Path to Chiefdom II

It is then Atub spoke up to the orc, breaking him from his thoughts.

"My Chief, I have what I need to perform the ritual." Atub tells the Yamarz.

"Atub, I have just about had enough of your constant pestering about calling on Malacath for help when he has forsaken me? And now you've brought outsiders into the stronghold." Yamarz says, glaring at me and Gringar, who I see placing his hands on his weapon and glaring right back at Yamarz.

"I cannot do nothing, my Chief. I must do something to grant our tribe relief from this curse... We must try." Atub says resolutely.

"Fine, let's get this over with." Yamarz growls at Atub before descending his wooden throne.

Atub nods and leads us all out to an alter at the edge of the bonfire at the center of the stronghold.

The alter has several different styles of armor and weapons; Atub gathers her ingredients, beginning to mix and crush the varying ingredients before sprinkling them over the items on the alter.

"Great Malacath, we beseech you, aid us in our time of need..." Atub says, beginning the ritual,

"Why are we bothering with this?" Yamarz mumbles under his breath.

"You pathetic weakling!" A voice that booms through the sky like that of the Grey Beards echoes throughout the stronghold, causing most of the orcs to fall to their knees in shock and awe.

"What is that?!" Yamarz shouts in a panic.

"Malacath has heard our pleas! He speaks to us!" Atub exclaims in elation.

"You dare to summon me!" The voice of Malacath continues to boom throughout the area.

"What-what is this? What's going on?!" Yamarz exclaims, starting to panic.

"You are an embaressment to all orcs! You are weak! You are small! You are truly pathetic! You allowed giants- Giants! To desecrate my shrine! Bring me their leader's club as an offering and I might release you from this curse... Don't disappoint me again..." Malacath orders before going silent.

"So it must be... Malacath has spoken, my Chief. Your path is clear." Atub declares as the rest of the tribe seems to finally recover from the shock of hearing Malacath's voice.

"So it must be... Outsiders, come here! I need a word." Yamarz barks at me, and Gringar.

I can see Gringar tightening his fists as if to hold himself back from slugging Yamarz when Atub places her hand on his shoulder.

"Please, help our Chief... Our tribe is depending on you... B-both of you!" Atub says to Gringar, before quickly including me in her plea for help. I give Gringar a knowing smile before elbowing him lightly in the side.

With Gringar back to his senses, I head over to Yamarz with him in tow.

We come over to Yamarz, who immediately begins berating us.

"This is all your fault, you clanless. Now, I'm stuck fighting a giant, thanks to you... So, I've decided you two are going to help me." Yamarz orders, making Gringar scoff.

"Something you want to say, outsider?" Yamarz questions Gringar with a raised eye brow.

I give Gringar a look, making him sigh, before shaking his head no. But I'm sure he's looking forward to killing Yamarz when the chance arises.

"As I was saying, you two are coming with me, and you're going to make sure I don't have any trouble reaching that accursed giant. Don't worry. I know how you clanless only care for money, and I'll be sure to make it worth your while." Yamarz says, pulling out a bag of coin and shaking it in front of us like we are a couple of idiots.

"Well, I do love gold... What do you need us to do?" I ask, letting the greed shine through my eyes as I stroke my chin.

"It's simple. Once we get to Fallowstone Cave, you two will clear a path to the giant for me, so I can conserve my strength. Do this, and I'll make sure you get everything you outsiders deserve. I'll have my tribe back, and you two can leave us..." Yamarz says, his future betrayal written on his sleep-deprived face.

"Sounds good to me, ready to head out?" I quickly agree, ready to get this over with and be done with this coward's terrible attempts to find the easy way out of all his problems.

"Might as well get this over with... Follow me, I know a quicker path to the cave." Yamarz says, leading us out of the stronghold and through the nearby forest.

And most surprising of all, Yamarz is actually competent in something. As he's able to lead us through the dense forest without issue and to the cave's entrance in only a couple hours.

"We're here, you two take the lead and I'll secure the rear." Yamarz says once we reach the cave.

Gringar rolls his eyes before we head into the cave.

Slowly clearing it out of a couple of hibernating bears before coming across a lone giant who seems to be guarding the exit to the cave and the shrine to Malacath we need to reach.

I look to Gringar with a smile as I crack my neck and pull out my sword as I see him pull out a great axe.

I then launch myself forward at the giant's turn back with my shockwave ability, cutting a deep gash across both their calves as Gringar charges forward and swings his axe towards the now kneeling giant.

However, despite being shocked by my surprise attack, the giant brings up their massive war club up to catch Gringar's swing and push him back while resting on their knees making a wide, unbalanced swing around their back aiming for me.

I dive beneath the wild swing before flicking my hand to send an ice spike into the giant's unprotected side.

Gringar recovers from being pushed back and charges forward with another mighty swing.

The great axe sinks into the giant's chest, but their sternum seems to stop the axe in its tracks.

Allowing the giant to bring their club back towards their front towards Gringar.

(Author's Note - Hey everyone, sadly another late-ish chapter. But, in case you don't know, today is the Superbowl, and for most Americans it is a pretty big deal. So, for all my audience, happy Superbowl if you watch it and if not... You do you, I guess?)