Page 25 of X’nath (Dark Orcs of Helfallow)

25

Shadows of the Depths

X’NATH

I exchanged a quick glance with Karg before we both turned, weapons drawn, hearts pounding in our chests. Every step felt like it might be our last. The creature that awaited us in the shadows wasn’t something we’d been prepared for—its form twisted, grotesque, and unnatural.

From the darkness emerged a creature, its body covered in matted fur and thick, yellowed teeth like shards of broken glass. Its eyes were empty, hollow, sucking in the light around it. It let out a low growl, its maw dripping with saliva, a prelude to the violence that was about to unfold.

I lowered my goggles and prepared for war.

“Get ready!” I shouted, my grip tightening on my axe as I rushed forward. The beast lunged, jaws snapping dangerously close to my face, but I sidestepped with a practiced fluidity. The creature’s teeth missed by mere inches, the force of its attack sending a cold chill down my spine.

Karg, right behind me, didn’t hesitate. He swung his sword in a clean arc, aiming for the beast’s exposed flank. Together, we formed a fluid offensive, keeping the creature at bay. But it was quick—too quick. It darted around, looking for an opening, and with every swipe of its claws, I could feel the darkness of the cave drawing closer.

Yargol darted in and out of the creature’s path, nipping at its legs, forcing it to shift its focus. My weasel companion was quick, and his presence gave me the edge I needed.

But the fight was far from over. I landed a solid blow to its side, and the creature howled in pain, its screech echoing through the stone walls of the cave. But instead of retreating, it grew more vicious. With a terrifying roar, it swung its massive claws, and Yargol was caught off guard, sent tumbling across the cave floor.

My heart skipped a beat. Fear shot through me like a jagged arrow, but Yargol scrambled to his feet almost immediately, undeterred. With a fierce snarl, he returned to the fray, darting under the creature’s massive form and distracting it once again.

We pressed our attack. My axe moved with precision, landing strike after strike. Each blow weakened the beast, but it didn’t relent. It fought back with an unnatural strength, forcing us to adjust, constantly dodging its deadly strikes.

Just when I thought we had it on the ropes, the creature lashed out, its whip-like leg catching Karg off guard. The force of the hit sent him sprawling to the ground with a grunt of pain. Panic surged through me—this couldn’t happen. Not now.

“Get up, Karg!” I shouted, desperation creeping into my voice. “We need to finish this!”

With a roar of my own, I surged forward, pushing my body to the limit as I swung my axe with every ounce of strength I had left. The blade connected with the beast’s underbelly, and with a blood-curdling screech, it collapsed, lifeless at our feet, its crimson life force pooling beneath it.

We stood there, panting heavily, adrenaline coursing through our veins. The air around us was thick with the stench of blood and fear. But there, amidst the carnage, I felt a fleeting sense of triumph.

“We got it,” I muttered, exhaustion settling in. “Let’s grab the flowers and get out of here before something else decides it’s time for round two.”

Karg wiped the sweat from his brow, breathing hard, but a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I’m just glad we made it out in one piece.”

I nodded, my thoughts already turning to the task at hand. The Nightshade Blooms we needed were just ahead in the other room. The faint glow of bioluminescent fungi illuminated the path.

“There they are,” I said, relief flooding through me as I approached. The journey had been hell, but this—this would make it worth it.

Before we could even approach the flowers, though, another shadow moved from the darkness, larger and even more terrifying. It was an abomination, half-spider, half-worm, its grotesque many legs clicking against the stone with an eerie precision. Its fangs dripped with venom, and its eyes gleamed in the low light, reflecting our presence.

“By the ancestors,” Karg cursed, his eyes widening. “That thing’s enough to haunt my nightmares!”

Without a second thought, I charged, my axe raised high. The creature lunged, its many eyes watching, calculating. I dodged just in time, feeling the air rush as its fangs snapped mere inches from my face. Karg wasn’t far behind, his sword swinging for its spindly legs as he attempted to distract it.

But the beast was relentless. It struck out, its whip-like legs moving with a speed I hadn’t anticipated, knocking both of us to the ground in one swift motion. Fear gripped me, but I couldn’t stop. Not now.

“Get up, Karg!” I shouted, my voice harsh with urgency. “We need to finish this!”

I lunged forward again, swinging my axe with every ounce of fury I had. One of its fangs struck my thigh but I kneed its head with a loud crunch, making room for the swing of my axe. The blade hit home, tearing through the creature’s hide with a sickening crunch, jets of its innards spurting forward with a nasty stench. It howled, the sound of its agony reverberating off the cave walls. Karg pushed himself to his feet, his eyes blazing, and together, we struck again, landing a blow that finally sent the creature to the ground.

Breathing heavily, we stood over it, the air thick with exhaustion and the metallic scent of blood and spider innards. The Nightshade Blooms were still there, untouched, glowing softly in the chaos.

“We got the flowers,” I muttered, grinning despite the weariness in my limbs. “Now, let’s get out of here.”

With the blooms secured, we began our journey back, the darkness of the mines slowly receding as we made our way to the surface. But even as the dangers of the caves faded, the doubts that had been plaguing me lingered.

Could I really be what she needed? I thought of Gracie—the fierce, capable woman who seemed so out of reach, so untouchable. What did I have to offer her? I was just an orc with a stubborn streak and a battle axe. She could probably do it all on her own if she had to.

But as we made our way back toward the village, I couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe—just maybe—she needed someone like me. Someone who would fight for her, who would be there, not just in battle, but in life.

As we finally emerged into the light of day outside of the mines, Karg fell into step beside me, sensing the shift in my mood.

“What’s eating at you, brother?” he asked, his voice light but laced with curiosity.

“I don’t know,” I admitted, rubbing my hand over my face. “‘I’m beginning to wonder…” I couldn’t allow the doubt to creep in. Not now. “I want to help Gracie, but she seems so far beyond me.”

Karg grinned, slapping me on the back with more force than necessary. “You’re overthinking it, man. Just go for it! Isn’t that what you told me? What’s the worst that could happen?”

“I’m not sure being a trophy husband is my style,” I shot back in jest.

“Come on,” Karg laughed, “if anyone is worthy of you, it's her. We all heard about how she fought the beast to save Ahnak. Maybe, flex your muscles or something. Females love muscles, right?”

I gave him a flat look. Perhaps this was why he was having trouble with his female, Erin. “And you think that’s going to win her over?”

“Why not?” He flexed his arms dramatically. “It worked for me with Erin when I first expressed interest.”

I slapped him upside the head and he sheepishly grimaced.

Karg chuckled and we kept walking, but his ridiculous antics didn’t entirely wipe away the doubt eating at me. Deep down, I knew it wasn’t about muscles or impressing her with bravado. It was about showing her I could be the one who was there for her. Not just when the battle was raging, but when the dust settled and things were quiet. Maybe that would be enough.

With the flowers in hand, we headed back toward the village, where Gracie awaited. And somehow, despite everything I was unsure of, I felt like I was the one destined to stand beside her, no matter what came next.