The two orc brothers observed as dozens of mosquitoes lined up to create a wide path. They bowed their heads to the center.
A single young man walked forward through the path. It was Midas, of course.
His entry was awesome. Although his appearances in the past were quite amusing to him, Midas was sure this one was the best so far.
’Since they are calling me king, I need to step it up now. I can’t just show up like some bum.’ He thought to himself with a chuckle.
Midas arrived before the fountain. The mosquitoes behind him grouped together and formed an army on the opposite side of the orc brothers.
Bzzrt, Yemo, and Gool stood behind Midas, who was at the forefront of the company.
"Greetings, orc king and commander," Midas said with a loud tone, nodding his head to acknowledge the two.
Dormon sneered at Midas, his expression looking like that of disgust.
A short silence fell over the ledge.
"Consider it an honor to meet with me, the strongest ruler of any race on this island," Dormon said in a cocky voice, walking forward.
When he arrived at the fountain that was between the two groups, he stopped.
He faced the sky.
"Ow ow ow!" He suddenly let out three loud cries, "Owwwww hoooooo!" He roared at the top of his lungs, beating his chest.
His war cry was powerful enough to send gusts of wind flying in every direction.
Midas was surprised by this; his hair fluttered all over his face.
’Hmm... no normal orc would be able to do this. I guess there’s a reason he is king. Since he is of royal bloodline, he will be much stronger than a normal white orc by birthright alone.’ Midas thought for a second.
Out of nowhere, two lines of orcs began marching onto the open ledge area from inside of Dormon’s castle.
There looked to be a few dozen, all holding tall flags displaying the symbol of the orcs. The symbol was of an orc head that had large canines on the bottom row of teeth.
It was the same one etched into the realistic map inside the Jzzri mountain mud dome.
About one hundred or so orcs clad in armour formed a group behind Dormon and Dorhal, similar to Midas’s gang.
Dorhal raised an eyebrow as he glanced back at the warriors behind him.
’Hmm? So he was preparing to survive orcs in the meantime, huh? Does he want to show that we are still capable?’ He thought, staring into the eyes of the orc soldiers.
’They have hollow looks. Their families have been butchered, or encased in stone to die.’ Dorhal said inwardly. He shook his head with disappointment.
Then, he turned and faced Midas. He ground his back teeth together as rage filled up within him.
"Ouuuuf! Ouuuf! Ouuuuf!" Dorhal roared into the open sky.
"Ouuuf!"
"Oouuuuff!"
"Ouuuuuuuuf!"
Three loud and bombastic war cries erupted from the crowd of orcs in unison.
It was enough to make the floor tremble, just as Midas’s drums had done.
Midas smirked.
"An even playing field. I don’t mind it. After all, as it stands now, you see me as an equal. Right? Dormon?" Midas walked over to the fountain and sat on its ledge.
He had his legs inside the area where the fluid of the fountain would usually be. But because it was dried up right now, it served better as a circular bench.
Dormon sat down opposite him. Dorhal followed, standing slightly to the left and behind his brother. His expression was stern. His gaze did not leave Midas for even a split second--piercing like a straight arrow and sheathing with malice.
Midas didn’t even glance toward Dorhal.
’I know you want to slit my throat right now, Dorhal.’ Midas said inwardly, ’But right now, I’m more focused on your brother.’
Midas knew the names of both Dorhal and Dormon. Bzzrt had already informed him beforehand.
"Most likely, they will be the only two to arrive. However, beware of--" Bzzrt went on to explain other details.
He also attempted to speak about Dorhal, but Midas decided to focus on other things, such as a massive earthworm that could eat giant mosquito soldiers in a single bite.
There was too much information to pass around, so Midas didn’t pry into Dorhal much at all.
Instead, he wanted to know as much as he could about who he understood as the true leader of the orcs and the most important figure present before him now.
"So... you promise me peace and prosperity?" Dormon started the conversation off with this question.
Midas exhaled, smiling.
"Thank god we want to start off on the same page." He said, as though relieved. "Indeed! All I want for you, orcs, is absolute peace and prosperity. If you simply give me a small push to climb the mountain that I seek to climb, I will make sure to send my hand back down for you all, so that all those who side with me are not left behind. So that all those who put their trust in me thrive, and succeed." Midas’s tone sounded genuine. It was as though he really wanted the best for the orcs.
’Hmm...’ Dorhal did not make any hasty judgments yet.
However, the orc soldiers behind him were slightly influenced already.
Not because Midas was so convincing. But because he was the force of destruction that had broken their souls.
They were past the point of revenge. They were now simply mourning the dead.
On top of that, the fear of the attack happening again couldn’t help but dominate their minds.
But right now, the source of that fear was telling them that it would all be okay.
It was oddly comforting. A statement that sparked hope.
"Nonsense!" Dormon shouted, breaking the silence. "Midas... you have already slain hundreds of my people. Now, the majority of my kin is trapped within stone. They are likely to die in only a few hours as well if nothing is done. What you have done here is absolutely heinous." He said.
The orc king didn’t sound ludicrous. In fact, his words were fair to those listening. Even the goblins and mosquitoes behind Midas couldn’t argue with that.
"Understand my proposition, Dormon." Midas said in a slightly lower tone, "Peace... or war. It is up to you." His eyes were icy cold.
*Author Note*
Yo! I sprained the fuck out of right wrist during sparring/heavy-bag drills. It hurts like hell to write, so my stockpile of Chapters is declining like no tomorrow! Don’t worry, It won’t effect publishing unless the pain lasts for over weeks. Hopefully its much better the next coming days. Anyways, enjoy the climax of the Orc Mini-Arc that is soon to come. After this... greatness is coming.