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 from that, he

extended his hand

his aura and he pressed with much

Rumble.

started to

snaked forth like several

take long for the

"Better."

brightly lit and he was able to get

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

There, a cell stood.

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

has been a

he faced

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 in

none other than

in order to become the next chief in line. Someone who used

ongoing war, it has been hard for me

room fell silent for a

head was hung low, slowly raised it till his eyes

to lose,

deep voice echoed out from

upon hearing his words. Nonetheless, he nodded his

"We are."

was honest

point in hiding

"I see..."

his head, his

this moment to

"I need your help."

like how orcs were. It was within their culture to go straight to

the ones that shied away from asking for help

that made them

"...My help?"

his head, blinking his languid

years have passed? What

"Because of the people."

replied. His tone contained

a year before the demons arrive. If by then, nothing happens, we will go extinct from this planet. All of the orcs that have survived

descended on the room as Omolug

I betray

tense as a result of his

the next moment, the two figures continued staring at each other without saying anything. They seemed to be gaging

"So be it."

didn't come

then stepped forward and pressed both hands against

me? I will

Cre...aaak

with his arms, Silug's muscles began

for the bars to bend to the

Omgolung in no

he knelt down on one knee and

this calamity and help our people live, or will you allow our people to die knowing that you could've

***

situation looks quite

surroundings when

hand extended, a bird gently

for a brief moment before reopening them and

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