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Chapter 12: The Orc King

As the flames swept over the Orcs, the once-confident creatures found themselves caught off guard and their ranks crumbling under the onslaught. The fire danced hungrily across their bodies, a cruel reminder of their vulnerability in the midst of battle. Amid this fiery chaos, Orrin's footsteps approached drawn by the unexpected spectacle of the glass bottles igniting.

"What did you do, Ethan? Why are the bottles catching fire?" Orrin's curiosity mingled with his surprise as his attention divided between the scene before him and an idle habit of picking his nose. The booger clung to his finger as his gaze flitted between the unfolding battle and his companions' interactions.

"Never a dull moment with you, Orrin," Kaelen chimed in, her voice laced with amusement. Orrin's nonchalant demeanor amidst the turmoil intrigued and amused his fellow fighter.

Unperturbed by the banter, Ethan smirked and explained his ingenious plan, his tone laced with satisfaction. "I discreetly added some cashew alcohol from my mother's stash to the bottles. With its high alcohol content, I placed a cloth inside each bottle, soaked with alcohol. The pressurized bottle creates an explosion and the alcohol-soaked cloth ensures the fire spreads upon contact. The alcohol evaporates slowly, sustaining the fire until it burns out."

He paused briefly to catch his breath, "Just like a Molotov", he thought. Without telling them he continued, "It's a surefire way to take down those Orcs."

"But why didn't you use it on the goblins?" Kaelen's curiosity was evident in his question seeking to understand the strategy behind the choices made.

This time, Isabella took the lead in responding, her voice steady as she explained, "Using it on the goblins wouldn't have been as effective. The element of surprise would have been lost."

Ethan affirmed Isabella's explanation with a nod, his agreement clear. "Exactly. We needed to catch them off guard, and using the fire bottles against the Orcs was the right move."

While the children found reason to celebrate their successful tactic, the villagers hesitated to join in, their focus fixed on the looming presence of the main head Orc, the Orc King. The powerful creature had yet to reveal his hand, displaying a confidence that appeared unshaken by the unfolding chaos. With the conclusion of the initial attacks, the tension in the air was palpable.

Amidst the uncertain pause, the head orc emerged from the ranks, his formidable stature and strength placing him at the level of an adept or possibly even surpassing it. His roar, guttural and fierce reverberated through the battlefield, eliciting a sense of unease that spread among the human defenders.

Ba Ba BaBaBa Ba Ba

The Orc King's battle cry rent the air, his dual Kanabos gripped firmly in his hands. His imposing form was adorned with a mosaic of black tattoos etched across his face and body in bold straight lines. His attire, a combination of leather and sackcloth shrouded him in an aura of invulnerability. Despite his seemingly portly belly, it bore the semblance of a formidable tank impervious to harm.

The quartet of Goblin Shamans who had flanked the king retreated in haste their earlier bravado now replaced by visible fear. The hordes of goblins that had surged forward were now strewn lifeless across the battlefield leaving only the Orc King standing alongside his loyal Shamans.

A thunderous roar erupted from the Orc King's throat, casting a chilling fear upon all who stood within earshot. The echoes of his menacing cry reverberated through the surroundings. Addressing his adversaries with a voice that carried an air of authority, he proclaimed, "Submit to me today, and you shall be spared." His words held an eerie confidence, an offer cloaked in a veil of power.

Ba Ba BaBaBa Ba Ba

However, the human defenders were driven by their inherent sense of autonomy and defiance. The idea of surrendering to a monstrous ruler clashed with their nature. In the face of the Orc King's proposal, resolute refusals were their unanimous response. Aldric, despite his adept level skills stood alone, facing an opponent that demanded more than his singular prowess. The accompanying warriors, their initial valor overcome by fear started inching away, their retreat emblematic of their mounting apprehension.

"Don't be afraid! Aid me in confronting the Orc King!" Aldric's voice boomed across the battlefield, his sword held aloft in readiness for the formidable adversary that stood before him. Though the Orc King's aura was palpable, he couldn't muster the courage to retreat, knowing that a single misstep could compel his villagers to surrender.

Addressing his fellow defenders, Aldric's commanding tone cut through the chaos. "Mages, unleash your initial assaults! Channel all your might into your first strikes! If facing him individually is not possible, then together we shall assail him with a relentless barrage. He stands as one, while we are a hundred strong. Let our combined onslaught be his reckoning!"

At Aldric's rallying cry, a newfound determination surged through the group, their voices rising in unified chants as they readied themselves for the impending clash. But in a swift and unexpected move, the Orc King charged forward, his massive Kanabo swinging menacingly from his left hand. The blow seemed destined for Aldric, yet before impact, Gareth leaped into action, intercepting the attack with his giant Shield.

Keok

Aargh!

A guttural cry tore from Gareth's mouth blood spewing forth as he absorbed the crushing force of the blow. The Orc King's triumphant grin danced across his features, savoring the momentary triumph. With a calculated movement, the Orc King struck the shield once more, this time using his right hand which held a second Kanabo. Gareth clenched onto the shield, defending against the powerful attack, creating a much-needed opening generated by the powerful collision. This momentary distraction provided an opportunity for the others to retaliate, Gareth saw as he fell to the ground.

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Thud

Amidst the chaos, the mages swiftly executed their plan. Glass bottles were hurled, shattering and releasing their volatile contents. A barrage of spells followed, a symphony of energy converging upon the Orc King. His weapon raised in a defensive stance and he deflected the onslaught, the clash of magic against his formidable defense creating a dazzling display. Some spells struck true, leaving scorch marks on his flesh, but their impact proved minuscule against his might.

In the second round, the fire mages swiftly grasped the remaining glass bottles. The first bottle was hurled toward the Orc King, setting his weapon ablaze, though it was not sufficient to disarm him. The second bottle targeted his exposed body, alcohol splashing across his stomach. The Orc swiftly brushed it aside with a nonchalant gesture, deflecting the attack.

Swoosh

The attack barely did anything to him--or his weapon.

"Keep shooting all at once!" Ethan's voice cut through the chaos.

Following his command, the remaining alcohol-filled bottles were launched toward the Orc King. Though the combined impact didn't take him down, it did manage to inflict some minor injuries. Despite his tough skin, the alcohol-soaked body would eventually catch fire, ensuring he would be in discomfort after a while. With all the bottles expended, the fate of the battle now rested upon the shoulders of the front lines.

With the conclusion of the second wave of attacks and the additional chaos it brought, the battlefield was finally set for the main confrontation. Aldric, a battlemage and damage dealer surged forward. His adept level of mastery in both swordsmanship and magic set him apart. As he charged, he began to chant the incantation, his voice rising above the din of battle "Embers bright, heed my call; From the depths, let flames enthrall."

Following Ethan's suggestion, Aldric honed his focus. He concentrated his spell first on the third circle thus allowing the magical energy to swirl and intensify. Then, seamlessly he shifted his concentration to the second circle, unleashing a fiery sphere of immense heat. The air seemed to shimmer and distort around the conjured fireball, heatwaves distorting the vision of those nearby.

Boom

With a swift motion, he directed the roaring blaze directly at the Orc King's menacing figure. The fireball soared through the air a comet of destruction aimed at its target. But the Orc King was undeterred by the onslaught. Ignoring the flames hurtling towards him, he swung his massive Kanabo with ferocious intent seeking to crush Aldric beneath its weight.

Amidst the chaos and roaring flames, Gareth, who had already weathered two brutal attacks and bore the marks of his sacrifices, lunged forward with a surge of determination. Blood spattered as his body absorbed the crushing force of the strike. Yet he remained resolute. In a selfless act, he intercepted the attack using his immense strength to deflect the blow to the side. The impact rippled through him, the very air quivering in response.

Gareth's courage bought Aldric a precious moment. With focused precision, Aldric seized the opportunity. As the Orc King's left hand, Kanabo swung through the air, Aldric's sword met it with a resounding clash. Metal met bone in a fierce collision, the clash resonating like a bell tolling doom. The kanabo's force threatened to overwhelm Aldric, but his determination held him steady.

The power of the blow rippled through the sword, vibrating up Aldric's arms. As the dust and sparks settled, the Kanabo lay in two halves on the ground damaged beyond usefulness. After the attack, Aldric positioned himself, his body still shaking from the impact, his face flushed with exertion.

Now armed with only a single Kanabo in his grip and wary of any magic having no innate talent for magic, the Orc King relied on brute strength, and unleashed another fierce swing, channeling all his remaining might. In that split-second of intense action, Aldric's instincts kicked in. He sidestepped the impending onslaught with a grace that defied the weight and power of the Kanabo. The colossal weapon struck the earth with a tremendous force, sending tremors rippling outward. The ground cracked and shattered under the impact, a testament to the sheer brute strength at play.

The Orc King, unwavering and relentless, prepared to launch another attack. However, in this fleeting window of opportunity, Aldric and his fellow battle-mages capitalized. They unleashed a coordinated assault of spells and using their weapons, arcane energies converging upon the towering figure before them. As the Orc King's body was barraged by an onslaught of magic, his formidable defenses started to crumble under the relentless assault.

The Orc King's unyielding facade began to falter as his once-mighty form bore the scars of battle. Blood seeped from wounds, and his skin smoldered from the fiery spells' effects. Pain echoed across his features, and an involuntary cry escaped his lips, a sound that mingled with the collective battle cries of the defenders.

As the battle raged on, the Orc King found himself in a predicament he had never imagined. The fierce warriors he had underestimated, the mages he had dismissed, were now pushing him to the brink of defeat.

The Orc King's roar erupted, a visceral sound that seemed to pierce through the very air, assaulting their ears. The sheer volume and intensity of the cry sent shockwaves, making everyone clutch their ears in a desperate attempt to mitigate the pain. His eyes, once fierce and full of rage, now glowed an even more sinister shade of red, his fury reaching a fever pitch.

RaaAAAAar!

Like a bolt of thunder, the Orc King surged forward with astonishing speed, a massive force of nature in motion. Aldric's breath hitched in his throat, his muscles freezing for a fleeting moment as the colossal figure bore down on him. Aldric, caught off-guard by the sudden burst of speed, found himself lifted high above the ground, held in the vice-like grip of the Orc King's massive hand.

UuUuugh...!

The threat was all too real—the Orc King's raw strength capable of crushing Aldric's life away in an instant.

Panic seized Ethan and Elara's hearts as they witnessed Aldric's life hanging in the balance. Aldric's face twisted in agony and blood splurted from his mouth, a testament to the dire situation.

Yet, amidst the chaos, Gareth—bloodied and battered—lay on the ground, his unwavering determination driving him. Gripping the shield with a renewed sense of purpose, he swung it with all his might striking the Orc King's toe with a sickening impact.

Keok!

Aaaghhh!

The Orc king cried in pain as the blow drew forth a spray of blood, the crimson droplets an unexpected and effective weapon. The Orc King's grip wavered and Aldric was released from his deadly clutches. In a retaliatory display of power, the Orc King kicked Gareth with brutal force sending him crashing into the wall.

Seizing upon the momentary vulnerability, Aldric summoned his last reserves of strength. With a heart full of resolve, he soared into the air, his sword gleaming in the sunlight. The blade cleaved through the Orc King's abdomen, a deep gash that cut through flesh and sinew. The mighty Orc King's roar turned to a guttural cry his imposing form faltering as pain surged through him. He crumpled to the ground on his knees, the agony too overwhelming to bear.

Keok!

Aaaghhh!

With the final thrust of determination, Aldric lunged once more his sword finding its mark onto Orc King's neck.

In the midst of this triumphant moment, Ethan's voice rang out, a plea that carried the weight of unforeseen consequences, “Dad, wait, Dad, don’t kill him yet.”