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

ground, Silug extended his hand

his aura and he pressed with much

Rumble.

started

forth like several snakes

long for the darkness

"Better."

room was brightly lit and he was able to get

wasn't satisfied for long as his face once again turned solemn

There, a cell stood.

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

been a

greeted when he faced the

fixed on the 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 still bore a striking resemblance to the figure he knew

was none other than

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

ongoing war, it has been

room fell silent for a

whose head was hung low, slowly raised it

to

and deep voice echoed

his words. Nonetheless, he

"We are."

was honest with his

was no point

"I see..."

his tone fading

took this moment to

"I need your help."

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

that shied away from asking for help from

trait that made

"...My help?"

raised his head, blinking his

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

room as Omolug

I betray

mood became very tense as a result of his

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

"So be it."

didn't come long

both hands against the

I will die regardless of choices, if so, I will gladly gamble

Cre...aaak

arms, Silug's muscles began to

take long for the bars to bend

arrived before Omgolung

he knelt down on

and help our people live,

***

looks quite

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

her hand extended, a bird gently paused on her

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

has already been overtaken by the demons.