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.

darkness. Aside from that, he

against the ground, Silug extended his hand toward the right

he channel his aura and he pressed with much more

Rumble.

started to

glow that snaked forth like several snakes and connected with the wall, gliding along the bricks

for

"Better."

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

satisfied for long as his face once again turned solemn once he turned

There, a cell stood.

small gaps in between, a dense rotting smell,

has been a while,

when he

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

than

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

been hard for

fell silent

slowly raised

about to

and deep voice echoed out from

hearing his words. Nonetheless, he nodded

"We are."

honest with his

was no point

"I see..."

his head, his tone fading

took this moment to

"I need your help."

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

ones that shied away from asking for

this trait that made them

"...My help?"

once again raised his

help after all of these years have passed? What makes

"Because of the people."

replied. His tone contained unbounded

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

room as Omolug quietly stared at

if I

became very tense as

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

"So be it."

didn't come long after

forward and pressed both

if you betray me? I

Cre...aaak

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

bars to bend to the side,

arrived before Omgolung in no

knelt down on one knee and

me avert this calamity and help our people live,

***

looks quite

stood atop a hill to overlook our surroundings when I heard Ava's voice coming

her hand extended, a bird gently paused

moment before

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