40 John Died. (1/2)
As time went by fear continued to grow among the disciples. Soon the siege set in and the exterior formations were engaged. On the front line, there was endless fighting. One of the days found John visited by disciples from the library.
Thirty or so disciples from the library department rushed toward John. ”Gardener head, please help us!” they exclaimed as they saluted him.
John holds his hand up for silence. ”Calm down. What is it that you disciples need from me?” he inquired.
”The library head has gone missing for the past few days. Without him what can we do?” One of them asked nervously. ”Without a head to vouch for us they won't even send guards,” another added.
”So that old bastard ran away huh?” John said as he stroked his chin in contemplation. The disciples flinched at hearing their head degraded but they had no way to retort. ”Fine gather all those who wish to join us. Collect the gardening, plant, and basic cultivation books and bring them into my garden,” John commanded.
The disciples hesitated as they looked at each other. This was clearly against the rules. At this point though no one would miss these books. ”As you say Gardener head,” one of them replied. They bowed and then scurried off.
After a week of fighting outside the sect, the grand defensive formation had broken. John called for all the gardener and library disciples to gather in his garden. ”Today is the day. You all stay here you'll know when it's safe. Good luck!” John stated before closing and sealing the garden for the last time.
As he exited eight guard disciples at the obelisk stage ran over. They bow courteously and say ”Gardener head! We are here to aid in the defense of this location.”
John looks them over and nods. ”I'm glad that you all made it. I've had traps prepared, so we'll spread out among them,” John explains as he points out the locations.
They look around nervously. 'Even with traps, this mission is sure to be our deaths,' they thought.
John observed their shaking hands and smiles. He patted the closest on the shoulder. ”Ha, don't worry. You all should flee. There may still be a chance to escape. As for me, I have something to protect so I must stand my ground here,” John told the nervous soldiers.
The guards looked shocked at John. They sniffled some to hold back their tears. They then all bow deeply with resolve in their eyes. They no longer shook in fear but in anticipation. ”Gardener head! We too have something we must protect. I'm sorry we showed you such a pitiful sight,” one of them exclaimed.
John perplexed examined the changed disciples. 'I wonder what they have to protect? They're young, so it's probably a girl,' he decided ”Think nothing of it,” John said while laughing.
The guards prepared their weapons in their designated locations. 'I can't believe we looked down on the Gardener head because of his cultivation stage. It's just what you would expect from a veteran of the Lamenter war,' one of the guards thought to himself.
As they look out into the distance, they can already hear the fighting nearing. Some buildings are in flames showing the advance of the enemy. 'The plan won't work if I can't draw the attention of that punk. Hopefully, we can cause a big enough ruckus,' John thought as he looked into the distance.
As the enemies came into view, John stretched his arms and legs in preparation. He then produced the naginata that had dragged him through the war. 'I can't let them just barrage us from range. Our only hope is to pull them in to close combat,' he strategized.
His experience in the war had taught him that numbers win at range. While it may seem like they would be overwhelmed, he knew that with the traps they could hold pretty well. Even without the traps, only four or five people can effectively attack in hand to hand combat.
”I'm John the Gardener head and a veteran of the Lamenter war. I'm surprised you cowards dared to climb out of your hole. Is that prince of cowards Terry Lohkam hiding somewhere in the rear?” John taunted the oncoming wave of men.