The next morning, the small diner on the edge of town buzzed with its usual morning rush. The smell of fresh coffee and sizzling bacon filled the air, mingling with the chatter of patrons discussing the previous night's fire. Ryan sat in a corner booth, staring out the window, the events of the night still fresh in his mind. He barely touched his coffee, his thoughts tangled with the image of the dark, writhing figure he had seen in the flames.
"Mind if I join you?" Alex's voice cut through his reverie.
Ryan looked up to see Alex standing there, a faint smile on his soot-streaked face. He gestured to the seat across from Ryan, who nodded silently. Alex slid into the booth, setting down a small notebook and pen.
"Coffee?" Alex asked, waving to the waitress.
"Sure," Ryan muttered, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You've got some explaining to do."
Alex gave a nod of agreement, waiting for the waitress to leave before leaning in, his voice low. "I know last night was... intense. You saw things that don't make sense, things you probably don't want to believe."
Ryan's jaw tightened. "That's an understatement. What was that thing? And how did you know about it?"
Alex took a deep breath, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. "What you saw was a demon—Ignis, to be exact. It feeds on fear and chaos, often manifesting in fires, which explains the warehouse. I've been tracking it for weeks, but it's elusive."
Ryan's brows furrowed. "Demons? You expect me to believe that?"
"You saw it with your own eyes, Ryan," Alex countered. "I don't expect you to understand it all right away, but denying what happened won't change the truth. Demons are real, and Ignis is just one of many."
Ryan leaned back, his mind reeling. His entire life had been built around fighting tangible threats—fires, accidents, disasters. This supernatural revelation was a hard pill to swallow. "How did you get involved in this... demon-hunting business?"
Alex's gaze softened, and for a moment, a shadow of pain crossed his face. "I didn't choose this life; it chose me. My family... they were involved in this world long before I was born. I lost them to a demon when I was a teenager. Since then, I've made it my mission to stop these creatures from harming others."
Ryan was silent for a moment, absorbing Alex's words. "So you've been doing this alone?"
Alex nodded. "For the most part, yes. People don't usually take kindly to the idea of demons lurking in the shadows. It's a lonely job, but someone has to do it."
The waitress returned, refilling their coffee cups and leaving a plate of toast for Alex. They ate in silence for a few moments, each lost in their thoughts.
Finally, Ryan broke the silence. "What happens now? You said last night wasn't over."
Alex set down his coffee, his expression serious. "Ignis is trapped, for now, but it won't be long before it finds a way to escape. Demons are persistent. We need to be ready for when it resurfaces. And there's more to this than just one demon. Last night felt... orchestrated, like someone wanted us to find Ignis."
Ryan frowned. "You think someone is controlling these things?"
"It's possible," Alex admitted. "There are organizations out there—people who think they can control demons, use them for their own gain. If that's the case, we're dealing with something much bigger."
Ryan ran a hand through his hair, the weight of the situation settling heavily on his shoulders. "So, what do you need from me?"
Alex smiled faintly, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "I could use someone like you—brave, resourceful, and, well, open to believing the unbelievable. It's not just about fighting fires anymore, Ryan. It's about saving lives in a way most people can't even comprehend."
Ryan sighed, feeling the gravity of Alex's words. He wasn't sure if he was ready to dive headfirst into a world of demons and dark forces, but after what he saw, there was no turning back. "Alright, Alex. I'm in. Let's figure this out together."
Alex extended his hand across the table, and Ryan shook it firmly. Their partnership had just begun, and the fire of their combined determination burned brighter than any flame they had ever faced.