Controlling Your Inner Demons (Zenneth's C-rank Exam)

So...today is finally here.

It was the break of dawn, and the lone figure of Sabertooth's Paragon of Selflessness could be seen overlooking the ocean from the Serene Cliff. It wasn't unusual to see the mage here. This had become his spot of relaxation. Today however had reasoning beyond simply relaxing; today was the day of Alexander Zenneth's C-rank exam, a day that Marick had been looking forward to and yet dreading at the same time.

-Flashback-

"When you take me on there's no going back. I won't ease up until I've done what is necessary. There is a line drawn here...do you really intend to cross it?" Marick closed his eyes now, using only his ears to listen for any attacks that might be headed his way. He wanted to avoid a fight with his guildmate if he could. He'd acted purely out of concern initially and although he had no regrets for his action, he certainly didn't want it to come to this. His cards levitated around his body, ready to be called into play as and when they would be needed. It was all down to Alex now.

Marick could feel Alexander going for him before his guildmate was anywhere near him. The heat had increased to insane levels, the steps as the Demon Slayer approached him were heavy as the flames scorched the ground and gave off a hiss of smoke. These signs gave the Solitaire more than enough time to make his move. He gripped a card and cast it in the second before Alex reached him; Black Joker. Marick was teleported behind his fellow guildmate, and watched with a raised eyebrow as the demonic form put heavy pressure onto the doppelganger, which eventually dissipated from the damage it had sustained. Had Marick not cast that spell, he'd be in intense pain right now. That wasn't what concerned him though. Alex was already losing his cool even before the incident, only to blow his top and lose control after Marick's defensive spell caught him. In his current state he was a danger not only to the mission and to Marick, but to himself and potentially the entire guild. He had promise, but he'd have to learn to control his inner demon.

-End Flashback -

The two had spoken a few times since that mission, but Marick had felt some level of tension in the air every time. Whether it was Alex feeling guilty or if he was still pissed for the events that transpired Marick couldn't be sure. What he did know was that the tension needed to go, and Alex needed to regain full control of his body. Sabertooth's Ace had left a note at Alexander's residence to request they met here at the Serene Cliff, with no mention as to why. All Marick could do now was wait and see if the young mage turned up.

Well this was interesting to say the least, he did not get the note until after breakfast. This was interesting, but unnecessary. It wasn't that he hated Marick or felt guilty, Alexander just thought Marick was a drunk idiot. Other people were easily able to snap Alexander out of his rage. However Marick made a situation much worse than it was. Alexander sighed and got himself ready.

He was lost however and after a series of misdirections somehow ended up at the bottom of the cliff. He sighed in frustration, but there was one solution for that. He always wanted to climb a cliff without tools one day. Alexander found his first handhold and climbed it. Little by little he got up as his increase strength and durability to climb it. After being 15 minutes late he popped over the cliffside saying sarcastically, "Yeah I so did not get lost and had to climb the cliff like a suicidal idiot." It was a bit of an adrenaline rush, but otherwise it was easy. Disappointing really.

Marick's eyebrows raised as the young man he'd been waiting for had decided to climb up the face of the cliff rather than find his way around. The feat was impressive, albeit daft. The Solitaire's arms crossed and chuckled. "Nice entrance. I didn't think you were going to arrive at all."

Marick took a couple of steps back to give Alex room to move away from the cliff's edge before he spoke again. "I'm not sure if you're aware but Zenshin has made me the guild's examiner for the time being. Had you not arrived...well...you'll have failed outright hahaha!

Anyway, first we need to talk about what happened in Oak Town. It's clear to me that there's been tension between us as members of the guild since that mission. So the first part of this exam is for you to tell me exactly what you think of me and about what happened the other day. Every detail, just let it go. This is the one opportunity you'll get to completely disrespect me without receiving a punch in the mouth so make it worth it."

Alexander paused for a second and stared. Really, he was going to use an official exam to joke around. He didn’t have an issue with him, but he seemed to be deluded. Alexander just rolled his eyes for a bit and turned around to give him the slayers back. He looked into the sun with eyes and enjoyed its healthy warm glow. It was one of the few things he missed when he was there… And now he was asking to relive memories that was best forgotten. He did not deserve to live for some of the things he has done and sins he has to live with.
“So you know that Slayers always have a source of power right? Dragon slayers get dragons. God slayers get deities. Demon slayers get powers from demon, mine was named Adremelech and he kidnapped me at the age of 5. Took me directly to hell and…”

He kind of stayed quiet for a bit and watched scenery and winced as a bit of a laughter coursed through his head. He always loved towing him like this in that regard and it was stronger due to the recent return. A return that started early, he hoped to have suppressed it…

Things were not looking that way…

The stare followed by the eye roll was enough to convince Marick that Alex still wasn't sure of him. It was clear that the Demon Slayer had no idea as to why he held the position he did, nor why he'd been made the examiner - the latter of which was more down to necessity than through choice.

Still, Marick listened to his younger guildmate as he began his story...a story Marick hadn't expected, but one that he understood would help him to learn more about Alex and this demon of his. It seemed that Alexander Zenneth had had quite the traumatic youth, all because of that demon. Now it appeared that Alex's current issues - including the monstrous turn he'd had in Oak Town - all stemmed from this same demon who had seemingly latched itself onto Alex's soul. As strong as Alex was physically, it seemed his will was somewhat weakened by this demon, allowing the beast to take hold from time to time particularly when he was enraged and his emotions ran at their peak.

"Go on..."

Alexander continued the talk with a heavy weight in his soul. This was not something that he did not want to say, but continued regardless. There was nothing to do regardless, but forge on. To him it didn't matter if he was kicked out or not. It did not matter if his jobs were suspended (he would find unofficial jobs instead). It didn't even matter if Marick liked or hated him. There was no fear in saying anything or how people reacted.

"...I was not the only one however. I was actually 1 of 50 to be selected. 1 of 50 that showed promise. However he didn't want someone that could potentially show promise. He wanted someone willing to do whatever  to survive. So he ordered us all to kill each other until there was one. You realize how desperate one can be when you are 5 and suffer from heat exhaustion, water deprivation and starvation. So I killed or was attacked. I still remember every life I snuffed out like a candle. I remember the poor girl with the rabbit I had to strangle with my bare hands to survive. And what did I get for a reward? I got the honor of being that demons pet for 5 years and have him slowly eat my soul while replacing it with pieces of his so I could survive. I also got to learn demon slayer from him by simply watching the people he burnt to crisp. It was like that for 5 years in hell until some demon summoner did his spell wrong and summoned me instead. Call it lucky serendipity, but I also brought a piece of Adromelech with me. What you saw was Adromelech using my body as a vessel to gain foothold to this world. And I have tried for years to remove the taint, but the only solution I have is death. He is a part of me now."

He looked at Marick straight in the eyes now and pointed a finger at Marick. This was the one accusation that he would give him. "What happened was your shield spell managed to push him over the edge. Adromelech is also know as the demon of betrayal for a reason and it saw your actions as a backstab. And in essence you almost had him burn my soul to ashes with that stunt, if you had left well enough alone he would have receded back into my soul and the fire mages would maybe just been hospitalized. However your actions and your words pushed him over the edge until it did not care for my body. It just wanted you dead. And for that Marick I believe you are an idiot and should have left well enough alone. Tell you what though, pay my bar tab for that Viola party in Hargeon and we are good."

Marick worried the hell too much.

Marick's eyes closed as Alex finished talking. Everything he'd said had allowed Marick to fully understand why Alex was the way he was, why he'd reacted the way he had. True, the Solitaire could've left well alone in that mission. But then, would Alex's demons really have held back on that fire mage?

"I put that shield up in an attempt to protect you more than that fire mage...taking a life, as you well know, weighs a heavy burden on ones soul. Whilst I had no idea of your past, I was thinking of your future.

I accept that I made an error, and for that I'm sorry. However...you also need to understand my actions were purely in a clearly failed attempt to assist you. I may have failed then...but that's why I called you here."

Marick's eyes opened now, a look of seriousness on his face. "You need to learn to control that demon. If it's so much of a risk to your own soul, as well as to the lives of your teammates, then you must learn to control it." He walked over to the edge of the cliff and overlooked the ocean once again. Zenshin would be a better fit for this kind of exam... he thought to himself before inhaling deeply. "Your past is dark. But your future...your future could be bright. Forgive me for saying this, but you're spending your life still as a slave to your demon. Everything that's happened throughout your life, everything Adremelech has put you through...you truly believe that death is your only option."

The Sabertooth Ace turned to face his guildmate now, his expression almost unchanged. "Perhaps you're right. I for one have met death, and I came out a better man for it, albeit still a man who makes mistakes. Unfortunately I cannot help you in that way...but perhaps a point of focus will allow you to keep the demon at bay for the short term. If, when things are heated, you can put your thoughts into something important for your future, your better future, then perhaps you would be able to fight off those demonic urges for long enough to regain your composure.

Today is your rank up exam. It will be split into two parts. The first is to be seated on this cliff, empty your mind and clear yourself of inhibitions. I understand you're of the fire element, but let the sound of the waves, the coolness of the breeze balanced with the warmth of the dawning sun take you to a place in your mind that perhaps you never knew existed. Everyone has a dream even if it's hidden...find it. Grasp it and don't let it go. That will be your focus point.

...Also, that bar tab is already paid. You guys drink too much."

Zenneth snorted, "Actually to be completely honest, there was one person in the entire guild that scolded Adromelech back into my soul. I have to give it to Priscilla, she stood in front of a rampaging arch demon and without fear scolded it away. That girl deserves a medal, but I have to settle with giving her cookies.” Alexander remembered that day in the forest as the defiant, nature loving girl stood in front as he was going to slaughter a creature. To tear it from limb to limb, but she had the presence to make it pause and get a foothold. He chuckled a bit more on that before returning to a more serious note.

Alexander shook his head, this man was testing his patience more and more. Marick took his words as wanting death, but if Alex did then he’d have thrown himself off a cliff a long time ago. This exam was getting stupider and stupider by the second. The boy had no understanding of how to control his inner demons and told him meditate deeper into his psyche. Bad move Marick, but he did want the test to be over. “Marick, if I wanted death then there would be no demon slayer in front of you right now. I’d have thrown myself over a cliff when I returned from Hell. I have reasons to live, but I have no reason’s to fear death. For what is death, but the end of a story to one’s life? Without death, there is no meaning to life. Without death, there is no ending of ones suffering. So why fear death? Why fear anything at all if that is the case? Why not face said challenges head on? I don’t want death, but I don’t fear it.”

Regardless he sat down and relaxed. It was not hard for some fire was patient like slightly burning tinder waiting for a bigger source to burn. It’s not that hard as one may think as he delved into his mind and towards the doorway into Adromelech’s soul. He shook his head, well Malek wanted him to open up his mind so here we go. Alexander opened the door to the back of his mind just a crack, but already it was starting to show physically. Burning runes formed around him like some sort of ritual, but it wasn’t. The runes started spinning around until it stopped. Soon something was opening in front of him expelling hot air in front of him. Alexander muttered, “This is why I don’t open my mind Marick. They tend to bring bits of hell in the process.”

Marick couldn't help but chuckle lightly under his breath, silent enough for Alex not to hear. Every word that left the Demon Slayer's mouth reminded him of himself at that age - although admittedly his 'demons' were nowhere near as dangerous as his young guildmate's.

For someone who's so aware of the issues his demon brings, he's very much missing the point of what I'm trying to help him with. Priscilla helped him he says...but what happens when there's no-one there to keep that demon at bay? I saw what he did at Oak Town...if that demon gets a hold of him when there's civilians around, he could end up reliving his childhood all over again...and that would destroy him.

The Solitaire opted to remain silent now. At least he did so until Alex spoke to him. "Everyone has to go through hell to reach heaven...unfortunately you more than most. Stay focused. After this I'm remaining silent. Your demon will no doubt confront you. You need to show your dominance; it's your body and your future. Look around him..."

The fire mage had been stubborn up to this point, perhaps due to the fact Marick had spoken a lot and brought up the frustrations from before. Hopefully with those being his last words, Alex might actually try in this exam rather than spend his time clearly regretting his decision to come here.

The runes were getting bigger and glowing brighter with every second that he focused. The door opened some more in his mind and all he could feel was constant agony in his mind. His body literally spontaneously combusted in a ball of great fire. The smell of cooked meat filled the air as the sigils span again and again rapidly. Then it stopped, opening a rift opened straight in front of him as a giant demonic hand came out of it dragged Alexander’s body inside it. Alexander did not scream, nor flinched.  He knew this was going to come eventually, but not today. As his consciousness flickered out for a last seconds he heard the familiar words of his master.

“Welcome back Alexander. How I have missed you, but now we can make up for lost time. I will start by peeling your skin off only to have it heal again. I think 50 times should suffice today.”

The final words formed in Alexanders head as he blacked out. F*** you Marick. After that it was the last anyone saw of Alexander for a full month...

Everything had happened before Marick had chance to prevent it. Alex was engulfed in flames and suddenly he was just...gone. All that was left to mark the Demon Slayer's presence were a few scorch marks on the ground. There was nothing that Marick could say or do now. Alex was on his own and would have to fight off his demon. It wasn't an ideal solution by any means, nor was it one Marick was happy with. But if Alex came out of this then he'd be stronger and have more control. Alex and everyone around him would be safe.

Marick's head hung low, before he breathed a short sigh. He can do it...