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.

an endless darkness. Aside from that,

his hand toward the

channel his aura and

Rumble.

started to

Silug's thick, and muscular arms erupted in a darkish green glow that snaked forth

didn't take long for the darkness

"Better."

and he was able to get a good look at his

for long as his face once again turned

There, a cell stood.

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

been

he faced

cell. His features were somewhat hidden by long white hair that covered his face and muscles that were only half as large as

none other than the previous orcen chief,

his strength, and the person whom he defeated in order to become the next chief

war, it has been hard for me

silent for

head was hung low, slowly raised it till his eyes met

about to

deep voice echoed out from his

upon hearing his words. Nonetheless, he

"We are."

was honest with

no point in hiding

"I see..."

head, his tone fading

this moment to

"I need your help."

to

prideful, they were never the ones that shied away

that made

"...My help?"

again raised his head,

my help after all of these years have passed? What makes

"Because of the people."

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 rotting

once again descended on the room as Omolug quietly

if I betray

very tense as a

figures continued staring at each other without saying

"So be it."

come long after

both hands against the thick

I will die regardless of choices, if

Cre...aaak

Silug's muscles began

long for the bars to bend to the side, allowing Silug to

arrived before Omgolung

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

my hand and help me avert this calamity and help our people live, or will you allow our people to die knowing

***

situation looks quite

a hill to overlook our surroundings when I heard Ava's voice coming from

hand extended, a bird gently paused on

her eyes for a brief moment before reopening them and looking at

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