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.

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

Silug extended his hand toward

channel his aura and he

Rumble.

started to

arms erupted in a darkish green glow that snaked forth like several snakes

long for

"Better."

and he was able

for long as his face once again turned solemn

There, a cell stood.

metal bars with small gaps in between, a dense rotting smell,

been

greeted when he

slightly greener-than-dark eyes 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 in

was none other than the

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

ongoing war, it has been hard for

room fell silent

whose head was hung low, slowly

to lose, aren't

voice echoed

upon hearing his words.

"We are."

was honest with his

no point

"I see..."

his head, his tone fading

this moment to

"I need your help."

words were straightforward, just like how orcs were. It was within their culture to go straight to the point instead of going at things in a roundabout

they were never the ones that shied away from asking for help from

trait that made them extremely

"...My help?"

again raised his

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

"Because of the people."

replied. His tone

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

once again descended on the room as Omolug quietly stared at

I

as

two figures continued staring at each other without saying anything. They

"So be it."

response didn't come long after

then stepped forward and pressed both hands against the

with now? So what if you betray me? I will die regardless of choices, if so, I will gladly gamble

Cre...aaak

muscles began to bulge and a creaking

take long for the bars to bend to

arrived before Omgolung in no

down on

people live, or will you allow our

***

situation looks quite

atop a hill to overlook our surroundings

extended, a bird gently paused on

her eyes for a brief moment before reopening them and looking

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