The way of the fist

It happened in a single, devastating day—an event that obliterated the fragile threads of coexistence between monsters and humans.

The grand kingdom of Remina, the sole human settlement on the inhospitable continent of Hellgondo, had been a rare sanctuary where monsters and humans lived in harmony. But harmony is a delicate thing, and by the end of that day, it lay in ruins.

No one truly knows what happened. At sunrise, Remina bustled with life; by nightfall, it was a silent graveyard. Despite Alice the 14th's certainty that neither humans nor monsters were responsible for the massacre, her words did little to quell the storm that followed.

To the monsters, the humans were guilty.

To the humans, the monsters were at fault.

And so, the accusations began.

Day after day, complaints and demands flooded Alice's court. Monsters clamored for vengeance, demanding retribution for what they believed to be a betrayal. War seemed inevitable as whispers of conspiracy grew louder with each passing moment.

Grandgold is responsible, they are the closest.

No, it was those damn priests of San Ilia, we should kill all humans who believe in Ilias!

Each theory was more outlandish than the last, but all carried the same underlying demand: action. Revenge.

The calls for bloodshed echoed across the land, threatening to plunge monsters and humans alike into an all-out war.

Alice the 14th slumped on her throne, her hand pressing against her temple as another missive was brought before her—a demand from a lord residing in Lady's Village.

"Approval to devour an entire human settlement as retribution for Remina," Alice muttered aloud, her voice tinged with exhaustion. She let the parchment slip from her fingers, watching as it fluttered to the marble floor. "Do they think I'm handing out death warrants for sport now?"

She leaned back, the crescent-moon staff at her side casting a faint glow. "I can't keep this up anymore," she murmured, her golden eyes narrowing in frustration.

A knock echoed from the chamber doors, interrupting her thoughts. Without waiting for permission, her daughter entered. 

"You look exhausted, Mother," she said with a worried glance. "Are you sure you don't want to rest?"

A pile of papers was sitting on the desk near Alice, waiting for her direct review.

Alice's eyes shifted to her daughter, her expression softening for a fleeting moment. "Rest?" she repeated, a faint, bitter chuckle escaping her lips. "There's no time for rest when the world is on the brink of tearing itself apart."

Her hand gestured weakly toward the desk piled high with papers. "Every hour I waste sleeping is another hour these fools spend plotting revenge or scheming for power. They'll burn the world to ash if I'm not here to stop them."

Her daughter slithered closer, her expression firm but compassionate. "You won't be able to stop them if you collapse, Mother. Even you have limits."

"Perhaps…" Alice's lips twitched into a faint smirk. "Then I'll summon the queens of each race. They must see reason. Together, we can quell the rage of our people."

Her daughter tilted her head, skepticism glimmering in her gaze. "Let's hope they don't fall prey to the same fury as their people."

The next day, a group of queens gathered in the main hall. As its heart, Alice the 14th sat on the throne, her crescent-moon staff resting at her side. The queens of each race gathered before her, each looking impatient.

To Alice's left stood Tamamo, who had been called for the occasion. She counted on her skills to help her avert this crisis. The little kitsune's tails swayed gently behind as she observed the room calmly, her fan making slow motions to cool herself. 

Beside her was Alice's daughter, towering over most of the monsters here. Her gaze swept over the room, taking in every single present queen.

Only a few Queens weren't present. Queen Mermaid probably stayed in her own place, refusing to talk as usual.

And then there was Alma Elma—the Queen of Succubi—whose whereabouts remained a mystery. In her absence, Sally had been summoned as a representative, along with the future mayor of Succubus Village.

"Thank you all for coming," Alice began. "I trust you understand the gravity of this meeting."

The queens shifted subtly, their focus sharpening as Alice's words settled over them.

Tamamo was the first to speak. "The gravity is clear, Monster Lord. But clarity is what we lack. Remina's destruction remains fresh and we are still unsure of who was responsible."

Sally nodded, her arms crossed. "The succubi are restless. Some of them had friends living there. They're afraid of having to hide even further."

The Queen of Harpies, her feathers fluttering lightly as she shifted, chimed in. "Humans in the nearby settlements are already wary of us. The trust we've worked so hard to build is eroding. If this continues, it's only a matter of time before communication breaks down completely."

"Perhaps we should communicate clearly and show them what it means to defy us," Queen Vampire interjected, her arms crossed with pride. "We could show the humans what it truly means to defy us. Transforming them into obedient slaves would ensure their compliance."

"True," Queen Elf added with a nod. "I hate to admit it, but I agree with this arrogant bloodsucker. Humans have grown far too comfortable in treating us poorly. Perhaps it's time they were reminded of their place."

A tense silence followed, the room teetering on the edge of conflict.

Alice's golden eyes darkened, and her staff struck the ground with a sharp, echoing crack. The sound silenced the murmurs, drawing all eyes back to the Monster Lord.

"So you wish to enter into direct conflict? Have you all lost your minds?"

"And what have you done all these years?" Queen Ant shot back. "Playing the part of a complacent fool, neglecting your duties while the rest of us suffered?"

Alice's eyes narrowed, but Queen Ant pressed on, her anger swelling. "For years, humans have invaded our lands, destroyed our homes, and slaughtered our people. Every time we came to you, pleading for aid, you turned your back on us."

"That's—" Alice began, her tone defensive, but her words were cut off as Queen Ant's voice rose.

"Enough excuses!" the ant queen snapped. "You claim to be the Monster Lord, the one meant to rule us all, but where were you when we needed you most? Your inaction has allowed the humans to grow bold. You're the one who ordered us not to strike back!"

"Queen Ant is right," Queen Fairy nodded in approval. "Sometimes it feels like you are not even needed. Is your position as Monster Lord even necessary anymore? You do nothing all day besides telling us not to act."

Alice's grip on her staff tightened, her knuckles whitening as she drew herself to her full height. Her golden eyes burned with restrained fury as they swept across the room, locking onto each queen in turn.

"Do you truly believe I do nothing?"

The whole room nodded in silence, even Queen Harpy who showed restraint in her manners. Even Sally and the future mayor of Succubus Village exchanged nervous glances, neither daring to meet Alice's gaze.

Reaching her boiling point, Alice sighed and sat back on her throne, her gaze sweeping over he daughters. 

Perhaps it is time to retire… The thought surfaced unbidden, whispering in the back of her mind. It was not the first time she had entertained it, but never had it felt so tempting, so close.

Her gaze swept across the assembled queens once more. For all their criticism, all their accusations, they still looked to her—to the throne—for guidance, even if they didn't realize it.

Yet, she had nothing to propose. She was born in an era of peace, an era free of any problems of this magnitude. Her fingers tightened on the armrests of her throne as she straightened slightly.

It was time for a fresh mind to take her place. 

"This gathering was a mistake," Alice declared, her voice heavy with exhaustion. She raised her hand in a dismissive gesture, her tone brooking no argument. "I'm ending this meeting. Keep a non-aggressive posture until my next declaration."

"You still insist on peace?" a few queens barked in unison, their voices thick with disbelief and disdain.

Alice's staff struck the marble floor with a deafening crack, the tremor silencing the dissenters instantly.

"I don't need your words of protest," Alice said coldly, her golden eyes piercing as she scanned the room. "You will be notified if something changes. Until then, you will heed my command. This is not a negotiation."

The silence that followed was suffocating, each queen bristling but unwilling to challenge her further. One by one, they turned and began to leave.

As the last of them disappeared through the great doors, Alice slumped slightly in her throne, the facade of unshakable authority slipping away. Her staff rested against the armrest.

"Mother…" her daughter still stood by her side, along with Tamamo and, surprisingly, Sally who had stayed behind.

"Tamamo," Alice shot a glance at the kitsune. "Meet me in the underground tonight."

Tamamo inclined her head, her fan folding gracefully. "As you wish, Monster Lord."

Alice's golden gaze shifted to her daughter, lingering for a moment. She finally spoke, her tone distant, almost fragile.

"And you, my daughter?"

"Yes, Mother?"

"Take care."

The words were simple, but the way Alice spoke them carried a depth that made her daughter hesitate. Her lips parted, as though she wanted to say something—anything—but no words came. Instead, she nodded slowly,

Sally shifted awkwardly, breaking the silence. "If there's anything I can do, just say the word," she offered, her usual teasing tone absent.

Alice gave a faint smile. "Thank you, Sally. But for now, just focus on finding your queen. I may have made a mistake in choosing her, but succubi need a strong leader in these dark times."

Sally nodded, her expression unusually serious. "I wish I could find her but…" she sighed. "Alma Elma is nowhere to be seen. I've been scouring the world for months now, and nothing came up besides some rumors."

"I could try to scry her position," Tamamo offered.

"That could be a huge help, Tamamo. I swear, Alma Elma just does whatever she wants."

"She does indeed," Tamamo agreed, her tone wry but not unkind.

Alice leaned back slightly, her golden eyes distant. "I wish Elira hadn't disowned her… If she had stayed queen, perhaps none of this would have happened."

Tamamo's ears flicked, and she closed her fan with a soft snap. "Perhaps. But Elira made her choice. She decided to live the rest of her life as a human, so let's try not to bother her."

"Anyway," Alice stood up and started slithering toward the stairs. "You are all dismissed. Thank you for coming," before leaving the main hall entirely.

That same night, beneath the castle in a chamber of deep magic, Alice made her decision. The world teetered on the brink of war, and she knew she could no longer trust herself to lead. The risk of succumbing to the reckless fury loomed too great.

She called upon Tamamo one final time, her golden eyes steady despite the turmoil within.

"I can't allow myself to act if my daughter chooses war over peace," Alice said, her voice firm but heavy. "I will seal myself away. This is no longer my era to lead."

Tamamo's gaze softened, though her expression remained calm. "Are you certain, Alice? The burden you're placing on your daughter is immense. She may not be ready."

Alice's lips curved into a faint smile, though her eyes betrayed her sadness. "No Monster Lord is ever ready when the time comes. She will rise to the challenge, as I did when I was thrust into this role. Promise me, Tamamo—watch over her. Guide her where you can."

Tamamo bowed her head solemnly, her nine tails fanning out behind her. "I will. You have my word."

With that, Alice performed the ancient ritual, sealing herself within the depths of the castle. Her final act as Monster Lord was to leave the fate of Monsterkind in the hands of her daughter.

Thus, Alice the 15th ascended to the throne, with a new plan set in tow. She vowed to scour the world in search of a solution, a way to mend the fractured relationship between monsters and humans.

Tensions between monsters and humans were at a boiling point. Fear and mistrust simmered on both sides, and many humans—emboldened by tales of heroism, even without the blessing of the goddess Ilias—took up arms. They declared themselves heroes, traveling the land with one goal in mind: to defeat the new Monster Lord.

The arrival of Alice the 15th was seen as a big change, and even rumors started to spread, saying she was the one behind it all. 

Even within her own ranks, Alice's authority was tested. A certain monster named Cassandra, a formidable figure in her own right, rose to challenge her. Their clash was fierce, a battle of strength and resolve that rippled through the monster world.

When the dust settled, it was Alice who stood victorious, her position as Monster Lord cemented. The battle sent a clear message to friend and foe alike: Alice the 15th was no mere successor. She was a force to be reckoned with.

Despite all this, the road ahead remained uncertain. 

However, all of this didn't matter to a single succubus. A wandering queen who fled from her responsibilities.

"A bath like this is nice…♪" Alma Elma moaned softly, her voice lilting with pleasure as she sank deeper into the steaming waters of a hot spring nestled in the mountains near Yamatai. Her wings drooped lazily, and her tail swirled idly in the water, her entire body relaxed in perfect bliss.

The spring was quiet, the only sounds the gentle trickle of water and the occasional sigh of contentment escaping the succubus's lips. Above her, the straps sparkled faintly in the night sky, obscured slightly by the rising steam.

"This is the life," she murmured, stretching her arms above her head with a satisfied sigh. 

How long had she been running away? She couldn't remember. Days blurred into weeks, and weeks into months. The less she thought about it, the better. Thinking was always such a pain.

"Everything else…" she mumbled to herself, leaning back against a smooth rock, the warmth of the water lulling her into a trance-like state. "Everything else is just a pain."

Being alone like that was good for her. She only needed some company from time to time to recharge, but otherwise, she gladly looked forward to simple times like these. She even started doing painting, though she clearly lacked some skills.

Anything that could occupy her mind was welcome. 

Her fingers absentmindedly dipped into the water as she watched the ripples form around them. "I should ask Galla to help me with my writing too…" she laughed at the thought softly. Remembering the man plastered a wicked grin on her face. "Ufufu…I can't wait to tease him…♪"

As the night deepened and the steam rose, Alma Elma's naughty thoughts drifted off, replaced by the warmth of the spring and the quiet peace she had found in her self-imposed solitude…

"Miss, isn't it about time you get out of the bath? It's going to get bad for your skin at this rate." 

The unexpected voice broke through her peaceful reverie, pulling Alma Elma back to reality. She blinked slowly, a soft frown forming on her lips as she looked up to see the old woman standing near the edge of the spring. The elderly woman's expression was concerned but kind, her weathered face showing a certain maternal softness.

Alma Elma sighed, giving a lazy stretch as she slowly pushed herself up, the warmth of the bath still clinging to her skin. "I suppose you're right," she murmured, her voice still thick with contentment. "But it's just so... relaxing. I might have lost track of time."

The old woman shook her head with a faint smile. "I can tell. It's your skin I'm worried about, Miss. You won't stay young forever, you know."

Alma Elma chuckled at the remark, her mischievous grin returning. "Oh, I'm sure I'll be fine." She rose from the water, the steam swirling around her as she stepped out of the bath, her wings flaring slightly as the chill of the night air hit her skin. "But, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to listen to a wise woman every once in a while, hm?"

With that, Alma Elma wrapped herself in a towel and turned her attention back to the old woman, who was already preparing her things for the night. 

"By the way, Miss…" the old woman began, folding a towel carefully in her hands, her voice a bit more serious now. "A monster like you isn't afraid to travel like that? You said earlier you were looking for a place to stay, but…"

"Don't worry about me…♪" Alma Elma chuckled as she slipped on her outfit. "I'll be just fine."

There was something in Alma Elma's voice, a quiet confidence, that made the old woman hesitate for a moment. But she simply nodded, choosing not to press further. There were some things it was better not to inquire about.

"Thank you for the hospitality, though," Alma Elma added, her voice softening. "It's rare to find someone who doesn't mind my presence."

The old woman gave her a knowing smile, as though she understood that the succubus didn't just seek rest for her body, but for her mind too. A rare kindness was all she offered in return, though Alma Elma would likely never stay long enough to see it.

With a single flapping of her wings, she soared into the sky.

For a few days, she noticed how much the wind had changed. Before it was peaceful, now it held the foreboding of change, turmoil, and anger all mixed into one. 

After flying for a few meters, she noticed a familiar wind chasing after her. 

"I don't want to meet her…" she sighed as she looked behind her shoulder. She had been avoiding any person she knew all this time, perhaps it was time to confront them a bit.

Slowing her flight, Alma Elma hovered in place, her wings beating softly to keep her aloft. She straightened herself, brushing a stray lock of damp hair away from her face as she turned to face the figure closing in on her.

"Well," Alma Elma said, crossing her arms with a sly smile, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of weariness. "You've been chasing me for a while now, haven't you? What do you want, Sally?"

The old friend stopped in her tracks with a worried frown on her face. "Finally I find you. Where have you been all this time?"

"Oh, going there and there," Alma Elma shrugged. "I also participated in the tournament as Kyuba again."

"Don't you realize what's happening right now? Have you heard of what happened in Remina at least?"

"Oh, who do you take me for? Of course, I've heard about it…" she sighed.

"What do you intend to do as queen, then?" Sally crossed her arms. 

She knew Alma Elma wasn't one to care for the title, but she was worried she might enter into a full-blown war by herself against humans, knowing her thirst for battle.

Alma Elma tilted her head, her usual playful grin creeping back onto her lips. "Aww, Sally… You're underestimating me! I'm already working hard, you know?"

Sally blinked, startled by the unexpected response. "What?"

Alma Elma's grin widened, and her voice took on a lilting, singsong quality. "I've already taken a little trip to the Ilias Continent. Cull some promising heroes, keep the balance… You wouldn't want them running around and causing a ruckus, would you…♪?"

Sally's wings stiffened, and her eyes widened in alarm. "You did what?"

"They challenged me to a fight, and they got what they wanted…♪" Alma Elma continued. "Come on, don't be so serious. I haven't changed at all…"

Sally's worry shifted into a mixture of anger and exasperation. "This isn't a game, Alma. This is only adding fuel to the fire."

Alma Elma's smile faltered briefly, replaced by a flicker of something unreadable—regret, defiance, or perhaps a trace of doubt. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, hidden beneath her mask of playful confidence.

"Relax, Sally… It's not like it will change much anyway."

Sally hovered in silence, her frustration mounting as she searched for the right words to reach her friend. "So you just intend to fly around, culling strong heroes while not caring at all for the rest?"

Alma Elma let out a dramatic sigh, her voice dripping with playful annoyance. "Good grief, you're a piece of work, Sally," she muttered, rolling her eyes. "Grand Noah is still the same after the attack, and Yamatai is peaceful. It's not like everywhere is dangerous yet." She gave a flirtatious wink, her voice turning more teasing. "And yes. I intend to do just that. Isn't that what a succubus should do? Be free?"

Sally's mouth opened, but no words came out. Her thoughts swirled around, fighting against the weight of Alma Elma's nonchalance. She knew her friend was stubborn, but it stung to see her dismiss everything so easily. Alma Elma was right, though. She had always been like that. Carefree, untethered, unwilling to follow any rules but her own.

The perfect succubus.

Sally could feel it—the perfect balance of freedom and defiance that Alma Elma wore like a second skin. It was a beauty, a terrifying beauty, but one that could never truly settle in the world. It clashed with everything else.

And Alma Elma, the succubus who defied everything, just didn't care.

The silence between them grew heavier as Sally stared at her friend, who seemed oblivious to her inner conflict. In truth, the longer she watched Alma Elma, the more Sally realized the truth—Alma Elma wasn't hiding anything. It wasn't rebellion that clouded her, it was just that Alma Elma had always been above it all, untouched by the rules that bound others.

Alma Elma's grin widened at Sally's lack of response, as if she were basking in her own certainty. She gave a small tilt of her head, her eyes narrowing slightly in a playful challenge.

"So, Sally… what now?" she asked, her tone sweet with mischief.

Sally finally closed her mouth, feeling a sense of helplessness. "Do what you want, Alma… I've got nothing left to say."

In fact, perhaps her own way of doing things was the best she could do. This crisis wasn't one the succubi could resolve themselves, and their already divisive nature wasn't a good match with the current times.

But if, and with a big hypothetical if, a succubus was capable of giving a little light-hearted mood in the world with her antics, then perhaps…

"Okay, then…" Alma Elma turned around. "I'll go meet Galla. It's been a while since I wanted to pay him a visit…♪"

"Do you intend to go visit your mother?"

The queen froze. "What did you say?" Alma Elma's voice was low, the playful tone completely gone.

Sally's gaze was steady, though there was a hint of guilt in her eyes. "She asked me to tell you something if I ever found you. She turned human to live with her husband. And… she disowned you."

Of course, she was told not to tell her the reason why. Elira hoped that by disowning her, Alma Elma wouldn't be bound by rules anymore so that she could find her own way of being a queen.

The silence that followed felt oppressive, and Alma Elma stood there, frozen, her wings tucked tightly against her back as if they no longer knew how to fly. The carefree queen—the one who had always spun through the world without a care—was gone, replaced by a deep, almost suffocating stillness.

Sally could see Alma Elma's jaw tightening, her eyes not focusing on anything in particular. She opened her mouth to say something, anything, but nothing came out. The words that had always come so easily to her now seemed cruel and out of place.

"Why?" Alma Elma finally managed, her voice barely audible. She wasn't looking at Sally now, her gaze lost in the distance. "This is absurd. A succubus as proud as herself, turning human? I thought she went crazy when she said she wanted to marry that human but now I'm certain."

"Alma Elma… Don't say that, she—"

"No need to say anything," the queen of succubi cut her short. "Thank you for delivering the message and my answer is no. I'm not going to visit her."

With that, she turned and left in a blur, leaving no chance for Sally to even catch up to her.

"Damn… She's even faster than before…" Sally mused as she couldn't even see Alma Elma's form in the sky. "She hasn't been lacking in training, I see…"

Sally stood motionless, her thoughts tangled with a mix of emotions. The look in Alma Elma's eyes—defiant, hurt, and uncertain—had been too much to process in that instant. And now, it was clear that she would never show her true feelings again. Not even to her.

She would bury them under a mask of pride, playfulness, and unpredictability, just like before.

"She's not going to let anyone in… not anymore," Sally muttered under her breath, the weight of Alma Elma's refusal still pressing down on her chest.

She couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. Maybe there had been a better way to deliver the message, a gentler approach. But the words had been too heavy to soften, and now it was done. There was nothing more she could do.

"Damn... I really messed that up," Sally muttered to herself, shaking her head. She knew that Alma Elma's pride ran deep, but she also knew that her friend wasn't as invulnerable as she pretended to be.

With a heavy sigh, Sally lowered herself back to the ground, her wings folding neatly against her back. She glanced up at the empty sky, still searching for any sign of Alma Elma's retreating figure, but the queen of succubi was already gone.

"Guess it's time to figure out what I'm supposed to do now…" she whispered to herself, her mind heavy with thoughts of the future.

And with one last glance toward the skies where Alma Elma had vanished, Sally walked away.

The night was still in its middle, and Alma Elma landed near Galla's house with a soft thud. Without a sound, she pushed the door open and entered the house. Then, with a wicked grin, she slipped inside his bed and held him close.

The man seemed to move in his sleep, bothered by the foreign element intruding on his bed.

Galla shifted slightly, his body responding to the warmth, but still deeply asleep. Alma Elma let out a soft chuckle, her breath light against his neck as she watched him stir.

"Mm... who—?" he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep as he unconsciously reached for the warmth beside him.

"Shh..." Alma Elma whispered teasingly, her fingers tracing the outline of his shoulder as she nestled closer, her presence still hidden in the shadows of the room. "It's me."

His eyes blinked open slowly, his gaze unfocused at first as he tried to comprehend the situation. Then, his face was pale upon recognizing the two crimson rubies staring at him, and the familiar sweet scent that humiliated him a year ago.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"

Galla's frantic attempt to escape only made Alma Elma's grip tighter, her arms securing him against the bed. She smirked down at him, her eyes glimmering with amusement as his body twitched beneath hers.

"What's wrong, Galla?" she purred, her voice sweet yet teasing. "Did you miss me that much? I just wanted to check in…♪"

He gasped, his breath coming out in quick, panicked bursts as he tried to push her off, but Alma Elma was far too strong, and the sudden onslaught of memories left him both confused and overwhelmed. Her touch was all too familiar—he could feel the warmth of her body against his, the scent of her perfume, and the weight of her presence pressing down on him.

Soon, he felt himself surrender to her touch and began to shiver.

"Alma Elma, w-what are you doing here?!" he managed to choke out, his voice trembling from a mixture of terror and arousal.

She grinned wider, leaning in closer to him. "I thought you'd be happy to see me after so long."

His chest heaved as he tried to find his bearings, but the panic was undeniable. He could feel his pulse racing, his heart pounding in his ears. "Please don't eat me…" he closed his eyes tightly, hoping that she would go away if he didn't look at her.

Alma Elma leaned in, her face dangerously close to his. "You don't want me to eat you? But you're so hard…♪ Isn't your body betraying you?"

"Ah… Please…" Galla whimpered as he could feel her hand sliding down to his crotch teasingly.

"How about we have a good night of fun you and I…♪? Afterwards you can help me with what I need."

Alma Elma's eyes glowed with a predatory intensity as she gazed down at Galla, her body pressed firmly against his. Her hand continued to tease his crotch, drawing out soft whimpers and involuntary twitches from him. She leaned in closer, her breath hot against his ear as she whispered.

"And don't worry, I won't eat you… Unless you want me to. But I would be disappointed if you did…♪"

Her free hand traced patterns on his chest, leaving goosebumps in its wake. Galla's eyes fluttered open and closed, his body quivering beneath her touch. He managed to stammer out, "I-I don't understand... what kind of help could I possibly give you?"

"Shh… First comes the reward, then your help…♪" she muttered in his ear before stroking his cock with expert hands.

In a matter of seconds, he became a moaning mess, her hand working him up into a frenzy. The heat of her breath on his skin, combined with the intoxicating touch of her fingers, made it difficult for Galla to think clearly.

He tried to form coherent thoughts, but all he could manage was, "Oh... oh my god... please... don't..." 

Alma Elma's face twisted into a wicked smile, her tongue darting out to wet the curve of her mouth as she continued her ministrations. "Don't what? Don't feel good? Don't enjoy it? I can stop if you really want me to..." She paused, her hand stilling its movement, but not completely withdrawing. 

Galla's entire body tensed, his hips instinctively pushing forward, seeking more contact. His breath came in short, ragged gasps as he fought against himself, torn between desire and the memory of how terrifying she had been.

"Perhaps you want me to use my tail just like last time? You liked it don't you?" she teased as she opened her tail in front of his face, the flesh pulsating lewdly.

Galla's eyes widened in terror at the sight of her tail, memories of the agonizing pleasure it had inflicted flooding back to him. His body shook, and he let out a whimper, "N-no, please... not the tail..." 

Alma Elma chuckled with a slight pout. "Aww… I thought you liked it…" She withdrew the tail from his face and resumed the movement of her hand. "Then, I'll make you cum like this… Ufufu…♪"

The intoxicating feel of her fingers working him to the brink of ecstasy, combined with the fear and shame of his body's betrayal, pushed him to his limits. 

Alma Elma watched his face intently, her eyes sparkling with amusement as his resolve crumbled under her expert touch. "Is it good? Your body is trembling so much…♪" She whispered, her freed hand darting out to cover his mouth with her fingers. "You don't have to hold back. Let it out, Galla. I want to hear how much you like it."

His hips bucked involuntarily, pushing against her teasing touches. "Ah... n-not... please... stop..." But even as the words left his mouth, they were laced with a faint whimper that betrayed his true feelings.

Alma Elma's grin widened at his weak protests, her fingers working him faster and more insistently. She then increased the pressure of her hand, her thumb circling the tip of his cock teasingly as she continued her relentless assault on his senses.

Galla's breath came in short, ragged gasps as Alma Elma's relentless fingers drove him closer to the edge. Her free hand maintained its grip on his mouth, muffling his increasingly desperate sounds as his hips involuntarily thrust up to meet her skilled touch. 

"You're so close now... let it go... let me have it all..." Her words became a husky whisper, dripping with lust. She leaned forward, her face mere inches from his as she continued working him over, her tail twitching with restrained eagerness to join in.

With one final, merciless stroke, she pushed him over the brink. Galla's entire body arched off the bed, his muffled cry of release swallowed by her hand as he spilled himself into her waiting palm. His climax was intense and seemingly endless, waves of ecstasy crashing through his body as she continued to milk every last drop from him.

"Good boy…♪ You let out so much, Galla…" She nestled his head against her cleavage and kept milking him until he was utterly spent. With lustful eyes, she licked his seed off her fingers and looked at him with a grin. "Are you happy now?"

"I'm happy…" Galla panted, basking in the afterglow of his intense orgasm. His body still trembled with residual pleasure as he gazed up at her adoringly. 

"Look at you…♪ All cute and obedient now," Alma Elma chuckled as she caressed his cheek tenderly. "Now, how about you rest for a while? I have a favor to ask you later."

Without waiting for another word, Galla closed his eyes and began to drift back to sleep.

Alma Elma watched Galla's breathing slow and his body relax as he succumbed to sleep. She ran her fingers through his hair, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.

"Sweet dreams… of me…♪" she chuckled one last time before drifting to sleep as well.

Galla startled awake, his heart pounding. The room was dark, the only light coming from the filtered sunlight from the shutters. He blinked a few times, trying to get his bearings. That's when he felt it—a warm, soft weight pressed against his side. He glanced over to see Alma Elma curled up next to him, her head resting on his chest.

"What the..." he muttered, his voice rough with sleep. He gently pushed her off of him and sat up, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "Oh right, she…"

The succubus stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She stretched languidly, arching her back in a way that made Galla's mouth go dry. "Mmm, good morning, Galla," she purred, her voice low and sultry. "I hope I didn't disturb you too much last night."

"You demon…" he shot back, the memories of last night coming back to him. "This isn't fair to assault me like that in the middle of the night… You almost gave me a heart attack!"

"What, are you telling me you didn't like it?" Alma Elma chuckled, her body lying lazily on the bed. "I was bored so I decided to give you a visit."

"I don't care if you were bored!" Galla snapped, his face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and lingering arousal. "You can't just barge into my room and do whatever you want to me!"

"I'm pretty sure I can," Alma Elma smirked. "How did it feel? The hand of the queen of succubi?"

"Y-You're queen?!" Galla's face paled and he took a step back from the shock. 

"Of course, darling…♪" Alma Elma said, her voice dripping with playful dominance as she slowly straightened, watching his reaction closely.

Galla swallowed hard, his heart racing as he stared at Alma Elma in disbelief. The revelation that she was the queen of the succubi sent a shiver down his spine.

"Are you… are you really the queen?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly. "Why would someone like you come here? And what do you want with me?"

Alma Elma chuckled before standing up from the bed. "I told you, I was bored. And I wanted to ask you for some help with something."

"Help? From me?" Galla was confused by what she wanted. "I thought you said you would eat me the next time we meet."

"I just said it would've felt good. Not that I would do it."

"And what do you want to ask me?"

"You're a writer, right?" Alma Elma took a few steps toward him, her eyes flicking down to the desk where unfinished drafts and notes lay scattered. "Could you teach me the basics?"

Galla blinked, caught off guard. "Eh? You... want me to help you with writing?"

"Did I fry your brain last night? I thought I was going easy on you but…" 

"No, no," Galla was still processing the words, his mouth opening and closing in disbelief. "You... want me, a random writer, to teach you, the queen of succubi, how to write?"

"Can't you?"

For a long moment, Galla stared at her, completely thrown off. This was... beyond anything he could have imagined. The queen of succubi, of all people, asking him—someone who had no claim to greatness—to teach her something as simple as writing?

"Uh, I... I guess I could, but why on earth would you—?"

"Because I'm curious," Alma Elma interrupted, her smile widening. "I've always liked reading books and I want to write my own stories now."

Galla was still processing, his mind spinning. "So it's not even for formal affairs but just for… novels?"

Alma Elma nodded. "Exactly. I'm curious about storytelling, and I'd like to try writing something of my own."

"Don't tell me… Those stories you have in mind… They're the lewd kind, aren't they?"

"They're the lewd kind…♪"

"B-but... but why me?" he finally managed to stammer out. "Surely there are more... experienced people you could learn from."

Alma Elma's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Because we already know each other," she simply said. "Also because I managed to get my hands on some of your novels, and I like your style. I especially liked the last one you wrote where a man falls in love with a succubus. It was... cute…♪"

"YOU READ IT?!" Galla's face turned an even deeper shade of red as he tried to cover his face with his hands, mortified.

"Of course I did...♪" Alma Elma chuckled, thoroughly enjoying the reaction she was getting. "I was even more surprised when the succubus in question had purple hair."

Galla cringed, wishing the ground would swallow him whole. "Stop it... End my suffering... This is too embarrassing..."

"Oh, come now, Galla. There's no need to be so shy about it." Alma Elma gently pulled his hands away from his face, a warm smile on her lips. "I thought it was sweet. Really, I did. Now, how about you teach me those skills of yours, hm?"

Galla swallowed hard, still flustered. "I... I don't even know where to start."

Alma Elma gave him a knowing look, one that seemed to suggest she wasn't going to give up so easily. "You're the writer. You'll figure it out. Besides, I'm sure I'll be a quick learner."

He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly overwhelmed but also intrigued by the strange situation. "I never thought I'd be teaching a succubus queen how to write... let alone write that kind of story."

"Life is full of surprises," Alma Elma purred. "Now, let's get started, shall we?"

This was one of the many events in her life. A small moment of reprieve, a wish to learn from others, and a way to run from any lingering doubts in her mind.

Soon she would become a famous writer under the name of Arumaru, known for its seven-volume series of books titled "The Days of Love and Misfortune".

A story of romance, tragedy, and sometimes comedy. A story that could be anybody's life.

And so the days passed, the months passed, the years passed…

Time seemed to fly by as she drowned herself in hedonistic pleasure, her life rythmed by various activities.

A certain yoma would be born from the Monster Lord.

She would learn how to paint from the monsters living in the castle.

She would learn how to play music and create various compositions.

From time to time she would come to the Coliseum, relishing in some fights.

Eventually, everything became a routine, and her mind often wandered back to old times.

Was she a failure as queen? Was she good enough? What did she truly want?

No matter how hard she tried, she would never feel fulfilled. Like a ghost haunting her, telling her she will never be enough. A failure as a succubus, forever. A failure as a martial artist for having discarded her fists, forever.

With those thoughts gnawing at her mind, she led a life seemingly free to others. 

But always shackled by those never-ending thoughts in the back of her mind…

…When finally, she receives a strange letter from an old friend.