Chapter 9: A New Discovery, A New Companion

Over at the country of Faubley, a country of steam and industry, Queen Mirellia Q. Melromarc is getting dress in order to set things straight with the other countries to ensure her own country's survival. While getting dress, she talks to one of her Shadows.

"Is that what the king been up to?" she asks her spy outside the window.

"Yes, my lady. Princess Malty must've talked him into it." the female Shadow responded.

"How is the Shield Hero doing?"

"He is well aware of your situation and seems to be doing well. He purchase a demi-human from a slave trader and raise her as his new little sister."

"Is that so? That is strange but a relief."

"That and he won a duel against the brainwashed Spear Hero and freed him."

"Hmm? How so?"

"He use some sort of sword that he pulled from his shield and whack him in the head with it. Princess Malty's doing. However, news of Melromarc's summoning of the Four Cardinal Heroes is making waves here as well."

"We must ensure that our neighbors will not meddle in our affairs, no matter what."

"Understood. We'll continue to monitor the capital."

"I'm counting on you."

The Shadow disappear and does what she says she is gonna do.

Back in Melromarc, Arthur has told Raphtalia everything that there is about his life and the world that he lived in. Even told her about Gwen being in his head. Raphtalia feel sorry and sympathize with Arthur and his situation. Once that is done, Gwen told Arthur about The Rising of the Shield Hero, an anime series that Arthur has forgotten. However, she did bring up a theory about the old lady that given him the book might be a mutant or something else. Yet it is hard to tell if that is true or not but given their situation, they have to wait. They did get the reward from the king and left before he finished speaking which irritates him. Malty isn't there either because she is still out cold. Motoyasu (Sorry for the misspelling) isn't there because he is still getting healed from the duel. Itsuki and Ren just let Arthur leave without saying a word because of what they saw and are afraid of the spirit in his shield. As of now, Arthur along with Raphtalia (and Gwen) made their way towards Beloukas' tent.

"Hello there!" Beloukas shows his happy demeanor to Arthur and Raphtalia. He eyes on Raphtalia, "Would you look at that! You turn this bag a bones into a fine young lass! I'll give you 35 gold if she is a-"

Arthur raise his hand to stop him. "Actually, I'm here for a Filolial egg."

"A Filolial egg?" Beloukas asks out of curiosity.

Arthur just smiles, "Yeah, I heard about you selling Filolials and I would like one."

Beloukas smile, "I see. It will cost you 100 silvers."

"Deal."

Arthur pays Beloukas 100 silvers, much to Beloukas' glee. So Arthur gets the egg and walks off.

While exiting the tent, Raphtalia is a little confuse. "Arthur, you shouldn't have your purse loose like that."

Arthur carries the egg in his hands carefully while walking down the street with Raphtalia. "Don't worry. I have been thinking long and hard and figure that it would be great if we have back-up...or a mount. I figure that a Filolial might actually be useful for travel. If we raise it right, it might turn into a Filolial Queen."

"A Filolial...Queen?" Raphtalia has never heard of it.

"You see, when a hero raises a Filolial, it becomes a Filolial Queen. A type of Filolial that is bigger, stronger, and can even take on human-shape and speech."

"I didn't know that." Raphtalia is surprise to hear such information. "That must be wonderful!"

"Plus a Filolial Queen might be a useful combat companion in the long run. If I'm also right, it should be able to carry a wagon once we get one."

Gwen appears behind Arthur, "Although, we also have to keep her away from Motoyasu. Because the guy loves little blonde girls with feathered wings because of some game back in his home."

"I'm aware." Arthur says to Gwen.

"Were you talking to Gwen?" Raphtalia asks as they appear in front of one of the shops. It is Erhard's shop.

"Yeah."

The two enter the shop and Erhard greets them.

"Hey, you two. I heard you got into a duel of the Spear Hero. What's up with that?"

Arthur gives a disgruntle sigh, "Blame that bitchy princess for brainwashing Motoyasu. They try to humiliate me but I turn the tables."

"I see."

Arthur pulls out a bag from the inventory slot of his shield after giving Raphtalia the egg, "Anyway, I got some materials for ya." He empty out the contents of the bag to reveal white-silvery ingots that are lighter than they appear and pieces of leather that are strong and sturdy with a greenish tint to it.

Erhard pulls out his monocle-like device that allows him to inspect items. After inspecting the items, he is surprise by what they are. "So that's mithril! You even got dragon leather, too!"

Arthur shows the sleeves of his current duster while being a little embarrass, "Yeah. Motoyasu did a number on my duster when he cut off my secret weapons."

Erhard takes a closer look at it, "Damn. That was one of my finest works." Then stops and looks at the materials, "Anyway, making something made of high quality is gonna cost you some gold."

"Actually." Arthur gives Erhard five gold ingots and forty-three flawless diamonds.

Erhard and Raphtalia are in shock to see such treasures.

Raphtalia looks at Arthur, "Where did you get those?!"

Arthur replies, "The same way with the hide and mithril. I just have it appear in my inventory when I want it to. It is a power that I've obtain after the duel with Motoyatsu. I don't know how, but hey, I can get as much money as I want by spamming gold and jewels."

"What's...spamming?" Erhard has no idea what Arthur means by that.

"Later. Right now, I would like to have a new duster ready."

Erhard smiles at the gold and diamonds, "With this much, I could make two."

"Keep the extra for any more expenses that we may need to purchase."

Both Arthur and Raphtalia exited out of the shop and let Erhard do his work.

Raphtalia says in amazement, "If you can do something like that, you can be the wealthiest man in the country!"

"True, but it would make me fat and lazy. I don't want to end-up a hero that only uses his wealth to have others do his dirty work." Arthur looks up into the sky, "A real hero has to do the work. No matter how trivial or tedious it may be. Or how difficult."

"Really? So that's what makes a hero?"

"Part of it anyway."

The two made their way towards the medicine shop. The shop owner gives Arthur an intermediate tome.

"Here you go." the shop owner gives him the book. "This is a thank you gift for saving some of my relatives in Lute Village. They ask me to help you out. This book has recipes for finer medicines than you bring me. Use it. It's all yours."

Arthur takes the book, "Oh, uh, thanks. This is great and all, but..." Arthur opens the book and tries to read it. "I can't understand the written language of this world."

"That does sound difficult." Raphtalia stated. She pet his head, "But don't worry, I can teach you."

"Hey! I'm supposed to be the older sibling!"

Everyone just laughs afterwords until the shop owner has something to say.

"By the way, the old hag at the magic shop wants to see you for the same reason. She said that you helped her grandkid out at the village."

So, the two head their way towards the magic shop. Once there, the woman uses her crystal ball to tell the type of magical affinity they have.

The magical shop owner looks at her crystal ball, "I see that you have an affinity for healing and support magic, Shield Hero. And the young lady has light and dark affinity magic. She is half-raccoon, after all. I recommend she learn illusion magic and the like. In which case..." The shopkeeper gives them a magic grimoire. "Consider this a thank you gift for saving my grandchild, on the house. I would give you a crystal ball, but I can't."

Arthur accepts the grimoire, "Thank you." But then he starts to remember something. Something about the Nephalem in his body. "Excuse me, but I would like to know something real quick."

"Oh?"

"Can that crystal ball tell me about this spirit that I have inside? Because I would like to know it."

"Hmm." the shopkeeper thinks about it for a moment. "Very well. Let me see your palm."

"Okay." Arthur is a little hesitant but gives the woman his palm as she gaze into the crystal ball.

In the crystal ball, both of them see a small flame that is dark gold, purple and gray as it flickers.

"Oh." the old witch can see it. "That is strange."

"What does it mean?"

"I have never seen anything like this. That is strange." She looks at Arthur, "Do you know the name of this spirit?"

Arthur tries to remember it. "It was a long name. Give me a minute to remember it. Let's see." Arthur tries to remember as hard as he can until he manages to piece it together. "Well, it calls itself, Nephalem. But the thing's real name is, Lord Qui Custodit Te In Libra Autem Omnes Rerum."

After Arthur speaks Nephalem's true name, all the windows start to break which startled everyone and the flame in the crystal ball started to burst out a column of flames with a strong gust of wind blowing from it. The shopkeep, Arthur and Raphtalia became terrified by the flames because of an overwhelming power they feel from it. After a minute, the flames subside and return to the crystal ball with the shopkeeper letting go of Arthur's hand. The tiny, three-colored flame that was there has disappear.

"Oh my goodness!" the shopkeeper is terrified by the overpowering presence that she felt. "I have felt the power of spirits before, but never like this!" She looks at Arthur, "This is no ordinary spirit that you got there!"

"What is it then?!" Arthur is just as terrified as she is.

"I don't think it is a spirit at all! And I don't think it is a demon either! What you got there is something that I...I am unsure of!" She tries to calm down. "I don't know what it is, but it felt like we were in the presence of a divine being yet not divine."

Arthur makes a hypothesis, "In my world, Nephalems are beings that are half-angel and half-demon. Do you think that what I've got is a real Nephalem?"

"I don't know much about Nephalems but it could be."

Arthur gets something from his left pocket, "Sorry about the mess. Here." He gives her a hand full of gems, "This should be enough to cover the damages."

Arthur and Raphtalia immediately leave the shop and head out of town into the Village of Lute for some time.

"What was that?!" Raphtalia asks.

Arthur replies, "I don't know but best to leave before we cause any more trouble."

After spending the night at the inn, Raphtalia wakes Arthur up before the sun rises.

"Arthur! Wake-up!" Raphtalia keeps on shaking Arthur in his bed to wake him up.

Gwen tries to help, "Wake-up, Arty!

Arthur wakes up slowly as he yawns and rubs his eyes. "What's going on? And I told you not to call me, Arty."

Raphtalia points at the egg on the dresser and sees that it is moving. Arthur springs out of bed and looks at the egg along with Gwen and Raphtalia. The egg starts to crack and shake some more. The three get a closer look at the egg until it hatches. It startled them at first but they see the cute, pinky-colored, little baby Filolial.

"Awww!" Gwen says in a baby voice with her eyes sparkling and hands on her cheeks. "Baby Filo is just as adorable as she is in the anime!"

The little Filolial then jumps onto Arthur's head and rest on his head while thinking Arthur is her mother.

"It's so adorable, Arthur!" Raphtalia says.

"I already said that!" Gwen speaks to Raphtalia.

Raphtalia continues, "It thinks your its mother!"

Arthur says, "Yep, imprinting."

During their time in Lute Village while raising baby Filo with his [Monster Tamer Shield] while also learning the world's language and doing some experiments with his new found power. Arthur even went back to Erhard's shop back at the Castle Town to get a new duster while leaving Raphtalia and Filo alone to do some bonding. It is a fine piece of work that Erhard has made with some mithril protection between the inner and outer layer and is plenty strong. Also, when he got back to the village; he helped out around the village, do some level grinding with his party, and made a few deals around the village. Three days later, Filo has grown-up to a fully adult Filolial.

Raphtalia looks at Filo in the stables, "I can't believe that Filo has fully grown."

Arthur stands proud like a very proud parent with his nose in the air, "With my Monster Tamer Shield, it was easier than it should be." Then gives a hearty laugh until he hears something outside.

Some people have gather at the town square and wonder what is with all the knights. At the square, Motoyasu is there along with one of his other companions, Elena Haven. Motoyasu is still recovering from his broken bones as he still has some bandages on his right arm and his left leg.

"Attention everyone!" Elena speaks to the villagers while showing a scroll. She shows it to be a royal decree. "Due to his heroic actions here in Lute Village, Sir Motoyasu is hereby your new lord! In order to aid in the reconstruction of the village, we'll initiate a toll! Fifty silvers for entering and fifty silvers for exiting!"

"What?!" one of the villagers said out loud.

"We can't pay that!"

"How are we supposed to get food!?"

Some of the knights have their spears pointing at the villagers but the villagers pull out firearms and are aimed at the knights. This is a shock to the knights, Elena, and Motoyasu.

Motoyasu look at the guns, "Wait a minute. Are those...M4 carbines?" He then asks the villagers, "Where did you get those weapons?!"

"I gave them those weapons!" Arthur says from the back of the crowd. "Hey there!" he waves with his right hand, "How are your injuries!?"

"Arthur?!" Motoyasu is surprise that Arthur is in the village and even more as surprise that he made and gave those weapons to the villagers.

"Motoyasu! Do you know how much money it costs for a single night in the in!?"

"Umm..." Motoyasu tries to figure it out while Elena looks away with the look of guilt on her face.

"One silver a night!" Arthur answers. "What you are doing is charging people 100 nights! That's robbery!" All the villagers agree with Arthur and cause a bit of an uproar.

Motoyasu looks at Elena, "Tell me Elena, did Myne put you up to this?"

Elena refuse to look Motoyasu in the eye as her right fist tightens as she even looks more guilty. If you are wondering where the bitchy princess is, she is still trying to remove the black clover mark on her hand to use magic again.

Motoyasu understands the situation. "I see. Remind me to punish her later." The Spear Hero stands up to address the villagers, "Everyone!" he bow down, "I do apologize!" Then he looks at Arthur, "Hey Arthur! I would like to thank you for freeing me from Myne's brainwashing! And for that...!" Motoyasu takes the scroll from Elena and rips it up, "The entry and exit fees are removed! However, how about a race!? If I win, I get to be the village lord! But if you win, you get to decide the village's fate! Deal!?"

Arthur gives the thumbs up in agreement. "Got it! However, if any of the knights try to cheat by using magic," he cross his left thumb across his throat, "then the queen's Shadows are free to terminate them!"

The queen's shadows started to appear while kneeling down with their heads down as well. It is a huge surprise to everyone in Lute Village to see the Queen's Shadow Corps. in their presence. Motoyasu asks Elena on who they are and she explains it to him. The Shadows even give them a scroll form the queen herself about the situation. Filo looks ready for a race as she gives an angry glance at the dragon Motoyasu has and wants to take it down. The dragon is green with a white underbelly and wearing a few pieces of armor.

The leader of the Shadows stands up, "We'll agree to those terms."

The knights are starting to get frighten by the Shadows and agree to Arthur's terms. Looks like that bratty princess' plans went down the toilet.

The real village lord approach Arthur before the race "Excuse me, Sir Shield Hero? If you win, is there anything we can pay you with as a reward?"

Arthur gets Filo's saddle at the startling line and replies, "Do you have an old cart? I might need one for my travels."

"I see. So you wish to become a trader then. We do have one that was left behind from a merchant after the wave. Yet it does need some repairs."

"I'll handle the repairs."

Motoyasu approach Filo and Arthur and finds it a bit of a joke. "Seriously?" Motoyasu smirks, "You are gonna race with that fat, oversize chicken? That thing is no match against a dragon." He laughs at them until Filo gives a swift kick in Motoyasu's crotch. He still smiles yet has some tears as he his kicked high in the air and lands in the pile of hay. The guy did get a soft landing, but his balls will never be the same again. The smile he had on is face is gone and replace with agonizing pain.

Elena and two knights notices. "Motoyasu!" she cries out, "Quick! Someone use healing magic!"

Arthur and Gwen started laughing along with Filo. But Raphtalia isn't.

"Arthur!" Raphtalia says with a disapproval tone and look. "You shouldn't laugh at the Spear Hero like that!" Then looks at Filo, "And Filo! You should know better!"

Arthur continues to laugh, "Sorry, Raphtalia. But he did deserve it for calling Filo F-A-T."

Gwen continues to laugh as well, "Yeah! But seeing Motoyasu getting kick in the crotch is always funny." She rolls over on the ground laughing and unable to control her laughter.

"Honestly." Raphtalia says. But she thinks, 'Although, this is the first time I ever seen him laugh like that.'

After that scene, both Motoyasu and Arthur are ready to get the race started with the village lord about to signal the start of the race. Everyone is eagerly waiting for the race to start as they watch in anticipation. Yet not too far from the entrance of the village, Malty is there wearing a black hood and cloak in order to disguise herself to watch the race. She has a bandage over her right hand where the black clover symbol should be. She watches as she cracks a smile for a success for Motoyasu.

The village lord speaks, "There will be three laps around the outskirts of the village with the finish line here at the entrance. This is a fair and honorable race. Ready... Go!"

Both Motoyasu and Arthur started racing with Filo being a little faster than she is supposed to be. Filo has taken the lead and seems to be moving faster.

'The hell?' Arthur thinks, 'Filo is faster than she should be compare to what she should be in the anime. Is it because of Nephalem? Or she looked slow in the show?' But he focus on the race, 'I'll figure it out later. If the bitchy princess ever found a way to remove that curse, she will brainwash Motoyasu again.'

Some of the soldiers are hiding but are watching the race instead of cheating like they were ordered to. Yet there was one that try to do so.

The soldier whisper, "As source of my power, I order thee-" But stopped when he feels a dagger being held close to his throat being held by one of the queen's Shadows.

"Were you about to cheat?" she asks.

The knight gulped in fear. "No." he fearfully replied, "I was just... Please, don't kill me. I have a family."

The race continues on with no cheats to hamper Arthur's progress or giving Motoyasu a boost. Filo is running faster than Motoyasu's dragon. Motoyasu keeps ordering his dragon to go faster, but Filo is even more faster. After three laps, Arthur wins.

The village lord announces, "THE WINNER IS, THE SHIELD HERO!"

The villagers cheer and praise Arthur for his victory. Malty, watching from a far, starts biting her lower lip and gets pissed. She stomps her way towards the village.

"Thank you, Shield Hero!" the village lord is shedding tears of joy, "Now we can rest easy and focus on rebuilding the village!"

Motoyasu gets off his dragon and just smiles, "Looks like I lost." He looks at Arthur, "Congrats on winning." But before he would give him a handshake, something happens to Filo.

Arthur is unaware yet as he goes, "Thanks, Motoyasu." He tries to put his hand on Filo, "But I owe it to Filo, who-" Arthur stops when he realizes that something is off when he tries to pet Filo. He looks at Filo and realize that she has become a Filolial Monarch as Filo smiles at him. "That's a bit early." Arthur says out loud while keeping a straight face, "It's not even sun down."

Filo has gotten bigger and a bit more plump with her feathers are almost completely white aside from a small ruffle on her abdomen and some feathers on her wings which contain some pink. She has two long feathers on her head as well.

Gwen looks at the situation, "Now that's weird."

"CHEATER!" Malty shouts from a short distance. She is angry at Arthur as she points at Filo, "You didn't tell anyone about your Filolial being this massive tub of lard!"

Gwen shouts in an upset tone of voice, "SHUT-UP, YOU FUCKING CHEATING BITCH! I HOPE THAT ARTHUR DOES HAVE A PUNISHMENT FOR YOU OTHER THAN GIVING YOU A NEW NAME!"

Motoyasu says in Arthur's defense, "But it only transformed after the race, Myne!" Motoyasu is angry at Malty for falsely accusing Arthur of such a thing.

Gwen says while crossing her arms, "Damn straight!"

The Shadows appear and one of them speak while kneeling down with their heads down as well like before, "The Spear Hero is correct. His mount only transform after the race. We couldn't find any trace of magic. None."

Malty tries to act innocent yet it is obvious that something went wrong with her plan. "Are you sure?"

"Indeed. The Shield Hero asks us to eliminate any of the knights that would try to use any magic. Furthermore, the Shield Hero can only use healing and support magic. The raccoon demi-human in his party can use light and dark magic."

Gwen pops up behind the Shadow, "And I can use visibility and 'fuck you' magic! Beat that!"

Arthur says in his head, 'Settle down, will ya, sis?' Then looks at the Shadows, 'No surprise. After all, we are part of the same show yet tailored in a new way. But still...' He looks at his shield, 'Why am I brought here? What's the deal with Nephalem? I may need to ask Gwen more about The Rising of the Shield Hero. More than just the first season. Strangely, I vaguely recall that show. Just a few pieces here and there. That and I should ask about that thing, but doesn't seem to want to talk. Maybe a little later. Best not to stray too far from the story. Who knows what will happen.'

Malty gets so frustrated to the point that she has no choice but to accept her lost and leave.

"Hold it!" Motoyasu orders Malty.

Malty stops and is a bit frighten.

"We need to dish out your punishment."

Malty becomes extremely frighten as she slowly turn her head towards Motoyasu.

While Malty gets dragged off, the village lord presents a merchant's pass to Arthur.

"Here you go, Sir Shield Hero." he hands him the pass. "With this Merchant's Pass, it exempts you from tolls across the country, so you can traverse the roads as you please. Good luck on your travels and being a successful traveling merchant."

Arthur takes the pass, "Thank you." and does some repairs on the wagon. It is lightly damage and very easy to repair.

In the barn, Malty is tied up in rope and is hanging as her pants are down, showing her butt. Motoyasu punishes Malty by giving her a few good spankings with a wooden paddle that is use to row boats. Malty screams in pain for every spank that she gets.

"That one is for lying to me about this world's currency!" Motoyasu says after spanking her. Then spanks her again, "And that is for trying to manipulate my companions!" Then spanks again, "That is for trying to make me cheat!" Then again, "And that...I don't know why, but you deserve it!"

After a few good spankings, Malty's butt is bright red from all the spankings as she feels humiliated and in pain.

Meanwhile, Arthur and his party are riding in the cart with Filo pulling it. Filo is quite happy as she blissfully pulls the cart. Gwen seems to be doing alright. Raphtalia on the other hand...well...

Arthur realizes something, 'Ah shit! Forgot to tell Motoyasu about Filolial Monarchs and their ability to transform into humanoids with wings like the girl that he likes on that game, HellWorld. What was her name? Aria or something? Oh well, best to tell him later. Probably after the battle against the Three Heroes Church and at the party.'

"Hey, Arthur?" Gwen says from the back. "I think we need to stop and let Raphtalia vomit."

"Right." Arthur pulls the reins in order to get Filo to stop. Once it stopped, he looks back at Raphtalia, "You can go."

"Thank you." Raphtalia quickly gets out of the wagon to go behind the bushes to puke.

Arthur sighs, "Guess we rest here tonight."

Arthur sets up camp as he makes a small campfire to prepare to rest for the night. However, he tucks Raphtalia in her sleeping bag.

"You gonna be alright?" Arthur asks while giving Raphtalia some medicine.

After taking some medicine, Raphtalia replies, "I'll be fine. Just don't like being on wagons, carriages or carts."

"You have to get over your motion sickness since we will be traveling by wagon for a while. Just pretend you are on a boat. That might help a little."

Raphtalia giggles a little, "Yeah, but wagons and boats are completely different."

Gwen says, "True, but the concept is rather similar."

"Gwen says the concept is pretty similar." Arthur conveys the message.

The three of them look at Filo as she snuggles the wagon.

"Filo looks happy now that she gets to draw the wagon." Raphtalia states the obvious.

"She sure does." Arthur agrees with Raphtalia. But looks back at her, "We're gonna run a business and fight monsters to level-up."

"Sounds good." Raphtalia sounds sleepy, "I'll do my best, too."

"Just get some sleep, okay?"

Gwen is up in the tree as she shouts, "I'll keep watch!"

Arthur heads over to the tree stump to rest. However, Filo comes and snuggles him. "Easy there, Filo. Just get some rest. You know, your feathers are warm and cozy. I love it." Then Arthur falls a sleep.

Yet there is a voice of a female child saying, "Thank you very much, master!"

"Arthur!" Raphtalia's voice is heard while Arthur is sleeping. "Arthur!"

Arthur wakes up as he notices that it is dawn. Arthur stretches his arms and yawns, "*yawn* What is it, Raphtalia? *yawn*"

"The person on you! Is that, Filo?!"

"Hmm?" Arthur is fully awake and looks down on his lap.

He sees a little girl around the age of 10 with white skin, white feathered wings, and long blonde hair sleeping on his lap.

"Oh... Morning, Filo."

Filo starts to wake-up and show her blue eyes as she starts to say, "Good morning, master."

Raphtalia goes, "That really is, Filo!? Wait, she's naked!" She runs up and covers Arthur's eyes. "You shouldn't see!"

Gwen appears as she moves Arthur's head to the left, "No! Turn his head! He'll peek through your fingers!" She doesn't exactly sound sincere as she smiles a little and tries to hold back her laughter.

Filo stands up and says with a smile, "Can I have something to eat?"

AN: Hey guys! Hope you enjoy this new chapter.

JGResidentEvil: Depends on how far we can get. Since everyone now knows that Malty is the bitchy princess that she is, things are gonna be a little different. However, there are some things that are gonna stay the same.

As for Motoyasu and his Filolials, depends on what happens in Season 2 & 3 coming soon. I'll try to sneak it in somewhere as the story goes along.

Axe Hero: Well, Arthur was still a child when his parents were killed and unable to process the emotions that he is feeling. Plus I kinda forgotten about that scene with Anakin killing the Tusken Raiders because I not a fan of some of the prequels but I can only remember the good bits from them like Revenge of the Sith's opening and the opera house scene. Until I started to watch How It Should Have Ended. I was thinking more like Angelo Lagusa from 91 Days. Anyway, in a post-apocalyptic world, it is possible for children to lose control of certain feelings such as anger, hatred and rage with some of the lessons they learned on survival and how to kill in order to get their revenge. At least that's how I see it.

Now for the polls. Two stories are still in a tie with two votes, one has one vote, and one with zero votes. Make sure you vote before November 16th, got it? If the stories are still a tie by then, I may have to make the deciding vote.

Okay, see you guys...at some point.