Chapter 49: The Shadow of the Nest

Nolen and the Red Sun Tribe followed the orcs of the Bone Crusher and Blood Forge Tribes into the village. The gates, reinforced with patchwork repairs, creaked open, revealing the battered defenses of the Blood Forge Tribe.

The village was enclosed by wooden walls, weathered and cracked from repeated assaults. Inside, the houses huddled close together, their simple construction speaking to a life of resilience and struggle. The air smelled of ash, blood, and desperation.

Nolen’s crimson eyes swept over the scene. Orcs from the Blood Forge Tribe were tending to their wounded, their faces grim and their bodies weary. "This place has been through hell," he muttered, his voice carrying just enough for the Bone Crusher chief to hear.

The larger orc nodded, his expression somber. "The attacks have grown relentless. It’s been like this for a year now. At first, we held strong, but the nest... it’s massive. Each wave is stronger than the last."

Nolen’s brow furrowed. "And the other villages? Have they faced the same fate?"

The Bone Crusher chief’s face darkened. "We’ve lost contact with most of them. If they’re still standing, they’re likely in no better shape than this."

Nolen inhaled deeply, letting the weight of the information settle. "We’ll deal with that later," he said. "Right now, we need to focus on the wounded—and the fallen."

The orc chiefs exchanged nods of agreement before heading to the heart of the village. There, a makeshift altar had been constructed, a towering pyre waiting to be lit. The Chief of the Blood Forge Tribe stepped forward, his scarred face illuminated by the flickering flames.

With a low, resonant voice, he began a solemn chant:
"May Gor’grak, the God of War and Fire, accept the fallen into the halls of the Ancestors. May their spirits find peace among the honored dead."

As the flames roared to life, one of the Blood Forge warriors raised his weapon high and shouted, "We will avenge the fallen!"

The cry was echoed by the gathered orcs, their voices a rumbling wave of fury and grief:
"We will avenge the fallen!"

Nolen stood silent, watching the ceremony unfold. A strange feeling tugged at him—a pang of guilt. The villagers had suffered the most, their warriors and families bearing the brunt of the Wild Oracnid onslaught. His Red Sun Tribe had arrived in time to prevent complete disaster, but it hadn’t been soon enough to save everyone.

He clenched his fists briefly, then released them. These feelings were foreign to him, a man whose past life had revolved around cold, calculated missions. But now, surrounded by those who looked to him for leadership, something had shifted.

Once the ceremony concluded, the orc chiefs gathered around a rough wooden table in the village center. A crude map of the surrounding area was unrolled before them, its edges frayed and smudged with dirt.

Bone Crusher’s chief broke the silence. "What’s the plan? The Wild Oracnids won’t stop until the nest is destroyed, but we don’t even know where it is—or how big."

Nolen studied the map, his sharp gaze tracing its lines. "We’ll find it. No matter where they’re hiding, we’ll root them out and burn their nest to ash."

The Bone Crusher chief folded his arms. "Easier said than done. The nest could be miles away. Searching blindly will cost time—and lives."

Nolen’s voice was calm but firm. "We won’t search blindly. If the attacks started a year ago, where did the first wave come from?"

The Chief of the Blood Forge Tribe pointed west on the map. "Here. The earliest sightings were in this region. But we couldn’t scout far—too many patrols, too many losses."

"Then that’s where we’ll start," Nolen decided, his tone leaving no room for argument. "The Red Sun Tribe will handle the scouting. At dawn, I’ll lead a team to survey the area and locate the nest."

The Blood Forge chief’s scarred face softened slightly, his gratitude evident. "Your help means more than you know, Chief Nolen. But be careful—these creatures are cunning and relentless."

"I’ll be fine," Nolen replied, his crimson eyes glinting in the firelight. "We’re not here to lose."

As the chiefs dispersed to rest and prepare, Nolen lingered by the map, his mind racing. The Wild Oracnids were more than just a nuisance—they were a threat to every tribe in the region. And if the Red Sun Tribe wanted to expand its influence, this battle wasn’t optional. It was necessary.

The flames of the pyre burned brightly behind him, casting long shadows over the village. Tomorrow would bring answers—or more blood. Either way, Nolen would be ready.