Defending Ghosts

'Camp Moss,' my target. Not sure which one of Edward's scouts wanted to call this little camp this. Anyway, Specter ordered their personal team to follow me instead.

I was thankful, of course, that Specter would order them to do so.

For this night, I, Jenna "Defender" Esgold, will lead Specter's Phantoms into battle and win! I hope! I mean, these are Specter's hand-picked men, right?

Anyway, more about the target. Camp Moss is an outpost in the middle of a clearing next to the running river. All trees around this area were a bit mossy. That's why it's called Camp Moss, I'm sure at least.

We're trying to stop this outpost from turning into a base. According to Edward's scouts, Wildmen have already started laying down foundations for a future base. But tonight, we're going to stop that.

Right now, we stood behind five rows of trees to disguise ourselves. Getting an angle to see what was going on in there was difficult.

A Phantom climbed up the side of a tree and peeked. "This is the best view I got. Okay, looks about twenty builders and a lot of those Wildmen." She whispered back down to me.

I plotted the plan for a moment inside my head. Of course, I would want to leave at least a few survivors so they can spread the news about Downpour getting more hostile.

"Hmm. Let's split the team. Half of us attack the Wildmen head on. The others go from behind, kill all the builders but keep one alive. Protect them until after the fight. Then let them go." I whispered to the entire team.

Shadow shrouded the Phantom's faces. But I could tell that wasn't the worse plan they've heard. At the same time, it might have been. Knowing Specter, their instructions might've been to be silent and take them out one at a time.

But I am Defender, not Specter.

Phantoms discussed who was doing what for a brief while. Their murmuring made me feel uneasy, I could imagine walking through the woods one day and then hearing this.

A small group of four Phantoms broke away from the rest of the team. Each one of them gave me a thumbs up.

They began running around to the back. I can see why they're called Phantoms. Black cloth over a dark shade of purple armor would make anyone look scary.

Once they were on the other side, they notified us by stepping closer towards the moonlight.

The same Phantom from earlier told me. "We're good here. All we need now is your order. When we go, they'll go."

I replied to her. "Then, go!"

No one moved. They kept their eyes on me. We plunged into an awkward silence.

"Well? Why aren't you all going?"

"Usually, the leader of the team, in this case its you, would go out and begin it themselves. Go on, your first time will be scary, but over time you'll get better."

Of course I had to step outside alone. Fine, I guess it's time to prove that I am worth my position.

I silently stepped forward. My mind was going everywhere, I almost forgot to get my shield and spear ready. Now that I had both of my weapons in hand, I didn't feel any better.

This was the night we got kicked out of our own Stronghold all over again. No! This one would be different.

My small steps turned into a sprint for the back of a turned Wildman. They expected nothing to happen tonight until they felt a sharp object pierce their armor and body.

I stabbed them all the way through, out of pure pressure. Their body weighed my spear down. I pulled back my spear and prepared for the solo stand off.

A large metal shield stood before me and a bunch of angry Wildmen. Just had to wait for my Phantoms to get here.

By the time they flew out of the mossy trees, all Wildmen were clashing with me. I could withstand a lot of punishment, that's what my armor was made for. But that's my armor, not me.

It stung, getting hit from my sides and feeling the violent vibration of my shield. They all moved back when they saw Phantoms attack.

The builders kept building, unaware of who was behind them.

Four Phantoms sprung out from inside the shadows and began their slaughter.

I heard their cries for help, so agonizing. All they wanted was to live their futures. To shape tomorrow their own way, so their families could benefit.

A Phantom ran right beside me. "Good one, lady Defender. I heard you were trying to move out of your comfort zone, but you looked perfectly fine killing that poor soul."

Yeah, looks like I was growing out of it. Somewhat.

I had to keep fighting. My large metal edge spear pushed back Wildmen from attacking me.

No one in front of me dared to come close. Perfect for the rest of the Phantoms to clean them up. An overconfident Wildman challenged me. They thought getting close to break the solid wood spear would be a good idea.

Unfortunately, I had to prove them wrong. I suddenly stopped swinging. Because I struck them. I looked over my shield to see the damage.

But... their head... it wasn't there. I felt myself getting sick, my eyes got watery and my ability to keep attacking as a team leader was severely hindered.

"Good shot, lady Defender! Hell, you're quickly earning our respect!" Another Phantom called out to me.

If this was how respect was earned in this circle, I wanted to be disrespected.

From behind the group of Wildmen, I saw a Phantom abduct a builder. They followed the Phantom behind the trees without fighting back.

The other three began digging their weapons into the backs of the Wildmen.

All the blood I've seen in the hospital never would've prepared me for this. This was too much for me. I began debating whether I should stop attacking or leave that one builder alive.

I was about to order my team to stop, but then I watched a Phantom rip a Wildmen's fingers off with their own hands. Then stabbed another Wildman with it.

That was it, I had to call a retreat. "LOOK AT ALL OF YOU! RUN BACK TO YOUR DENS AND TELL YOUR LEADERS, DOWNPOUR SAID HI!" I tried my best to sound angry.

Which wasn't difficult. I wasn't mad at the Phantoms, or the Wildmen, I was mad at myself. Saying I wanted to step outside my comfort zone was a horrible decision.

All Phantoms retreated into the forest very slowly. The one Phantom with the builder in their arms threw them back into the remaining Wildmen's possession and followed us.

"I'd say, good fight. Keep practicing chopping someone's head off like that and you'll give Warmonger a run for her money!" Phantoms chanted around me.

They couldn't let it go. I couldn't let it go. Tonight felt less like a victory, and more of a defeat for me.