Chapter 15: Remembering Dead

The aftermath of that brutal night weighed heavily on all of us. The sight of my fallen comrades haunted my thoughts, but I couldn't let my emotions show. I had to play my part, pretend to be just another knight grieving for his fallen brothers and sisters.

Azure, Iro, and I stood together, surrounded by the somber faces of the surviving knights. Hadrian, the camp captain, spoke words of remembrance, but I could hardly listen. My mind was already racing with plans and strategies, all while hiding the darkness that lurked within me.

As the day wore on, preparations were made to return to the main camp. The fallen knights would be brought back with us, and I knew that I had to keep up my act, and hide the malevolence that churned inside me.

My injured hand throbbed, the pain a constant reminder of my encounter with Newbie. But I couldn't let the pain show, not in front of Azure and the others. They had to believe in my loyalty, my dedication to the unit.

As the others mourned, I couldn't help but feel a sense of detachment. I had no true connection to them, no real emotions. I played the part of the grieving comrade.

The cries of my fellow knights echoed outside the infirmary as the cremation of the fallen began. I lay on the bed, my body sore from the burns and the battle, but my mind was surprisingly clear. Those fools mourned their fallen comrades, but I couldn't care less. I was quite pleased with the outcome; there were fewer knights to bother me now.

I could hear Captain Azure's voice, strong and steady, as she addressed the surviving members of our unit. Her words were meant to rally them, to strengthen their resolve, but they fell on deaf ears as far as I was concerned. All I cared about was when I could get back to my mission.

I had a role to play, a part to perform, and no one needed to suspect the truth.

As the flames consumed the bodies of my former comrades, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement.

Captain Azure's voice reached my ears again, and I strained to listen. She was speaking to Iro now, her words low and earnest. They were discussing the next course of action, the hunt for the dire wolf, and Iro's role in leading the unit.

I smirked to myself. Iro was a loyal and capable knight, but she lacked the cunning and ruthlessness that I possessed. She was too noble, too predictable.

I had no loyalty to this camp or its people. My only loyalty was to myself and my freedom. And if that meant destroying everything in my path, so be it.

I could see the cracks forming in the unity of the unit, the doubts and suspicions creeping in.

Amid the chaos, Captain Azure remained a steady and strong presence. She was a formidable leader, but even she was not immune to the webs I spun. I could see the doubt in her eyes, the uncertainty clouding her judgment.

I lay on the infirmary bed, my mind still reeling from the events of the last night. The pain in my hand was a constant reminder of my encounter with Newbie. But I had to be careful, for my survival depended on it. Azure and the others believed me to be one of them, a loyal knight mourning the loss of my comrades. I knew that I had to find the other infiltrator and eliminate them before they jeopardized my mission.

Alexis," Azure's voice broke through my thoughts, and I opened my eyes to see her standing there, concern etched on her face. "How are you feeling?"

I forced a stoic expression, my voice dry as I replied, "I'll survive. It's just a flesh wound."

"We lost our siblings last night," she said somberly. "We need to stay strong and vigilant. The danger is still out there."

I nodded in agreement, my mind already racing with plans to root out the other infiltrator. I couldn't let anyone jeopardize my mission, not when I was so close to gaining my freedom.

I lay in pain on the infirmary bed, my body still sore from the burns and the battle. As I pretended to rest, I kept a watchful eye on my surroundings. I couldn't afford to let my guard down, not even for a moment.

As the evening sun cast its dying rays over the camp, I heard footsteps approaching. It was Vedrant, another knight of the camp, and one of the few who treated Azure with genuine kindness. As the night settled in, Azure finally succumbed to exhaustion, her eyes heavy with fatigue. She settled into a nearby chair, her body tense with the weight of her responsibilities.

"Grace," Vedrant's voice carried a mixture of concern and affection as he addressed her. "How are you holding up?"

Azure's response was measured, her voice steady despite the weight of recent events. "I'm fine, Vedrant. We need to focus on the task at hand."

Vedrant nodded, but I could see the worry in his eyes. "I understand, but you can't carry the burden alone. We're all here for you."

Azure's gaze softened, and for a moment, I glimpsed a vulnerability that she rarely showed to others. "Thank you, Vedrant. Your support means a lot to me."

Vedrant stepped closer, his hand reaching out to touch her shoulder. "We'll get through this together, Grace. I promise."

As they exchanged these words, I found myself observing them with detached interest. Vedrant was a fool, blinded by his loyalty and affection for Azure.

I decided to make my presence known, not wanting to miss an opportunity to sow further discord. "I'll survive," I interjected dryly, my voice harsh and brutish as usual. "It's just a flesh wound."

Vedrant turned to me, concern etched on his face. "Glad to hear that you're holding up, Alexis," he said, trying to sound reassuring.

I smirked, unable to resist the temptation to provoke him further. "Of course, I'm holding up. A mere scratch won't bring me down."

Vedrant's eyes narrowed, but he refrained from saying anything more. He turned back to Azure, concern still evident in his gaze.

"You should get some rest too, Vedrant," Azure said, her voice softening slightly. "We all need our strength for the days ahead."

Vedrant hesitated for a moment before nodding. "You're right, Grace. Take care of yourself as well."

I decided not to speak to them laying dormant, knowing that my next move had to be precise. "You're carrying the weight of this camp on your shoulders, Grace," Vedrant added, feigning sympathy.

She glanced at me, her eyes guarded. "It's my duty," she replied simply.

"Duty or not, it's taking a toll on you," Vedrant said, hugging Grace. "You can't carry everyone's burdens."

Azure sighed, her exhaustion evident in every line of her face. "I know, but I have to stay strong. The camp relies on me."

Vedrant leaned in closer, his voice low and calm. "You can't do it all alone, Grace. You need someone you can trust."

As Vedrant continued to comfort Azure, I listened to their hushed conversation, feigning sleep. Azure's voice trembled with emotion as she spoke, her self-blame evident in her words.

"I should have done more," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I should have protected them. It's my fault they're gone."

Vedrant's arms tightened around her, offering a sense of solace and understanding. "Grace, you did everything you could," he said softly. "No one could have foreseen what happened. We're all grieving, but you can't carry the weight of their loss alone."

Azure's shoulders shook slightly as she held back tears.

"How? I can be such a coward, I ran away.

And those got.

Ha... Huff. Huff

got killed, I am their killer. I have no place to go,

I was their captain, Vedrant. It was my responsibility to keep them safe and I don't if I am even capable of anything or I am being just a burden"

Vedrant pulled her closer, his voice gentle and soothing.

"No is being a burden and especially not you Grace alone in this,

Grace you should realize this We are a team, and we'll get through this together. Lean on me, lean on the others. We'll share the burden."

Azure's defenses seemed to crumble, and she allowed herself to lean into Vedrant's embrace, seeking comfort in his presence. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

Vedrant simply held her, providing the support she needed in that moment of vulnerability. I watched them, a flicker of envy igniting within me. How pathetic they were, seeking comfort in each other's arms, believing in the strength of their bond.

They were fools, blind to the true nature of the world. Trusting others was a weakness, a vulnerability that could be exploited. And I, Alexis, reveled in that knowledge.

As they remained entwined in each other's arms, Vedrant eventually suggested they step outside, to get some fresh air and take a break from the heavy atmosphere of the infirmary. Azure hesitated for a moment before finally agreeing.

"Alright," she said, wiping a tear from her eye. "Let's go for a walk then."

With that, they left the infirmary, leaving me to my thoughts. I continued to pretend to be asleep, even adding a soft snore for effect. I pretended to be asleep, laying there dormant.