The journey to the Thundertusk Warrens was quiet, with only the sound of their footsteps echoing through the caverns. The orcs marched in cautious silence, their eyes flickering uneasily between Noir and their shaman, Shargoth, who led the way with slow, deliberate steps.Grid glanced back, his yellow eyes gleaming mischievously. "Orcs, bowing to a human," he snickered. "What's next? Dragons asking for manners?"Lyralei, walking beside him, frowned. "It's strange," she said, her voice soft but focused. "They're proud, stubborn. Why submit so easily?"Thalor, always pragmatic, adjusted his cloak, keeping his voice low. "They fear something. Whether it's Noir or the prophecy... it's enough to make them desperate."Julian, still pale from the recent battle, fidgeted nervously. "So, do we trust them?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.Lyralei gave him a quick, reassuring glance. "We don't have much of a choice right now. But we stay alert."Grid let out a short, sarcastic laugh. "Or we could just fight our way out and save us all the trouble." His grin was wide and toothy.Thalor shot him a stern look. "This isn't a game, Grid. Don't make it one."Noir walked ahead, his crimson eyes fixed on the path before them, but inside his mind, the familiar voices taunted him."Orcs," Asmodeus purred mockingly. "Your first followers are orcs? How noble."Takir's voice, more measured, rumbled in response. "Orcs are strong, Asmodeus. A small start, but strength comes in numbers, doesn't it, Noir?"Noir's jaw clenched, but he stayed silent. His companions couldn't see the battle in his mind, and he wasn't about to let them know just how deeply these voices unsettled him.As they reached the entrance to the Warrens, Shargoth stopped and turned, his deep green eyes resting on Noir. "Welcome, Crimson-Eyed One," he intoned gravely. "Our home is now yours."The five companions exchanged uneasy glances but followed him into the tunnels. The air was thick with the scent of earth and smoke, the walls etched with crude carvings of orcish legends.Grid leaned closer to Lyralei, his voice barely above a whisper. "Something's off. You feel it, don't you?"Lyralei nodded, her sharp green eyes scanning the surroundings. "Stay sharp. If anything feels wrong, we move."Julian, nervously glancing around, asked, "Do you think Noir knows what's going on?"Thalor shook his head slightly. "He's been silent since the orcs surrendered. Best to let him decide when to speak."Noir continued forward, aware of their whispers, but inside, the voices were relentless."They don't trust you, you know," Asmodeus whispered, amusement threading through his voice. "You lead them, but their loyalty is thin. Fear or respect, Noir? Which will you choose?"Takir followed, his tone more deliberate. "The orcs serve you out of fear of prophecy. But fear alone doesn't last."Noir's eyes flickered with an almost imperceptible flash of anger, but he said nothing. He would speak to his companions soon, once he had made his decision.In the cavern, Shargoth stopped before a rudimentary stone throne. "Here, you shall rest," he announced. "Tonight, we feast. Tomorrow, we discuss our future."Grid smirked at Lyralei, muttering, "A feast, huh? Let's hope we're not the main course."Lyralei shot him a warning look but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "Stay alert. We're not out of danger yet."As the orcs prepared for the feast, the companions gathered closer, their voices low."What now?" Julian whispered, his wide eyes darting between them.Thalor sighed, his expression thoughtful. "We stay vigilant. If this is a trap, we need to be ready."Lyralei nodded, her face serious. "Weapons close, eyes open. And we find out what Noir is planning."Noir stood apart, his gaze fixed on the flickering torches. Inside, the voices stirred again."They fear you," Asmodeus hissed. "Fear can be a powerful weapon. Or a dangerous liability."Takir's deep voice followed. "Will you rule as a tyrant, Noir, or will you guide them? Either choice has consequences."Noir's eyes narrowed, his mind whirling. The decision would define him. But for now, he would wait.As the night stretched on, the companions remained on edge, each lost in their thoughts. Lyralei and Thalor sat side by side, their backs to the cold stone wall.Lyralei's voice was soft, laced with worry. "Do you think anyone from Valewood made it? Our families, our friends?"Thalor's hands tightened around his bow. "I don't know," he admitted. "But we have to hope. Maybe someone survived."Lyralei looked down, a tear glistening in her eye before she wiped it away quickly. "I just keep thinking... my sister... my father... where are they now?"Thalor placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We'll keep searching, Lyralei. For them. For all of us."Across the cavern, Grid paced, his expression darker than usual. "Damn fools," he muttered. "I should've kept them safe. Should've known better."He stopped, staring at the ground. "Why did they have to die like that?" His voice broke, quieter now, filled with regret.He looked toward Noir. "And now... orcs? What the hell are we doing?"Noir's gaze shifted to his companions. He saw their pain, their doubts. But he also saw their resilience. He felt something stir within him—something new.Perhaps there was another path. Perhaps being a leader didn't mean giving up on vengeance.The flickering torchlight cast long shadows across the cavern as Shargoth stood at the center, his arms raised in a deep chant. The ritual began, filling the space with ancient words, the orcs bowing their heads in reverence.Lyralei leaned closer to Thalor, her voice low. "They've gone all out for this. What do you make of it?"Thalor watched closely. "Could be genuine... or they're making a show of it. Either way, we can't let our guard down."Grid, tearing into a skewer of meat, chuckled. "If this is a trap, at least they gave us breakfast first."Julian frowned. "It feels... strange. They're treating him like some kind of god."Lyralei's gaze was sharp. "They fear him. But fear isn't the same as respect."Noir remained apart, listening to the chanting below, while the voices inside his mind whispered."They kneel before you, Noir," Asmodeus purred. "This is your power. Your kingdom, if you take it."Takir's voice rumbled in agreement. "The first step toward something greater. Embrace it."As the chanting ceased, Shargoth turned, addressing Noir with a voice filled with reverence. "Crimson-Eyed One, we, the Thunderfist Clan, pledge our loyalty to you. As foretold by the prophecy, we kneel before you, our leader, our salvation."One by one, the orcs dropped to their knees. Even Lor, though still wary, followed. Noir's companions exchanged looks of disbelief.Grid muttered, "Well, this is new."Julian whispered, "What's he going to do now?"Noir stood slowly, his presence commanding. "I accept your loyalty," he began, his voice calm but filled with authority. "But understand this—I do not seek to rule as a tyrant."The orcs looked up, confusion and curiosity in their eyes. Noir's companions watched, tension filling the air."This place," Noir continued, "the Thundertusk Warrens, will become a sanctuary. A place for those who have been oppressed, cast aside. We will build a nation here—one that stands against those who seek to destroy."The murmurs grew, surprise rippling through the crowd. Lyralei exchanged a stunned glance with Thalor, while Grid's grin faded, replaced by deep thought."We will forge an army," Noir's voice rose. "Not just of orcs, but of all who have been wronged. We will not bow to tyrants or kings. We will be the shield for the weak, and the sword for the voiceless."There was silence—a pause where the cavern seemed to hold its breath. Slowly, the orcs began to nod, resolve hardening in their faces.Noir's crimson eyes swept over the crowd, his companions, seeing their shock but also the hope that sparked within them."Yes, Noir," Asmodeus whispered triumphantly. "This is the power you hold. They will follow, they will fight, they will die for you."Takir's voice followed, approving. "You have chosen wisely. Lead them... and see where this path takes you."Noir stood firm, his decision made. "Prepare yourselves," he commanded. "For today, we begin a new journey."The orcs began to chant, low and powerful, filling the cavern with a rumbling energy. And as the noise swelled, Noir knew there was no turning back.