The Monster Waiting

Kal stood in front of an open cave, one that led so far he couldn't see the end of it. He checked his maps again, finding that he was correct. This was the Demon Lord's lair, and it was where he'd fight them to their glorious death. After that, he'd be recounted as a Hero, for real, and then he could marry Milly.

When the clicking of heels rang out, his sword was drawn faster than eyes could follow, with Kal's gaze concentrating.

"I suppose I deserve that reaction," said a sweet voice coming from ahead. Soon after the words, a female form appeared, skimpily dressed in tight leather and stockings. "I'd ask you to not shoot the messenger, but she must look like a beautiful target."

His complexion became redder, his face blushing at the sight of her, though he still raised his sword. "What message does this messenger have?" he asked, avoiding certain parts of her form. 

"The Demon Lord wants a word with you. Which means you've been granted direct access to the throne room." Her smile made his heart skip a beat, though it was the complete opposite of pure, and he found his feet moving a step towards her.

No! Just think of Milly, he thought, closing his eyes shut. However, when he heard a SWISH, his eyes opened, thrusting his blade in the direction of the messenger. 

"Nice reactions," she whispered to him, standing with the blade's tip barely off her chest. "Like that, you won't have to worry about any Monsters catching you by surprise."

"So I shouldn't worry about this being a trap," he surmised, with her nodding at his words. 

"Pretty much." Moments passed before she spoke again. "Do you want this fast pass, or are you going to take the scenic route?"

"Fine," he said, keeping his blade drawn by his side. "Just out of curiosity, what's your name, Seductress?"

"Aren't you a flirt," she said, waving him off. She paused. "You can call me anything you want, mister, but my friends call me Lucy." He turned his head, as though to hide its red hue, but it was futile. She giggled. "Of course, you're now a very special friend to me, you know?"

When she tried to move a step closer, the blade once again pointed at her chest, threatening a cleaving slice. This blade wasn't anything special in all aspects but how normal it looked, as though he grabbed the first blade he found off a smithy's shelf. Due to that, it wasn't very long, which also reduced its length to almost an arm's length. The distance between them was more than twice that.

Lucy conceded, taking a step into the cave. "Alright, let's get moving. It'll still be a while, and I don't suppose you'd appreciate some fun conversation."

Kal found his body following after hers, his eyes glued to her very mature body. When she walked, it seemed to him that she was intentionally shifting it so that his eyes stayed transfixed solely on her.

"What kind of Hero are you?" she asked, turning her head around to face him. "Don't get me wrong, you seem pretty strong, and energetic, but you are holding two swords."

Shaking himself, Kal said, "Well, technically, I'm not the prophesied Hero, but that kid sucks- and why am I telling you this?" Neither of them stopped moving, with Kal placing his feet exactly where Lucy's went, paying no attention to how he looked. 

"Don't worry about that," she said. "Just follow along, and we'll get there."

"Or you're an illusion, and I've been trapped in some magical maze." Despite what he said, he didn't seem any more tense than he was, his muscles shifting only through movement. 

"You can test me out, whenever you like," she said. "All you gotta do is sheathe this sword, and pull out your other one."

"Don't test me." For the first time, his grip tightened, and his face grew more tight, his lips pulled into a firm line. 

She regarded him before turning her head back around, going straight at the first crossroads. "Who are you saving it for?"

"None of your business," he said, though his mind went straight to Milly, who must still be wearing that yellow dress; many sizes larger, of course.

"Do you think they'd let you marry her if you killed the Demon Lord?"

"Stop trying to be serious, succubus. Anyways, this matter doesn't concern you."

"Of course," she said, continuing for a few more steps. "But you know they wouldn't allow it, don't you? Such a shame you were born a Beastman, though you certainly don't look like it."

"I said be quiet." Those four words seemed to finally shut down the conversation, forcing her to pivot.

"My favourite food is human. When cooked, they taste like pork. Did you know that? How funny is it that something that considers itself so great can be equated to livestock?"

They stopped at a crossroad. "Which way is it?" Kal asked, though Lucy gained a far-off look.

"The first time I tasted it, I was under the previous Demon Lord, a good thousand years ago. I was starving, and he threw some humans to me, to let me feast on their meat. You never forget your first." She turned, winking at him. "And that goes both ways, just so you know."

"Which way do we go?" he said again, and this time she answered.

"Oh, right." She paused, her lips wilting. "This way."