The seeds we plant

Keir's POV:

After arriving at the point where we would set up camp, I left the guard duties to my companions and went to sleep in one of the tents. Only 20 minutes had passed when Shi woke me up out of nowhere.

"Keir, you need to get up right now. Something very bad has happened out there."

The crimson red spirit danced around my head with much more vigor than usual. Before I could ask about the situation, a scream pierced the quiet atmosphere of the camp. Realizing the situation, I immediately got out of bed and looked at the red spirit that was still fluttering on my shoulder.

- How many?

"….. there are 2"

- … I see

With that answer I was enough to get up and run out of the tent, there were 7 men surrounding one of them. When the captain notices me, he bows respectfully before telling me the story. There in the center of my men is one with a blue helmet trembling in fear as he tries to catch his breath. Everyone else tries to get him to report the situation, but he doesn't seem in a condition to say anything.

- Captain, I need you to gather all the men right now.

- But sir, if we do that we'll be blind to the witch's movements.

- It doesn't matter, do what I ask.

- … Understood sir

After that, the captain runs away towards a tent. Moments later, he comes out of it with a large horn. After taking a breath, he blows the horn with all his strength, from which a shrill sound comes out. After that, I approach the knight with the blue helmet.

- Albert, I need you to explain the situation to me.

I lean in front of him to put my eyes at the level of his. After looking at me for a moment, he calms down a bit, but he still can't form coherent sentences.

- A child... A knife... a monster... that killed David.

Apparently he can only utter meaningless words in the state he's in. As I try to get information from Albert, I see my men who had been dispersed for vigil duties gathering from all directions. When I look around I realize that only David is missing. With this revelation I can only imagine one possible scenario.

- I guess I couldn't prevent them from dying after all.

After making a decision, I stand in front of my men who are spread out in a line in front of me, including Albert, and I begin to ask about the surveillance. All the knights with different helmet colors give me their reports. All the couples except Albert's seem to have seen nothing. The now calmer Albert is standing in the line looking back and forth in fear. A heavy sigh comes out of my mouth as I turn to look at the crimson spirit.

- Shi, are you sure there are 2?

"… Yes, I'm completely sure."

- I understand.

With that answer, there is no longer room for doubt. I turn to Albert, who still looks scared, and order him to stand in front. With timid steps, he advances forward.

- … Are you calmer now?

- Yes sir, thank you very much for your concern.

- Well, then I want you to turn around and explain to everyone what happened.

- It will be a pleasure sir.

After that, Albert turns his back on me and begins to talk to his companions. In Albert's blind spot I make a small signal to Shi, who turns into a red sword, I prepare my sword and lower it with all my strength towards Albert's head. A huge cloud of dust rises from the blow accompanied by a forceful metallic sound. It seems that I failed after all.

- Can you tell me what you're doing boss?

A voice full of irritation comes out of Albert's throat as he looks at me annoyed. I can only sigh at this cheap theater.

- Could you not speak to me with that voice, witch of deception? Do not stain Albert's voice with your disgusting lies.

After hearing that, he laughs for a moment before looking back at me.

- Wow, I thought I could fool you a little more, but I see it was useless.

With those words, in a matter of seconds Albert's body is replaced by a tall, muscular woman who looks at me with some admiration.

- Could I ask how you realized it?

- I don't think it's necessary to do so, anyway, you'll find out sooner or later.

- ...I see

After saying that, as if she had vanished, she launches herself at me at a monstrous speed. A sword strikes me from the side before I could finish understanding what had moved. Although I manage to interpose my sword, the momentum is so powerful that it sweeps me away and sends me flying towards the trees, where I crash and knock down some of them. Some screams of surprise come out of the camp immediately accompanied by sounds of metal clashing. A sound of pain comes out of my throat as I try to get back up, the sword speaks to me as I lean on it to be able to stand up.

"Are you okay Keir?"

- … Yes, somehow… hey Shi, how many of them are there now?

The sword doesn't answer me immediately, after a few painful seconds it starts to speak.

"There are 9… 10 of them right now"

A long sigh comes out of my mouth as I grit my teeth. Even though I knew this could happen, it's really frustrating to know that I can't avoid it somehow.

- Damn it.

Despite all the pain, I force myself to get up and run to the battlefield, there I find my men trying to fight the witch of deception, but one by one the few that remain fall. The corpses of my men are scattered all over the ground cut in horrible ways that gave them an instant death. I accelerate with everything I have to try to save the few that remain. I prepare my sword and attack with all my power the witch from the side, she simply blocks my sword and pushes me towards where the 2 remaining men are resisting. Among them is my captain. Without taking my eyes off the witch, I ask him.

- My captain… are you okay?

- … I've been better. I blocked one of that monster's attacks before, but the impact broke my arm, right now I can't use my sword.

- … And you?

- I can't move either, sir. I'm afraid my 2 legs have been disabled.

- … Understood, then stay out of the battle, I'll face the witch on my own.

- I can't accept that suggestion sir.

- It wasn't a suggestion, but an order!

- … I'm sorry my lord, but that's an order I can't follow.

- What are you-?

Immediately after, 2 cutting sounds are heard from behind me. A deathly silence invades the scene where the witch looks at us strangely at the sudden scene.

- … Shi, how many are there?

"… 15"

At her response I can only grit my teeth, furious with myself. Despite all the training I had had. Despite all those nights where I practiced my sword until the skin on my hands was torn. Despite all that effort, I couldn't save any of my men. They even went to the point of throwing their lives away for me. All those conversations we had together and the time we spent training run through my head causing a great pain in my chest. Although I refused to believe it, I knew I had lost the few friends I had managed to obtain.

- Wow, to think that after putting up such a tenacious fight, they would give up so easily with their lives, that was quite… anticlimactic.

The witch nonchalantly commented on the scene while looking at me with pity, I couldn't stand it.

- Shut up! Just shut up!

A long sigh came out of the witch's mouth as she approached me. Her large sword scratched the ground as she approached.

- Don't worry, you'll be with your friends in a second.

Directly in front of me, the witch raises her large sword pointing at my neck. An explosion of rage assaults me as I raise my sword, pointing it defiantly.

- Don't underestimate the sacrifice of my friends!

A torrent of blood fell to the ground.