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.

see at the moment was an endless darkness. Aside from that, he could also hear a faint rhythmic breathing coming from

ground, Silug extended his hand

his aura and he

Rumble.

room started

and muscular arms erupted in a darkish green glow that snaked forth like several snakes and connected with the wall, gliding along the bricks and illuminating the

long for

"Better."

brightly lit and he was able to get a

face once again turned

There, a cell stood.

with small gaps in between, a dense rotting smell, and long chains that

has been a while,

he faced

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

was none other than the previous orcen chief,

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

war, it has been hard for

silent for

whose head was hung low, slowly raised

to lose,

and deep voice echoed out from his

his words. Nonetheless, he nodded

"We are."

was honest

point

"I see..."

lowered his head, his tone fading

took this moment to

"I need your help."

within their culture to go straight to the point

that shied away from asking

this trait that made

"...My help?"

once again raised his head, blinking

these years have passed? What makes you think I will help

"Because of the people."

calmly replied. His tone contained

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

again descended on the room as Omolug quietly stared at

if I

as

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

"So be it."

response didn't come long after

both hands against the thick metal

you betray me? I will die regardless of choices, if so, I will gladly gamble on this

Cre...aaak

Silug's muscles began to bulge and a creaking sound echoed

long for the bars to bend

Omgolung in no

breath, he knelt down on one knee and extended

join my hand and help me avert this calamity and help our people live, or

***

situation looks quite

hill to overlook our surroundings

a bird

brief moment

does not look good. Most of the land has already been overtaken by the demons. There doesn't