"Trample all! Trample all!"
The chant resounded like rolling thunder across the marshes. With each guttural cry, the swamp itself seemed to tremble beneath the synchronized march of 200,000 Orcs. Their iron boots sank into the soggy terrain, yet their morale surged with every step. Ahead lay conquest; behind, only blood and ash.
---
Within the Lizardmen's Throne Hall, Deep Beneath the Earth
A heavy silence hung over the stone-hewn chamber. Moss crept down the walls like an ever-looming shadow, and the flickering torches cast trembling halos of gold against rough stone.
"Chieftain, what shall we do?" asked the female captain, her voice tight with concern. Her spear rested against her shoulder, its tip polished to a gleam. "The Orc army draws near."
Seated atop a throne of stone entwined with serpent motifs, the chieftain exhaled heavily. His scaled brow furrowed.
"What can we do… but endure?" he muttered. "We are not equipped to face an army of such magnitude. Two hundred thousand Orcs—many bearing the mark of an Orc Lord. Even our finest warriors would be swallowed whole."
Before the weight of silence could settle again, a shout echoed from the corridor.
"Chieftain! An intruder approaches! He demands an audience!"
The guards had already drawn their weapons, blocking the narrow cavern path into the throne room.
The chieftain remained still. "Very well. Bring him to me."
"Chieftain, this could be dangerous." The captain stepped closer, eyes narrowing. "His aura… it's not that of a simple trespasser."
The chieftain's eyes glimmered. "You feel it as well, then. This presence… It rivals even the strongest among our kind."
The chamber grew tense as footfalls echoed from the dark corridor. From the shadow emerged a figure cloaked in obsidian blue—calm, composed, and unreadable. Souei had arrived.
"Forgive me. Hospitality is wasted on me today. I come bearing only words." The chieftain's voice was neutral, measured.
"No need for ceremony." Souei's voice was cold silk as he stepped past the guards with a quiet authority. "I am merely a messenger. My master sends a proposal."
The guards instinctively stepped back, spears half-raised. The captain eyed him warily, but lowered her weapon. The chieftain gave a single nod.
"Speak."
"My master, Arceus Velgriath, has received a plea from the Dryads—those who dwell in the deepest parts of the forest. They beseeched his help in stopping the Orc Lord."
At the mention of the Dryads, the chieftain's expression flickered. "The forest's caretakers? They rarely intervene in such matters."
"Precisely. Their concern should speak volumes. The Orc Lord has awakened. And my master seeks to form an alliance with the Lizardmen to oppose him."
"Alliance? And who is this… Arceus Velgriath? I have never heard of such a name. Likely some warlord trembling at the Orc Lord's march." One of the younger guards sneered, stepping forward with clenched fists.
But before the guard could finish, a glint of silver flashed. A near-invisible thread of wire coiled around his neck, drawing a bead of blood.
"W-What—?!" the guard choked, hand instinctively reaching to the wire strangling him.
Souei didn't move—only the faint flick of his finger guided the deadly string, ready to slice.
"Halt." The chieftain raised his hand. "I apologize for my subordinate's insolence. I ask that you do not take his life. Surely this alliance benefits us both."
Souei released the wire with a slight twitch, and the guard stumbled back, gasping for air.
"I did not come to threaten, but I will not tolerate mockery of my master." Souei's voice held an icy finality.
The chieftain's eyes studied him anew. This one—had I not stopped him, a single breath more and that guard would be dead.
"Judging by your aura… you are an Ogre, are you not? From the southwestern reaches?"
"No longer." Souei replied. "My master granted me the name 'Souei.' In doing so, I transcended. I am now a Kijin."
The female captain inhaled sharply. "Kijin… a rare evolution among Ogres. A being of superior power. That would mean—"
"Yes," the chieftain finished. "His master must be of an even higher order…"
Silence settled for a moment.
"Your offer is timely. And though it reeks of strategy, I cannot find fault with it. But I will agree only under one condition."
Souei nodded. "State it."
"I wish to meet your master. Face to face."
Souei closed his eyes for a breath, then gave a slight bow. "As you wish. In seven days, my master will arrive here. Until then, do not engage the enemy. If you attack prematurely, you doom your people."
"Understood." The chieftain nodded.
Without a sound, Souei vanished into shadow.
The chieftain slumped back in his throne, as though a great weight had finally lifted.
"Chieftain!" the captain called, stepping forward.
"For the first time in days, I believe there may be hope. Gather our people. We must prepare."
Moments later, the throne room was filled with armored warriors. The chieftain stood tall, holding the silver trident of his office high above his head.
"Listen well! The Orc Lord is nearly upon us, and his army swells by the day. But in seven days, reinforcements will arrive—ones far mightier than any among us. Until then, we do not engage."
Murmurs rippled through the ranks.
"Do not be deceived by pride or fear! Any who fall will be devoured—and their strength added to our enemy. That is the power of the Orc Lord. Every death is a gift to him. We fight only when we are ready. We will not waste a single life."
A roar echoed as the Lizardmen slammed their spears to the ground in unity.
---
Four Days Later – Entrance to the Cave System
A small skirmish erupted near the entrance tunnels. A squad of Lizardmen brought down a lone Orc after a fierce struggle.
"Is this truly an Orc?" one asked, breathless.
"No… it fought like an Ogre. They're evolving… This must be the power of the Orc Lord."
Footsteps approached.
"You're—" one guard began, recognizing the figure.
---
Back in the Throne Hall
"Father!" Gabiru stormed into the hall with fire in his eyes and dust on his cloak.
"You've returned." The chieftain's face lit up, if only briefly. "Did the mission succeed?"
Gabiru knelt. "Yes! I have brought 7,000 Goblins to support us. They are standing by."
The chieftain nodded slowly, but Gabiru's brow furrowed.
"But why do we cower in these tunnels? Why do we not meet the Orcs in open battle? This is not the way of the proud Lizardmen!"
"While you were away, an offer came to us. One that may change everything. Until our allies arrive, we must endure."
Gabiru's eyes narrowed. "You've grown timid, Father. That's not the leader I remember."
"What did you say—?"
Before the chieftain could rise, armed Lizardmen flooded into the room, surrounding him.
"Utilizing this cave's natural defenses may buy time, but it splits our forces. It is cowardice disguised as strategy." Gabiru declared.
The guards restrained the chieftain and the female captain despite her struggling.
"Gabiru! What madness is this?" she shouted.
"Calm yourself, Captain. You will not be harmed. But I must do what our people need. I will defeat the Orc Lord myself—and bring honor to our name."
The chieftain struggled. "You fool! You have no idea what you're facing!"
Spears blocked his path.
A guard approached, holding out the silver trident.
"Sir Gabiru. The Vortex Spear."
"My father's weapon…" Gabiru took it with reverence. As he gripped it, a golden aura burst from his form.
"It accepts me? Then I will show them. I will lead."
More soldiers entered.
"We've secured the clan leaders, sir. Many of the younger warriors were eager to fight."
Gabiru stood tall. "Good. Then we march. We will show the marshes what true Lizardmen are made of!"
A chant began to echo:
"Gabiru! Gabiru! Gabiru!"
---
At the Edge of the Marshlands
The Orcs continued their endless march. But from the northern edge, distant clashes began to echo.
Gabiru had made the first move—striking, then withdrawing.
His soldiers were skilled, and his tactics surprising. Yet something gnawed at the edge of their confidence.
They were skilled. But they had not seen the Orc Lord.
That terror… the true depth of despair… was known only by the chieftain, shackled in the depths of the earth.
And that difference between them… now bore its fangs.