It had been a week since the king was dethroned. John and Linda had reclaimed their place as the true leaders of New Eden, and the people celebrated them with relief and pride.Thomas clasped John forearm. "Well, old friend… until we meet again."John pulled him into a hug, then hugged Sophie and even Pooch.
"Thank you. All of you. For everything."Linda wrapped her arms around them warmly. "Here enough food to get you where you're going."Sophie smiled, taking the bag. "Thank you. We'll return." Johnnodded. "Or we'll wait for your call. The people of New Eden stand with you, heroes!" The villagers cheered, voices rising like a wave.
Thomas smiled softly, then turned. The heroes began their journey back to Light's compound. Sophie nudged him. "We've been gone a while… you think everything's fine?" Thomas shrugged.
"Yeah. We were only gone a month. What could've happened? "Hours later, they arrived at the compound. Albert was the first to greet them, standing by the door with a Colt .45 in a shoulder holster and a tray of drinks balanced perfectly in his hand."Welcome back, Mr. Thomas. Madam Sophie." Albert's eyes shifted to Pooch. "And… the demon."Thomas stepped forward.
"He's with me, Albert. His name is Pooch."Albert nodded once. "I'm familiar with his kind, Mr. Thomas. But I respect your decision. Welcome, Pooch." They entered the living area.Light sat on the couch, reading a magazine and sipping whiskey.
Ice sharpened his blade by the campfire, a drink beside him. Luke ate from a plate of food. New faces recruits filled the room.Everyone greeted Thomas and Sophie warmly.Then Luke saw Pooch. Without hesitation, he kicked Pooch with a brutal kick, sending him flying across the floor. Thomas shouted, "NO! Luke, stop!" Luke held his plate in one hand, glaring.
"That's a demon, Thomas!" "Yes," Thomas said, stepping between them, "but he's on our side now." Luke scoffed. "Thomas, that's a demon. They've fought against us for years!" Pooch sat on the floor, trembling.
Tears streamed down his face."I'm sorry… I'm not good. I'm just a demon. I don't have hope." The room fell silent. A demon had never taken accountability before. Pooch covered his face, sobbing.
"If you must kill me to make the world safer… then do it. I am a bacteria. I only cause illness." pooch said weeping into his hands. Thomas's voice cracked like thunder. "Shut up. Now." Everyone froze. Thomas stepped closer, eyes burning with conviction."I'll be damned if I sit here and let you drown in pity. We ALL had bad lives. We ALL did things we regret. Demon, human, angel none of that matters. We show who we truly are through our actions."Pooch looked up, shaking. Thomas continued, "If you want the world to be safer… then help us take down your
father." Pooch's shame hit him like a tidal wave.He thought of the millon of lifes lost and millions more that were decieved, lies he spread to relationships, the people he manipulated the innocent he harmed He whispered, "I am a bad seed… nothing fruitful will grow." the words of the Almighty. A wave of shame and guilt hit pooch then he remembered the Almighty's words and for the first time, he understood them. Pooch stood, fists clenched, tears still falling."I refuse to continue to be a bad seed and I will help you defeat my father… or die trying!"