We rode swiftly toward the marshlands, where a treaty awaited to be signed with the Lizardman Chieftain—and a war against the Orc army loomed on the horizon. Accompanying me were Benimaru, Shion, and Hakurou, with Souei having already gone ahead to scout. Ranga loped beside me, his massive form keeping pace with ease, while our goblin riders flanked us from both sides.
Rigurd and the rest had remained behind to protect the village. If the worst came to pass and we were defeated, which I don't believe to happen, their orders were simple: flee immediately. No heroism, no last stands—only survival.
"Great Arceus, a moment?"
Souei's voice echoed through our mental link, calm yet urgent.
"What is it?" I responded, not breaking stride.
"I've spotted two forces locked in combat," he said. "One appears to be the personal guard of the Lizardman Chieftain. They're clashing with a high-ranking Orc."
There was a pause before he asked, "What are your orders?"
"Assist them." My reply was swift and absolute.
"A simple task." Souei vanished from the tree canopy, a shadow melding into shadow.
I raised my voice as we continued to ride. "Assume battle formation. We're joining Souei."
"Ranga," I called.
"As you command," he replied with a thunderous howl, speeding up. The goblin riders followed in disciplined silence, shifting their formation around us.
By the time we arrived at the battlefield, the clash had ended. Orc corpses lay strewn across the muddy terrain, their twisted forms a grim testament to Souei's precision.
I dismounted and approached him. He stood calmly, holding in his arms a gravely wounded female Lizardman—her armor stained with blood, her breathing shallow.
"She is gravely injured," Souei reported, his tone neutral but eyes sharp.
I stepped closer and placed my hand gently on her forehead. "Enchel." A soft green light radiated from my palm, bathing her in warmth. As the light faded, her eyes fluttered open, vitality returning to her features. She looked down, bewildered, and touched her torso where her fatal wound had once been.
"M-My wounds… they're gone. I should have died," she whispered in disbelief. Her eyes met mine. "W-Who are you?"
"Arceus Velgriath," I said with a gentle smile.
The moment my name reached her ears, she gasped and fell to her knees, bowing low in desperation.
"Please, I beg of you! Save my father, the Lizardman Chieftain, and my brother, Gabiru!"
"You're Gabiru's sister?" I asked, my expression hardening.
"I am," she confirmed, her voice trembling.
"Explain."
"My brother… he staged a rebellion. He's imprisoned our father and now leads our warriors to repel the Orc army on his own. But he's underestimated the threat. He doesn't comprehend the power of the Orc Lord. If we don't act swiftly, the Lizardmen will be annihilated. My father helped me escape during a lapse in the guards' vigilance so I could seek help. I know we broke our promise to wait for you… but I plead for mercy. I implore you, lord of the Kijins—please!"
As her voice cracked, Shion stepped forward, her usual bold demeanor softened by the sincerity of the plea. She knelt beside the young woman, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder and helping her to stand.
"Well said! That you recognize Lord Arceus' greatness proves your heart is in the right place." She smiled reassuringly. "Stand tall. Your people still have hope."
"Thank you… thank you!" the Lizardwoman cried, tears welling in her eyes.
"As the chieftain's daughter," I said, "you shall act as his representative."
She immediately dropped to one knee. "At your command, Lord Arceus."
"Do you object to forming an alliance here and now?"
"No, my lord. I welcome it."
"Then let it be so."
A breath of relief escaped her lips. "You have my gratitude."
I turned to Souei. "Can you reach the chieftain using shadow movement?"
"Of course."
"Then I order you—rescue the Lizardman Chieftain."
Souei nodded, and in the blink of an eye, he vanished like mist.
The chieftain's daughter bowed again. "I... thank you." A single tear rolled down her cheek.
I mounted Ranga once more. "The rest of us ride for battle."
---
Within the marshlands, chaos reigned.
Gabiru stood atop a rocky ledge, watching the skirmish unfold below. Lizardmen clashed with hordes of Orcs, spear and scale against brute force and numbers.
"Mere Orcs are no match for us Lizardmen!" Gabiru declared with misplaced confidence. "Withdraw! Return to the caverns!"
His forces complied, but their retreat was short-lived. What they saw next shattered their resolve.
"What... are they doing?" Gabiru gasped. Orcs were feasting—on their own fallen brethren.
And then it escalated. One of his soldiers was seized by the leg, dragged screaming into the mob. His cries faded beneath the sounds of flesh tearing and bones crunching.
"R-Retreat! Retreat now!" Gabiru shouted.
"Sir! We're surrounded!" cried a subordinate.
The air grew heavy. The Orcs were changing—gaining webbed feet and scale-like patterns on their arms.
"They're... mutating. Eating us to become like us?" Gabiru thought, horrified.
One Orc stepped forward—a giant clad in dark armor radiating a terrifying aura.
"W-What power..." Gabiru muttered, spinning his trident into a ready stance. "You! Are you the Orc Lord?"
"No," came the grating voice. "I am an Orc General. I am far beneath the majesty of the Lord."
"This one isn't the Lord...?!" Gabiru's confidence faltered. "Then what is the true Orc Lord?"
"You challenge me to a duel?" the General asked, amused. "So be it. I accept."
"I thank you!" Gabiru called, steadying his breathing.
Still, in his heart, fear festered.
---
Elsewhere, deep within the Great Forest of Jura, a different scene unfolded.
"Yes! Yes! Everything's going according to plan, right? Right, Lord Gelmud?" Laplace said, hopping about gleefully. Before them, a crystal ball shimmered with images of battle and bloodshed.
"Indeed. Soon, my child shall claim dominion over this forest." Gelmud's voice trembled with anticipation. "And then, my ambition—"
His words cut off as a soft green glow illuminated the chamber.
A figure emerged from the light—elegant, ethereal, and ancient.
"You seem to be enjoying yourselves."
Laplace froze. "Who's there?"
"I am Treyni. A Dryad. A guardian of this forest. And I do not tolerate such schemes."
"L-Lord Gelmud, she's a Dryad! The forest's protectors!"
"What!?" Gelmud growled.
Treyni's eyes flashed. "For the corruption you've sown, I shall purge you."
"Spirit Summoning: Sylphide!" she chanted. A radiant spirit emerged, her presence stirring the very air.
"Judgement is upon you."
"Aerial Blade!" The spirit's melodic chant unleashed wind blades, slicing Laplace's arm.
"Tch! Well, we've achieved our goal anyway! Farewell!" Laplace cried as smoke engulfed them. When it cleared, both he and Gelmud were gone.
Treyni sighed. "They escaped. This bodes ill."
She looked skyward, eyes solemn beneath the starlight.
"Arceus Velgriath... I entrust this task to you. Defeat the Orc Lord."
With that, the wind whispered—and Treyni vanished.