~ Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change. ~

- Jim Rohn.

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"Ah," I sink in the warm and boiling water, my mood going over the top. This was exactly what I needed.

No need to be too excited.

We arrived in the forest 12 hours ago and sticked close to the woods' borderlands, so we wouldn't be spotted or caught. After all we weren't looking for trouble, but we were there to rest and gather our strenght after the previous fight.

Like a miracle, even just staying in the forest build up our stamina and gave us some strenght to do stuff such as hunt food and practice- Chris and Armen have been quite busy, they do enjoy annoying the living hell out of each other, so they were allowed to settle things by practising some fighting. Alchadar was in trouble with those two.

Sadly we were preparing to leave, and since my wounds healed slower than the others' Alchadar took us to the hot springs to relax for the night, and suggested me to dive in for a few hours.

I was definitely not arguing.

"-- And no peeking!" I yelled, mostly to Chris. That pervert was capable of many things and I believe peeking on a woman taking a bath was one of his habits.

"Yes, ma'am!" Chris yelled back, they were pretty close. The guys desided to dive in as well, but they were further away- giving me privacy. I didn't mind it, Alchadar being a gentleman was still one of the many things I adored. Although Chris tried his every resort he possibly could so he could join me. Such as arguing 'what if she gets spotted'. Nah-ah, not today Satan.

I glanced back at Armen behind me who was laying there cozily on the ground, his humongous head laying on his paws. The Beast looked like he slept, but I knew he was just taking it easy. After all, Alchadar said that someone had to be there with me in case someone non-welcomed showed up, and that was the only condition that I could go. I gladly accepted the Beast, I could enjoy myself more knowing I had someone there to watch my back.

He is no pervert after all, but a wise spirit animal.

"Armen, can you please check that the pervert is staying at least a mile away from me like we agreed?" I asked, watching him open his crimson eyes and glance at me, until he got up with a sniff. I think he needed to check on Alchadar too, after all he was his Beast.

"Might as well, don't move an inch. I'll be back." Armen said before he left, his huge form disappearing into the lively forest's darkness. There wasn't actually dark at all, some of the plants and flowers glowed. It was so cool yet strange, I think that I was too long locked down in that celler- in the cage.

I shut my eyes and gave a few taps to my cheeks, I had to stop. My time as a slave was over, and my time as becoming a warrior was beginning. Even though I was a pretty shady beginner, or more like a sucking loser I was getting there, I had faith in it. I had faith in myself.

... Pretty weird saying that when my name is Faith.

I swam a little in the warm water, it was so cozy that my body and even brain gave their consent to it. My shoulder wound was tickling a bit, which meant that it must be sealing up. It was odd being naked in the forest, swimming in the hot water and wait for my wounds to seal. But I guess the trip took it's toll on me, and Alchadar seemed to know what was the best for me. So I didn't argue, neither complained.

... Was it so smart to send Armen off like that?

I feel a bit more vulnerable without the Beast here.

I swam back to the spot Armen told me to not to move of- he'd never know. I lent my back to the rocks behind me and let my head sink under the water a bit so only my nose and eyes stayed on the surface.

-- So, from a slave being a part of a team who will defeat the Kingdom?

I haven't had really time to be left alone with my thoughts in a while, but now it would seem was way too good opportunity to that.

But thinking about it was too important, me? A part of the Black Phoenix? That had to be the joke of the century!

Surely we were there in the first place because we agreed to help Chris in his mission to defeat the Demon Kingdom and gather warriors to join us in order to do that. But hell, training one in the middle of chaos?

Man, if I only knew what I was getting myself into.

- But I regret nothing. Not a single thing.

"-- You still alive in there, princess?" Chris called out, his voice echoing throughout the valley. "The over-sized doggie is coming back in a few seconds."

"Yeah, I'm all right!" I said, as I pulled my knees closer to my chest. Was I meant to be a part of this, or was I there to be just a burden to them?

I reawakened of my trance as the branches over me moved, which caused leafs to drop and fall to fload on the water's surface. Something moved and fast.

Within a second I reached out to my bow and got up quick from the water, trying not to flinch as much as the healing wound objected to my action.

Something jumped up to a rock near me and I was ready to smack the living hell out of the thing but it hid itself. I prepared my bow and approached the small rock with wide steps, not caring that I was naked and pretty much everything of me was seenable. I stopped once by the rock and grabbed my bow tighter.

If Chris turned into a bird I will kill him.

I rounded the rock and made my move. But as I realized what it was I stopped mid-way, my face scrunched up in disbelief. It was a little monkey with a red belly, just enjoying eating an apple. In fact once I saw the pond next I realized that there were more of the things just swimming around, no worry in the world.

A monkey heaven?

I lowered down my weapon and sighed in defeat, I had to really stop being so spooked all the time.

"Faith?"

I ended up screaming once I heard Armen behind me, his sudden appearance scaring the living hell out of me. I turned to him my eyes wide, a hand resting on my chest.

Screw the spooked, I was ready to freak out 24/7!

"Jesus, can you and Alchadar stop sneaking up on me!?" I asked, my heart going over-ride at this point. I sighed again and grabbed my hip, the bow still resting in my hand. It was scary how fine I was with the idea of standing before him naked. "I was just spooked of a monkey, that's all."

"A monkey?" Armen rose an eyebrow- yes, it was possible from a dog-creature kind of spirit animal. His eyes wondered to the pond where dozens of monkeys swam and made funky noises, his nose twitched in realization and shock. "What in the world-?"

"Faith! Armen!" A load of footsteps as well Chris' voice made my body go rigid, as well take action. I quickly dove right back in the water and shielded my front, my bow held in tight grip. "Are you two okay-?" As soon as the Slayer revealed his almost-naked-self Armen kicked him away with his hind leg, an annoyed growl leaving his throat. That send him flying.

Oh my God he's a perfect body guard.

While Chris flew to the hot water with a splash and curses Alchadar ran out of the woods too, barely holding a towel around his waist which - oh thank God hid whatever he had downstairs. His eyes looked worried for a second until he saw Armen, then me in the water. Both okay. And just like that, he sighed in relief and relaxed again.

Even though he was my partner and the Beast knew it, Armen still shielded most of me behind him. I was really glad that he did though once I saw the Demon's bare chest- his eight-pack, muscles and the water trickling down his hot, dark skin--

Calm the fuck down!

What the hell are you thinking!?

"We heard you scream?" Alchadar walked out to the open and wrapped the towel on him better, forming eye contact with me for a split second. I hope he understood that my cheeks were hot of the water. Yeah, it was because of that.

"I, uhh," I tried to speak, but came out empty. I was too occupied to stare at his body made from God or Satan himself. After a second I shut my eyes close and brushed my head once, still keeping myself below the water's surface for protection. "I ran into a monkey, and then I got spooked of Armen... I'm sorry I made you worried." I said, looking up at Alchadar.

Oddly enough, he glanced at me for a split second and nodded, clearly trying to keep his eyes occupied with something else other than me. My eyes narrowed a bit because of it. Was there a reason Armen was trying to hide me from the Demon?

"A monkey?" My eyes widened as I heard Chris and as I turned he was swimming towards me, his towel left behind floading on the water. "Man, princess you're really such a lady." He got up casually from the water, nothing hiding his menhood. Armen and Alchadar stood there shocked, but you couldn't describe my bewildered as well dying self. My face turned red within seconds and my chest clenched up in embarassment, the grip on my bow tightening.

"Chris! You fucking fool!" I yelled as well hit Chris' leg with the bow- at least I think I did when my eyes were closed. By the noises I received from him I think I hit him, while I returned back to sit behind Armen.

"Son of a-- haven't you never seen a man naked before!?" Chris asked as he caressed his rounded ass, hell even he was just pure muscle. Did I hit his ass? But gladly he covered his thing from me, something I really didn't want to witness.

"No!?" I screamed, but then a bright light before me caught my attention. As well it did Chris'. It was Armen- preparing somekind of power ball made of fire in his mouth until he fired it quick at the Demon Slayer, which send him flying into the water again. A snort was all the Beast gave.

"No manners in front of a lady..." Armen growled in disbelief, mostly wondering it to himself. I think I got enough done of the hot tubs. I grabbed a towel from the ground, as well I quickly got up and stepped on the ground, sticking behind Armen. Then I wrapped the thing around me for protection.

"Thanks, Armen." I smiled gratefully at the Beast as well tied my wet hair up with a clipper, looking shower fresh. The wound on my shoulder wasn't still closed, but I thought that maybe the woods would help with that.

I caught Alchadar looking around the forest, mostly it looked like he was listening. I did notice his eyes rasp over the tree Armen's fireball scratched a bit, the situation seemed troublesome to him.

"I believe it's our time to leave." My partner suddenly blurted, as well he begun to take several steps back. I had just picked up my stuff while Chris made it finally to the ground, Armen throwing on his head a small towel. Gosh if looks could kill.

"What? Why?" I asked, holding the shampoo in my grip a little tighter. Alchadar's eyes turned crimson red again, alarming every single fibre in me.

"They're coming."

      I didn't know how fast I exactly could run while carrying all my stuff as well I held the a little too short towel over me. But the fact was that I wasn't slowing down, and neither did the guys. We were running through the woods towards our camp like we had gone nuts.

"Ah- shit!" I accidentally dropped my arrow trug, I knew I couldn't hold 100 things at the same! I skipped to a stop and ran quickly back to pick it up and swung on my shoulder, trying to maintain everything else in my arms.

This is taking too long!

Suddenly there was an arm which sneaked around me and hoisted me up on a shoulder, as quickly as he came and did his way too familiar 'carry Faith away' move-- I realized that it was Alchadar. Even though he and I had nothing else but towels on us. It would be so embarassing if he looked at my ass right there and then- I think something was seenable.

"Alchadar!?" I asked as well rose the fabric a little higher to cover my almost revealing breasts. I held onto his back and shoulder, feeling hard and pure muscle.

What does he have to do every day to maintain these!?

"There's no time to be picking up anything!" Chris growled to me, I think the guys ran even faster without me slowing their asses down.

"Screw you!" I snarled, my body going all rigid when Alchadar hoisted me up for a second to have a better grip of me, his hand resting now on the lower of my back. Even in a situation like this I felt my cheeks heat up. But that was all gone as I caught movement in the branches above us, people jumping. I caught the sight of one which stopped and grabbed his arrow and bow then aimed, sending the arrow straight at us. "Guys-!" I got my own bow and smacked the arrow into pieces before it hit Alchadar's back, my attention being caught by the loads of arrows hitting the ground below the guys' feet. "I think they found us!"

Armen, Chris and Alchadar glanced up at the branches, all of their eyes some-what calm yet murderous. Could I call it calmness, in a situation where we were being shot at with arrows?

"We're too slow." Alchadar stated, his head snapping right back down. His eyes graced over Armen's big running figure. "Armen, use your hyper-speed and take us to the camp." Out of nowhere I was being hoisted off of Alchadar and thrown through the air on Armen's back, the Beast helped my landing so I wouldn't fall straight off straight from his right. I didn't know what the hell was happening.

I felt someone else jump on the Beast too, sudden arms locking me on both sides as those powerful hands grabbed Armen's fur, the grey colored skin all too familiar. I could feel Alchadar's warmness radiating off his body, and I went rigid as he glued to my back.

Chills run down my spine as he breathed against my shoulder skin, my mind going insane.

"Chris!" I glanced back to see Alchadar's head turned and his right arm was momentarily on the loose, as he reached for the Slayer who was running with all he had. It took one speed jump from a tree as he managed to grab my partner's hand, and allow the Demon to pull him on board.

All the three of us rid now the Beast, we had made impossible become possible.

"Whoa, that was intense." Chris hugged Alchadar from behind, it was a sight which made me laugh. Alchadar didn't look comfortable at all.

"Don't fall off, jackass." Armen warned and suddenly his steps begun to speed up, all I saw was red flaming out of his feet. The Beast was on fire!

I held onto Armen the best I could but my attention was more earned by the towel over me which almost flew off, I had to concentrate to keep it on me. I slid a bit back until a hard front came in contact with my back again, arms locking my sides so I wouldn't fall off. My eyes froze. I glanced up at Alchadar who kept his eyes forward, almost locked. He refused to look down at my way too seenable self.

What a gentleman.

I'm so glad that Chris isn't behind me.

"Hold on." Armen said, the speed would've been too much for me to hold on anyway- it was way too abnormal! It looked like we traveled within a milliseccond. I was so glued to Alchadar as I held the towel down from my thighs as well tight from my chest, my eyes shutting themselves.

"Agh, I'm gonna die!" Chris' mouth had almost peeled off from his mouth, his teeth very visible, his face looked a 100 years older. Like it was being fighting back against weighing gravity. How fast were we exactly going!?

I waited it to end, pressing my head against Alchadar's chest. Something hit my face lightly which made me open my eyes, I realized that Alchadar had somekind of necklace around his neck. It was a tiny silver name tag plate with a name on it. Time seemed to slow down as I finally put the letters together in a readable sentence: Elizabeth Blair Lawrence.

What the hell...?

And before I knew it, everything stopped.

The loud, ears booming noice of Armen running 2 kilometers within a few seconds was over, as well the cruel wind smacking against my face. I looked up from my crouched position- I had really almost become one with Alchadar. We were back in the camp!

A hand landed on my shoulder and rose me gently up to sit, I turned around to see Alchadar's way big figure looking down at me with a determined expression on. Damn, he was still three times bigger than my tiny frame. And his gaze always made me feel like a tiny puppy.

"Get yourself dressed quickly, I'll pack our stuff. Stay close to the area." My partner ordered as he jumped down from Armen, putting the towel on himself a bit better. I barely nodded as I slid down from the furry Beast's other side, as well I collected my clothes.

"I'm gonna be quick." I said to Armen as I backed away from him, then jogged over to the trees surrounding our campsite. I flew behind a tree for safety and hid myself, taking in ragged breaths. Elizabeth? Why was Alchadar carrying around someone's name tag- more so a woman's?

I put that aside for now as I pulled on myself fresh pair of underwear as well black bra's, the towel dropping down to the ground. Next I quickly dove down and picked up my black tank top which I pulled on like this was a race of 'how fast can you dress before you die' kind of thing.

I was just about to grab my jeans when I saw a shadow pass me by, the presence of it having goosebumps run down my spine. I froze the moment I heard low growling behind my back.

"-- A human? Looks like it's going to be your lucky day, Mira." A feminine voice said, I could feel a smirk on someone's face.

I rose slowly back up and turned around, widening my eyes of the sight. An Elf girl - probably my age rode a humongous black panther and looked down at me in pity. I narrowed my eyes afterwards and reached for my bow, until I realized that I left it back to Armen. Fuck me.

"An unarmed intruder trespassing our woods." The brunette Elf smirked, as well patted her pet almost amused. "I wonder, did you just join that stupid looking party? You don't look like a girl who can fight."

"Oh, screw you Long Ears." I growled straight back, if I couldn't use my weapons I sure as hell was going to use my words and possibly my fists.

The Elf's face was priceless. Her brow ridged dearly.

"Long Ears?" She demanded, her panther growling very loudly. I think she was trying to be intimidating, trying to overcome my cockiness with the help of her Beast. "You sure as hell have a death wish, human. Be glad that your dead body won't go to waste, Miranda here just enjoys eating your kind."

I heard loud footsteps approaching my spot, the thought of him coming made me even more arrogant.

"You sure? Last time I checked I might not have enough flesh to even begin with to fill that cat up, not as much as you do that is." I sure as hell was getting to the level of arrogance which on Chris was, even though I wore only panties and a tank top in front of the Elf.

The Long Ears was fuming as she glared deadly at me, tapping her panther's head twice. By the looks of the creature, I knew it was going to attack. My legs spread wider as I was ready to run.

"Now you're dead." She came at me with her Beast, ready to tear me into pieces.

Right on time, almost on too narrow time Armen launched out behind the tree growling like a rabies dog, as he sunk his teeth deep into the panther's neck. He almost at the same time hit the Elf, but the panther threw her off for safety. I sat there on the ground shocked, trying to find my footing.

The Elf was beyond shocked once Armen threw her panther into a tree so it snapped in half, leaving the cat paralysed and moaning in pain. The Beast with me took wide steps so he stood before me then, showing his teeth and the blood soaking on them. It was his kind's sign of protecting someone, by any means necessary.

Amazing...

"Faith!" Alchadar and Chris showed up carrying a bunch of bags with them, it looked like we were moving. But unlike me, they were fully wearing clothes on them. Alchadar's eyes narrowed straight at the Elf. "I told you to stay close to us." He stepped in front of me to stand beside Armen, patting the Beast's side to calm him down a bit.

I didn't say anything, I knew that I had just ruined pretty much everything. We could've probably been gone by now.

Chris helped me up and maintained his eyes mostly to himself, as his eyes loomed on the panther and the Elf girl.

The Elf ran to her panther and kneeled before it tears in her eyes, until she turned to us looking enraged. It didn't promise anything good.

"You're going to pay." She snarled and suddenly her eyes looked a lot more confident, scary.

"Let us leave in peace, and we promise not to cause any more trouble." Chris tried, as he stepped closer to Alchadar and Armen. Always this trio was trying to cover up for me, why the hell was that? Was I looking so pathetic or so small that I looked like a child?

Am I carrying around on myself a sign which says 'I'm weak, please protect me'?

"You won't get away that easily." The Elf girl said and stood up, something was off with her. Even I could sense the pure power coursing through her veins.

"What'd you gonna do to stop us, Elf?" Armen was ready to snap her neck, it was clear of his tone. The Elf rose her fingers up to the air, a dark look on her face. And by the snap of her fingers, I knew things just really went down.

"Use the most weakest of your group as hostage."

Suddenly couple of men jumped down from the trees above us, two behind me. My arms were grabbed roughly and I was being pulled away from the guys, dragged away like a freaking puppet.

"No! Let me go! You fucking- bastards!" I growled, trashing around like I had a seizure. But I was not going to allow myself get so easily caught.

But one thing I had to admit: once the guys turned around, even I flinched of the faces they were giving.

They look like... they're ready to murder someone.

Alchadar drawned his huge blade out while Chris followed his example, the deadly combo had just been fired up. Those two sure didn't like to be blackmailed.

Armen attacked on one of the Elves by throwing him somewhere into the woods, while Chris concentrated on unarming the men. Alchadar used a deadly force to send the men around them a dozen meters back, even I felt the power of it.

I growled and trashed around in the men's grip, until I pulled one of them arm's right to my mouth- and bit with all I had. The Elf yelled in pain and released my arm, which I used to kick the other one to his nuts, very hard. As I ripped myself free I made a run for it, seeing that Alchadar noticed my escape. He saw men approaching me from my right, his eyes dearly narrowing.

My partner used the technique he seemed to enjoy using: the Ground Breaker. I was starting to name them just for fun.

The men following me fell down into the forming gorge beside me while I made it over to the guys, Alchadar engulfing me under his arm and cloak like that of a child. Hiding me.

"Stay close to me." Alchadar said, I didn't even argue as I nodded.

"I think it's time to go, man!" Chris yelled out to us, to Alchadar. He was more than right, we had to transport ourselves out of there as fast as possible.

"Not so fast." I heard the Elf woman behind me. I froze in deep shock.

Even Alchadar hadn't noticed her presence until she spoke up, my partner's body going all rigid as he turned around creepily fast. By the time he rose his blade to get her to retreat back I felt my hand being grabbed, until I was being ripped away from my partner's safety-- you had to be a fool and so nuts to even try such a thing!

Once on the sight again a thin arm wrapped around my throat and something sharp pressed against my throat, paralysing every one of my teammates.

I swallowed hard, groaning.

Alchadar barely hit his blade to the ground beside us, stopping himself from crushing me in the process. The Demon stood back up looking tall and mighty, his eyes as crimson red as they possibly could be. If looks could kill, the Elf girl behind me would be so dead. Not a single hair of her would be left.

"You let me go right now!" I growled to the woman as she begun to carefully drag me back, her eyes calculatively watching Alchadar, Armen and Chris. "We didn't do anything-!" I struggled against her grip, but her choke-hold tightened around my throat. And the dagger on my throat? I think it drawned blood.

"Hah. You don't get to deside that." Long Ears said to me cockily, her position behind me turning stern. "Unarm your weapons immediately and come with us in peace, or the girl will die." She called out to my friends, more serious with them.

I swear to God when I get my hands around her throat-

"Elves never keep their promises." Chris barked right back, he didn't like the situation at all. Well, neither did I exactly. Why did it have to be me disappointing all of them and getting us into trouble again?

"You haven't met me then." Long Ears said, lowering the dagger a bit but she kept the choke hold still pretty tight. "King Thranduil requires your presence."

"... We will agree to come with you in peace as soon as we get our comrade back. That is my condition." Alchadar set his condition up, dropping his humongous blade down with a thud. But I knew that Demon was way dangerous than they could imagine, he had swords and daggers hidden everywhere possible in his sleeves.

Chris dropped his two swords too, as well crossed his arms in defeat. Armen settled down to sit deep growls rumbling in his chest, non-happy face on. I watched them a little hastily, I hope I didn't cause our sudden deaths. This was all happening because of me again, because I was too weak.

"Actually," Long Ears behind me interrupted, I felt the choke-hold on my throat gone and I was pushed away from her, my body turning 180° degree around. Time froze down as I saw her dagger come and flash my tank top into shreds, as well her fist collide with my cheek. "I have things to settle down with this one."

I flew down to the ground holding my aching cheek, but at the same time I shielded my front from the men standing behind her, the embarassment couldn't get worse than that. I was fuming yet feeling vulnerable at the same time.

"You little bitch-!" Chris and Alchadar were sent on the move. My partner's eyes had turned way crimson red.

"Nah ah-" The Elf before me snapped her fingers once. A sudden yellowish barrier ball formed around the guys and Armen, which had them fload in the air. A shield? "Stay still, boys." She grinned, the sight of seeing me like that too pleasant for her.

Alchadar punched the barrier with all he had, which created a crack. The Elf's expression shifted darker and she doubled the barrier's resistance, a frown on her face.

"I believe this has taken too much time already," Long Ears said as she knelt down before my body, as well grabbed a handful of my hair. "Sweet dreams."

"No!"

I was knocked out cold before I could even spit out a word.

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