The way of the fist

"To die so young…"

"Those damn heroes think they can do whatever they want…"

A proper burial ceremony was given in the center of the village. A small gathering of villagers stood respectfully in silence, their faces shadowed with quiet outrage. Fortunately, the commotion of yesterday night only ended with rumors and random screams in the night. The inn manager being a succubus only helped further hide the truth from the citizens. 

In the cemetery on the outskirts of the village, a modest grave had been prepared. The earth was freshly turned, the scent of humid soil mixing with the fragrance of the early flowers. The monk's body rested beneath a simple shroud, his prayer beads lying on his chest. 

The mayor had announced that the monk's body would soon be retrieved and transported to Yamatai, his homeland, where a proper funeral would be conducted. For now, the villagers' attention was drawn to another coffin, placed beside his. Within it lay Trish's body, the true focus of the gathering.

The silence deepened as the villagers paid their respects. In this place where nothing really happened, having two tragedies back to back was weighing down on them. The mayor stood nearby, her brow furrowed as she exchanged brief words with Elira, who observed the proceedings.

Alma Elma lingered at the edge of the crowd, her hands clenched tightly at her sides. Sally being away for a while at the Monster Lord's castle, wouldn't come back in at least a week. And while she didn't really know Trish that much, she still felt a bit saddened for her friend.

Elira approached her silently before placing a hand on her shoulder. "The coffin will remain here for a while. There's nothing more we can do now. Let's go home."

Alma Elma glanced at her mother, her lips pressing into a thin line. After a moment, she nodded, casting one last look at Trish's coffin before turning away. The villagers, too, began to disperse, their mourning would continue on with their daily tasks.

"What happened to the hero?" Alma Elma asked while they walked back home. 

"I disposed of his body. Leaving it would have raised too many questions. The mayor will spread the word that he fled the village during the night."

Alma Elma frowned, her steps slowing slightly. "So... he'll just be a ghost story now?"

"Yes," Elira nodded with a smile. "Though I did keep something from him."

Alma Elma's brows furrowed at her mother's words before they pushed the door. When they entered the house, Elira gestured to a chair where a royal blue cape was draped, its edges lined with fine gold embroidery.

"You said you liked it, right?" Elira said, her eyes fixed on the cape. 

Alma Elma stepped closer, her gaze lingering on the elegant fabric. "I did, but…" She hesitated, her fingers brushing against the edge of the cape. "Isn't this... a bit much?" Alma Elma asked herself more than her mother. Taking something from the dead, even if it was deserved felt a bit strange to her.

Elira shrugged slightly, her tone matter-of-fact. "It's a trophy, Alma. A reminder of your victory in your first fight against a human. Besides, it would've been a waste to let something so fine rot in the dirt."

Alma Elma said nothing for a moment, her hand resting on the cape. The fabric was soft, light and would surely go well with her current attire. 

A trophy, she thought. That fight wasn't something she wanted to win, not like that. 

Still, in her quest for meaning, perhaps it would be a good thing to keep a reminder of her first fight. To remind her how careless she had been against him. 

With a resolute flick, Alma Elma lifted the cape into the air, letting it unfurl with a soft rustle. She draped it over her shoulders, and her fingers moved slowly to the circlet at the neck of the cape, its embedded emerald resting cold on her skin.

With a soft click, she fastened it securely, the gemstone resting against her collarbone.

For a moment, she stood there, adjusting the cape and letting its presence sink in. It felt foreign yet fitting, like the first step in claiming a piece of her identity.

Elira watched from the side, her expression unreadable at first, before a small, approving smile curved her lips. "It suits you," she said simply.

Alma Elma glanced at her reflection in the nearby mirror. The cape gave her an air of mystery, perhaps even of a hero in a way. "Thanks," she said softly, her fingers brushing over the emeralds. "I like it too."

Elira stepped forward and placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder. 

"By the way, Mom," Alma Elma tensed before turning back toward her. "I have something to tell you."

"What is it, sweetie?"

"I decided to go on a journey," Alma Elma announced with resolute eyes. "I will travel the world for a while."

Elira's hand dropped from Alma Elma's shoulder, her face showing confusion. "Travel the world?" she repeated slowly, as if she didn't really understand.

"Yes," Alma Elma nodded. "Nothing will change my mind. I need to do things my way, and being here is just… suffocating."

Elira's lips pressed into a thin line as she studied her daughter. For a moment, she said nothing, her gaze searching Alma Elma's face for any hint of doubt. But there was none.

Finally, she let out a quiet sigh. "I had a feeling this day would come… You've always been restless. Still, I can't let you."

"I don't need your permission," Alma Elma smirked. "Whether you like it or not, you can't hold me down here. See how weak you were last night? You couldn't even break that monk's spell."

Elira said nothing and lowered her gaze with a frown. Her daughter was right, she had grown weak over the past few years and she was probably weaker than her daughter now. 

"I…" Elira began, her voice faltering. She shook her head, unable to meet Alma Elma's gaze.

Alma Elma softened slightly at her mother's silence, but her resolve remained unshaken. "I'm not saying this to hurt you, Mom. But it's the truth."

Elira closed her eyes, taking a slow, measured breath. When she finally spoke, her voice was quiet but firm. "If you're going to go, at least promise me one thing."

"What's that?" Alma Elma asked, tilting her head slightly.

"Promise me you'll come back," Elira said, her eyes lifting to meet Alma Elma's. "From time to time."

Alma Elma's smirk softened into a faint smile. "I will. You don't have to worry about that. I'll come back often."

Then, Elira reached out and placed a hand on Alma Elma's cheek, her touch gentle but firm. "You're stubborn and somewhat odd but never forget that I love you. You're my pride and love, no matter what."

Alma Elma's lips curled into a small frown. "You had to call me odd, didn't you? You couldn't resist."

"T-That's not…"

"I figured…" Alma Elma sighed before turning away from her. "I will pass by from time to time. Goodbye, Mom."

With one last glance at her mother, Alma Elma turned and walked toward the door. She stepped out to meet the early morning light, the sun just beginning to peak over the mountains on the horizon. This was the beginning of her journey to find herself, and perhaps become stronger in the process.

Her wings unfurled, and with one powerful beat, she took the sky. The world stretched out before her, vast and full of possibilities. She had trained, she had grown strong enough to beat a hero, and now—finally—she was ready to forge her own path.

As she soared higher, her friend's words echoed in her mind. She was not just a succubus was herself, she needed to feel and not think.

So she decided to be carried by the wind, to leave her fate to its whims. Perhaps this was what freedom truly meant – not having a destination, but having the courage to follow wherever life might lead.

Thus began the journey of the vagabond succubus.

On the road to Ilias Port… A few weeks later…

"Phew," Alma Elma exhaled contentedly, wiping sweat from her brow with the back of her hand. The rush of combat still tingled through her body, a feeling far more exciting to her than any traditional succubus methods.

"Ah… Ah…" The man before her scrambled backward, his eyes wide with disbelief. Never had he imagined being bested in hand-to-hand combat by a succubus of all creatures. His pride as a fighter lay shattered at his feet, along with his preconceptions about monster capabilities.

It was her first destination, the Ilias Continent. A place filled with heroes and weak monsters, yet it was the perfect place for her to perfect her moves. Every time she met a hero who somewhat looked a bit strong, she challenged him to a duel and defeated them. 

It was her third and last opponent of the day, and while she mostly ended up knocking the heroes unconscious, this time she made sure to keep him conscious.

"I won, little hero," she licked her lips before pulling down his pants. "Which means I get to have a little treat~"

"Aaah! G-Get away! Ilias will—"

Of course, she never listened to them and simply had her way until she was satisfied. Once she was finished, she helped him stand up and carried him toward a village. 

"Get stronger," she always said as she helped him to his feet, "so you can face me again someday."

Now, alone in the mountains, she resided near a cave that had become her sanctuary. No monster dared venture close anymore—she had made sure of that by pummeling most of them into submission.

"Still… These baptized heroes sure taste horrible," she sighed. While they were filling, there were in no way appetizing and if it weren't for their combat abilities, she wouldn't even have challenged them. 

No, it was time for her to change directions. The thrill was fading. Defeating the heroes had grown too easy, almost boring. The monsters in the region weren't much better. The Roper Girls, with their tentacles, were too slow to catch her. The spider girls' webs couldn't hold her down, and even the harpies had trouble matching her in aerial combat.

She needed a challenge—a worthy opponent. Someone who could push her limits.

No, she needed opponents stronger than her physically. Ones that were already good in martial arts or combat in general.

"Perhaps in Sabasa… I heard the humans were strong there, but also the monsters," she mused aloud. 

But before heading to Sabasa, there was something she had to do. She needed to return home first. Within a few hours of flight, she landed in Succubus Village and made her way to her mother's house.

Upon entering, Alma Elma's voice rang out with pride. "This week, I defeated twenty heroes!" She grinned at her mother, eager for her approval.

Her mother looked up, her expression a mix of disbelief and amusement. She couldn't help but sigh before chuckling softly. "Twenty? You're impossible," she said, shaking her head.

Alma Elma didn't stay long. Like a fleeting mirage, she was already on her way again, off to the next challenge.

Every week, it was the same routine.

"I defeated a Centaur!"

"I defeated a Lamia!"

"I defeated a Minotauros!"

Each time, she would come back, eager to share her latest victory, and her mother would listen, smiling with a mix of pride and exasperation. But each departure left a sense of inevitability. Alma Elma's hunger for stronger opponents only grew, and the cycle continued.

Two years passed, Alma Elma grew and so did her skills, but something was still missing. She had traveled the world, and fought almost every species of monster on the continent, and yet she felt like she didn't grow at all.

Now back in Sabasa, where she had already defeated every notable species of monster in the desert, Alma Elma decided to take a break. Cloaked in her human form, she spent her days leisurely seducing men, extracting information from them while indulging in a little fun at the local inn.

In the midst of her challenges, she had grown quite fond of sleeping around with men, indulging in whatever desires they had. 

However something was still missing. 

It gnawed at her, like some kind of poison. Perhaps it was the last words of her mother before she fled here to Sabasa.

"When will you truly act like a succubus? You're already 16, you know?"

Why wasn't she proud of who she was? Perhaps she needed another feat to show her and succubi that she should be accepted.

One night, when she was staying at a local pub, she overheard a conversation.

"Have you heard? This Tiger Girl is back around Safina…"

Her ears perked, and she leaned in slightly, hoping to catch more details.

"What, really? I should stay in town then. I heard she was ruthless."

"What's worse, she scares away every other monster. No one dares to step up to her. I heard she is as strong as a queen-class monster."

"What? But… Cactus-chan…"

"Stop it you pervert, you can go without a day of seeing her."

Alma Elma's curiosity was piqued. A Tiger Girl? Someone powerful enough to scare off even the bravest of monsters? This could be exactly what she needed—a worthy opponent who could challenge her in ways that no hero or monster had been able to before. A true test of her strength, both physically and mentally.

A flicker of excitement ignited within her. This was the moment. The time for idle pleasures and pointless victories was over. She was going to find this Tiger Girl and face her head-on. It would be a battle like no other, one that might finally help her figure out who she truly was.

Alma Elma pushed herself up from her seat, the clink of the chair against the floor barely audible amidst the chatter. She knew what she had to do.

It was time to seek out the Tiger Girl and prove herself.

In no time, she was flying over the desert, her eyes scanning the yellow landscape. Even with the heat attacking her, she still didn't give up and searched for hours for the mentioned creature.

And it was near the Safar Ruins that she noticed something was off. Usually, that place was filled with monsters of many kinds, but this time there was no one around.

With a frown, she decided to investigate, and landed near a small oasis. There, multiple mud dolls were playing, probably those controlled by the spirit of the earth. She had been to the ruins other times but never had she met the earth spirit living there.

Alma Elma crouched down, her boots kicking up small puffs of dust as she moved closer to the oasis. When suddenly, a sudden noise broke the silence of the desert. Heavy steps, followed by a low growl. Alma Elma's eyes narrowed. It came from deeper within the ruins. 

Slowly and carefully, she made her way toward the sound, her senses heightened and her body ready for action. 

Amidst some rubble, there, she found her. Her yellow and black-striped fur, the mass of muscle making up her enormous body, twice her own size with a tail as thick as probably soft. The Tiger Girl's torso was draped in a purple gi and she wore a katana at her belt. 

Beneath her, was an antlion girl who probably didn't realize who stepped on her trap. 

"You dare bite my paw?" the Tiger Girl lashed out at the Antlion Girl who winced in pain. Using her scabbard, she smacked the creature buried in the sand repeatedly. "Don't you know they are soft for a reason?"

The sheer dominance this Tiger Girl exhibited sent a thrill through Alma Elma. This was the power she had been searching for. She hadn't come for a simple battle; she had come to find something that could break her—an opponent worthy of her.

Without a sound, Alma Elma stepped forward, her shadow stretching long across the sand as she approached the Tiger Girl. She knew she had been spotted long before, but she chose to wait.

The Tiger Girl's head turned sharply, eyes flashing with a predatory gleam. There was no fear, only recognition of a fellow fighter. "You've been watching me," she said, her voice low and gravelly. "I can smell it."

Alma Elma grinned, the excitement building in her chest. "I've heard of you," she replied. "And I've come to see if the stories are true."

The Tiger Girl's lips curled into a smile, "A challenger, heh? And a succubus at that? What, are you going to tickle me?"

Alma Elma frowned at the accusation before pulling up a boxing stance. "No, with my fists."

The Tiger Girl's laughter boomed across the desert as she crossed her arms, eyes twinkling with amusement. "Fists? Haha, truly admirable! This is a first in my life!"

Alma Elma's irritation surged as she could feel the weight of the Tiger Girl's mocking laughter. She wasn't here to be made a fool of. Without another moment's hesitation, she surged forward, her body propelling her toward her opponent with explosive speed. Her right fist shot out like a speeding train, aimed squarely at the Tiger Girl's head.

However, before she knew it, she had already been struck. Her eyes couldn't even follow the blade. It was so fast, that she only saw the glint of the sun reflected in her eyes before feeling a hot warmth seep from her torso. A thin line of blood traced her body from up to down.

Alma Elma stumbled back, her breath catching in her throat. It was so fast, so clean, that it felt like the very air had shifted. The Tiger Girl's katana had been faster than she could even comprehend.

The Tiger Girl stepped back slightly, folding her arms with an air of superiority. "Let's stop it right here, young'un. You're fat too inexperienced to spar with me."

This was as if a whole new world had been opened. The difference in level was staggering, making Alma Elma shiver in excitement. 

Her lips curled into a smirk, despite the pain, and she raised her fists once more, determined. "Are you mad?" the Tiger Girl scoffed, raising an eyebrow. "You're going to die at this rate."

Alma Elma's eyes burned with resolve. "Maybe," she replied through gritted teeth. "But I was prepared the moment I chose this path."

The Tiger Girl's gaze sharpened as Alma Elma spoke. There was a flicker of respect in her eyes. "I see. I'm sorry for doubting your resolve. You are a true martial artist, through and through." She unsheathed her katana fully, the weapon catching the sunlight, making it as if it was on fire. "I shall answer with everything I have, then."

"I'm not going to back down," Alma Elma said, her voice steady despite the blood trickling down her side. "I came all the way here to find someone who could make me stronger. And you…" She looked the Tiger Girl up and down, assessing her. "You're the one."

The Tiger Girl tilted her head, considering her opponent. For a moment, there was a flicker of hesitation, but it quickly vanished, replaced by the smirk of a predator sizing up its prey.

Alma Elma leaped again, her wings giving her more speed. This time, she could see the movements of the sword properly. 

The Tiger Girl's eyes narrowed, watching Alma Elma's approach with keen precision. She did not move immediately but instead allowed the succubus to close the distance. There was something almost otherworldly in her calm as she waited for Alma Elma to come within striking range.

As Alma Elma drew closer, the Tiger Girl's body shifted ever so slightly. Her katana gleamed once again, almost as if it anticipated the strike before it even came. Alma Elma's eyes widened. This was the moment she had been waiting for—the opening she needed.

But just as Alma Elma moved to strike, the Tiger Girl's blade flickered like lightning, flashing in a blur of motion. It was too fast. Before Alma Elma could react, the katana was already at her side, slicing through the air with a deadly swiftness.

The metal met flesh and was followed by a sharp sting on Alma Elma's arm. It wasn't deep, but enough to draw blood. But the succubus didn't stop, her fist already hurled at blinding speed toward the Tiger Girl's weak points.

In a sudden jerk, she moved her lower body and used one of her paws to stop Alma Elma's strike. She then grabbed the fist, her claws digging in her skin.

"I have six limbs and you four," the Tiger Girl explained. "Without true speed, you won't be able to match me."

Alma Elma's lips curled into a grimace, her blood still flowing from the cut. She tried to pull her fist free, but the Tiger Girl's grip was unyielding, the claws digging deeper into her flesh with every attempt. "Thanks for pointing out the obvious," she grunted.

In a desperate attempt to regain control, Alma Elma spun on her heel, her body moving with the fluidity of a dancer. She kicked out with her leg, aiming for the Tiger Girl's torso. But the Tiger Girl was prepared. Her free paw shot up, effortlessly deflecting Alma Elma's spinning kick. Alma Elma's foot met the back of the katana's hilt with a sharp clang, the impact vibrating up her leg.

The Tiger Girl's smirk deepened. "You're also predictable. You aren't truly free of your own movements." Her claws tightened around Alma Elma's wrist, pulling her in close. Then, in one fluid motion, she twisted her wrist, forcing the succubus to her knees. The claws dug deeper into her flesh, and Alma Elma could do nothing but gasp in pain, her hands trembling as they tried to free herself, but the Tiger Girl's grip was vice-like.

"Is this really all you have?" the Tiger Girl asked, her voice taking a mocking tone. 

"Not by a long shot!" Alma Elma shot back, her body jerking upward in an attempt to free herself, but the grip was too strong. She simply pushed with her feet and was met with equal force, making her not budge in the slightest.

"No matter how much you train, you still have the body of a succubus."

"But I—" Alma Elma grunted as she pushed with all of her might.

"Stop running away from who you are!" the Tiger Girl snapped, her claws digging in further, making Alma Elma wince in pain. "Embrace it! Fight me with your succubus techniques!"

Alma Elma's eyes narrowed with defiance. "I… refuse!" she shouted, her voice full of grit and determination. She wouldn't be reduced to using the tricks of her kind—not here, not now. She had come too far for that. She wasn't going to be defined by the expectations of others.

The Tiger Girl seemed to pause for a moment, her expression unreadable. For just a second, there was a flicker of something in her eyes—perhaps respect, perhaps annoyance—but it was gone in the blink of an eye.

"If you refuse," the Tiger Girl said, her voice low, "then you're wasting my time."

With a swift motion, she released Alma Elma's wrist, letting her fall to the sand. Alma Elma gasped for breath, her body aching from the pressure of the battle.

"If you wish to fight me again, fight at the Colosseum of Grand Noah. But be warned, you will lose again."

With that, the Tiger Girl walked away, leaving the defeated succubus in the sand.