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.

endless darkness. Aside from that, he could also hear a faint rhythmic

ground, Silug extended his hand

channel his aura and he

Rumble.

room started

darkish green glow that snaked forth like several snakes and

take long for the darkness

"Better."

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

long as his face once again turned solemn once he turned

There, a cell stood.

dense rotting

has been

when he faced the

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

than the previous orcen chief,

Immorra who rivaled his strength, and the person whom he defeated in order to

it has been hard

room fell silent

was hung low, slowly raised it till

to lose, aren't

croaky and deep voice echoed

face changed upon hearing his words. Nonetheless, he nodded his

"We are."

was honest

was no point in

"I see..."

his head, his tone fading

took this moment

"I need your help."

were. It was within their culture to go straight to

ones that shied away from

was this trait that

"...My help?"

raised his head, blinking his

of these years have passed? What makes you think I will

"Because of the people."

calmly replied. His tone

by then, nothing happens, we will go extinct from this planet.

again descended on the room as Omolug quietly

if I betray

became very tense as

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

"So be it."

didn't come long after

stepped forward and pressed both hands against the thick

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

Cre...aaak

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

didn't take long for the bars to bend to the side, allowing Silug to step

before Omgolung in no

breath, he knelt down on one knee

hand and help me avert this calamity and help our people live, or will you allow our people to die knowing that

***

situation looks

our surroundings when I heard

her hand extended, a bird gently paused

brief moment before reopening them

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