A QUICK A/N GUYS!

Okay, so I'll be using third P.O.V in this story as well, so you won't be having troubles in understanding what's happening once Faith isn't around, but mainly I'll be sticking to Faith's point of view.

And second to come clear, I only own this story and all the characters in it, not the pictures nor the quatations I'm adding to the chapters, all thanks goes to the creators of them all!

With that being said and done, I hope you'll like this chapter, I recommend you to keep reading!

Have a wonderful day, everyone!

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[ Alchadar's Third P.O.V. ]

As soon as Praxina and Faith had left to go buy supplies they need the trio had taken it as their job to buy some new weapons as well a new armor for their Demon leader, not caring how much money was wasted. 100 000 eons was a lot, they all had plenty to spend. 

Armen yawned loudly outside the store, showing off a very sharp set of teeth which told everyone to keep their distance to the Beast. He wasn't allowed to come inside and he didn't mind it. 

"Yo, check this out!" Chris chirped as well he jumped up to Alchadar, showing off a very sharp sword which had Insignias all over it, Alchadar understood some of the language to know that it once belonged to a Demon Slayer. "I'm so gonna rock with this baby." He grinned with his usual self, the Slayer proud of his discovery. But he couldn't help but wonder how quiet the Demon with him remained, he had stared at despite the armors before him down at the expensive arrows. It was obvious what was bugging him. "They're fine, man. I'm pretty sure Faith would've reached out if they were having a problem." The Slayer set a hand on the Demon's shoulder, although it was still odd to him trying to reassure a Demon. A being he swore an oath to kill. 

Rules are made to be broken, Christian grimaced at his big brother's words. 

"It's not that." Alchadar finally looked up from staring at the arrows too long, tightening his grip on his arms which were crossed firmly on his broad chest. His stern amber eyes were in deep wonder as he was trying to figure something out. "The girls are doing something, I can feel Faith's emotions, and she was a moment ago a bit spooked... but now, it would seem that something is making her happy." He glanced at his comrade, trying to explain him what was bothering him. He had never felt her so excited and happy.

"Perhaps they found a pet store... or the women's shop, beats me." Chris smirked and shook his head at the big Demon, patting his shoulder a bit again. "Come on, choose already. We have still many places to go to, man. You can wonder around what they're doing later." The Slayer walked over to the cashier to pay his things, leaving Alchadar there. He knew Alchadar was just worried but it also brought his mind at ease to know the princess was enjoying herself for once. 

The Demon looked over at the forged armors, he had two he typically eyed which would fit him, and he decided to go with the darkest one. It was colored black with a huge ruby in the middle, and in the package came a shield and a small pack where would fit small daggers, thus it wasn't that expensive either. He grabbed the heavy armory and was about to walk towards the cashier too, until small hands reached out to grab something he had accidentally dropped. Alchadar froze, looking down at a human girl who wore a collar around her throat and oddly classical blue dress, but it was obvious of what she was. 

A slave.

"You dropped this, mister." She said to him, almost pained smile on her lips. Alchadar noticed cuts on her wrists and neck, flashbacks coming to him the moment he ran into Faith. Her small, frail body which was dehydrated and underfed- abused in many ways. He remembered her hiding below a dirty worn-out cloak, trying desperately to buy herself a gun from a perverted owner of the shop. She was scared, alone and hungry. On top of all that, which was completely out of his nature after such a long time of traveling alone he doved in to help her, to fetch the owner off her tail and offer her a place where to sleep, all this done to see her smile on the other morning. It was obvious that she didn't trust him first, and it was fine, he understood the reason. Alchadar always knew where she had came from the first glance he set on her, for Satan's sake she didn't even have shoes on and walked around with barely a memory of a shirt on. 

It was that tug in him that made him take action, and there it all begun. The Demon was keen on feeding her, teaching her some basics of life and once it came down to protecting her, he didn't even hesitate. He wanted to make her feel safe, she was like a small pure glimpse of hope to him, being around her made him forget in many occasions what his life was like after the Black Phoenix fell and he was on runaway, deeming on his sins. In time Alchadar watched her change, she was finding her courage again, building up muscles on her tiny frame and looking up to him like not someone that of a failior, but a strong Demon being. She slowly climbed her way past his built up walls and invaded his life. She had him tightly wrapped around her pinkie without her realizing it, and before he knew it she became her partner. He and Faith had joined forces with Chris, Alchadar had found his Holy Weapon Armen, and they were starting to face trouble. But things were different this time. He had friends around him, a partner to call his own. A new member on board, who was still slightly hesitant. But overall, these people had changed his life. 

Almost invading it without permission. 

Yeah, it all came crashing down on Alchadar as he slowly took the package from the female slave, seeing that old Faith in her eyes. It then hit him, he had never asked her how she was doing. The Demon had been too busy to make sure that was she holding up good while leaving her old life behind, and embracing this completely new one. Was she still experiencing nightmares and horrible flashbacks?

"Thank you, miss." Alchadar spoke softly, hoping to have even a small impact on the small slave before him, since he couldn't do else. He couldn't exactly take her out of there and take her with them, it would cause too much hassle and attention. He watched the slave's big brown eyes widen in surprise as she hesitantly nodded, looking after his retreating form to the cashier. Alchadar caught another male human watch at him suspiciously, until he pulled the girl with him away behind the shop. The sight made him relieved for a second, she had someone there who looked after her. Possibly her brother.

I wonder was Faith all alone all those years... 

"Always nice and shit, huh?" Chris chuckled lightly once Alchadar came to the cashier with his armor. The Demon looked at him with a very pointed look, daring him to even start with him. "Okay, okay. I won't push it, man. Have it your way then." Chris shook his head in disbelief, knowing his comrade's attitude had something to do with their tiny female Omega of the group. It was oblivious. "I'm gonna be waiting outside with the rabies dog." He dismissed him and shoved his arms into his combat pants' pockets, carrying the sword he just bought with pride while he exited the store. But in reality, the Slayer didn't want to push the Demon to talk. He recognized guys like him, quiet and well-reserved, yet strong as hell and you didn't want to underestimate them. Chris really wanted to get through him like Faith did, after all they were friends. 

Alchadar glanced after him, mentally noting that he was acting a bit strange without the girls around. The Demon Slayer was seeming a lot more like his own self without all the acting. 

The owner of the shop revealed himself from behind the counter, looking Alchadar up and down. A Demon wasn't too new sight around there. 

"20 cold coins." 

          The next few hours flew by fast, the trio focused mainly to get some new clothes as well food, and somehow ended up ordering a sack of hamburgers for everyone. Chris couldn't help himself but devour one of them hungrily as they walked down the street, licking his lips in satisfaction. He drank his soda like he hadn't had something else besides water for a month, and it was true. Which was why he couldn't help but give in to his selfish desires. 

"Oi, Alchy-boy," Chris suddenly called licking his fingers as he walked up to catch the big walking Titan, matching his speed. Alchadar almost rose a way amused eyebrow to the man, both of the nickname and the way he kept on talking. There seemed to be no end to it. Even Armen behind them growled in deep annoy. "I was just wonderin', why don't you buy something for Faith? Y'know, to surprise the princess. I think she'd really appreciate it." 

His sudden suggestion had Alchadar skip a sudden step until he straightened himself again, looking at the Slayer with wide amber eyes. A gift for Faith? That had never occurred the Demon, were partners supposed to by gifts to one another without a good solid reason, for example a birthday? He doubted Faith had one coming soon enough right around the corner, and it would be a damn surprise if she even remembered the date. 

"... For what reason?" Alchadar questioned, looking at his comrade like he had lost his mind. Chris gave him an eyebrow raise, speeding his pace as well he turned to walk backwards, crossing his incredibly trained arms on his chest again. Staring at the Demon almost disappointed.

"She's a woman, man. They don't need a reason to be given a gift, females just like that shit. You really gotta step up your game, Alchy-boy." Chris shook his head and launched forward at a sudden stall that caught his eye, leaving behind shocked Alchadar and Armen. The creatures from hell stopped and exchanged a mutual confused look, slowly following to what the Slayer was staring at. Alchadar wanted to know what the hell he meant with his last sentence. "For example, flowers." He grabbed a blooming red rose and sniffed it, a grin plastering on his face. "These things are like drugs to them, you win them over right away." 

"What're you--?" Alchadar was really left in the dark of all this. He didn't have the slightest clue of what the Demon Slayer was giving him hints for. 

"Are you an idiot or something?" Armen growled and showed his teeth, nudging the Slayer's arm hard enough that he dropped the flower from his grasp. "It'd only be a burden, besides. The only way to a woman's heart is by food." He grinned suddenly smugly once his eyes caught the shelves colored with different colored packages of something sweet, chocolate. Alchadar caught onto them and suddenly froze, a sudden memory popping to his head. He knew there was one female who just loved the brown and sweet things, everything which just had chocolate in them, and it also eased her mind when he knew she was going through difficult times. For example, period. Alchadar felt his throat tighten as he swallowed hard, the memory suddenly painful. It slowly creeped deep into his bones. 

Elizabeth...

"The hell? No way." Chris fairly disagreed as he picked up the flower again, shoving it almost to the Beast's face. The one owning the stall shifted in his seat uncomfortably, looking a bit nervous of the sudden trio of powerful beings in front of him, arguing. Yet he still smiled nervously in generosity. "Girls are mad over stuff like this. I know for a fact better than you, Beast. At least I've been with an actual female before, not some drooling dogs who beg you to rut them."  Chris remarked proudly as he stood up straighter, looking the Beast down with a pinning look of his. There was no limit to the level of his arrogance. 

"I've had my share too, I wouldn't go there if I were you." It was a competition of females apparently, and Armen grinned proudly. He had also been with females who had two legs and arms, plenty actually. Chris would be surprised if he only knew, the Beast happened to be 100 years older anyway. 

"I'm sure you have, mut-face." Chris remarked as he turned to see Alchadar stepping forward, the Demon's eyes eerily dangerous. It was like he was in a completely another world. "Speaking of which," The Slayer started carefully, leaning onto the counter before them as he looked up at Alchadar inspecting the shelves, it would seem he was going to buy something to Faith after all. "How many girls have stolen your interest, if not heart, Alchy-boy?" He questioned, from man to man. He knew for sure that Alchadar wasn't into one night stands, he was the type of guy that if he found someone he'd stick to that certain person. No one else. It was interesting to the Slayer to hear his answer. 

But what he earned was a pair of menacing red eyes looking at him, telling him to back off. The subject was clearly not going to be spoken of. 

"Shut up, Chris." Alchadar avoided these kinds of conversations till to his last breath, not telling anyone of his love life, of the woman that stole his heart almost way too easily. Not after what happened to her. They were kidnapped, and she was ripped away right from his arms, forced to watch his endless beatings but he didn't care, what made him suppress the pain was to watch her standing there, still breathing and alive. One day Alchadar had woken up after he had fell unconscious to find her lifeless on the ground, drowned in her own blood. Alchadar's heart had shattered into millions of pieces as he ripped himself free ignoring the way the bones of his arms and shoulder broke as held her there, crying out to her, begging her to open her eyes. Elizabeth had been killed right under his nose, and he hadn't even flinched awake. She was in pain, and he didn't wake up. She was crying out to him, and he didn't response.

He had avoided other females like plague, he was so alone and still suffering of his loss, and he knew he could never forgive himself. He shouldn't of have fallen unconscious, he should've been there to gain their kidnappers' attention back on him instead of hers, she was really good at picking up fights. And more so, she was yelling insults at them the best she could as she was forced to watch Alchadar get all beaten up, the soul of that woman was incredible. And to lose her in such a way- it was not right. Alchadar wanted justice for her. 

All he remembered after he was found was the bloodshot he shed on that night, killing every single one of the men who were there, none of them were innocent. None of them deserved to live. None of them had the right to beg him for mercy, since they didn't show Elizabeth any. They killed her mercilessly and left her there to rot, making his heart ache of the memory. It was always burned deep into his brain, the sight of his lover swimming in her own pond of blood. 

"... Painful, huh?" Chris' sudden choice of words had Alchadar snap his head at him again, his eyes calculative like that of a predator's. But Chris wore a very sympathetic look on his face and settled a careful hand on his shoulder, facing the Demon's deadly crimson eyes. He was there for him, even though the powerful being was trying to push him away. "It's Elizabeth, right?" 

Alchadar flinched of her sudden name and slapped Chris' hand away, glaring daggers at him. The Demon was growing angry, impatient and worried, how did he know who Elizabeth was? Why was he bringing her up? If he had a death wish, he was going to be asking for it. 

"How'd you know her? Why'd you bring her up?"  Alchadar demanded, swaying an arm before him to make sure he wanted a truthful answer. Chris stood up straighter and carefully glanced around at people who had stopped to watch the unfolding tense situation, whispering and coming up with their own conclusions. 

"It's a Demon."

"Isn't that a Demon Slayer? Why isn't he doing his job, those creatures are dangerous!" 

"What're they talking about, I don't want them start fighting here when my kids are somewhere around here!" 

Chris took in a deep breath and let it out almost like he was defeated, trying to calm down Alchadar a bit with his eyes alone. It was almost like silently letting him know that not now, he'd tell him everything later. Even the Demon caught onto the situation and restrained himself, turning his attention away from Chris. Instead he decided to focus on the chocolates and once he saw the big red package he ordered it, handing the man the money as well he stuffed it in his bag. Still, the atmosphere was quite tense. 

 Armen had remained awfully quiet through the entire situation, mainly watching his Master's intentions. He was capable of stopping him, and his non-dealt emotions were making him unstable and dangerous. The Demon's Beast was glad to see that Alchadar hadn't completely lost it, anyway. Yet he couldn't wonder but know that this was just the beginning.

We need Faith. 

"Isn't it about time to switch up anyway? I bet the girls have already got everything 'girly' they need." Chris changed the subject, as well crossed his arms behind his head. Alchadar couldn't help but slightly frown of the way the Slayer smiled at him goofy, silently apologizing. The Demon himself realized his flaw as well and nodded, telling Chris it was okay now. Alchadar had almost lost it, and he understood to be a bit more careful. Everything stressed him out, but knowing that he'd see Faith soon seemed to bring his mind a little bit at ease. 

"Well, well, well..." 

A sudden flinch went down Chris' spine of the sound of that voice, the baritone alcohol burned voice earning heads in his direction of the sudden crowd. Alchadar and Armen turned around their eyes narrowed at a big guy who stood there, holding impressive swords in his hands. Realization deemed in Alchadar as he noticed the tattoo on his arm, a Demon Slayer. He saw that the man was bulky and carried with trophies of his previous fights when he had slayed Demons, like some daggers, swords and even hair. A creepy habit, but not too new. 

"What do we have here? Oi, Chris." The man said, his mustache almost impressive as he smirked at the situation in front of him. Chris' hands curled into fists as he stared back at the man deadly, no hesitance shown in his eyes. "Don't tell me I traveled all this way here just to see you hangin' around with a son of a bitch like him? Don't you have any shame?" Chris clicked his tongue and turned to fully face him, the people around them almost alarmed of how tense the atmosphere was. "You bring shame to our family's name, son." 

"Chris?" Alchadar asked, raising his hand already above his head to grab a hold of his massive blade, ready in case he had to cover himself. 

"Let me handle this." Chris said, walking forward to shoot out an arm in front of Alchadar and Armen, shielding them. "Go back, old man. I never asked you to follow after me, and my life most certainly is none of your business. I'm here fulfilling my Father's mission, and I'll crush everyone who's trying to stop me." He barked out and drawned out his swords as well, crouching into a battle position. He knew he wouldn't make it out of this situation without fighting, and the man before him only grinned to confirm that. The mustache man was ready to accept the challenge.

"We have plenty of time to settle down our disagreements, boy. But for now--" Almost like a shadow the man ran on right and disappeared, for three whole seconds. Chris took a step back prepared for anything, his guard up completely. In a flash he caught movement behind him as he whipped around, watching his Uncle attack on Alchadar, pushing the Demon back into a wall, knocking everything out of his way including small boxes. Alchadar hit his head bad and momentarily his mind was blank, but his hands had reached out in instinct and stopped the swords from cutting his throat open. His eyes were deep crimson red at this point, his instincts taking over and protecting himself, as he glared down at the green eyed Demon Slayer who was licking his lips in excitement. "I'll slay this big guy." 

Alchadar's eyes narrowed deeply. 

--- 

(Faith's P.O.V)

"Faith, wait for God's sake!"

I pushed my feet moving and fast, ignoring the pain the best I could in the back of my head, knowing it was not mine. Something was wrong with Alchadar. Something had happened to him. Pushing through the awful lot crowd I made my way down the street, somehow being able to tell where to go. I kept having these strange images none the less. 

I felt an arm reach out and grab my wrist, pulling me to a sudden halt. I struggled a bit against Praxina who kept me pretty impressively intact, we didn't have time for this. We had to find the guys before things escalated any more than they had. 

"Stop, already!" Praxina hissed and finally was able to grab my wrists, forcing me to look into her eyes. Her look was not only telling me to calm down, but to spit something out already. "We're searching a needle in a haystack, not to mention that we can't step out of the damn tracker's perimeter, otherwise we'll have an even bigger issue in our hands!" She yelled to my face, my eyes narrowed deeply. What was she saying? That we should do nothing? 

"Oh, so we just wait? Hang around here while I can feel my partner being barely conscious!" I barked at her, my brows narrowed in a thin line. Waiting wasn't an option, I was ready to get caught by the seven if it meant I could find my partner. With or without her. "I know they're close, I can feel him."

"How?" Praxina asked from me in disbelief, but the moment I was about to stand back from the ground two pair of feet invaded my vision, letting me know that it wasn't the two of us anymore. My eyes flew up in a glare as I realized they were the men from before, following us all the way to the store. They still wore the creepy masks, and out of all times I realized we had chosen a quiet street to the guys, where not a single soul wondered. Well shit. "Get back." Praxina pulled me behind her and got her bow and two arrows, flexing her muscles as she drew them up, ready to fire. "I'd suggest you two to get the hell out of here before the last of my patience wears out." 

"Now, now. Take it easy." The slimmer man spoke up, showing a gentle hand on his chest. His mask was a tiger. "I wouldn't use those if I were you." He warned, my eyes narrowed as I grabbed my sword, drawning it out. There was no way I'd let Praxina protect me, no way. I was capable to do that myself, in the mental state I was right there and then. 

I'll kill them if something happens to Alchadar in the meantime. 

"And why's that?" Praxina cocked a brow, grabbing the arrows between her fingers tighter. 

"Because it's useless." The man reached out and grabbed his mask, making Praxina bend her weapon more back and prepare to fire. She wasn't taking any risks. We saw a young face look back at us, odd dark purple eyes on us. "Freeze." His eyes narrowed to us, and suddenly I heard my heart beat drum in my ears. A flinch sparked down my spine. I couldn't move. Praxina was in the same narrow spot, her body shook as she tried to gain control over it, but in vain. 

What the hell-!?

I couldn't even blink as the men begun to approach us. "Amazing, right? People with Quirks are almost invincible nowadays." The guy laughed, the bulkier man followed his lead and removed his mask, his eyes normal hazel colored but they weren't what I was worried about. It was the way his arms reached out abnormally long, stretching until they had a hold of our throats, pulling us in.

Quirks? 

We hang there in the air, frozen, being choked. I gasped to breathe, my normal organs still worked but I couldn't make my body obey me. It was like someone else had a complete will over it, beating my mind to the back of my mind to submit and remain quiet. 

"Ah, I figured you'd both be pretty enough, you'll make fine money." The slimmer man reached out and grabbed my hair, running his hand down it's length. I wanted to launch out and bite him, beat the two into shit. I wasn't having this, we had to find our group.

"F-...f-fuck y-you." Praxina managed, it would seem her will to fight wasn't still beaten. I glanced at her for a moment until sudden explosion earned our attention, it was not far from us. My mind froze as I realized that it had to be guys, Alchadar's mind had already cleared up a bit and he was fighting, his mind calculative and powerful, he was reading attacks. The damn Demon was fighting someone! 

"Oh, a resilient one, I see?" The man went next to Praxina's side, grinning at her struggling self. Damn, how was he able to not blink so long? "You most certainly will sell well, Elf. Many will pay to be able to break down your will." He laughed with ek-ek-ek laugh, making my blood ran cold. Even Praxina was starting to get worried when her body wasn't doing what she wanted, and by the looks of it we were going to be kidnapped and sold as slaves. It made me terrified beyond my belief. 

No.

Not again.

"Let's load 'em up, they should pass out soon enough." The guy remarked and like a train of thought hit me across the face I felt my body starting to grow weak with the lack of air in my lungs, I couldn't think straight. Praxina still fought back, struggled and even screamed to get her body moving. But I was already starting to slump, no strength in my limbs. I was going to fall unconscious. 

I'm not going to fight back for freedom?

 I'm not even going to try and save me and Praxina out of this?

To save my own comrade?

"F-Faith, don't- you dare." Praxina swallowed hardly, only then I understood that our bodies could move again. But we had no strength left in them to keep fighting, so this was their strategy? First freeze women, then force them to blackout? No wonder women had mysteriously disappeared in Babushka. 

Alchadar... 

I knew I was supposed to contact my partner, I should've done so. Without hesitance. 

But what happened next had me completely bewildered and left in a shock to even consider such a thing.

"Found you." 

I froze, my mind starting to spark back to life again. Praxina struggled to glance back at something and her eyes told it all, it was a Demon. But not a Demon we'd expect to come to our rescue. 

"Huh?" The slimmer man turned around, the man holding us in the air turning a little sideways as well, allowing me to have a clear sight of who was there standing not far from us, and I couldn't feel my limbs. It was indeed a Demon staring back at us with dark black eyes, hands hung lazy on his sides. He looked like an assassin, with a long black jacket that hid most of him but he was big, and had similar horns stuck out of his head like Alchadar had, which made me froze even more so. He was related to Alchadar, young enough to be his brother. A big brother? "Who the hell are you, bastard?" 

What's someone like him doing here!?

"Looking for a two troubling teenagers kidnapping women, ring any bells?" The Demon stepped forward and begun to approach us, his look set on target. All kinds of emotions went through me there and then, what did he want? Was he here to work for them or possibly save us? Either way, I didn't like the look of blood in the corner of his mouth, it looked like he had just ate. Something. Someone. 

"You son of a bitch." The guy growled and tried to use his ability to freeze the Demon, only to shock us all. The Demon still kept on coming, not even the slightest bit affected by it. "Demons..." He got desperate and looked around, launching his arm towards me and yanking me by the hair, forcing me down to the ground on my knees while he held my own sword below my chin, making me hitch my breathe. "If you don't wanna see her die, I won't recommend anything reckless."  

"Faith!" Praxina growled, still battling against the other man's grip on her throat, I got worried of the way how blue her face looked like. She was at the point of collapsing. 

The Demon hesitated and stopped, satisfying the nasty guy behind me. I scrunched up my face in disgust and pulled a bit forward, looking at the Demon into the eyes. It was small, tiny. I almost didn't caught it. But he was silently asking me of something, bend? No, the man would slice my throat open for sure. Distraction? I doubted. Looking up, I noticed the guy looked like a wreck, unable to think straight. My eyes fell down to his thin and untrained legs, I could easily break free. I could still get to Alchadar and the others in time. 

Okay then...

I'm helping you for now. 

He was a stranger, obviously. But he wasn't after us, but the men behind us. I trusted that if we let him handle them, we'd get to be on our way. He would let us go, no matter how much it troubled me that he had killed someone not long ago, the fangs hiding below his lips belonged to a vampire. A vampire and a Demon was an odd mix, but not impossible. Actually it was pretty scary. 

I don't care who he is. 

Once I heard someone hit the wall not far from us I used it as my advantage, tightening the muscles on my arm as I knocked my own weapon off my throat and swung my leg back, easily getting the man surprised. Within a second and almost in slow motion I watched the Demon behind the man, looming black eyes looking dangerously into his. Even I flinched of the sight. Once I flew back on my back for safety I watched the Demon engulf the young guy into a choking-death-grip, his big arms flexing. Then his eyes flew to me, nodding me to go.

I stood there completely bewildered, did I know him from somewhere? 

Why is he helping us anyway?

"Come on, they're in trouble!" Praxina appeared out of nowhere and pulled me up to my feet, starting to drag me away. I never left my eyes from the Demon's even though he looked down, I noticed the bulkier man had been knocked out cold. His fangs appeared and he breathed out a cold breath, reaching for the man's neck. My eyes widened in deep terror. I didn't want to see it happen, right before my eyes. No matter how shitty the man was. 

"Don't kill him!" My mouth spoke faster than I expected, before I tore my gaze away from him and begun to run down the street with Praxina, away from the situation. Away from the Demon who had stopped himself. Away from it all. Only to find the guys, they moved before any of my other thoughts. 

"Fuck-!" Praxina rubbed her sore throat, clearly in pain. "That was too close..." I tried to push the pain away as soon as it even grazed my mind, even though my throat was burning. My mind was still freaking out of the fact that we got almost kidnapped and sold to slaves. It must've had her spooked a bit too. But I didn't want to think about it, we were saved. For now. What mattered now was to find the guys. 

"We're soon there." I tried to distract her thoughts too, once we'd be reunited we'd not separate. Babushka proved out to be marvelous but at the same time deadly too. 

Rounding up the last corner, we took in ragged breaths as our feet came to a sudden halt. It was so quiet. It was like world had stopped for a moment.

We saw that the place was a mess, something clearly took place in here. The walls had taken some damage as well some of the stalls, but overall it was pretty clean. Clean, compared to the fact what guys usually caused. Destruction was the key word. Once my eyes fell on the three powerful beings in tight formation looking down at something made my heart tighten in relief. They were okay. Perhaps a bit wounded and clearly they had been fighting, but overall they were okay. 

"Thank God..." Both me and Praxina slumped down onto the ground on our knees, I was going to pass out of the lack of air in me. I had to take a moment to catch my breathing. I knew it was bound to happen that they noticed us, but I had no strength left to call out to them. So I was glad to hear Chris' loud voice after such a long time. 

"Oi! What the hell!?" The Slayer ran towards us but who easily outran him was my partner, his huge body soon sheltering both me and Praxina from the soon settling sunlight. Everything was just orange. I felt his hand raise my chin up to meet his stern amber eyes, worry written all over his face. The marks on our necks didn't go unnoticed at all. 

"What happened?" Alchadar demanded, calming down my shaking form immediately. Being with him again made me relax almost automatically, it was a thing that just happened. I offered him a tired smile as I grabbed his hand soft, glancing at Praxina. Even the Elf was a bit taken back for his concern towards her, her gaze mostly staying lowered in embarrassment. 

"... A lot, actually." I said in true honesty, but mostly focused to stare at the blood which trickled down his cheek, making his jaw look even sharper than before. Then my eyes fell on Chris and Armen, they were mostly dusty and lastly I noticed the stranger laying there on the ground, staring up at the sky. Was he dead or something? "... But clearly something worse happened here." 

"Don't lie." Praxina grimaced her face, looking at me with a tiny glare. Alchadar grew pretty anxious at this, count in Chris and Armen. The guys were pinning us down with their looks, demanding us to speak up. "We got almost kidnapped for fuck's sake- those guys almost sold us as slaves!" I'm not saying I thought of her as a liar, but I didn't expect her to say things like they were and so soon. Especially in such a tense situation. 

"They what?" Chris asked coldly, something dangerous in his look. It was evident that they all got worried, the look my partner was giving me made me lower my gaze. Sure, yeah. I knew it was a big deal, but I wasn't really worried at all since my goal was to get to them. To get here and know they were okay. I'm not still quite sure what the hell happened back there. "That's not somethin' you take lightly, Faith!"

I kept my gaze lowered glued to my lap, feeling their gazes pin me down with worry and anger. 

Sudden laughing made me snap out of it as I looked up at the strange man who laid there on the ground not far from us, hoisting himself up to prop back up sitting with his legs crossed. He crossed his arms and looked at our group with a wide grin, something sparking his eyes. 

"The group just keeps getting bigger and better." He grimaced, but not in a bad way. The mustache man almost looked at us amazed and light-weighed, like he had just had a time of his life. Who the hell was this man anyway? "It seems that you've finally grown a pair of balls Chris, but not to worry," He got slowly and started to approach us, Alchadar stood up alarmingly and shielded us, not certain of him. Even Chris and Armen shot daggers at him. 

He knows Chris?

I noticed the Demon Slayer tattoo on his arm as well the Insignia on his white cloak, it all coming to me then. "Babushka is the heart of thieves and slave-sellers, surely you knew that, ay?" The mustache man stopped to tuck his hands into his brown pants' pockets, searching a cigarette which he lit up. I slowly got back up on my feet Praxina following my lead, looking at the guy with almost an eyebrow raise as well curiosity. He didn't seem aggressive nor a threat. At least, not anymore. "The girls were strong enough to escape, which means that they've got the guts. Ain't that right, pumpkins?" 

I shivered of the remark and remembered that we weren't the one setting ourselves free, it was the Demon. Alchadar's brother no doubt. To know that made me hesitate for a second, I still wasn't able to do anything on my own, to not even protect myself or my comrade. That was pathetic... foolish.

I hadn't realized that Alchadar was watching us, his mind unsettling of our bizarre behaviors.

"... Whatever the reason that they're here now safe is insignificant for now," Alchadar interrupted, looking at the man like that of an enemy. Wait, were they battling him? He didn't look too bad, only a few scratches there and torn clothes here. Did he attack on my partner? "What worries us is your intentions. We're trying to keep low profile, and after the mess you just created means that we can't stay. So if you have ulterior motives planned then get them over with, but one thing stands." The Demon stood there proud, almost too proud. There was no arguing back to him with the look he was giving him. "I won." 

I froze, knowing that it was a big deal. In Demons and Demon Slayers world winning and losing meant everything, but usually it ended up fatal if the other one was defeated, they'd drop dead. In this case- which didn't come as too shocking even though Alchadar won he didn't kill him, he let him live. The real question is, why? The opponent could come and attack right back at you. 

The mustache man howled out laughing, finding what he had said funny. I kept looking like an idiot. 

"Aye, you sure did, Demon." He started to rub his brown locks on his head as he stared at us almost like a puzzle, wondering something. He took in a deep inhale as well took a rag of his cigarette, looking troubled for a minute. "A'ight, we better get you tucked in sheets before anyone notices, huh? But tonight we goin' to the bar, ladies and gentleman. I'll bid the first round." What he said went from one ear in, and out of the other. None of us expected such an offer to come.

"... Is this a trick?" Chris rose a dear eyebrow, suspicion written all over his face. 

"No!" The mustache man shot daggers at him of the accusation. 

"... Who the hell is this guy?" Praxina whispered to Alchadar and Armen, by the looks of it the sudden unfolding situation seemed to calm her down too. The guys back there were the least of our worries now, especially when we had our team back. Our guys wouldn't let them escape. 

"My Uncle..." Chris scratched the back of head and answered almost painfully, watching his Uncle walk down the street confidence clear with his movements. I widened my eyes in surprise and shock, those two were actually related?

They look like nothing alike...

"... We going to follow the douche-bag?" Armen asked with a growl, making eye contact with Alchadar. 

I looked up also to my partner, his eyes stern amber color as he was clearly debating something. The offer sure was tempting, but were we really going to follow the man? We didn't know him, and even though he lived there somewhere meant nothing, who knows? He might as well be part of the slave-sellers.

Finally, Alchadar's eyes softened a bit, but they still wore that suspicion in them. 

"We're going." 

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