While games of political chess were played on shores far from the demon continent, Alexander sat upon a mat, the sun shining down as the smell of Morning dew filled the air.
He was minutes away from a death match against a war hound, yet his posture didn't reflect the fear he should've realistically felt.
No, instead his breathing was steady, his muscles relaxed, and his mind focused on one goal, victory or death.
To the left of him was a spear, chosen by Zara.
It had a long wooden shaft, decorated with a foreign demon script and patterns of intricate shapes and colors. The tip of the spear was an ominous black color. So black that it didn't even reflect the sunlight, but absorbed it.
To his right was a short blade, about the size of a large knife.
It had an uneven and worn white handle, along with a glass-like blade edge. A backup weapon meant not for glory, but survival.
Alexander inhaled deeply, his lungs swelling with air as his nose sorted through the smells of the earth beneath him. He had been meditating for the past hour, a suggestion given by the demon chief.
"It'll help connect you to your inner strength," he said, "to calm your nerves, and most importantly, form yourself into a weapon for battle."
Exhaling, Alexander felt the last embers of hesitation and fear radiating from his chest, leaving behind only his determination and strength.
As Alexander continued circling through breaths, the sounds of distant footsteps began to grow louder. Each step pressed into the fresh grass with purpose and intensity.
It wasn't long before the presence of someone lingered above Alexander, their breath's confidence and scent familiar, like that of Herbs. "It's time, Alexander." Their voice echoed in a strong accent, "The Chief is waiting, your battle is now."
A smirk crossed Alexander's lips as his eyes slowly opened.
He slowly lifted his head, looking up at the figure above him. What he was greeted with, was Zara, a hand on her hip with an untenable expression.
"Already?" Alexander asked with a slow chuckle, rising from his mat in one fluid motion. "I almost can't believe it."
Zara frowned as she narrowed her eyes, her tail swaying side to side in a slow, curious manner. "You don't look afraid, that is not good."
Alexander's smirk grew as knelt to grab his knife, "That's funny." He said with a chuckle, his fingers wrapping around the rough handle of the blade. "I thought you'd be proud."
"Proud?" Zara repeated, her tail swishing with a snap, "I'm… terrified." She replied, pausing as if she were searching for the right word. "I taught you everything I could, but I still feel it wasn't enough." Zara's gaze fell, her six eyes lost in thought.
Alexander nodded, while sliding his knife into his wooden scabbard, "oh I feel the same," he replied, his smirk still going strong. "But we don't have the luxury to be terrified, Zara, not anymore." He continued his tone at ease.
As he moved to grab his spear, Zara studied him closely, watching how tranquil his movements were. He acted as if nothing could harm him, as if the world was at his mercy.
It irritated Zara, not because she was jealous, but because she wanted him to live, to take this matter seriously.
Then suddenly, without much thought on her part, Zara sent her tail flying towards Alexander, aiming directly for his neck.
She had moved so far that she barely registered what was happening, and by the time she did it was too late.
But it wasn't entirely, not for Alexander, because almost as if he had eyes in the back of his head, his body effortlessly pulled itself out of Zara's striking range.
The hairs on the back of his neck shot up as he quickly dodged, the air around him audibly snapping.
Then with narrowed eyes, body slanted towards the right, Alexander stared at Zara cautiously. "Zara, what… was that?" Alexander asked calmly, a hint of sharpness buried beneath his words.
Zara straightened, her tail pulling back and wrapping around her like a coil. "That… was a test, one you passed, surprisingly." Zara had a look of relief on her face as the words left her lips.
Alexander exhaled sharply through his nose as his body relaxed. "Oh, if I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to kill me." He joked, his tone laced with skepticism as he tightened his grip on the shaft of his spear.
"I was." Zara answered honestly, "I had no control over what happened, not entirely."
Alexander tilted his head curiously, as his smirk returned to its home. "Let me guess," he replied, "you thought if I died from that, I wasn't ready for the war hound anyway?" Alexander finished Zara's thought, moving closer as his golden eyes sparkled with amusement.
Zara's eyes flickered with guilt as her expression soured. "Something like that," she admitted, "but more so I… I wanted to see your instincts, to know you were prepared."
Zara then crossed her arms, her tail swaying behind her restlessly. "And you are, you're prepared for this, but my heart, I still…"
Alexander sighed, his expression becoming that of genuine gratitude. "Thank you, Zara," he began, his tone soft, "for everything you've done." Alexander stepped closer towards Zara, close enough to where he now stood directly in front of her. "But you need to know that whatever happens to me, win or lose, I have no regrets, not when it comes to you. Okay?" He concluded, a wide smile crossing his lips.
Zara looked down at Alexander, her gaze filled with a mixture of pride and sorrow. "Alexander," she whipped softly, her expression reflecting her inner turmoil.
"What did you do, where is my Alexander?" She said with a forced smile, her tail moving to wrap around Alexander's waist.
The air between Alexander and Zara grew rapidly intimate as the two stood so close together.
"Who are you?" Zara asked, her hands resting on Alexander's shoulders. "Who is this pale conqueror with golden eyes, filled with confidence and zeal."
Alexander's smile softened, his golden gaze locked with Zara's as the two stared at each other. "I'm still Alexander," he began, his tone calm and firm. "The same boy you found in the woods, who you took to your home and cared for."
As Alexander spoke, Zara's tail grew tighter around his waist, yet its touch grew softer, more tender.
"But, I'm also different, better in a sense." He added, "I no longer hate what I can't control, fear what I can't see. And most importantly, I no longer doubt myself," Alexander's words rang with determination and fortitude. "I am Alexander, and I am the epitome of growth."
Zara's six eyes glistened with unshed tears, her sharp facial features growing softer as her hands pressed into Alexander's shoulders. "My Alexander…" she muttered under her breath, her voice trembling, "you, are mine."
Alexander nodded, "of course." He replied with a confident grin, "and that… that won't change, regardless of the outcome."
Zara inhaled sharply before her tail began loosening and her frame trembling. She pulled her away from Alexander, her head facing the sky as she crossed her arms. "Do you mean that?" She asked, while still staring off into the sky.
"I do." Alexander replied, "With all my heart."
There was a moment of silence following Alexander's answer. The air was filled with unspoken emotions and words.
At that moment, it felt as if the world had stopped just for the two of them. But, both Zara and Alexander knew time was short, and the fight was soon.
Zara then finally replied. "Then go." She answered, her voice barely holding together as tears began rolling down her cheeks. "Show them, Alexander, show them what you've become."
Alexander stood silently, there was much he wanted to say at that moment, much more than what time would allow.
And so, he decided to tell Zara what he felt was most important at that moment. "I will, I'll show the world who I am."
As the declaration left his lips, Alexander tightened his grip on his spear, and then… he marched towards the arena, where the world awaited.
As he disappeared into the distance, Zara collapsed to her knees, slightly weeping as her body trembled and her heart ached.
She was overwhelmed with sorrow, and all she wanted at that moment was to hold onto Alexander, and never let go. "Please," Zara whispered between sobs, "please come back to me."