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, he could also hear a faint rhythmic breathing coming from the

large foot against the ground, Silug extended his hand toward the

his aura and

Rumble.

room started to

arms erupted in a darkish green glow that snaked forth

long for the darkness to

"Better."

satisfied once the room was brightly lit and he was able

for long as his face once again turned

There, a cell stood.

with small gaps in between, a dense rotting

been a

he faced

chained figure inside the cell. His features 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

other than the previous

who rivaled his strength, and the person whom he defeated in order to become the next chief in line.

has been hard for me

room fell silent for

slowly raised it till his eyes

about to lose,

voice echoed out

changed upon hearing his words. Nonetheless,

"We are."

was honest with

point in hiding

"I see..."

lowered his head, his tone fading a

this

"I need your help."

were straightforward, just like how orcs were. It was within their culture to go straight to the point instead

prideful, they were never the ones that shied away from

this trait that

"...My help?"

raised his head, blinking his

years have passed? What makes you think I

"Because of the people."

His

any longer than a year before the demons 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

on the room

if I betray

tense as a result of his

at each other without saying

"So be it."

didn't come long

both hands against

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

Cre...aaak

the bars apart with his arms, Silug's muscles began to bulge

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

Omgolung in no

a deep breath, he knelt down

people live, or will you allow our people

***

situation looks quite

to overlook our surroundings when I heard Ava's

hand extended, a bird gently paused on

eyes for a brief moment before

been overtaken by the demons. There doesn't seem to