As soon as Robin's commanding voice echoed across the village, silence fell. His demand to bring out Jordan sent waves of fear rippling through the gathered villagers. They exchanged nervous glances, the memory of Jordan's departure vivid in their minds.
Sam, standing firm at the front, clenched his fists around his weapon. He knew the truth—Jordan wasn't here, and even if he wanted to, there was no way to summon him back. Summoning every ounce of courage, Sam stepped forward, his voice unwavering.
Sam’s boots scuffed the dirt, kicking up a small cloud of dust. His hands, calloused from years of hunting, tightened around the sickle. He thought of Jordan’s last words: “Protect them, Sam.”
"What do you think, Robin? That we're all cowards here? Let me tell you this: we would rather die than reveal the whereabouts of Master Jordan!"
Robin raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Sam's bold defiance. His smirk hinted at amusement, but there was an undeniable menace in his demeanor.
Sophia, standing beside her father, froze at the mention of Adam. Her heart tightened as memories of him flashed before her eyes—memories of the two of them growing up together, their bond growing stronger with time.
Sophia’s fingers brushed the scar on her wrist—a remnant of the day Adam taught her to climb the old banyan tree. She’d slipped, he’d caught her, and they’d laughed until sunset. Now, her salve-stained hands trembled. 'Would he even remember her voice?'
Adam's departure for training had left a void in her life, one she hadn't been able to fill.
Since then, Sophia had retreated into herself, speaking less and focusing entirely on becoming the best medic she could be. Every day, she trained under her mother's guidance, her determination unshakable.
She worked tirelessly, learning to heal all manner of injuries and illnesses, hoping that one day, if Adam ever returned injured, she could be the one to save him. Her hard work hadn't gone unnoticed, as villagers often came to her for treatment.
Sophia's dedication wasn't just for the village—it was for Adam, for the day he might return from the forest and need her.
While Sophia grappled with her thoughts, Robin's expression darkened. He was clearly unimpressed by Sam's response. His lips twisted into a sneer, and he stepped forward, his grip tightening on the hilt of his white sword.
"I see you're either very brave or very foolish," Robin said, his voice dripping with condescension. "Perhaps fear has clouded your judgment, making you speak such nonsense. But let me make one thing clear—your arrogance will only lead to your ruin."
Despite his outward bravado, Sam felt a chill run down his spine. Robin's threatening words were unsettling, but he refused to let his fear show. Robin, a skilled swordsman, noticed the subtle tension in Sam's posture and grinned. His smile was cold, calculated, and sent shivers through the crowd.
"I'll count to three," Robin declared, his tone deadly serious. "If you don't bring Jordan to me before I finish, I will kill every single person in this village. Man, woman, or child—it doesn't matter. None of you will be spared."
The crowd gasped in unison, terror gripping them. Mothers clutched their children tightly, and the little ones buried their faces in their mothers' clothes, trembling.
A little girl hid behind her mother’s skirt, clutching a rag doll. Its button eyes were missing, but she held it like a shield. Her brother, older but just as scared, gripped a wooden stick too big for his hands
Men held their makeshift weapons with white-knuckled grips, their eyes darting between Robin and their families.
At the front, Sam, Eric, George, and Ricky stood frozen, their minds racing. The weapons they had prepared felt insufficient against the sheer power of the samurai standing before them.
The odds were stacked heavily against them, and the thought of protecting the villagers seemed almost impossible.
Behind Robin, Sinu shifted uncomfortably. His usually confident demeanor was replaced with unease. He scanned the crowd carefully, searching for one person—the boy who had killed his subordinates during their last encounter.
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Sinu's thoughts churned. If Robin found out there was a magician in the village, it could lead to even bigger problems.
Sinu’s thumb rubbed the chipped edge of his family crest ring—a habit he’d had since childhood. A boy near the well coughed. Sinu’s hand twitched toward his dagger, then stilled. "Not him! "
Sinu's real concern was Adam. He needed to locate him and eliminate him before anyone realized the truth. His position under Robin's command was precarious, and failure wasn't an option.
Robin's voice interrupted Seenu's thoughts. "I'm starting the countdown!" he declared, his voice booming.
"Three…"
The crowd held its breath.
"Two…"
Sophia's heart raced, her mind screaming for a solution.
Robin’s countdown hung heavy in the air.
A crow cawed loudly from the old oak tree, its black wings flapping as it took flight. The sound made a child whimper, and his mother pulled him closer, whispering, “Shh, it’s just a bird.”
Everyone is worried. Everyone's eyes are either on the samurai or on their loved ones. Everyone feels that they are seeing their loved ones for the last time today.
The villagers, gripped by fear, moved closer together, forming a tighter circle around Sam’s house.
An old man, his hands shaking, dropped his walking stick. It clattered to the ground, but no one dared to pick it up. His granddaughter, barely ten, clutched his sleeve, her eyes wide with fear
The murmurs of panic grew louder, mothers clinging to their children, and men holding their weapons with trembling hands.
“One,” Robin declared, his voice sharp and commanding.
At this final count, the villagers instinctively huddled closer, their collective fear palpable. The samurai surrounding them, clad in their imposing armor, tightened their grip on their swords, their stance unmoving.
The villagers realized they were trapped, encircled by these warriors in a perfectly orchestrated formation.
Sam’s eyes darted around, analyzing the situation.
Sam’s mind flashed to the last harvest festival. The village had been full of laughter, children running through the square, and the smell of roasted corn in the air. Now, the same square was silent, except for the clink of samurai armor
Even if I knew how to wield a sword like a master, there’s no strategy coming to mind. What can I possibly do to save my people from this massacre? His thoughts raced, but no solutions emerged.
A little behind him, Sophia stood frozen, her fists clenched tightly as she tried to steady her breathing. She silently urged herself to think of a way out. No, there has to be a way. There’s always a way. Think, Sophia, think! Her mind spun as she wrestled with her rising panic, but no plan seemed feasible against such overwhelming odds.
Robin’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “It seems you people won’t cooperate willingly. Very well, let me show you what happens when you defy me.”
Raising one hand, Robin made a subtle gesture, signaling the samurai behind him. Two of them stepped forward, their movements slow and deliberate.
The samurai’s boots crunched on the gravel, each step echoing like a drumbeat. Their swords gleamed in the sunlight, casting sharp reflections that danced across the villagers’ faces.
They unsheathed their swords, the metallic sound echoing ominously through the tense silence.
The sight of the advancing samurai caused the villagers’ anxiety to skyrocket. Mothers tightened their hold on their children, shielding them as best they could. The men at the front, including Sam and Ricky, gripped their weapons tightly, their knuckles white.
So, this is it. The moment we dreaded has finally arrived, thought Ricky, his expression hardening. We never wanted to face such a situation, but now that it’s here, there’s no turning back. We’ll stand and fight, no matter the odds.
Resolving himself, Ricky adjusted his grip on his weapon, positioning himself for the imminent clash.
Ricky’s weapon was an old scythe, its blade dull from years of cutting wheat. He tightened his grip, his calloused hands steady despite the fear in his chest. 'If I go down, I’ll take one of them with me,' he thought
Sam, standing beside him, mirrored his determination. Despite the fear clawing at them, the two men prepared to face the samurai who were slowly closing the gap.
Meanwhile, behind them, Rachel and Lily held their children close to their chests, shielding them as much as they could. Rachel reached out to hold Lily’s hand, their silent solidarity a source of comfort amid the chaos.
Rachel’s hand was rough from years of farming, but her grip was gentle. Lily’s fingers were cold, but she squeezed back, their silent promise to protect their children stronger than words
Nearby, Eric stood firm, glancing back at his wife and silently making a vow. No matter what happens, I won’t let these samurai get past me. If they do, none of us will survive.
Eric’s wife, Lily, held their baby close, her face pale but determined. He caught her eye and nodded once, a silent promise. 'I’ll keep you safe. No matter what.'
Though he readied himself for the battle ahead, he couldn’t ignore the gnawing fear inside him. Deep down, Eric knew the truth—no matter how brave they were, no matter how much they fought, they couldn’t match the overwhelming force surrounding them.
The villagers felt the weight of their helplessness as they observed the samurai surrounding them in a perfect circle.
A gust of wind swept through the square, scattering dried leaves across the ground. The villagers watched them swirl, their hope fading like the leaves carried away by the breeze
The memory of Adam and Jordan burned in their minds. Neither of them was here to save them this time, and the villagers couldn’t help but recall the harrowing incident from two years ago. Back then, Adam had stepped in, his training and courage sparing the village from total destruction.
But now, Adam and Jordan were gone, and no savior would come to their aid. Desperation filled the air as the villagers prepared for the worst, their hope dwindling with each passing second.
Robin’s voice cut through the tension. “Let’s begin.”
And with those words, the chapter ended.