The way of the fist

Eight years had passed since Alma Elma's birth, and the once delicate, newborn succubus had transformed into a lively and mischievous little imp. Her ruby red eyes sparkled with curiosity as she explored the village, showing a rare innocence despite the complex world she was growing into.

In a world where the teachings of Ilias dictated an unwavering divide between humans and monsters, Alma Elma was forced to live a life of secrecy. Although some humans had become accustomed to the presence of various monsters, succubi were especially despised. The villagers knew her only as the "strange little girl" with a peculiar charm about her.

So, in order to secure her daughter's safety and future, Elira had grown used to disguise her true nature. Through spells, she would cloak Alma Elma's wings, horns, and tail, making it seem as if they never existed when she ventured out into the village. 

However, she was mostly kept within the walls of their tiny home, in a room carefully arranged in the underground to avoid any problems. 

The protection worked well, for the villagers had come to accept her as nothing more than a quirky little girl who always seemed to vanish whenever she was the center of attention. 

But the wind always seeks freedom, and Alma Elma wasn't content with just blending in or hiding. And so, for months, she had tried to sneak away unnoticed—slipping through cracks in the village's boundaries, only to be caught each time.

The villagers, ever vigilant, reported anything out of the ordinary, and Elira would swiftly intervene by pulling her back by the ear. 

"Why don't you ever listen to me? You'll leave the village when you are a proper succubus."

Of course, her mother knew she couldn't contain her daughter much longer. But the world outside was dangerous for a little one like herself, and she was a bit worried for her safety. 

"No!" she would protest, sticking out her tongue at her mother. "Next time, I will go outside!"

With a playful yet defiant grin, Alma Elma would dart away, retreating to her room downstairs where she could escape the incoming scolding she had grown used to.

Elira sighed as she watched her daughter not listen to a word she was saying. If only it was just that attitude, but unfortunately, there were other problems. 

Alma Elma didn't want to learn anything. Or at least, she didn't want to take any lessons from her mother. After teaching her the basics—how to read, write, and understand the simple concepts of their heritage—Elira had hoped to guide her daughter into becoming a proper succubus. Yet Alma Elma quickly grew bored of her lessons. Despite Elira's best efforts to instill knowledge about their kind—succubus history and techniques—Alma Elma would turn her head away with a pout, uninterested, as though these lessons were an unbearable chore.

It was frustrating for her. After all, she wasn't the only one who had been born recently. Her rival, Trish, had given birth to a brilliant little girl who learned a lot of skills in a matter of years. 

"If it was just the attitude, I could handle it," Elira muttered, rubbing her temples in frustration. "But…there's more." 

Alma Elma had developed another troubling habit: violence. Whenever the other kids teased her or tried to bully her, she would retaliate fiercely. A swift kick to the gut or a well-placed shove would put anyone who crossed her in their place. The other villagers had already started calling her "violent girl," and Elira feared that this reputation would stick. She didn't want Alma Elma to become someone who resorted to violence at every turn.

Elira shook her head. She was just going through a phase, she thought. Soon, she would see the pleasure of being a succubus and their true way of life. She was confident, it was her daughter after all.

"I just have to be patient," Elira whispered to herself. 

In time, she knew she would need to bring a man to her, a way to teach her daughter, someone who would awaken the natural instincts of a succubus. Elira hoped that once Alma Elma experienced this, her interest would finally be piqued.

But then, one cold night, when the moon shone brightly overhead and the air was thick with the chill of winter, Alma Elma tried to slip away again.

Without making any sound, she climbed up the stairs and opened the little trapdoor that led to the living room. With a quick look from left to right, she assessed that her mother was asleep and quickly scrambled to the front door. 

With a soft flick of her wrist, she twisted the knob of the front door. It creaked open, but not loudly enough to give her away. She stepped out, her breath visible in the chilly air, and for a moment, everything seemed perfect.

The world opened itself to her. There was no one outside, only the faint sound of the tree's leaves rustling from the wind. 

Alma Elma felt her heart thump with excitement. She had done it. She had escaped.

"I made it!" she whispered to herself, a grin stretching across her face as she pumped her fist in triumph.

Then, without a second thought, she dashed forward, her feet light as air. She ran through the village, her mind racing with imagination without knowing what to expect outside. 

She watched the moon with sparkling eyes, examined the grass and the little insects walking the earth, brushed the grass with her fingers, and ran. 

She flapped her wings as fast as she could and managed to glide a little, her tail flicking behind her as she took in the environment.

"Yay!" she screamed into the dead night, enjoying the sensation of flying alone for the first time. 

For a brief moment, she thought of nothing but the joy of flying. No one to bother her, no one to scold her, pure freedom. 

But then, something shifted near her. 

In the distance, a shadow moved. Alma Elma's sharp eyes caught it, and her excitement dwindled rapidly. Her wings slowed, and she descended a few feet, her gaze narrowing as she tried to make sense of the movement. The shape was shifty, flitting just out of her line of sight, and her heart began to race.

Was it a threat?

Curiosity burned inside her, stronger than fear. She hovered in place, her wings still, listening to the rustling of leaves and the breeze stirring the trees. 

Without thinking she flew forward to chase after it. Her tail flicked, and her wings pushed her faster as she darted between the trees with agility. However, she was still immature and not used to flight, as she lost soon control of herself and barreled right into the ground after dodging a few trees.

Alma Elma tumbled through the air, the wind rushing past her ears in a chaotic blur. Her wings flapped in a frantic attempt to regain control, but it was too late. She hit the ground with a soft thud, rolling across the forest floor before coming to a halt.

For a moment, she lay still, her breath coming in sharp gasps. The sudden impact had knocked the wind out of her, and she felt the sting of the earth against her skin. But despite the discomfort, she didn't cry out. Her pride refused to let her, and she was already picking herself up, brushing dirt from her clothes.

"What the...?" Alma Elma muttered, shaking her head to clear the dizziness.

She glanced around, trying to locate the shadow she had been following. The forest was still, and there was no sign of any movement. The silence was almost unnerving. Her pulse raced as she realized how far she had gone, how deep into the woods she was.

Her wings twitched and she quickly turned around. She could still sense, albeit faintly, the presence of the shadow. 

There was another soft rustling in the branches, and her heart began to pound faster.

"Hello?" Alma Elma called. She was already assuming a slight stance, ready to throw a punch if necessary. She didn't want to appear frightened, but the uncertainty of the moment nagged her.

Without warning, a figure stepped out from behind a cluster of trees. Alma Elma's breath caught in her throat as she looked at the creature before her.

"Hee…? A kid…?" 

It stood tall, easily towering over her. A monster that roamed the gold region, a Mantis Girl. Its long, sharp limb glinted in the moonlight, her long segmented legs and her razor-sharp claws clicked together dangerously as it approached. 

Alma Elma stood her ground but her heart raced. She knew from her mother that these monsters around here didn't hesitate to prey on others when they were hungry.

The Mantis Girl tilted her head slightly, her antennas twitching as it examined the small figure before it.

"Are you lost…?" she asked with a grin.

"I'm not lost!" Alma Elma snapped, betraying her nervousness. "And I'm not afraid of you."

The Mantis Girl studied her for a moment, its mandibles clicking thoughtfully. Then, with a small chuckle, it tilted its head to the other side. "Hee… I have never eaten a succubus before…" it mused aloud, its tone almost contemplative. "...Prefer human… but you'll do…"

Alma Elma's fists tightened even further, her eyes narrowing. She wasn't going to back down. She had faced bullies before, monsters that had been just as intimidating. But this… this was different. A Mantis Girl wasn't just another threat; it was a predator. And Alma Elma was just a small, inexperienced child.

"You think I'll let you eat me?" she challenged, her fists ready.

The Mantis Girl grinned wider, its sharp teeth glinting in the moonlight. "Hee… No need permission."

In an instant, the Mantis Girl lunged forward, its sharp claws cutting through the air with terrifying speed. Alma Elma didn't even have time to react before one of the claws slashed across her face, leaving a stinging, burning sensation.

The pain shocked her, and before she could regain her balance, the force of the strike sent her tumbling backward. She hit the ground with a dull thud, the wind knocked out of her.

For a moment, she lay there, dazed, her cheek throbbing where the claw had struck. She could taste the blood in her mouth, and the sting in her face only fueled the need to face the challenge. 

"Get up," she muttered to herself as she tried to push herself back to her feet. 

The Mantis Girl watched her, amused. "Just give up…. Easier that way."

"No," Alma Elma snapped, forcing herself into a fighting stance despite her shaking limbs. "I'm not giving up."

The Mantis Girl tilted her head, her antennae twitching in mild interest. "Hee… Hee…"

She might not be strong enough to defeat the Mantis Girl, but she wasn't going to let that stop her. Her mind was racing to find a way out, a way to turn this around.

The Mantis Girl seemed to sense her hesitation and lunged again, her claw slicing through the air quickly. This time, Alma Elma was ready. Her wings snapped open, and with a burst of speed, she darted sideways, narrowingly avoiding the sharp claws that came too close for comfort.

The Mantis Girl snarled in frustration and whipped around, her powerful legs propelling her forward in another attack. Alma Elma darted upward, her wings carrying her just out of reach. The predator's claws swiped at the air below her, but Alma Elma was already moving, weaving through the trees with surprising agility.

"You're fast…," the Mantis Girl admitted, her tone a mixture of irritation and grudging respect. "But won't escape me!"

The Mantis Girl was right. Alma Elma soon lost control of her flight and accidentally hit a tree, stopping her escape completely. 

As Alma Elma rubbed the back of her head, trying to shake off the dizziness from her crash, a sudden sharp pain shot through her right arm. She gasped, her eyes widening as she realized what had happened. One of the Mantis Girl's claws had caught her, pinning her firmly against the tree.

"Gotcha," the Mantis Girl hissed, a wicked grin spreading across her face. Her other claw hovered dangerously close, ready to strike if Alma Elma made any sudden moves. "I told you… Heehee… No escaping me…"

Alma Elma struggled, her wings twitching against the rough bark of the tree. The claw pressing against her arm sent jolts of pain through her body, but she refused to let it show. Gritting her teeth, she glared at the Mantis Girl.

"Are you sure… you succubus?" The Mantis Girl recoiled slightly from the defiant glare the kid was giving her. 

Alma Elma's free hand struck the Mantis Girl repeatedly, but the punches merely glanced off the predator's hard exoskeleton. Each impact sent a dull ache through her knuckles, but she didn't stop. She refused to give up, even as her efforts seemed futile.

The Mantis Girl chuckled, her mandibles clicking in amusement. "That's cute… But I hungry…"

The claw pinning Alma Elma against the tree pressed down harder, and she gritted her teeth against the pain. Then, she was lifted off the ground and the little appendage at the back of the Mantis Girl opened to reveal a fleshy-like interior.

Alma Elma fought harder in desperation as she was about to enter inside, and she punched harder.

"Let… me… go!" she shouted in between pained gasps.

But just as Alma Elma was about to be lowered into the creature's maw, the Mantis Girl froze. Her body convulsed violently, her grip on Alma Elma loosening. With a groan, she crumpled to the ground, releasing Alma Elma in the process.

Alma Elma dropped to the ground with a painful thud, her legs barely able to support her. She clutched her injured arm, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she tried to make sense of what had just happened. The Mantis Girl lay motionless, her body twitching slightly as if she had just been hit with critical ecstasy.

"Alma!" Elira's voice boomed in the forest as she rushed closer to the scene. "What did I tell you about leaving the village, again?!" Her piercing eyes darted from Alma's injuries to the incapacitated Mantis Girl.

Elira knelt beside her daughter, her expression softening as she gently inspected Alma's injured arm. "Let's go back home. I will heal you." Her tone was stern, but her touch was tender as she lifted her daughter off the ground.

She looked over at the Mantis Girl, who still twitched faintly on the ground. "As for you, don't come back near the village."

As they left the clearing, Alma Elma cast one last look at the Mantis Girl, who lay motionless.

She had lost this fight, she had been powerless against a simple brainless monster like her. 

Her fists clenched and she swore under her breath. 

Next time would be different.