~ There is no place like home. ~

- L. Frank Baum.

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Faith:

Almost there.

I pushed my feet to move quicker, not letting this puny mountain up ahead of us to hold me back.

The sun peaked out more the further I reached the tip of the mountain. It only made me push harder, knowing this was the last obstacle standing in our way. We were almost reunited again.

"Awful inconvenient of you two to walk--"

I glanced back as I heard a sudden collision of someone against the ground, sighing of the sight.

"You're walking too, Dagon." Alchadar growled, his younger brother pinned below his boot. I noticed the wings attached to his back, he really tried his luck on Alchadar. Usually no one dared to do so... but it would seem arrogance really ran in the family. Alchadar let him go, satisfied only when Dagon's wings disappeared. The younger Demon glared in his direction. "It reveals our position. You need to start obeying if you want this to work."

"So big and commanding, bro." Dagon groaned and followed after us. Once I was satisfied enough to notice they wouldn't be in each other's throats again I pushed myself to continue, adamant to reaching the top. Although an amused smile played on my lips, was this how siblings acted? Always pushing each other's buttons? "What's with the armour? You don't think your full-fledged Demon body can't take a hit?"

"Stop talking."

I laughed, accidental. Yet it was pretty amusing, I had never heard Alchadar be so frustrated. Not even with Chris and Praxina!

"Guys, knock it off." I called from up ahead, continuing to stumble through the thick grass and try not to trip on any rocks hidden under it. I was almost there- only a few meters. "Almost...!"

"... And to top it off your artillery--"

"-- You heard the woman. Stop talking."

"She didn't say anything of us talking. You're the one getting offended of questions."

I rolled my eyes, it would seem Dagon clearly was the younger one. Yet it didn't matter, it almost reminded me of the others. It was peaceful for the last couple of hours as we gained up the lost time in the woods, but with a sudden alliance added to the numbers. An odd twist of fate, but I didn't mind. The more help we got, the better.

I took the last leap. And then I was standing on top of the mountain. I noticed the sudden clearance before me- an endless field of grass and planted vegetation. A small kingdom loomed in the background through the distance, confirming we were in the right place.

"They're here?" I asked and turned to Alchadar and Dagon finally catching up to me- the red spot on Dagon's face didn't go unnoticed. I almost rose an eyebrow but noticed it was quiet between them, not dearing to break Alchadar's success in shutting him up.

"They should be waiting at the gates. Come on." Alchadar noticed my excitement, pushing me to carry on my way. I offered him a small smile and begun to lead the way again taking wider steps, rushing towards the gates. It had been already over a week since I saw everyone, I had missed them a lot.

"So, how much are there of you?" Dagon asked from behind me, I knew they were following after me but a lot more calm and collected. What? Did I seem like a child now?

Yes... it would seem so.

"Six since last time we counted." I called out, trying to act rational as I slowed down my pace. Damn, I had to get a hold of myself. This was too much. Especially since I was stuck with two almost too calm Demon beings. I cleared my throat and tried to walk calmly, not noticing the raised eyebrows directed to me. "Although... quite much must've happened since we've been gone. There's not really knowing that until we see them again."

I shrugged and glanced back. Then I noticed the strange looks directed to me. It made me shrug twice as bad and roll my eyes, screw it. I picked up the pace again. Men.

God, how I've missed you Praxina.

"Did she just...?" Dagon trailed off, confused.

"Don't even start." Alchadar said stern, I could notice his frustration build up on his brother again. If it was just the two of us my partner would grant me space and talk afterwards... but Dagon was a different thing. A little younger and inexperienced. It was like a new perspective to all this Demon fussing going around in my head lately.

Then, I noticed the kingdom approach in the distance. We found a wide road which to walk on, apparently we took some sort of short cut and had not noticed the road. It lead us straight towards the gates standing in the distance. It was a tiny kingdom- belonging to the dwarfs of the forest. I understood it, small but effective.

Just never seen it before...

Amazing how much I get to experience along this journey.

Once we stood by the gates I noticed the small people walking around. Woah, they were shorter than me? And I was quite short. I stopped a little on my spot to notify the grumpy elder looking man fixing a broken wire by the front gates, not trying to look too surprised. It was in no vain, he scoffed at me and stopped what he was doing, starting to walk away. Annoy spread all over his face.

Damn, that's harsh.

"-- Faith!"

My body froze until I looked up, noticing figures standing in the distance. Familiar figures. One particular figure running towards my direction. The sudden relief brushing over me had me halt and gasp, as I slowly put my feet to work. I ran forward as fast as I could.

"You-!" I laughed and our bodies slammed together, engulfed against one another. I hugged her as bad as ever, the one person I had begun to think of as my family. "Praxe! You're okay?" I stopped hugging for a second and examined the Elf princess standing before me, her ears pointy as ever. Nothing else had changed except her clothes from last time- this time she wore tight leggings and a green polo shirt, a black jacket strapped on it. And her weapons as well.

"Pfft. Silly question, I'm always okay." Praxina rolled her eyes and forced me to hug her still, the action made me laugh. I enjoyed the moment and hugged back, she was back. She was okay. She had been okay all this time.

"-- Yo, anyone got a camera? I'd really want to memorize this..."

My body tensed, the voice I recognized almost immediately. Almost non-fazed and annoyed I glared in Chris' direction, the Demon Slayer admired our bodies locked together. His mind thinking something bawdy. Damn, not for one second.

"Chris." I greeted back, sudden poison in my voice. The Demon Slayer grinned and approached me- not scared? I groaned yet returned the hug he did once Praxina released me, squeezing tight. "I almost missed you too." I looked up to his hazel eyes as I let go, noticing his howl of a laugh.

"I knew you were thinking about me." Chris licked his lips, I rolled my eyes and pushed him away. That was enough of him touching me. And how wrong can the Slayer be.

"-- It would seem you've been busy as well." Ben formed out behind Chris and gave me a small hug, I noticed his eyes looking back at someone. Alchadar finally revealed himself and Ben shook his hand as a greeting, yet his eyes lingered at something. It was Dagon who stood there looking unsure, leaning against the gate's wall his arms crossed.

"As well-?" I managed to rasp until I squealed, a large muzzle made it's way under my legs and scooped me to sit on a very familiar furry back. Backwards. "Armen!?" I was embarassed- my ass up in the air until I slammed it down again. It was until the Beast licked my cheek, a playful smirk on his face. Then the Beast turned to Alchadar, my partner rubbed his head, softness in his look. It must've been painful for them to be apart. After all, they were connected through their souls.

"Did they go easy on you?" Alchadar asked with a chuckle, rubbing a soft spot under Armen's huge muzzle. The Beast groaned pleased by it.

"Barely. But everyone is still alive, I didn't get to kill them yet." Armen said with a pant, innocently looking at Chris, Ben and Praxina. The trio looked scared of the sudden sentence. "As well the new add to the team."

"The what?" I asked, my head looking back. I hadn't even noticed the two figures standing in the back. New people? I slowly slid off Armen's back and walked forward, noticing a young girl and a tiny being next to her. A fairy? And a sorcerer? I noted the young girl's beautiful long orange hair that reached all the way to her lower abdomen, and the unusually colorful dress she had on. And the wand in her hand was the only clue I thought she was a sorcerer.

The fairy beside her was a tiny thing, yet she looked a lot more intimidating than the bubbly person beside her. She had tiny wings attached to her back and blonde short hair, and probably too short of a dress on. Wow, who were these people?

"-- It's a pleasure meeting you, misses...?" Alchadar awakened me from my train of thought as he walked up beside me. Yet he seemed to grasp the sitation firmer as he extended his hand forward, ready for them to shake. The names the only thing we didn't know.

"I'm Bella!" The orange haired girl ran forward and grabbed Alchadar hand firm, shaking it. "It's a pleasure to meet you two as well! I've heard so much about you guys-- oh my God!" Then she tensed and stared at Alchadar's back, of the blade that rested in it's sheath. And then her eyes flew to the blade that hung on my waist, I froze of the happiness. She was a bubbly personality. Very happy and excited. "A soul eater? An Angel blade? This is so cool!"

I watched her jumping in front of us a little taken back, an awkward smile on my face. Alchadar and I exchanged an odd look, the feeling was mutual. Our heads turned immediately back at the others, asking was this normal.

"She does that a lot." Ben laughed awkward and rubbed the back of his head, apologetic.

Couldn't say that a bit earlier so we wouldn't look this stupid!

"-- Bella, that's enough. Remember our manners."

My head turned forward again, I noticed the fairy flying towards us. Her arms still very firmly crossed on her chest. The fairy stopped and shot a pointy look down at the bubbly young girl who realized her over-excitement and stopped, standing still. Yet her eyes longed to our weapons. I could feel a small drop of sweat roll down my cheek, a panic? Or hesitance?

"I'm Mona. I'm Bella's most trusted friend. Where she goes I go." The fairy then spoke out, looking at Alchadar and me. Mostly eyeing me, almost suspiciosly. "The Demon would be Alchadar, pleasure to meet you as well. And you would be Faith, the last standing Angel on Earth. Under different circumstances I'd pay my respects but it's a sudden alliance so I hope you're not too offended."

My eyes remained a little wide of the sudden statement, the what?

What circumstances?

"No...? No, no. It's completely okay." I was confused to the deep end, shaking my head. I didn't know of how Angels' ways were and how other kinds were supposed to show respect but I wanted nothing like that. I didn't want to seem superior- it made my skin crawl. "So, Bella and Mona? Did you both come from the Fairies' kingdom?"

"Yes!" Bella chirped in, on her face was the widest smile of all time. I smiled awkward back, wasn't it tiring?

"Yes, believe it or not. Once your odd team came to ask our help we decided to follow your lead and inform our kinds afterwards. There was a war coming, did I understand correct?" Mona asked, turning to us very stern. These two were a very strange duo, I had to admit.

"Yes, against the Demon Kingdom." Alchadar said beside me, looking relieved to know they were there for the right reasons. Indeed, I wanted to know could these two fight? Could they defend themselves?

"Good. Not to matter the formalities, we're all friends here." Mona took out a sudden cigarette from her breast furrow, lighting it up and taking an inhale. Did she mean by that the fact it came from a Demon saying we're there to bring down the Demon Kingdom. Well, good they didn't push the subject more. "Bella and I hold grudge against the cursed place. Poor thing lost her parents a long time ago. We've taught her well and know she can carry around her weight, don't worry. She can cast very powerful spells--"

"Shall I give you an example?" Bella chirped in again and grabbed her wand in two hands this time, the sand around her started to float. And the air felt light suddenly-- a gravitational switch? The huge orange formation of numbers and templates showed up underneath her, she was casting out a spell? Of what?

"No!" I noticed Mona fly forward and pinch her cheek hard, and the air grew heavy again. I dropped down to the ground soft, I didn't manage to fly far. But the fact remained... all of us were a little shaken up by it. Or it might be just me and Alchadar. "Discipline, young lady. You know that."

"Yes, sorry!" Bella noticed her mistake and brought her head down- bowing as an apology. I laughed awkward again. What was going on with these two? "I wanted to show my powers too eager, I apologize!"

"It's quite all right." Alchadar didn't seem too affected as he brushed the sand off his clothes, a soft face covering his features. Wait, was he being calm and patient with this little girl? It was evident it worked as Bella looked up eyes wide, a wide smile spread on her face. The interaction made me almost feel things, Alchadar was really good with kids. "I can see your commitment. It's admirable."

Bella blushed, playing with a loose hair on her face. I shook my head and smiled, damn him and his charisma. It did made me wonder, was this Demon really committed to me or after these young girls. It made me wonder back to the thing happening in the woods again... of him dreaming of Elizabeth and him.

... We need to talk about that.

"The fairy's even nastier..." Chris whispered behind me, sending a small shiver go down my spine. I elbowed his side of scaring me to death, noticing his grunt of disapproval. "It's the truth...!"

"I'm glad the Slayer knows." Mona said and gave an evil grin in his direction, the immediate aura this small being had. It almost had my knees weak as I felt a tightness on my chest. Wait, what were fairies capable of? What did they do? "You'll see." Mona noticed my wondering self, taking an inhale of the cigarette resting between her fingers again.

"-- Bunch of fairy powder and shit..."

Our heads snapped towards Dagon listening our conversation, his figure walking over to a chair he sat on. I looked not so impressed but shook my head, knowing it must be hard to be suddenly a part of something. None the less, of people you hardly know and aren't your kind. It was an odd group I give you that, but I could already know he would be a fine add. It took a little bit of time to adjust.

"Anyway..." Praxina suddenly cleared her throat, gaining our attention to the Elf princess standing in the background instead of Dagon. The sudden interest didn't go unnoticed. "Since we've all finally introduced us properly to each other, one question still remains," Praxina walked forward and pushed Chris out of her way a bit, the Demon Slayer questioning the rough handling. Her hands rested on my shoulders. "Did you get your power, girl?"

The air grew tense as I took in her question, trying not to give it away so easily. The others were listening intently. Now, why would I just blurt something so serious?

I was feeling playful.

I turned around to face her and sighed heavily, landing a hand on her shoulder almost apologetic. I could feel and see the gasps and disappointed faces on everyone. More or so the fact how Praxina tensed, not believing it.

"-- In fact, yes I did."

A wide grin consumed my face as I looked up again, noticing how excited and shocked everyone turned. Chris and Ben's mouth hanged wide open. Praxina 'o' with her mouth, her eyes widened as she squealed. Alchadar chuckled behind me and crossed his arms proud on his chest, nodding to a wondering Armen was I joking. No, in fact I wasn't.

"It had already been a week, we were almost worried." Armen said out loud, a raised eyebrow in my direction. I didn't get to answer as Praxina was almost pulling my head out of it's place of how tight she wrapped her hands around my throat. All the while pulling and jumping.

"Please tell me everything! No, let me see, please?" Praxina was acting out of the ordinary, yet it would seem what really sparked her interest made her act like this. The Elf princess knelt down before me and grabbed a hold of my hands, a pleading pair of green eyes looking into mine. "Please!"

This had me a little surprised as I smiled a little, turning my head to look at Alchadar. I really wanted to, but didn't know could I or were we being watched. I haven't been able to transform the whole time we were back on Earth again, and it kind of made me feel uneasy.

I'd really want to spread those wings again...

Alchadar's deep amber eyes were slightly hesitant of the sudden subject, our leader weighed his options. Yet he couldn't deny all the curious and pleading looks now directed upon him, it would seem Praxina wasn't the only one. Alchadar made a quick glance around to notify no dwarves were in sight, for some odd reason all of them had disappeared. Probably because they didn't appreciate outsiders of as such.

A sudden long sigh left his lips, in defeat.

My eyes widened slightly as I recognized the tone.

"It's not wise, but I do give consent just this once. You can show everyone what you've been working on for the past week." Alchadar said then, a small smile on his face as our eye contact had remained the entire time. His head nodded towards me. My smile grew wider as I squealed myself, Praxina and I jumped like young stupid teenagers. I had really missed this energy.

"Hell yes!" Chris howled out and punched the air, sudden excitment he had. It did almost make me question the motive behind it.

"Okay, okay." I calmed myself down and left Praxina standing there, gaining some distance to everyone. As a precation I got in between two buildings, which would shelter my identity. I stood there and shared each one a glance, noticing how curious they looked like. Had they been waiting for this that long? "... I'm getting cold feet, stop staring."

"For the love of Satan." Dagon groaned in annoy from his bench, strapping an arm over his eyes. Everyone were still a little unsure of his presence but did the same, respecting my wishes. Although I heard some complain as well.

I saw a pair of amber eyes linger in my body, refusing to look away.

Not listening, huh?

I smirked wicked at Alchadar's direction and winked, noticing his sudden shudder. I didn't know was this thing between us still a secret or what, but it was the perfect timing for a little tease. Then my eyes closed as I concentrated, the Holy light tingled in my chest as I requested access. It came faster than before as I could notice the bright light again- feeling the transformation on my skin as well the power coursing through my veins and limbs.

Still gives me chills.

The familiar flipping of wings alarmed me the transformation was complete as my eyes snapped open, I looked down to notice the same outfit as before. My Angel Guardian outfit. I already noticed my senses tingling as I rose my gaze, noticing the dozen pairs of eyes staring at me. It made me gasp. They all looked before I said anything.

Unbelievable.

"Amazing..." Ben gasped out, slowly taking steps forward. For some odd reason my senses tingled twice as bad but I remained glued to the ground, allowing him to enter my personal space. The shapeshifter admired my looks- but more of the wings attached to my back. "You actually did it."

"-- Out of the way!" Praxina yeeted Ben out of the way and ran at me, almost not stopping. It made me give in for a second as my wings reacted of the reaching figure, I leapt out of the way. "You can fly?" Her head shot up to stare in awe, I couldn't exactly control it now could I?

"Well, dah." I said with a sigh, slowly returning back to the ground. I gave a small pat all through my wings behind my back, noticing they twitched uncomfortably. "Sorry, it does seem they have a mind of their own sometimes. Or I don't know how to use them yet." A small smile left me. It was until Praxina's hands roamed through my body. It made me yelp in surprise and shock.

"So beautiful. Does it suck in your own clothes?" The Elf princess made sure I had no clothes underneath those, nodding to herself. I grabbed her hands and returned them to her, a small glare in her direction. It made her shrug devilish as she rounded behind me like a Devil. "No, but these are the real beauties..." She caressed the feathers, I was starting to feel very uncomfortable even if she was a woman.

"Look at this."

My eyes froze as I noticed Chris looming over me, the Demon Slayer's hazel eyes very lustful. And he went in for a grab.

I gladly accepted the backstrike that came when my foot came in contact with his face. Begone, pervert! To my shocked state Chris managed to regain and grab my ankle, going to go in for the grab of my ass.

"-- Not this time, Chris." Alchadar had already studied Chris' approaching state and yanked the back of his shirt, forcing him away from me. The Demon partner of mine didn't get far as Armen sat on top of the swaying Chris-- his body still trying to come for me. It made me shiver. His eyes all over the place.

"Have you lost your senses?" Armen asked, showing his teeth to Chris below him. He was doing everything in his power to be released. Was he possessed?

"Boys." Praxina rolled her eyes, I rose a very dear eyebrow down at her looking under my skirt's helm. I think she was more unrational as I cleared my throat, hiding my downstairs by grabbing the hem and glaring at her. "Okay, fine, fine. I'll stop." The Elf rose her arms up in defense and crossed them, cocking me an eyebrow. "Happy?"

"-- What a look of art."

Dagon's voice whispered behind me. My fist was sent to his face. In nick of time he managed to catch it in his palm, I turned around to face his red eyes. How had he came up behind me? Such a scary tactic whatever it was.

"Stop that." I sighed deeply and took my hand back, my wings flapped rapidly. It almost sent me flying as I tried to make them to calm down. Uneasy, huh? Dagon examined the transformation with curiosity, taking in my shape. Even if I had started to get used to his presence, it wasn't this advantaged yet. "Okay, you're creeping me out."

"Dagon." Alchadar called, I glanced to notice his staring between the both of us. He stood there his arms crossed. Was he my personal body guard or what? Why did all of this make me feel like a celebrity-- was I one? Such a rare sight to see. And everyone wanted to get to look at.

Dagon laughed, landing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. Until he begun to walk away, hands stuffed deep into his pockets. "No worries, just wanted to take a closer look." Dagon said, until he stopped beside Alchadar. The two brothers looking at each other with a look I couldn't understand. "Your partner, huh?" He grinned.

And at that, the younger Demon left the scene. I watched Alchadar look after him dangerously, his mind shifting unpleasantly between something. What just happened? Did I miss something?

What was that question?

"He is a part of us, right?" Ben asked unsure, looking after Dagon's body. How far did he go?

"-- Barely." Alchadar growled out. I sighed loudly, trying to rip myself free from Praxina's hands examining the feathers of the wings.

"He is. Just, it takes time." I defended Dagon, finally managing to get free. I was about to take a peek to where the lone traveler disappeared off to but noticed sudden bright eyes stare at me- and the fairy right up my face. I almost peed myself of the heart attack the new incomers made me feel.

"A full transformation. Good." Mona said in wonder, flying around my head and watching my body. The cigarette smoke she left after her made me cough a bit. "Full grown wings. Hm. Angel of destruction mark. Strong hands and feet." I vinced as she poked my thigh, a small glare sent her way. Mona took another inhale, nodding proudly.

"Amazing..." Another set of hands touched my feathers, this time it was Bella. And she really took in the moment.

I sighed very loudly.

Not again.

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