As Velt climbed onto the carriage the orc had arrived in, several elves immediately approached him.

  —Velt, can you explain what just happened? —Rychbi asked, frowning.

  —It’s true… you expanded into something purple and ate the orc —said another, still in disbelief.

  —It was terrifying… —added one more, clearly nervous.

  —Rychbi… —Velt murmured.

  —Tell me —the elven chief replied.

  —I will wipe out the orcs. After that, I’ll explain what you saw —Velt said, showing a calm smile.

  Rychbi hesitated for a moment, but then felt a hand take his.

  —Father, I’ll explain it to you —Rurhy said, looking him straight in the eyes.

  —Rurhy… you knew about this? —he asked, surprised.

  —Forgive me for hiding it. I knew that if I said anything before, things would become tense —she replied honestly.

  —Rurhy… —Velt murmured.

  —Don’t worry, Velt. I’ll explain everything to them —she continued—. You, please… avenge all our fallen comrades and… please, avenge my mother as well. I beg you.

  Tears began to run down her cheeks.

  —Don’t worry. I will —Velt replied, smiling to reassure her.

  Rurhy tried to smile, but then felt a hand on her shoulder.

  —Don’t worry, Velt. No matter what you are, you’ll always be welcome in this village —Rychbi said—. You’ve already done more than enough for us. It would be absurd to be angry now. Please, let us help you as planned.

  Velt looked around. The elves were watching him in silence… but there was no fear or anger on their faces. Only determined smiles.

  —Alright. Let’s go. We have orcs to defeat —Velt said.

  Everyone nodded with resolve.

  Several elves boarded the carriage alongside Velt, while others moved through the trees, following from the shadows.

  —Hey, Velt… don’t you find it curious? —Rurhy asked.

  —What do you mean? —he replied.

  —At first, it was just about giving food to the orcs… and now we’re going to fight them.

  Velt thought about it for a moment and smiled, remembering how he had explained the plan.

  —You’re right. At first, I planned to fight alone, but the fight against the Zarshe forced me to rethink everything —he said, recalling that battle.

  —Sometimes I’m grateful for that —Rurhy replied, resting her head on his shoulder.

  —You’re grateful for the beating the Zarshe gave me? —Velt joked.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  —No —she said—. I’m grateful to fight by your side.

  Rurhy gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.

  —Ahem… —a voice interrupted.

  —Seriously? You’re going to act like that in public? —Ky said with a teasing smile.

  —S-shut up, Ky! —Rurhy replied, completely flushed.

  —Anyway. Velt, we’re almost at the orcs’ territory —Ky said, pointing ahead.

  —Good. I’ll get off here. You continue through the trees —Velt ordered as he descended from the boar-drawn carriage.

  —Be careful, Velt —Rurhy said.

  —Don’t worry. Wait for the signal, okay? —he replied with a smile.

  Rurhy nodded and disappeared among the branches with the others.

  Velt advanced alone until he spotted an orc guarding the entrance of an improvised village. It didn’t take long for him to be noticed.

  —Human, you shouldn’t be here —the orc growled, trying to intimidate him.

  —I’m sorry, but I’m here to deliver food from the elves —Velt replied, faking a friendly smile.

  —A human bringing food? Where is my companion? —the orc asked, looking around.

  —He’s asleep in the cart. I came ahead to notify you —Velt improvised.

  The orc stepped closer until they were face to face.

  —I don’t believe you, human.

  —Fine… it doesn’t matter —Velt said.

  In an instant, he drove his dagger into the orc’s throat. Blood burst out immediately. The creature fell to its knees, struggling to breathe, until it finally stopped moving.

  Without looking back, Velt entered the village.

  It didn’t take long for him to spot the orc king: an even larger creature, sitting on a crude wooden throne, devouring food without manners. Around him, several women of different species were chained.

  What the hell…? Velt thought.

  —Like goblins, orcs abduct females of other species to reproduce. However, unlike them, orcs do it for pleasure —Cero explained.

  Disgusting…

  —Human, what are you doing here? —the orc king growled, without stopping eating.

  —It’s a pleasure to meet you in person. I’m a messenger from the dark elves —Velt replied, making a slight bow.

  The orc king stopped.

  —Where is the one I sent?

  —He’s unloading the food from the cart. I came ahead to deliver a message.

  The king stood up and walked until he was face to face with Velt.

  He’s bigger than the others… I’ll have to take this seriously, Velt thought.

  —What’s the message? Did the elven chief agree to give me his daughter as a pet? —the king roared, followed by the laughter of the other orcs.

  Velt clenched his fist, holding himself back.

  —No, sir. The elves say that since they fulfilled their part of the deal, they’ll leave you alone —he replied, maintaining the act.

  The orc king burst into laughter.

  —Did he really think I would let them go? I thought I made my intentions clear when I killed his wife. I should have raped her in front of him… but I can still do it with his daughter.

  —Alright… I’ve heard enough —Velt said, his anger overflowing.

  He raised his hand.

  Immediately, a rain of arrows fell from the trees, piercing the eyes and necks of nearby orcs.

  —What’s going on?! —the king roared, just before a violent impact sent him flying several meters back.

  Velt’s form began to change.

  His body took on a monstrous appearance, ready for battle.

  —Alright… I’ll smash your damn face in, you filthy pig —he spat with fury.