19 Crimson

The Orc Chieftain stood by the Sowmother as he watched the scene unfold before him. Something had attacked his camp. A strange metal man made the sky explode and jumped in to attack his underlings, cutting them down left and right. For someone to interrupt his Sowmother's feast deserves only death.

He peered into the front line and to his surprise discovered a golem is the one who had waylaid his camp. The Orc Chieftain knew of golems. Weak things made of wood or metal, shaped like weak humans that walk the ruins of their dead cities beneath the earth. To a powerful orc like him, they were nothing but a nuisance.

But how pitiful these lesser orcs are, he thought. Despite seemingly having the strength and numerical advantage, his kin were being butchered on the spot all by this one single golem. Even when they managed to pin it down and smash his body with their clubs into the ground, he would get back up again and continue it's assault.

Not even the waves of goblins they had sent after it did nothing to halt it's onslaught. He was only mildly displeased with their deaths. They were nothing more than tools to him, fit for only hard labor and easy meals. But goblin meat wouldn't sustain the horde he would create with the Sowmother.

He had found her a month ago in the hands of another orc. When he proved his strength by crushing his rival's skull, the Sowmother instead acknowledged him worthy to be her guardian. With his superior strength, he gathered many orcs under him to create his first army. But now this army was slowly being crushed by the intruder.

Of course, he didn't care much for them either. They too were weak in his eyes. He had gathered them under his rule but their sole purpose was to sacrifice their lives for the Sowmother and his plans. Some of the orcs have realized this and had started a retreat towards the camp's gate. His two lieutenants, however blocked their way, demanding the cowards to fight to their deaths or die by their hands instead.

His patience was running thin, however. The Chieftain could see the golem was severely damaged but was not relenting, even as his number's dwindled. His own lieutenants were forced to join the fray once they realized how few bodies were still left standing. They charged in, pulverizing it's body with their spiked metal clubs made by their goblin slaves. The golem's own sword was crushed by their weight. Despite it's lack of weaponry, the golem still continued to fight with it's fists, knocking one of his lieutenants down on it's back and crushing his throat with a powerful jab. His last lieutenant was able to land a surprise attack however, smashing the golem on it's side.

Laughing and snorting, the lieutenant lifted the golem's body in the air and began to pull hard on it's left arm. The sound of creaking metal filled the air as glowing, blue liquid began to seep from the metal frame and drip down from it's armpit. It's free arm flailed in the air as it tried to free itself from his grip. The Orc Chieftain thought highly of his underling though thoughts of possible betrayal began to creep into the chieftain's mind. He would need to watch this one. He might grow too powerful and challenge his rule. Maybe he should reward him for defeating this golem, he thought. The Chieftain, however, figured he would just force him to watch while he mated with the Sowmother. To show him the Chieftain was still the strongest orc.

One of the children next to him screamed, "Stop!! Let Arlan go!!"

The Chieftain took note of this. He began to wonder if they knew this creature.

To think this metal golem would be able to defeat his war band, he thought. But all it did was cull the weak orcs that followed him. He didn't care. The Sowmother was ready to give birth to his new litter of orcs. Children with his blood that would march towards the humans and feast on their corpses while they looted their city and raze it to the ground. And she will birth more for Sowmother wills it. Her thirst for the human children was overwhelming. He looked at the ones still in front of him. They were to be his tribute to the mother of his new litter.

A pained squeal brought his attention back to the fight. The golem had used a small knife from it's waist and stabbed the orc deep in his eye. It drops down, it's nearly uprooted arm barely able to function. It grabs one of the clubs lying on the ground and smashes it against the orcs sides. His lieutenant groans in pain as it's faux armor becomes a hindrance. A large dent from the impact embeds itself in his sides. With the orc on it's knees in pain, the golem executes the Chieftain's last lieutenant with a swift downward bash into the orcs skull. The club fell from it's hands as the strength of it's left arm finally gave way and dropped to it's side, paralyzed.

The only ones left alive were him and the Sowmother. The rest were corpses of orcs and goblins littered on the ground around them. The orc couldn't tell what ran through the golem's mind but was surprised when he caught himself slightly backing away. It's glowing red eyes that dotted it's cubed head stared right at him. The Chieftain squealed to pump itself up and readied his large ax. He wouldn't let a golem frighten him.

The Chieftain could sense his advantage over it. After wading through his troops, it was considerably damaged. His last lieutenant had crippled it's arm and multiple dents littered it's body like craters. It could barely stand as smoke and blue liquid begin to pour out from it's frame. He couldn't feel fully confident, however. It still stood there defying him.

A voice creeped out from the golem, "You're the boss orc, right? And that disgusting pig next to you must be the Sowmother."

The Sowmother began to squeal angrily in their guttural language, "It speaks their tongue and wears their clothing! The golem is under the human's control! It must be here for their piglets!"

The Orc Chieftain grinned, showing off it's nasty rotten teeth. It's here to save the human piglets, huh? He thought. A cruel idea pops into his mind as he steps closer to the children in front of him. They begin to scream in fear at the realization of the orc's intent.

"You want these piglets!?" he squealed in ruthless glee as he raises his axe above his head, "I'll give you back their bones instead after the Sowmother shits them out!"

The Chieftain's ax swung down towards the nearest child, a small human girl as she closed her eyes in terror. "N-No!! Arlan!!" she cried.

"Kill them!" the Sowmother squealed, "Cut them to pieces and bring me their soft tender meat!!"

A huge thunk filled the air and the sound of metal grinding on metal reverberated around them. The golem had managed to move in front of his swinging blade as the axe embedded itself deep between it's shoulder and neck. A gush of blue liquid burst out from the wound it received.

This golem was tenacious, he thought. Once he destroyed it, he would craft new armor from it's parts. He wanted the humans to see that he would conquer whatever they send at him, whether it was golem or warrior.

His victory was unfortunately cut short. The ax had cut into it's left side. The right side and it's arm was still functional. The Chieftain came to this terrifying realization as the golem used it's hand to break the ax's wooden handle in half.

With the weapon still stuck inside itself, the golem twisted and pulled on the ax's remaining shaft until it unlodged. It now held it with it's free hand, it's many red eyes still glowed in defiance.

The Chieftain squealed in unbridled fury. He would not be stopped now, not while he worked so hard to bring his plans to fruition. Gathering so many orcs, enslaving the local goblins, planning the kidnappings... he would not let a single golem ruin his quest for dominance over the humans.

Blinded by rage, he swung his fist with all his might. However, it was all for naught as the golem swung it's stolen weapon and amputated his arm, his swing's force sending it flying through the air. The Chieftain crashed down to his knees, squealing in pain. He clutched his new stump as blood squirted rhythmically from his wound. The golem didn't relent as he swung again to remove his other arm from his shoulder.

He could hear the Sowmother snorting in fright, desperately trying to scuttle away but too bloated and fat to leave her muck pool. All his plans were now torn apart. The only thing he could do now was stare, eyes wide in newfound fear of his assailant. The golem had readied itself as it lifted the axe above him.

The last thing the Orc Chieftain saw was a glint of metal. The golem's crimson eyes chased him into the afterlife.

***

It was only moments when Guildmaster Kurtz arrived at the village that they saw a huge explosion light up the sky in the distance across the forest. The signal that Arlan would send when he found the Sty. The numerous adventurers and soldiers around him sped deep into the thicket to find it's source.

As they continued on, they had found a child running towards them. One of the village's children that was kidnapped. The boy had told the Guildmaster and Commander that he was freed by Arlan and that the golem was farther in. Sending the boy back to the village, they continued on with all the speed they could muster.

"Arlan, that was the golem's name right?" the Commander asked, "He was the golem that brought in Dmitri's head. You fought him right?"

"Aye, he's quite talented. He'll be quite the adventurer, once he's been properly trained of course," the Guildmaster replied.

"I know he was able to beat Dmitri but to take on a sty on his own? That golem is either brave or foolish!"

"All the better to get there quickly. Who knows how many orcs are encamped there now."

Their forces rushed on until they saw the glow of torches through the trees in the distance. Readying their weapons the marched towards the ruins of a village turned into an orc encampment. A deathly silence filled the air, broken only by the sound of the small army's marching feet.

Kurtz and Redall looked at each other. The shouts of orcs was nowhere to be heard. They wondered if they had come too late. As they neared what appeared to be a gate leading into the camp, they could hear the weeping and chatter of humans.

Suddenly, a shout rang out in the night, "I don't care if my status is critical, Oracle! Just do it!"

It was the voice of Arlan echoing throughout the forest. The army of adventurers and soldiers couldn't believe the sight in front of them when they passed through the gate. The kidnapped merchants and children huddled together, tears of sorrow and relief flowed down their cheeks. Families hugged each other tightly over their harrowing experience and loss of loved ones.

In the center of the sty were a giant pile of orc and goblin bodies, all stacked on top of each other. A huge, grotesque pig-like creature was laid right at the very top. It's belly had been gutted as it's bloated organs oozed out from it's giant gash. A sick disgusting smell permeated the air.0

Arlan stood right in front of the corpse heap with a little girl who clung to his leg tightly. Even from his distance, the Guildmaster could see the toll that the battle had taken on the golem. His body stood limped and half broken, covered in orc blood and a blue liquid that glowed eerily in the night. His entire left shoulder was barely hanging on to the rest of his body as his arm hung lame by his side. Only his right arm seemed functional, the palm pointed towards the pile.

"Do it now, Oracle! [Ignite]!"

The pile burst into a humongous flame. The smell of roasted pork and offal wafted with the night breeze. The survivors all stared at the burning pile. No one looked away. This was their vengeance. No matter how little it might be.

It was then that Arlan turned his head to look back at the new arrivals. His frame illuminated by the dancing flames.

His glowing crimson eyes beheld them, shining brighter than even the inferno behind him.