Dogged Determination

But there were some humans and devil dogs who refused to fight each other. Spurning the violence of their brethren, they banded together and left on a sea voyage to a faraway land. No one heard of them again... until the advent of the age of the Kitten Chaotoclypse...

"So what are we gonna do today, Eliwood?" Zein panted eagerly, trotting beside his human companion. "Hunt wild boar? Sunbathe at the beach? Look for ancient ruins, again?"

"Hmm." Eliwood said. He was a wiry-tough lad of about sixteen, with brown hair and soulful green eyes. "That last one you said..."

"Oh, not again!" Zein said, rolling his eyes, which were bright-red and filled with mischief. "Look Eliwood, if there were any ancient ruins in the forest, don't you think someone would have found them by now?"

They were approaching the foothills of Selebst Forest, the ancient, menacing hallmark attraction of Erlehans Island. Zein stopped to scratch himself behind the ear, his silver fur glistening. Eliwood adjusted his travel pack and switched his hunting spear to his other hand.

"But if there were..." Eliwood said. "Wouldn't it be cool if we found them?"

"Can't argue with that." Zein coughed. "Lead on, oh Professor of archaeology."

"Hey!!" came a sharp female voice behind them. Almost immediately a rock whizzed past Eliwoods head.

"Yikes! It's Missy!" Zein yelped. "Run for your life, Eliwood!"

A tiny slip of a girl with long, braided red hair came flying up over the hill and toward Eliwood. The lad froze in terror as Missy reached him and landed a vicious left hook, which spun Eliwood around. He stumbled forward, barely keeping his footing.

"You!!!" Missy yelled, her blue eyes blazing. "You said you would come over my house for tea today! And now you're heading for the forest with your no good, mangy mutt of a..."

"Ahem!" Zein said.

"Missy!" Eliwood protested. "I was gonna be back in time! Really!"

"Yeah, right." Missy said. "Like last time when you came back covered in blood from falling down a cliff... or like time when that pack of wild boars almost killed you! When are you gonna stop acting like a kid?!"

"So?" Eliwood said. "What do you care?"

"What do I care..." Missy said, suddenly bursting into tears. "We're getting married... and you're gonna end up dead long before that happens! I'll become an old spinster like those at the village square, gossiping and criticizing and spreading rumors about everyone!"

"What makes her think she's gonna marry you" Zein whispered. Eliwood shrugged.

Missy grabbed Eliwood by the collar. "You're going back, right now! Or... or I'll break your legs!"

1. Missy drags Eliwood back to the village.
2. Eliwood is undaunted.
3. Unexpectedly, a horde of wild demon-kittens descends to strip all the flesh from their bones in a matter of seconds.

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