Rise of the Horde

Chapter 123: Chapter 12

In the center of the Skalsser Tribe, the battle was still continuing. There were two groups fighting against each other. The number of Skalsser orcs involved in the chaos slowly increased as time passes by.

Xok’nath managed to convince the others that Yukah was attempting to take away his status as the chieftain through a cowardly means by springing an ambush upon him. The orcs, who were always thirsty for blood and simple-minded, were quick to grab their weapons and join the fray.

Many also joined Yukah as they know who he really is and what he is. They knew him ever since he came to their tribe after being successfully rescued from the clutches of the orc hunters who visit their lands from time to time. The fate of those that they captured, they never know, but one thing that was certain was that all those who were captured would never return.

Those hunters raid smaller tribes or clans of orcs and take away their young ones who still haven’t fully matured and have not yet awakened their insatiable thirst and hunger for blood and battle.

Screams and howls of pain plagued the Skalsser Tribe. Limbs were everywhere as they were torn away from their owners. The grounds of the tribe were drenched in blood, which turned it red. Guts of some unlucky ones were spilled around the place as their owners lay there on the hard, cold ground, unmoving and already dead.

Sounds of flesh being pummeled, weapons hitting each other, and grunts of exhaustion continued. Every orc, for himself, anyone and everyone who dared step forward, were met with the blood drenched weapons. It was all chaos, as the orcs were having a hard time to distinguish which one is their foe and which one is their friend.

Some stupid ones stopped attacking their intended targets after hearing that they were on the same side only to be slayed by the ones pretending to be their friends. There are also some who were mistakenly killed by their allies as the instincts of their slayer took over. It was kill or be killed. You have to always look out behind you to ensure that no one is attempting to strike you from behind.

.....

Honor and traditions were already thrown away as the confusing battle keep on getting more confusing. The innocent ones who did not know were even included in the casualties. Many of them run away from the tribe, mostly the elders, women and the young ones, as they don’t want to take part in the meaningless struggle for power of the two sides.

Deep in the woods, hidden from sight, the Verakhs that were stalking their targets had their hands on their weapons. The marksmen of each squad were controlling their impulse to shoot, as only them are the ones who are equipped with weapons that could strike at such a long distance, far away from their targets.

“Should we intervene, captain?” a Verakh glanced towards their leader and asked as they were getting bored just watching the battle that was happening. The chaotic fight has awakened their instincts. They also want to take part in the ensuing conflict.

The captain shook his head in response and just looked forward. “How about we take down their ringleaders? That might help.” their marksman suggested as he aimed his weapon at the two Skalsser orcs who were standing out among the rest as they slaughtered all those who come their way.

“Do you have a clear shot?” the captain questioned while his gaze was still in the ongoing fray. “To which one?” the marksman responded, as he was having a hard time choosing which one to aim at. There were two targets, and he only had one weapon.

“Any of the two.” the captain responded. “If you have a clear shot, take it.” he continued as he crouched down to keep himself hidden and signalled his squad to do the same as they could hear footsteps near them.

“Shiw!”

An iron bolt flew out from its confines and soared through the air. The marksman finally shot his weapon after seeing that he had a chance. The silent assassin of the night traversed the disorderly and scattered participants of the clash.

Xok’nath felt uncomfortable for no reason, and he looked around to identify its source. On its way towards him was the iron bolt that would surely injure or might even outright kill him if it lands. Looking around, he finally caught a glimpse of the thing that was headed for him. He raised his weapon to cover his face and barely managed to deflect it. His face was scratched by the iron bolt and drew out blood, but the wound he sustained was nothing.

He stared towards the dark corners, the trees, the bushes, grasses and everywhere that could be where the one who attempted to bring him down was hidden. His attention being divided caused him to be wounded in several places, but nothing serious. Grabbing the head of an orc whose strike he just evaded, he brought his weapon down on his neck and tore it away with a tug.

Xok’nath smiled after an idea suddenly popped up in his mind. He cleared away his immediate surroundings and distanced himself a bit from the fight. “Yukah has betrayed the tribe and not only our traditions and beliefs. See this!” he raised the iron bolt that was intended to bring him down. “He had colluded with the invading tribe! He is a traitor!” he continued as he shouted his lungs out.

His accusation of Yukah colluding with the Verakhs in the shadows made some orcs to switch sides. Smiling triumphantly, Xok’nath looked at Yukah, who was now being besieged by his former allies as they were convinced by Xok’nath.

“You missed!” the captain of the Verakhs slapped the back of the head of their marksman. “No one is to shoot their weapon any further. We will just stay here where we are and watch. No questions.” he snorted.

A good distance away from the entrance of the Skalsser Tribe, the warriors of Yohan were now forming up their battle formation in preparation to storm the tribe as they could hear the sounds of battle from where they were.