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

extended his hand toward the right until he

channel his aura

Rumble.

room started to

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

take long for the darkness to

"Better."

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

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

There, a cell stood.

dense rotting smell,

has been a while,

he faced

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

than

defeated in order to become the next chief in line. Someone who used stand at the peak of

the ongoing war, it has been hard

fell silent for a

whose head was hung low, slowly raised it till his eyes

to

deep voice echoed out from his

his words. Nonetheless,

"We are."

honest with his

no point

"I see..."

his head, his

took this moment

"I need your help."

were. It was within their culture to go straight to the point instead of going at things in a roundabout

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

this trait that made them extremely

"...My help?"

again raised his head, blinking

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

"Because of the people."

replied. His

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 we will be nothing

the room as

if I betray

as a result of

each other

"So be it."

come long

pressed both hands against the thick metal

with now? So what if you betray me? I will die regardless

Cre...aaak

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

long for the bars to bend to the

Omgolung

a deep breath, he knelt down on one

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

***

looks quite

overlook our surroundings when

bird gently paused on

her eyes for a brief moment before reopening

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