***MASS RELEASE CHAP***
—-
***Author Note***
Hey! The main reason for this author note is to inform all of my readers of a recent technical error in my chaps.
You may have noticed the publishing hours recently have been all over the place. This is not because of a shortage of Chapters, so I’d like to clarify that firstly.
The reason why is because an informant told me that some Chapters may be published under a specific word count. After their immense verification and trust in their words, I decided to try it out.
But I have discovered that this "new rule" is not in place and that the word count for Chapters are still the normal amount.
Moving forward, all Chapters will be the same length as before (unless extra long).
Sorry for the delay and miscommunication. This disclaimer will be in all of the shortened Chapters.
To make up for it, there will be an extra Chapter release tomorrow!
—-
Dorhals eyes flew slightly wider on hearing his brother’s plan.
"Foolish... selfish!" He said. Despite knowing he was not the one in control here, he couldn’t help but voice his opinion. "This plan of yours could lead to the death of all the orcs! You have been locked up too long... You have forgotten the value of life itself!"
Before Dormon could even reply, Dorhal turned and exited the room.
"I swear..." Dorhal said in a low tone as he stormed out. "I don’t care what I have to do, or how far I must go. I will see to it that my kin prosper!"
His words sounded powerful and filled with hope. "I will not let the fate of my kind dwindle into nothingness!" He shouted.
Both Bzzrt and Dormon understood the silent threat that arose underneath all of that.
"Hmph!" Dormon replied, "Go and do what you please! I am king... my orcs have been living in harmony for centuries under my rule. I will continue to lead our armies to fruition."
Dorhal ignored his brother and left. He couldn’t hear another word out of Dormon’s mouth.
’I have led our armies in the past two decades, while you have cowered in fear. Another foolish statement like that, and I won’t be able to contain myself even against you.’ Dorhal said inwardly with built-up rage as he exited the scene.
"You!" Dormon shouted toward Bzzrt. Just then, a clump of chains flew from the opposite side of the chamber and instantly enveloped the mosquito king.
The chains seemed to move on their own. It was clear that Dormon’s Absolute Dominator ability was no bluff.
Bzzrt was chained promptly and tightly, rendered immobile, and tied to a pillar.
"If you don’t wish to lose a limb... tell me exactly what forces Midas has, and also what forces he means to bring to our meeting," Dormon said with a grin.
"Ergh..." Bzzrt grunted in pain and discomfort. He slowly raised his gaze to meet the orc’s. "You think... I haven’t prepared for a situation like this? Don’t take me for a child, Dormon." He said in a low tone.
Dormon’s eyebrows furrowed with confusion. "What? How could you possibly prepare for this? Do you intend to bluff your way out of here?" The orc replied.
Bzzrt smirked, his mandible starting to shake slightly.
His body gleamed in a red glow, as if a red light were inside his exoskeleton.
Without warning, he spat out a large amount of Blood Essence onto the floor.
The air all around him suddenly exploded into flame, blocking Dormon’s vision.
When the flame dissipated, Bzzrt was no longer there. He had disappeared completely.
"What!?" Dormon shouted, running forward, "There is only one exit, you bug! Even if you are hiding, you can not--" He cut himself off from finishing his sentence.
He saw a blast of flame combust in the air outside the gates of the stone mansion.
"He’s gone..." Dormon said, "Tsk..." He clicked his teeth, turning, "Whatever. I didn’t need him anyway. I will deal with this situation by myself. That should be plenty anyway." He scoffed.
Soon, night began to fall.
The orc population mostly remained encased within their homes, blocked by stone.
Dorhal worked with those who were still available to help, freeing as many of their kin from blocked passages in the mountains and underground.
While doing everything in his power to help the orcs, he couldn’t help but be taken aback for a minute.
He gazed forward with an empty look. Orcs clad in armor helped those injured and in need.
Each orc had an expression of worry on their face. Their eyebrows scrunched, and a look of doom flashed over their pupils.
’They move their bodies to do the right thing...’ Dorhal said to himself, ’No. They move their bodies because I ordered them to. They aren’t evil... but they are broken. My people are broken.’ He thought, his heart growing somber.
Despite his rough outer appearance, Dorhal did not value much more than his own people. He wanted to lead them since birth, and found his own ways to do so.
Before turning into the brute he is now, he was a young orc known for his kind smile and proclivity to help all those around him.
Ever since he was a kid, he would assist elderly orcs with minor labor tasks. He would say hi to everyone along the street, spreading his laughter through the city of orcs.
Many parents were drawn toward him, their children hearing passed down stories of his heroism and kindness.
In the mountains of Karak-O, no orc had more followers and attentive listeners than Dorhal. Not due to fear... but due to love and admiration.
’I am strong now. Stronger than ever before.’ Dorhal thought to himself, ’But despite that, when my people need my help the most, I can do nothing. I am helpless...’
A long pause ensued in his head.
’Still...’ He said inwardly, his brows furrowing as his eyes unlocked a fierce gaze of ambition. ’I will not stop until either my people thrive in prosperity, or I die trying.’
He began walking toward the meeting destination with the player.
’It’s time...’ He said to himself. Worry, fear, intrigue, confusion, and most of all, hope were the emotions that took priority in his mind.