As the four approached the city's center, they watched the number of orcs grow on the horizon. They were all dressed in similar armor to the one Alex had got from the camp the day before, and they sacked each store with faces full of pleasure.
It took a while for them to realize someone was approaching from the distance. The first orc who spotted them cried to his friends, but as if he was surprised in a good way and about to enjoy a meal he was craving.
The other orcs replied in the same tone, almost animalistic. How can they be so different from Bogath and the orcs from the town? When Alex met Bogath, he considered him different from the city orcs. Still, these were on a whole other level. It was almost like they were in a high of violence. Like a minor form of the previous bloodlust he had witnessed before.
"What's the plan?" Liv asked behind,
"Smash their heads to the ground, basically." Alex replied with a smirk, but the woman didn't enjoy the joke, "We need to stall the fight; let them come to us. Fight smart. Kill as many as you can with your bow. The other members are probably getting close coming from the other street,"
"There are capable fighters inside the city hall?" This time, Rel'Tir was asking,
"Yes, some, but they are probably afraid because of the difference in numbers,"
"So let's hope they join the fight when they see we are fighting back," Tina said. Alex agreed internally while thinking if he could do something differently. If he could devise an intricate plan to deal with the approaching orcs.
Coming in their way were seven orcs, all strolling, and every single one with an axe in hand, just like the orcs they fought before. The street was narrow, and none of the buildings seemed ready to collapse like the previous one. However, fighting inside the stores didn't seem to be wise. Too many risks.
All the advantage they had was their position on the street, the fact they didn't need to engage in the fight first, and Liv's bow. And, of course, the Devil's Hand. Alex had felt the power of the endowment around him since their first fight inside FrontHold. The energy increased his force and will and undoubtedly his desire to fight.
He knew he was a better warrior because of the Devil's Hand, which would help him overcome the fight against the orcs. He felt confident to face at least three at the same time. If he drank the blood of one of them and absorbed what he thought to be the arcanite light inside it, he could be even more potent, but the fact that he couldn't control his transformations put him on hold.
Alex would try not to reveal his power, but as a last resort, he would. He had a promise to keep.
As the orcs got close, Alex couldn't shake the feeling that he was doing the right thing here. A strange shiver kept running through his neck over and over. Almost as if a whisper called for him, and that whisper came from behind the gray orc, behind the city wall. Something ancient was calling him, and he knew it was related to the Devil's Hand and the world's end. These creatures were just one more obstacle in Alex's journey to knowledge and power.
The first Orc sprinted towards them, and Liv put one arrow inside the creature's heart.
"Good shot," Alex muttered, and the girl smiled mischievously, "Keep going," he repeated as his sergeants used to do in the police academy. The difference was that now everything was real.
Another one rushed, but this one, Liv kept missing with her arrows. The orc's smile grew more prominent as he looked to Alex, but Rel'Tir took the front and fought the enemy. Another orc followed behind, and this one was faced by a Tina.
"Go to the sidewalk! Shoot from there. Get close only if they compromise your position!" Alex shouted, and the redhead woman nodded promptly, running and taking a position. Alex sprinted towards Tina with his dagger in hand. The sword would be more effective because of the range, but it would increase the chances of Tina getting hit by friendly fire.
She kept deflecting the orc's blows with her shield and swinging her sword. The orc dodged and struck, making the girl sweat with annoyance. Alex pressed against the monster, slicing from one side to the other, connecting with flesh and repositioning. Tina took advantage of the moment to thrust her sword on the beast, who hit him in the shoulder.
The orc lifted his other hand to the wound, and an arrow connected strictly at his hand, piercing it and gluing it to his body. The orc was so surprised by the arrow that he didn't see Alex's dagger slicing his neck.
Rel'Tir was fighting one of the orcs on the other side of the street. He wasn't actually fighting. He was struggling hard. Sword and axe were on the ground, and they traded punches, and in between, both tried to grab their weapons on the floor.
It was like they were fighting a strange jiu-jitsu match. The orc descended his head against Rel'Tir's, and Alex saw the man entirely stunned by the shock. Alex was about to sprint when he realized he would not reach the fighters in time. Liv was only now taking notice of the gritty fight.
It was now or never.
Alex aimed the dagger and threw it.
The blade entered the head of the orc just as he was about to strike Rel'Tir with his tusks. The other orcs watched the fight now with surprise. Alex saw the big orc slowly grabbing his gigantic sword with two hands. The young elf helped Rel'Tir to get up,
"We are even now. I don't like to be in debt," He said, and the boy nodded,
"Thank you! About yesterday…"
"Not the moment, let's kill these fuckers first," Alex replied, and Rel'Tir put an immense smile on his face. Alex would remain wary of the boy, but he could see something different in his eyes. Almost an admiration towards Alex. Or he is just a great actor.
Liv hit the other two orcs close in the shoulder, and Alex and Tina ran to finish them clean and fast.
As Alex killed the orc, he felt the energy of the devil's hand increase around his body, and the system sent him a message. He had just upgraded one of his attributes again but wouldn't look in the middle of the fight. The almost invisible mist danced around his arms and legs as he sliced the orcs coming in their way. Alex, Tina, and Rel'Tir were in a dance of death. Tina lagged behind and needed help from time to time, but showing to be an excellent team player and a determined fighter.
After killing five more orcs, the leader of the orcs cried to the skies. His bulkier arms grabbed the immense sword with two hands, putting it against his shoulders. He was tired of waiting. Other orcs left the vicinity as if replying to the command of their leader.
Slowly, the monstrous orc walked towards them as if his sword weighed a horse's weight.
"That will be difficult," Tina muttered as all of them got close to each other,
"We just need to hold a little more," Alex replied, and as the words left his mouth, he listened to shouts coming from inside the City Hall. Other fighting sounds could be heard coming from the nearby street.
The city denizens and the other guild members had joined the fight.
Seeing and hearing that, the gigantic Orc ran towards them, now holding and swinging his immense sword like a piece of paper.