Chapter 33

Meanwhile, we see Ana's gang eating together near some food trucks. Abe just arrived as he was wearing casual clothes.

"Abe! I'm glad you came." Said Ana as she stood and approached him.

"Of course, I'd come. You girls did great at the challenge." Said Abe.

"I wish I was there. I would've ripped that damn thing apart! Limb from limb!" Said Daniel as he violently eat a turkey leg.

"Chew, swallow, then talk. I have turkey chunks in my salad." Said Lucy.

"My bad." Daniel apologized.

"Well, I wish you guys luck in the upcoming challenges." Said Abe.

"Mm." Said Emilio.

"He said thanks." Said Yuan.

"Also, I don't mean to be nosy or anything. But how did you guys become a team?" Abe asked.

"Phew, that was a while ago, huh?" Said Yuan.

"It has been a couple of years, no?" Said Virika.

"It started when I some of us were freshman. I was like you, Abe. I had high expectations because of our family. And some hunters either work solo or they team up with other hunters. For a while I went solo. Because my skills exceeded everyone in class. Even the sophomores. And juniors." Said Ana.

"Show off." Said Zoey.

"I can't help that I'm that good. It was not until I was confronted by Merlin to work on a group of misfits who didn't obey the rules and their grades were just horrible. Even though, one of them is super smart." Said Ana.

"That was 3 years ago, stop bring it up." Said Lucy.

"So, I was given the responsibility of whipping this group into shape. And wow, that was a tough time." Said Ana.

It was three years ago as Ana had her glasses on and walking down a hallway with Merlin. Her hair was short as it reached her shoulders.

"I've been concern with kids because they have so much potential. But they're very difficult to deal with. So I'm entrusting you to help them unlock that potential. And maybe become better students." Said Merlin.

"Well, all I can do is try right? This does sound difficult from the tone you're giving off." Said Ana as she looked unsure of herself.

"Yes. Again, you don't have to do this. I can find someone else." Said Merlin.

"No, I want to do this. I spent most of my life learn how to hunt and kill monsters. It's about time I learn how to deal with monsters who are capable rationality. It's my duty as a Van Helsing to help all who need help. Even if they don't want it." Said Ana.

"You added that last part." Said Merlin.

"Yeah, but I said it for this case." Said Ana as she rubbed the back of her head.

They both entered a room as they immediately see Virika punch Zoey in the stomach, knocking her across the room as she crashed against the wall. But she was stunned at all as she bolted to Virika and tackled into her. Daniel and Yuan were brawling each other, while Emilio and Lucy were just sitting down and watching.

"(sighs) Enough!" Merlin yelled.

He forced the ones fighting apart as they all were place in one spot in the room.

"This is Anastasia Van Helsing. She will be your new leader. Good luck." Said Merlin as he left.

"Hello, everyone. You can just call me Ana. I look forward to working you." Said Ana.

Abe was eating with the gang as they all were listen to Ana tell the story like they were around a campfire.

"Those first days were the most tiresome days of my life. I had to use so much life force, but on the bright side. It did strength my use of life force." Said Ana.

Ana stood in front of everyone as they all were sitting down annoyed or not interested.

"I want to start by use introducing ourselves with each other. I think it's a good way to start." Said Ana.

"I'll start. But with you. Damn, you're a babe. And nice curves. And pretty top heavy" Said Yuan as he was close to her and looking at her chest.

"I like to add, I regret those words. But I'm not wrong, am I right? Also I'm still sorry." Present Yuan added.

"We've been over this, Yuan. And you don't have to apologize. But I appreciate it. And the compliment. The one now, not the one in the past." Said Present day Ana.

"Can you please sit back down." Said Ana politely.

"Sorry, but I like to get up close and personal." Said Yuan as his hand was on her butt.

Back in the present, Abe stared at Yuan with annoyance as he looked ashamed, while looking to his side. But back in the past, Ana knocked his hand away and palm strike Yuan in the chest, knocking him back into his seat.

"Don't do that again or I won't hold back and break your ribs. That's no way to treat a young lady." Said Ana as she glared at him.

"Damn…" Said Yuan as he touched his chest in pain.

"Anyone else?" Said Ana.

Daniel then stood up as he approached her, while his pupils were red as he stood in front of her, looking slightly down.

"From what I can tell. You're just a human. Van Helsing or not. I don't take orders from anyone. So I'm leaving." Said Daniel was he was about to walk away.

But Ana placed her hand in front of Daniel as he looked at him with a normal look.

"Please sit down. I want to help you all." Said Ana as Daniel as he was offended.

"Does it look like I need your damn help, huh!? I bet people think your so damn perfect. All pretty, smart and nice. But I know your kind of people. Pretenders. Only being good for you own reasons or motives. Move your damn hand or I'll rip off." Said Daniel.

Ana moved her hand as Daniel took a step, until Ana turned towards him.

"I'm nothing like those people. I want to help, I want to. Not to make myself look good or any of that crap! Pride, nobility, social status doesn't mean anything to me. Now, please sit." Said Ana.

They all then felt a heavy presence fall upon them as if the gravity in the room pushed them down more. They all were shocked and surprised, while Daniel wasn't affected.

"Is that it? Like that's going—" Said Daniel.

Until Ana's pupils contracted as Daniel and the other immediately fell to their knees. They were fighting to stay up as the pressure was so much. Until she stopped as they all gasped from relief, while Ana took in deep breath.

"Was that good enough for you? First rule, you will listen to what I have to say or I will use necessary force to put you all in line. Understood?" Ana asked.

"Yes." They all answered randomly.

"I said, understood!?" Ana yelled.

"Yes, ma'am!" They all responded together.

"Good. Challenge me if you want. I will gladly fighting whenever. But if we fight, I will not go easy on you. Let today be an example. I'm not a complex person. Do better and behave. And we'll get along get well. And I hope we can be good friends." Said Ana with a smile.

We then flash into the present as we the others kicking a soccer ball around, while Lucy watched under a tree with Emilio by her side, under the shade. Abe and Ana were walking around as she was still talking to him.

"Those were tough days. But little by little, they got better. Some are a work I progress. But it's progress I'm proud of. And as I got to know them. I saw why they acted the way they did. Yuan over there. He's from a race of mythical monkeys in China. He's very in touch with his inner instincts so he reacts on instinct rather than thought most of the time. The reason he touched me that day was because he wasn't in control of his urges. He was never taught that it was a good or bad thing." Said Ana.

"Still. But I'm glad you hit him." Said Abe.

"Yeah, but he's a good guy. They all are. Virika is a Asura, but of a lower race. She was bullied a lot for what she was as that made her emotion run wild a lot. Asuras are known to be emotional and envious. So her mind is built different. And her way of cope was let out aggression. Emilio was raised in the streets and grew up poor. He sent many days scrounging for food to the point he spent days without food. He even had his tongue cut off during that time by some gang. He used have a bad case of kleptomania. But he's stopped. I think. I don't really know. He's skill are hard to catch." Said Ana.

"No way! No wonder he doesn't speak at all." Said Abe.

"Yeah. He ended up being raised by an assassin who taught him everything he knows. He was also a part of some strange cult. He doesn't like talking about. Zoey and Lucy were trafficked in the black market to be sold. Zoey protected Lucy. Until one day, they took out some of Lucy's spinal fluid. Lucy lost her ability to walk and Zoey grabbed her and escaped. And they did, until they were found again. Lucy hid, while Zoey ran to catch their attention. They were caught as a hunter would've found Lucy as she begged the hunter to find Zoey. And they did and what they found was horrifying. The had taken away most of Lucy's organs, limbs and other things to sell. Only her heart and brain were left. And the reason they did that was to put her into a robotic body. To be sold as a machine." Said Ana.

"I can't imagine going through all that. And…what about Daniel?" Abe asked.

"He was hated by everyone. He doesn't know about his parents. Only that he was raised by a kind priest for the first couple of years of his life. The man saw a boy not a demon as he was the only man who treated him with kindness. Until the people demanded the priest to hand the boy over to them to kill him in the name of god. The priest refuse and so…they killed him. Daniel watched as he couldn't do anything. But that was the catalyst of awakening his inner power. All that hate awoken his inner demon. He killed everyone in the area as it was massacre. Daniel grieved for the priest, until the hunters found him and shot him with tranquillizers. His life didn't get better as even they didn't like the way Daniel was. He was naturally full of rage and constantly ready to fought. But all he wanted was to be left alone. He spent most of his life as a tool to kill monster or go on missions of clearing out places. Until Merlin found him and sympathized with him, since he too is of demonic heritage. I wish I knew this about them. We could've avoid a lot of stuff. But I had to earn their trust and them telling me their stories. Abe, you're my family. But these guys…to me, they're family too. And just like family. They may irritate you. But that's never going to change the way your feel about them. Which reminds…" Said Ana.

Ana side hugged Abe tightly as he happily hugged her back.

"I won't you to know that I love. And someday, you're going to be an amazing hunter. Just give it your all, okay?" Said Ana.

"Thanks. And I will! I…love you too." Said Abe.

"Come on, don't be ashamed, Ham!" Ana teased.

"I'm not ashamed. It's just there's so many people around. And stop calling me, Ham!" Said Abe as Ana giggled.