“So, who’s going to die today?”

I clenched my jaw, my eyes narrowing at the sight unfolding before me. I hadn’t known they were going to invade. I hadn’t been prepared for the bloodshed that now left more than half our people dead. Distant screams could still be heard even when I tried to shut them out.

“How about you, little one?” His voice rang clear among the remaining survivors. We kneeled before him, and I pulled my eyes to the small boy he was talking to.

I heard a few gasps, but none stood to challenge the terrifying man. I stared at the young boy, no older than ten, and watched him sob. He gasped for breath, his head bowed in a silent plea.

The man, who I assumed was the general, leaned down closer.

“Do you want to die?” He asked, grinning.

The boy shook his head so violently, I worried his head would pop off. His timid voice carried over to me, and I struggled not to shed a tear:

“Please…please spare me. I beg you. I’ll give you anything.”

“And what do you have to offer?”

Silence followed.

I couldn’t take it anymore. I filled with rage. They weren’t going to break every single person. They weren’t going to kill them and break their spirits. I was their guardian, after all. These invaders should fear me.

I was weak, but still stronger than any mortal. As the general raised his sword, repeating the question, I stood.

His head cocked towards me, eyeing me up and down.

“I’ll be the payment.” My voice was powerful, carrying throughout the battlefield. I had given them a chance to retreat, long ago, and they decided not to take it. This time, I would not hold back.

The general sighed, walking towards me.

“You have nothing to offer.”

“I offer you a painless death. If you decide not to do that, I have an amazing selection of other possible deaths. Your choice.”

He laughed, his voice husky and annoyingly loud. I rolled my eyes.

“You have a sharp tongue, yet you have nothing to back those words.” He was within arms reach of me now.

I smiled coldly. He had no idea what was in store for him.

Before he could blink, I had grabbed his neck. I saw his blink of surprise before he brought the sword down. I caught it in my other, blood seeping out of my hand. The cut was all superficial anyway. Nothing to worry about.

When he noticed, he gasped.

“Monster,” he whispered.

I laughed.

“You wish.”