In another universe far far away, there was a world that’s inhabitable just like ours. Creatures from fantasy lived in this world, yet the difference of it all is mana being present. Yes, this fantasy-like world was filled with such, and due to that, different intellectual beings aside from what you call humans arise in these world. Races of different origins, a world of magic, it was a beautiful sight to behold. But, it came with a price, due to having a diverse amount of races, such beings alienate themselves from each other, time passes up to a point where conflicts and discrimination arose. This world started their first world war, though some remained neutral, other races fought, allied, and killed each other during these times. Their technology wasn’t that developed, so they fought with either their fists, clubs, or magic. These skirmishes lasted of hundreds of years, until at some point they stood to a bottleneck. The remaining factions were left with four, those with the forest, those in the mountains, those in the sea, and those on the fields. Those of the forest were races reliant to the forest, such races like elves, dryads, treants, and such are on this faction. Same can be said on the others, the mountains are where the dwarves, beastmen, harpies and golems, while the sea was merfolks, nagas, scyllas, or lamias, and lastly on the fields are those of humans, although with them are the orcs and goblins.

As the war has turned into a stand still due to resources and massive amounts of deaths, the neutral faction emerged and pacified the fight, one of the strongest races, the dragons, has become the pacifist of the war, and thus declared the end of war and has convinced all factions to sign a treaty. The other factions obliged, although there are some slight conflicts due to their discrimination still strong, they accepted the treaty of peace. This united all the factions onto one banner, as the dragons are the pacifists, they are considered the observers. Though it may seem like they just took the spotlight, they really have grown tired of seeing the battles, thus they put matters onto their hands to end it. Each factions are deemed to have representatives to be sent as emissaries to each other, learning another’s race, environment and culture.

The treaty of peace started with mishaps here and there, but eventually a hundred years later, it’s purpose has finally bore fruit, you could truly say there was harmony. The factions long gone, now all merged and united as one. Each faction have learned their mistakes and amended their faults, apologies and forgiveness were made to each other, mutual understanding was established and peace has finally arrived on this world. In this era, the dragons were chosen as their leaders as they were the ones who pacified the endless battles, and they were wise and equal in judgement. The dragons accepted their plea, and became the kings on each country. Of course, after accepting the position, they made the law and passed it down to each country. Although the leader would be called king, but this king would be chosen by the people, a democratic republican society. A society for the people, and by the people.

A few more years has passed, peace and order lived true. Until, beings from the center of this world emerged, these beings have no intelligence, they are like parasites that consumes everything into pitch black, controlling the things they consume and devour more. The races united once more to suppress this enemy. They named these beings devourers, they all came from the very center of the continent, the place where all life began, how ironic that what gave birth to this same place was the ones that would bring extinction.

In a nearby forest, there was a settlement of orcs. If you would think of orcs, they are savages but in this world, they have reason, although their intelligence aren’t that much. The peace treaty had made these race docile enough, although it’s true that they have high vitality in their body, and they do tend to get wild when blood rushes in their heads.

This settlement, or should I say, village is the village of Gronk. Gronk is a young warrior orc, he is the son of the chieftain in this village. He was usually shun by the mass because of his diligence of knowledge which is weird for an orc. Though the kid doesn’t really mind it though. Gronk loves books and of course, love battle, yet people shun him just because he likes reading, orcs are really weird that way.

It was just a normal day for this young orc, but suddenly things have turned to worse. Those beings that devour anything reached into their village. The chieftain called for arms, and ordered some men to bring the elderly and kids to safety. But it only took an instance for the devourers to end the fight, everything was consumed.

Gronk was the only orc left, a devourer almost killed him but his father shielded him at the last moment. Fatigue, fear, and sadness, all kinds of negative feelings welled up on this young orc as he tried to fend off the devourers. The devourers who some had faces of his loved ones, even his father, was there, snickering, crying, shouting, as they chase him. Gronk evaded, parried, and attacked clumsily, he was lucky he could still survive this long, he was cornered like a rat at this point. Until suddenly, a light from the heavens bursts down onto him and everything around it, purifying the land with the intense heat, though it seemed like everything except Gronk was burned to oblivion. A tattoo was formed on the face of Gronk, near his eye, it glowed and then turned black.

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After a bit of rest, Gronk became conscious, and started running again from the place. Almost reaching his limit, he heard something.

????’s groan could be heard.

*pant* *pant*

"?"

*pant* *pant* *pant*

"What's that sound?"

Curious at the sound of panting, I tried to move yet unable to. It feels like everything is restricted except my sense of hearing and my thoughts.

"Ugh, who there?"

Another voice came out, yet I can't see nor feel him. As soon as I wanted to reply, light suddenly came out of nowhere, showing my surroundings. It seems like I am in a forest.

"Where are you?" I asked the other person, though it's weird how I can't turn or look around.

All of a sudden, my line of sigh moved left and right, as if looking for something.

"Here, me no see you."

Huh, something is wrong. "Hey, try moving checking your left." As if complying with my request, the other person looked left, and suddenly my view moved also to the left.

“Where?” The person again asked.

“Well…I think I am inside you.”

Hearing what I said, the said person soon look around his body trying to find me. His body’s color seemed to be green and I can smell his scent with his nose and other senses. For now, I’ll ignore the his appearance and give him a suitable answer.

“No, no, no. Not physically. I mean, mentally. I am in your mind. It seems like we are linked together.”

“My mind? Linked? Who?”

It seemed like this guy has below average intelligence, I’m now curious as to what he is. Hmm, it seems like my memory is a bit hazy.

“I am linked to you. Think of it as a ghost talking to you.”

Soon as I said the word ghost, he seemed to jolt and tried to get up and run away but fumbled down. Ouch, I can feel his pain. It seemed like he is in pain. I need to stop his movement before gets any more injuries.

“Stop! I’m just trying to compare it, I’m not a ghost or anything. If you think of another term, I might be your guardian or something.”

Still a bit spooked, contemplating a bit, he then give a nod, as he slowly sat down to ease his pain.

“Okay. First off, it seems like I’m stuck with you for a short time. Nice to meet you.”

“Name?” Asked the person.

“Oh, right. I need to introduce myself first, where are my manners.” Though I still don’t remember anything, I’m still a bit embarrassed that I made such a mistake.

“Let’s see. I don’t have any memories of anything of my past, so I guess you can call me Void, may I what’s yours?”

“Me, Gronk. Nice meet you.”

“Okay, Gronk. Sorry to ask you this but, may I ask where are we?”

“Me only know this forest. Live here with same like me, but devourers attack home, and me run from them.”

Devourers?

“Then what are you?”

“Orc.”

“Orc? Is that a race? Nevermind, I guess we’ll stick together for a long time Gronk. ” Reminded by the fact that he was injured and was running away from the attackers, I asked if he was okay.

“Just need rest, orc heal fast.”

“Oh, that sounds nifty. Is that a trait of you guys?”

“Yes.”

…

Crap. I’m running out of discussions. Although, his verbal skills feels lacking, it seems like I can convey myself to him properly. Hmm? That’s weird, how do I know their language then? This is another answer that I need to find.

Getting lost to my own train of thought, Gronk seemed to fidget a bit, and finally opened his mouth.

“Uh, Void.”

“Hm? Yes? What is it?” Snapping back to reality I replied.

“What do now? Me hate die.”

Oh right, attackers. “How about we find a place to rest, like a hole or an empty cave where we can hide for now?”

“Smart.” Acknowledging my idea, he now proceeds with caution and walks through the woods. There seemed to be a big tree with a crevice that he can fit in.

“I think that looks good, check and see if there is anything inside, if it’s safe, get in and cover yourself with leaves and branches or get a bunch of shrubs if you can pluck them up and cover it with that.”

Nodding, Gronk checked the inside, there are a bunch of insects here and there but it looked safe. “Wait, what are you doing? You’re eating the insects?”

“Food. Hungry.” Soon as he said that he got a clump full and jam it in his mouth and then starts chewing it.

“No, wait. I’m not rea—Aaaaaagh!” The slimy and crunchy feeling from eating insects and other little critters I suddenly felt as I am also linked with him. I don’t know why, but it feels disgusting.

“Gronk, you should’ve given me a heads up first before doing that! First time in my life have I eaten such things!” Wait, first time?

“Need food, find food, eat.” He shrugged as he said that. Seriously, is that part of the meals an Orc have to eat? This is way too weird for me. Having an imaginary sweat as I am troubled as the future seemed bleak. This guy needs to be educated…

“Sleepy.” Gronk crawled inside the crevice as soon as he finished the temporary hideout.

“Hmm, I am getting sleepy too, I guess let’s call this a night then, good night Gronk.” Covering the entrance, he lay curled up and yawns.

“Night.” Soon as he said that, his eyelids are slowly closing, going into dreamland. I too am getting sleepy, so I am dozing off afterwards too.