Chapter 11: The storm
Knowing he would need to use everything he had to stand a chance of repelling the succubus away, Luka took a deep breath and relaxes every muscle in his body.
"Give me everything you have, old friend."
'Kick her ass, Luka!'
Closing his eyes, the forest dweller fully taps into his connection to the wind, he could feel the power in him growing from a small gust to a raging hurricane.
He hopes that it will be enough to win.
FUSH!
With his hair wildly dancing in the air, pure determination in his heart, and the wind at his beck and call, Luka could not have look any more different than he was when she first encounters him. In fact, he looks akin to a warrior that kids would read about in folktales. A far cry from the introvert he was back then.
"What's this, Luka-boy? Are you actually going to fight me unlike last time~" And as always, Alma Elma observes the situation without an ounce of urgency in her.
"If I must..." Getting into a low stance, the forest dweller kept a vigil eye on her.
Licking her lips in anticipation, the Queen of succubus gave him a low bow. "Then let us dance~" She said before sending out her tail to capture him.
He dashes forward, a faint whistle could be heard as his speed doubled itself in an instant.
[Whistling blade]
Witnessing this, Alma Elma simply leans back, cleanly dodging the slash. When he goes for another, she waves her hand in his direction causing the sand below toexplode towards him.
With his path blocked, Luka has no choice but to stop the attack least he falls for a trap. Instead, the purplette stomped his foot in the sand and sent out a long range one.
[Sharp gust]
The blade of wind cuts through the wave of sand to reveal no one as the succubus had already moved to a different location. Sensing the wind, Luka managed to dodge a grab from above by leaping back.
"Almost got you there~"
Gathering his bearing, the forest dweller decides to try and overwhelm her, leaping left to right, he zigzagged his way to her and unleashes attack after attacks.
A cut fails as she parries with her tail, he swerves around her wind magic and go for another to her exposed side, she gets in close rendering the attack without any momentum, and he have the wind pushes her back with a barrier before she could restrain him. The exchange went on for a couple more fail attempt on both side before the Quenn of succubus playfully wink at him and he could feel the ground bellow him sinking.
Before he knew it, Luka was swallowed into a quicksand too fast for him to leap away. He expects her to pull something mischievous, but not to this extent.
Closing his eyes, Luka is now fully submerged in the sinking death trap, instead of panicking however, the purplette focus on the magic in his soul. Once he felt it, Luka push.
[SHARP GUST!]
The blade of wind bigger than his usual one flew towards the succubus as he got behind her in a pincer maneuver. Seeing this, she spun and tail bashed his attack away while two of her hands grabbed the blade, it tried to slice through her, but she just laughed and tore it apart.
"..."
"..."
A brief stalemate ensued as they both stared into each other. One in concentration while the other in leisure.
"To achieve this much strength in such a short amount of time. This went beyond my expectation..."
Getting into his stance, the forest dweller readies a devastating attack.
"...You continue to fascinate me, even now." Her eyes glow as she finishes.
[Eye of temptation]
A green blur replaces Luka as he zooms towards her at full speed, the tip of Iris swelling with power as he unleashes his move!
[Gale Thrust]
"!?" He took her by surprise when instead of covering his eyes, Luka boldly rush straight at her. Even as he felt his head getting cloudier, the purplette made sure his attack landed.
It sends her body spiraling into the ocean, skipping once and twice across the water before she stops herself. Huffing out in mild annoyance, the Queen of succubus uses her own wind to dry her cloth. In an instance, she covered the distance between them.
"...I supposed it would be rude not to respond in kind~"
Luka's mind is still foggy when she grabs him by the collar and throws him into the air with strength that does not match her appearance.
"Woah!" Still spinning, he's having a hard time figuring out which is up and down. Realizing he needed to focus, the forest dweller closed his eyes and used the winds around as his sight.
He could feel himself, where he is, the birds confusedly looking at him and the hundreds of wind blade chasing after him courtesy of Alma Elma-
Wait, that last part isn't right.
'Spin to win!' Sylph gave out the strange advice.
Readjusting his grip on his partner, Luka listens to her and uses the fact he's spinning out of control to his advantage. Pulling from his own reserve of magic to make it easier, he cries out the name of his new technique.
[Cyclone blade]
Unlike his other technique, this one focuses on quantity, rather than how strong they are. Which is good, as hundreds of small blades of wind fill the sky above Port Natalia in a chaotic display of power.
He doesn't need them to overpower Alma Elma's technique. He just needs her to focus on them as he charges up the one that could actually help his situation. And as their attack clashes with each other, sure enough, he could see her enjoying the spectacle from down there.
Just then, a rare feeling of vindictiveness fills him. The forest dweller doesn't usually condone violence, but he admits he wanted to make her regret letting her guard down.
Iris seemed to agree, as the sword started glowing in approval.
"Sylph!" The purplette called out as he angled his body in a striking position. Now no longer spinning out of control.
'Yeah?'
"Remember that one thing you've always wanted to try?"
'One tornado coming right up!' She shouted back in excitement.
"Be sure not to aim it close to the town!" Luka warns her, his sense of responsibility coming back.
'I'll try~!'
The cloud above twists and turns as they both work together for the next big attack.
===0===
Down below, the Queen of succubus witnesses a giant sphere of verdant wind coming to life. It starts small but quickly becomes bigger over time, dwarfing trees and even buildings in Port Natalia as it reaches Its full size.
A wicked grin appears as she flies towards them, accepting the challenge with open arms. When she saw the giant sphere coming down at her, Alma Elma swerves around it in a show of her mastery over flight. The fact she can still maneuver herself so well despite the extremely harsh weather conditions up here is nothing short of incredible and when she saw a silhouette of a person above the clouds the heavenly knight stealthily made her way behind them.
"Got you~" She announces as her tail wraps around her target, the familiar green hooded cloak that Luka would always wear.
The situation is quite like when she first caught him in the Forest of Spirits, the only difference is that as she pulled him to her there was no one there, only an empty hood being held by the wind to stay in the air.
"!?" Seeing this, the wide eyes succubus realizes her mistakes.
Luka wasn't trying to hit her with the giant attack. It was just a way for him to get her far from the port town. A bait that she had completely fallen for due to her overconfidence.
[Sharp gust]
She blocks the blade of wind with her left hand, it tries to push through but was then swiped aside follows by the forest dweller coming in from above her with another attack.
And now that she's up here, he could fight without worry of harming anyone close by.
"Very clever, Luka-boy~"
Her other hand went to grab him before he could land the hit, but he once again surprises her by letting go of his weapon and grabbing on to her hand while his other hand went for the cloak her tail was still holding.
She tilts her head curiously at him, in response, the purplette only looks back in defiance, a burning determination in his eyes.
What's his play here? A long-range fighter like him coming in close could only spell his defeat...
Well, It's not like she's complaining~
Through their contact, she channels pleasure magic right into him. And by the look on his face, he wasn't expecting the onslaught of lewd thoughts she's putting in his head.
How adorable~ She went in for another taste like last time but pauses as the air pick up out of nowhere. Looking down, she finally understands why he was keeping her in place.
"Oh." Her voice is drowned out by the giant sphere of verdant wind that he had thrown at her earlier now coming back up, pushing It's way through the clouds making a wide hole above the sky in Port Natalia.
Alma Elma could have probably dodged it if she had more time but considering how close it already is she doubts she could do it now. And as the two are swallowed into the attack, the succubus could see a faint smirk on Luka's face.
He had gambled everything into this, and it looks like it was worth it in the end.
The heavenly knight blinked. Looking around her to see that the inside of the attack is similar to that of a hurricane as powerful gusts of wind continue to swirl around her in every direction. Not only that but trying to regain her mobility is close to impossible due to how fast she is spinning out of control.
In the corner of her eye, she saw a blur moving. Closer and closer, the figure reveals himself to be the forest dweller now back in his cloak and sword again. She figures that it must've been carried up here by the attack as well after he dropped it earlier.
He swipes his sword across her abdomen, carried by the wind and flies back to slash at the back of her head. Left, right, up, down, the Queen of succubus was juggled and treated more like a training dummy as he piles attack after attack on every inch of her being with sharp, stinging cuts. All the while she was defenseless in the prison of wind he had created for this moment.
===0===
More and more, Luka continues his assault towards the heavenly knight inside the giant sphere of winds. Without holding anything back, he flung himself towards her, this time coming from the top and bringing down his partner once more.
'Go down...'
Before he ran out of energy.
'Please...'
Before his body gave up on him.
'Just fall unconscious...'
Before the magic died off.
'Let this be the end.'
If not, then there's nothing left he can do.
Yelling out the name of the technique created by him and Sylph, the forest dweller uses the last bit of strength he has and slashes Alma Elma one last time, bringing the end of his attack.
[GRAND HURRICANE!]
BOOM!
Luka was only halved awake as he and Alma Elma fell from the sky. With his body reaching Its limit, he could no longer keep his eyes open as he continues to fall.
There's a voice calling out to him in his head. That must be his friend.
'-ka!...-Not no-...-ind!'
What was that...?
Sorry Sylph... too tired...
Maybe he should go to sleep...
...
...
...
===0===
To the people of Port Natalia, today was supposed to be just another normal day. The weather was nice and chilly, giving signs of the coming winter. Not much has happened other than the incident with the mermaid school, and even then, no one had gotten seriously injured in the process.
As far as they are concerned, today should be a fine day to take things easy and maybe even have a picnic with a loved one.
What they weren't expecting was for a sudden violent storm to appear and ruin all of their laundry and crops. Followed by a shower of glowing blades made out of wind to clash each other in the air. And after that for the sky above their entire town to get blown wide open without any explanation.
So, needless to say the whole town is currently in a mass panic filled with humans and monsters shouting and running around aimlessly.
Among those frenzied crowds is a group of monsters that is doing their best to follow the words of a certain shy forest dweller. The librarian monster, Cogita is keeping her eyes peel on the sky, wishing for the safety of her friend. Her junior, Page 257, is trying her best to reassure a troubled mermaid that everything is under control, and to put her trust in her favourite human. Her other junior, Page 17 could only be seen grumbling to herself as usual, though this time, one could see a look of worry in her eyes.
"Why are we still here!" El shouted, "You guys said the succubus lady is dangerous! Then why are we leaving Luka with her!"
Page 257 wilted at her words, finding herself agreeing a little but pushing through.
"N-now now sweetie, we can't just go in like that. Luka said to keep watch of the people here, and he would be very upset if something bad happens to them."
The young mermaid continues to snap back. "But what if something bad is happening with Luka right now?!"
"Ack!" Clutching her chest as if getting hurt, Page 257 couldn't dispute that.
The oldest among them then speaks up, addressing the young mermaid. "That is not the only reason." Her words brought everyone's eyes on her and she continues.
"Aside from making sure everyone here is unharmed, Luka also wanted us to be away from the fight so that he could use his full strength without his friends being in the way."
At this, El pouted at her. "What do you mean? How can El be in Luka's way!"
Pushing her glasses in place, Cogita coldly answered the question.
"If you were to be there with Luka, not only would he have to keep his eyes on you, but he wouldn't be able to go all out like he is now, you would only be a hindrance to him."
The young mermaid could only grit her teeth in anger at the librarian monster. "That's not true! El is strong, just like mommy!"
Cogita gave her a knowing look. "Even if you are, that still wouldn't be enough."
BOOM!
Just before El could throw another tantrum, a loud, booming explosion could be here across the whole town, surprising everyone including the group.
"Was that them? How hard is he fighting!" Said Page 17, her expression is that of great worry.
"Oh dear!" Page 257 covers her mouth in shock.
"Luka!" El yells out.
"..." Cogita simply stared ahead, a million thoughts crossed her mind in that instance.
And as they all stared into the giant hole in the sky above, the librarian monster gasped in shock upon seeing a familiar figure falling from the sky.
"It's Luka!" Her words surprised everyone before they also saw him.
They must catch him! A human can't survive a fall that high no matter how strong they are. With these thoughts on everyone's mind, they quickly ran over to the beach where the forest dweller would likely fall.
When they get there, the purplette is almost about to collide to the ground. The pages desperately try to slow his fall in some way, while El fixed her attention to the sea, her hand reaching out.
Suddenly, a green fairy appears next to him and summons a huge gust of wind that momentarily slows his descent. It didn't completely save him, but it was enough for the monster to catch him. The Spirit of Wind then disappears from view.
Page 17 flies up to him, Page 257 sent out her giant floating hand, and Cogita made a giant bed of soft tentacles to catch him if all else fails.
What they didn't expect was for a ball of water to rise from the ocean and gently catch Luka from the air, bringing him down into the arms of none other than the young mermaid, El.
"You dummy..." She said, as he peacefully sleeps in her embrace. Other than his face flushing, the purplette looks fine.
The young mermaid then senses the high amount of pleasure magic in his body. Pulling him close, she gave his forehead a shy kiss that cancelled out the magic with her own, leaving him free from Its corruption.
...
Page 257 falls on the sand below in despair. The giant hand she had fell next to her in defeat.
"It should have been me, not her! It's not fair!"
Her fellow page monster is a lot more reserved about it, but deep down they all feel the same way with Page 17 grumbling quietly and Cogita doing her best not to glare at the young mermaid.
With the purplette now safe, they all gather around him to wait until he's awake so that they can resume their journey. Page 257 tries to gently pry Luka from El but backed off when she started hissing at her.
THUD!
The noise brought the group to a pause as they all sawthe body of Alma Elma landing next to them. They were all staring at her in shock that quickly turned to horror as she started getting up from the ground.
"Oh my, you've really done it now Luka-boy~" Patting the sands off her cloth, the flying menace ignores the rest of them and continues talking to the unconscious human.
Standing guard, Cogita stood defiantly in front of the succubus. This finally makes the heavenly knight notice them as she raisedher brow.
"And who might you be?"
"Who I am doesn't matter. I take it you've had your fun? If so, then please leave." Her tone was curt and professional as her diplomatic lesson came to light. Trying her best to diffuse the situation.
Alma Elma narrows her eyes dangerously as the winds pick up once more. Unlike their friend, it feels sickeningly playful and sadistic.
"I don't usually mind sharing. After all, what type of heavenly knight would I be if I let another monster starve?" Her scarlet eyes appraised all of them. "However, I don't feel very charitable as of now."
Cogita could see her juniors stumble back as the pressure suffocates them. Surprisingly, El seem unafected by all of it.
"I see..." Calmly, the librarian monster took her glasses off and placed them in the front pocket of her vest.
"Indeed~ Now, if you could be a dear and-"
"Then It's a shame. For I would have no other choice." Cutting off the hevenly knight of wind, Cogita pulled out a familiar book from Luka's bag.
Opening "The Four Animists" in front of her, the oldest monster on the beach let out her own powerful pressure as the space around the book started bending unnaturally.
"Oh." Alma Elma tilted her head at this, she stared into the book for a moment before recognition flashes in her eyes. "How interesting..."
"You know of this?"
"It's not brought in many conversations because we don't have much information, but yes~" The succubus was of course talking about the rare and unique ability she had to use a domain.
A domain user is a monster who has gained the ability to expand the world they have created in the real world, causing them to have massive advantages in the fight their in. Due to the low number of monsters who have this ability, not much is known about them.
"Then you must also know what it can do."
The intense standoff between the two almost put her juniors out of commission before the Queen of succubus simply turned away and started laughing, confusing Cogita with her action.
"Is there something humorous about this?"
Wiping a single tear from her eyes, Alma Elma simply shook her head before giving them all an amused look. "Oh no, don't mind me~"
"I just found it hysterical how a human who could barely introduce himself without stuttering could have the loyal followers of the Monster Lord to be so protective of him is all~"
"..."
"Now then..." Leisurely walking pass the librarian monster and her stunted juniors; the succubus went and grabbed the hooded cloak of the forest dweller much to the protest of El.
"Give that back! You big bully!"
"An eye for an eye~" She playfully winks back at the young mermaid. "Now that my cape is dirty, It's only fair that I have his, hmm?"
"Grrr...!" All El could do was angrily glare.
It failed as the succubus only cooed at her.
===0===
...
...
...
His eyes opened blearily to the setting sun in the sky. Looking around him, the forest dweller could only see a campsite being amateurishly made as two monsters arguing about where they should put the tent. Next to him, Cogita is busily focusing on something with her tentacles, and further back he could see El studying the stuff in his bag.
"Girls..."
At his words, everyone there immediately surrounds him in worry.
"Luka!"
"Are you alright!?"
"Welcome back."
"Yay! You're awake!"
Having multiple voices greeted him back is a little disorienting for the puplette, but at the same time, it did make him feel warm that so many people care about his well-being.
'Sylph...' He called out.
'Always here.' She reassured him.
'Hmm.'
Then he feels something weird, the lack of green clothon his neck.
"!?" Getting up, the shy forest dweller scans his surroundings for his cloak but was left with no signs of it.
He panicked, thinking he might have lost it after the fight with-
"Alma Elma!" Now fully standing, Luka ready himself with a stance and looks around for the seccubus who started all of this.
"She already left." Page 17 spoke behind him.
He turns to her. "Wait, really?"
Just like that?
"She did take your cape with her, however. It seems se wanted to keep it as a trophy or some sort." Cogita shared with him as she finished her small project.
"Oh..." He was glad that's all that happens but was also saddened by the news.
Moving close to him, she presented a newly handmade brown cloak. The design is similar to his old ones, but he notices it doesn't have a hood covering, only coming up to his mouth.
Gingerly taking the gift, Luka examined the carefully sown threads across the fabric. The purplette could not see a single mistake, It's like the world's finest tailor have just spent their entire week makingit.
How did she...?
Likely by his expression, she answers his unasked question.
"It wasn't so difficult, I just had to... borrow some materials from the town and copy the way your old one's look."
'She's weirdly good at the most random stuff, huh?' Chimes the fairy in his head.
"It's beautiful." He let out without thinking, causing the librarian monster's smile to grow.
It's also very comfortable as he puts it on, the cloth stuck close to him, hiding his body from view without hindering his movements. Compared to his old cloak, this one feels like a direct upgrade in every way.
And yet... Luka couldn't help but miss it all the same.
Not surprising, the forest dweller knows he's always been a sentimental person even after all this time. And the fact remains that cloak has been with him for most of his life.
...
"Hey Cogita... I have another question."
"Yes?"
"...How do you know my measurements?"
"..."
"..."
===0===
They decided to camp there for the night, so Luka had time to catch up with everyone. Sylph told him that they had all tried their best to save him from falling after his last attack and he wanted to thank them.
Approaching the page monster, he saw her staring at him before he even said anything. When he expresses his thanks to her for trying to save him, she mutters something under her breath before sternly telling him to take better care of himself.
It's been a long time since he got scolded by someone, so he was kind of surprised when she did that. It didn't feel like she was angry at him, but more so she just needed a way to vent her worries in some way. Understanding this, Luka promised her not to be so reckless again.
"You better..."
Then he joins Page 257 in cooking dinner despite her protest. He said he wanted to spend some time helpingher as thanks for getting El away from the dangerous situation and she immediately changed her tone, inviting him to stay with her for as long as he wanted.
In the end of their sessions, they ended up making a hearty meal for everyone. He discovers cooking with someone is a great bonding experience.
Maybe too great, flushing red, Luka had to gently push her back several times when she tried to feed him the food.
"Say ahh~"
When the purplette got to Cogita, he saw her once again sewing something using several of her tentacles. He asks her about it, and she said It's for future uses just in case they needed it.
The two talk about what happened during the time he fall uncurious and how Alma Elma left without causing any more harm to anyone. Luka was glad of course but couldn't help but be confused by the succubus.
"I'm not surprise." She lightly laughs as she said that.
"Hmm?" Luka turns to her, eyes questioning.
"You are the complete opposite of her, it would make sense for you to not understand her. For her to see everything as only her amusement, is the same way you value all the lives around you unconditionally."
He guesses she's right in that, but for some reason he feels that something is wrong about what she said. He tried to grasp the thought, but itescaped him.
Lastly, he walks up to the young mermaid who he heard (begrudgingly) from everyone had saves his life. Luka can see her inspecting something in her hand, though she quickly hides it after he asks about it.
After being given permission, he sat next to her and said he wanted to hear the story from her perspective. El's eyes shine as she started excitedly telling him about how she singlehandedly calmed the whole town and stood up to the 'flying menace' as she calls her. Then she told him how she used the power her mother taught her and caught him before he could fall.
Seeing how much she wanted him to praise her, the forest dweller did so earnestly, causing her to blush as she gleams.
"Did anything else happen after that?" Luka asked a bit more.
"Not much, after El catches you, Luka was sick with pleasure magic so..."
The young mermaid pauses mid-sentence, her eyes looking anywhere but his as she quickly finishes and changes the subject.
"W-Well, El had to do something important now so bye!"
He was a bit confused, but if it was really that important then he understood if she had to go. All and all, he had done everything he wanted for tonight, so he went inside his tent and was soon fast asleep.
Hopefully tomorrow won't be as chaotic as today...
===0===
Staring at each other, two powerful monsters stood in front of the Monster Lord castle. The moon shines beautifully, illuminating the pair as the quiet midnight ambiance fills the air.
"..."
"..."
The dragonkin is giving her fellow heavenly knight the dryest, most exasperated and tired look she could muster while the succubus continues to smugly flaunt her spoil of victory.
That is, the new cloak she's wearing despite it not fitting her tall figure. Not that it bothers the Queen of succubus at all, as she had made it her personal mission to have Granberia ask her about it since they regroup.
She sighs, "Fine. I'll asked, what are you wearing?"
"Oh~ What could you possibly be referring to, Granberry?" And as insufferable as always, Alma Elma proceeds to faint ignorance.
"For the love of- The cloak! I'm talking about the stupid cloak you've been showing off to me this entire time!" The dragonkin shouted out in annoyance.
"Well now, Granberry~ If you must know, I got this by none other than Luka-boy of course~!" Having said that, she watches as her coworker raises an eyebrow.
"Who...?"
"Doesn't matter." As chaotic as she is, Alma Elma changes the subject. "I got what I want and now all I have to do now is wait until the wine isjustright~"
"Right." Granberia rubs her eyes to ease the headache before asking. "Did you at least did what you were supposed to in that port town?"
"Hmm?"
They both still as she said that, the heavenly knight of fire gave her a look that begged her to tell her she was only kidding.
"I mean the storm, Alma Elma. You did cause a powerful storm so that the humans wouldn't be able to flourish with their ships, right?"
"..."
"...You forgot about it didn't you?"
Dramatically turning around, the Queen of succubus pulls out a pocket watch from somewhere. "Oh my! Look at the time. Sorry Granberry, I must go now. Bye~!"
The dragonkin watches as her body turns into hundreds of bats that fly off into the castle, leaving her there to try her best not to cut everything near her in frustrations.
"Why are you like this..."
END OF CHAPTER
Author's note: There we go, another chapter done.
Next up, Luka took his friends to a beautiful spring to relax after what happened the other day.
Wait... who's that slime lady?
