Strax stood for a brief moment in the doorway, his eyes scanning every face, every detail of the room that housed much more than a gathering of warriors—it was his family, dysfunctional and chaotic, but real.
He let out a sigh. A heavy one, coming from the depths of his soul.
"I'll come back alive," he said, with the firmness of someone who doesn't beg, but simply states.
There was a murmur of acceptance, of silent agreement. Beatrice nodded with a stern look. Frieren smiled slightly, as if she saw the future blurred by fog. Cassandra raised her glass, toasting silently. Rogue looked away with an expression that was almost concern, but she would never admit it. Monica just shook her head, exhausted but confident. Scarlet smiled. Tiamat closed her eyes. And Ouroboros—for the first time in a long time—bowed his head slightly.
"Go," said Samira, her voice as low as it was warm. "But come back. Or I'll come and get you myself in hell."
Strax smiled sidelong.
