Chapter 85
Ethan, the Vermilion Sovereign, had become a symbol of hope amidst the chaos that enveloped the city. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an eerie glow on the streets, the citizens were gripped by fear at the sight of the gray orcs. Their sharp tusks glinted in the fading light, and their glowing red eyes seemed to pierce through the darkness, sending shivers down the spines of those unfortunate enough to cross their path. These massive creatures, towering over the average human, moved with an unsettling ferocity that both captivated and terrified the city's inhabitants.
Eager for the challenge, Ethan prepared himself for the confrontation. He had studied the Grey Orcs and knew that, despite their brute strength and intimidating stature, they possessed a certain recklessness in their combat style.
While their raw power could devastate an unprepared opponent, their rough and unrefined movements left them vulnerable. With each swing of their weapons, they exposed themselves, creating openings that a seasoned fighter like Ethan could exploit. He relished the thought of outmaneuvering such colossal foes, utilizing their own weight against them.
However, the battleground was far from simple. The casino roof, with its limited space and myriad of obstacles, posed a challenge for even the most skilled warriors. The towering structures and scattered debris provided ample hiding spots for stealthy tactics, yet for Ethan, this was an advantage rather than a hindrance.
His training in close-quarter combat had prepared him for such scenarios, enabling him to weave through the clutter with grace and precision. As he steadied his breath and focused on the task ahead, Ethan felt the rush of adrenaline course through his veins. The fight against the Grey Orcs was not just about survival; it was an opportunity to prove himself, to protect the city he had come to love, and to rise as the hero they desperately needed.
Ethan moved with the grace of a shadow, weaving through the chaotic battlefield with a fierce determination burning in his heart. The sounds of clashing steel and guttural roars filled the air, but he remained focused, using the surrounding structures to his advantage. The ancient ruins that dotted the landscape became his allies, providing him with cover and elevation as he darted between crumbling pillars and weathered walls. His retractable short sword glinted in the dim light, a deadly arc of steel that sliced effortlessly through the thick hide of the advancing Orcs. Each strike was a testament to his training and resilience, and with every incapacitated foe, Ethan felt a rush of adrenaline and purpose fueling his resolve.
With each swing of his blade, the weight of responsibility settled heavily on his shoulders. He fought not just for himself but for his home and loved ones who were depending on him to stand against the looming threat. Memories of laughter and warmth filled his mind, contrasting starkly with the brutality of the battle around him. As he dispatched another Orc, the creature crumpling lifelessly to the ground,
He was still unsure how many enemies were lurking in the building; he questioned himself if these creatures made a presence in one of the building floors and how many they killed, He was assuming the worst possible case because there were no signs of the casino building's security coming up.
Ethan stood at the forefront of the chaos, his commanding presence rallying the pack as they prepared to storm the building. "Everyone out!" he shouted, his voice echoing against the steel and glass façade.
The order resonated through the air, and the pack surged forward, assimilating into an unstoppable force. As they breached the entrance, an orc lunging from the side with a menacing dagger was abruptly met with a dozen smaller, agile red wolves. Their sudden appearance was like a flash of crimson, pushing the orc back violently and pinning him against the wall, thwarting his attack. With the rooftop entrance shattered to pieces, the pack began their descent, moving swiftly through the structure.
As they scoured the floors, Ethan remained tuned in to their mental links, receiving real-time feedback about their findings. The upper levels were eerily silent and deserted, but everything changed when they reached the 45th floor.
Confirmation reverberated through his mind: the building still harbored tenants, many blissfully ignorant of the turmoil engulfing their surroundings. Ethan's brow furrowed as he uncovered the source of their isolation; the casino owner had implemented a jamming frequency, ensuring that no external news could reach those within the walls. It was a calculated move, leaving the inhabitants blissfully unaware of the red wolves engaging just beyond their soundproofed sanctuaries.
With urgency clawing at his heart, Ethan realized that time was slipping away. They had to establish a means to warn the oblivious guests before calamity struck. A plan began to form: they would tap into the hotel's own communication systems.
He instructed the pack to wreak havoc on each floor and force everybody out, but do not harm the people, an alert while ensuring that the casino's strict curfew was enforced. The walls and ceilings that shielded hotel occupants from external sounds unwittingly played into their hands; they now had to break through that silence before it was too late. With each passing second, the pressure mounted, and Ethan knew that failure was not an option. The lives of the tenants hung in the balance, and he would do whatever it took to guide them to safety amid the chaos.
It was not the first time he had encountered their kind, nor would it be the last. He understood their predatory nature all too well, and in this twisted game of survival, he found himself both hunter and prey. "These Gray Orcs came from somewhere?" he pondered aloud, his voice steady despite the unease that gnawed at his insides. "This wasn't random; they picked this place for a reason."
Ethan's thoughts raced like wildfire, each flicker illuminating pieces of a greater puzzle. The Gray Orcs relished the thrill of the hunt, drawn to locations where they sensed vulnerability. They manage to get up without gathering attention from the building security and bypass human technology with ease.
"This place is a casino and a hotel; the CCTV cameras installed here are top of the line; all security personnel are armed to the teeth; how could they get up here?"
Ethan knew the Gray Orcs were skilled at evading security measures, but their ability to infiltrate such a high-security location left him feeling uneasy. The air around him crackled with tension as he surveyed the tranquil valley, a false sense of peace painted by the sleeping trees and shimmering streams.
It was a stark contrast to the chaos he anticipated; the unease gnawed at him, amplifying his sense of urgency. He realized he needed to act swiftly before the Orcs executed whatever dark intentions they harbored. The vulnerability of the innocent lives resting within this idyllic setting weighed heavily on him as he prepared to confront an encroaching storm.
With each passing moment, Ethan's instincts screamed that the valley was merely a hunting ground for the Gray Orcs. They weren't there simply for sustenance but rather to indulge in a twisted game, orchestrated by an intricate strategy borne from their primordial nature. Every footfall was deliberate, each action calculated in their hunt for flesh and chaos.
"They take great pleasure in seeking their prey," Ethan muttered, recalling tales of their merciless ruthlessness. The thought crystallized in his mind; these Orcs were indeed strong, yet Ethan recognized their skills lacked the refinement of more seasoned foes, a fact that might tip the scales in his favor.
As the realization washed over him—he was likely facing a pack of low-ranking Orcs—he understood the scope of their ambitions stretched beyond mere gluttony. A primal recognition hit him with the force of a thunderclap: these creatures were not simply stalking food, but rather, they were hunters seeking a trophy, a symbol of power that came with domination over not just the land, but the souls that inhabited it.
"They are not here for food," he whispered, piecing together the horrific tapestry of their intentions. This was a rite of passage for the Orcs, a savage testing ground for their worthiness among their kind.
Urgency coursed through his veins, igniting a fire within him that would not be extinguished by fear. Ethan knew he could not afford to second-guess his decisions while innocent lives hung in the balance. He refused to wallow in hesitation; time was not on his side.
He resolved to rally a defense to protect the vulnerable, to stand as a bulwark against the chaos the Gray Orcs threatened to unleash. "They are being tested!" His voice resonated with conviction as he steeled himself for what lay ahead.
With determination solidifying into a plan, the forest around him echoed with the stray calls of its unsuspecting inhabitants. They danced blissfully unaware of the impending danger lurking within the shadows; Ethan would ensure their safety.
The Gray Orcs were surely sent here by a greater force, their actions driven by a need for combat and conquest. But there was a dissonance in the air. "We are being watched!" he realized, an unsettling edge creeping into his thoughts. "But where are they?" The question hung in the silence, a haunting reminder that the unseen observers could very well tip the balance, and Ethan knew the time for action was now.