Trust Test

Joe, Michelle, and the rest of the group found an apartment building a couple of blocks down from where we had our battle. I took all the tamed beast back into the space pendant and had the squad clear all the floors of the zombies and beasts inside. Some residents were still alive in the building, but they did not want to interact with us; I didn't want to include them either.

We all gathered together in the lobby of the building after we made sure to secure it so that no zombies came in overnight.

"You guys did a great job surviving and growing stronger. I know that it was a hard and dangerous battle, and I am happy to see that no one died or is seriously injured. But know that only more battles are ahead. The zombies and beasts are getting stronger by the day, so we, too, have to do the same. I won't force any of you to follow me, so I'll ask one more time if you are willing to put 100% of your faith in me. It would be best not to feel pressured to follow me because we trained you and made you stronger. If anyone chooses to leave the team now, I will give you a month's supply of food and water."

"Bro, are you sure about this? We have put a lot into training and feeding them."

"It's good, Joe. But they have to understand that there is no turning back if they choose to follow me now. So what will it be?"

They all looked at each other as if trying to figure out what the other was thinking. It was easy to see that weighing the pros and cons of following me to the end or leaving out on their own.

It didn't take long for the girls to choose to follow because they knew without true power, their life would not be in their control. Now, only the males were questioning if they could make it independently. Every man has dreams of conquest. That's why I had to ask now before we start to develop and have to worry about my stronger warriors betraying me.

In the end, they all chose to stay faithfully by my side. But to make sure I had a small test for squad one, I may know who has 100% loyalty to me and who doesn't.

I took the women into a room one by one and told them that if they felt something pulling them in, just let it happen.

All five women passed my test with flying colors, and they were finally able to find out where all my beasts go when in done with them. They were blown away by what they saw inside the space pendant. I told them they could not talk about this with anyone as it is one of my biggest secrets. They all agreed and were happy to know that I would share this with them. I gave them their food and supplies and told them to wash up and get some rest for the night.

Next came the squad's men, and if I had to, I would say that I have the least faith in them. I did the same with them as I did with the women and took them one at a time to question them and test their faith.

"I will ask one more time, are you sure you want to follow me, and if you do, do you have 100% faith in me?"

They all said yes, but the pendant will verify for me. Four out of the five were able to pass the test and learn one of my secrets. At the same time, Bob, on the other hand, failed it. I don't know if he doesn't have complete faith in me yet or has other plans in the back of his mind, but for now, we'll keep an eye on him.

After the men finished their test and got their food and supplies, they found a room to retire for the night.

I told Joe and Michelle about my test and the results. Joe didn't seem too surprised about it as he always felt that Bob had a lot of ambition.

"Joe, for now, keep an eye on him, and if he does anything that will jeopardize the safety of the group or our loved ones, kill him on the spot."

"Bro, you have nothing to worry over. If he ever shows any sign of betraying us, I'll remove him from the equation."

"Dwayne, maybe it will take a little more time to win him over. There is no need to kill him."

"I know what you are saying, Michelle, but we are going to keep an eye on him just in case. In the meantime, let's get cleaned up and get some rest. We can go over the loot and plan tomorrow morning before we leave."

Joe went directly to Sarah's room while Michelle and I found our own room. Everyone was exhausted physically and mentally. It took no time at all for them to get cleaned up and fed before they fell off to a dream world.

I took a look into the space pendant and saw that it was not just the humans that were tired, but all my beasts were too. They were hungry as well, and I realized that the amount of food they would need regularly was enormous.

With that thought in mind, I decided that from now on, I would keep all the corps of beasts we kill so that they can feed on them. But for now, they will have to make do with the frozen meat we have in storage.

"Sakura, get out all the meat we have in stock and have those with the flame element thaw the meat out. They can eat it all, and we will find more later."

"Yes, Master"

With that Michelle and I cuddled up together and went to sleep because tomorrow was another long day.