Chapter 22 – The Bandit Ambush

The road stretched far ahead, Cedric sat near the front, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His eyes never left the surroundings. The trees, the hills, the open fields—any place where an enemy could be hiding. He had learned that nowhere was truly safe.

Jorin sighed from beside him. "You've been like this for days now," he said. "You need to relax a little, Cedric. No one's attacking us right now."

Cedric didn't respond at first. His grip tightened on the sword's handle. "The moment I relax," he finally said, "is the moment something happens. I won't let that happen."

Jorin shook his head. "I get it. You've been through a lot. But you're still human. You need to rest sometimes."

Cedric ignored him. His mind was too focused on the road ahead.

Inside the carriage, Lila sat with the two children—her younger brother and sister. They had been traveling together for days now. The kids, though tired, trusted Cedric. He was their protector, the one keeping them safe on this dangerous journey.

The sun was starting to set when Cedric noticed something unusual. The road ahead narrowed between two hills, making it the perfect spot for an ambush. He pulled the reins, slowing the horses.

Jorin tensed. "What is it?"

"Something's wrong," Cedric said. "Get ready."

Lila peered out from the carriage. "Are we stopping?"

Cedric shook his head. "No. Keep moving, but stay alert."

They entered the narrow pass. The moment they were deep enough inside, figures emerged from the rocks above and from the trees on both sides of the road. Bandits. At least ten of them, maybe more. Some held swords, others had bows.

One of them, a tall man with a scar across his cheek, stepped forward. "Alright," he said. "Drop your weapons, step out of the carriage, and maybe we won't kill you."

Cedric didn't move. His heart pounded, but his face remained calm. He had fought demons before, but this was different. These were humans. He would have to kill them to protect Jorin, Lila, and the kids.

He stepped down from the carriage. Jorin followed, hand on his weapon.

The bandit leader smirked. "Smart move."

Cedric looked at him. "Let us go, and you won't have to die."

The bandits laughed. One of them spoke. "Did you hear that? This kid thinks he can take all of us?"

The leader chuckled. "You've got guts. But that won't save you." He raised his hand. "Kill them."

The first bandit charged at Cedric. Cedric reacted instantly, drawing his sword and slashing. The blade cut deep, and the bandit collapsed.

The laughter stopped.

The bandit leader's eyes darkened. "Kill him!"

The fight began.

Jorin engaged two bandits at once, dodging their attacks and countering with quick slashes. Cedric, meanwhile, moved with deadly precision. He dodged an incoming strike, spun, and slashed another bandit across the chest. Blood sprayed onto the ground.

Lila grabbed the children and kept them inside the carriage, holding a dagger in case anyone got close.

An archer fired an arrow at Cedric. He barely dodged in time. Another bandit rushed at him with an axe. Cedric blocked with his sword, then shoved his attacker back and delivered a swift cut to the neck.

More bodies fell.

The bandit leader watched, eyes narrowing. He hadn't expected this. "Enough!" he growled. "Everyone, attack at once!"

Three bandits rushed Cedric at the same time. He barely managed to parry the first strike before dodging the second. The third bandit grabbed him from behind.

Cedric elbowed the man, spun, and drove his sword through his chest. He pulled it out just in time to block another attack. His movements were getting sharper, more instinctive. His heart raced, but his mind stayed cold.

This wasn't like fighting demons. These were humans. They bled, they screamed, they died just as easily.

Jorin finished off his last opponent and looked toward Cedric. "Behind you!"

Cedric turned just in time to block a heavy strike from the bandit leader. The force nearly knocked him off balance. The leader was stronger than the others.

"You should have surrendered," the leader growled, pressing down on Cedric's sword.

Cedric gritted his teeth and pushed back. He twisted his blade, breaking the leader's stance, then slashed across his chest.

The leader staggered. Blood dripped from the wound, but he didn't fall immediately. He looked at Cedric with wide eyes. "You..." he muttered.

Cedric didn't wait. He drove his sword into the leader's heart. The man gasped, then collapsed to the ground.

Silence followed.

The remaining bandits, seeing their leader dead, turned and fled into the woods.

Jorin exhaled, wiping sweat from his brow. "That was... intense."

Cedric stood still, staring at the body in front of him. His hands trembled slightly.

Jorin noticed. "Hey, you okay?"

Cedric didn't answer immediately. He had killed before, but only demons. This was different. He had killed a human. A man with thoughts, feelings, a life.

His grip on his sword tightened.

There was nothing else he could have done. If he had hesitated, they would all be dead.

Lila stepped out of the carriage, glancing at the bodies around them. She placed a hand on Cedric's arm. "It had to be done."

Cedric took a deep breath. "I know."

But that didn't make it easier.

He sheathed his sword and looked at the others. "Let's move."

They climbed back into the carriage. As the horses pulled them forward, Cedric sat silently, his thoughts heavy.

This was just the beginning.

From now on, he would have to kill again. And again.

There was no turning back.