Sorry I've left the last few VM's slide. The last two weeks were rough on me, just to say simply.
Anyways, I am glad you're still revising your plot.
Now, as to cutting Cheren and the others. Cutting characters is not a bad thing. Trust me. I went through the same process with Overthrown several times, making character cuts and altering the plot to be more simple. This is not a bad thing. Usually, it allows you to focus on the main plot and only the most significant side-plots, which means that more of your content is relevant to your story's plot. However, cutting too many characters at once might be a bit of an eye-brow raiser. Unless you have a solid reason to cut Helga (her mother, after all), and Bianca, that improves the story tremendously, I suggest at least moving them to a minor character role. So, your story doesn't seem completely different than the first version.
As for Anthea and Concordia, I've no qualms about cutting them. They don't do much in the games, and you could easily make them minor characters or, cut them out as you're doing. So that's good.
Matt, don't worry. Regardless as to if I reply, I do read everything that's sent to me and I take note of it. Listen, Matt. Don't ever feel like you can't rant or tell me what's up. I'll always reply to someone in need.
Just take a few breaths, man. Calm yourself. You aren't a bad person. Not for making cuts to streamline your story, not for telling me what's bothering you, nothing. Just breathe.