Alice added thoughtfully, her gaze distant for a moment. "His name was... Roderick, I believe."

Sally blinked in surprise. "Woah… I can't imagine being beaten by a human. He must've been one hell of a hero."

"Oh no, no. He wasn't a hero," Alice chuckled. "He defeated Elira in a sex battle. Truly pathetic if you ask me."

"HE DID WHAT?!" the succubi exclaimed in unison, their voices filled with disbelief.

"Huff… Huff…" Alma Elma gasped for breath, standing over a dozen defeated martial artists in traditional kimonos. Her chest heaved, but the anger that simmered beneath her skin refused to dissipate.

"Damn… she's beating all our best martial artists…" one of the onlookers muttered. "Who knew a succubus could be this strong with her fists?"

"Shut up!" 

It was the third dojo she had decimated. Even after beating up dozens and dozens of martial artists, she couldn't get the frustration out. 

What was the point? Why was she doing this? She didn't know anymore. She was a queen now, wasn't she? The ultimate succubus, chosen and acknowledged by her ancestor. And yet, all she felt was this gnawing void, a hollowness that fighting couldn't fill.

"Next!" she called out. Another martial artist arrived, his hands trembling as he approached the succubus. 

A new martial artist stepped forward, his hands trembling slightly as he approached the succubus. His uncertainty was palpable, but Alma Elma didn't care. She wasn't here to make friends. She was here to fight, to vent the fury that had built up inside her for so long.

It was over in an instant. Her punch landed squarely, and the man crumpled, barely conscious on the ground before her. Each victory felt the same—hollow, meaningless. Her anger was a constant companion, and no matter how many people she beat, it never left.

She was shunned for her violence, and now even after being the ultimate succubus told by her ancestor, her mother was shunned for a little mistake.

Yeah… No matter what I do, it doesn't matter. I will stay a failure. It was an impossible fight anyway.

No matter what, she won't ever meet the expectations of anyone.

For a fleeting moment, she considered stopping. Leaving it all behind. Fleeing to the ends of the world where no one knew her name, where she could exist without the burden of her title or her lineage.

"Line up! I'll take you all on!" she barked, making the onlookers flinch. "Or are you all cowards? Can you even call yourselves martial artists if you don't rise from a challenge?"

Then, slowly, a figure stepped forward—not a trembling novice, but an older man with weathered features and calm, measured steps. His eyes met hers, steady and unflinching, and for the first time that day, Alma Elma hesitated.

"Enough." His voice was firm, carrying the weight of experience. "You've proven your strength, but this isn't about strength anymore, is it?"

"Oh? The old master has come to bless me with his wisdom, I see…" Alma Elma chuckled.

"Leave, please. Unless you won't feel satisfied until you've killed us, perhaps?"

The words felt like a sharp nail inserted in her heart. She was looking for a fight, not to kill.

Her fists loosened slightly, the tension in her shoulders easing for the first time that day. For a moment, she said nothing, her crimson eyes fixed on the man before her.

"I'm sorry," she whispered lowly before taking flight and leaving the dojo behind.

Following the incident at the dojo, whispers spread of a formidable succubus who had single-handedly dismantled martial arts schools across the region. The tales painted her as an unstoppable force, leaving a trail of defeated warriors and shattered pride in her wake.

Then, without warning, the Queen of the Succubi vanished. For an entire year, Alma Elma was absent from the world stage, her whereabouts unknown even to her closest friend…