The Author's POV

A castle was perched alone atop a cliff, surrounded on all sides by tiny towns. It had been standing there for many centuries, heavily worn out from the times.

With some mismatched towers and asymmetrical designs, it had a fairly crude appearance. Even yet, it did not lessen the imposing impression it left.

But in contrast to its imposing exterior, it was completely empty inside.

In a large hall where large banners cascaded down the sides and a large throne sat at the far end, a meeting was taking place.

"...We've lost ground. The demons will reach the city within the next year."

The orc kneeled down on one foot.

"One year?"

A low, solemn voice filled the room.

"How long will our supplies last?"

"Five years. Supplies aren't a problem."

"...I see."

Silence descended on the room.

It was only after a while that the voice once again echoed.

"You may leave."

"...Understood, Chief."

Standing on two feet, the orc thumped his chest once and left the hall.

Silug kept his gaze locked on the orc until he left the hall. Once he left, only his presence and pressure filled the room.

"Forty years..."

Today marked the fortieth year that he had been the orcen chief. The path wasn't simple. He only succeeded in becoming chief by pure luck. Had it not been for that human that had helped him many years ago, none of this would've been possible.

He was then able to prevent the orcs from losing the conflict and forcing a stalemate with the demons.

Unfortunately, it didn't look like this deadlock would last much longer. The demons proved to be far too powerful for them to handle, and the orcs were overwhelmed by the lack of reinforcements, losing more than three-fourths of their forces during the course of the previous ten years.

"There might be a way."

Thump.

Silug pressed his foot against the hard ground.

Immediately, the hall trembled and a shockwave pulsed in an outward manner. Cracks began to form beneath the throne as Silug slowly stood up from the throne.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

The cracks quickly became larger, and the throne behind him began to slant into one of them. Soon after, a hole started to appear, and the throne sank into it.

Silug stepped toward the black hole where the chair fell and he similarly fell.

Thump.

His feet crashed against the earth as rocks raced past him after he fell directly down the hole for more than ten seconds.

"...It's dark."

His voice echoed throughout the dark space.

Aside from that, he

foot against the ground, Silug extended his hand toward the right until

channel his aura and he pressed with

Rumble.

room started

darkish green glow that snaked forth like several snakes and connected with the wall, gliding along the bricks and illuminating

long for the darkness

"Better."

brightly lit and he was able to get a good look at his

face once again turned solemn once he turned around to face a certain

There, a cell stood.

small gaps in between, a dense rotting smell, and

has been a

greeted when he faced the

the chained figure inside the cell. His features were somewhat hidden by long white hair that covered his face and muscles that

none other than

in Immorra who rivaled his strength, and the person whom he defeated in order to become the next chief in line. Someone who used stand

been hard for me

room fell silent for

low, slowly raised it till his eyes met

to lose,

deep voice echoed out from

face changed upon hearing his words. Nonetheless, he nodded

"We are."

was honest with

no point in

"I see..."

his head, his

this moment to

"I need your help."

It was within their culture to go straight to the point instead of going at things in a roundabout

never the ones that shied away from

that

"...My help?"

once again raised his head, blinking his languid

have passed? What makes you think I will

"Because of the people."

calmly replied. His tone contained unbounded

by then, nothing happens, we will go extinct from this planet. All of the orcs that have survived will die, and we will be nothing but

descended on the room as Omolug

I

very tense as a result

staring at each other without

"So be it."

response didn't come long

and pressed both hands against the thick metal

So what if you betray me? I will die regardless

Cre...aaak

the bars apart with his arms, Silug's muscles began to bulge and a

to bend to the side, allowing Silug to step

before Omgolung in

knelt down on one knee and extended

calamity and help our people live, or will you allow our people to die

***

situation looks

overlook our surroundings when

bird gently paused on her

a brief moment before reopening them

the land has already been overtaken by the demons. There doesn't seem to be any orcs