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.

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

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

then did he channel his aura and he pressed with

Rumble.

room started

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

for the

"Better."

once the room was brightly lit and he was able to get a good look at

his face once again turned solemn

There, a cell stood.

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

been a while,

greeted when he faced

by long white hair that covered his face and muscles that were only half as large

than the previous

orc in Immorra who rivaled his strength, and the person whom he defeated in order to become the

war, it has been hard for

room fell silent for a

was hung low, slowly raised it till

about to

croaky and deep voice echoed out from

hearing his words. Nonetheless, he nodded

"We are."

honest with his

was no point in hiding

"I see..."

his head, his tone

this moment

"I need your help."

was within their culture to go straight to the point instead of going at things in

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

that made

"...My help?"

raised his head,

years have passed? What makes you think I will help

"Because of the people."

His tone contained

have any longer than a year before the demons arrive. If by then, nothing happens, we will go extinct from this planet. All of the

descended on the room as

if I

mood became very tense as a result of

two figures continued staring at each other

"So be it."

didn't come

then stepped forward and pressed both hands against the

will one year make with now? So what if you betray me? I

Cre...aaak

Silug's muscles began to

to bend to the side, allowing Silug to

arrived before Omgolung in

breath, he knelt down on one knee

hand and help me avert this calamity and help our people live, or will you allow our

***

looks

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

her hand extended, a bird

moment

overtaken by the demons. There doesn't