********************************* Authors Note **********************************************

Hey guys,

So in this chapters end some... lets go with questionable... things happen. I'm pretty sure some, if not a lot or all, of you are starting to wonder why Drake and Alina are the way they are. I promise an explanation will happen, though it is still a few chapters out. The reason I bring that up is because at the end is really starting to show their true nature and just how little fucks they really give. Please bare with me and if you can make it to the end of the arc (where the explanation of everything revolving around Drake and Alina happens) I'm sure you will be satisfied.

On another note,

Thank you to all the return readers and those leaving some positive feed back. It means a lot to me and I really try to put in a lot of attention and effort into the characters and story. So your feedback is noticed and inspires me to keep working (even more on those dreaded writers block days hahahahaha) and I'll return the favor by posting more. Shooting for an every other or every three day post from now on.

Cheers guys and thanks again,

Karma

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The couple gathered their stuff and started to make their way back to base. Since they were walking instead of running, it was taking them a significantly longer time to get back. About three hours into the hike Alina stopped.

“Hun, there’s a bear over there.” Alina said pointing slightly left of them.

Sure enough, a few seconds later the bear walked into sight of Drake who started to drool from the thought of food. It was a huge brown bear that had to weigh in over two hundred Kilograms. He dropped his rifle and swords and charged in leaving Alina confused why he didn’t want to use his swords. But she got her answer; as Drake got to the bear he just simply punched it on top of the skull, completely crushing it.

“Come help me love.” Drake called out to Alina after killing the bear.

“Coming…” Alina replied.

She walked over and pulled out one of her Katars to start skinning the bear. Drake then got up to gather his gear and came back.

“Look out.” Drake instructed.

Alina moved out of the way as Drake used his Demons Eye to cut the bear into sections.

“Hope you don’t mind it raw.” Drake said as he grabbed a section of the ribs.

Alina didn’t mind it at all. In fact she was dying to get some of the blood. So she reached for another section of ribs and started to break it apart. The sound of snapping bones was music to Drakes ears and he tore off a chunk of meat. It didn’t have the flavor they were use too since it’s not even cooked, but still they enjoyed the taste. More than anything however, the two of them are just happy to finally get some food. Unfortunately they didn’t get to enjoy it long before the phone started to ring.

“Hum?” Alina asked impatiently with a mouthful of food.

“Where are you guys?” Derek asked.

Alina took a few seconds to chew the food she had in her mouth.

“Eating. About ten miles from base.” Alina answered.

“What! Why so far out still?” Derek asked.

“We are starving and exhausted. We hunted a bear and are resting for a bit. We will be back at base in a few hours.” Alina explained.

“Tough luck. You need to get back here asap. You have one hour.” Derek commanded and then hung up.

Alina sighed, rolled her eyes, and then put the phone back in her pocket. She went to look back at Drake who was still digging into the bear. He had moved from the ribs and now was tearing apart the thighs. Alina knew they couldn’t fight against Dereks command, yes Drake had hit him earlier, however, that wasn’t in defiance as much as it was him protecting her from what he thought was a pervert, but they desperately needed some rest. She felt like she would collapse as soon as she stood back up and she still hadn’t mentally recovered. To make things worse for her, she knew Drake was still trying to recover and he took a lot more than she did. He took bullets for her and got pretty beat up fighting the Gold Ridge. While all of his wounds had healed he is still sore and it took a massive amount of energy to heal all that damage. Add to that he was eating for the first time in days.

“Hurry up love. We got an hour to get back to base.” Alina told Drake.

Drake looked up, face covered in blood from eating.

“Ah, ok. Bummer this is good.” Drake replied, clearly bummed.

He tore off another leg of the bear and broke off some more ribs for the two of them. Before he could even stand up Alina tackled him. He couldn’t even ask her what’s going on when she started licking the blood off of his face. She started at the cheeks, and move closer to his mouth. When she got there she grabbed his face and started to kiss him deeply. Drake didn’t fight it; instead he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her back.

After a minute of that, Drake rolled the two over so he was now on top. He rested his forehead on hers and looked into her eyes. What he saw in her eyes was her wild energy and he loves it. But he also saw the love and compassion that he knew was only for him. Alina saw roughly the same thing. When she looked into Drakes eyes she saw his wild, crazy and sadistic energy, an energy that loved the thrill of a fight and the feeling of fighting to the death. But she also saw his love for her, how she is the only person in his eyes and how his world revolves around her. She couldn’t help but smile knowing that he only thought of her.

After looking into her eyes, Drake started kissing her again, this time slowly moving down to her neck. Once he got there, Alina let out an approving moan and squeezed Drake tightly. He did that for a few minutes, but then Alina stopped him.

“I would love to continue this, but we have to get going.” She pointed out.

Drake sighed in disappointment but he understood. So he got up off of her and went to gather his things. Before he could even move though, he heard Alina chuckling.

“What?” He asked.

Alina pointed at his dick and he looked down. He grew red from embarrassment at what he saw.

“W-w-w-ww-well.” He started.

Alina just started cracking up. Normally Drake is the one who torments others, but now it’s her turn to torment him.

“It’s completely natural.” Drake tried to point out.

“Oh I know. I just want to torment you for a change.” She said while still laughing.

Drake had nothing to say, so he just hung his head in defeat and went to get his stuff. When he got back Alina had already got all her things and was ready to go. Drake had managed to calm down in the minute it took him to get his things and didn’t react when Alina tried to tease him. Knowing Drake was over it she stopped. Besides Drake is right; it’s a totally natural reaction to the situation they were just in.

They gathered a little more of the bear and took off for the base, eating as they ran. The energy from the food started to kick in and they both started to feel better. Still physically exhausted, but at least now they had some food in their systems. They reached the base with only a couple of minutes to spare.

“Good you made it on time.” Derek said as he walked up to them.

The two were surprisingly out of breath. Derek knew they needed some rest, which they unfortunately wouldn’t be getting anytime soon.

“Your new orders are to get into position for the main attack. You and one more group of GenOpS will meet at this location and wait until the main army starts. I know I had you guys take out enemies before the army was ready, but we couldn’t risk that Ruby Ridge.” Derek started while looking over a map.

“So now they will be expecting something. At least you guys managed to take out a few other stronger targets as well.” Derek complemented.

“So you call us back here from the base, only to send us back to the base?” Drake asked.

“If you had gotten here faster like I thought, you two would have been on time to leave with everyone.” Derek informed them.

“We were already there you dumb fuck! We are exhausted from fighting the last battle and trying to recover since we were shipped out before we could. And now you waste our energy by pointlessly making the same trip three fucking times!” Drake yelled at Derek.

“Listen here boy, I needed to debrief you and inform you of your next assignment.” Derek informed them with an authoritative tone.

“Which you could have done over the god-damned phone. You called us to chew us out for being late, why not save us both some fucking time and do it then?” Drake asked clearly annoyed.

“Drake stop. We need-” Alina started.

“Listen here boy. I am in charge. I don’t care if King and Jeff both told me to handle you with care, I will put you in your place if you disrespect me one more time.” Derek commanded.

Drake was about to say something when Alina grabbed him from behind and covered his mouth.

“Just tell us what you need to tell us. It wasn’t cool that you wasted our time and energy like that but we can’t change that you did. So hurry up so we can get going.” Alina said aggravated as well.

“What I said goes to you too Missy. You disrespect me like him and I will put you in your place.” Derek said.

“Whatever broski, just hurry up and tell us!” Alina commanded.

The look the two of them gave Derek sent chills down his spine. All he wanted was for them to respect his authority, which they blatantly ignored. None the less they got the results he asked for when he told them what to do.

“When you guys are done, we are going to have a nice long chat about your disrespect.” Derek said.

Finally Drake couldn’t take it anymore. He took Alinas hand off of his mouth to talk.

“I’ll listen if you beat me one v one. The ONLY authority I respect is power. Otherwise you’re nothing to me.” Drake taunted.

Alina quickly tried to pull Drake away to try and prevent more confrontation, but he wouldn’t budge. It felt like she was trying to move a tank.

“I’ll accept that. I’ll beat you at your own game and completely humiliate you.” Derek responded.

“Well we don’t have time for a cool down now, so get over here so I can show you what needs to be done.” Derek said as he pulled out a map.

Drake clicked his tongue but reluctantly walked over to see.

“We are going to hammer the southern entrance to base with mortar shells. The main army has already started to move into position, so the shells will start falling once they are ready. Once you hear the tenth one, you will start to rush in. By that time we will re-aim the mortars to the northern side so you won’t be at risk.” Derek informed them.

“What time will you start the firing?” Alina asked.

“In three hours. That’s the soonest we can get everything set up and ready and the main army should be in position by then.” Derek answered.

“Better hurry up then. It will take us a hour or two to get to the location. Where is the other team that will be with us?” Drake asked.

“Already in motion. But before you two leave take these.” Derek said hanging them some packaged food.

“These will wake you up and refresh your mind; at least for twelve hours. It should help with your exhaustion.” Derek explained somewhat feeling bad about their condition.

The two just shrugged and took the bars. They wanted to wait until they got to their location to eat them since they just ate the bear.

“Hey hun, think the guns will come in handy?” Alina asked.

“Yah.” Drake answered.

“We’ll leave as soon as I put this thing away and we get our guns. So where did you put our stuff? And can I lock this away someplace?” Drake asked showing Derek his rifle.

“Sure. I put all of your stuff in the barracks. You can also have the Armory lock your rifle away for you.” Derek answered as he pointed to the different locations.

“Thanks.” Alina said and they went to get their stuff.

The armory was the closest of the two, so they stopped by there first. It’s located a little over five hundred feet from the main entrance and higher up in one of the tall trees. Once they got to the tree it’s just a simple climb up a rope ladder. However, Drake had to leave his swords at the bottom since the ladder couldn’t support their weight. So he left them with Alina while he hurried up to drop off his rifle. When he got to the top he saw a rather large building that made him wonder how the tree was supporting it all plus all the weapons in there. But he got over it and looked over the simplistic half cylinder style building. Once he was done, he walked inside.

“Hey, can you lock this up for me?” Drake asked as soon as he walked in.

The armorer looked over the rifle, and then shook his head. He spread out his arms to signal it’s too big.

“It’s too big?” Drake asked.

The armorer nodded his head. So Drake took the gun, unlocked the slug guide, took it off and then handed it back.

“Now?” Drake asked impatiently.

The armorer gave him a thumbs up and took the two different pieces.

“Oh and these too.” Drake stopped him while he pulled the extra mags out of his pocket.

The armorer turned around and just put up one finger to signify a moment. He looked for an empty locker and when he found one he put the gun in. Then he returned for the extra mags and put them in the locker as well. After returning the armorer gave Drake some paperwork to fill out, which Drake quickly finished. When he was done with the paperwork the armorer gave him a thumb up to signal he was good to go. So Drake turned around and left. As he was climbing back down the rope ladder he saw Alina messing around with his swords; or at least trying to. She could barely pick them up; much less actually swing them around.

“I’m done” Drake said when he got to the bottom of the ladder.

Alina jumped, she didn’t expect Drake to be there while she was messing with his swords. And she was entirely focused on them since they are so heavy.

“Already?” She asked trying to regain composure.

But it was too late, Drake had already seen her jump. It didn’t really do anything for him, it was just a small reaction so he said nothing about it.

“Yep it was quick since the guy up there couldn’t talk.” Drake replied.

He then grabbed his Demons Heart, which Alina wasn’t messing around with, and sheathed it. Then he reached for the Demons Eye that Alina was struggling to even hold onto at this point. She tried to hand it to Drake, but it was just too heavy and she started to fall from the shift of weight. Drake quickly grabbed the sword with his left hand and swung it out of the way while he caught Alina with his right and brought her in close to stabilize her.

“What’s wrong? Normally you have no issues handing them to me, but now you can barely hold them.” Drake pointed out worried.

“It must be the exhaustion. My body feels so heavy I can barely walk.” Alina said slightly out of breath.

“Then eat that bar now! Derek said it would help.” Drake replied as he reached for one of the bars.

“Only the mental. He said it would only wake us up and not feel exhausted. He never said anything about it helping the physical symptoms.” Alina argued.

“Then eat both Dammit!” Drake commanded.

“No you need one too!” Alina yelled back.

“I feel fine after eating the bear. I don’t need it.” Drake pointed out.

“Plus I ate a lot more of it than you did.” Drake finished.

“Even still. You must be exhausted too.” Alina said worried.

“I am. But I can still hold my weapons and think clearly. I’ll sleep after this.” Drake calmly told her.

Alina just sank her head, more from exhaustion than anything.

“Fine.” Was all she replied.

“Good, now we need to hurry. You rest here. Do you want both of your Ragnoraks? Or just the pistols?” Drake asked.

“Just the pistols. Don’t feel like lugging the ‘A’ around. And all the mags I have loaded. Should only be like six of them I think.” Alina answered.

“Ok.” Drake replied and ran off to the barracks.

Alina just plopped down next to the tree and rested a bit. She felt bad resting while Drake was still running around for her. But he was somehow in better shape than she was. Even with all the damage he received, he was still able to make those amazing shots, do all the calculations he needed, and didn’t miss even once. Plus that double shot he pulled off was simply amazing, shooting twice in a single recoil and hitting two different targets in two different locations was crazy. Jeff would definitely be proud to hear that story. But the next thing Alina knew Drake was waking her up.

“Huh…. What is it babe?” She asked groggy and still half asleep.

“Wow, so even you can be groggy.” Drake pointed out.

Alina looked around and realized she wasn’t sitting against the tree at the base.

“Where are we?” She asked now alarmed and awake.

“At the meet up point.” Drake answered.

“Huh? How?!” Alina asked confused.

“Well I saw you sleeping against the tree and decided not to wake you up until I absolutely had to. I made it here with about an hour left to spare, met up with the other group, who are those dumbasses we ran into earlier. You know the fox tails? Anyway I rested a bit as well and now I’m waking you up to get ready. The other guys just got into contact with Derek and they will be dropping the shells in five.” Drake explained.

He then turned around and pointed to his back, where he was holding Alina’s pistols. Still confused she reached for them and checked if he had loaded them as well. But he didn’t, which is for the best if he was running through a forest at full speed. Then Drake lifted his Demos eye off of its magnets to reveal Alina’s holster for her pistols. Finally Drake pulled out four magazines for Alina’s guns.

“Sorry I could only find those.” He apologized.

“Huh? No it’s no big deal. Thanks.” She replied still trying to comprehend everything.

Drake turned back around and looked at her.

“You ready?” He asked her.

“Yep.” She replied as she loaded her first gun.

“Great!” Drake said excited as he checked his pistols as well.

After a final check the two got into position. From that location they could see the wall that surrounded the base. They also saw several guards stationed on the wall and around the perimeter.

“Take cover.” Drake advised.

So the four of them, Drake, Alina, and the other Fox Tails, hid behind thick trees. Then Alina heard it, the whistling of falling mortar shells. She smiled from the excitement and looked at Drake who is also grinning from ear to ear. Finally the explosions ripped through the base. Screams of pain echoed as bodies are torn apart, and body parts flying through the air. An arm landed next to Alina and she couldn’t hold it in any longer. But Drake beat her to the punch and started laughing maniacally.

“Yyyeeessss! Those musical screams!” Drake yelled with elation.

Drake yelled that as Alina reached down for the arm as another explosion ripped through the base. She picked up the arm and looked at it and then she looked at Drake. A skull had smashed into the tree by him, ricochets and landed next to him, Drake was looking at the mangled and disfigured scull with demented eyes. Still grinning from ear to ear and laughing a maniacal but satisfied laugh. Seeing that, Alina couldn’t help but smile as well.

Then the urge hit her, and she looked down at the arm she was holding, parts are badly burnt, but as a whole, it was still in good shape. The third explosion ripped through the base and Alina couldn’t hold it any longer. She lifted up the arm and drank the blood as it came out. While she was drinking the fourth, fifth, and sixth explosions ripped through the base.

“Four more!” Drake yelled excited

He looked over to Alina who had blood all over her face, but she was smiling.

“Man that girl is insane!” One of the Fox Tails said.

Drake was able to hear them with his good hearing and shot them a dirty look that they failed to notice.

“Right! Dri-” The other one started.

Then his eyes rolled into the back and half his head slid off. When the first Fox Tail looked he saw Drakes Demon Heart embedded into the tree they are hiding behind. Then he felt Drake Grab his throat and lift him up. As he struggled against Drake who had cold unfeeling eyes, yet a dark grin, he knew Drake was about to kill him. Drake didn’t wait either, as soon as he had lifted the Fox Tail, Drake punched through his chest, grabbed the heart of the Fox Tail and ripped it out.

Alina had witnessed the whole thing and as she watched the Fox tail go limp in Drakes grip, she couldn’t help but smile some more. She knew deep down that Drake was protecting her again. Then she heard the final explosion of the tenth shell and signaled to Drake who grabbed his sword, sheathed it and signaled to Alina. They heard the main army attacking from a different location so both of them turned around and charged the base.