~ Life is tough. Yet so are you. ~

- Motivation.

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Faith:

"-- So the plan is this,"

A clanck.

"-- The half of the troopers march to the front of the Demon Kingdom, and the rest to the back. We don't want them sending re-inforcements but we also make sure no one escapes the cursed place. Nice and neat."

The past couple of days had been this.

"-- Don't forget the nasty bats and the underworld tunnel. Got to make sure they're out of the game."

Dagon pointed to the map resting on the table, showing a significant place under the Demon Kingdom's basement floor. King Stuart halted for a second, nodding to his statement.

"Further adjustments can be made on the battleground, but you'll be in charge of it. If I don't remember wrong, a three-headed dog is guarding it?" The King asked, eyebrow raised to the Demon.

"Cerberus." Alchadar nodded in agreement, staring at the map intently.

Wondering what the hell was going on? Almost day and night of endless planning of the upcoming war at hand against the Demon Kingdom. Restless nights of us staying in this huge room meant for this one purpose only, to plan the war at hand. King Stuart happened to have the last drawing from 101 years back and it was all we had. We really had to put our plan to it, no one had been inside the castle since then.

At least not someone who would support our task at hand.

This was the third day since we arrived, the preparations had been going smoothly. Everyone were said the date: two days. 15th of April. The arriving noon. It was when everyone were supposed to gather- us to join our forces and alliance against the greater force. The Great War of Justice if you may.

"Fine. We shall disable their inside chambers and make sure they won't get anything from hell, Dagon and his group will make sure of it." The King begun, I noticed the immediate grin. "-- Back on the matter, Elves and Sorcerers will handle the backlines and support the front. A strong hold." He turned to Praxina and Bella sitting on their chairs, both of them nodding. Their people were already coming, it was only a matter of time.

"You can count on that." Praxina whipped her ponytail to rest on her back, putting her arms to the table. The Elf princess was responsible of her kind and their troopers, King Thranduil the Elf King wasn't able to come to the battlegrounds due to his attention needed in the Elf palace. However the case it wasn't significant, this feisty spirit of an Elf was more than capable of handeling the task. She was a princess after all, next in line on the throne.

"I'll do my best!" Bella nodded and hit her forehead to the table, earning quite the looks. I giggled a little, resting a hand on her shoulder to notify it was quite alright.

"-- Good. The Dwarves and the Fairies are aware of their task bringing some firepower to the field?" King Stuart asked, turning to the fairy taking a deep inhale of her cigarette.

Mona exhaled the deadly smoke out, raising an eyebrow.

"Very. The preparations are already made and ready for transport. I thought I already said this?" Mona said strong, almost annoyed. She had in fact said a similar thing yesterday, but it would seem some were a little stressed to remember such a thing. Or, King Stuart wanted to make sure.

"Good. Now, to the main forces," King Tristan moved two small horse statues resting on the table up to the front of the castle, nodding. "I assume Alchadar will be the one leading the front to force entry?" The King shared my partner a glance, to which he nodded stern. "Chris, Ben and Armen as well. The Giants will divide to two, some will join the back forces and some will accompany you. There will be Shapeshifters, some sorcerers as well regular human knights correct?"

"Locked and loaded." Chris grinned and clicked his tongue, looking over to the King. His outpost was scary calm, it would seem he had wanted this for so long and it was finally happening. It was him after all starting all this... such a long way has he come as well.

"Good. The Winter Kingdom will assist you in every task, we'll give you the strenght of 10 000 men and women fighting. Remember, it is extremely important that all of us stick to their tasks. However if the situation changes we'll be able to communicate through mindlinks given by the fairies of sudden changes." King Stuart continued as he rounded around the table, the plan he and Alchadar had planned was finally put out.

One question still remained.

"And me?" I asked from my chair, looking up as King Stuart walked past me.

"I didn't hear my name either." Daniel said near the door, his arms crossed. Typical, he was as if another creation of Chris. The male Angel had given me these rare conversations here and then, but luckily didn't push the subject that was brought to our attention beforehand. He had taught me about the Holy light and how it can be divided to use only some of it, for example your wings or the power just the whip of a hand. Not full transformation.

"It's because you'll join the fighting later. Once they're all disoriented and confused in the heat of battle, you two strike." King Stuart stopped and looked between both of us, this part hadn't been told to us. I narrowed my eyes in suspicion, a little nudge in my brain understood to look in my partner's direction. "You save your strenght to take out King Belial. That is your mission. The old Demon has much power and knowledge, and it would be crucial for us to use the force quaranteed for his falling. For eons Angels and Demons have been sworn enemies, so it would only be logical for you two to end him."

"Fun." Daniel remarked, I however was a little unsure. We just sat back most of the time during the first strike? I knew we were the element of surprise no doubt, and good to be left that way so King Belial wouldn't be prepared to await Angels joining the battle. But I could've of had fought with the others in human form... the very least?

"... But-"

"You'll be our eyes and ears." Alchadar spoke out, noticing my uneasiness. I turned to look at him, his amber eyes resting to mine. It was as if he knew I couldn't sit back and wait. I might've of have questioned it if he hadn't taken it into a concideration. "You inform everyone if something happens, we agree later who takes action to the matter."

A baby sitter duty?

I sat back on the chair, arms crossed. But I nodded. Well, at least something to do while trying to stay hidden. It would all be figured out once we arrive to the scene, but I was glad I could do something to be of help. And it would seem this time I didn't get my way and I didn't want to ruin the plan.

I get to dig my blade deep into the mad Demon's chest.

"All right. It's still a plan that can be rearranged, but everyone is on the same page?"

"Yes!"

~~~

"Why are you sitting here all by yourself?"

I glanced back at the approaching Demon, smiling.

"Just look at this!" I said in awe, showing with my arms the amazing sun setting in to the distance of the snowy Kingdom. Although the action almost made me slip from the railing I was sitting on, below me a fall of more than 100 meters. "The view is amazing."

Alchadar rested his arms to the railing beside me, looking at what I was. A mountain was in the sight, and behind it was a colorful sky of orange and pink, noting a night was falling on the winter Kingdom. Yet again another day had passed, and we were one step closer to the due date. It made me anxious yet eager, I had waited it for so long.

"Just the view?" Alchadar asked, his helmet head turning to me. It would seem nothing got past his calculative eyes. I smiled of the thought and reached my hand below his helmet, rubbing his small beard in between my fingers. Oddly a calming feeling, since his face was most of the time hidden. And while being here it was most of the time.

"Mostly the view," I said, admiring his amber eyes. Almost lost in thought behind those mesmerizing eyes. "But since you're being all detective the due date is rather unnerving, and I hope everything goes well." My eyes flew to look up to the sky again, and then back at him. Mostly what was really gnawing at my chest was the fact he was going all in- to draw his Father out of the castle. It was him against his brothers and sisters... of their relatives and all the ungodly like creatures roaming the halls. Cursed place indeed. "... And you being in the front line."

"You know I couldn't be anywhere else." Alchadar grabbed my hand and rubbed it in his dark hands, a chuckle leaving him. "I don't settle well in the backlines." He grinned, trying to reassure me. It did make me laugh a bit, I do have to admit it I couldn't imagine him laying back. Hell, he couldn't rest even if he was near the doom's gates, refusing to pass out. It would seem it was only natural for him to put himself in the line of fire, even how unnerving it sounded like.

"Of course you don't." I sighed in frustration, colliding my forehead against his helmet. It was almost a guess at this point to where it was, the horns sticking out of his head gave me some lead. "And that makes me worried you'll end up doing something reckless."

"You'll be the first to know then." Alchadar smiled and tapped my head, I realized he was talking about the mindlink. It made me smile again, always so thoughtful. I'd drop everything if he was really hurt and risk my life going out to him. I'd bring him back from the dead if it came down to it. "... But in all seriousness, I do have to ask since it's just the two of us." I could feel his being shift a little, it made me open my eyes and look confused for a second.

"Yes?" I asked, noticing the tinyest bit of hurt in his eyes. I shifted to sit closer to his side, trying to have his eyes on me.

I might know what this is about, I'm afraid...

"... Are you concidering the possibility of restoring your kind? I know it's not a matter resting at hand, but I do have to know your thoughts on the matter if we choose to continue... this." Alchadar asked, hesitant. His eyes motioned to our hands strapped together. Us being together in general. It was very out of his nature to be hesitant of anything really, not even if it came to womenhood problems. But I noticed the shame and guilt he felt when asking the question, probably wondering should we continue our relationship or end it now when it was easy.

I chuckled, pinching his hand in return. The action made him snap out of it, looking a little surprised of my reaction.

"I knew we'd have this discussion, but a little later. I knew you'd be jealous." The thought made me giggle as I whispered it to his ear, noticing the stern Demon of a partner back in control. Oh, couldn't handle that? "It's quite simple really, no."

Alchadar raised a dear eyebrow to my statement, almost as if it was the coldest thing he had heard in a while. Well, probably it was. The truth be told it wasn't exactly on my to-do list to mate myself with Daniel and do babies with him out of sheer habit and restoration of our kind. Creepy and sad. Even if he was a very good looking and sounded like a very nice man I didn't have my eyes on him. No. The complete opposite of him was standing right before me, here and now. 

"No?" Alchadar asked, pressuring. Now he really wanted to dig this out of me. "Even if it sounds harsh I do believe Daniel could be nice and kind to you--"

"I'll stop you right there, mister. You don't believe what you're saying either." I laughed and slipped my hand to cover his mouth, not allowing him to continue the madness. It was really out of character for him. I knew he wanted me for himself but was trying to be nice and thoughtful, and it was really cute. But it only made me want him more. A guy able to appreciate others is a keeper. And my keeper was one badass of a Demon. "Nothing's changed. I still want you, Al. No one else. Damn, I don't think no one else could handle me the same you do."

I laughed as Alchadar groaned, his huge arms slowly slid to rest around my body. I lent back to his back and looked up, a teasing smile on my face.

"... You're a strong powered woman, Faith." Alchadar smirked and grimaced at the same time, not able to restrain himself. He reached his hand up and pulled his helmet half-way off, reading my mind exactly. I grinned and cupped his face upside down, his lips resting to mine. It was almost the same, his lips were so plumpy and full. Soft yet harsh. And so was the kiss. "Exactly what I want."

The butterflies were sent immediately flying in my stomach, him growling those words against my mouth did it's miracles. It was hot, passionate. And it made me feel weird downstairs.

"-- C'mon, guys! Always smooching when we're not around!?"

Not really a rare occassion as Alchadar only groaned, almost forced to break our contact of the voice. Praxina. I offered him a sad smile back and a wink, turning around on the railing to see the others standing there.

"Not always." I argued as I jumped down, straightening my jeans to rest a little better on my waist. My body was trying to strip itself away- good thing I had such will power. Even though I could feel it start weaking the more closer we grew.

"I dare to doubt that." Armen cocked an eyebrow, a tired Bella resting on his body. The cute little girl had it's toll of the day apparently, the sight made me smile. It would seem the small girl and the Beast had grown close.

"We should all go and rest for tonight. Tomorrow we begin our march- and a good night sleep might easen everyone's minds." Alchadar put his helmet on more firmer, again the tough act on. I grimaced, knowing how easily I could wipe it out of him. It made me proud to know I had such a grip of him.

"Subject changer, huh?" Dagon grinned evil as he eyed his big brother, earning a very warning look. "Fine, fine. But you're not sleeping in the same bed otherwise none of us will sleep."

The sentence made my cheeks flash red.

"Definitely not!" Praxina agreed, her hand grasping mine as she begun to lead me down the corridoors of the Winter Kingdom. With quite the speed. I had to run to keep up with her- it made me question as I looked behind at the others and then at Praxina, utterly confused. "We're running!"

"From what!?" I laughed, and gasped as we almost collided to the workers of the castle carrying a bunch of equipment. But we managed to dodge them barely, giggling and laughing as we just kept running. I didn't really need an answer, it felt good. It was with her and it was a good stress reliever. And also cleared my mind pretty great.

"... Dagon!" Praxina suddenly groaned, stopping once she felt we were enough far away. My head snapped in her direction as she hid her hands behind her face, embarassment shown all over. I widened my eyes as I kneeled in front of her, afraid to ask what Dagon had done. "He's such a little freaking...!"

The Elf princess begun to pace back and forth, freaking out. I tried to gain her eye contact but in vain, she was too far gone somewhere deep in her brain.

"What'd he do, Praxe? Something I should be knocking his teeth in his throat or what?" I asked, getting up and grabbing her hands. The action made her finally stop.

"What? No." Praxina rolled her eyes at my statement, earning a confused look back. No? What was going on then? "It's just... we just kind of on accident did this thing..." She took her hands back, playing with her index fingers. It made me utterly more confused as I crossed my arms, shooting her a look to continue. "We kissed!"

Praxina fell down in embarassment of saying it out loud, sitting on her knees. I widened my eyes. Well, that was something I wasn't expecting to happen today. Or at all really. This independent creature of an Elf had been all this time single and strong woman. Her motto was never men, not until she was ready for it. And hell be bended if someone tried to tell her what to do. And now listening her say she kissed with Dagon- Alchadar's younger brother. A Demon... the Devil.

I was really far gone trying to figure out her type.

"W-what? Where and how?" As a matter of fact I was sparked, sitting on the ground in front of her. My best friend had her first kiss!

"When we left the King's room. I, uh... got lost in thought and hadn't noticed him sticking in the room as well." Praxina begun, tugging a loose hair behind her ear. I scooted closer as I noticed the redness on her face, eager of the details. It was probably shown all over my face as she shared me an awkward glance, hiding her face in her palms. "It just happened. God, I'm so stupid!"

"Now, stop that!" I laughed and brought her in a hug, there was no room for embarassments around here. I had done plenty during our time traveling, I still held the highest score. "... Do you like him?" I patted her head and looked in the hallway we came from, trying to know her thoughts on the matter. It was crucial to know how we'd go from here.

"... Yes. No- I don't know." Praxina groaned, leaning her chin to my arm. Now this was just entertainment to see her this confused and nerve-wracking, she usually kept her cool. It would seem women shared one thing in common, since I recognized the signs in myself as well. "Gosh, I've lost all self-respect."

"It's just one kiss." I chuckled and looked down. I grabbed her face in my hands and made her look at me, her green eyes hurt and confused. I offered an apologetic smile. "It's you two who decide what you're going to do from now on. First of all, you really need to grasp your feelings they're all over the place." I smiled, rubbing a small circle with my thumb on her cheek. "Whatever you decide I'm in. It's not scary to feel something. I've grown to enjoy it. It makes you feel alive. Hell, I'd love to see you happy."

"You think I'll be happy with him?" Praxina cocked her eyebrow, uncertain of my words.

"You never know really until you try." I shrugged at her question and let go of her, shifting my body to lay on my arms behind me. A laid back conversation indeed. "Are you willing to take that kind of risk?"

I did.

And it was the best one I've done so far.

Praxina gave it a thought, a long one. The different courses of action and possible outcomes rising in her mind. It was going calm and okay. It was until I noticed her eyebrow twitch uncontrollably, and the fact she begun to play with her hair as a habit. This wasn't going to be an easy one.

"Argh, I hate this!" A roar left her.

"You alright, Elf?"

I glanced back to notice everyone turn the corner, figured they were coming. Chris the one holding the front as he eyed Praxina sitting on the ground her knees brought close to her chest, the girl twitched. Chris gave me a terrified and odd look, asking was she okay. I smiled and shrugged, knowing we couldn't speak of it out loud. I couldn't do that to her, it was between her and Dagon.

Can I finally speak to someone about the Demons as in romantic manner?

I'm really glad if she decides to go for it and find out herself.

"No pushing." I said as I finally pushed myself off the floor, standing up. The warning to everyone trying to push the possessed Elf. "C'mon girl. It's freezing out here." I walked behind her and slid my arms under hers, hoisting her easily up. Praxina groaned displeased yet didn't argue, it would seem I was disturbing her yoga moment. Had to be done since the rest of the group was there.

"Fine, fine." Praxina nudged my side telling it was okay, adjusting the jeans resting on her waist a bit better. Her eyes looked to everyone- as I noticed a familiar grin shown to them. It almost made me freeze in return... that was fast. Dagon's dark look didn't go unnoticed... both of them trying to play it out cool. "Okay, shall we go and eat then sleep?"

Dagon's raised eyebrow behind everyone was seen, and it made a small smile tug on my face. They were like innocent teenagers. Cute.

"Sounds good to me!" Ben tapped Chris' back and suddenly made a run for it. Chris right on his heels as it occured what had happened. The race was on. I however was left looking after their departing bodies a little dumbfounded, noticing how serious they took the race. Ben jumped to the door handle but Chris managed to grab his shirt, yanking him back strong. It was enough to make him win. And cheer out loud.

"Hah! Third time!" Chris laughed to his face, what had I said of teenagers? Did I forget to mention these two making everything into a competition and fooling around like best buddies?

"Lucky..." Ben groaned.

"Easy you two." Alchadar called out to them, sighing. It must've been tough trying to navigate life through all this chaos and more or so lead a group such as ours. Everyone adults by heart, but children by mind. This poor Demon.

"Wouldn't want them breaking themselves before the great day." Armen growled low, following after the Shapeshifter and Demon Slayer. Bella still tightly stripped to his back fur, a small drool drop hanging from the corner of her mouth. Mona yawned loud as she sat on Bella's arm, rubbing her sore eyes.

"I wouldn't be surprised." Mona remarked, all the while she tapped her wand to her thigh. "Should I make them beg for forgiveness for fun? Now, that would be fun." An evil grin formed on her lips. It sent a shiver go down my spine immediately.

"No!"

"No, thank you!"

What do you know?

Mona can be quite scary.

"-- I have to feed," Dagon's voice reawakened my calm self as I looked in his direction. He was talking to Alchadar, trying to be quiet of the matter. "I'll head out to find some in the woods."

"Be vigilant." Alchadar nodded only, sharing his brother a stern glance. I had completely forgot about the fact he was half a vampire, he needed blood. It was odd since he could still devour food and drinks, but required blood to maintain his body working. An odd blood tie, but none I didn't complain of.

"Alone?" Praxina questioned, hesitant. While Alchadar and Dagon turned to her eyebrows raised, I almost couldn't hold in the giggle. It had to be forced.

"Yes, alone." Dagon groaned and turned around to continue his walking down the corridoor, nearing the front doors that led outside. An arm swung out to her direction. "I'll be back before you know it."

It only took a second really.

But it didn't surprise me as I watched Praxina run after the Demon's departing body. It made me smile as I walked forward, putting a reassuring hand to Alchadar's who was about to speak out and talk some sense in to her. Dagon didn't really need help, but try telling that to someone who suddenly cared? If it was Alchadar I would've done the same, not allowing him to go alone. Mad for them to think so low of us.

"-- The hell you're doing?" Dagon noticed Praxina follow after him, his hands stuffed deep in his pocket. Annoy clear on all over his face.

"Making sure you're not getting yourself killed." Praxina answered, brushing her hair confident behind her as she tried to keep up with the Demon. You go girl.

"For Satan's sake..."

"-- She's in good hands." I said with a chuckle, finally convinced Alchadar wouldn't interrupt them going alone outside. It was meant to be, and she had made her decision. This was part of it. "You'll see." I tapped his hand and turned around, starting to walk towards the dorm room we had stayed for the past couple of days. Cozy and spacious for everyone. And I had really missed that bed.

"Do I want to?" Alchadar sighed behind me, his long and steady steps heard as he followed after me. I grabbed his arm and swung it around, a childish look on my face.

"You do. It'll be amazing!" I squealed, and then ran forward. It was an overwhelming feeling of confidence taking over me, everything was good right there and then. I was happy. Everything was going according to plan. And Praxina evolving as well made it's miracles. Me and Al... our group, this Kingdom? "I'm starving!"

A quick snack and then to bed. And when the morning arrives- we strike.

Such a blessing.

-- For how can someone be so wrong?

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~ Keep reading.