~ Life has a funny way of working out just when you start to believe it never will. ~

- Unknown.

~~|||~~

Demon Kingdom:

"We're so fucking fucked."

Strolling down the Kingdom's quiet halls felt almost like a death sentence to the Seven, or most of them. They knew they failed their first mission and came back without Alchadar, on top of that they couldn't even kill one of his damn group members. King Belial wouldn't be satisfied nor happy none the case. 

"Shut up." The leopard woman hissed, trying to maintain her coolness. "We did harm at least, they can't move around much."

"It's no use if we can't detect them, the bastards managed to figure out how to hide themselves from Anastasia." Buck- the old God sighed in disappointment, as he glanced down at the little girl who still appeared dead yet she was still pretty much there. She didn't look disappointed at all.

"Can't hide long." Anastasia hugged her doll, her eyebrows narrowing. The little girl radiated off pure dark magma, her eyes glowing blue and black.

"She's right." Ethan-- the leader of them agreed as he glanced back at everyone, his eyes narrowed. "We'll send some of our troops across the globe to search for them, and once their barrier is weak or some of our men find them, we'll know. Then we'll make our move and do our job right."

His eyes narrowed forward as they neared the King's hall, the guards already letting them pass with slight glare. No one in the Kingdom seemed to enjoy their presence, yet defying them knew death. It was also the King Belial's direct order to let them pass if he was not busy.

"Now we've just gotta have to make King Belial agree to our request."

~~|||~~

Faith:

As soon as the dawn broke, it wasn't even an option to stick around any longer. The guys literally kidnapped me the moment I opened my eyes from my beauty sleep, like literally. It was our time to leave the Elf Kingdom behind us, for now. 

Almost ripped me out of the bed...

"I get that this little- thing is hiding our scents and presents as well, but," Chris fizzled around with the odd mechanic stick which he agreed to carry around for the King Thranduil's request, again one of the gifts to us. The King really was good at giving stuff to everyone. "How's it doing it? And how long it'll last?"

"You're really bad at listening once you're distracted for a second, idiot." Armen rolled his eyes and brushed his head, the boys more than up for the whole day's trip of walking again. I most certainly doubted that I was even fully awake. I walked like a corpse, just following after them without speaking. 

We had been transported to a country called Babushka, thousand miles away from the Elf Kingdom. It was an odd change since here we were surrounded with endless fields and small woods as we kept moving ahead on a small path, the place nothing like the healing forest. The trees had been really stripped down from here. Made for humans to use and grow their food. 

"It lasts for about a year, if we don't break it that is." I yawned, unexpectedly answering Chris calmly. I bet I had been given drugs too. "Guys, why the hell we got up so early?"

"We were risking the Elves' safety by staying there that long, once they settled down the barrier and the Seven can't find us there it will better their chances of being left unnoticed." Alchadar said to me, looking down at my dragging form blankly. I knew what he was saying, but couldn't we just wait until the day broke?

"It's good if they ever got pass the healing forest, man the only ones who really can navigate in that forest are the Elves." Chris said too, no sign of his dislocated arm anymore in sight as he casually crossed his arms. The forest really was capable of miracles. "Speaking of which," Chris' eyes narrowed.

The Demon Slayer glanced back at our unexpected follower, the Elf Kingdom's princess. Praxina-freaking-Enyra. It still was a mystery of why she carried that heavy looking bag and all the stuff with her, but she really tried to just make us ignore her presence as she kept following us. It was odd, yet I didn't mind.

"The hell you still following us?" Chris asked from her, slowing down a bit to walk beside the Elf. Praxina gave him a bit harsh glare as she rose her hands up behind her head and crossed them, shutting her eyes as she kept walking. 

Casually trying to hide your true intentions, huh?

"It's a free road, right? I'm also making sure that the device works and you guys won't get in trouble because of it." The Elf answered, I didn't even need to say that there was more behind her words. But her behavior just made me smile and shake my head in disbelief, until I looked at Alchadar, he knew it as well. Praxina was going to stick around for a longer period of time than just that, and he seemed to be fine with it. For now that is.

"How nice." Chris looked up at the sky in disbelief, even he had a flair that something wasn't right here. "How long you intended to stay then? You carry awfully large bag with you for a few days' trip." I wish I could record the damn moment with a camera. Chris was being all detective and stuff.

Praxina gave him a shit-eating grin and brushed her tied hair on her right shoulder, winking. "I'm a girl. You should already know how much women carry stuff around with, if you're the 'so called' ladies man." She was messing around with him, and damn. She was good.

"Oh, I wouldn't start," Chris grinned right back and sneaked his arm around her shoulders. The look on Praxina's face was written in pure disgust once Chris lent closer to her. "I know how I handle my women. I was actually once with a young Elf-"

Praxina grabbed his hand and twitched it behind him, forcing him down to his knees. Chris yelped and groaned in pain, not expecting that to happen. I froze in shock and stopped, Armen and Alchadar following as they glanced back in surprise. We all shared the same look of shock.

Praxina lent closer to his ear, a smug look on her face. "I wouldn't dare if I were you. I have never allowed men in my life, and I ain't starting now either. Especially you." The Elf released him and watched Chris climb slowly back on his feet, glaring dearly at her. Damn, I wish I knew how to handle harassing men like that. "Besides,"

She grabbed her dropped bag from the ground and threw it on her shoulder, casually heading towards us and before we knew it she passed us, looking pissed. I didn't even dare to bump into her. I watched after her departing form in awe, that girl was way tougher than I thought.

"You fucked my best friend Stacy, Slayer." She said after her, my skin was crawling. Unnoticed I exchanged an odd look with Alchadar who looked as surprised and in disbelief as I were, we watched an excited and confused Chris right after the Elf.

"Stacy!? Now hold on, it can't be... I bet she was something called Em or Esme, or some'." Chris trailed right behind her, I was about to continue following them until Praxina turned around creepily fast, a murderous look on her face. I froze right back on my place to not upset her with my presence alone. 

"You fucked Esmeralda too!?" Praxina questioned in disbelief, Chris snapped his fingers once and pointed at her, she hit the right spot. And he didn't seem scared or anything, oh boy he really was bad at reading situations.

"That was her name. I forgot that there were two." Chris grabbed his chin in deep thought, clearly remembering only other of his 'one-night' stands. I facepalmed so deep behind them that I wanted to die and crawl into my own hole, I also didn't want to see Praxina whooping his ass for second time.

Praxina's eyebrow twitched uncomfortably fast and much. She was so not fine with him and his doings.

"You stupid heart-breaker-!"

"It'll be a miracle if Chris stays alive until we camp for the night." I sighed in disbelief as I continued forward slowly, Alchadar and Armen trailing behind me. Even I believe that the two scariest beings on Earth were a bit terrified of Praxina's wrath. It was obvious of the fact how Praxina whooped Chris' ass there and then. She wasn't even giving him any mercy, even though he was still a recovering patient. 

"Oi, knock it off! I only remember the ones who are freaky as hell-!"

"You better stop talking before I fire an arrow right between your eyes!"

Oh boy...

This sure will be interesting.

~~~

       "All right."

I put down onto our collected campfire the sticks I managed to find, until standing up again. I watched Alchadar fire it up with ease as he begun putting stuff on it to cook us some food, it was one of the things I still waited eagerly. His cooking's were some of the most heavenliest stuff on Earth.

"I'm going to see if I can find a river or something, we need to fill up these bottles." I offered as I snatched the empty bottle from Chris' hand who tried to gulp the last drop, as well I searched from my bag a couple of more. Chris gave me a nasty look afterwards-- the drop wasn't coming no matter how much he shook the bottle!

Obviously I had never been the one to take care of our group's resources and needs, but Alchadar and Chris were still a bit sore. How hard was it to find a river and cook up the water to be edible to drink? 

Alchadar makes it look so easy...

"... Make it quick." Alchadar's words made me froze on my way towards the forest and I glanced back at him, his amber eyes telling me to be careful. In my wildest dreams I never expected him to let me go so easily, but it was evident that he wanted to trust me to handle myself on my own sometimes. Even if it were such small things as this. 

I flashed him a quick smile, waving in return. "I'll be back before you know it." 

"Don't make me come for you then, princess. I'm already enough busy with the sudden parasite tagging along with us." Chris called after me, I saw him glare up at the tree branch Praxina laid comfy on, rolling her eyes down at him. Elves really enjoyed staying on upper ground, if she intended to sleep there I wanted to witness it. 

"Don't make me whoop your ass again." Praxina threatened, venom lacing out of her voice. I shook my head in disbelief, a smile playing on my lips as I distanced myself from the group. I had noticed earlier a river-fall further away from our path, it would be good enough. I really needed to start pulling my weight around there too, only then I started to realize that I had almost everything handed over to me on a plate. I still wasn't quite used to it, everyone being nice and stuff.

Imagine if you had given up back then. 

I slightly flinched of the thought, my mind suddenly activating again on it's own. Sometimes it was cruel to be left alone with my own thoughts. A flashback played on my mind, back in the days when I still was a servant-- the day I escaped. I had debated on my luck that day, when I had fed myself with the dry crumble of bread and was forced to work with the other slaves to carry out cargo into my Master's quarters, late at night. I was the last ones to stay late, since I was receiving a punishment for breaking the rules on saying whatever curses left my mouth as I defied the guards who were harming an innocent girl right before my eyes, electrifying her until she was unable to move. I couldn't stand it and ran forward, my body acting on it's own as I slammed my fists onto the first lizard guard's back, doing zero damage. I was too weak back then, but it didn't stop me. What they were doing was wrong and I was willing to receive the pain than watch another girl die right before my eyes.

Sighing, I found myself already by the river. I knelt down and rotated the cap off the first bottle, then filled it up with the cold and chilly water. Even though the process wasn't slow and I already shifted to another bottle I couldn't help but wonder back again, to the moment when I smashed the chain determining my life as a slave, or a run-away broken.   

"Come back here slave A-32!"  I heard the men roar after me as I pushed my feet moving the moment the metal chain broke under the rock I used, adrenaline coursing through my veins. I glanced back in the moment of terror and shock, seeing dozens of lizard men after me. The other girls stared after my departure in horror, even though it was not the first time it never seemed to amaze them how I was able to try it every time. Beats me. 

I wanted to get the hell away from there. 

I swallowed down the last of my spit and pushed myself moving, twice as fast. I was not giving up. As I reached the Master's borderlands and crossed them a new feeling of hope was set inside me, I was giving my everything to this escape. I wasn't going to give up, never. 

Not until I was free. 

Standing up, I closed the last cap of the bottle I filled and dropped the bottles down to my bag, turning around. My mind was going on override, I had tried so hard to forget my past that I had forgotten how much I wanted things to change, to actually have a change in the world. I must've be one of those people who had their will set on something desperately, and they were willing to give it their all to make it happen. It was a lot clearer this time, I saw myself in a different light. My group depended on me to become stronger, to learn, and to fight with them against the messed up world. I had become a part of something unbelievable, and it only seemed to dwell in me just now. 

Strolling closer to our camp I rose my gaze as I sensed the presence of another person, my feet coming to a stop. I stared at Alchadar's waiting figure in surprise, he was leaning against a tree his hard-worked arms crossed as well his amber eyes were set on me, almost waiting for me patiently. Once he saw me there standing okay and well his broad shoulders relaxed a bit, bringing his mind at ease. 

"Alchadar?" I questioned, still surprised. I started to approach him then, he was a way away from the camp. Just how long had he been standing there? Did he follow me the moment I left? "Why're you here? Don't tell me you left Chris to cook for us again?" The thought crossed my mind, I wasn't too fond to the idea. But what troubled me even more was him, the damn Demon should be resting! 

Alchadar sighed, suddenly looking all serious. He showed me the metal thingie that King Thranduil gave to us in order to hide our presences with, holding it firmly in his grasp.

"I'm making sure we'll stay hidden. I almost completely forgot that we were even bigger targets than before," Alchadar answered, leaning away from the tree as well he nodded for me to follow him. His words made me slightly worried, but I understood his reasoning. After all, last thing we really needed was the Seven to come for us when we were still in a small daze. Everything was happening so fast again. 

"Right, sorry... I didn't think it that much." I followed after him, catching up on the Demon. I didn't think much as I grasped my hands behind my back and glanced up at his powerful being, a tiny grin pulling up the corners of my lips. He was too good looking to be not teased. "But I can't stop but wonder... was that all that you came after me for? So we wouldn't be spotted?" 

Alchadar gave me an amused look, looking forward a little hesitantly. It was there. I knew it. Even though he tried his hardest to let me go and do something on my own, he had to meet himself half way and at least come and make sure I'd be okay. I couldn't possibly blame him for doing so, I think he saw it as his duty to look after me since I always attracted the wrong kind of attention on myself. Even though it was distracting. 

If I were like Praxina, she'd be totally mad at him for following her around. 

Glad that I accepted the way my partner was, he was too cautious. 

"... This is unknown territory to us. It's good to take some more precaution." Alchadar stated innocently, he rounded his way on not saying 'I'm here to make sure you're safe'. I hummed in response, a smile playing on my lips again. I couldn't ignore the feeling that this Demon actually gave a crap about me, even though I was still such a weakling. He really did look up at those who needed it. No matter who they were. But I caught something odd was tingling in the corner of his eye, I swore I even saw a hint of smirk tugging his lips. "But I'm glad I decided to stay back a bit, even though it took you awfully long to finish. You handled this round well by yourself." 

"I was just thinking is all." I said, still a bit amazed that Alchadar was showing me his original side again, he never did anything like that around others. It made me feel like he trusted me more and actually enjoyed being around me. 

"Of what?" His curiosity got the best of him as he glanced down at me, those amazing twinkling eyes of his concentrated more on me than our way back towards the camp. It made my heart speed up a little bit in surprise. 

"Oh, uh... it's nothing, really." I sheepishly admitted as I brushed a hair out of my face behind my ear, loving the feeling of them being clean. I was glad to be able to use shower in the Elf Kingdom before we left and the guys really did not like it. But I was a female, and they let it slip. "I just realized how much this all means to me, to be able to be with you guys and what we're doing in order to change the world." I didn't really want to bring up the old memories, it would only worry my partner and that was the last thing I wanted. This was as close to the truth I could spit out. 

"... Are you holding up all this okay? I know it must be new and scary for you, and for the truth I never expected things to go like this either, but I guess it was bound to happen one day. I'm just concerned that you're not on track of things yet, we're in even more greater danger than before. We're not only fighting for peace anymore, and we already have a new member. Things are getting even harder than this." Alchadar questioned, saying way more than he usually did. It made me skip a step in my walking but I brushed the feeling off and followed after him, determined to keep up. It was like that almost in my way of thinking. I always wanted to keep up with him and everyone else, and I didn't want to miss the slightest of teachings from them. There were more dangers coming up ahead and I was pretty aware of those, but I wasn't expecting them all to come this soon. And it was only the beginning. 

"-- I know." I looked up at him, my eyes nothing more than determined. No matter how much things usually freaked me out and how I sometimes felt like I wasn't ready for it that was fine. The would look after me, especially him. It was meant to be like this, life was hard. But I was willing to face the obstacles along the way, to be on the level they stand upon on and never look down again. That was the pride of a Warrior. I wanted to be like them. "I'm still pretty much of a coward that you met on our first encounter, but I promised to get stronger. Nothing is slowing me down, I've sworn to the very life within me to keep up with all this and I'm ready to face the world. No more hiding, no more self-pitying. I'm not doing this just for myself but also for the people who're suffering because of the way world is, Alchadar. And to make that clear to you--" 

Alchadar listened me intently and froze to look at the way I grabbed my right arm and rose my left wrist up in the air, a thumb up. He had nothing to worry. A confident grin was plastered on my lips, this moment meant everything to me. His consent meant everything to me. 

"I'm not willing to let those damn obstacles to slow me down."

---

         "-- About freaking time!"

Me and Alchadar finally revealed ourselves and walked out of the forest, comfortable silence following. I was more confident than before after our talk, my Demon partner knew to embrace himself on what was to come. Although Chris looked like a train wreck as he stood up from his rock-spot, clear worry written all over his face.

"Where the hell were you? The over-sized dogie and the damn Elf has given me nothing more than trouble. I was about to go out looking for you two if you hadn't shown up in two minutes." Chris kept rambling as I passed him by and took a comfortable seat in front of a tree, leaning my back against it. I ended up sighing deeply, I had completely forgotten how things were around here. 

"Jeez, can you knock it off? See, we're fine." I motioned between me and Alchadar, watching my partner check on the soup cooking up nice on top of his fire until he backed to sit down on a wood truck. Even he seemed slightly worn out of the sudden drama that suddenly was set on our shoulders, having different personalities in a group sure was troublesome. But damn, I kind of missed it. 

Chris almost pouted like a child to my non-worried state. 

"What took you so long?" Armen decided to ignore Chris for now and avoid a fight, as he glanced at Alchadar. I rested my head against the wood behind me and took a sip of one of the remaining water bottles, noticing Praxina slightly intrigued of us. She was staring at me but the moment I looked up she avoided my gaze, bored looking at Alchadar and Armen next, almost calculative. It made me slightly raise an eyebrow but I let it slip, perhaps she was just trying to figure us all out. 

"We had a small talk." Alchadar answered to them, offering me a slight glance. Yup, we sure did. After what felt like an eternity from last time. I nodded in agreement and got a comfortable position, suddenly my mind swarming with questions again. After it became quiet again between all of us I knew I had to have some answers, or I was going to lose it.

"Uh, guys?" I kind-of begun, bringing my knees up to my chest as I hesitantly glanced at Chris' direction, then at Armen and Alchadar's. I didn't know was asking this the right thing to do, but it had troubled me ever since what Gail asked me back then in that mine. It had to be done. And it would seem the guys remained all ears, Alchadar had taken his job on pouring everyone some food on plates as he glanced my nervous-self odd. Okay, just spit it out. "... What the hell are we?"

The only one clearly most shocked was Chris, his mouth had been stuffed full of food but after I made the question he was already choking on it. Just casually trying to puke the food out. I watched a bit miserably and shocked from next to him as Armen got to him and gave two big slams to his back with his tail, imminent snarl leaving the Beast as he walked away quickly again. Damn, even Armen was starting to become a softy for the Slayer. 

Once Chris could breathe again he pointed at me with a spoon, confusion wearing his face. "Isn't it obvious, princess? We're a group, a team. We're all here-- mind her," The Demon Slayer quickly barked of Praxina's presence. "To achieve what was started 100 years ago, to win the Kingdom once and for all."

"Kingdom? As in Demon Kingdom?" Praxina interrupted from her tree branch, looking down at us like we had lost it. She shook her head almost disappointed. "Boy, you all sure are stupid enough to even consider such a thing. Didn't you learn last time?" She glanced down at us, mostly towards Alchadar. Her look was dark, but she tried to soft her words up. "There is no way to defeat the Kingdom. Demons are on top of the food chain, their skills and abilities are out of this world- hell, they've been given to them from Satan himself, and that is a complement. The only ones possible to defeat them would be Goddesses and Angels, but the kind was put extinct a long, long time ago. Demons sure didn't like them." She muttered out awfully much, but clearly she had a point to give out. 

Goddesses? Angels?

Something about those certain names had my skin tingling for a second. But the sudden silence following had my skin crawling, I glanced around to see my team a bit defeated of what they had heard. The race of Goddesses must've be a raw subject, huh?

"... It's still not worth to give up." Chris cut in between, glaring up at Praxina's wondering self. Her eyes sparked of something as she made eye contact with the Slayer again. "I'm a Demon Slayer, my job is to protect those in need of help and slay Demons, even if it sometimes proves out to be impossible. My limit is three against one, those bastards come in really fast-- no offense." He quickly rose his hand at Alchadar, my partner shook his head in none taken. "But I'm trained enough. I'll never give up on my Father's mission, no matter how difficult things get. He led the forces to battle without the race of Goddesses, and he did splendid job. They actually caused some real damage, but it was all until they were ambushed. Drawned into a corner." Chris took in a deep breath and took a moment to collect himself, I watched him speak. This guy was a huge jackass most of the time, but then he could suddenly turn into this. A man speaking wise words. I started to admire him in a new light. "I guess what you asked wasn't this, princess?" He offered me a sad smile, I hesitated for a moment before nodding. "You asked about a name." 

"Our group's name?" Armen asked from his spot on the ground too, glancing at me. Damn, my cheeks could not flush more than that in embarrassment. "Why'd you be suddenly interested in something like that?" 

I fiddled around with my fingers, feeling the need to explain myself. Even though I really wanted to run the hell away from their staring. "It's just that, well..." Fuck it. I took in a deep inhale and shook my head, dismissing my intentions. I didn't know how to explain it without paining my partner. He already suffered of nightmares, he didn't need to be reminded of Black Phoenix as much. "Nothing." My eyes fell down to my lap, defeated. Why weren't they even considering such a thing, it was important for a team to have a name?

"No." Suddenly someone took a place beside me in front of the tree, my eyes rose up from my lap to meet my partner's piercing gaze. Alchadar offered me his support, sitting down with me and looking at me curiously with those big amber eyes of his, his super scary demeanor now in the back of my mind. He was willing to hear me out, which shocked me. "I think it's important to discuss, my Mentor once told me that it was bad luck if a team didn't have a name they embraced and kept as their own. This is topical. I'm afraid that we cannot use the Black Phoenix any longer, it is not ours to take. It's not something we can call our own." Alchadar spoke deeply, calming down my nerve-wracking mind. He even nudged my side a bit to snap me out of my trance to stare at him, my eyes falling down to the ground again. In embarrassment. I could feel my face heating up again. 

"Okay then, any suggestions, princess?" Chris crossed his legs and grabbed his knees, looking at me with a grin. My face heated up twice as bad as I glanced around, seeing everyone stare at me. This was not something I wanted nor expected. 

"Oh God-- please don't let me be the only one suggesting!" I groaned, running hands down my face. "It's something we all should decide together, right? If you guys come up with something, then I might figure it out eventually." I said, I really didn't have any particular name set up. But it had to be cool, powerful. Badass name. I wanted to embrace the guys mostly with it. 

"Well then," Chris bit a chunk of his bread and devoured it fast, holding it at us. "How about Kryptonite? Or the Matadors?" His mind was all set on the name, clearly. Damn, his ideas were not bad. 

"No way in hell. I'd prefer more something darker: Conquerors." Armen grinned, typically the Beast went after something like that. His arrogance and pride were worse than Chris', but he surely was a powerful being. 

"The hell? You five or something?" Even Praxina had to cut in, her legs swung over the tree branch as she sat there high up, crossing her arms. Her look could pin down just about anyone. "I think Lucky Charms would suit you well enough, you were glad enough to escape last time." 

Do I see some interest spark in everyone around here? 

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Elf. No way in hell we'll call ourselves that." Chris snorted, his finger up. He was really keen on this subject. "Team No. 1" He grinned. 

"Ridiculous. That is already clear. I'll say The Elite." Armen growled. I snorted a bit. 

"Hmph. Obviously The Monarchy or something." Praxina. 

"Hell's Angels! Damn that sounds good!" Chris smirked wickedly, my eyes grew wide as me and Alchadar glanced around at all of their sudden excitement-selves. Damn, why didn't we figure this out sooner? They were busy enough to argue, but come up with reasonable names too. None of them were bad, not at all. 

"Hm. Not bad. How about High Altitude? No one will slow us down." Armen, what the hell?

"Hot shots!" Praxina figured something out as she held her chin and snapped her fingers. 

 "Nah, how 'bout Trouble Makers? 'Cause we sure as hell are those!" All right, was Chris turning into a child? They all sure had one goal, it was to have a name which alarmed other people of it's strength, as well people. They had one goal. 

"More like the Dorks..." Praxina murmured, I ended up sighing in middle of all this chaos. 

"You want to test me, little girl?" Armen questioned darkly, standing up. I looked at him in wonder... dominance. 

"Oh, please. You'd be out cold sooner that you realize it." Praxina grinned and showed off her well trained and slim body, reaching out to her arrow trug. Arrogance. 

"I'm starting to loose my patience here too, Elf." Chris got up too, his hands twitching prepared. I knew Praxina packed around heavily, she even had tranquilizer in her arrows. Chris exchanged a small look with Armen, a shown of truce as they approached the Elf's tree. Friendship. 

I noticed Alchadar watching me, he kept himself in place probably because of it. I was on a trail of something. He could stop them easily with just few words, it was how he showed his strength and authority around here, he was our leader. The one who showed dominance and respect, an Alpha. 

Wait. 

"You ready to piss yourself yet, Elf?" Chris grinned as he jumped up to the closest tree branch and hopped himself on another, climbing up to reach the waiting Elf. Praxina seemed excited of the challenge as she watched him come, then glanced down at Armen who sat down waiting below the tree. She was not worried at all. 

"Right back at ya, Slayer. I have things to settle between us anyway." Praxina held her arrows closer, backing away slightly when Chris climbed on her tree branch. I used this to gather together my thoughts, grabbing my chin. Would they like it? Was it enough arrogant and powerful for them, to me it would make me slightly hesitant if I heard it from someone else. It was telling that we were the best of the best, but we had to live up for it. Were we enough good?

A Demon, A spirit animal, A Demon Slayer, A high-trained Elf warrior and a rookie like me?

... If you cut me out then hell yes.

Even I wouldn't go messing around with those people under different circumstances. 

I nodded to myself, standing up. Alchadar looked at me almost in a daze, standing himself and looked at me for permission. I gave him a small smile, I wasn't sure was the name good enough to them but I'll try. I was glad that at least my partner let me have my time and ask such permissions from a weakling like me, he was awesome. The name would definitely live up for his name. 

"Alright, that is enough you three." Alchadar called out to them, finally setting up to his authority. I couldn't help but grin a bit, it was like he was talking to children. Chris, Praxina and Armen glanced out to us, clearly disappointed. Chris was close enough to grab Praxina and probably shove her down to Armen, their evil plan being stopped. Although Praxina was close enough to stab Chris with her one arrow, I recognized it as one which had tranquilizer in it. Damn, the guys wouldn't even see it coming. "I think Faith has a suggestion too." 

Alchadar looked down at me, almost like a child. I shot him a small glare and shoved him a bit to the side, earning a playful grunt. Damn, my heart skipped a beat and I almost forgot what was about to happen. 

"Oh, finally!" Chris groaned and hopped down, approaching us. Armen huffed out his frustration but followed anyway, Praxina sitting back down on her branch as she held her head under her chin. I actually saw her turn to me a little curious as well. "Let's hear it out then. Although I doubt it's anything better than mine." He grinned at me, but I knew he was teasing. The way he crossed his muscle arms on his broad chest told it to me, he was eager to hear.  

"Don't you start. Anything hasn't been decided yet." Armen growled to him, easily reaching Chris' head top with his nuzzle. It was scary sometimes how huge the Beast was. But Chris wasn't the slightest intimidated as he rolled his eyes, waiting. 

I took in a breath, glancing around at them. "Well, I've debated back and forth a bit. Your suggestions weren't bad at all, it actually gave me a few ideas. And after watching you guys disagree a bit again, I realized that our group needed a name that qualifies who we are. In Chris' case, arrogance and courage." I showed the Slayer who grinned in agreement, listening me close. "Armen, strength and stealth. A true Beast." Armen gave his approval as he licked his lips, his crimson eyes intimidating. "And Alchadar, dominance, skills and heart. I've never came across a person like you, and I believe our team's name should live up for you, and all of us." I said, my partner crossed his arms beside me too, silently encouraging me to tell them already. "Which is why I'm suggesting,"

I heard my heart drum in my ears, the looks why friends were giving me were eagerness and proudness, I didn't know why but they made me feel twice as bad for my call, it was who they were. Even if I wasn't there yet, eventually I would. Just so you wait. 

"-- That our team should be called the Alpha Team. Best of the best. Arrogant as hell." I laughed, observing their surprised looks almost cowardly. I couldn't tell what they were thinking. "I know it's not a striking name, but at least it warns others to keep their distance, and it's something that lives up for you guys. You three are the most dominating creatures that can live on Earth, like true Alphas. You look after me like a lost pup, and even take care of me like I matter to you in any way. For that I'm grateful, and the least I can do is to make you understand how I feel. You truly would live up for the Alpha Team, guys. But it's not my decision to make, some of your suggestions were cool as hell in fact too." 

"... The hell you talking about?" Chris questioned from me, and suddenly two big arms wrapped around my frail body and hoisted me up, making me yelp in deep surprise. I held onto Chris' shoulders for support as he grinned at me. "That's the most fucking badass name we can come up with. Hell, I bet even my Father would've eventually come up to it. The damn name just spits out to everyone how dangerous we are and not even dare to mess with us." The Slayer praised me, possibly even more embarrassingly as he held me like a child against his side and turned to Alchadar, my flushed expression meeting my partner's. 

"He's not wrong," Alchadar eyed the way Chris held me, something dangerous in his look. It made me mentally flinch, while Chris smirked even deeper. Something funny was going on between them and I even dared to question it. "I should've guessed you came up with something like that, but it does have one flaw." He said to me with a stern look, which made me flinch this time visibly. "It doesn't include you. You came up with it for us, but you're also a part of our team, Faith." I felt his hand on my shoulder and I turned to him, Chris' arm tightening on my hips as he realized it also. Why was I starting to feel hot while being so close to the two damn Alphas? 

"I'd say it's perfect otherwise, but we don't want to leave you outside," Armen said too, it was visible that he didn't like the close proximity between us. He was like my personal bodyguard. And for the truth, neither did I. 

"Guys, it's okay." I wiggled my way out of Chris' arms and forced him to put me down on the ground again, gaining some distance. I couldn't breath for Christ's sake. "Like I said, it should be more of you than me... consider me of a puppy that's aiming to become someone like you. I'm still part of the pack." I offered them a smile, Chris and Alchadar looked down at me with crossed arms, still hesitant. Armen all but scrunched up his nose, taking in a breath while releasing it. A grin suddenly appeared on his face.

"The way you see it sounds reasonable... but it'd consider you more as an Omega than puppy, deep down you have that nasty way of doing things and are actually quite the fighter." The Beast admitted, brushing his head once to get rid of some spot that clearly tickled his ear. My face grew hot again and I watched Chris howl out a laugh, his arm wrapping around my shoulders. I immediately groaned and pushed him to stay back. 

"Even though we're not Werewolves and don't have the slightest idea what the hell we're talking about, but I think it's good to have one Omega in the pack." Chris hugged me with a goofy smile. I wanted to kill him, I knew Omegas were the weakest ones but also the only ones able to breed to the Alphas perfect and powerful babies. The second this thought occurred to me I pushed Chris away, quickly gaining some distance as I laughed nervously. Time to finish up this fucking around. 

No way in hell I'm starting to think babies at this age...!

"R-right, sounds good to me." I played with my hair and glanced back at the guys, Praxina's silent yet observing self earned my attention. She looked almost dumbfounded of our conversation just now. "And you-" Her head snapped at me, she resembled like a wild animal at this point. Jeez, she had a long way to go if she was planning to stick with us. "You're like a... Beta. That is, if your intentions are what I think they are." I grasped my hands behind my back innocently, Chris and Armen going rigid. 

"Oh hell no-!" Chris barked out. He really was a small thinker. 

"Don't get ahead of yourselves." Praxina said calm, yet she spit out venom. The Elf laid down and turned her back to us, crawling into a ball. It was a miracle how her bag stayed on the branch she slept on. Yet her tough attitude made me frown a bit. "For now, I'm here to make sure you guys stay hidden, since my baby brother was at the point of breakdown. I'm doing this for him, not you."  

I sighed deeply, the guys started to lay down and Alchadar offered me some soup to eat. I devoured it hungrily and since he made it, I asked for another plate. We settled to sleep for the night after small talks, yet I couldn't help but wonder of the Elf sleeping quietly on the branch above us. 

You're doing this so your own mind can rest, Praxina.

Even a fool can see that.

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This turned out longer than I thought, but I hope you don't mind. If you like the story so far, please add it to your list, share, like and recommend it to people!

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