Army of True Salvation

They were now awake and they all went to the dining room of the hotel to have breakfast.

While they were eating breakfast, Shannara poked Sheloah and she was surprised to how Shannara looked so early in the morning.

"What happened," she asked as she looked at the haggard and stressed-looking Shannara in front of her.

Isobel made a peace sign. "Sorry, Shannara! I really sleep like that," she said and Shannara just gave her a smile.

"It's okay. At least we had a nice conversation last night to make up for it," she said, indicating that she had become good friends with Isobel overnight.

"Sheloah."

Sir Erick called her attention and Sheloah approached him as soon as she finished eating her breakfast. When Sheloah already came, Sir Erick gave her katana. As Sheloah held it, she noticed that it was now lighter and easier to use.

"Thank you, Sir Erick," Sheloah thanked him with joy and their social sciences teacher smiled at her.

Sheloah now approached her uncle to help him with fixing up items for their journey. They also finalized their plans on their route going to Tarlac.

As they were fixing the items needed, Sheloah's uncle excused himself, leaving Sheloah with Isobel and Shannara. Sheloah's uncle had gone to meet Sir Erick to talk about shortcut routes going to Tarlac.

Isobel had carried the other boxes in one of the buses. Of course, she had sorted out the items for the parents and students. The parents on the other hand, were helping the students in organizing the food and medicine that is to be taken inside the bus.

While the boxes were being carried inside, Shannara labeled each box to avoid confusion. As for Josh, he's helping Isobel carry the boxes to be taken inside the bus. As for Tyler, he's still recuperating so all he could do was listen to the plans made by Sir Erick and Sheloah's uncle so he could relay it to their other groupmates.

"Sheloah," Shannara called her attention and Sheloah looked at her. "Why are you and Veon so close?"

This question had taken Sheloah aback.

"What," she reacted and Shannara just looked at Sheloah, waiting for her answer. "Actually, I don't know. Maybe it's because of the interests we share such as playing games and watching anime," Sheloah answered honestly and Shannara nodded slowly.

"You just met this year and you have already achieved this level of closeness," Shannara said and it completely got Sheloah's attention. "It's like… you know more about him more than I do," she added and this made Sheloah laugh.

"What the heck are you saying," Sheloah said in between laughs. "You shouldn't say that because you've been friends with Veon since childhood!" Shannara showed a sad smile.

"But after three years, we haven't been talking much." Shannara sighed. "Veon does not act this way with other girls other than you," she added and this made Sheloah curious.

"What do you mean?"

"Well…" Shannara frowned but she answered anyway. "He cares a lot about you. He didn't even show that care to someone else before. I've never seen him act like this. Only with you," she added finally and this made Sheloah cough a bit.

"I don't know what to say," Sheloah said and Shannara laughed slightly.

"You're lucky," she said then she sighed, as if to remove the negativities she felt. "But I won't lose to you," Shannara added and this surprised Sheloah quite a bit.

They returned their attention to fixing up their resources then they realized that once they have departed for their travel, once they get off, there's no turning back.