As the sun hovered directly above our heads, a thick silence blanketed the forest. The leaves rustled slightly in the wind, but soon that subtle noise was drowned out by the sound of heavy, synchronized footsteps. From between the trees, the orcs appeared.
In front stood the Orc Guards—tall, muscular beings with hardened gazes and long spears gripped tightly in their hands. Behind them loomed four imposing figures: the Orc Warriors. But my eyes were drawn past them, locking onto the figure who marched behind the four. Taller than any of them. He wore gleaming armor, his long hair brushing against the metal plating. A brutal scar cut across his face, a badge of survival and war.
Suddenly, the orc guards halted. A single orc stepped forward, walking with a thundering presence. He stopped halfway between our warriors and their forces.
With a thunderous voice, he screamed, "Humans! If you don't want to die, then surrender! We are not here to hunt you down, but to give you the honor of working under our great orc race! Throw your weapons and bow down to us!"
As I heard this announcement, I couldn't contain my rage. They want us to be their slaves? My grip tightened around a nearby spear. The weapon hummed with sharp golden aura as I ran forward, hurling it like a javelin. It cut through the air with a vicious howl and pierced straight into the orc messenger's face.
A sickening crunch followed. A gaping hole appeared where his features used to be. He fell, lifeless. The orcs' faces contorted with rage. But in some of their eyes—a flicker of fear.
My eyes met those of the tallest orc—Commander Giserk. We locked gazes, and it was as if words passed silently between us.
On the orc side:
Orc Warrior 1 growled, "Damn those humans! How can they attack us like this?!"
Orc Warrior 2 clenched his fists. "They are now wielding weapons like us. This is not good."
Orc Warrior 3 sneered, baring his tusks. "Ha! Even if they have weapons, they're still human. I will tear their limbs apart and eat their children! Hahaha!"
Orc Warrior 4 frowned. "Don't say that. This doesn't make our situation any better. They look different than the humans we've met. I… I have a bad feeling about this."
Orc Warrior 1 spat. "Ginter, you coward! You joined those weak orcs who believe we should live in harmony with other species. You're mentally weak!"
Orc Warrior 4 retorted, "I'm not saying this because I'm weak. Just look at them. Don't you feel something different? And why fight other races who wish for peace?"
Orc Warrior 3 snarled, "Ginter, you coward. You don't deserve to be a warrior!"
"You--!" Ginter stepped forward, his hand twitching.
Suddenly, a chilling voice cut through their argument. "Enough."
The voice belonged to the tall orc. Commander Giserk. The Orc Warriors immediately straightened and turned.
Orc Warrior 1 spoke, "Commander Giserk, the humans' actions show they have no will to accept our demand. We must teach them a lesson!"
Orc Warrior 3 agreed, growling, "We must show them what happens when you defy the orcs!"
Orc Warrior 2 nodded, "I will follow whatever you command, Commander Giserk."
Orc Warrior 4 hesitated. "I think we must try to work together with humans to achieve our goals, not enslave them."
All eyes turned to Orc Warrior 4. He lowered his head in defiance of their stares.
Commander Giserk finally spoke. "Humans refused our mercy. Then we must destroy their strength so they will never go against us. You four—charge with the Orc Guards and kill them all."
The first three Orc Warriors smirked. "Yes, Commander."
The fourth one, Ginter, responded with a dissatisfied face, "Yes, Commander."
Orc Warrior 1 asked, "Commander Giserk, are you joining us?"
Giserk's voice was low and commanding. "No. I am going to eliminate the biggest threat the humans have right now."
He began moving toward the far side of the battlefield.
The four Orc Warriors raised their weapons and roared in unison, "Charge and destroy those fickle humans!"
On the human side:
As the Orc Guards charged, I turned to Cortes.
"Cortes, lead our warriors."
"Chief, are you sure? Where are you going?!"
I looked ahead at the looming figure of Commander Giserk. "My battle is elsewhere. I must win that fight for our survival. So Cortes, you must win too—for survival."
I broke away, heading toward the side of the battlefield.
Cortes stood firm. "Everyone, in formation!"
Every warrior raised their shield, walking forward in tight unison. The tension was palpable. Sweat glistened on brows. Hearts thundered. The Orc Guards, roaring with confidence, charged straight toward them.
They believed they could crush the humans with brute strength alone.
As the first wave of Orc Guards reached us, their spears smashed into our shields. They expected our formation to collapse. But the humans held firm.
Their eyes widened in disbelief.
Then came the counterattack. With swift precision, the human warriors thrust forward, their spears piercing through orc chests. Screams erupted. The front line of orcs faltered.
From the flanks, female warriors charged in, surrounding the orcs in a brutal pincer. The air rang with the cries of battle and the scent of blood.
Human warriors cheered, "HUAH!"
The advantage was ours.
But it didn't last long.
Orc Warrior 3 raised his aura-infused blade and slammed it into the Spartan formation. The impact was immense, forcing a gap into the shield wall. Some Spartans stumbled back.
Cortes didn't hesitate. He rushed to intercept Orc Warrior 3.
They clashed. Cortes released his golden aura, charging with his spear.
Orc Warrior 3 blocked the strike, sneering. "Human, you look fun to kill!"
With a powerful push, he knocked Cortes back.
Meanwhile, Orc Warrior 1 ravaged the Viking formation, cutting down several female warriors. Amelia rushed forward, her face tight with pain and fury.
She spotted the fallen comrades, and her eyes burned with a promise of vengeance.
"I will kill you and cut you into a thousand pieces!"
Orc Warrior 1 grinned, "So humans are getting cocky now."
Elsewhere, scouts led Orc Warrior 2 into the forest, baiting him away from the field. The orc followed, thinking the humans were planning a rear ambush.
Farther out, Orc Warrior 4 encountered Dries. The two stood locked in a deadly stare.
And finally, on a quiet edge of the battlefield—Commander Giserk and I came face to face.
The war had begun.