We sat at the table, shoveling food into our mouths like starved animals. Manners? Forgotten. After a month of eating nothing but scraps, good food, no, amazing food, made all etiquette a distant memory.
Steve, still chewing, waved a half-eaten leg piece in the air.
"So tell me the next thing… uuhmm… your meeting with Arkas."
I nodded and filled him in, explaining how Arkas had proposed a plan to help me become as strong as possible, strong enough to take on the world's greatest threats and eventually make my way to the Prime Galaxy.
Steve listened intently, nodding as he grabbed another mystery leg piece. He took a massive bite, chewed for a second, then pointed it at me.
"So, to summarize—Commander wants to turn you into a powerhouse, one of the strongest in history, so you can fight the Eternals and our world's enemies?"
He paused, then narrowed his eyes. "Dude, you know what? I smell a conspiracy."
I hurled a leg piece at him. He dodged.
"You really need to get your nose checked," I said. "How the hell is this a conspiracy? Didn't you hear the man's speech when we first met him? He's an ambitious bald guy.
I get that he might have his own goals, and yeah, maybe he wants to use me for them, but it's a fair trade. And let's not forget, I already planned on becoming the strongest, with or without his help."
Steve nodded.
"I know all your crazy plans. But… I don't agree with one thing."
I raised an eyebrow.
"What thing?"
He gulped down some water and leaned back.
"That you'll be doing this alone. I'm coming with you."
I frowned.
"Steve—"
He cut me off.
"Listen, I know myself. I'm lazy, I get that. But if death is the end goal, then I'd rather die as a swordsman than as some guy wasting away in bed, doing nothing.
And if, by some crazy chance, you do succeed in becoming the strongest, that means I'll have all the safety and free time I could ever ask for. It's a win-win."
His words stirred something in me. A dozen thoughts swirled in my head, the strongest one being: Steve will be in danger if he follows me.
As his friend, I had to be honest with him.
"You know you won't be able to keep up with me, right? My talent gives me an unfair advantage."
Steve nodded.
"I know. That's why I've already got a plan. I'm going to ask the Commander for help. If he's as ambitious as you say, I'm sure he will have something that can push me forward."
A slow smile crept onto my face. I hadn't even thought of that. I'd assumed it was my responsibility alone to help Steve, but maybe… maybe Arkas could offer him something.
Grinning, I lifted a chunk of meat into the air.
"Cheers."
Steve mirrored me, raising his own.
"Cheers."
And just like that, we dove back into the feast.
As we devoured the food, I wiped my mouth and leaned back in my chair.
"Alright, now for the last part, what happened inside the volcano."
Steve tore through a chunk of meat like he hadn't eaten in years.
"Finally. Took you long enough."
I smirked.
"You're going to like this one."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
I leaned in, lowering my voice like I was about to share a scandalous secret.
"I met a woman."
Steve froze mid-bite, eyes widening.
"What?"
I grinned.
"Yeah. She was… different."
Steve immediately dropped his food and leaned in, all attention on me now.
"Different how?"
I took my time, rubbing my chin like I was trying to find the right words.
"Well, for one, she wasn't human."
His eyes practically sparkled.
"Not human?"
I nodded.
"She was a demon."
Steve's mouth dropped open. Then he slammed his fist on the table.
"A demon?! You met a real demon?! And you're only telling me now?!"
I barely held in my laughter.
"Well, you never asked."
"You bastard!" He pointed at me accusingly. "You knew I love other races! And you're just now bringing this up? You should have started with this instead of your stupid talent and the commander."
I shrugged, playing innocent.
"Guess it slipped my mind."
Steve groaned, running a hand through his hair.
"Okay, okay start from the beginning. What did she look like?"
I smirked.
"Oh, she was something else, man."
His eyes burned with curiosity.
"Define 'something else.'"
I grinned.
"Tall, muscular, but still had that… you know… feminine touch. Her skin was a shade of dark crimson, and her hair was pure black, reaching down her back. And her eyes? Glowing red."
Steve exhaled like he'd been holding his breath.
"Damn."
I continues.
"And her body?"
Steve responded.
"Yeah?"
I nodded slowly.
"Flawless. Absolutely flawless."
His hand clenched into a fist.
"You're killing me here, Billion."
"Oh, and her chest?" I let out a low whistle. "Massive. Best I have ever seen."
Steve banged the table again.
"NOOO!"
I burst out laughing.
"You lucky son of a—" He pointed at me like he was about to throw his water glass. "This is unfair, INJUSTICE! The world has gone blind! I'm the one who likes other races, and you just get to meet one like that?!"
I grinned, watching him spiral and threw some oil in the fire.
"You know, she was kinda interested in me, too."
Steve went silent.
I watched as he stared into the distance like he was questioning his entire life. Then he looked back at me.
"…What do you mean 'interested?'"
I smirked.
"I mean she wanted me to stay with her. Said I'd be strong if I trained under her. Maybe even more."
Steve blinked. "More?"
I nodded.
"Yeah, she definitely liked me. Kept talking about how I smelled or something. She was a one-horned crimson demon, and you know how they're always passionate about humans.
Gave me the special treatment, massaged my muscles, adjusted my bones, even heated me up for a lava bath. Man, I tell you, it was like a vacation down there for me."
Steve slowly placed his hands down on the table.
"I should've gone to the volcano."
I laughed harder.
"Too late, buddy."
He groaned and slumped onto the table.
"This is so unfair. A hot demon warrior just shows up, and you get to meet her?"
"Well, I was the one in the volcano." I shrugged. "Maybe next time, try jumping into one."
He peeked up at me.
"Don't tempt me."
I smirked.
"I should warn you, though. She did try to kill me."
Steve waved dismissively.
"Yeah, yeah, that's standard for other races. You just gotta prove yourself first."
I raised an eyebrow. "By almost dying?"
He nodded sagely. "Exactly."
I shook my head. "Man, you really need a hobby."
"This is my hobby," he said, dead serious.
I snorted.
"Well, you missed your chance this time. But hey, if I ever see another demon again, I'll let her know about my desperate best friend."
Steve sighed dramatically.
"Yeah. Just make sure she is a woman."
We both laughed, then went back to eating.
I spoke. "I killed her in the end."
Steve didn't look up from his food. "Shit happens."
I exhaled. "Yeah."
Silence stretched between us.
Then Steve spoke again, voice steady. "She started it?"
I responded. "She did."
He nodded.
"Then that's that." He grabbed another piece of meat, chewing slowly. "We are warriors, in battle there is no right or wrong. Just death or victory."
I swallowed, the weight in my chest easing just a little.
Steve smirked. "Still, if you ever meet another hot demon chick, do me a favor, introduce me first before deciding to kill them"
I huffed a laugh. "Yes sir."
He raised his water glass. "To hot warriors."
I clinked mine against his. "To hot warriors."
And just like that, the moment passed.