Echoes of Betrayal

I saw Dan take a couple of swift strides towards a bison and swung his sword. He made a slash behind its head, and gave the finishing blow - a stab to its heart. I subconsciously placed my hand on my heart. Nothing. I felt nothing there. Not even a heartbeat. Another came at him. He almost got hit by the demon's iron club, but he managed to snatch the weapon and use it against its owner. The club hit the demon in the collarbone. The blow had a terrible force. I heard something snap. The demon howled and fell to its knees. Just as he was about to stab it, I sent a root to protect the demon. The root picked the demon up and gently placed him behind us. Dan looked at me. I smiled tauntingly. Dan's going to be a pain, I thought. He's always been skilled. He'll be hard to kill. He took a step forward, to me, but more demons attacked him. He'll be busy for a while.

I searched the battlefield for an easier target and found Ris. She was at the rear, as always, with the medical unit. "Goodbye Ris", I muttered. I sent spiky vines to her direction. With lightning speed, Mike was already there, protecting her. He cut through the vines with angry force. He stared at me with eyes as black as coal, his teeth bared. That look of hate made me more pumped up. I charged full speed ahead. They were both concentrating on my incoming attack that they didn't see the root behind them. It hit them both with a loud smack, on Ris's hip and on Mike's rib. Ris let out a cry of pain and Mike made an aggravated sound. It was music to my ears. I held out my hand. My vines came sprawling. They entwined and entangled, then hardened on my hand. I created a beautiful sword. Ris looked like she was about to pass out. "No need to suffer anymore." I raised my arm and swung my sword. Mike was already on his feet and came in between. The sword struck him from behind, on his shoulder blade. He collapsed in his face. Ris cried in horror. "No!" Her tears kept falling. She looked at me with pleading eyes. She looked so helpless.

"Serves you right", I smirked.

"Why are you doing this? Please just stop, Rik."

"I told you earlier, you'll pay for your crimes. You killed innocent demons, and you have the audacity to ask one to spare your life?"

"But you were one of us! You killed demons too."

"I did. And this is my punishment. Look at me. I've become a demon myself. And everyday I felt the pain and the anguish the demons felt as they fought for survival. I died over and over and over again. And I'll keep reliving that death unless every human is exterminated. And I'll have to live with the guilt, forever."

"Then stop this war and surrender", Dan spoke from behind me.

"And why would I do that? Look around you. You're weak. Humans are weak. You're going to die sooner or later, so why not now? You're force is losing the battle."

"If we accept defeat, will you let us be?"

"Of course not. I told you, you are all going to die. Just accept your fate Dan."

"How can you do this? We are your comrades. What about Mike? He's like your brother. And Ris? She's your best friend. And me, what about me? Are you saying we mean nothing to you?" For a moment, my resolve faltered. And I felt a faint and silent heartbeat.