Chapter 73: End of training.
Time continued its flow, each day passing by with its challenges and successes. Eventually, the day before Alexander faced the war hound arrived, and on this day, Alexander stood over Zara with his spear to her throat, his eyes narrowed as his chest rose and fell.
Zara, who was lying on the ground, looked up at Alexander with pride and satisfaction brimming in her eyes.
Her arms were outstretched, her breath was heavy, and she was thoroughly defeated and exhausted, yet she still had a wide grin plastered on her lips.
She was proud of Alexander, his growth in such a short period was truly remarkable.
"I… I beat you." Alexander said with heavy breaths, his tone full of relief and accomplishment, "After losing so many matches, I… I won."
Zara nodded, "you did." She replied, "You did well." She then proceeded to slowly rise, while Alexander took a few steps back, lowering his spear.
Standing to her feet, Zara began to dust herself off.
"Are you okay?" Zara asked softly, approaching Alexander from behind. "You don't look… happy."
Alexander turned to face Zara, his expression becoming more restrained. "I… I don't know." He replied, his voice filled with uncertainty.
Alexander felt a sense of serenity at the moment, but it was significantly undercut by the underlying situation.
Tomorrow loomed over his shoulder like a reaper waiting to take his soul.
"Even though I won, I don't feel satisfied with it," Alexander said with a shake of his head, "I feel like this is only a step forward, not the end, you know?"
Zara nodded. "You, you have… a warrior's mind." She answered, her voice steady and warm, "Because that… that is the situation."
"I know," Alexander said with a nod, "but that doesn't help much, not when I still feel so… hesitant."
Zara's expression filled with understanding as her gaze softened. "That's okay," she said softly, "even the strongest of warriors have fears," she explained. "But even… with that fear, they still fight, still prevail."
Alexander sighed as he twirled his spear, before stabbing its tip into the ground.
"Right," Alexander said, clenching his jaw as he turned to face the evening sky.
He watched the clouds skate across the orange and red skies, tightening his grip around the shaft of his spear, his expression becoming unreadable.
He had practiced and trained his heart out for the last three weeks, and thought he had become stronger, stronger than he ever imagined, but he still felt it wasn't enough.
He felt that he could train more, learn more, exercise, and improve himself more… yet his allotted time had come to an end.
Lost in thought, Alexander almost didn't notice the sound of several pairs of footsteps approaching behind him from a distance.
"Demon chief?!" Zara exclaimed in surprise, clearly shocked to see the massive demon walking up the hill with a duo of elder guards.
The demon chief was dressed in long furs waist down, with his long tail dragging across the smooth grass. "Hello young Zara!" The demon chief said with a wave and grin.
Alexander turned from the sky to look in the direction of the approaching demon chief.
Huh, I didn't expect him to come out of his castle, I wonder…
Releasing his spear, leaving it to poke out of the ground, Alexander walked to Zara's side.
The demon chief continued his approach with a measured pace, his massive frame casting a long shadow in the fading light.
His grim remained ever present, yet there was something more behind it, something Alexander couldn't quite grasp.
"Chief, why are you…" Zara moved to speak but stopped herself as the demon chief halted a few feet from her and Alexander, an elder guard flaking both his sides.
The demon chief tilted his head curiously, the glint in his eye flashing with intrigue. "Why am I…?" he replied, leaving the question open-ended.
Zara looked up at the demon chief with a measured gaze, almost as if she was scared to finish her question.
Alexander turned to look at Zara with a raised eyebrow.
Seeing Zara so reserved with the demon chief was quite peculiar, especially given their meeting three weeks ago.
Wait…
Suddenly Alexander realized the situation.
Zara was worried about her earlier outburst with the demon chief.
Alexander turned to look back at the demon chief, his expression one of understanding.
He had once felt that same fear of the demon chief, he remembered his heart pounding, thoughts racing, it was such an intense and overwhelming moment.
But now, Alexander no longer felt that overwhelming fear.
Alexander knew the demon chief could snap his neck within an instant, his presence and power alone was as overwhelming as ever.
It was just that now, Alexander saw the demon chief for what he was, a powerful man who commanded respect.
So that's what Alexander felt for the man, reverence.
"…Here." Zara finally answered, avoiding the demon chief's gaze.
The demon chief chuckled at Zara's actions, crossing his arms as he did so. "Is it so wrong for me to leave my castle?" He teased, "These are my lands after all."
Zara nodded. "Yes." She replied.
With his grin never faltering, the demon chief shifted his gaze towards Alexander. "I suppose you're curious about my presence as well?" He asked, his deep voice carrying an almost paternal tone.
I guess…
Alexander met the demon chief's gaze with a calm expression that surprised even himself. "A little." He replied.
The demon chief remained silent briefly, his six eyes examining Alexander with scrutiny.
Alexander could feel the weight of the demon chief's gaze, but he continued to hold his head high.
"Hmm," the demon chief said with a slight nod, "well isn't it obvious?" He asked, his grin returning, "I've come to invite you for dinner, personally."
Alexander's eyes widened immediately, a gasp catching in his throat.
He was caught completely by surprise.
Dinner?!?!?
"Dinner?" Zara said aloud in disbelief, "But chief, you… you shouldn't…"
The demon chief's grin widened at the duo's reaction. "Well it's only natural," he replied, "tomorrow will be an eventful day for young Alexander, so it's only natural I treat the boy beforehand."
"But…" Zara stammered.
The demon chief let out a low rumbling laugh before focusing his attention on Alexander. "Besides, I think it'll be a great opportunity for you and Mimi, after all, she is yours if you survive tomorrow."
Alexander gulped audibly, his breath still hitched, and his mind lost for words.
An invitation, for dinner, with him… and Mimi…
The demon chief watched with amusement as Alexander struggled to find his voice.
There was something more behind his amusement however, it was clear he saw something in Alexander, teetering on the edge of something vast.
Zara meanwhile seemed tense, her body as stiff as a board. Her earlier pride and confidence are now long gone.
Almost as if she knew something Alexander didn't.