The seeds we plant

Benedict's POV:

Accompanied by 3 other fellow guardians, we go to the place where the witch was thrown. Frankly, I didn't think it would be so easy to send her flying so far away. If this carelessness causes that demon to escape from our hands, I would never forgive myself.

- Hurry up, that demon can't get out of here alive.

- Shut up! It was your fault that it flew so far in the first place.

Although I want to respond to the scathing comment, I can't return the argument.

- In case that happens, I will end my life myself.

No one else says anything as we follow the path of fallen trees. We finally arrive at the place where the witch was, but something incredible was waiting for us there. A black armor with a huge crimson red sword was facing the witch. Although his arms seemed seriously injured, as well as several parts of his body, there stood Keir as he pierced the witch of deception with his great sword.

- Keir?

An exhausted Keir ignores me without taking his eyes off the witch as he finally runs her through with his sword and smashes her against a nearby tree.

- Wow, I didn't know you were still alive, kid.

Ignoring the comments, Keir looks at the witch with deep hatred.

- This is for my squad.

Suddenly, the entire witch of deception is filled with red spikes that protrude from her in horrible shapes while some screams of pain come out of her mouth until finally she falls into absolute silence. Only after that, Keir turns around and looks at us with doubt.

- Are you coming to steal someone else's achievement?

- No... of course not, I just thought you had died.

Before he could answer me, the witch's hand pierces Keir's chest in the blink of an eye. Everyone present is stunned as we watch the scene.

- Keir bastard, if you want me dead so much, then you will have to die with me here.

Seconds later, Keir's heart leaves his body before he collapses lifelessly. The sword along with the entire witch begins to turn to dust as we watch in confusion at what just happened.

- It turned to dust?

- It seems so...

Both Alejandro and Amin look in amazement at the place where the witch of deception was.

- This couldn't be a deception right?

- But Keir's body is still there, we've seen that even if she transforms, the witch can't heal her wounds automatically, even if this is the witch, she won't be able to survive without her heart, right?

A heavy silence surrounds the place as we look at each other's faces without knowing how to react. A few moments later, Amin begins to laugh out loud. I can't help but find this sudden change of mood annoying.

- What the hell do you find so funny?

- Don't you find this conclusion hilarious?

As I'm about to raise my staff against him, a spear crosses my path. I stare dumbfounded at Alejandro who looks at me in a tired manner.

- This is not the way to commemorate the death of one of our own, is it Benedict?

- … I guess not. I am very sorry for my behavior, water hero.

With scimitar in hand, Amin just sighs as it vanishes into the air.

- Yes, I guess you are right. This is not the time to fight over useless things between us. Our highest priority here is to report what happened here and give an honorable burial to our brother in arms.

After saying this, Amin takes Keir's body and carries it away while I and the rest of the heroes follow behind while bowing our heads in respect for Keir. While I was saying my prayers for the soul of one of the guardians, I catch a movement out of the corner of my eye. I quickly turn to observe the source of the movement and there I only find a small mouse running through the forest.

- A mouse?

- Is something wrong?

- … no, it's nothing.

I shake my head to rid myself of these thoughts and continue my prayers and my Amin-led walk back to our camp.