Chapter 102 - Farewell.

Alexander was guided out of the room and into the corridor, still wrapped in Martine's surprisingly heavy cloak. 

Behind him was Martine, who had a conflicted expression on her face. And in front of him was Pierre, who was already heading down the stairs. 

Alexander followed closely behind Pierre as he internally questioned where he was. 

But as he recalled his memories, he was only left with him falling face first in the dirt. 

As the group descended the stairs, however, Alexander began to recall bits and pieces of familiarity. 

This place feels familiar though… smells familiar too.

The smell of fresh oak and scented candles swirled around his nostrils, growing thicker the further down they went. 

But that wasn't the only thing Alexander noticed. 

He also caught Martine starting a home in his back, with an unreadable expression. She walked stiffly, her fingers twitching with unknown emotion.

Pierre meanwhile, was the complete opposite. He moved with a calm step, each movement he took deliberate. 

Huh, I suppose waking up to find these two is good, but for some reason, I'm hesitant to believe that.

When the group finally reached the base of the stairs, Alexander stopped abruptly, finally realizing where he was. 

I'm in that big ass tree, the demon castle!

His eyes widened with understanding, peaking past Pierre as he stepped into the greater chamber, Alexander caught a glimpse of the demon chief sitting on his throne with his gaze focused on a knife of some sort. 

Beside the demon chief, were Mimi and her mother quietly conversing with each other.

Upon seeing Pierre walking towards them, the two looked up, their conversation dying on the spot. 

"Demon chief." Pierre called out as he stepped forward, "Alexander is awake."

The demon chief looked up from the knife in his hands, and towards the doorway from which Pierre emerged.

He then narrowed his eyes as he shifted his gaze from Pierre to Alexander, who still stood in the doorway with Martine beside him.

The demon chief's expression was unreadable at first, but soon a small smile crossed his lips. "You look well boy, like a new man." He said, gesturing for Alexander to come closer. "Come to me, I have something for you."

Alexander hesitated briefly, not out of fear, but curiosity. 

What could the demon chief have for him, gold, riches?

Taking a step forward Alexander, Alexander approached the demon chief with caution. 

As Alexander grew closer, the sound of quiet breathing could be heard on the left side of the demon chief's throne. 

Raising an eyebrow as he rounded the demon chief's throne, he caught a glimpse of Zara peacefully sleeping beside it, curled into a ball. 

The demon chief eyed Alexander closely, watching as his steps slowed the closer he got. "Do you wish to speak with her first?" The demon chief asked curiously.

Alexander stopped dead in his tracks as his gaze lingered on Zara. Part of him wanted to wake her, to show her he had defeated the war hound and emerged victorious.

But something told him not to, at least not yet. 

She'd probably be overwhelmed, and I'd be stuck in her embrace for the next hour.

A faint smile crossed Alexander's lips as he shook his head. "Uh, not yet." He answered with a nervous chuckle as he turned his attention back to the demon chief.

The demon chief let out a soft chuckle as he gave a nod. "Good choice," he mused, pointing the knife he previously held at Alexander. "Makes this part easier."

Alexander straightened up as he took another step towards the demon chief. "Makes what easier?" He asked curiously.

The demon chief grinned as he held out the knife in his hand. "I want you to have this, to remember your victory today and as a gift from my clan."

Alexander narrowed his eyes as he looked down at the knife in the demon chief's hand. 

As he looked at it, he immediately recognized it was the short blade he used to kill the war hound. 

It had the same worn and uneven handle and glass-like blade. 

"Take it." The demon chief ordered as he pushed his hand forward, "Wield it well."

Alexander hesitated briefly, before reaching for the short blade. His fingers wrapped around the uneven handle, while a strange sense of familiarity washed over him.

The demon chief's grin widened as he watched Alexander examine the blade. "You're a natural, the way you hold it, the way you fight with it." He said with a confident nod.

Alexander smirked as he tightened his grip around the short blade. "Thanks." He replied, "I'll take good care of it."

"Of course, you will," the demon chief then gestured towards Mimi as he glanced at her. "Now, as for your second prize and parting gift."

Mimi stepped forward with confidence and a stoic expression.

Alexander glanced over at Mimi, a flicker of hesitation and nervousness flashing in his golden eyes.

Wait, he was serious?!? 

"Woah, hey you don't have to give her to me," Alexander said nervously as he stepped forward, his free hand outstretched. "I'm fine with just the knife, seriously."

"Do you not want my daughter?" Exulla hissed angrily as she stepped behind Mimi, both women now standing in front of Alexander. "Mimi's hand is the highest honor to receive, fool!"

Alexander frowned as he glanced at the demon chief, who in response simply smiled. "Alexander, did you not kill a war hound for her?" He asked dramatically, "Did you not brave the fires of battle to claim such beauty?!"

Alexander, at a loss for words, looked towards Pierre and Martine for assistance. 

Yet they quietly stood near the doorway, both with unreadable expressions. 

Oh, that's just great, my two saviors are playing like statues.

"You're taking me, Alexander." Mimi declared, her tone unwavering and cold. "It's been decided."

"By whom?" Alexander asked as he turned back towards Mimi, "What about your mother?" 

Say yes, please.

Mimi narrowed her eyes. "There will be times to visit, I'll make sure of it." 

Alexander flinched at Mimi's cold declaration, she wasn't asking, she was demanding!

"I see…" Alexander whispered under his breath, "How uh, convenient."

The demon chief, who looked all too pleased with himself, clasped his hands together loudly. "Then it's settled, Mimi shall leave with Alexander and the royal blades!"

Alexander's shoulders slumped as he watched Mimi walk to his side, confidence brimming in her stride. 

Alexander then turned his attention back towards the demon chief, his expression weary. "Anything else, oh great one?" He asked dryly.

The demon chief nodded, his expression growing softer. "Indeed, there's still the matter of Zara, she wanted to say farewell." He said with a gesture towards the left side of his throne.

Alexander turned his gaze on Zara, his expression softened as he watched her sleeping peacefully. 

He felt his heart sink in his chest as his grip tightened around his knife. If there was anyone Alexander wished he could take with him, it was her. 

From the moment he arrived on the demon continent, everything regarding his survival was thanks to her.

From finding him in the woods to training him in battle, every time he was in trouble she delivered. 

So the idea of saying goodbye to her didn't sit right in Alexander's stomach. 

"Go on." The demon chief encouraged.

Alexander frowned slightly as he slowly approached Zara, reaching a hand for her shoulder. "Zara?" He whispered while pushing against her shoulder, "It's me."

Zara didn't respond at first, but as Alexander continued to shake her shoulder, her eyes snapped open, all six in unison. 

It was a strange sight, but Alexander didn't retreat.

"Zara?" He repeated.

Zara looked up at Alexander, her eyes wide with confusion. 

It only lasted a second, however, as the moment of realization washed over her, she instantly brought Alexander into a tight hug.

Alexander was caught off guard by the sudden embrace, her strength far more than he anticipated. Yet he didn't mind it, as he had hugged Zara like this many times before.

"Alexander." Zara whispered as she buried her face in his small shoulder, "I thought I'd lost you." She continued, her voice trembling yet strangely filled with relief.

Alexander placed a hand on Zara's back, feeling her warm skin beneath his small palm. "You'd never lose me," he joked, "I'd be lost without you."

Zara let out a soft laugh as she tightened her grip around Alexander, holding so tightly that he found it harder to breathe. "I never want to lose you," she replied, "you…" Zara's words began to falter as her lip began to quiver. 

Alexander felt Zara's emotions through her embrace, her words cutting through the earlier tension like a knife. 

For a moment, Alexander felt everything fade into the background, except for Zara's presence. 

And for that brief moment, Alexander wanted to throw everything to the side, pick Zara up in his arms, and take her away.

But that wasn't possible… was it?

Alexander frowned in frustration at leaving Zara, he felt betrayed by the fact that he had to do it, but he also knew it had to be done.

The longer he stayed, the more reluctant he'd be to leave. 

He placed a hand on Zara's arm and gently pried her grip so that he could face her. Zara looked up at Alexander, all six of her eyes shimmering with a mix of sorrow and relief.

As Alexander looked into her eyes, he knew this was going to be difficult.

I should ask her to come with me…

"Zara, I…"

She won't say no, I know she won't.

"…I have to go, you know?" Alexander said softly, unable to face Zara directly and averting his gaze. "I have to go home, but…"

"I know." Zara said softly, interrupting him, "Chief told me you have to return to your people, to the pale conquerors." As she spoke her expression was a storm of emotions.

Alexander fell silent, unsure of what to say.

Zara closed her eyes as she loosened her grin on Alexander. "I know… I know I can't keep you, but promise me you'll come back Alexander, please give me that."

Alexander swallowed hard as Zara's words stuck to him. He could see the storm of emotions she was suppressing, the slight trembling of her frame, the tears streaming down her cheeks.

Yet all she asked for was a simple promise, one Alexander wasn't sure he could keep.

Hitching a shaky breath, Alexander responded. "Of course, I'll come back," he answered, "I… I love you too much not to."

Zara squeezed Alexander's arms as the words left his lips. A small, satisfied smile crossed her lips. "I love you too, Alex."

Alexander felt his eyes begin to well with tears, as what little strength he had left began leaving him. 

Pierre, upon seeing Alexander tear tear-filled eyes, cleared his throat loudly as he approached the duo. "Alexander," he called to him firmly, "it's time to go."

Alexander's chest tightened at Pierre's words, turning to look at him with a conflicted expression. His thoughts weighed heavy on him, but he knew it was time.

"It's time." Alexander echoed as he turned to face Zara again. "But I'll be back, I promise."

Zara opened her eyes as she let out a long breath. "Then I'll wait for you Alex, as long as it takes." She declared, her tone soft, as she released him. 

Alexander took a hesitant step back, offering Zara one last smile before turning away. His heart was aching with every step he took.

Dammit…. 

Martine had already made her way by the main entrance, while Pierre was leading both Alexander and Mimi to her, each stride he took was long and purposeful.

The exact opposite of Alexander.

As the group exited the chamber, the demon chief's voice echoed after them. "Safe travels my boy, and may your goddess protect you!" His voice was filled with pride and admiration.

Alexander glanced over his shoulder one last time, giving a thumbs up as he forced a smile. "Thanks." He whispered, unsure if the demon chief heard him.