The way of the fist

Today was the day. 

It was about the same period of the year, the weather was nice and she was physically in good health. 

Alma Elma had grown in these few years. She was now an adolescent, her height growing slightly every day. Her tail became thicker and longer, her wings wider, and even her horns grew slightly thicker and longer.

With her fingerless purple gloves snug on her hands, Alma stood in the center of her room, throwing quick, sharp jabs into the air. Each one was sharp and quick, focused and precise, though they were far from enough for her. 

However, no matter how much she trained now, it felt stale. She felt like no matter how hard she would train, the confines of her room and the village would only hold back her growth. Determined, she slipped into her sturdy boots, their leather wrapping snugly around most of her legs. She then reached for a bandage, carefully winding it around her chest to hold her growing figure in place.

Today wasn't just another day. It was the same night that Mantis Girl had defeated her and she was now the perfect opponent for her to test out her new skills. The night had already fallen, and the moonlight illuminated the village, just like last time.

Using the techniques she had honed over the years, Alma left the house unnoticed.

Her practice in stealth and evasion had made slipping out second nature, and it had been a long time since her mother had caught her leaving the house at night.

In truth, her mother no longer tried to keep her contained. Alma had become adept at disguising herself, blending in when necessary, and there was little need to hide her anymore. 

However, there was still tension in the household. 

Scoldings were still a regular occurrence. Alma's violent tendencies and stubborn nature clashed constantly with her mother's expectations of what a proper succubus should be.

She wanted to prove herself—not just to her mother, but to everyone. She wasn't interested in changing who she was to fit anyone else's expectations.

"Time to prove myself right," Alma muttered, her breath turning to mist in the cold night air.

With a single powerful flap of her wings, she lifted off the ground and soared into the night sky, the cool wind rushing past her as she climbed higher. The village grew small beneath her as she headed toward the forest, where she knew her rematch awaited.

With her piercing red eyes scanning the ground, she passed over the area where she had been ambushed before, circling it multiple times. The forest was quiet, save for the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze. The succubus descended slowly and landed with practiced ease near the clearing. 

There, the bushes moved. Just like last time, a shadow moved quickly before stopping to a halt and showing itself in the clearing. 

Alma Elma steadied her breathing and poised herself. The Mantis Girl was strong, its exoskeleton hard and its grip deadly. 

If she was caught, there was no way for her to break free besides using pleasure attacks, which was totally out of the question tonight.

After a few seconds of anticipation, there she was. The sleek, insectoid form was still taller than her, her deadly claws clicking softly as it sized her up. 

"Hee… Succubus…" the Mantis Girl spoke and licked her lips. "I remember…"

Alma didn't flinch. Her red eyes burned with determination as she tightened her fists, the cloth of her gloves folding. 

Yes, she was a worthy first opponent. 

There, her tail smacked the ground and she launched herself, her fists ready to strike. The Mantis Girl was a bit taken aback by the sudden burst of speed but quickly adjusted, her claws opening to intercept her.

The succubus's fist collided with the Mantis Girl's claws with a sharp crack, the force of the impact vibrating up her arm. As expected, the insectoid's strength was formidable, a contest of strength was out of the question. But unlike last time, her punch had some effect. The Mantis's claw moved slightly from the shock, creating an opening for her. 

Without wasting a second, she ducked low and performed a leg sweep in a wide arc aimed at the Mantis's legs. Alma's leg swept through the air, missing the Mantis Girl's legs by a fraction. The insect's quick reflexes allowed her to lift her front legs just in time, and with a fluid motion, she lunged toward Alma.

Her eyes remained focused and her instincts kicked in. Alma Elma sidestepped just as the Mantis Girl's tackle came crashing toward her. Alma Elma barely avoided the full impact, but the side of the Mantis Girl's body slammed into her with enough force to send her stumbling sideways.

Her tail whipped out the ground instinctively, stabilizing her as she regained her footing. Alma's heart pounded in her chest, but she quickly recovered, twisting her body to face the Mantis Girl once more.

"You're fast for a big girl~" Alma whistled as she wiped a thin sheen of sweat from her cheek. 

The Mantis Girl hissed, clicking its mandibles together as it sized Alma up again. "You're fast too…"

Alma's grin widened at the Mantis Girl's words. "Why, thank you," she quipped, her breath still coming fast but controlled. The fight had her adrenaline spiking, but she had learned the importance of composure in moments like this. She was a martial artist now, not just a brawler.

The Mantis Girl lunged again, her claws slashing in a deadly arc. Alma ducked low, her wings snapping out to give her extra momentum as she spun beneath the attack. She countered with a sharp kick aimed at the Mantis's midsection, the impact forcing the creature back a step.

"I'm not the same girl you ambushed years ago," She darted forward, feinting a punch before twisting mid-strike to deliver a powerful elbow aimed at the Mantis's side.

The strike connected, eliciting a sharp crack against the exoskeleton. The Mantis Girl hissed in pain but retaliated instantly, her claws sweeping toward Alma's exposed side.

Alma barely managed to pull back, the tip of a claw grazing her arm. She winced, feeling a sting where the chitin had nicked her skin. 

The two combatants circled each other again, their breath visible in the cool night air. 

The Mantis Girl crouched low, her muscles tensing as she prepared for another strike. Alma Elma mirrored her stance, her wings spreading slightly as she prepared to end the fight. The Mantis Girl lunged again, claws raised for a final, ferocious attack. Alma met her head-on, her tail snapping against the ground to propel her forward like a bullet. At the last moment, she twisted her body, slipping past the deadly claws by the narrowest of margins.

Her fist shot upward in a perfectly timed uppercut, the force of the strike driving into the Mantis Girl's jaw with brutal force. The impact lifted the insectoid off her feet, her claws flailing uselessly as she was thrown backward into the air. 

But the succubus didn't waste her momentum. Using her wings, she leaped after her to deliver a final spinning kick to the Mantis Girl's chest, sending her crashing into the ground with a thunderous crack.

The forest fell silent, the only sound the ragged breathing of the two combatants. Alma landed gracefully a few feet away, her tail swaying as she watched the Mantis Girl struggle to rise. The creature's movements were sluggish, her claws trembling as she tried to push herself upright. But her strength was gone, and she collapsed back onto the forest floor with a defeated hiss.

Alma Elma took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling from fatigue. A thin line of blood trailed down her arm, but she barely noticed. She stepped forward, her red eyes glowing in excitement as she looked down at her fallen opponent.

She had won. All of that training amounted to this and a small smile of satisfaction played on her lips.

"Thanks for the fight," she said, her voice carrying a rare note of respect. And with that, she launched herself into the sky to soar back to the village. 

As the village came into view, its familiar outline glowing faintly in the moonlight, Alma's heart swelled with pride. She couldn't wait to tell the news to her mother. 

After all, this was just the beginning. She would grow stronger from now on and was determined to meet stronger and stronger opponents to test her skills. However, for now, she had to tend to her wounds. Without making a sound, she entered her room and began patching her arm up. The gash wasn't too deep, but it stung as she carefully cleaned and wrapped it in a bandage. 

Her mom would probably scold her for ruining her beautiful body with this fight, but she would have to acknowledge how strong she had become. She could hear it from here. 

You defeated that Mantis Girl by yourself? How great!

Alma Elma sat back on her bed with a satisfied sigh, her bandaged arm resting on her lap. A smile lingered on her lips as she closed her eyes, tomorrow would be a good day, she could feel it…

"YOU DID WHAT?" 

Alma grinned, undeterred by her mother's booming voice. "Yesterday night, I defeated a Mantis Girl!" she repeated, throwing a few quick jabs into the air for emphasis. "An uppercut to the head, a spinning kick to the chest—and bam, she was down!"

Elira pinched the bridge of her nose, pacing back and forth in the kitchen. "Who in its right mind would look for a fight in the dead of night? You could have been killed!"

"But I wasn't," the little succubus countered, her grin widening. She flexed her bandaged arm. "And look—I'm fine. A little cut, sure, but that's Nothing compared to what I dished out to her."

Elira stopped pacing, her sharp red eyes fixing Alma with a glare that carried both confusion and astonishment. "I can't believe you're my daughter," she muttered, her voice carrying a faint tremor. "That's not… That can't be… normal."

Alma tilted her head, her grin morphing into a teasing smirk. "Come on, Mom. Admit it. I'm amazing."

Elira's expression changed suddenly, her usual frustration giving way to something deeper—fear. Her hands trembled as she stared at Alma, her face pale and her voice unsteady. "No, you're not… You're not amazing! You're not normal, Alma!" she cried, her voice rising. "Why can't you be like the others? I don't get it… I just don't get it!"

The smile vanished from Alma's face as her mother's words hit her deeply. "What are you talking about?" she asked, confused. "What's wrong with me being strong? Isn't that a good thing?"

Elira's hands covered her face, and for a moment, she didn't respond. Finally, she looked at Alma Elma, her eyes filled with disappointment. "I told you countless times… That's not how we succubi should act. What you just did… It's like a mindless beast!"

Alma Elma took a step back, her heart pounding. "What do you mean…?"

"It's the way you fight! The way you fight like a brute!" She took a shuddering breath, her hands trembling. "You're disgracing your ancestors! You will never… never be… at this rate…"

Alma Elma's wings twitched, her fists tightening at her sides. "So what?" she shot back, her voice rising. "I'm supposed to be sneaky, manipulative, and never stand up for myself? That's what you want from me? To fit into your idea of what a succubus should be? Who decided that?"

Elira's eyes flashed with hurt. "It's not just my idea, Alma! It's who we are! What you're doing goes against everything—everything—about our nature. Everything that our great ancestor Minagi taught us!"

Alma shook her head, her voice trembling with emotion. "Maybe I don't want to be like everyone else. Maybe I don't want to be what you think I should be. Have you ever thought about that?"

"But that's not…"

Elira flinched as Alma's voice cracked with raw emotion, the words hanging heavily in the air. "I hate you!" Alma shouted, her wings flaring wide. "You're always locking me up, holding me back, and never proud of me! No matter what I do, it's never enough for you!"

Elira stood frozen, her hands trembling as her daughter's accusations hit her like a physical blow. "Alma…" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"No!" Alma cut her off, her crimson eyes blazing. "You don't understand me. You never have. All you care about is your stupid rules and traditions! I'm not Minagi! I'm not anyone but me, and if you can't see that, then maybe you don't deserve to!"

"A-Alma!" Elira's voice cracked as she reached out helplessly, but it was too late. Her daughter had already stormed out, the sound of the door slamming shut. "Come back here!"

Elira's breath caught in her throat, a shudder running through her as she struggled to find the right words. She stood up from her chair and ran after her daughter. "You don't understand Alma! You're destined to be—!"

"I'm strong!" the voice of her daughter carried to her by the wind reached her ears. "I am strong! I'll show you!"

Elira closed her eyes for a moment, her body crumpling as she struggled to hold herself together. Her vision blurred, and soon after warm tears poured down her cheeks. 

The truth was, Alma Elma had made up her mind. And Elira, despite everything she had tried, wasn't sure how to stop her anymore.

Elira crumpled into herself, her body folding as she sank to her knees. She closed her eyes tightly, the tears slipping down her face. What have I done? The question reverberated in her mind, gnawing at her heart.

She hadn't wanted to hurt Alma. She hadn't wanted to push her away. But she had failed as a queen. Failed as a mother. And now her daughter was lost to her.

Sally, who was passing by crouched down next to her and helped her stand up. "Are you okay Elira? You're crying..."

Elira wiped at her tear-streaked face, her breath coming in short gasps as she tried to steady herself. "I don't know what to do anymore, Sally," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what to do with her anymore."

Sally looked at her with understanding and spread her wings wide. "I'll see what I can do. Perhaps she will listen to me."

"I'm not sure, but thank you. You've always been a good girl."

"Fufu… Make sure to repay me back if I bring her back, miss." 

With a single flap, Sally soared into the sky in search of Alma Elma. High above Succubus Village, her eyes scanned the landscape. It wasn't long before she spotted a lone figure perched on a rocky outcrop near the mountain range of the Gold Region. The purplish silhouette of Alma Elma was unmistakable.

Sally descended silently with a smirk on her face. As she approached, she could see Alma Elma sitting with her back to her, her shoulders tense and her head bowed. 

"Sulking all alone?" Sally teased, stepping closer and tapping Alma lightly on the shoulder.

Alma flinched but didn't turn around. Her voice was low, almost a growl. "Go away, Sally. I'm not in the mood."

"Did you end up in a fight again?" Sally sighed and shrugged. "You know how much your mother hates it."

"I thought she would be proud of me for once…" 

Sally sighed, folding her arms. "We both know charging headfirst into things isn't the way to impress her, Alma. Your mom's got a different vision of what it means to be strong."

"Well, her vision is stupid," Alma snapped, spinning around to glare at Sally. "The world of monsters is filled with violence but we succubi must stick with pleasure."

Sally met Alma's glare calmly, her smirk softening into something more genuine. "And what do you want, Alma?" she asked. "Do you even know?"

Her gaze dropped low and she froze. What did she want anyway? She loved martial arts, the thrill of a well-executed move, the high of besting an opponent—but why?

Being strong wasn't the goal. It was only a means to an end.

"I… I don't know," she admitted with a grumble. Her head rested in her hands, her fingers curling into her hair. "I really don't know."

Sally crouched down beside her, her teasing tone replaced with gentle sincerity. "Then maybe it's time you figure it out. It's not about what your mom wants or what tradition says. It's about you, Alma. What makes you feel alive? What makes you feel like… you?"

Alma looked up at her friend, her crimson eyes wide and uncertain.

"You know, it's not by staying in this hole that you're going to know what you like," Sally sighed. She rose to her feet, brushing the dust off her skirt. "Take me for example, I'm going to the Monster Lord's castle tomorrow. I've been invited."

Alma Elma's eyebrows shot up. "The Monster Lord's castle? You? What for?"

Sally smirked, then puffed her cheeks in mock exhaustion. "Because my mother thinks I can be a good queen in the future. So the mayor and she pulled some strings to get me invited to some big reception there. Politics, bleh."

Alma tilted her head, crossing her arms. "You? A queen?."

"Right?" Sally quipped, throwing her hands in the air. "Do they even realize how I don't want that? But hey, I'm not complaining. It's a chance to get out of here for a while, learn a thing or two, or even have some fun," she licked her lips with a smug grin.

Alma's lips twitched into a reluctant smile. "Sounds like you're already sold on it."

"Of course!" Sally grinned, her wings spreading. "And you should come with me."

"No thanks…" Alma Elma grumbled. "Sounds like trouble."

"Jeez, you really should loosen up and find yourself a guy. You're on edge."

"I know, right? But my mom still forbids me from seeing a man until I've mastered all the techniques in those dusty old books."

Sally burst into laughter, leaning on Alma's shoulder. "Oh, the tragedy of your life! Denied fresh food until you're a walking master of seduction."

Alma rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small laugh. "I mean, how do you expect me to practice if I can't even get my hands on a guy?"

Sally grinned and straightened up. "Well, maybe you'll find some inspiration at the castle. Think about it. Big fancy party, exciting people, and who knows? Maybe someone there will catch your eye."

Alma Elma gave her a skeptical look. "And who would that be? Some washed-up human who's already been passed around the castle? No thanks."

"First-timer and picky are we?" Sally winked. "But you're right, even I have standards," her face distorted slightly in disgust before returning to a smile. "Anyway, you should go back home. You're going to make your mother sad. And me as well."

Alma Elma sighed, her resistance wavering. "Maybe. I'll think about it."

"I know you're an oddball, but you're a good succubus," Sally said, ruffling Alma's hair lightly. "Just be yourself."

With a single powerful flap of her wings, Sally took to the skies, leaving Alma alone on the rocky outcrop. Alma watched her friend disappear toward the village, the silence around her settling in.

She sighed, gazing at the distant horizon. Just be yourself… The words echoed in her mind, but they felt hollow.

A light breeze ruffled her hair, the windy mountains filling the horizon. Alma Elma hugged her knees to her chest, her ruby eyes fixed past the mountain range. 

The thrill of combat, the high of victory—that was what she wanted. But for what reason? Was it because she hated how things were imposed on her back home? She didn't feel connected at all to her mother's expectations, from the traditions of her kind. 

The wind kept going, changing directions as it now coursed down toward the village. 

She didn't want to be locked up again, to be restrained. To be told what to do or what to be. Expectations, traditions, none of it mattered.

All she ever wanted was to be free like the wind. To soar up the skies, to live day by day without worrying about the future. To make her own choices.

The wind shifted again, its cool breath dancing through her hair as it swept past her, carrying with it the scent of far-off lands. Alma Elma felt her wings twitch in response, a deep yearning stirring within her. She wanted that—freedom, autonomy, and the chance to choose her own path.

But the thought of her mother came back to mind. A part of her wanted to be acknowledged, to be understood by her. In fact, she didn't care to be understood by anyone else. 

"I should just go home…" she sighed before opening her wings wide. 

For now, she would just apologize.

Though it wouldn't hurt to wait until tomorrow.

"So, your girl is a runaway?" Trish's voice grated on Elira's ears. "Too bad, mine is already off to the castle. Perhaps she'll be the next queen?"

"Oh, shut your mouth," Elira barked back, her grip on the broom tightening as she swept the leaves accumulating on the front path. The pile of golden and crimson foliage had grown too much for its own good, making it difficult to navigate around the house.

Trish leaned casually against the fence separating their properties with a smug smile plastered across her face. "I'm just saying. That's what you get for breeding with a stupid hero."

Elira's jaw clenched, but she kept her focus on the task at hand. The last thing she needed was to get into a shouting match with Trish. She wasn't in the mood, not with her daughter's absence still weighing heavily on her heart.

"I've also heard you have become quite soft with humans recently."

Elira's grip on the broom tightened, her knuckles whitening as she swept a stubborn pile of leaves into a corner. "And I've heard you've become quite insufferable recently," she shot back with a glare.

Trish chuckled, clearly unfazed. "Well, at least I'm getting my fill. You look like you're getting some wrinkles recently, my queen."

Elira's grip on the broom tightened even further, and for a moment, she considered snapping it in two just to release the tension. Instead, she forced a smirk onto her face and met Trish's smug gaze. "Wrinkles or not, I'm still ten times more appealing than you'll ever be, Trish. Remind me that time I was seducing all your targets one by one?"

Trish's smirk faltered for a fraction of a second, but she quickly recovered, flipping her hair back with an exaggerated flourish. "Oh, please. I was just enjoying the show. Watching you begging them was so much fun."

The broom snapped in Elira's hands with a sharp crack, and her crimson eyes burned with fury as she stepped toward the fence. "Begging? Remember who trained you, you bitch?"

"Damn, I was joking!" Elira flinched, the smugness on her face faltering. "No wonder your daughter's so violent—now I know who she gets it from."

Elira's lips curled into a dangerous smile, her head tilting slightly, and her voice dropped to a menacingly sweet tone. "Say that again, would you? I dare you."

Trish took a half-step back, her face paling. "Alright, alright! Sorry!" She adjusted her posture, flipping her hair back in a weak attempt to reclaim her composure. "I guess being a single mom has made you a little… edgy. Perhaps you should try your luck with another dud—Whoa!"

The broken broom handle sailed through the air before she could finish, missing her head by a hair's breadth. It slammed into the shutters of Elira's house with a loud crack, embedding itself in the wood.

The succubus stood frozen for a moment, staring wide-eyed at the splintered wood where the handle had struck. "You're insane!" she screeched. "That could have killed me!"

Elira leaned against the fence, her smirk widening into a predatory grin. "What's wrong with me? Maybe it's your big mouth, Trish. Try running it again, and next time, I won't miss."

Trish stumbled back, her throat dry from fear. "You're out of your mind!" she screamed.

"Trish? Trish, are you there?" Another alarmed voice interrupted the both of them. 

Elira's smirk disappeared, replaced with mild curiosity. She turned toward the voice and saw the village mayor hurrying toward them. The mayor's usually composed face was pale and damp with sweat, and her breath came in short, ragged gasps. 

"What's wrong, mayor?"

"Yeah, you look like you've seen a ghost," Trish added as she brushed off some dirt off her skirt.

The mayor stopped short, pointing an accusatory finger directly at Trish. "Are you out of your mind?" she barked, her voice trembling with both fury and panic. "You killed a human, and now a group of heroes has sent me a letter!"

Both Elira and Trish froze, the urgency of the situation sinking in.

Trish's face went ashen, her arms raised up in alarm. "What? That's ridiculous! I haven't killed anyone!" she protested, her voice rising in pitch.

The mayor shoved a crumpled piece of parchment into Trish's hands. "Explain this, then! A messenger dropped it off not an hour ago. They claim a succubus matching your description drained one of their comrades dry and left the body near the mountain pass!"

Trish's hands trembled as she unfolded the parchment, her eyes darting over the angry scrawl. "This... this isn't me!" she stammered. "I've been here the whole time! Elira can vouch for me!"

"The mountain pass…" Elira crossed her arms. "Isn't that where Sally went to try to get back my daughter?"

"Sally? No way! I told her to be careful with humans!"

The mayor's expression hardened as her sharp gaze flicked between the two of them. "I don't care who did it. What matters is that the victim was a wealthy merchant from Grand Noah, and he was trading with this village. The family is furious and hired a group of heroes to get some answers."

Elira's eyes narrowed, her voice cold. "So, what? We just kill those heroes, and everything goes back to normal? They're nothing but baptized scum, anyway."

The mayor's eyes flashed with anger. "Do you think this is just about killing heroes? What if the villagers living here realize there are succubi living among them?"

Elira leaned forward, her expression hardening as the weight of the situation settled on her shoulders. "Besides, killing heroes will only attract more. Depending on their skills, we might have to seduce them and manipulate them."

Trish's eyes widened, but she didn't protest this time. "Oh, good idea. Then we can have some fun if they aren't baptized."

"True, that might be the best solution," the mayor sighed in relief. "My daughter is too busy with her potato farm idea for now to even think about learning seduction skills. And I don't think I'm that good either against heroes. Elira and Trish, we're counting on you."

Elira's lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. "Leave it to us. We'll handle it."

With a flick of her wrist, she turned to Trish, her expression turning serious once again. "We need to find out who's behind this, and fast. I don't want that kind of incident to repeat itself later on."

Trish nodded reluctantly, anxiety creeping back into her voice. "Agreed. But what if it really is my daughter who..."

"We will have to hear her first. Perhaps she had a reason. Let's not jump to conclusions."

Trish remained quiet for a moment, her mind clearly racing, before she nodded. 

"And if the heroes are hostile?" the mayor asked. 

Elira smirked and turned with a sway of her hips. "Then they shall know what true pleasure a queen can bring until their final moments."