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.

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

Silug extended his

channel his aura and he pressed with much

Rumble.

started to

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

long for the darkness to

"Better."

brightly lit and he was able to get a good look at

as his face once again turned solemn once

There, a cell stood.

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

has been

he

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

than the

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 the peak

ongoing war, it has been hard for

silent for

whose head was hung low, slowly raised

about to

croaky and deep voice

face changed upon hearing his words. Nonetheless, he

"We are."

was honest with

no point in

"I see..."

lowered his head, his

took this moment

"I need your help."

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

prideful, they were never the ones that shied away

that made them

"...My help?"

once again raised his head,

these years have passed? What makes you think I will

"Because of the people."

His

don't have 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 survived will die, and

again descended on the room as Omolug

I betray

as a result

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

year make with now? So what if you betray me? I

Cre...aaak

his arms, Silug's muscles began to bulge and a creaking sound

didn't take long for the bars to bend to

before Omgolung

he knelt down on one knee

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

***

looks

overlook our surroundings when I heard Ava's voice

a bird gently paused on her

her eyes for a brief moment before reopening them

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