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 could also hear a faint rhythmic breathing coming from the

foot against the ground, Silug extended his hand toward the right until he

then did he channel his aura and he

Rumble.

started to

process, Silug's thick, and muscular arms erupted in a darkish green glow that snaked forth like several snakes and connected with the wall, gliding along the

take long for the darkness

"Better."

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

his face once again turned

There, a cell stood.

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

has been a while,

greeted when he faced the

and muscles that were only half as large as they had once been, but nonetheless, the figure still bore a striking

was none other than the previous

and the person whom he defeated in order to become the next chief in line. Someone

ongoing war, it has been hard for

silent for

was hung low, slowly raised it till his eyes

about to lose, aren't

croaky and deep voice echoed

hearing his words. Nonetheless, he nodded his

"We are."

was honest

point in

"I see..."

head, his

this moment

"I need your help."

were straightforward, just like how orcs were. It was within their culture to go straight to the point instead of going at things in a

never the ones that shied away from asking

trait that

"...My help?"

his head, blinking

years have passed?

"Because of the people."

His tone contained

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 corpses and

the room as Omolug

I betray

as a result of

next moment, the 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

forward and pressed both hands against

So what if you betray me? I will die regardless of choices, if so,

Cre...aaak

Silug's muscles began to bulge and a

for the bars to bend

arrived before Omgolung

deep breath, he knelt down on one knee and extended

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

***

looks quite

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

extended, a bird gently paused on her

closed her eyes for a brief moment before

situation does not look good. Most of the land has already been overtaken by