Tenebris Renasci: A World of Magic and Gunpowder

The figure moved swiftly, their footsteps quickly approaching the crate that held the unconscious Alexander.

Their torchlight flickered as they emerged from the forest, casting long waving shadows that extended across the ground and surrounding trees.

As the figure eventually reached the crate, their silhouette became more apparent. 

The person had a small, thin frame, and was draped in a long black cloak. Their head was covered by a hood, which obscured their face. 

What the hood didn't hide, however, were two thin horns that extended from the figure's head and curved upward. 

The horns were a deep black color that had strange neon blue patches etched into them. 

That wasn't the only strange factor of their appearance, however, as aside from their horns, the figure had a tail that was long and thin, with a razor-sharp tip. 

It swayed back and forth like a curious cat, as the figure moved closer toward Alexander. 

Once they got close enough, they moved their torch over the crate, illuminating the limp Alexander in his worn and tattered state. 

Spotting Alexander, the figure tilled their head in curiosity.

"Hmm." The figure muttered softly under their breath. "It's a pale conqueror," the figure's soft yet monotone voice made it clear they were female. "But, it's a child?"

Evidently confused, the woman turned her attention towards the tracks that were etched into the ground leading away from the crate. 

"The tracks lead to one of their cities, meaning…" the woman shook their head, "…I've been tracking down this child."

She then let out a deep sigh as she turned her attention back towards the crate.

She thought she had been tracking down smugglers, who were stashing food or weapons. 

She wasn't expecting a child.

Her tail flickered in agitation, clearly upset by the lackluster prize she had found. "What a pitiful hunt, the chief will not be pleased." She murmured under her breath as she looked down at Alexander.

She noticed that Alexander looked fragile, his body curled up on the crate awkwardly and covered in blood, sweat, and tears. 

His chest was just barely rising and falling, indicating that while he was alive, it wasn't by much. 

Besides Alexander, however, the woman also noticed the sword wrapped in leather beneath him. 

Spotting it, her tail began to sway eagerly, perhaps this hunt wasn't completely lost after all. 

She crouched near the crate, her torch flickering with every movement she made. 

Placing a hand on Alexander's shoulder, the woman pushed his limp body aside before carefully sliding out the sword from underneath him. 

The sword was a heavy one, with a wide blade and sturdy hilt. 

Dragging it out of the crate and leaning the sword against it, the woman pulled the string that held the leather around the sword. 

With the string removed the leather dropped to the ground, revealing a pristine silver blade that showed her reflection using the torch light.

A wide grin quickly spread across the woman's lips, revealing her many, razor-sharp teeth.

The sword was beautiful in every sense of the word and looked practically untouched. 

"Ha, maybe the chaos gods favor me after all." The woman said happily, though her voice still was heavily monotonous.

she reached to grab the hilt of the sword, intending to pick it up and carry it home. 

But as she moved to lift the sword, wrapping her fingers around its neck, she noticed a mark. 

It was faint, yet unmistakable.

It was the house Nova emblem, but to the woman, she recognized it as a symbol of high importance.

The woman's eyes widened as she studied the symbol, and for the first time, her six blue eyes began visible from underneath her hood. 

Finding a child in a crate was strange, but finding a child in a crate that also held a sword with a symbol of high importance was unbelievable.

Whoever this child was, he wasn't just some common kid. 

But someone of importance. 

Suddenly the dots began to connect in the woman's mind. 

The two men who had this crate, must've been smuggling this child! That's why they were so suspicious, this wasn't just food or weapons, but someone of importance!

Glancing back at Alexander who was still unconscious, the woman was in disbelief, her mind racing as she contemplated what to do. 

She could take the sword, which would certainly please the chief and sell quite well. 

A easy decision for any demon looking to make a quick score. 

But the child, this child could change her life entirely. He was tied to the high importance of the Pale conquerors, powerful people who could move ships in the air like sky beasts. 

However, just as much as the boy could change her life for the better, he could also ruin it, maybe even costing her life.

The woman's tail flickered back and forth in indecision as she considered her options. 

She wasn't equipped to take care of a wounded child, not here anyway. 

Yet even if she did get home with the boy, her chief wouldn't be happy about another mouth to feed. 

But the idea of leaving the boy behind to die was gnawing at her, she knew he wouldn't survive the night. Alexander was in a fragile state, young, and defenseless.

If anyone came across him, including the people who left him here from the beginning, Alexander was as good as done. 

Sighing deeply the woman finally made her decision. 

She hastily moved towards the crate and reached down into it. With a firm gentleness, the small demon woman scooped Alexander in her arm by placing her hand on his butt and pulling him out. 

The boy was heavy but his limp body made it easy for the woman to shift his weight around in a leverageable position.

With Alexander secured, the woman took one last look at the sword that leaned against the crate. 

The idea of taking the boy along with the sword did flash across her mind, but she quickly dismissed the idea. 

She knew being too greedy was simply foolish.

Turning away from the sword the woman began moving in the direction from where she came. 

A small yet determined frown crossed her lips as she began to pick up her pace. The light of her torch lit the path forward as she moved through the tall trees that towered above her.

As she moved her mind filled with curiosity about the boy she now carried.

Wondering what would come of her rash decision.

— — —

As the demon woman took Alexander back to her home, the two men who brought Alexander to that place from the beginning returned about three hours after she left.

The two men were dressed in black robes with their faces obscured by black featureless masks. 

They were armed with a sword and pistols on their hips and moved with a sense of purpose. 

"Man, I can't wait till this shit is done with." One man said as he scratched behind his head, "This will be the last job I ever do."

The other man chuckled, "Ha, you know that's something I agree with you on," he replied, "still I wish we could've gotten Louise, I think he would've paid double for her."

The other man nodded. "Ehh, that was never gonna happen." He said with a shrug, "Besides, I actually prefer it this way."

The other man moved to speak but paused as he spotted the crate. "Wait a second…" he murmured under his breath, as he grew closer his eyes began to widen. 

"O-oh shit." The other man stammered in a slight panic, "Where's the kid?!"

The first man raised his hands to his head as he looked around the scene. "Shit, I think he broke out!"

— — —

Deep in the forest, the demon continued to move swiftly. She cradled Alexander's limp and unconscious body against her small frame, her breathing steady despite his weight.

Eventually, she reached a small hidden settlement that was nestled securely in between large, steep rolling hills. 

The demon woman's tail began to flicker in relief as she spotted her village, which sat underneath a massive tree. 

The village was filled with dozens of people who looked like her, demons who went on about their day blissfully unaware of the kind of trouble their village was about to encounter.

With her tail swaying in relief, the woman began to descend down to her village.

Stepping inside her village, the woman was greeted with the curious gazes of her fellow kin. 

Their six eyes shifted from her to Alexander, their expressions were filled with concern and worry. 

It wasn't every day someone so obviously different where brought into their village, especially a pale conqueror.

Yet though they were curious, no one dared to stop or approach her.