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.

he could see at the moment was an endless darkness. Aside

against the ground, Silug extended his hand toward the

channel his aura and he pressed

Rumble.

started to

glow that snaked forth like several

didn't take long for the darkness to

"Better."

brightly lit and he was able to get a

wasn't satisfied for long as his face once again turned solemn once he turned around to face a

There, a cell stood.

gaps in between, a dense rotting smell, and long chains that were connected to the

has been a while,

greeted when he faced

slightly greener-than-dark eyes fixed on the chained figure inside the cell. His features were somewhat hidden by long white hair that covered his face and muscles that were only half as large as they had once been, but nonetheless, the figure still bore a striking resemblance to the figure he knew

was none other than the previous orcen chief,

the person whom he defeated in order to become the next chief in line. Someone who used stand

the ongoing war, it has been hard for

silent for a

low, slowly raised it till

about to lose, aren't

croaky and deep voice echoed out

upon hearing his

"We are."

honest

point in

"I see..."

lowered his head, his tone

took this

"I need your help."

straightforward, just like how orcs were. It was within their culture to go straight to the

they were never the ones that shied away from asking for help

that

"...My help?"

once again raised his head, blinking his languid

these years have

"Because of the people."

replied. His tone contained

from this planet. All of the orcs that have survived will die, and we

once again descended on the room as

I betray

very tense as

staring at each other without

"So be it."

didn't come

both hands against

now? So what if you betray me? I will

Cre...aaak

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

didn't take long for the bars to bend to the side, allowing

Omgolung in no

deep breath, he knelt down on

join my hand and help me avert this calamity and help our people

***

looks quite

our surroundings

hand extended, a bird gently paused on

her eyes for a brief moment before

been overtaken by the demons. There doesn't seem