Then, finally, there was thest of them. A much older orc who looked to have long since passed into middle age with flecks of grey in his ck beard and a mass of simrly coloured, unkempt hair atop his head. That final figure might have reassured Gregory, for the older orc stood taller than any of the Berserkers they were about to face, and was built like a damn mountain.


    Except he was also the one that Gregory had seen earlier. The one-armed orc.


    The arm seemed to have been dislodged long ago in its entirety. The one that remained was thick with muscle and within his grip there rested one of the two-handed clubs big enough to knock over a tree.


    If they needed any city gates raised to splinters, then old One-Arm was clearly the orc to call upon. Though Gregory still didn’t like their chances against the A-listers of mayhem that they’d been set against.


    Shaking his head yet again in an attempt to bring the world into high definition once again, Gregory rested both hands upon the grip of his club to steady the weapon and settled into a battle stance in line behind Ulf. The other orcs took up their positions, spread out in a line and preparing to charge the enemy. Their massive opponents, the pedigree of the orc youth, did the same. Eyes filled with madness as they worked themselves up into a battle-rage.


    His new pack did exactly the same, though seeing the skinny orc trying to build up his fury might have been funny if it wasn’t for the fact that he was about to be imminently bludgeoned to death.


    “Attack!” g’s voice boomed from the seats above and Gregory watched as all hell broke loose.


    The Runts attacked the Berserkers with the same fervour for battle that made all orc blood run hot. Unfortunately, though it was clear to see that though they had the will and the determination, sometimes trying just in isn’t enough. The first to fall was the skinny orc as he charged one of the Berserkers head-on and was practically steam-rolled into the dirt. Gregory winced and fell into line behind Ulf. He could still fight and it was painfully obvious that the Runts needed every pair of hands they could get. The girl with the body of a gymnast fell next as she tried an overlyplex leap that allowed her opponent to grab her leg in the air and smash her abruptly back into the ground.


    Two members of the pack had fallen. Ulf engaged with the leader of the Berserkers and Gregory followed suit as best he could. Hisrade was a talented fighter, but he did nothing to rally his men in battle, whereas the Berserkers fought like a seamless unit of focused carnage. It wasn’t long before one of them sliced between Gregory and Ulf’s attack on their leader like a surgical knife and began bearing down upon the human.


    Attempting to parry the blows that rained down upon him would have been a one way ticked to two broken arms. The orc who had chosen to duel him wielded a two handed club as if it were made of feathers, though the thunderous blows and thick, whumping noises it made as it flew through the air carried across the club’s true weight well enough.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    Fall back, dodge, turn, spin out, dodge. Gregory knew the moves to defend himself but he had no clue what in the hell to do to use the club in his own hands effectively. All his martial arts lessons were for nothing in taking down the battle-crazed monster before him. His peripheral vision caught Ulf as the young orc fell to the ground upon receiving a crushing blow to his ribs from the Berserker leader. The only other member of the Runts still standing was the one-armed orc and the three Berserkers now upon him would soon bring him down.


    Fear and rage. It was all Gregory had to move his body as pain rang throughout his head and he suddenly lunged forth to smash his club against the extended elbow of his opponent before he could ready one of those big swings against him. Much to both their surprise, the blow connected and the orc roared in pain as he was swiftly unbnced and the club swung out wildly in his hands. Unable to direct the blow, Gregory easily stepped out of its path and flung all of his weight behind it straight at the orc’s knee.


    It might have even connected if it wasn’t for the leader of the Berserkers smashing against Gregory’s side in a full charge that sent the young male sprawling into the dirt.


    Colours that shouldn’t have been present spilled over Gregory’s vision in waves as he tasted the bitter earth and then felt the Berserkers descend upon him. The thunderous impacts were given as if he too were an orc and the boy felt his bones snapping and shattering beneath them. Pain gave way to agony and then the whole world fell numb, silent, and finally he fell into darkness.


    – – – – –


    Algra Strongblood watched her human lover be beaten senseless by the Berserkers until g raised his arm and roared their victory. Throughout the entire course of the battle, she stood by her uncle, the mighty Grolfir, and steeled her resolve. Her expression never wavered or shifted when she saw Gregory’s bloodied body and swollen face as the Berserkers finally pulled back. The leader of the pack spat on the unconscious human’s fallen body as hispanions moved to leave the arena. g didn’t give the proper reprieve for the dishonourable act. It was only a human, after all.


    The Runts slowly picked themselves up once the Berserkers had retired from the arena. Seeing what had happened to Gregory, Ulf walked over with hisrades and picked up the boy’s shoulders whilst the stout orc grabbed his legs. Defeated and bloody, they carried their fallenrade from the field and started the journey towards his home. Many of those watchingughed openly at the behaviour. They spoke of cleaning away the filth as they took Gregory away.


    Algra watched it all. Her fear for her lover, though justified, had long since receded as a dark, murderous rage filled her heart.


    “It was his will,” Grolfir said to her then.


    She remained silent. Her world was painted in shades of blood and pain. Turning away from her uncle, she found herself momentarily unable to stomach the sight of her own people. Walking away, she followed the Runts from the proving grounds. It was time to return to Gregory, and to prepare for war.