I Refused To Be Reincarnated-Chapter 896: The Last and The First

"We stand as one." The nine legendary warriors and dozens of shamans repeated solemnly.

In the spiritual silence that settled over the crowd, the corners of Zul'Gora's lips curved as she turned toward Adam.

With a nod, she handed him Bao. The baby Pandarok instantly scrambled from her grasp to nuzzle his cheek. Her delighted growls and the fire sparkling in her eyes were like sunrays piercing the dark clouds of his uncertain fate. They managed to tear a chuckle from his tense lips. After all, he understood her praises, that she naively believed the orcs couldn't harm them. Perhaps she was right.

But he had to stand for himself.

He took a deep breath, locking his gaze with Grum'Thal's red eyes. "An interesting tradition I agree wholeheartedly with. But there are a few accusations I want to demystify before you continue. I observed the rules despite the unfairness of the fight. I drank no potion, nor used hidden enchantments. My honor is untainted by trickery, and my victory is as clean as my conscience."

The legendary warriors arched doubtful brows, while Grum'Thal and the shamans nodded.

"He didn't use a speck of mana before or during the fight." Grum'Thal waved his hand theatrically, catching everyone's attention. "You're all too young, too innocent. Let me tell you how I established our fundamental tradition, and why your prejudice against humans is wrong."

He gave a longing gaze at the winter sky before speaking softly. "We are the orcs of Sryl'vara, a land of verdant forests and golden fields. Back then, hundreds of tribes shared or fought over land. It was not quite a time of peace, but one I remember fondly."

His voice hardened with the horrors he had witnessed. "I also remember the green flames that devoured our homes, our ancestors. Our enemies came from nowhere, knew no mercy. They slaughtered our tribes, took our strongest warriors in chains, and trampled our honor. We had masters once. We faced extinction once. The last and first. Do you understand why I reversed it? I'm no first. I'm the last surviving orc of this dark era. I've set the first cycle of renewal for our species."

Adam's eyes widened. So that was what it meant? Grum'Thal survived the demonic invasion fifteen thousand years ago and rebuilt his civilisation from ashes.

The orcs' reaction was different. He saw them tighten their fists and lower their faces in shocked shame. Surely, they never knew. Not even the legendary warriors did.

Grum'Thal wasn't over. He let out a sigh so heavy that Adam could almost imagine the deep scars it had been born from. "Haldris made our lives harder, right? Through your resentment for him, through your superior physique, you loathe humans. What if I told you that..."

He glared at each of his nine legendary warriors. "I would have died without the help of one of them. Not Haldris, or legendary mage of the human race. Just a girl. Weak. Powerless. Chained like I was. And yet, she offered me a future, fought for the realm with a brilliance no one ever matched. Knowing this, will you continue to thread a path twisted by nothing but your perception?"

No one answered.

Adam shook his head, setting aside the shocking story to focus on the warriors' sceptical frowns. How easy would life be if everyone could be reasonable?

Grakka stepped forward. She slammed her fist against her monstrous chest three times, her high-pitched voice shattering the silence. "I didn't know, and even knowing won't make me befriend humans."

Adam sighed. Of course. Humans, dwarves, elves, orcs, all the same—none would change because of a story.

"But," Grakka continued, "what I see in front of me is an orc born in the wrong species. He fought Ulgarath's storm with honor." She leapt in front of Adam, her lips curling into a genuine smile as she stretched her hand. "You've earned my acknowledgement as a warrior. On a side note, I'll kill you the next time you threaten our tribes."

Her rough palm found Adam's left shoulder. Only after feeling the respectful weight behind the two taps she gave him did Adam react. He returned her gaze, nodding. "As you should have. Fair warning, though. I couldn't think about anything else, so my bad, I guess."

"As long as you understand." With a shrug, Grakka strolled back inside Grum'Thal's box. She ignored her peers' narrowed eyes and sat with a satisfied smile.

Another orc sighed beside her, then stepped in front of Adam. "I can't say I like your methods, but your strength and, more importantly, your skills are real. You've earned my acknowledgement."

A third, then a fourth legendary warrior followed, until even the more reluctant ones began to yield. They acknowledged Adam from the box, each word spat through clenched jaws.

The crowd shifted from distaste to acknowledgement, too. The boos and threats turned into eager whispers about Adam's graceful movements and powerful counterstrikes.

Ulgarath's turn came last.

The monster didn't enter the arena. His face was still lowered, his gaze shifty. "I... I don't know anymore. You are weak, yet you never fled." A weary sigh cut through the shame and doubt in his voice. "I hate you. Trust me, I'd kill you on the spot if I could. But... I acknowledge your strange techniques."

The crowd clapped, chanting Adam's orcish name for a moment.

Then, Grum'Thal commanded silence by lowering his palm. "Adomash has reminded us, albeit with too much zeal, that no orc shall suffer injustice without retaliating."

He walked to Adam and lifted his fist. "He earned the unanimous acknowledgement of our legendary warriors. Therefore, and until the end of time, I name him true friend of the orcs. Feast, my children, for yet another peaceful cycle ends. But don't forget. War is coming."

Adam rolled his eyes, whispering. "Now that we're done with the theatrics. What do you truly want, Grum'Thal?"

"Not here. Follow me. I'll tell you what you want to know." Grum'Thal's red eyes blazed beneath the darkness of his hood. "For the appropriate price. Gora, Rakhan, great work. See me tonight for your rewards."

With a snort, Adam followed the great shaman. He needed answers, to know the orc's side of a war blurred in secrets. After all, prices could be negotiated.

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AN: No more breadcrumbs. Grum'Thal will reveal everything in the next chapters. I hope you're ready to see the dots form a full picture. It might be long, tho. About yesterday, I couldn't write/release because an electricity wire melted in my street. Ended up without light for most of the day...