Dex was standing alone surrounded by blackness, the world around him void of any and every thing. Dex could swear he could hear voices, but they were faint, mere whispers in his ears.
Suddenly, a portion of the world lit up, and he could see the outline of 3 familiar figures.
Mira, Lyra, and Lilliana smiled at him.
"My loves!" Dex shouted, and reached out for them, yet no matter how close he got, they seemed so far away.
"Dex, we will always love you." Lyra said.
"You can't close yourself off to people, dear." Lilliana told him.
Dex could feel his emotions plunging him into sadness once again, but as quick as it came, a new feeling settled over him. He could feel an almost ethereal force closing around his soul, but it was gentle, like a hug.
"We don't like seeing you like this, husband." Mira said with a sad smile.
"I can't do this without you three." He croaked, tears leaking from his eyes.
"Yes you can." All three of his wives said at once.
"How?" He asked.
"You are strong, Dexi. Stronger than anyone we've ever known. You will keep going because that is what you do, and we will always be here, watching over you. You used to see your emotions as a burden, and then, as a gift when you met us. Treat it like the gift it is, and keep going. For us. To be kind and caring is not a weakness, my love. Don't you ever forget that. Keep living my dear, and don't give upon life, or on love. " Mira said.
After she was done speaking, he could see their forms disapating quickly.
"No! Please!" He yelled, but it was too late.
"I love you." All three said as one before they disappeared completely.
Dex jolted up out of bed, instinctively grabbing for his wives, before it sank in that it was merely a dream, but was it? It felt so real and vivid, like he was actually speaking to them. He clutched at the bedsheets as he forcefully closed his eyes and breathed slowly.
"I love you too." He whispered, and he could have sworn he felt that same feeling again, as if someone was giving his soul a gentle squeeze.
Was that really them? Or was it a mere dream and nothing more? And how was he supposed to see how he was feeling as a gift when it hurt so much?
When he first unleashed his demonic powers and discovered he was a demon lord, he had hoped he could lock away his emotions like so many demon lords before him, only to realize that he wasn't the same as they were. Not only was he unable to shut out his painful emotions, but they seemingly became stronger, pulling him deeper into despair after the death of his family. Whether or not it meant anything, he wasn't sure.
A knock on his door drew him away from his thoughts and he rubbed the crust out of his eyes.
"Dex? Dad told me wake you up for breakfast." Jess said from the other side of the door.
"I'm up. Thank you, Jess. I'll be out in a few minutes." Dex replied, pushing himself off of the bed.
He pulled the tight shirt back on, and he was becoming increasingly thankful that he would be getting something that actually fit him later on today. He schooled his emotions and opened the bedroom door, and was surprised to see Jess still standing there, patiently waiting.
"You didn't have to wait for me." Dex told her, and she gave him a soft smile.
"I was just making sure you were okay." She said, and Dex felt a slightly warmth in his chest from her words.
This girl, these people, barely knew him, and yet, they genuinely seemed to care about him and his wellbeing. The why was still a mystery to him, as they barely knew him, but it was a comfort he wasn't quite used to. Yes, he had his wives before coming here, but before that? He had spent numerous years in solitude, surviving on his power and will alone, and he trusted no one during that time. In the part of this world he had come from, that's how it was, lest you become another body to a powerful being, or food for a hungry vampire.
Out here was different, however, as everyone lived peacefully alongside one another, and in the case with Frank and his family, had let a stranger into their home. They put their trust into him, for no other reason than they wanted to. A kindness, one not offered to him before, and it made him feel something he'd only ever felt with his family, and later, his wives. These people actually cared about him.
Dex felt the corners of his mouth unconsciously form into a smile, surprising Jess.
"Thank you, Jess. I appreciate that." Dex said, and the smile Jess gave him was bright and full of life.
Dreams or not, perhaps they were right. He couldn't give up on everything and everyone, but it would still take some time. For now, and to his surprise, he had hope for the future.
Dex arrived with Jess to the dining room, and he was met with quite the sight. The table was a veritable breakfast buffet, plates piled high with eggs, diced potatoes and bacon. Frank gestured to the seat he sat in the previous night and he took it, with Jess once again sitting opposite from him. Henry waved, but was too busy eating like a starving wolf to mutter any words. This kid could eat.
"Morning Dex, how are you today?" Frank asked him.
Dex gave another rare smile as he forked a mountain of food on to his plate, and Frank was a little taken aback.
"I'm doing well, all things considered. Thank you for this, Frank. For everything. I will do my best to repay your kindness." Dex said, and Frank just shook his head.
"Helping others isn't something I feel needs rewarded. It's simply the right thing to do." Frank said, smiling back.
"That it is. Still, thank you. I will repay you somehow." Dex answered.
Dex had always valued the kindess taught to him by his mother, but he also saw the practicality of being ruthless on the field of battle by the training learned from his father. It gave him a good sense of people's intentions, and he sensed nothing but goodwill from this family. His father wasn't a bad person, quite the opposite in fact, but he trained him to be strong, because that's what ultimately decided your fate in this world. The weak suffered simply because they lacked power, and as much as Dex despised that notion, that point had been proven time and time again.
All of those times, however, his foes underestimated him, or doubted his abilities. Dex wasn't sure exactly what made him so powerful, but it had kept him alive thus far. He wished he could say the same for those he loved, but his power was his own, and as far as he knew, it couldn't be shared. Dex was roused from his thoughts as Frank continued.
"I want to do more hunting today. Ray is going to accompany me. Jessica, will you take Dex around to get him some things? Bring Henry so he doesn't get into trouble." Frank said, grinning at his children.
"Hey!" Henry exclaimed, earning a laugh fron his dad and sister.
"Sure, dad. Anything else?" Jess said.
"No, thank you dear. I have everything else covered." Frank replied.
They ate in happy silence for a time, enjoying each other's company. Dex was actually enjoying the time he was spending with these people the more he learned about them. It really was a simple life out here, and it made him yearn for his departed even more. He stayed in the area he grew up in because it was comfortable and was familiar to him, but what if he had moved himself and his wives out to a place like this? Free from conflict, battle, and the general dangers of the world. He wasn't foolish enough to believe that danger didn't lurk around every corner, but still, this was much different than he was used to. He came to a decision right here and now.
"I will safeguard these people as long as I am able. I will protect my new friends." He told himself.
This is what he needed right now, and if he was being honest with himself, it's what he wanted. He felt like he had a purpose again, and he would do his best to live up to the task. He wouldn't lose anyone else.
It was a short while later that Frank was all dressed up, complete with a bow, a quiver full of arrows, as well as a short sword and dagger. He looked like he was ready for battle, even if he was just going hunting for small game. Dex hoped he didn't run into another bear or worse out there. However, knowing he would have company with him did set him at ease, and the aforementioned man was a skill swordsman from what he heard, so he was sure it would be fine. He hoped, anyways.
Frank hugged his children before waving a goodbye to Dex, and headed off. Dex helped Jess with the dishes while Henry headed off to get dressed. Jess took this time to study Dex, and she couldn't help but smile. He seemed better today than he was yesterday. Yes, there was still pain in his eyes, but there was also something else in there. She hoped that he would feel comfortable enough to tell them more about himself, but for now, the small smile on his face would do.
"Are you excited to get some new clothes?" Jess asked.
"Oh yes. Your dad was kind enough to lend me some of his, but I feel like these are squeezing the life out of me." Dex replied, causing Jess to chuckle.
With the dishes washed, Jess went to get dressed and fetch Henry. Dex pondered his current circumstances, and a faint smile made its way onto his face. It would be nice to see more of this little town, and to get to know his new friends.
"Hopefully things stay nice and quite around here." Dex said.
The two siblings came out, and with a bright smile on his face, Henry rushed out the door, Jess and Dex trailing behind him.
Lex studied his new arrivals, their looks of fear and terror coming off of them in waves. It was dirty work, but he couldn't say he minded. A job was just that. A job. It's not personal, and it's not as if he takes absolute joy in the work that he does, but this world is not kind. Concessions have to be made, and if that meant stealing people away from their homes and selling them to the highest bidder, well, it just is what it is. If it kept his pockets full, then he would do it, regardless of any moral conundrums.
He turned away, putting all the cries out of his mind, and walked back to his quarters. He was about halfway there when someone called out to him.
"Sir." A man said, causing him to look over.
He knew the man, as he was the man he had sent out to observe and report back to him, but his name escaped him. Lex just stared at him, trying to remember. The man stood nervously, feeling like he did something wrong, when in truth, Lex was just bad with names. With so many people working under him, it was hard to remember everybody. Then it came to him.
"Eric, was it? What do you have for me?" Lex asked, causing Eric to relax.
Eric perked up, and began.
"Yes, sir. The town you sent me to is an ideal place. It's out of the way, and by the time anyone else noticed anything amiss, we'd be long gone. The guards are kind of dumb, if I'm being honest. They let me right in like I was a long lost friend, and no even looked twice at me. The locals call it Greenridge. There are 3 entrances, and two guards are posted outside each one at all times. They wouldn't even stand a chance against us." Eric relayed.
Lex smiled, and promptly handed him over a pouch of coin.
"Good job, Eric. You've done well, and earned yourself a bonus." Lex told his subordinate.
Eric bowed his head in thanks, and was dismissed.
"This might even be easier than the last place." Lex mused, pouring himself a drink.
Dirty work most often entailed working with dirty people, but this was not just for a normal customer. No, when these people actually found out they were not to be slaves, but nourishment, well, he could honestly say that the first option would be much more preferable. Still, all Lex could think about was the amount of coin he was recieving for his services. He grinned.
"To an easy payday." Lex toasted himself, and downed the drink.