Chapter 86
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.
Ethan was able to confirm that the Orcs on top of the casino building were seven; we already killed one and fatally wounded two, leaving only four of them hiding within the shadows. These were more cautions, knowing their enemy was more experienced than them; the roof was not that wide and had many industrial obstructions that became a hindrance toward close quarter battle; the four Orcs were strong, but their rough and agile movements were unrefined and lacked control; even their breathing was noisy and heavy. The night did little to hide their bulky physique. Ethan was trained and molded to hunt elusive and mountain animals, at times he was ordered by his father to mark the targets fur with permanent makers; there were dears and boars.
The roof top casino building was filled with industrial lift overruns, cooling towers, air handling units, boilers, and generators. large water storage, communication towers, and satellites, Ethan ascended in the same manner as the Orc did, as his blood crows showed the way. At the very heart of the casino building were shipping and cargo trucks docking to deliver the casino's supplies and equipment. Ethan saw a huge plant like vine going up the vey wall of the 50-story building, confirming he was on the right track. An unknown vine type plant was seen on the firewall side of the building where no visible window could be seen. This long and thick vine plant looked like it was a product of magic.
Because Ethan tried to cut it, but it was impossible to cut due to its supernatural strength. The vine's sharp half-foot torns like pikes were supporting its weight as it punctured the concrete wall going upward, making it nearly impossible to remove. Ethan realized those who were watching them might be in the same position where the vine was located.
Meanwhile Ethan was receiving conscious mental links that the wolves and even the crows were having a hard time making the hotel casino guess leave as the manager and casino owner weren't about to lose money on openly admitting that there was a problem. The guards and guess see the wolves and crows to be the attackers as they were creating chaos on each floor. The wolves could only howl and growl at the closed door because the guests were rich and had an entitlement personally. The Ethan plan backfired at him; he wasn't a mage that could cast magic spells to truly knock everybody out.
Ethan was lurking among the shadows and waiting for the perfect moment to make his move. As one of the Four Orcs has shown its location, the cloud that covered the moon was the perfect Ethan's backdrop. He continuously observed the sky and the movemen of the clouds, anticipating the sudden shift. Ethan has mastered the ability to move swiftly and avoid detection by deeply emerging himself in the shadows, his breathing was slow and steady as he waited for the perfect moment to come close to the orcs weak and blind spot.
Even the wind was Ethan's friend. He knows that wild beasts have a high, keen sense of smell. The wind was blowing away from the orcs, concealing his approach. Ethan was right beside the crouching orc as it was holding its battle axe and was observing its surroundings. Ethan extended his retractable armguard short sword and on his left arm while his right arm was about to hold his prey's mouth.
With a swift and calculated movement, Ethan plunged his sword into the orc's exposed neck, silencing any chance of a cry for help. The battle axe fell from the orc's grasp as it slumped to the ground. Ethan used his foot to dampen the sound as he made sure the blade cut the orc's primary blood vein on its neck.
The Orcs were not communicating; they know this will be their hiding spot, As the cloud covered the moon, Ethan just walked backwards as soon as the moon's radiance showed that the fourth Org was now dead. The cameraman was holding his breath as he was able to capture everything that just happened. As the camera he was using had a thermal imaging feature, the footage would clearly show the heat signature of the orc's body as it went cold.
Thousands of people who were watching this live were in awe of the intense battle unfolding before their eyes. The cameraman knew he had captured a moment that would go down in history as one of the most epic showdowns between man and orc.
Many knight guild leaders were annoyed seeing the single person claim this kill; many knights that were following this event were able to reach the building, while the first three knights, knight Alistair, knight Elara, and knight Cedric, also saw the vine, and knight Cedric decided to climb the vine and help the Vermilion Sovereign, even if his two comrades advised and pleaded with him not to.
Knight Cedric was as stubborn as ever, firmly grabbing hold of the vines and quickly climbing the rush upward, hoping to reach the battle and gain his honor by killing the enemy with his own sword. Knight Cedric was already on the fifteenth floor, as he was an ability user, so his physical body was above normal beings when he decided to look down, hoping that his two companions were following him. As he stopped and looked down, he nearly lost hold on the vine as a few orcs had already murdered Alistair, while knight Elara was being brutally raped by an orc, and soon after she would be used as their breading slave.
Knight Cedric's heart sank as he witnessed the horrific scene below, realizing his companions were in grave danger. Determined to avenge them, he prepared himself for battle, knowing he had to act quickly to prevent his own tragedy.
Already, a few orcs were moving closer to him, their jaws clamped down on what appeared to be a double dagger in their mouths. Realizing the dire situation, he summoned all his strength and agility to swiftly descend the vine and engage in combat with the approaching orcs, determined to save Elara and avenge Alistair's death. The fate of his companions depended on his quick thinking and exceptional combat skills as an ability user.
As the sounds of sirens blared through the air, Ethan's heart raced with apprehension. The sight of police cars weaving through the streets below was a stark reminder of the chaos that had erupted just moments ago. Hordes of onlookers flocked to the scene, driven by a morbid curiosity rather than the instinct for self-preservation.
They had abandoned the safety of their homes, compelled by the adrenaline-fueled allure of witnessing what they deemed an extraordinary spectacle, completely oblivious to the potential consequences of their reckless decision. Ethan's grip tightened around his weapon as he realized that their fascination could inadvertently provoke a disastrous conflict, drawing even more orcs into the fray.
With every passing second, Ethan felt the urgency mounting. He knew deep down that it was his responsibility to act swiftly to quell the brewing storm before it engulfed the innocent bystanders gathered below. The growing crowd reminded him of the fragility of life—how quickly shifting dynamics could lead to devastation.
"Not every battle is won without sacrifice," Ethan reminded himself, the weight of his duty heavy on his shoulders. As he mentally prepared to confront the remaining trio of orcs lurking in the shadows, he was acutely aware of the stakes at hand. Each decision could mean the difference between safety and catastrophe.
Ethan stood on the precipice of his own doubt, the weight of his mission pressing heavily upon him. The bitterness that accompanied his calling felt almost suffocating, a dark shroud that clouded his resolve. He questioned the sanity of risking his life for those who seemed blissfully ignorant of the threat encroaching upon them.
They wandered through their days, wrapped in illusions of safety, as if danger were nothing but a distant tale whispered by frightened children. Yet, in the quiet recesses of his mind, an old lesson from his father flickered to life—a reminder that true strength lay not in fighting for those who could see the storm on the horizon, but in standing firm for those who couldn't, who perhaps didn't even know they needed saving.
As the echoes of his father's wisdom resonated within him, Ethan felt a shift in his perspective. The tangled web of human existence revealed itself, a network of lives bound together by shared hopes and dreams, even in the face of impending doom. He may not have possessed the omniscience to judge the intentions of each individual, but he understood that his fight extended far beyond mere survival against the orc threat; it was about preserving the very essence of humanity. In that pivotal moment, clarity washed over him
He recognized that he wasn't simply a soldier waging battle; he was a guardian of innocence, dedicated to nurturing the flickering flame of hope that resided within the hearts of those who seemed unworthy of it. This realization ignited a new determination, a resolve to stand for a future where compassion could prevail over the darkness of ignorance and apathy.
In a startling turn of events that left hotel and casino guests in a state of disbelief, reports of a wolf pack surrounding the premises began to circulate rapidly. Many guests frantically sought confirmation of this bizarre scenario, their excitement giving way to concern as they witnessed security guards struggling to contain the wild animals.
Meanwhile, crows, likely startled by the unfolding chaos, found themselves cornered by hotel staff, who urgently locked the staircase door leading to the lower levels. With the situation swiftly escalating, those inside the establishment found themselves with little choice but to evacuate as police and first aid responders swarmed the area.
Within a mere ten minutes, the once-luxurious venue transformed into a scene marked by sheer chaos and confusion. The howls of the wolves reverberated through the air, heightening the tension and disquiet among the crowd. Guests exchanged nervous glances as the frantic cawing of the crows echoed back, creating an eerie soundtrack to the unfolding drama. As authorities assessed the situation and directed guests towards safety, the atmosphere was thick with an urgent sense of alarm, drawing curious onlookers and news reporters eager to capture the surreal events taking place. It was a night that none would soon forget, marked not just by the unforeseen presence of nature but by the collective anxiety that ensued in the heart of the city.
Ethan felt a disconcerting calm wash over him as he thrust the blade deep into the third orc, hidden beneath the heavy water storage containers. The act was violent, yet strangely methodical, akin to the way an assassin dispatches prey. With each penetration, he was acutely aware of the primal energy coursing through him, mingled with the cold detachment of his focus.
This was not just a fight; it was survival, and in this moment, he had become the hunter. But lurking in the shadows of his psyche was a nagging concern—he could sense the remaining Orc nearby, its senses sharp and attuned to the scent of its fallen brethren. As a helicopter droned overhead, its whirring blades slicing through the air like a grim reminder of their presence, Ethan grimaced at the sudden shift in the wind, carrying with it the metallic scent of blood.
The Orc, alerted by the invigorating aroma of its kind, lifted its head, nostrils flaring as it caught the unmistakable trace of carnage. Panic surged through Ethan; the instinct for clandestine movement clashed with the urgency of the situation. The foolish news helicopter above, intent on capturing the unfolding drama below, illuminated the area with a searching spotlight, probing the darkness where Ethan hoped to remain hidden.
The harsh light rendered his concealed position futile. There was no escaping the scrutiny now. He had to emerge from the shadows, abandoning his cover and stepping into the fray, fully aware that every choice could tip the scales of fate. The two remaining orcs's growl echoed in the night, primal and menacing as the two attacked Ethan. Many that were watching the first live broadcast saw what the other news helicopter did, which mad them furious.
Ethan or Vermilion Sovereign was now openly fighting against two Orcs in hand-to-hand combat, Ethan had to strike and defend; each clash was like thunder, and sparks of metal could be seen, It was a violent and intense battle that left viewers on the edge of their seats. The outcome of this fight would be a new page in history. While this was happening, more orcs climbed up the magical vine , as one orc was carrying a decapitated head.