“Through death?” Adam asked.

Ancient orcs were so much bigger, stronger, and more powerful than normal orcs that Adam had believed that the ascension process was some deep secret. Hearing that it only required death almost felt like a joke. He had flirted with death just a week ago during his blooding.

“You’ve heard that orcs grow strong through war? Through glory?”

“I have.”

“Some orcs have changed after taking a few heads. Others have slaughtered hundreds before becoming something greater. But that's only a part of it. To change, an orc has to have a real taste of war. They understand what war really is. I can't… describe it in words. You've only seen battles, never war.”

That makes sense, Adam thought. In the chief’s telling, he changed during the last great war between humans and orcs.

“But that’s only half of it. The other half is need. An ancient orc thirsts for strength. He prides strength above all else. He learns to need it, to feel in his bones that he must become stronger. That only happens when he sees the death of his own. Of other orcs.”

Adam had also seen death. The camp was teeming with orcs in his childhood, and the empty tents were a sore reminder of past glory. None of what Greenbough said felt difficult.

Greenbough stood up, “I have to see my orcs. Your formation ideas interest me. Find me tomorrow, at the training grounds.”

—

Chief Greenbough was already practicing with the other three orcs from his camp when Adam found them. What he had in mind was for Adam to teach his orcs on how to fight as a group instead of individuals. Each of the Greenbough orcs were veteran warriors. They used each weapon, whether shield, spear, blade, or club, with ease. So Adam spent most of the time talking about the spirit of formations where they had to trust other the other orcs to cover their blind spots.

They learned quick. Within a couple of hours, the Greenbough orcs had mastered the formation and moved as a unit. Part of it was because Adam had become a better teacher after spending so much time with his team practicing formations. Part of it was the experience behind each Greenbough orc. But the biggest part of it was how malleable the Greenbough orcs were. They were accustomed to following orders and working together.

As the formation developed, Chief Greenbough joined as a practice opponent. Unlike the chief who had launched an all-out attack on Adam's team, Greenbough held himself back as he prodded against the formation. He'd find weaknesses, prod through their ranks, and then give time for the orcs to adapt. By the end, the Greenbough orcs began to move as if they were one and rebuff their chief's attacks.

When that happened, Greenbough started gathering three to four camp orcs to fight against the formation. He'd direct them to flank around the formation as he kept pressure on the front. The three orcs initially buckled against attacks from odd angles, but like before, they slowly started to improve under the pressure.

It was tough and it was exhausting mentally. Even though Adam didn't participate in the formation, he would be drenched in sweat after each day of training. Being on the sidelines, he could see things that he hadn't before. The spear, originally a powerful striking tool in his formation, was better suited for weaker, arcing attacks that created space. The shield was a far more potent attacking tool. It could open up gaps within enemies that the other orcs could take advantage of.

The Greenbough orcs also saw things that Adam didn't. They refined his formation, shuffling closer together in fights against the chief and further apart in group attacks. The extra distance gave them room to dodge or retreat without breaking the formation.

More and more orcs started to gather around and watch these bouts. The formation didn't always win, but given the fact that they were now fighting against five to six orcs at a time, even the thickest orcs could see the effectiveness of the formation.

Fueled by his success, Adam went to sleep each night with a burning excitement. And sometimes, he'd remember the faces of the camp orcs as they were defeated by the formation, and wondered if Greenbough had planned for exactly that.

—

Luke was going through training of his own.

On the other side of the training field, the chief was giving extra attention to Luke by sparring against Luke.

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Every duel left Luke a bit stronger and a bit faster. The chief was surprised. He had taken Luke's silence throughout the years for weakness. Now, he knew that underneath the silence was a reservoir of potential.

After a week of focused training, Luke's sword had an edge that could hardly be ignored. Even the chief had to take Luke's strikes seriously. The old Luke would search and poke at weaknesses. Now, he could overwhelm opponents with sheer strength and in the process, force mistakes that he'd crash into like a sledgehammer. Soon, not even the most seasoned orc warrior could equal Luke in a fight.

The rest of Adam's team were caught between the two chiefs. While they mostly trained with the chief, often sparring against Luke, their attention often wandered to the side where Adam was directing the Greenbough orcs.

They felt Luke's blows become heavier, something that they could no longer handle. And they watched Adam smile as the Greenbough orcs became more in tune with their formation.

After training, Sam or Max would walk over to Adam’s hut to talk, mentioning Luke or bringing up stories of the past when they were all a group. It was obvious what they wanted to say but they never found the courage to verbalize their thoughts.

Adam could only smile at their attempts.

I’m sorry, guys. I miss it too. But I don’t see how we can go back.

—

Occasionally, Adam and Luke would cross paths in the camp. Their greetings were mechanical. Adam couldn't shake off the sting from his loss and Luke, well, he was never the one to talk first. As time wore on, Adam felt the gulf between them widen and grow. It was hard to think of anything to say except hello.

Once, Adam turned around after greeting and walking past Luke. He saw Luke looking in his direction, still as a statue. Moments later, Luke walked away, shoulders tensed and brow furrowed.

—

Soon, the next Sunday had come. This time, the bells were ringing as Adam made his way towards the watchtower.

The sight below was something new. Rather than a few dozen humans who came for sport, there were hundreds of human soldiers gathered outside the camp. This was not going to be a skirmish.

The difference in number and quality was striking. A normal Sunday had the humans coming with rusted axes or spears. This army was far better armed. Their weapons glittered in the morning sun and many of the soldiers even had swords.

In the middle of the human army was a blinding sun. Ten knights, dressed in full armor.

“I told you, Ironblood! I warned you they’d come with numbers,” Greenbough roared, waving his arm towards the open field. “And here they are, at your gates. We needed to raid and push them back, and instead you gave them time to prepare.”

The chief roared back in rage. He took a step towards Greenbough with his arms up before stopping.

“I made my decision, Greenbough. I don’t want to fight with you. Our fight is out there.”

“What fight? You are going to fight them, but with what? My camp was far bigger than yours, and we lost. Even if we win today, they will come back with greater numbers.”

“What else can we do? Let them overrun us? We will fight.”

Greenbough pushed away from the edge of the tower and drew his face near to the chief’s, snarling, “We should flee.Put the camp to the torch, slow them down. We can regroup at another camp, and gather our forces. We can gain numbers. But here, like this, we can’t win.”

The chief looked over the human forces, his face was once again etched in stone. He started to descend the tower.

“We're orcs. We fight, and we win. We will claim glory."

He came to the gates and closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he began to push on the left door. Just before the gate opened, another hand as large as his met the gate's other door. Greenbough. The chief looked over and grunted. Greenbough nodded.

For the first time in his life, Adam saw both doors of the gate open at once.

—

Every orc in camp mustered up behind the two chiefs. Even without orders, they could sense that this battle was for the camp's survival. Holding back wasn’t an option.

The two forces were still holding their distance, but the one-armed knight appeared on the front line, close enough to be shouted at.

The chief took a few steps forward.

“Hello, knight! Have you come to lose the other arm?”

At the chief's words, some of the humans moved as if to charge. The knight held up his arm to stop them and turned to face the chief. He was silent.

As the chief and the knight stared at each other, Adam saw Greenbough and his orcs making his way towards him.

“Adam. I’ll be joining my men and working with the formation you designed. You are free to fight with your camp, but you are strong. I would be glad if you fought with us.”

Adam began to move towards their group before catching sight of Sam, off to the side. Most orcs had a wave of bloodlust wash over them before a battle, covering all of their emotions. Sam was an exception, you could always tell what he was feeling. Today, that feeling was fear.

Max and Dax stood near Sam. They did a better job of hiding their fear, but Adam knew them well enough to know that they were terrified as well.

I wonder if they can see how scared I am, too.

Adam looked at his group, young and inexperienced, and at Greenbough's group, battle-hardened and veterans. He noticed Luke next to Sam. Luke was a better fighter alone, but he never left the formation to strike out on his own.

It wasn't a hard decision after all.

“I’m sorry, Chief Greenbough. I'm part of a team.”

Greenbough nodded at Adam and moved off to position his men. Adam looked back towards his team. He walked over slowly but steadily.

Max and Dax smiled at Adam as he joined the group. Sam gave Adam's arm a squeeze. And Luke approached. He and Adam faced each other for a moment in silence. Then Luke cracked a smile.

“Welcome back, leader.”

Adam grinned.

As the chief and the knight’s one-sided banter began to die down, everyone knew that battle was approaching.

The time for communication was over, it was time for strength.