Tenebris Renasci: A World of Magic and Gunpowder

Entering the command tent, Lance was greeted with Napoleon and his daughter Camilla quietly discussing future plans concerning the war.

Upon spotting Lance, a wide smile crossed Napoleon's lips, causing his daughter to quickly turn around. 

"Lance!" Camilla said in suprise, "I thought you were on Leave?" 

Lance sighed as he stepped further into the command tent. "I still am." He replied, looking around the tent to study the various maps and equipment. "But I have a favor I need, for my son."

Camilla's face brightened. "Do you mean lord Alexander?" She said excitedly. 

Lance nodded. "Yeah." He said with a chuckle, "I'm having trouble training him, and I was hoping Napoleon could help, you know, considering everything I've done for him and this war…"

Napoleon chuckled as he rose from his desk. "Ahh, Lance there's no need to wave your favor, I'd be honored to help you."

"And you'll have my support as well." Camilla chimed in with a giggle.

Lance smiled softly as he stepped away from the tent's entrance. "After you." He said, gesturing out the tent with his hands.

Napoleon and Camille exited the tent one after the other, with Lance eventually walking out after them.

As the trio headed towards the carriage, Camilla slowed her pace so that she would match Lance's. "So," she said with a curious grin, "how has the little flirt been fairing?" She asked.

"Who?" Lance replied as he glanced at Camilla, "Alex?"

Camilla nodded.

"He's been fine, he and Marcus…" Lance paused before chuckling, "Marcia," he said, correcting himself, "have been inseparable these past few days."

"Marcia?" Camilla asked confusedly, "who is that,… wait is that Marcus' real name?" She asked.

"Kinda, it's what she goes by now, Alex picked it out." Lance explained.

Camilla raised an eyebrow. "Well that's sweet." She said softly, she then smiled. "You have a good kid."

Lance smiled grew as he looked at the ground. "Thanks, hopefully after this war ends, I can be an active figure in his life."

Camilla silently nodded.

When the trip reached the carriage, they were greeted by Ben, who seemed to be chatting with an soldier from the Ambur kingdom.

"So, do you think Ambur pathfinder's are… i don't know, arrogant?" Ben asked.

The soldier chuckled as he placed the butt of his rifle into the dirt, with his hands wrapped around the barrel tip. "Uhm, not really, if anything I'd say they're just realistic about most things." The soldier then sighed, "but that's just Ambur culture, everyone from Ambur is like that, myself included."

Ben slowly nodded. "I see, thank you for your time."

"No problem sir." The soldier said with a nod, before picking up his rifle and walking away. 

"Everything alright Ben?" Lance asked.

Ben smiled. "Yes my lord, I was just curious."

Lance returned the smile as he led Napoleon and his daughter to the side of the carriage. 

Opening the door, Lance and the others were greeted with the sight of Alexander and Marcia sleeping together peacefully.

"Aww, they're so adorable." Camilla whispered, her eyes twinkling with joy.

"Are both of them yours Lance?" Napoleon asked curiously, crossing his arms as he looked towards him.

Lance grinned. "Yep, Mrs and Mr. Daname." He joked, "Marcia is my daughter-in-law."

Both of the Nova's eyes widened. "Y-you're joking." Camilla stammered.

"I didn't expect your son to be married already." Napoleon said in shock and disbelief. 

Lance chuckled as he leaned into carriage and wrapped his hands around Alexander's waist. 

He then yanked him out, causing Alexander to stir awake in a panic. "Gyah!" He exclaimed as he checked his dimly lit surroundings. 

"Wake up!" Lance shouted as he shook the startled Alexander, laughing as he did so.

Alexander blinked rapidly as he tightened his grip around his father's wrist.

He was slowly becoming aware of his surroundings, realizing his father was holding him in his arms.

Napoleon and Camilla were on either side of him, chuckling alongside Lance.

Oh… it's just dad.

"Ugh." Alexander said with a sigh as he limped in his father's grasp. "Was that really necessary?" He asked groggily.

Lance chuckled as he placed Alexander on the ground, "just thought I'd have a little fun Alex." He said softly.

"Alex." Marcia said from within the carriageq, her voice slightly concerned. 

She crawled on the carriage seat, and poked her head out, where she was greeted with the sight of Alexander looking down at his muddy boots. "Ew." He grumbled under his breath.

See that Alexander was ok, a relieved smile crept onto her lips. 

"Alex!" Camilla said with enthusiasm as she placed her hands on her hip. "What's this business I hear about you getting married" She said with a fake pout. "I thought we had something."

Alexander rose an eyebrow as he looked at Camilla. "Married?" He asked in confusion, "to whom?"

"To Marcus." Camilla said with a point to Marcia. "I mean Marcia…" 

Alexander's cheeks became flushed. "We are not married!" He shouted. "She's my friend, that's it, final, finish, done." He said with the shake of his hands and head.

God, I'm only six, people. 

Camilla looked at Lance with an irritated glance.

Lance grinned sheepishly.

"So." Napoleon began with a chuckle, "you're the son of Lance Von Daname, I can tell you have a fiery spirit." He then stepped closer to Alexander and squared to his eye level, "but you're having trouble with taming that spirit, right?"

Alexander looked to Napoleon with a careful gaze, studying his decorated uniform and weapons. 

He was armed with a Mauser pistol and combat knife on his right hip, with a saber on his left.

"Uhm, I guess so." Alexander finally answered, "are you Napoleon?"

Napoleon nodded. "In the flesh." He said with a deep chuckle as he stretched out his arms. 

Alexander nodded. 

This Napoleon looks a lot different than the one back home.

"So." Lance said as he crossed his arms, "do you want to spar against Alex, get a feel for his skills or are you going to talk with him?" 

Napoleon looked up to Lance. "Well, I guess I'll spar against him for a bit, then give my initial thoughts." He then sighed as he rose up, "Give the boy your sword Lance." 

Lance nodded as he unsheathed his blade. 

"Here you go." Lance said with a grin, handing Alexander his sharp and well polished sword.

Wait, wait, wait…

"Father, I just woke up." Alexander said as he took a step back, "I'm still tired."

Lance stepped forward and handed his sword to Alexander, wrapping his hands around the sword hilt. "It'll just be a minute." Lance said with a smile, "now go show Napoleon who's a real pathfinder."

Alexander sighed as he felt the weight of the steel blade in his hands. 

Napoleon cleared his throat as he stood underneath a lamp post that illuminated a small area. "over here Alexander." He said with a small wave. 

Alexander looked down at the blade in his hand, than back to Napoleon.

A frown crossed his lips as he glanced at him.

Out of heaven and straight into hell, how lucky am I?

With a deep groan, Alexander slowly began trudging his way towards Napoleon.

"Pick up the pace Alex!" Lance shouted supportively.

Alexander began to jog towards Napoleon.

As he jogged, he couldn't help but wonder why his father was so adamant about training with swords and whatnot. 

This world was obviously moving towards guns and at a rapid pace. Swords were obviously obsolete, this was all so… stupid.

But, if it's what everyone wanted him to do, he'd oblige.

Alexander stopped before Napoleon, his demeanor was uninspired but firm.

Napoleon meanwhile, stood in a welcoming yet challenging stance. "Alright Alexander, the rules are simple, first to strike their opponent twice wins." 

"Whenever you're ready."

Alexander nodded as placed his back foot down firmly. He then took a deep breath, and prepared himself. 

All I have to do is enough to look good.

Alexander blitzed towards Napoleon, his blade pointing directly towards Napoleon's chest.

Napoleon grinned as he dashed towards the left, then with a spin, he aimed for Alexander's back. 

Alexander crouched low, allowing Napoleon's strike to cut through the air above him. 

Alexander, spotting an opportunity to retreat, put all of his momentum into a backward jump. 

Alexander gained a good distance from Napoleon, and planned on using that time to catch his breath and think. 

However Napoleon was already speeding towards him, kicking up dirt and mud as he moved in a blur. 

Alexander's eyes widened in shock, almost popping out of his skull. 

Holy shit!

Alexander quickly attempted to dodge by dropping to his ass, but before he could move, he felt a swift cut on his right cheek. 

Blood began oozing, running down his soft white cheek and Napoleon stood behind him. 

"First strike." Napoleon said with a grin as he twirled his sword. 

"Woah!" Marcia said in amazement as she watched Napoleon walk back underneath the lamp post. "I'm going next!" 

Lance chuckled as he ruffled her hair. "You should at least cheer your husband on before you take his place." He joked.

Marcia blushed as she looked toward Alexander, who was still shook by how fast Napoleon moved.

What the hell was that?!?

Elise nor Lance moved that fast during training…

"You can do it Alex!" Marcia cheered, "show Napoleon your skills, kick his ass, put him in the ground!"

Camilla's eyes widened as she gave Marcia a side-eye. 

Alexander looked up with an agitated expression as his wound healed. "He's gonna put me in the ground." He muttered under his breath.

Alexander lined up against Napoleon once more, and the two prepared for their second round.

"Whenever you're ready." Napoleon said with a challenging grin.

Alexander simply shook his head, "alright." he muttered under his breath.

Alexander took the same stance as before, and after a deep breath, he blitzed Napoleon again.

The second round of sparring ended worse for Alexander, as he was knocked on his butt and cut across the forehead. 

Napoleon stood over Alexander with a thoughtful expression. 

"So what's your verdict?" Lance asked as he walked over along with Marcia and Camilla.

Napoleon smirked as he looked to the trio. "If I'm to be honest, I had my answer before I ever sparred with Alexander." He said while sheathing his sword. "He's talented, but lazy."

Hey, who are you calling lazy?!

Alexander pouted as he looked up to Napoleon.

"Lazy?" Lance asked curiously. 

"Mhmm." Napoleon said with a nod. "His heart isn't in the art, and it affects his performance greatly."

Lance sighed as he looked down to his son, who was now being comforted by Marcia. "Are you okay?" She asked softly.

"Yeah." Alexander replied, his cheeks red and muddy.

"You know, that actually makes sense." Lance said with a nod, "so do you have anything I can do?"

Napoleon nodded. "I have a sargeant back on my estate, she's a feisty one, but she could shape your son up in no–"

"Incoming!!!"

Suddenly there was a large explosion that rocked the ground violently. 

Alexander looked over in the direction of the explosion, where he saw a massive white wall of fire spreading rapidly. It encompassed the buildings, trenches, and the soldiers themselves. 

There was a rapid secession of smaller explosions followed by the sounds of gunfire and screams. 

"Enemy mages!"

"They're everywhere!"

"Fall back, fall ba–"

Another round of explosions rocked the hill side, knocking Napoleon's command tent off its side, and burning it. 

W-what's happening?

Alexander was at a lost for words, his heart pounding as he shook uncontrollably. His fear had risen to the point of paralyzing him, and all he could do was watch as the world around him burned into ashes and shouts.

And that's when he spotted a figure, emerging from the flames, smoke, and chaos.

A man dressed in long, white and gold robes. His hair was long and blonde, his ears short and round, his eyes… his eyes glowed white.

Not the iris of eyes… but the entire eye, it was incompused in a white light.

Lance rushed to unholster his pistol and aimed it at the man, he joined by Napoleon, Camilla, and Ben all doing the same.

The man chuckled as the four pathfinders pointed there weapons at him, extending his hands as he charged them with world energy. 

The air around his hands cracked and popped as white swirls of energy emerged from his palms. 

"You godless creatures dare aim your crude weapons at me?" He asked with a sickening grin, his tone zealous. "I shall relish in ripping you apart!"