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.

thing he could see at the moment was an endless darkness. Aside from that, he could also hear a faint rhythmic breathing coming from the

the ground, Silug extended his hand toward the right until

then did he channel his aura

Rumble.

room started

arms erupted in a darkish green glow that snaked forth like several snakes and connected with the wall, gliding along the bricks

take long for

"Better."

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

satisfied for long as his face once again turned solemn once he turned around to face a

There, a cell stood.

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

has been a while,

when he faced

features were somewhat hidden by long white hair that covered his face and muscles that were only half

than the

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

war, it has been

room fell silent

low, slowly

to lose,

and deep voice echoed

changed upon hearing his words. Nonetheless, he

"We are."

honest

no point in hiding

"I see..."

lowered his head, his tone

took this moment to

"I need your help."

culture to go straight

that shied away from asking

trait that made them extremely

"...My help?"

raised his

for my help after all of these years have passed? What makes you think

"Because of the people."

His

from this

on the room as Omolug quietly stared

I betray

mood became very tense as a

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

"So be it."

response didn't come long after

stepped forward and pressed both hands against the thick

year make with now? So what if you betray me? I will die regardless of choices, if

Cre...aaak

apart with his arms, Silug's muscles began

bars to bend to the side, allowing Silug

arrived before Omgolung in

he knelt down on one

me avert this calamity and help our people live, or will you allow our

***

situation looks

atop a hill to overlook our surroundings when I

her hand extended, a bird gently paused

eyes for a brief moment before

of the land has already been overtaken by the demons.