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 that, he

his hand toward the

his aura and he pressed with much

Rumble.

started

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

for the

"Better."

and

again turned solemn once he turned around to

There, a cell stood.

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

been

when he faced

hair that covered his face and muscles that were only half as large as they had once

than the previous

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

ongoing war, it has been

room fell silent for a

slowly raised it till his eyes met

about to lose, aren't

voice echoed out

upon hearing his words. Nonetheless, he nodded

"We are."

was honest with

point in

"I see..."

his

this moment to

"I need your help."

was within their culture to

they were never the ones that shied away from

that

"...My help?"

once again raised his head, blinking his languid

for my help after all of these years have passed?

"Because of the people."

calmly replied. His

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

once again descended on the room as Omolug quietly stared at

I betray

tense as a

continued staring at each other without saying anything. They seemed

"So be it."

didn't come

then stepped forward and pressed both

So what if you betray me? I will die

Cre...aaak

bars apart with his arms, Silug's muscles began to bulge and a creaking sound echoed

the bars to bend

before Omgolung in

down on one knee and extended his

calamity and help our people live, or will you allow our

***

situation looks

to overlook our surroundings when I heard

extended, a bird

eyes for a brief moment before reopening them and

land has already been overtaken by the demons.