Tenebris Renasci: A World of Magic and Gunpowder

The dinner progressed with ease in tension, shifting to a more comfortable meal alongside idle chatter shared between friends, or so it seemed.

Alexander, though slightly unnerved by the carnivorous nature of the demons, managed to find his peace among them. 

Not only that, but he found himself enjoying the meal provided for him. The delightful blend of foreign cuisines was hearty and fulfilling.

While the group ate, the demons kept their six eyes revolving around Alexander, the demon chief specifically among them.

After some time had passed, and most of the food was now settled in the stomachs of the partakers, the demon chief broke the silence with a question for Alexander. "How was your meal?" He asked, his tone friendly. "Good, I hope?"

Alexander turned to face the demon chief, swallowing down a piece of fruit with a sheepish smile. "Yeah." He answered, "I have no complaints, but…" Alexander trailed off, his gaze turning towards the ceiling.

The demon chief tilted his head as his large tail began to drag against the floor. "Something the matter boy?" He asked, "Speak your mind."

Alexander remained slight for a moment, his mind wondering. 

Huh, that wasn't that bad.

Alexander found himself enjoying the pleasant atmosphere of sharing a meal with a group, it had been so long since he had the chance. 

Even in his previous life, meals shared with family and friends were often few and far between.

And as Alexander, the only people he shared sit-down meals with were Elise and Ava.

"Boy?" The demon chief called to Alexander again, "Can you hear me?" He asked while reaching his arm across the table to touch his shoulder.

Alexander blinked, snapping back to reality with a jolt. "Huh, oh, I hear you," Alexander replied as he turned towards the demon chief, his golden eyes wide with awareness. "I was just thinking, you know?"

"About what, boy?" The demon chief asked as he pulled back his hand, "Use your words."

Alexander nodded, "I was thinking about how nice this is," he answered, "and… how long it's been since I had a meal like this."

"Ah," the demon chief replied with a nod, "did you not have these dinners with your family?"

Alexander shook his head, "No, not really." He answered, "I…" Alexander thought back to his life in the Fallen Kingdom, his life as a young nobleman. "…my family was often busy, my siblings in school and my father in war."

The table quickly fell silent as Alexander began to open up about his life, even Exulla and Mimi fell silent to listen, giving Alexander their full attention.

"Uh…" Alexander chuckled nervously as he looked up to see so many eyes on him. "…so I uhm, my family was never in one spot long enough for meals like this to happen." Alexander explained, "And I guess, I guess I never thought I'd get the chance to experience it after all that's happened."

The demon chief nodded in solidarity, "I see," he replied softly, "You never fail to surprise me, boy, so young yet so full of experience and knowledge." He then sighed as he crossed his large arms, "Perhaps you're more like me than I originally thought."

Alexander glanced at the demon chief curiously, "I am?" He asked, his tone intrigued.

The demon chief nodded, "My life as a young imp was turbulent as well, from as early as I can remember, survival was at the forefront of every decision." The demon chief replied, his eyes flashing with a flicker of pain, but only a flicker. 

He then shook his head. "But that's a tale for another moon, for now, we have business to discuss." He said, his tone becoming firmer, "Speaking of which, how do you feel about your upcoming battle with the war hound?"

Alexander found himself frowning as he looked away from the demon chief, facing his plate on the table. 

The demon chief chuckled softly at Alexander's response, "Surely you didn't think we'd leave dinner without discussing the matter, this was the point after all."

So that's what this was about… he softened me up with a nice meal, just to wring me over the coals.

"I feel backstabbed," Alexander replied with a soft yet hesitant smile on his lips. 

The demon chief smirked, "My apologies, but you did enjoy the meal, it's only fair you answer my questions in return."

Alexander sighed deeply as he tightened his fist, staring down at his plate as his mind churned with thought. 

Zara lowered her head to look Alexander in the eyes. "You have to answer," she whispered to him, "you cannot run, you won't run, okay?" Though she whispered, her words were filled with determination and reverence.

It was clear that she respected the demon chief enough to force Alex to answer, but she also had faith Alexander would respond with his head high.

"Why do you coddle the boy?" Exulla chimed in her usual cold tone, "he's a man, he should find his voice."

Zara looked up to meet Exulla's gaze with narrowed eyes. "Your words are not needed, so stop them."

"He's afraid," Mimi added.

Exulla rolled her eyes, as she crossed her arms. 

Alexander sighed softly as he raised his head, his frustration rising as the conversation revolved around him. He knew he couldn't escape the fight, not after all this time, but he did want to avoid talking about it.

However, it seemed that he couldn't even escape the conversation, as all eyes were on him, the most important among them being those of the demon chief. 

Dozens of eyes watching him with various forms of judgement.

Fine, I'll answer his question, since that's what he wanted from the beginning. 

Turning his attention towards the demon chief, Alexander steadied his breath as he straightened his shoulders. "I would be lying if I said I wasn't afraid." Alexander began, his tone indifferent, "but I know what I have to do, I won't run, because I'll either win or die, and I'm okay with either outcome."

The demon chief raised an eyebrow as his lips were pulled back into a reserved smile, barely visible if you weren't paying attention. "Is that so?" He asked, "I wonder, are those brave words or words of despair?"

Alexander briefly hesitated before responding, "neither." He answered, "Those words are simple facts, it's not what I believe, it's simply the truth." He explained.

The demon chief nodded, his smile growing. "If that's the truth, then tell me what it is you fear. Is it your failure, or what you risk to lose?"

Alexander's expression hardened at the question as he fell silent. 

He could feel the weight of everyone's gaze, their piercing eyes staring him down with expectant curiosity. 

The question flowed from the demon chief's lips with judgment, yet it also carried an invitation for brutal honesty.

Taking a deep breath Alexander eventually found his answer. "I don't know what it is I fear." He answered, "Not really anyway, I was so ready to give up on life a few weeks ago, yet now I don't know, I just… I want to succeed, win or lose, life or death, I just want to be the best version of myself."

The chief examined Alexander briefly, mulling over his answer before his smile grew to reveal his sharp pearly whites. "You've changed boy," he said with a nod, "for better or worse, you're no longer the boy from three weeks ago."

Alexander remained silent, though his confidence was solid.

If the demon chief was right about one thing, it was that Alexander was no longer the frightful smartass from before, nor the kidnapped victim who hated the world.

He was simply Alexander, a man on a mission of constant improvement.

And tomorrow will decide whether he continues down that path, or if his life will be cut short a second time.