The next day, the rain continued. The dirt turned into mud, and there were puddles all around the place. Despite the miserable weather, Naguk's group moved to the plaza as planned, taking their positions and preparing for the speech.
Amukelo slipped into the narrow alley beside the platform. Soon after the artifact took it's effect. Testing its limits, Amukelo discovered he could shift his stance, turn his head, but any significant movement broke the invisibility.
Eliss had taken a position on the roof of the tall building behind the platform. From her elevated vantage point, she could see the crowd gathering below, though the rain distorted her vision somewhat. She cast a protective spell over herself to keep the water from soaking through her clothing and equipment, allowing her to focus on the crowd rather than the cold dampness.
Meanwhile, Ghak stood among the guards stationed on the platform with Naguk. The platform itself was flanked by a few of Naguk's most trusted fighters, their presence meant to deter any direct attacks.
The crowd began to gather despite the downpour, though the mood was noticeably less enthusiastic than during Naguk's previous speeches. Still, many of them stayed, intrigued by the chance to hear what Naguk had to say.
Naguk stepped forward onto the platform, and he began his speech. "Fellow orcs. I know this rain is unpleasant, but we cannot allow small discomforts to distract us from the larger issues we face."
He continued with his usual topics, highlighting the flaws in the orcish way of handling conflicts, the need for unity, and the importance of alliances. While his words were strong, the audience was less engaged than usual. The rain made visibility poor, forcing most orcs to huddle under makeshift coverings or near each other for warmth, further fragmenting their attention.
Midway through Naguk's speech, Amukelo heard faint voices from behind him. He slowly turned his head, careful not to disrupt the ring's effect. Two figures emerged from the opposite end of the alley.
"I can't believe they didn't place anyone down this alley," one of them whispered. "Even if we didn't know their positions, this would've been an easy target."
Amukelo's heart quickened. What do they mean, 'know their positions'? His thoughts raced. Do they have a spy?
He stayed silent, watching as the two figures moved closer. One was an orc mage, the faint glow of prepared mana shimmering around his staff. The other carried a large axe.
"The other mages are ready," the axe-wielding orc said as they approached. "We just need to wait for the signal."
Amukelo stayed motionless, his hand tightening on his sword. The two walked right past him, oblivious to his presence. They reached the end of the alley and tilted their heads around the corner to observe the plaza.
"Prepare the spell," the axe-wielder ordered the mage. "Cast it as soon as the signal is given."
The mage nodded, stepping back into the alley to ready his incantation. And Amukelo decided to not wait any longer.
With one decisive movement he unsheated his sword and attacked. The axe-wielder didn't even have time to react before Amukelo's blade sliced cleanly through his neck. The severed head tumbled to the ground, the lifeless body collapsing in a heap.
The mage, startled, turned sharply. "What the—?" he stammered, raising his staff defensively. His hand glowed with a fiery light, and before Amukelo could close the distance, the mage cast a fireball. Amukelo ducked back, but the explosion rocked the alley. Flames licked the walls, and the sound echoed across the plaza.
The blast instantly drew attention. Naguk, in the middle of his speech, paused and turned toward the commotion, his brows furrowing. But before he could issue an order or even move, a sudden metallic clinking filled the air. Chains erupted from beneath the platform, snaking around Naguk's legs and torso. He grunted and tried to break free, but the chains tightened with a metallic groan, binding him firmly in place. Similar chains sprang out to ensnare the guards near him, coiling around their weapons and immobilizing them.
"What's going on?!" Naguk roared, straining against the bonds, but they held fast.
Across the plaza, Naguk's warriors moved to respond, but the enemy was already prepared. Orcs disguised as commoners sprang into action, grabbing Naguk's visible fighters and forcing their weapons to the ground. Disarmament was quick and brutal. Even Eliss, who had been stationed on the rooftop, wasn't spared. Two orcs appeared beside her, one of them muttering a spell that sent glowing chains snaking around her arms and legs.
Amukelo finished the mage in the alley with a quick, decisive thrust to the chest. As the mage fell, gasping, Amukelo turned toward the plaza. His heart pounded as he took in the scene of chaos. From his hidden vantage point, he saw Naguk and his guards completely restrained, their weapons useless at their feet. Eliss, too, was bound. The remaining defenders were being dragged into submission.
Amukelo gritted his teeth. He couldn't let this stand. But as he watched, his mind raced. I'm the only one left. If I charge in blindly, they'll capture me too.
He glanced toward Eliss on the rooftop. Two orcs stood beside her, one of them holding a blade while the other kept a watchful eye on the plaza. Amukelo's hands tightened around his sword. He couldn't save everyone at once, but he could start with her.
Keeping to the shadows, Amukelo moved quickly and quietly through the alleys, circling the plaza as rain continued to pour. And eventually he made it to the building where Eliss was being held.
Amukelo gripped the edge of a rain-slicked ladder and climbed to the roof. As he reached the top, he spotted the two orcs standing guard.
On the stage, Naguk struggled against his chains as an orc emerged from the crowd and strode confidently toward him. He was tall, with dark green skin and jagged armor adorned with the emblem of the Ashfang tribe.
Naguk's eyes narrowed. "Durzag," he spat. "What are you doing here?"
Durzag grinned, his sharp teeth flashing. "Isn't it obvious?" he said, spreading his arms theatrically. "I've come to stop your campaign. We can't have you making your little speeches and swaying the masses before the match. It's bad for business."
"You're a coward," Naguk snarled. "Hiding behind tricks and ambushes."
Durzag laughed, a deep, guttural sound. "And yet here you are, trapped like a fish in a net. I'd say my cowardice is quite effective."
Naguk growled. "How did you know we'd be here?"
Durzag's grin widened. "Oh, I have my ways. Let's just say I have a very... cooperative informer."
Naguk's face darkened further. "Informer? Who? What are you talking about?"
"Enough," Durzag snapped, motioning to his warriors. "Bring them all. We'll hold them until the match is over. Then we'll decide what to do with them."
But before his orders could be carried out, a scream pierced the air. All heads turned toward the rooftop. One of Durzag's guards toppled over the edge, crashing to the ground below with a sickening thud. On the rooftop stood Amukelo, his sword dripping with rain and blood as he squared off against the remaining orc.
Durzag's eyes narrowed. "A human? So she was right. But how did he escape the trap?"