Tenebris Renasci: A World of Magic and Gunpowder

Lance looked over at Alexander, his expression slightly curious. "Napoleon, Grand Commander of the Ambur Pathfinder corps and Head of the Nova family, his story is as long as this trip is, are you sure you wanna know?" Lance asked.

Alexander shrugged. "Well, it's not like we have anything else to do, father." He replied.

Lance chuckled as he looked out the window, watching as the world slowly passed them by. "I suppose you're right Alex." He said with a soft chuckle, "Get comfortable because this story is long." 

Before Alexander could respond, he could already feel Marcus's hand on the back of his head. 

She gently pushed his head into her lap.

Alexander was slightly hesitant at first, especially doing this in front of his father, but after noticing Lance not reacting negatively, he relaxed.

"Are you comfortable?" Lance teased, smiling as he watched his son and Marcus chemistry unfold before him. 

Alexander's cheeks turned red. "Yeah…" he muttered softly. 

It's not like I wanted this to happen, she just did it, and quite frankly I like it, hell I love it.

After inwardly defending himself, Alexander breathed a deep sigh and closed his eyes.

Marcus meanwhile, began playing with Alexander's ears massaging them just as Ava once did.

"Alright then." Lance began leaning back in his seat as he crossed his arms. "Napoleon's story began in the Julla Era, in the year 671…"

— — —

Napoleon was born to Céline du Cora and Arno du Nova.

His birth was out of wedlock, with his father Arno being a notorious Womanizer and Céline being naïve and sheltered.

His birth brought immense strife to the Cora family as they struggled to find the father for the first six months after Napoleon's birth. 

The biggest hindrance to finding the true father was how adamant Céline was about keeping his identity a secret. 

She claimed that the father was ignorant of Napoleon's birth and that he should not be forced to care for her child. 

Of course, after significant pressure from the Cora family and a thorough investigation, it soon came to light that not only was Arno the father, but he knew of Napoleon's birth from the beginning.

In fact, he was keeping Céline quiet the entire time, hoping that eventually the Cora family would drop the investigation and he could return to business as usual.

When word got out, not only was the Cora house furious, but so was the Nova house.

With Arno's reputation, it didn't take much for him to be prosecuted by the heads of both families. 

The list of charges against him was so long that if sentenced, he would have been executed on the spot. 

Fortunately for him, it was Céline of all people, who fought for him to have a chance at life, begging to give him an opportunity or alternative.

After a few discussions between the two families, They soon came up with an alternative offer for the notorious womanizer.

Marry Céline or continue with his prosecution.

The choice was obvious…

Napoleon's parents married in the year 672 on the sixth month.

With his home life settled Napoleon continued to grow and learn under the guidance of the Nova family. 

Thanks to their extensive military service history, Napoleon was taught the importance of strategy, combat, leadership, and most other things related to war. 

Not only that, be he was also taught the importance of the social and political landscape, and how to navigate it. 

As he continued to grow, he faced his fair share of challenges, most centered around his birth and his father, both of which were seen as a disgrace to the pathfinder and noble world. 

However, Napoleon never allowed such criticism to bring him down. In fact, on the average occasion, Napoleon was caught in scuffles with students at his academy. 

When he wasn't fighting, he spent his time studying math and literature. 

As he grew to become a young man, Napoleon was given the rank of Sergeant, and put in charge of 10 Nova Pathfinders. 

From there, Napoleon's military career grew far and wide. His name becoming known all throughout the Hakshi world.

— — —

As Lance continued to tell Napoleon's story, Alexander couldn't help be be amazed by such a remarkable figure. 

"…anyway Napoleon is a good man, even if he comes off strangely sometimes," Lance said with a sigh, crossing his arms. "But I don't blame the man, his parents were nut jobs."

"Really?" Marcus asked curiously, "I thought his mother seemed pretty nice, but his dad is absolutely an asshole." 

Lance chuckled as Alexander's eyes widened. 

She swore?!?!

"Do you not like womanizers?" Lance asked curiously.

Marcus sighed as she continued to massage Alexander's ear… "well." She began, "I think I'm a little selfish, I wouldn't ever want to share my husband with anyone, because he's mine, you know?"

Lance nodded in understanding. "Well, most women are like that so you aren't selfish Marcus." He explained with a soft chuckle, "But I'm curious, what kind of person would you marry?"

Marcus blushed as she immediately looked down at Alexander.

Alexander felt his cheeks growing hot as Marcus gazed upon him. He wondered if she was thinking what he thought she was…

"I don't know." Marcus answered softly, gently gripping Alexander's ear, "I hope I can marry…." She began to trail off as she looked away from Alexander.

Lance, sensing Marcus' growing unease, smiled. "I'll permit your marriage with my son, Marcus Von Daname has a nice ring, right Alex?"

Marcus gripped Alexander's ear tightly as her cheeks grew bright red. 

"F-father!" Alexander stammered as he quickly rose out of Marcus' lap. "What are you talking about, we're just friends!"

This man is trying to marry me off already!

Marcus was too flustered to speak, she nervously fumbled with her hands as she stared at the floor of the carriage.

Alexander turned to look at her, his heart racing, pounding in his chest as a future with Marcus flashed through his mind. 

Lance chuckled joyously. "How lucky am I?" He asked with his hands outstretched. "To witness my boy finding love so early."

"Father!" Alexander exclaimed with a finger point, "You should be more serious, we're heading into a war zone you know, you should be ready to protect us instead of teasing us!"

Lance's laughter died down, but his warm smile remained. "It's fine my son, I'll protect both you and your wife should anything happen."

Alexander opened his mouth to respond, but he felt Marcus' hand on the back of his head turned once again, gently pushing him towards her lap.

Alexander sighed as he settled back in Marcus' lap, his cheeks still flushed as his heart continued pounding. 

He tried to take his mind off his father's teasing, But it was futile, as now he couldn't think of anything but Marcus and marrying her.

"Marcus." Lance said softly, his expression becoming softer, "Can I ask you a question on your name?"

Marcus looked up to Lance and nodded. "Yes, you can."

"Isn't Marcus a bit of a boyish name, I understand why you had it previously, but now… are you going to keep it that way?"

Marcus smiled as she traced a finger on Alexander's cheek. "Uhm, I don't know, the shopkeeper gave me the name Marcus, so it's what I go by… " she stared Lance in his eyes directly. "Why, do you have something different Mr. Lance?"

Lance chuckled. "Yeah, you look more like Anna or Annie… Anna Von Daname, that has a good ring to it too."

Marcus blushed as she gripped Alexander's ear. "That sounds nice." She said softly, before reaching a hand towards Alexander's chin. She gently turned his head so that he looked at her directly. "What do you think Alex?"

Alexander chuckled nervously.

If he were being honest, Marcus had a good ring to it, and he had gotten rather used to calling her that. 

But if he had to choose something more feminine, then he'd prefer to alternate her current name.

Something akin to Marcia or Marca.

"Well, if you like Anna, then you should pick it." That is what he answered.

Marcus narrowed her eyes, it seemed she realized Alexander was hiding something. "Be honest with me Alex, what do you really think?" She asked.

A sheepish grin crossed Alexander's lips.

Damn, she can already read me like a book…

"Well," he began with a smile. "I think Marcus is fine, but if you want something a little more girly, then Marcia sounds cool, right?" He then sighed, "But like I said, Anna is fine if you want to change your name."

Marcus paused for a moment, then slowly, a smile crossed her lips. "No, Marcia sounds better." She said, "It sounds just like my old name, but it rolls off the tongue easier."

Lance watched the exchange with a gentle gaze. "I think you're right Marcus, Marcia rolls off the tongue pretty nicely." He then glanced at Alexander. "Marcia Von Daname… now that sounds good." He said teasingly.

Alexander rolled his eyes. "Whatever…" he muttered under his breath, reaching for Marcus' hand and bringing it to cover his eyes.

Marcus- now Marcia giggled as she covered his eyes. "Marcia Is the best." She said with a satisfied laugh. "I like it."

Alexander blushed. "You're welcome." He grumbled under his breath.

— — —

The carriage continued its journey towards the war front as the sun began to set and the landscape changed. 

The rolling green hills and fields were exchanged for crude and muddy terrain. 

The sun had set quite some time ago, and the sky was now a black canvas spotted with white stars. 

The carriage began to slow its roll as it grew closer toward the frontline. 

Inside the carriage, Alexander and Marcia were cuddled up together and sleeping while Lance watched over them. Looking out the window, his expression grew serious.

Eventually, the carriage rolled to a halt, leaving Lance to sigh deeply. He opened the door and stepped out of the carriage, his boots sinking into the mud as his feet met the ground.

"Ben," Lance said as he walked around the front of the carriage.

"Sir?" Ben replied, looking down from the driver's bench. 

"Stay here and watch the children, I don't want them too far in the trenches, just in case." Lance said, Scratching his chin as he looked towards the command tent in the distance.

"Yes my lord," Ben said with a nod. 

Lance gave a small nod as he turned away from Ben and walked towards the command tent. As he walked, he noticed that soldiers from both the Ambur Kingdom and Fallen Kingdom walked around in slightly jovial moods. 

It was to be expected, whipping out an entire army group and factory at the cost of two people would make any weary soldiers happy.

Couple that with the empire reeling to lick its wounds, and you have a recipe for a morale boost.

Upon reaching the Large command tent, Lance took a deep breath and walked inside.