Rise of the Horde

"Taurens!!!"

"Du!!! kathu!!!"

Mohrios shouted as he barged forward after the orc vanguards made way for them. Charging forward with his head lowered, presenting the dangerous horns atop his head, his halberd made a rough line on the ground as it got dragged behind the huge tauren.

A loud crash of metal and flesh followed as the taurens smash the corrupted trolls and goblins apart, shattering their messy battle line even more. The taurens kept on their charge and went outside the walls, scattering away any foe that had stupidly stood their ground against them.

Raising his head up, Mohrios finally saw the bloody path that they had carved. Their foes lay on the ground, moaning and groaning in pain. The unlucky ones lay dead, no longer moving.

In the last gateway, the ogres went on a rampage and discarded their shields. They smash any foe that they see. The most unfortunate ones became their secondary weapons, which they used to attack, swinging them around and using them as clubs.

"Tsk... Weaklings"

A young ogre snorted, then ran forward, ramming through the battle line of their foes. The mace in its hand wreaks havoc as every swing it makes, blood and flesh would follow. No mercy given. They destroyed their foes in the most gruesome way possible.

An ogre even took a bite of what remains of the troll that it used as a club, tasting the fresh meat of the corrupted troll.

"Ptui!!!"

The ogre quickly spat the flesh that it chewed on.

"It tastes like dirt!"

It shouted, then hurled the limb that was left in its hands before charging forward in annoyance that the flesh of corrupted trolls tastes like dirt.

"Maybe their demon master would taste better"

Another young ogre quipped as he smiled viciously towards their foes. Like the taurens, the ogres stormed the corrupted trolls and goblins, pushing them outside.

Battle continued at the foot of the walls on the outside. Ogres and taurens were mercilessly trampling their foes as the orc shooters and operators rained lead and iron upon the minions of the demon.

The taurens and ogres who were fresh and full of energy drove away the swarm of trolls and goblins, sending them scurrying away.

Another battle won, but it's not over yet. Far in the distance, Xiao Chen spotted an enormous swarm of enemies. Goblins, trolls, ogres, taurens, kobolds and even the creatures of the wild they stood there in a very long line.

Xiao Chen studied their movements. They don't seem to have the intention to attack just yet since they are scattering in different groups. Their foes seem to be waiting for someone or something.

The pulse of energy came again, but this time much stronger than before. The high-ranking demon was nearly upon them and Xiao Chen hoped that it won't be a very powerful one.

*****

Xiao Chen ordered his warriors to take a much needed rest and keep their guards up. He didn't give order for the battlefield to be cleaned because of the presence of the enemy army that stood in the east, he must let his warriors have a rest for they don't know when the next the attack will be, it might be in a few hours or days.

The presence of the enemy army was something that Xiao Chen can't ignore. While his warriors were resting, Xiao Chen went to the orc forgers requesting for them to forge more of the ammunitions for the enormous weapons on the walls and the shotgun crossbows.

*****

Days have passed, but their enemies still didn't make a single assault. The almost sleepless nights that they had to endure was gnawing at their morale and patience.

The mere presence of their enemies. It also subjected Xiao Chen to the sleepless nights, spending almost all his time on the walls. He felt light-headed after days of no proper rest, just like his warriors.

The only ones who didn't care were the ogres as they lazily sprawled around near the walls, enjoying their sleep. Their loud snores irritated the taurens and orcs, and even Xiao Chen's patience was running thin on the behavior of the ogres.

"Wake me up when there's a battle to be fought"

"Battle! Enemies! Where!"

"Tell me if the battle starts but for now I go to sleep"

The ogres' answers were almost the same, which unnerved Xiao Chen. He ordered his warriors to get some sleep, but they refused to do so. The discipline that was instilled in them was paying off as they joined Xiao Chen in keeping watch for the looming threat.

The taurens, however, got little shut-eye as the energy of the demon that they felt made them very anxious that they can't get a proper sleep, so they joined the orcs.

Within the village, the orc forgers and trolls work in shifts to produce as much ammunition as they can, forging and repairing equipments for the warriors in the walls while the goblins and kobolds also were busy mining and transporting the needed ores.

The orcs who weren't part of the Yohan First Battalion like Kul'tha and Xor'tharr's group provided and transported meals for the orc warriors, taurens, and ogres. Every single one of them was busy helping in the defense of the walls against the demon and its minions in one way or another.

The actions of their enemies totally puzzled Xiao Chen. They have attacked them two times consecutively, then stopped. He can't make heads or tails of their plans. If it was him, he would storm the walls continuously until their enemies would buckle because of exhaustion and the absence of reinforcements.

Footsteps sounded from behind him. Glancing at the one approaching, Xiao Chen saw Draegh'ana clad in her battle armor, walking towards him. She sat beside the chieftain uttering no word and just stared at the brightly lit night sky illuminated by the twinkling gems.

Xiao Chen just shook his head and maintained the silence between them. He also stared at the night sky, wondering what fate had prepared for him as an orc.

He was trying to make the best out of the situation that fate has bestowed upon him, but he can't help but scrunched his face in annoyance of the hectic new life that he was given.

The battles that he had fought, the dangerous encounters he was in, and now a high-ranking demon was on its way to screw him and his budding kingdom that he was trying to establish.

*****

The chilly breeze of the early morning made Xiao Chen shiver and aroused him awake from his peaceful slumber.

"Shit! I fell asleep while on the watch. The enemies didn't attack, did they?"

Xiao Chen softly muttered to himself and stood up and surveyed his surroundings. He saw none of the orc warriors nearby. As he was wondering, he smelled a faint sweet fragrance to his left.

He glanced to his left and was surprised to see the usually feisty female orc warrior was still sitting beside him. However, she was asleep and leaning against the icy wall.

As if the female orc felt cold in her sleep, she shivered and clasped her knees while curling her back. The morning dew that had wet the tip of her hair added more allure to her peaceful, sleeping face.

Observing closely, under the starlight, her peaceful face gave Xiao Chen the impression of a cute little girl contrary to the vibe that she exudes when she was awake, which was full of savagery, true to her race as an orc.

Xiao Chen moved his body a bit and finally realized that an animal fur was draped over him. The female orc was worried that he might feel the cold but didn't get one for herself.

He smiled wryly and shook his head. Xiao Chen removed the animal fur that was draped over him and brought it towards the cold female orc and covered her with it. Xiao Chen carefully tucked in the usually cold and wild female orc with the animal fur and stood up.

Xiao Chen felt that someone was watching his actions but didn't bother with it. After properly tucking in Draegh'ana, he glanced where that feeling was originating from. His gaze finally met with the one who was watching him.

The mischievous smile of Gur'kan welcomed, which somehow irked him and staring further. He could also see Trot'thar, and the same mischievous smile was plastered on his face.

Now he knew the reason why there was no orc warrior near where he rested at. It was the idea of his two commanders. They cleared off those who should have usually patrolled near him to give him and Draegh'ana some private space where they won't be disturbed.

A wry smile crept up on Xiao Chen's lips as his two commanders seemed to play matchmaker with him and Draegh'ana. Shaking his head, he turned around and stared at the peacefully slumbering female orc warrior.