You are prepared to fight... you can't keep Strokmier hidden any longer.

As she saunters towards you, you take up a defensive stance, softly reciting the incantations to activate Strokmier. She freezes and her eyes widen slightly as her gaze settles on your gauntlet.

"Oh... I see you come prepared. I didn't take you for an arcanist."

She flashes a disarming smile your way, but the mask has already slipped - you know there is genuine fear behind that visage. Emboldened, you step towards her, planning the best way to get in close while minimizing the damage from her claws - but she isn't going down without a fight!

With a sudden burst of speed she surges forwards, swiping at you! You barely manage to duck away and her claws cut across the front of your cloak instead; scraps of leather and cloth swirl up into the air, proof of the lethality she wields. Just as quickly she retreats, keeping out of range of your gauntlet.

"Ooh, and a quick one too! I certainly hope you have the endurance to satisfy me!"

She leaps into the air, her spread wings allowing her to swoop down on you from an unexpected angle, slashing through the dangling curtains as she closes in. You don't quite manage to dodge this time, and her claws rake over your back as you dive under her. The hot singe of the fresh scratches gives way to a deep, throbbing pain. You need to get a solid hold of her before she cuts you to ribbons!

Whirling around, you see the succubus wind up for another dash towards you. If you keep dodging away, she'll just take control of the fight and chase you down until you're cornered. But if you move in instead...

As she leaps at you, you ignore the instinct to dodge away from the jagged claws - instead you lunge forwards as well, aiming to grapple her and grab her throat. She's completely caught off guard by your new tactic! Her claws swipe uselessly behind you as you catch her in a bear hug, driving your gauntlet into the back of her neck. The sizzling of arcane energy ripping through her is instant feedback of your success!

"Shit! You fucking little - get off me!!"

She digs her claws into your back, trying to pry you away, but the strength in her strikes has already weakened noticeably - despite having a much easier shot at your back, her attacks hardly scratch your skin. You wince and bear the pain, focusing everything on keeping the banishment magic going. Her physical form begins to fade as she shudders, gasping wildly. You only need to keep this up for a few more seconds!

"No..! Not - not like this!!"

She desperately wrenches herself away and pushes off of you. You stagger backwards, only realizing as you twist over how scratched up your back is. The surging pain leaves you dazed for a moment, forcing you to readopt your defensive stance rather than go in to attack. At the least, you want to avoid being hit by a lethal counter attack.

But it seems your caution was unneeded. The succubus has collapsed to the floor, panting heavily and drooped over. Her wings twitch slightly as she glares up at you, trying but unable to will herself into motion. Her body flickers like a shadow coming in and out of focus, and her movements seem heavy and unwieldy. Even incomplete, your magic has severely weakened her connection to this world.

"You... you little shit... how could you do... do this to me?!"

She mutters blackly, her voice growing more guttural as she clings to her physical form. Cursing under her breath, she rakes her claw across the ground and summons a gash of crackling energy beneath her. She drags herself into it, shooting a glare back at you as she slowly retreats.

"You! I'll remember you - I'll be back to put you in your place, dog!"

With a flash of purple energy the dimensional gash snaps closed behind her, and she's gone.

The testosterone flooding your body begins to fade, and exhaustion pulses through your. You collapse against the bedpost to regain your strength. You don't think her threat was an empty one - the banishment was still incomplete, so there are still vestiges of her connection to this place. In her weakened state it'll be a while before she can return, but how long does that give you? A few days, a few weeks maybe? There's no telling if you'll be ready when she does decide to come back.

You slump to the floor, the pain of your injuries finally taking its toll. Your eyes drift shut as you see the purple mist start to gradually dissipate. A smile creeps across your weary face - you may not have finished the job yet, but you did good work today. The rest will fall into place in due time...

~ Unfinished Business ~ In a close battle, you manage to severely weaken the interloping succubus and **** her to retreat... for now at least. But your tale can play out a different way! There are still more conclusions to be discovered; explore the full tower and read again to change your fate! If you desire, return to S-01 to restart the story.