Chapter 16: A Motivational Talk from a Father

For the past week, Alexander has been training and training for just about all he could think of. With Alastor's help, he was able to practice with hordes of enemies thanks to the shadow helpers he could conjure, Vixen helped his agility, Angel….helped with stabbing, Cherri with explosives, and so on and so forth…...but each training and each day that went by, Alexander grew more and more…..disheartened. He was worried. If all of his friends were training him this hard, is there a possibility he could let them all down? He couldn't bare to think of letting them all down, or worse. It was running through his head when he was training his eyes with Alador, who was constantly trying to control his mind. Alexander looked away, feeling worried. Alador stopped using his power and walked over. "What's wrong, Alex? Was i actually starting to control your mind? Guess i am getting better." "no, no, Alador. It's not that…..it's just…..you're all trying to help me with all of these skills, and i don't remember anything you've all said…..it's too overwhelming….and makes me think that….i'm not going to win." Alexander said, sitting down. "What do you mean?" "i….i can't remember anything you've all trained me in. seriously…..my mind is a blank. All i can think of is my anger….it's…..it's boiling inside me….i thought it was good, but it's…...it's starting to burn even me. Look." he lifted his shirt up, and his heart was glowing through his skin, glowing brighter with each beat of his heart. "See? I'm pretty sure that's not what's supposed to be happening." Alador sat down next to him. They sat in silence for a little while, but Alador spoke. "It's going to be ok, Alex. you'll beat him for sure." "How are you so sure?" Alexander said. Alador felt a little hurt. "What do you mean? I believe in you. That's how i-" "How can you believe in a 13 year old kid who's barely ever fought before?" Alexander was truly in a rut. Maybe it was just from the nerves….but he truly didn't believe he was going to be able to win. "I….." Alador said, but he sighed and walked away. He stopped at the door, looking back at him. "You're going to do fine….i know it." he said, before he left. Alexander finally boiled over, and he started slamming his fists on his kitchen table, and he eventually broke it in half. Alador had stopped outside the door, and was extremely worried. "Oh man…..this is….this is bad. I don't know what to do." eventually, the crashing and smashing stopped, and was replaced with tired crying. "Oh Lucifer…..what do i do?" "Let me handle this, son." Alastor walked over, and listened in on what was inside the room. "Hmm…..my goodness, that doesn't sound good….." Alador sighed, looking at him. "I think all of the family talk and us helping him overwhelmed him…...i think he needs some kind of talk from someone he looks up to….clearly, that's you. You're the one who's always been there for him in a caring parent manner. Besides mom, of course." Alastor nodded. "Yes…..he hasn't talked much about parents…..i can assume they were never around. Possibly, a fatherly talk could be the right idea." he ruffles Alador's hair. "How did i get a smart son like you?" he said, making Alador chuckled, pushing his hand back. "Ah, dad, stop it!" they chuckled. "Well….you better go help him."

Alexander was laying in bed, on his side, crying softly, the bedroom slightly destroyed from his outrage. Alastor knocked on the door, a concerned look on his face. "Alright, Alastor…..this isn't something you've done a whole lot to people who were not your closest friends and family, but he IS one of your closest friends and he IS a part of this group which is like a family. You need to inspire him, just like Charlie inspired your little girl to help her make this hotel the famous spot it is." he thought to himself. "Yeah…?" Alexander said tiredly. "I-it's….Alastor, my friend….may i come in?" "...sure." Alexander said, and Alastor walked in, and walked over to Alexander, sitting down on the corner of his bed, looking at him. "Hey there, friend…." he put his hand on Alexander's arm, the arm actually feeling cold. "Must have cooled down." Alastor thought. "Alex…...i know that all of these emotions are happening at the same time…..and it's making you very nervous and confused…..but i want you to know…..that i believe in you." Alastor said, but that just made Alexander worse. "How can you believe in me, Al? I know i've done a lot to help you….but i've made you nearly and literally sacrifice your lives for my own personal gain….and sure, i was finally able to figure things out…..but now i've got to fight against one of the biggest and most powerful demons in Hell….and all of your guy's training is nice….but it's overwhelming me…..and it makes me think that even with all of this training, which i cannot for the life of me remember….that i'm going to fail all of you….and let you all down." Alexander said. "So that's why he's like this….his nerves are interfering with his head and making him think of the guilt of failure…..just like what Clarie went through when she started helping out Charlie." he thought sadly. Alastor sighed. "Alexander….can you sit up?" Alexander nodded, sitting up, sitting next to Alastor, looking down. "My friend…...i never thought i'd have to say this, but…...you…..are one of the most interesting people i've ever met." Alexander looked up at him slowly. "You believe that demons can be saved, and that they can live a normal life here. You protect your friends like they were your own flesh and blood, and you sacrificed EVERYTHING to make sure they were safe…...you remind me…..of me." Alastor said. Alexander wiped his eyes, started to get invested. "What i am trying to say is…..you are not alone in this, and you will never be alone. You are a member of this family. Both the family of everyone that runs this hotel….." he put a hand on his shoulder. "And my family. You and my daughter have grown closer each day. You and my son are becoming the best of friends. My wife continues to praise you in your love of everyone you hold dear…..and i…...i see you as the second son i never had. You remind me so much of me…..it makes me...happy." Alastor said. Alexander was immediately feeling so much better inside. He looked at Alastor and he had the feeling of crying again, but out of happiness. "Alastor…...i've never seen this side of you." "You haven't been around me much….my friend." Alexander stood up on the bed, and he met Alastor at the exact eye height. He suddenly hugged Alastor, wrapping his arms around his neck. Alastor smiled softly, putting his arms around him. "I….i'm sorry i was acting like a stupid emotional prick, Al. i didn't know what i was thinking." he said. Alastor smiled, rubbing his head a little. "It's quite alright. You may be a teenager, but you are still a simple child. None of this should be happening to you. You should have been living in Hell normally, playing music for the guests in the hotel, and working with me and my children, making stories, songs, and bonding together….but this situation with Valentino and Vox…..we will be there by your side….just as i was with my wife and children, i will be there for you." Alexander was starting to cry again, crying into Alastor's shoulder in happiness. Alastor smiled softly, but he looked out Alexander's window to see Vox standing on the roof of a nearby building. Vox's screen flickered, and it showed a message saying "you going to let him die too? Just like your dear old mother?" Alastor's smile went more angry, but he closed the curtains, returning to a comforting smile to help Alexander. Alexander let go, stepped back, sniffling, and wiped his eyes. "Sorry, Al…...but thanks for inspiring me." "Of course." he said back, and stood up. "Now, you just focus on keeping yourself mentally ready for the fight. In the meantime…..i have a plan of my own."