CHAPTER 76: CHAPTER : 76 : THE RAMPAGING ORC!

Lysandra and the others stood on high grouds outside their tents, looking over the battle field.

"Onee-Chan... Are they running away." Throk asked.

"For now I guess." Lysandra replied, not sure herself.

"Can you see Onii-Chan?" Ivy asked, looking toward the battle field.

Lysandra narrowed her eyes, trying to see properly, "No... I don’t see him." She replied, worried

From her arms, a small and delicate hand cupped her cheeks, "Mummy... Don’t worry. Daddy is will come back, he promised."

"Ohh... My baby..." Lysandra mused, hugging her tightly to her breast, resting her face on her hair.

"Mummy... That tickles," Leona said, giggling.

"Look..." Eline pointed out, "That human... Isn’t that your Daddy?"

"Where?" Leona quickly pulled back from her breast and looked toward where Eline pointed.

They saw Aiden, far away, where the other general’s and the King stood. The goblin soldiers were coming back toward the camp.

"Another Mummy..." Leona cried, pointing toward the new red skined girl beside Aiden, clutching her staff to her chest. Her maze soldiers were following her.

"Huh? What did you just say?" Lysandra demanded, her eyes never leaving Vegia and Aiden.

Leona just giggled.

---

The ground shook with every step the orc took, its massive frame towering over everyone. Its roar ripped through the field, loud enough to make even seasoned warriors flinch. Steam hissed out of its nose, its bloodied club dragging a deep groove in the dirt.

"Damn thing’s still alive," Madoka muttered, dark energy already swirling at his fingertips. "Fine. Let’s bury it."

"Finally, a fight worth my time," Groth cracked his knuckles, rolling his shoulders before sprinting straight at the beast.

The orc swung its club down in a blur. Groth ducked, the wind pressure almost knocking him over. He planted his hands on the ground and kicked upward, his heel slamming into the orc’s chin.

The orc barely flinched. It growled, swatting Groth away like a fly. Groth skidded back, blood dripping from his lip, grinning. "Heh. That’s it. Come on!"

"Move!" Kragg barked, charging in. The king’s massive axe glinted as he swung upward. The blade clanged off the orc’s shoulder armor, sparks flying. The orc bellowed, twisting its arm and backhanding Kragg, sending him sliding back with a grunt.

"Not bad," Kragg muttered, spitting blood. "Again!"

Arisha was already there, darting between the orc’s legs. Her blade sliced across its calf, black blood spraying. The orc howled, stomping hard enough to crack the ground. She rolled out just in time, flipping her sword into a reverse grip.

"On your left!" Luna called out, dashing in. She was half-shifted, claws extended, fangs out. She leapt, slashing at the orc’s forearm. Her claws dug in deep, blood spraying across her face. The orc roared louder, swinging its arm, but Luna latched on, biting down on its shoulder with a vicious growl.

"Hold him there, Luna!" Thristle shouted, sliding in low. Her palm slammed into the orc’s knee with a sickening crack. The leg buckled for a second. She struck again, rapid jabs to the pressure points.

The orc swung wildly, trying to shake them off.

"Get down!" Adrish yelled. He dashed in, spear spinning in his hands. "Dragon sweep!" His spear sliced across the orc’s ankle. The beast stumbled.

"Stay still, you bastard!" Adrish roared, spinning his spear again and driving the blade into its thigh.

Aurora was right behind him, hands glowing. Ready to heal him. "I’ve got you, Sir Zenith!" she cried.

"Good!" Adrish barked, wrenching his spear free.

Madoka lifted his staff, muttering curses. The ground beneath the orc glowed. Black chains shot up, wrapping around its legs. "Chains won’t hold forever! Hit him now!"

"Move!" Groth yelled, rushing in with a wild grin. He leapt, both fists smashing into the orc’s chest. The impact knocked the wind out of the monster, sending a shockwave rippling through the battlefield.

The orc roared, snapping one of the chains. "It’s breaking free!" Madoka growled, sweat beading his forehead.

"Not for long!" Kragg sprinted forward, axe swinging in a deadly arc. The blade dug into the orc’s ribs, getting stuck for a moment. Kragg snarled, planting a foot on its side and yanking it free, leaving a deep gash.

"Keep him busy!" Aiden’s voice cut through the chaos.

The orc’s eyes shot upward just as a shadow fell over it. Aiden was already midair, daggers drawn. He twisted his body, aiming perfectly.

"Die!"

His twin blades sliced through flesh like butter. Dagger pierced deep from the orc’s left shoulder, carving down its side, ripping through armor and muscle. Blood sprayed upward in a crimson fountain.

The orc screamed, a guttural, ear-splitting roar, thrashing violently. Aiden twisted his blades and kicked off its chest, landing smoothly on the ground as the beast fell to one knee.

"Finish it!" Kragg roared.

Luna lunged again, claws tearing at its throat. Arisha’s sword sliced into its neck from the other side. Groth slammed both fists into its head with a loud crack. Adrish thrust his spear straight through its chest.

The orc’s scream turned into a choking gurgle. It swung its club one last time, missing everyone, before collapsing with a thunderous crash.

Silence. Then heavy breathing.

Aiden stood, wiping blood from his daggers. "That’s one less problem."

Groth laughed, panting. "That was fun."

Kragg leaned on his axe, nodding. "Good work, all of you."

Adrish turned to Aurora, who was already at his side, healing the cuts on his arms. She smiled softly, tears brimming in her eyes.

"You scared me, Sir Zenith," she whispered.

He smirked tiredly. "Wouldn’t be the first time."

Luna padded over in her hybrid form, blood dripping from her claws. "Master... you were amazing."

Aiden ruffled her head, smiling. "We all were."

"Lets’s go back for the day. We have to rest, sleep and come back, fully charged." Kragg shouted.

Everyone nodded.

The sun was about set. It’s orange light falling on the battle field, on to the dead soldiers.

King Kragg bowed his head toward his dead soldiers, showing respect, "I’ll not let your dead go in vein." He promised.

---

"Daddy!" Leona cried out in happiness, running toward him, her hands extended toward him

Aiden crouched, extending his hands toward her, and when she reached him, he pulled her into an warm him, pressing his cheek against his, "Hey kiddo. You weren’t giving mummy a hard time, did you?" He stood, holding her easily.

"No... I was being a good girl." Leona replied, pouting a little.

Aiden kissed her cheek, "Good girl."

Leona giglled.

Lysandra walked up, arms crossed, eyes sharp, "So... Who is this now. Another wife?" Pointing toward Vegia.

"That’s Ve-Chan, don’t you remember. I told you about her, Lyse." Thristle replied, instead of Aiden.

"Oh..." Lysandra’s face softened a bit but she still looked skeptical. She glanced at Arisha. "Then why is Arisha Zenith blushing like that?"

Arisha fidgeted, cheeks pink. "Well... That’s because-"

Before Arisha could say, Aiden intervened, "I kissed her."

Lysandra frozed, then sighed, rubbing her forehead, "You’re impossible."

"Ohh Lyse... Don’t be so jealous~" Thristle grinned.

"So... I have another new mummy?" Leona tilted her head.

"Yes kiddo. New mummy." Aiden replied, smilling toward her.

Leona giggled, "Yes... New mummy. Arisha-Mummy."

Arisha’s heart fluttered at her words, reaching out her hand to pet her, "Lady Leona. I’d be honored."

Leona giggled, then looked toward Vegia, "And is she another mummy?" She asked, her small finger pointing toward her.

"Sweetheart... Absolutely not." Lysandra said instantly, glaring toward Vegia.

"Ohh... Lyse... Calm down. One more won’t kill you." Thristle teased, elbowing her.

"I didn’t said I am going to marry him." Vegia finally said, blushing furiously.

Lysandra groaned, clearly annoyed but not exactly stopping things. "You’re all ridiculous."

"Master’s ridiculous," Luna said with a mouth full of meat, sitting nearby and gnawing on a bone. She didn’t even look up.

Aiden chuckled, rubbing Leona’s back. "Guess I am."

Vegia crossed her arms, cheeks red, while Thristle snickered behind her. Arisha shyly pet Leona, and Lysandra... well, she didn’t storm off. That was something.

Lysandra then asked softly, "You aren’t hurt are you."

"What if I am?" Aiden grinned, teasing her.

"Don’t even joke about it." She scolded him, "Do you even realise how worried we were for you.

Aiden sighed, then leaned in toward her face, taking her lips in kiss.

Lysandra’s eyes widened, then melted into the kiss.

"Eww... Mummy and Daddy are kissing again." Leona said, covering her eyes.

---

Outside, the soldiers were having a feast. Laughter and drunken cheers echoed through the night as mugs clinked and songs were sung. The air smelled of roasted meat and spiced wine, and the whole camp seemed alive with celebration.

But away from the noise, Adrish sat alone on a fallen log, his gaze fixed on the glowing blue moon high in the sky.

Aurora noticed, then she got up, walked toward him.

Slowly, she lowered herself beside him, close enough to feel the warmth radiating off him. Adrish turned his head, offering her a small smile.

"Sir Zenith, what are you doing here. Aren’t you going to party with the others?" She asked, softly.

"It’s not that," he replied gently, eyes still fixed on the moon. "A lot happened today. Even my sister got married. It’s... a lot to take in."

Aurora glanced at him, her heart skipping a beat as she took in the calm strength in his features. She quickly looked away, fingers fidgeting in her lap.

"So... Sir Zenith?" she asked hesitantly.

"Yes?"

Her voice lowered to barely a whisper. "What you said today... you know... Did you mean it?"

Adrish turned his head fully toward her now, studying her face in silence. He didn’t speak at first, just stared, his expression unreadable.

Aurora’s breath hitched. Her eyes pleaded with him, hoping—no, needing—his answer.

Finally, he smiled. Slowly, he reached out, taking her trembling hand in his large, steady one. Turning his body toward her, his voice was firm, warm, and unwavering.

"Aurora," he said softly, "I... meant every word."

Her breath caught. "Really?" she asked, her cheeks flushing a soft red beneath the moonlight.

"Really," he murmured, his thumb brushing gently against the back of her hand.

Aurora’s lips parted, but she couldn’t find the words. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest. She lowered her gaze, flustered, then dared to look back up at him.

Adrish leaned just a little closer. "I don’t say things I don’t mean," he said, his voice low, intimate.

She blinked rapidly, her breath quickening. "Then... what do we do now?" she whispered, almost scared to hear the answer.

He chuckled softly, a deep, soothing sound that made her heart flutter even more. "That depends on you, Aurora. Do you want this too?"

Aurora swallowed hard, her fingers tightening around his hand. She couldn’t look away from him, his eyes glowing softly under the moon’s light. "I... I do," she admitted, her voice trembling with honesty.

---

END OF Chapter : 76 : THE RAMPAGING ORC!

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