The Witch and the Succubi

Adaptation by Noelle of West Docks from Marigold

Part of the book 'The Many Faces of Fairy Tales'

Long ago, there was a certain town on a certain continent.

This town was very prosperous. Food was aplenty and winters were never harsh. Each home had their own horse, every daughter had her own father and every woman had her own husband.

The knowledge and skills they amassed throughout the years gave them incredible powers over nature and earth. It was how they were able to lead such abundant lives.

Yet, they were not happy.

As powerful as they were, there were things they could not control. They couldn't control life and death. They couldn't control conflict. They couldn't control their own nature.

They had so much power, yet, why couldn't they control everything they wanted to?

So they sought even more power. Delved into forbidden arts, used their fellow humans as guinea pigs and stepping stones without hesitation, dug deep into the earth, into their own bodies... all in search of the ultimate power.

The power to be freed from fate.

And as such, they invited disaster.

From the depths of the land, a demon appeared. The hateful Succubi emerged, slipping through the fissures in the soil, enamored by the town's lust and desire. With her came an army of demons.

The townsfolk tried to destroy the Succubi and her army, using all the power they had built over the generations. But the Succubi wielded abilities they had never witnessed before, the very ability to control destiny they coveted so much.

So they fought harder. Sacrificed everything they could sacrifice. This time not to just defeat her but to control her as well, until only the rubbles were left.

And the Succubi stood strong.

Without any alternative left, they begged for mercy, fearing for the lives they came to love so much.

The Succubi agreed to give them mercy. However, in exchange, they would have to give up a young man from the town whenever she so desired. There was no choice but to agree.

Every month, without fail, the Succubi would come. Every month, mothers and wives feared their sons and husbands would be next.

Some would try to fight back of course, to no avail. The treacherous demon didn't kill those, choosing instead to curse their lineage, so that they would never give birth to men again.

They understood. The monster was merely playing with them. It wanted to prolong their downfall for as long as possible, it enjoyed watching the women of town suffering and crying.

But Mother Terra, observing the situation, decided to give them her blessing.

She sent them a Witch. A woman who commanded the same abilities as the Succubi, yet loved humanity and carried the wisdom of Terra herself.

As the Succubi was about to claim her next man, the Witch came to stop her.

They fought for 14 days and 15 nights. The lust demon tried using every trick under her suit to defeat the Witch but was incapable of matching her wisdom.

Eventually, the monster was sent back to the underworld where it belonged. Threatening and cursing all the while.

The town cheered as they were freed from the demon, yet they could not rejoice as the damage they had suffered was irreversible.

'You have long lost your way' - the Witch affirmed - 'As you are now, the hateful Succubi will be invited to your land once more.'

The people despaired. Would they never escape their eternal fate of sorrow and grief?

'Sorrow and grief are part of the great mother's plan. But even if you cannot escape them, you may still find enlightenment. Reclaim the joy you once held.

'And I shall guide and protect you along the way. That is also my purpose.'

With the help of the Witch, the town was able to rebuild.

Multiple times, using their moments of weakness, the Succubi tried to strike again with her army of demons. Multiple times she tried to corrupt the people with lies and fear. The Witch always fought her off, never letting the tragedy repeat itself.

Many scars remained of course, but these scars gave them strength.

In such a shattered place, life went on. Although total and eternal happiness was not a possibility, at least leading prosperous and fulfilling existences was within their reach. As long as they never forgo the wisdom they acquired.

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Note by Noelle: A classic that saw innumerable adaptations, especially in the form of picture books for children and stagings. It is a great tale meant to teach kids the dangers of greediness. It even presents them with more complex concepts such as the inevitability of certain aspects of life, all in an easy-to-understand manner.

There's an alternative version of this story where the townsfolk, after rebuilding, try to steal the witch's power for themselves. But most authors don't like using this version as they feel it wouldn't send a good message.