The demons shifted nervously at the forest's edge.
The demons hesitated. Their boots shifted nervously in the dirt at the edge of the forest, toes curled, glancing back over their shoulders as the dark expanse of trees loomed before them. The air felt thick with something... wrong.
One of the demons, a burly orc with a face like a boulder, turned to the succubus.
"Maybe we should—"
His words were cut off by the unmistakable crack of a whip. The succubus' whip. It sliced through the air with an elegance that was almost cruel, landing squarely across the orc's back, drawing a line of crimson.
"No," she said coolly, eyes narrowing with menace. "You don't get to run. Not now."
She stepped forward, wings folding back as she strutted into the cursed forest. The ground beneath her feet crackled and shuddered. It was strange, like a pulse beneath the soil—alive, shifting with dark energy.
A couple of other demons hesitated, exchanging worried glances. One stepped back.
"I think we should—"
Another snap of the whip, faster this time, biting the air and cracking against a demon's shoulder. He let out a yelp and scrambled to follow.
The oppressive aura leaking from the trees gnawed at their nerves.
Some muttered prayers under their breath.
Others tried to flee, only to be **whipped mercilessly** back into line by the succubus leading them.
Her crimson whip cracked through the air with cruel efficiency, carving bloody welts across those who dared disobey.
"Stand your ground," she commanded, voice dripping with poisonous honey. "You're soldiers. Not cattle."
Her gaze snapped toward the cursed forest.
A twisted, ancient thing, its roots pulsing with unnatural life.
The succubus smirked arrogantly.
"A mere forest cannot tame me."
Without hesitation, she strode forward, crossing the threshold with her wings furled tight. disappearing into the dark.
Meanwhile, deeper inside the forest, at a quaint wooden table set absurdly in the middle of a clearing...
Valen sat tapping his claws against the table irritably.
Across from him, Fel lounged lazily, playing with a sprig of leaves.
"We need to change the meals," Valen said bluntly.
Fel blinked innocently. "Change?"
"No more fruits. No more vegetables. I want real meat," Valen said, expression dark.
Fel tilted her head.
"You want... meat?" she echoed, as if he'd suggested something alien.
Valen's eye twitched.
"Yes," he said through gritted teeth. "Actual meat. Like living things."
Fel opened her mouth to respond. but paused, glancing toward the forest's edge.
A slow, sly smile crept onto her face.
"Quiet down, will you?" she said, lifting a finger to her lips.
"Look... the meat came to us."
The succubus stepped into the clearing, her heels clicking against the ground. She grinned maliciously, her eyes alight with expectation. She was ready to tear valen apart. or so she thought.
Fel raised an eyebrow but said nothing, simply leaning back in her chair and waiting.
The succubus snarled. "So this is the place? The forest that's been... turning my men into plant? No... Perhaps you? A... Fairy?" Her voice was laced with contempt, but there was a flicker of hesitation in her eyes as she stares at fel.
The succubus narrowed her eyes at Valen, her hand glowing with power. "So this is where you've been hiding Valen? Let's see how long this cursed fairy can protect you."
And with that, she lunged forward.
Fel didn't even flinch.
The forest erupted to life at her command, vines snapping out like whips to ensnare the succubus. She struggled for a moment, slicing through the thick green tendrils, but the forest was relentless. With a flick of her fingers, Fel summoned more roots, entangling the succubus in their grasp.
The succubus growled, her power surging. "You think this is enough to stop me?"
The succubus immediately launched herself forward, dark magic crackling in her hands.
Fel's eyes lit up mischievously as she hopped up from her chair.
The succubus hurled a bolt of blackened fire.
Fel spun gracefully out of the way, laughing lightly as if dodging a tossed pebble.
Snarling, the succubus charged.
Her claws raked the air. narrowly missing Fel's throat.
Fel weaved around her strikes, backflipping effortlessly, the ground shifting beneath her as roots stirred in answer to her will.
"You think this forest can stop me?" the succubus roared, blasting apart a wall of vines with a surge of energy.
Fel just smiled wider.
She flicked her wrist.
the forest responded instantly.
The ground beneath the succubus cracked open, and thick vines lashed out, entangling her legs.
She sliced through them. only for more to wrap around her arms, her waist, dragging her down.
The succubus poured power into burning the plants, creating a small explosion that sent debris flying. but Fel was already airborne again, twirling playfully.
"This is getting pretty boring," Fel remarked.
Suddenly Valen slowly rose from his chair, dusting imaginary dirt from his cloak.
"I'll Handle the rest then," he said curtly.
The succubus screeched, flinging a final desperate spell.
Fel yawned, flicked two fingers, and muttered.
"Turn into a steak."
The succubus's body stiffened.
Her magic stuttered and died.
A split-second later. poof. she was gone, leaving behind a perfectly cooked, juicy piece of steak, still sizzling faintly.
Fel landed gracefully beside it, poking the meat with a stick.
"Huh," she said, thoughtfully. "Medium rare. Not bad."
Outside the Forest,
Meanwhile, the remaining demons outside had barely enough time to register the bloodlust coming for them.
Valen reappeared like a crimson storm, blood magic unfurling from him in vicious spikes and spears.
Demons fell one after another, unable to so much as lift their weapons.
In moments, the clearing was silent. save for the dripping of blood onto the scorched earth.
Valen exhaled slowly, expression unreadable.
Then he turned and strolled back toward the campfire where his future meals awaited.
"Took you long enough," she teased, grinning as wide as possible.
Valen shot her a dry look. "I was gone for a moment."
Fel shrugged, popping another berry into her mouth. "And yet, somehow... still disappointing, anyway bon appetit."
Valen walked over slowly.
He looked at the steak.
Then at Fel.
Back at the steak.
Wordlessly, he picked it up and took a cautious bite.
Silence fell.
Fel watched him expectantly, swinging her legs.
Valen chewed slowly.
Then paused.
Then froze.
A horrifying realization struck him like a lightning bolt.
He looked at Fel. eyes wide, pupils dilating slightly.
"You... could do this," he said slowly, voice rising dangerously, "all along."
Fel shrugged cheerfully.
"Yup."
"You could've made real meat this entire time."
"Yup."
"And you made me eat leaves for WEEKS?"
"Yup."
Valen stared at her.
Fel smiled weakly.
"Why?" he asked, voice deceptively calm.
Fel scratched her cheek, laughing awkwardly. "I, uh... thought salads were good for your complexion?"
Valen's eye twitched violently.
"Well, technically, fruits are part of a balanced diet-"
"I AM A CARNIVORE, YOU WICKED LITTLE SHIT."
Fel flinched dramatically, clutching her chest. "Wicked?! Shit?! I am a princess!"
"You," Valen growled, stabbing the steak so hard the plate cracked, "could've just said 'turn to meat' this whole fucking time."
Fel realized belatedly that maybe. just maybe. she'd gone too far.
She slowly began scooting backward in her seat.
Valen cracked his knuckles.
Fel sprang to her feet.
"H-hey now, let's not be hasty!"
She bolted.
Valen calmly stood and gave chase, the steak still skewered in one hand.
"YOUR NEXT ON THE PLATE!," he said menacingly.
"You CAN'T BLAME ME FOR THIS!!" Fel screamed as she disappeared into the woods, Valen stalking after her like a hunter.