Evolution Island: Kill to Survive

A four pronged strategy

The bright sunny day quickly changed into night. This sudden transition alarmed the Hobgoblins at the camp, but the Dark Orcs didn’t seem to mind it in the least. For them, night was a time for feasting and celebration. Unlike the Hobgoblins, they weren’t afraid of the darkness, since most predators avoided Dark Orcs like the plague.

Though the Hobgoblins were inside a safe zone, they still felt uneasy at night. Most hobgoblin hunters only ventured into the forest during the day time and rarely set foot outside their cave at night. This unlikely alliance between the Dark Orcs and the Hobgoblins was only possible because Gilbert had altered the script and edited the game’s alliance algorithms.

Aaron knew the darkness would only hide them from the patrolling Hobgoblins, but the Dark Orcs would have no difficulty spotting them. Their night vision was almost on par with wild cats, which is why it was never easy to deal with Orc camps. However, just like all creatures, the Orcs too had their own weaknesses. While all species of Orcs were physically strong, they weren’t as intelligent as humans or even the Hobgoblins. This placed them directly above the trolls when it came to reasoning skills and logic. Aaron was counting on exploiting this very weakness and Zach had the perfect ability for it.

“When you’re ready just give me the signal. I can buy you 10 minutes max. After that, you’re on your own.”

Aaron gave Zach the nod and instructed the others to take up positions near the bushes bordering the Hobgoblin tents. When they were all ready to execute the plan, Aaron raised his right thumb to give Zach the signal he had been waiting for.

Zach acknowledged with a nod and took position behind the Chestnut Tree and pointed both his open palms skyward, in the direction of the easternmost huts. “Activate Ability: Showstopper!”

The sky overhead immediately lit up with a dazzling display. Hundreds of fireworks whistled into the night, bursting into spectacular colours. Both the Hobgoblins and the Dark Orcs were awed by this incredible show and they kept staring at the sky in amazement.

“Come on, there’s nothing to see here. It’s just a trick.” Zach called back the attention of the Cayuga tribesmen, who had become equally mesmerised by the fireworks.

Eventually, they understood this was just a distraction for them to sneak into the camp. As the Hobgoblins and Dark Orcs flocked to the western periphery of the camp to get a better look at this peculiar phenomenon, Aaron and the others set off in different directions. Nashoba and his son headed for the 3 clay huts, while Mawanko went for the kennel. Aaron activated his Zen Focus ability to replenish all his lost HP and EP, before striking off in the direction of the Grog Pit.

The fireworks display kept the guards occupied, making it easy for Mawanko to gain entry into the kennel. It was just like Aaron had said; this was where the Orcs kept their most ferocious pets.

The dire wolves which the Dark Orc Riders rode into battle were all trained to attack humans on sight. As soon as Mawanko set foot inside the kennel, the wolves started growling. There were over a dozen dire wolves cramped inside that kennel. They wouldn’t have hesitated to tear Mawanko limb from limb, but fortunately for him, they were all bound by iron chains which were securely tied to a central iron post right in the middle.

Any other human would have run back screaming at the sight of those ferocious black wolves snapping at the air with saliva dripping from their mouths. Mawanko, however, looked past the bared fangs and slowly approached closer. He knew the wolves could smell fear, so he steadied his breathing and took small steps forward. Slowly, he took out a whole chicken leg from his large buffalo skin satchel and tossed it at the largest wolf.

Jaws snapped and the leg was snatched out of the air by the hungry dire wolf.

“There’s plenty for everyone,” Mawanko quickly fished out smaller pieces of meat and fed it to the other wolves.

While the dire wolves were engrossed in devouring the meat, Mawanko moved in closer and whispered something to himself. Standing his ground, he closed his eyes and began calling upon the spirits of his ancestors. With hands stretched out on either side and legs spread wide apart, he struck an imposing pose and channelled his hunter ability. His voice became louder than before and his words echoed inside the kennel. The ferocious dire wolves who had been growling at him all this time, now suddenly became quiet. All the beasts sat down on the ground like obedient dogs and put their heads down on their outstretched paws. They no longer viewed Mawanko as a prey, but recognised him as their master.

On the other side of the camp, the Dark Orcs and Hobgoblins were still gazing at the night sky in wide-eyed astonishment. The fireworks kept popping on after the other, each putting on a more brilliant display than the last. Zach’s Showstopper ability didn’t have a time limit like the other abilities, but there were two conditions which needed to be fulfilled. The user had to be stationary and remain out of sight. If detected by any enemies, the ability would cancel out automatically. Just like a magician, he had to stay hidden to maintain this grand illusion.

With the whole camp distracted, Nashoba and his son quietly made their way to the 3 clay huts. From inside they heard the hushed whisperings of suppressed female voices.

“Stop your yammering!”

A gruff voice quickly put an end to the chatter inside. Nashoba understood that these buildings hadn’t been left entirely unguarded. Without making any noise, he tapped Kawasha on the shoulder and darted his eyes towards the window.

Kawasha carefully crept up to the window and slowly peeked inside. There was one Dark Orc standing guard inside. Nashoba quickly made his way to the other hut and peeped through a hole in the wall. There were no Orcs in this hut, but the women inside had their hands and feet bound with vines.

After checking out the last clay hut, they regrouped near the first one. There was just one Dark Orc they had to deal with to free the prisoners.

“It’s two against one. We can take him,” Kawasha whispered to his father. There was that youthful rage in his eyes that reminded Nashoba of his own younger self.

Placing his firm hand on Kawasha’s shoulder, Nashoba replied, “I know how you feel. Every Cayuga despises the Dark Orcs as much as you, but you should think like a leader, not like a warrior.”

“What does that mean? I thought we came here to kill the Orcs.”

“Our new friends will deal with the Orcs. Our goal here is to free our sisters and lead them safely back to our settlement. We shouldn’t do anything foolish here.” Nashoba took a peek inside and then began explaining his plan. “That is one strong Orc. I doubt even the two of us will be able to overpower him. We can’t attack him from the front or he will call for help. So, here’s what I want you to do. Lure him outside for me and I will handle the rest.”

Kawasha nodded and agreed to act accordingly. Picking up a small stone from the ground, he chucked it into the open window to grab the Orc’s attention.

“What? Who was that?” The Dark Orc pulled out his axe and walked up to the window. “Must have been some daft youngster,” he muttered, scanning the area outside. After hurling a few more Orcish abuses at the supposed mischief-maker, he returned to his post again.

Kawasha had hoped the Orc would come out of the hut to investigate what was going on, but this guard wasn’t going anywhere. Snatching up another stone from the ground, Kawasha tried his luck again, but this time the Orc didn’t even bother looking outside.

“Father, be ready. I’ll bring him out myself,” saying this, Kawasha darted off towards the hut’s doorway.

Nashoba immediately took position on the other side of the doorway.

“Look here, you fat sack of rotten meat!” Kawasha shouted, waving his arms wildly to attract the Orc’s attention.

The Dark Orc turned around in a flash and fixed his eyes on Kawasha. “What! How did you get in here, human boy? Wait there!”

“Catch me if you can!” Kawasha taunted, before running off.

The enraged Dark Orc stormed out of the hut, brandishing a large war axe with a handle carved out of human bone. He was too focused on catching the young one to even notice Nashoba.

“Die!”

The chief caught the Orc by surprise and stabbed him in the guts with his dagger. It was enough to critically wound the Orc, but not kill him. He quickly turned around and grabbed hold of Nashoba’s hand before he could twist the dagger. Then, with one loud grunt, he butted the chief in the head.

“You will make a fine meal for our wolves!” The Orc was about to swing his axe when Kawasha jumped on him.

“Get off me!”

“No, I won’t!” Kawasha secured his arms around the Orc’s neck and held on with all his strength.

While the Orc was struggling to get Kawasha off his back, Nashoba broke free from the Orc’s grasp and stabbed him multiple times in the stomach. The Orc finally succumbed to his injuries and collapsed on the ground.

“I told you not to attack the Orc!” Nashoba reprimanded his son. “He could have torn you in half.”

“I may not be a warrior like you, father, but I am every bit a Cayuga like you are. And you know we never run away when our people are in danger.”

Nashoba had intended to scold his son for his reckless act, but hearing his reply, he softened up and patted him on the back. “Let’s free the women.”

Everything so far had gone according to plan. Mawanko had managed to tame the dire wolves and Nashoba and his son had reached the huts where the women were being held prisoner. Aaron, too, had reached the grog pit without being detected.

The terrifying bone totem decorated with human teeth glowed in the soft light of the waning moon. Aaron had seen many horrifying abominations in different survival games, but seeing such a thing from up close sent shivers down his spine. He was still staring at the bony horror, when suddenly the sky went dark and everything turned silent. Aaron turned around and looked up at the sky. The fireworks had stopped!