Bab 2: Massacre
'Bandits? Didn't we encounter them before? If I remember correctly, we were attacked once by them, and they all died. What changed this time? The last group was larger, and it would be hard to survive with a higher amount of people unless you are rich and have money to buy a big amount of food but then being a bandit isn't a good choice, people like this would rather open a small business. Then why is our village in such a state?'
John's questions were unanswered only for a while because the chief told them the truth when he was standing before the gates.
"Please back go and hide somewhere there are at least two mages with our enemies. I will try to negotiate with them."
After warning his people, he left the village.
"Welcome guests, may I ask what brought you here? Maybe we can make a deal we don't need to fight. I'm not a mage, but I trained my swordsmanship to a third grade and many good men in my village can take out at least one-third of your group if we will fight to the death. Please reconsider."
Hearing how strong was a man standing before them, weaker bandits started to whisper among themselves.
"Do we need to fight? Maybe they will give this kid to us willingly, and we can leave. This guy alone can take on our vice-leader, and when forced, he probably can kill him giving up his own life."
"Wasn't it meant to be an easy job, not a fight to the death? We already lost half of our people in few previous villages. If I knew, I wouldn't come here. What can bring me being on the good side of our leader give me if I'm dead?"
"We accept your offer for negotiations. We will stay in your village for night and tomorrow morning you will bring us everyone who is younger than ten years old. We will choose one kid and half of your winter supplies and then go away."
"You can't take half of our supplies! We will starve to death. There is no way I will give it to you. As for staying in our village, it's okay, but I will choose the house in which you will be staying."
"Then we will take one-third of the supplies."
"No way! I can give you one fifth! Try to bargain one more time, and we will fight!"
Chief couldn't take it any longer and shout at the enemies leader. Seeing his fiery temper, they accepted current terms and went inside of the village to spend a night here. Everyone got an order, to avoid the house were bandits are staying and informed to bring everyone under ten years old tomorrow morning before the house, of the chief. Hearing about this, people started questioning their chief what the kids are needed, for and some even started cursing, but he didn't listen to them and just left. After getting back home, John heard from his parents about it and was thinking about it for a long time.
'Why do they want to see everyone under ten? Don't tell me they found out about me? I must be overthinking. At least I hope so...'
John was too tired to think about it and quickly fell asleep. His parents woke him up early, he put on his clothes, and they left their house. Many anxious-looking parents were currently standing before the house, of the chief waiting for him to come out.
"Good Morning"
Chief welcomed everyone here, but his tone was different from before. Earlier when he met people, he greeted them with a warm attitude, but now his tone was emotionless. His appearance also changed from warm-looking man in his 30s to someone with most of his hair grey. He changed so much because he understood that he sacrificed a child for well being of the whole village. Even though he knew it was his only choice, he felt terrible.
"Let's move, or we will be late."
Said chief and without waiting for others, they moved to a place where bandits stayed. Every male was here with a weapon if something went wrong. Soon bandits came out of their houses too.
"Good morning, create a line. One of you is lucky enough to come with us. We need to check you first, and we will choose the suitable one" 'Suitable for what?'
John was even more scared about being exposed.
'What are they planning, and why do they need to examine us? Do I look different from other kids? No! It's impossible! I would have known about it or at least someone around me.'
Drops of sweat started appearing at John's forehead as he was creating a line with other kids. Everyone was tense. Parents were worried about their kids. Warriors were scared, by the chance of a fight if something goes wrong and risking their life.
"Okay, now to know who is the special one we need you to touch this with your forehead."
As the enemy leader was speaking a wall that was around 1m tall appeared on his right side. While kids were amazed by the magic and we're scared a little less.
"Something is wrong there, is something different about them, I need to know what changed."
When the chief tried to understand what changed about them, the line was getting shorter and shorter, and soon it was John's turn.
"Even if it has something to do with me, I'm too weak to change what happens next. I will go without a fight, and they will at least spare my family. If they gave me at least time to become a mage or at least adult. I can't do anything as a child."
"What are you staring at? Touch this wall, kid!"
After John touched it with his forehead, a mage who built this wall turned around to look at him and smiled then looked beneath chief and said "Listen we want... Everything!"
At the same time chief suddenly felt pain in his chest and then he turned around he saw a man holding the sharp sword with half his body still buried underground.
"Of course, the the-their second mage was older, this one is f-fake."
Chief showed painful expression and breathed heavily. Soon beside his corpse enemy was shouting.
"Kill everyone beside this kid and plunder everything! As for women, you can take care of them after we kill every man here!"
Soon a battle started but because of the death of their chief village was defeated very quickly. John watched as everyone he knew died and he couldn't believe it.
'Why? Why? Why? Why couldn't they take me alone?! Our village wasn't poor, but we weren't rich, either!'
After the fight, what happened to women is clear. They were treated like toys, and after a while, killed.
"Why? Why are you doing all this? We didn't offend you or anything! If you wanted me, I would have come willingly with you! So why you did this?!"
Hearing how John was screaming, bandits started laughing, and one of them answered.
"Why? There are two reasons. First one is that making some more money won't hurt as for the second one."
Bandit talking now turned to look at John with a wide smile and continued.
"Because it's entertaining, looking at their faces before death, and especially at yours now."
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
fanpopa
fanpopa 14/11/2020 I rewrote it! It still has some minor issues, but believe me, it's, much better than the previous version.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone