image [https://i.imgur.com/zweWNHT.jpg]

A man in black looked at the party from afar. High on the tallest branch, he was perched while his copy got drunk with the adventurers below. A twig carried his entire weight.

We just need to follow the stench, right?

Drac bounced on the branch, and it flicked him upward. Drac saw the trees go for miles. Clouds halfway block a bright moon. With Ventus, he turned his body to the ground and a Murus platform appeared under the sole of his black boots. Knees bent and with a jump and a pulse of aura, the Murus shattered. Ventus diverted air as he travelled above the trees like an aura-imbued arrow.

I never get tired of this.

Tents woven from animal hide showed through the tree, and Drac reached his destination. Levitation made Drac heavy and slowed him to crawl. Drac calmly dropped down like a stone. A metre before Drac hit the ground, Levitation and Ventus were tuned and boots gracefully landed by a bejewelled Orc.

“That was fast.”

“You lot are so easy to find on account of your size.”

And smell.

Drac examined his surroundings. Shiny ornaments hang all around his small tent. Well, small for him. Kankraa’s steel-edged golden axe lay on its stand. Weapons of all kinds are presented like trophies.

Mmm, cleaner than I thought it would be.

“Come through, human.” Kankraa lifted a thick curtain and gestured for Drac to go in the tent. Drac stepped through and was greeted by magnificent tapestries. The art and colours were so different from what Drac had ever seen before, yet amazing nonetheless.

“Great, huh?” You should visit the town and see true art passed down from our ancestors.”

A town full of these monsters?

“You seem surprised that we have culture, dark human.” An older Orc lay on a straw bed. He looked so feeble compared to the afternoon before. Kankraa picked up a hot cup of a strange liquid and served it to his father.

“Drac, and not surprised. More like-”

“You never gave it a thought,” Kankraa said. Drac cringed and realised that he was right.

“I have read many stories about how brutish and terrible Orcs are, and none tell your story, your culture, or your history.” Drac nodded somberly. “I am sorry for my ignorance.”

Kankraa and his father look at each other. “Fucking strange to see a human apologise rather than try to slice us.” The OrcLord joked.

“This might be the most peaceful moment being a human and orc. HAHAHAR!” Kankraa guided Drac to a stool big enough to be a chair. "Go ahead, sit.” While Drac sat, Kankraa grabbed an orange from a bowl of fruits. The orc peeled, and a subtle glow shone on his green face.

“Oh, first time seeing a Great Fruit? You humans love this shit so much that you're willing to fight us. Stupid, brave, little humans. Here, have a taste, Drac.” Kankraa took a segment of the glowing orange and threw it. Drac caught it, and studied it

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It feels familiar, like the energy Big Bob uses.

Big Bob… Why have I not thought of that before? And Bob uses holy mana. Straight from a god's bosom or whatever the scripture says.

The holy energy could be felt even by touch.

Drac chomped on the piece of orange. A rush of energy flowed through him. The aura lost from today's fight was mostly replenished.

“No wonder you guys are so freakishly strong. You get to eat these enhancers you call fruits every day.”

Kankraa's face turned solemn. “Not every day. Not anymore.”

Drac saw a chance to finally ask and turned to the father. “Is this linked to the reason why you fought so half-heartedly?”

The orc's feeble visage contorted terribly. Anger coursed through his eyes. “Are you calling me a coward?!”

“I would never call a leader who protects his clan a coward.” This calmed the OrcLord's anger. Kankraa's eyes dart between Drac and his father, hoping a fight won't break out.

“To target humans this far from your lands and a low-level area at that?”

What's the low-level area people keep yapping about?

The forest is separated into sections, and you are recommended an area to “farm” by your level. Levels are given depending on the level of the forest creature you killed.

It sounds like a sport or game. Bizarre.

It is a game. For the rich. But a way of life for the residents of the Forest of the Great Tree.

Drac continued, “Proud Orcs would see this set of circumstances not as an opportunity but as a humiliation.”

The OrcLord looked away from Drac and into his strange tea.

“To stop their grief-wrought rampage, you thought to sacrifice yourself. An older orc like yourself is at the end of your rope. Perhaps dying in battle was preferable to you. So you saw me killing your men and found a suitable dealer of death. But I famously don't go along with things.”

"Father, I told you he left you alive on purpose.”

Drac leaned forward on his stool with arms on his knees and fingers interlocked. Human eyes look deep within an orc’s.

“I appreciate your sacrifice to honour and standing within your clan. Many lives were saved. But I do feel like I gave you a lot more than you gave me.” A copy leaned on his head, smiling, and dissipated. “I was holding back too.” Two orcs seemed shaken by the strange sight they witnessed.

"But there is a way to pay me back for the grace I gave to you and your people. I am searching for a man.” Drac tapped his face.

Brother, you are scary…

A wind blew the grass, and a warrior landed by sleeping adventurers. Snug in their sleeping bags, drunk warriors rest without worry. Drac made his copy disappear. A happy surprise appeared in the moonlight as a very tipsy Marina walked over to Drac.

Even drunk as hell…

We get it! Stop being horny!

Let's escort her back to the caravan.

“Hey, handsome. Go off killing people again?”

“No. Not this time.”

“Oh! Was it the gay-looking orc? Having a secret rendezvous without me?”

“Him? Not my type. But we did have a little chat. Fruitful, I think.”

“Look at you grinning for no reason again. Wait…did actually meet him!? How did his ass tas-”

Drac picked Marina up from the legs with his arm on her small back. “Alright, you have had way too much. Lets go.” Marina’s already pink face goes red.

Blue steps shine in the dark. Each bright foothold took the two over the crowd of sleepers.

“Drac?”

“Mmm?”

“I helped, right? Did I do a good job?”

Drac stopped walking on blue and looked down at his lady. Soft moonlight glowed at his back.

"Those people below are alive only because of you. I have said this from the beginning, and I will say this more in the future. We are useless without you. I will always need my mage by my side.”

Soft pink lips touched his. Drac's eyes widen. Their lips part. Marina'a cheeks turn rosing in the firepita lights. A gust of wind pushed her of Dracs arms, she lands on her own platform of blue.

"Flatter me that much and I might never leave." Murus steps formed under her feet as she walked back to the caravan. Warmth from her lips still lingered on his.

Smells like cheap mead.