After teleporting to Yamatai, Alma Elma carefully flew toward the isolated "Fluffy Island". She didn't care to remember the name of the mountain-surrounded country-sized landmass, but its population was mostly made of kitsunes and tanukis, and, even after Tamamo told her its name several times, she kept forgetting it and kept calling the place with that name in honor of its inhabitants.
Once its mountains were in sight, Alma Elma started flying slower and more silently, as close to the sea as possible. She remembered having travelled to the place a few times to the mixed pleasure of her fellow Heavenly Knight, and she knew that the place was a death trap to the unwary. It was the playgrounds of two races of pranksters, and only the local monsters' natural resilience prevented any deaths. A normal human would get torn apart by the numerous cantrips and other traps left by one or the other pranksters. Ninjas were running wild, practicing their skills into hit and runs against tougher guardians, and the small blond kitsune regularly joked that every tree, rock and insects had eyes reporting to her.
She flew as close to the sea as possible in hope of remaining concealed to any would-be sentries. Well… She was supposedly one of Tamamo's colleagues, but after her rampage in San Ilia, and, worse, if she indeed rampaged in the kitsune village, her collague would more thank likely welcome her very coldly.
After flying as close to the mountain as she could, Alma Elma landed in the middle of the thick forest with the hope that nobody saw her arrive. She carefully examined her surroundings, the unfamiliar vegetation and noises almost taunting her. It wasn't the forest of pines and oaks she was used to, but one of bamboos and other exotic trees that were closer to Yamatai. Her magic senses didn't pick up any kitsunes so far, but she was wary of the fox kin. Succubi excelled when it comes to disguising themselves to look like anyone, but the damn foxes could make themselves disappear from plain sight with their ninjutsus.
And so, Alma Elma started making her way through the dense forest, moving under the cover of the wind, while carefully trying to not trigger the locals magic senses of one of the locals as well as one of their numerous trap. She had to stop herself regularly to avoid one or the other trap, such as a talisman hidden against a tree, a conspicuous pile of leafs in a clearing, or small, almost invisible wires hidden between trees. She was switching her way of moving herself between walking and hovering to avoid anything that could remotely look like a trap.
As she progressed, her senses picked up a presence on one of the trees in front of her. As she got closer, she got a better look at the sentry: It was a two-tailed trainee whose brown fur made her exceptionally hard to see in the woods, and her training gi was a mix of green and brown. The relatively young-looking monster was turned toward another direction entirely, but Alma Elma redoubled her effort to get sure she wouldn't be noticed, and prayed that the trainee's presence didn't mean that a more powerful instructor was roaming around.
However, as she carefully hovered forward, she was slowed in her progress by an almost invisible thin thread. The material didn't resist her advance, but upon breaking, several bells were released and produced a small cacophony, attracting the attention of the fox. In the blink of an eye Alma Elma was over her, a hand over her mouth to silence her while her supple limbs wrapped around her victim like so many snakes. The kitsune struggled a bit at first, but eventually Alma Elma's pheromones took a hold of her brain, and, after a few seconds, she stopped moving, her mind dazed by pleasure and desire. The Succubus Queen slowly released her prey who slowly slid down, utterly stoned out of her mind. Still, Alma Elma delicately placed her at the base of the tree. The fox's mentor would likely find her student later and castigate her for being caught off guard or for falling asleep.
The sun was already setting when she arrived in sight of the kitsune village. The large hamlet didn't look so different from Yamatai, its houses identical to the other oriental settlement. The main difference could be found in the population, which was exclusively made of kitsunes accompanied by a few select men who had been chosen as their partners. At this hour, most of them were back home, cooking or eating. Good, if anything, it meant Alma Elma's own smell would be concealed by that smell and less people would be wandering the street.
The Succubus queen started wondering if she had indeed drunkenly rampaged in this very place. There were no signs of disturbance, everybody was going on their daily lives… She carefully made her way closer to eavesdrop on possible conversation while checking for any traps. The last thing she wanted was to be discovered by Tamamo in her hometown. The kitsune might make her pay this unplanned visit dearly.
Most discussions were about training or the possibility going on an adventure to learn more about the world and find a mate. After a few minutes of listening left and right, one conversation attracted her full attention.
"So you trained outdoor today? That's strange, usually it's more by the end of the month, and you were all supposed to work on talismans…"
"Yes!" A childish voice giggled. "Mistress Yao was apparently quite angry, and the teachers told us that we were going to change our timetable to practice outside instead. When I snuck, I heard her say that there was an intrusion last night and that the building needs some restoration. They locked it in the meantime."
"Hurgh, I guess it's one of those damn tanukis… Those greedy raccoons are such a nuisance!"
Alma Elma managed to sneak away of her hiding spot still undetected. She knew where to check now… And she had no doubt that Tamamo or Yao knew she was the culprit. Well, she'd deal with them in due time, for now she had to check the magnitude of the disaster.
She examined the different buildings, and managed to identify a large, cubic one with several large windows and a large yard as the goal of her research. Once night had fallen, and once she was sure there was nobody outside looking at the entrance, she carefully snuck to the front door, subtly broke the magical lock with her skills, and entered as fast as possible before sliding the door back.
Once inside, she had no doubt that she had indeed trespassed into the place last night. An overpowering incense was burning through with the intent to wash out the smell of succubus pheromones. Even in the dark, the succubus could see traces of her rampage, some not-so-subtly showing that her stomach had started to reject her earlier imbibitions. As she started checking the place room by room, a few memories of her last night came back: She had decided to check the inside of the school based on the idea that kitsunes would use some high quality pillows for nap time. The only other thing she remembered was making forced breaks on an all-too regular basis.
Well, if Tamamo or her lieutenants already cleaned the place, it was likely that her outfit was in whatever room they used as their lounge or office or personnal shrine… After a few minutes, she found a warded room that could only be the object of her search. As silently as ever, she broke the ward, silently entered inside the place, and checked its content. There was a heavily protected wardrobe in a corner, and Alma Elma slowly crept toward her goal, fully focused on the locked furniture…
…And somehow failing to notice any of the symbols on the floor.
The room was suddenly bathed into a crepuscular light, and the Succubus Queen felt her limbs lock up as the symbols started glowing.
"Good evening Alma Elma." An all too familiar voice echoed from somewhere on her side, childish but cold. A force turned her to fact Tamamo who was sitting behind a small writing desk, her eyes closed as she fanned herself, all while a cup of tea was steaming in front of her. "You've been quite disturbed by recent events I suppose?"
"…For how long have you been waiting me?"
"Less than a few minutes. I knew you'd come back sooner than later, then someone reported an incident with a trainee. The rest was pure deduction. You're a succubus, you would try breaking in at night to recover what you lost."
"Awww…" Alma Elma attempted to move to hug her fellow Heavenly Knight, but was held back by the symbols. She talked again in her usual sensuous voice. "I'm just like the wind, carefree and going as I please."
"And you've just been like a storm, carelessly destroying everything in your path and leaving devastation in your wake…" Tamamo opened her jaded eyes as she snapped her fan close. "My spies reported what you did before you reached this place. When it comes to wrecking kingdoms, you could give little old me a run for her money. And then you came here for your apotheosis."
Upon seeing Alma Elma's confused expression, Tamamo sighed. "Of course, you were so drunk that you forgot. I could tell you everything and help you fix most of the exactions you committed during your drunken blundering, but first I'm going to have you do a small task for me first…"
Alma Elma gulped loudly, all cheeriness gone once again. "You used to be more… subtle."
"And I used to not have to deal with worse than a lost student in the wood… Now, are you interested?"
"Do I even have a choice?"
"Yes. You could just leave and ignore everything, finally tearing down once and for all any value the crown of Succubus Queen has, make yourself look like an irresponsible drunkard to your new partners' eyes, which would push him straight into Morrigan's or Lilith&Lilim's embrace, all while destroying the little reputation the Heavenly Knights has left, which I have no doubt will also displease Granberia… Or you could, for one of the very few occasions where you're actually asked for something, take up the mantle of your responsibilities and start doing something called being productive."
"And what do you actually have in mind? Because-"
"I'm not talking about making you a pincushion for practice if that's what you're thinking, nor I am considering the idea of getting you to try to control the Lilith Sisters. They're a lost cause as far as I'm concerned. No, I had something… different in mind that would allow us to take full advantage of your speed and mobility for a more personnal issue. That little service would free my hands, and make sure that I'll be able to help clear your tab. It's a win-win."
Alma Elma pondered the kitsune's words for a moment. She had the nagging feeling she wasn't going to enjoy it anyway, but she had screwed up enough to actually care about her future.
"…Very well. I accept."
"I'm baaack…"
Alma Elma was pouting as she showed up in front of Tamamo less than an hour later. The kitsune happily smiled back: With Alma Elma switching personnal value items between both factions, she just had completed a false flag operation between the tanukis and the snow elves, further straining their relationships and decreasing the commercial abilities of the racoons.
"Good, they'll be busy investigating each other for a while and that will keep the tanuki queen of my back for a while. That should teach her to not mess with me."
"You know, as much as I enjoyed this little adventure, I'm not comfortable being involved in your small war like that. I feel actually dirty…"
"Why not? You already sucked her husband dry. And somehow I was the one she accused."
"Oh…" Alma Elma awkwardly scratched the back of her head. She better understood the kitsune's cold reception earlier.
"But you did your part and I shall honor mine." Tamamo opened the wardrobe to grab a sealed box that contained Alma Elma's outfit. "Also, when was the last time you washed it? Yao told me she almost got sick when she locked it!"
"Secret ". When the kitsune kept holding the box, she decided to come out clean. "…A week ago."
"You should wash it more often then… Now, as to what you did..." Tamamo sighed and started fanning herself while pulling out a talisman from her dress. "I think it's better if you see for yourself."
A veil of darkness covered Alma Elma's eyes.
She was now strolling outside under the starry sky, only the sound of sandals disturbing the silence of the night as she was walking through the plaza of the village. Then suddenly, she looked up at the still sky when a dark form blocked a few stars. That unidentified flying object came closer and closer before crashing near the school in a cacophony of pebbles rolling comparable to thunder, followed by the sound of giggling. The projectile emerged from its small crater to reveal a large purple mane, two bat wings, and small white horns. What was Alma Elma doing here?
"Best landing today…"
As dust cleared up, Alma Elma slowly walked toward the school's door, with that indescribable gait used by drunken people wanting to be as silent as possible before falling. And as she slid the door on the side, the Succubus Queen fell once more on the ground, giggling once again. A sigh escaped someones's mouth as a hand blocked the spectacle temporarily.
It was only at that moment that Alma Elma understood. She was seeing her rampage from Tamamo's perspective. The kitsune had watched her from the beginning to the end without stepping in.
The kitsune silently followed her drunken fellow, carefully watching every one of her actions as she stumbled through the hallways. After a single minute, it was clear that the Succubus Queen had no idea what she was doing. As she wobbled against a wall, she regurgitated on the floor and started fanning herself with her hand.
"Ooooh, is it me, or it is getting hot here?"
Then Alma Elma removed her outfit. The action took her several minutes, her natural dexterity completely missing from any of her movement as she had to almost tear the cloth from her body. As she managed to finally free her breasts from her outfit, she somehow became fascinated by their bounciness. After a few minute of jumping up and down to observe them giggling and forcing the content of her stomach out once again, she continued moving forward before stopping herself in contemplation.
"What was I doing here again?"
She wobbled again for a moment before pouting.
"I dunno, but I feel hungry… There are men outside… Buuuut it's fluffy-fluff village… Tamamo won't be happy if I nom on them. That old hag will be jealous of my skills…"
She stumbled against another door. "Saaaaay, mister door, wasn't there another village not far? I'm sure I'll find something there… Thank you mister door."
Alma Elma stepped out of the school half dancing, half walking, and started trying to lift herself from the grounds a few times before actually managing to take off. She was indeed going north-east, toward Tanuki Village before she disappeared.
When Alma Elma opened her eyes again, she was back in front of Tamamo who was tapping on her chin with her closed fan. Her jaded eyes seemed to look through the Succubus Queen, further unnerving her.
"I have no idea what happened afterward, and I would only recommend staying away from the tanuki village for now. I only got news the next morning when the tanuki queen told me her future husband disappeared. I can only guess that you decided to bring him to a calmer place before sucking him dry…"
Alma Elma made the effort of looking down, ashamed, but Tamamo could tell that she was faking her reaction this time.
"I held my words and already contacted my lieutenants. Officially, you've been poisoned with a mix of Aztec Rose and Blood Bloom by one of Black Alice's lackey who underestimated the effect of alcohol on your organism, which allowed you to survive easily but damaged your brain temporarily, explaining your erratic actions. Now, there's only one issue remaining…"
Alma Elma gulped loudly once more.
"What did you do with Luka?"
"…What?"
"I had reports from Nanabi telling me you fetched him in the Pocket Castle and disappeared into the night with him. You wouldn't know anything about that?"
Alma Elma went cross-eyed trying to remember that. She couldn't remember anything with the hero… Until the image of carrying him crossed her mind.
"Well… I had been disappointed with that other guy, so I fetched the hero, we did the mile-high challenge together, and he was cold, soooo, I dropped him near Gold Volcano I think.
Tamamo dropped her fan, absolutely dumbfounded. "Oh for the love of… ALMA!"
"He didn't resist!"
Luka was sitting on the cold stone floor of Hades, completely naked in front of an unimpressed Reaper, his face a deep shade of red. He silently dressed up in his clothes, under her unfeeling gaze. Was she judging him? Did she see everything?
And yet, her expression didn't change in the slightest. No matter if he died for idiotic or perverted reasons, no matter if he suffered an unmentionable death, she allowed him to go back to his world with ever castigating him or commenting. After so much time, her eerie silence was even more scary than a rage-filled outburst would be.
And his latest death was… Well, an achievment in stupidity… He remembered being awakened in the middle of the night by a passably drunk Alma Elma. She dragged him out of the castle, and it was only when they were outside that he realized she was naked. The next thing he remembered, they were doing it mid-air when he complained he was cold. His thought process at that time was that she would either return him to the ground, or at least protect him with her mastery over the wind. And she indeed dropped him in the hottest point she knew. Namely inside Gold Volcano.
At least it was a fast death…
He silently stepped in the magic circle to return to his world, and, a second later, the White Rabbit appeared near Reaper with an overcooked steak.
"Saaaaay, I might have burned the meat a little after beating it."
"That one was in poor taste."
"Oh, come on! It's boring as all, don't tell me you never tried to have fun during your job! I envy you there, you could have sent him so many piques, like did the Succubus Queen show you Heaven before throwing you down to hell, or that was a sick burn, or-"
Reaper shrugged. "I am only doing my duty, nothing more, nothing less. And I take no pleasure in it."
"Mmh. Spoilsport. Anyway, I'm out of this, hope you enjoy your loneliness until he comes back again."
Once she was sure the White Rabbit had left, Reaper pulled out a huge black board covered in names with chalk marks under different names, and she added one under Alma Elma.
So far she was still leading in front of Morrigan and Spider Princess. Luka would probably bring more contestants later down the road though. Would she still be in the lead at the end of his adventures?