Alex finally semi-relaxed, Eian had built them a rough shelter, he was now focusing on reinforcing it, another thing to be grateful to Eian for.

In Alex's opinion Eian's earth-element fit like a glove, he was strong, hard, and reliable, if a little rough on the edge sometimes.

Still Alex had nothing but admiration for him, and hoped they would become fast friends after this was all over.

This development had been no joke and Alex had a renewed appreciation for both Eian and Sarah's combined prowess in battle.

His armor would have protected him from most injuries of course, but being exposed and surrounded by so many monsters evoked terror on a primal level.

Now Alex finally lay down to focus on De-stressing, hopefully the everyone would recover from this ordeal, especially the girls.

Jess and Sarah had been in a bad way, Sarah especially, but she healed herself constantly with life-bolts the entire time.

Alex of course also was pouring energy through his life-link to her, she was made of tough-steel though, despite her injuries she remained stalwart and determined.

She was even more forceful on her demands now though, still Alex understood her right now, she was coping with coming so close to death.

Alex couldn't believe the werewolves hadn't maimed her any worse while she was fully under so many.

'I guess we can all count our blessings.' Alex sighed at the though and turned to look at Jess with trepidation, he was finding it hard to be optimistic in-spite of this.

During the time Eian worked, Alex had healed Jessica to the point her leg regenerated the missing chunk, she was still miserable though.

It made Alex uncomfortable seeing her like this, she would daze out and sported a fixed crestfallen expression about her.

Alex had tried to comfort her, but words failed and truly he fully understood why, Sarah was truly a monster in human flesh to remain unaffected.

Jess would also need new clothes though, Sarah as well for that matter.

They had luckily run into a tiny pack of three wolves on the way, which were obliterated easily by their combined efforts.

To think just a few days ago Alex would have felt pity for them, now.......now he just wanted Jess, himself, Eian and Sarah safe.

Those wolves were going to be put to good use, food.

Alex had a mild worry for their pure meat diet so far, but they hadn't countered anything that resembled a vegetable nor fruit since those citrus-fruits that resembled oranges.

Still it was a worry for another time, as far as he knew humans could go a good while on just meat.

'Still maybe we should ask Sarah.' Alex turned to look at her.

"Sarah...How long can people live on only meat?" Alex whispered and licked his lips after, nervous.

Sarah quickly turned to look at him, she sported a frown on her face, but shook her head after a while and let out a big sigh.

"........I don't really know. There's excessive debate on the subject, some even contradictory. Especially from vegetarians, vegans and of course everyone whom loves a delectable tender sirloin. Still I've read a few online articles of certain people living their whole lives on a solely meat-based diet. I personally wouldn't worry about it for now. With luck you can heal any side-effects we will suffer, apart from ~Taste~." The last word left a cringe on Sarah's face.

Tense muscles he didn't know existed relaxed at her words, Sarah had a way of putting things into perspective.

Still, in his honest opinion, she could use a bit of restraint on occasion, especially with Jess.

Alex nodded absently at her words, then retreated to his own personal thoughts.

He was tired, more tired than he'd ever recalled feeling, even his breathing felt tired, it went against everything his body physically told him.

Both he and Eian removed the armor they had on, it was hot and cumbersome.

"Alex start skinning the wolves." Once more Sarah was giving out orders, it scraped one's nerve raw.

"Fine, but only because I think it's a good idea too." Alex frowned and shook his head exasperated, he just wanted to rest a while.

"Whatever." Huffing, Sarah irritably brushed her hair behind her neck.

Eian had been too busy with the structure to pay them any mind, Jessica was still in her little daze.

It took several hours for Eian to finish, by then Alex had managed to successfully skin one wolf.

The pelt of course was patchy and of low quality, shrugging Alex decided to call it a win.

Eian made a few rough sofas and the girls sat down to separate ones, the work made Alex detract his mind from Jessica and her recent trauma.

They carved out several flanks, or steaks, but Alex actually had no idea what the different chunks were, or if there even was one for that matter.

Sarah got to cooking, they quickly ate, after thirty minutes more or less Eian got up.

"Alright. Practice time." A stretching Eian beckoned at him.

"Huh?" Alex stared at him blankly, he was tired.

"We both need to get better." Eian shrugged impassively.

Alex internally sighed, Eian was a relentless workhorse.

"I'll be indisposed." Abruptly Sarah so declared, she selected something on her arm and went slack against the stone.

Curious Alex checked himself, he hadn't gotten an upgrade.

Shrugging he supposed it was natural, he was at his second bottleneck afterall and he wasn't very efficient at killing this time around.

He turned to stare at Eian, question unasked, Alex was hoping for a brief reprieve.

"Yeah I got one, I need to eat a bit more though, I don't want to suffer that hell right now. Belly's still a bit full right now." Eian shrugged and patted his stomach lightly.

Alex turned to look at Jess, she was still in a depressed mood, being around her was awkward right now and he had constantly failed at consoling her.

Alex rubbed his face, he supposed he would have to practice now, he really did need to get stronger.

Today had been a grand eye-opener, he couldn't just be a medic and half-ass being a fighter, he needed to be able to fend for himself and contribute more.

Eian was right, he had to get stronger, Alex patted his cheeks and firmed his resolve.

*******

Jess stared at Alex and Eian sparring, Eian was being especially hard on Alex and normally she would say something.

Every-time she would muster up a complaint she felt a tinge of stiffness on her leg, where the monster's teeth had torn off a piece.

Shivering she held herself rocking slightly, it was too close, she almost died today, DIED, Death, gone, the end, finito.

A while later she came to herself again, her breathing was uneven, the air was soooo stuffy.

Sniffing only slightly she quickly wiped her eyes and nose, she sought to calm herself, it was over she was still alive.

"Eian. Don't strong-arm Alex so much." After finding her voice Jessica thought it was tiny and it quivered.

Both boys stopped their spar and looked at her.

"Babe. Are you alright?" Sweating, Alex knit is brows with concern and got closer.

She gave a quick nod to him and a small smile, she felt a little better now.

Eian looked uncomfortable, he was looking everywhere except at the two of them, scratching the back of his neck the whole time.

Alex and her spent a while talking about simple things, it helped her recover.

A quick glance at Sarah's collapsed form drove a quick seed of panic to her very being, until Alex told her Sarah was undergoing an increase in spirit.

The thought made her look at her own set of markings, they were glowing, it nearly drove her mad.

Alex held her and spoke kindly, till she recovered.

"Relax, the second one doesn't hurt." The sad smile Alex gave her made her breathe again.

They sat there holding each other for a moment, ignoring all else for a brief reprieve.

"Might as well get it over with. We both need to work a bit harder." Alex patted her shoulder gently.

"Is that why you're letting Eian beat you up?" Jessica frowned at him, he shouldn't take the abuse.

"Yeah.....I need to get stronger, we're in danger here Jess. Look at how bad you both got hurt, Sarah's strong and she got hurt like that. " Alex squirmed uncomfortably a moment later.

Reading between the lines was easy, clearly she wasn't as strong as Sarah.

Even if it was true and obvious, hearing it even by simply implication drove a knife into her heart, she didn't know what her face looked like but Alex did.

"Just don't over-do it. Okay?" Jessica looked at the floor sadly.

"....Yeah. Well we better get to it." Alex got up and made his escape, leaving her there with conflicting emotions.

She heard Eian and Alex resume their spar.

Tuning them out she looked at her tattoos and prepared herself.

Only Body and Spirit were glowing, she chose spirit.