RISE OF THE SWARM

The orcs attempted to run in various directions, but everywhere they ran, they were met with swarms of bullet fire tearing them to shreds. Fires erupted throughout the village as plasma shots were fired, striking anything that so much as moved.

Orion moved through the stampeding orcs, looking for his mother. She had been with the other orc females preparing the meat for when the warriors arrived. Even now, he was in disbelief of the truth: his father had died. His father was too strong to die, and he had promised to return to him.

He ran as fast as his green legs could carry him.

"MOM, MOM, MOM." He screamed into the night.

A figure slammed in front of the hut in front of him, caving it in. The figure rose battered and bloodied, he roared at his assailant a tall metal figure with a red visor, it red sword gleamed, illuminated by the surrounding fires, red blood dripped from its metal sword as it stared at the beaten orc.

Demon. This was the only thought that ran through Orion's head when he saw the figure in front of him. The orc lunged at the sentinel, only for the sentinel's figure to blur, appearing behind the orc, a new coat of blood painting its sword.

The orc stumbled, falling to its knees, its head swiftly rolled off cleanly severed from it's neck. The sentinel swung its sword once again, getting rid of the blood. It then turned to face Orion. Its visor gleamed, red tendrils of energy visible from the crevices on its armour.

Orion stepped back in fear, it had taken down the orc with a single swing there was now way he could fight this thing and win.

The sentinel stepped forward. Its sword ready and poised for attack.

Suddenly a cry came from the side. Both figures turned to see a large orc female rushing at the sentinel, her body glowing a tinge of green. She appeared in front of the sentinel to fast for it to attack. She launched a punch landing right on its face. The sentinel was launched back, landing in a pile of rubble. Temporarily stunned.

The woman quickly rushed, grabbing Orion and took off before the the sentinel regained its balance. Orion recognized her, she was his mother. The one she had been looking for. They rushed through the village, and Horizon knew where they were heading. This was the path towards the outer gate all the way on the other side of the village.

Horizon looked towards his mother; she was clearly drained. She was using mana to power herself, but she clearly was running low. All around them, carnage, bodies and fires mixed, screams and howls came from all over the village as they were all slaughtered.

Above them, offensive drones flew by flushing out any orcs that hid and massacring them.

"Mama, I'm scared," Orion said, cuddling his mother.

His mother clutched Orion, slowing down her pace and embracing her son.

"You're the son of Bollock the great you cannot fear my son. I'm here and we will survive this." She said and resumed running.

They reached the edge of the village. The gate had been reduced to splinters, scattered on the ground. The guards that stood there had been reduced to gore. Orion's mom didn't bother she rushed forward heading towards the forest. The ground below had been trampled. likely caused by orcs who bore the same idea of escape.

The two dived into the thicket.

Back in the village, Horizon stood atop a pile of corpse, the village around him reduced to nothing but ashes. He looked towards a certain direction. His mana vision flared as he saw a figure carrying with another small figure. But that's not what surprised him. The small figure was carrying an outstanding amount of mana within him. the largest he had ever seen up until this point.

He had to have him. With a blur he disappeared, rushing after the figure.

The pair of mother and son arrived at a river. The mother keeled over, spouting blood. She had used everything to reach this point. Orion quickly rushed to his mother, consoling her, he tried helping her stand up, but he was far too weak. His mother plodded back down.

"MAMA, MAMA. We have to go. Please stand up." Orion said.

The mother pushed the boy away, pointing a weak finger at the river, her intent clear. He needed to escape using the river; it would carry him far away, away from the massacre.

"NO, I'M NOT LEAVING WITHOUT YOU, MAMA." Orion desperately pleaded.

The mother sat up, cradling Orion's face in her large palms. A smile on her face as blood poured from her eyes.

"Go my son. You need to live, as long as you do out tribe is saved. Grow to be the most powerful orc that this world has ever seen." She said weakly.

She patted Orion's head once more.

"I lov..."

A silver tendril punctured through her heart. Orion screamed as a silver figure materialized behind her mother. Its crimson eyes were trained and focused on Orion.

Horizon looked at the boy in front of him, up close the amount of mana within the boy was impressive reaching staggering amounts. But there was something else, a golden ball of another mysterious type of energy one greater than mana. His interest was peaked. But he didnt notice the mother placing her hands on the boy.

"Go my son" '

And with that the mother launched the Orion into the river. The river swept Orion into its fold carrying him instantly. Horizon lunged trying to get hold of the boy only to fail. He was already gone. He watched on as the boy escaped.

He turned to the mother.

The woman looked up at Horizon, she had never seen such an enemy they came in the night taking not for conquest no but for massacre.

"What are you?" She asked the creature

But no response came just a blade that severed her head.