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.

the moment was an endless darkness. Aside from that, he could also hear a

his large foot against the ground, Silug extended his hand toward the right until he felt a rough

aura and he pressed

Rumble.

room started to

darkish green glow that snaked forth like several snakes and connected with the

take long for the darkness to

"Better."

was left satisfied once the room was brightly lit and he was able to get

satisfied for long as his face once again turned solemn once he turned around to face

There, a cell stood.

rotting smell, and

been a

when he

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

other than

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

war, it has been hard for me to

room fell silent for

head was hung low, slowly raised it till his eyes

about to

voice

his words. Nonetheless,

"We are."

was honest with his

was no point

"I see..."

his head, his tone

this moment to

"I need your help."

It was within their culture to go straight

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

trait that made

"...My help?"

raised his

after all of these years have passed?

"Because of the people."

His

arrive. If 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

on the room as Omolug quietly stared at

I

became very tense as a result of

moment, the two figures continued staring at each other without saying anything.

"So be it."

come

then stepped forward and pressed both hands against

betray me? I will die

Cre...aaak

apart with his arms, Silug's muscles began to

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

Omgolung in

a deep breath, he knelt down on one knee and extended

people live, or will you allow our people to die knowing that you could've

***

looks quite

to overlook our surroundings when I heard Ava's voice

bird gently paused on

her eyes for a brief moment before reopening them and looking

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