Sacred call

We assisted at the ceremony as usual. Everything looks the same but different at the same time. Most of the orcs present were agitated as if they were excitedly waiting for something. As I looked at them, something steered up deep inside me. It was very strange and unfamiliar. I didn't know what it was, but I knew what was exciting to them : War. We could all feel it. The time is coming closer. Even I could feel my blood boiling. I had never felt it before. It was as if our blood was telling us it was soon our time to shine. I felt like I was born for fighting. All my worries were gone. I started to believe someone had cast a spell on us.

' I knew orcs are considered a warring race. But what I'm feeling is something only orcs could. I always believed It was because they loved war. They were known as such. But the reality is that it's in our genes.' I felt connected to the other orcs I could feel their emotion. I couldn't feel fear anymore, which was weird because it was just absent, as if I was lacking something, but it was also liberating. I felt free than ever. I looked at my friends. They were all overexcited. I could feel what they felt, and they wanted nothing more than fight like me.

I suddenly saw something that brought me back to my sense. Zala was unconsciously releasing ovzgûn and her aura with it. I also noticed I was doing the same, so I quickly stopped and reached for Zala.

She looked at me confused before understanding and cut the ovzgûn flows. We quickly looked around to see if anyone had noticed something, but I sighed with relief when I couldn't find anyone.

Soon the ceremony finished with the departure of the young orcs. Our blood slowly calmed down as we made our way back to egghead.

"What was that !" exclaimed Burny.

" It was the orc's sacred call."

We all looked surprised at Shufa.

" How do you know that ?" asked Trosh.

" Our parents told us a story when we were younger," started Fashu with a sad face.

" It was a long time ago. A small tribe was facing strange enemies. It wasn't made of flesh and bone but only of mist. It could take many forms. The tribesmen called them the caligors. They were at first very weak and could only move objects around, but they loved to scare the children. So the tribe didn't take them seriously at first. They would find it funny. But as the years passed, the young orcs grew up but were still afraid of them. And soon enough, the caligors could use greater strength. They became strong enough to blow up a hut. They started to scare the whole village. The chief didn't know how to counter those incorporeal beings. Each day they were losing men. They were more and more caligors coming. But the villagers were too afraid to do anything till one day, a young orc who had just passed his ceremony stood fearlessly before one of these creatures. The young orc lived deep in the forest and didn't have to endure the scary attacks of the caligors, so they didn't scare him. He stood firmly before them and started to fight them with his tattoo ability. He was losing badly. But he wasn't running away like the others were trained to by the monsters. He was bravely standing, enjoying the fight fully. As the others observed him and they all dazed off. Why was this young one not afraid, and they are ? Time slowly passed for them. But the more they observed him, the more restless they became. They suddenly became able to feel what the young orc was feeling. Soon all fear left them replaced by an extremely excited feeling. They all rushed to the battle, fighting with their bare fits. Unfortunately, their attacks weren't effective. But they didn't care and were even thankful for it. The fight would last longer. The orcs were starting to stack up the wounds. It didn't look good for them until the caligors started to weaken. Deprived of their power source: the fear, their power rapidly decreased. Soon they had to flee before getting annihilated. What all these orcs experience is the call for a bloody exciting battle. It's a call an orc can resist. That's why it has been named the sacred call."

Fashu ended her story by enlightening us all. It was pretty rare that someone other than Vae or Baruba taught me something. It was refreshing.

' So that is what we experienced! It's dangerous.' That was my first thought. Not being able to resist this sacred call of battle can be our end. It can be advantageous for an army, but if you find yourself overwhelmed by a far more powerful enemy and you can't choose to flee, then it will be our doom.

However, from her story, I notice one or two crucial details that might help counter it. First, the orcs weren't compelled from the start to fight. It was only after they witnessed the young orc fight that the sacred call activated. So as long as the fight hasn't started, you can still step back. Then during the ceremony, I succeeded in weakening the call when I understood that Zala and I were in deep trouble if someone noticed our aura.

Nevertheless, the call we just experienced must have been a week since no one ended up fighting. But if there was an enemy can't tell what would have happened. I also think there must be other conditions in its activation. Otherwise, each time we trained, we would have felt it, and we wouldn't have been able to stand idly when observing two orc fight in duels which isn't a rare sight in the tribe.

'Another thing I need to lean into. Maybe Baruba would know more.'

When we were back at egghead, the hut looked empty. We could feel their absence.

Toc Toc

We looked at the entrance and were surprised to see Baruba standing. I frowned as I didn't remember we had class today.

" Hi, everyone, I remembered today was the ceremony for the three, but it looks like I came a bit late. It's a pity."

Baruba made a disappointed face, which surprised us all since it was our first time seeing him like this.

" Anyways, I also came to tell you something, guys. I need you to be at my house in three days. Be there before sunrise. Bye !"

We hadn't even had the time to say a word that he was already gone.

We all looked at each other.

" That was really strange." Said Zala.

" Well, it's nothing new with Baruba," said Shafu

" Do you think he finished his experienced ?" asked Burny.

I widen my eyes. 'That must be it.'

" What ? No, I don't want to believe it, because if it is the case that means he will soon leave."

" Ah, That must be it. He must be leaving in three days." Guessed Vorl.

" What ! No, I wouldn't leave without seeing the other one last time. Would he ?" Said Fashu unsure.

"That would be his style" I mumbled to myself.

"Oh sh*t !"