Smiley and the Demigorgon's Warband

Chapter 8: The Worgs, the Beast Tamer, and the Orc King's Wrath

The air in the tunnel grew colder as Smiley and her group pressed forward, the stone walls narrowing and the weight of the Orc King's fortress looming above them. Each step echoed in the silence, the tension growing heavier with each passing moment.

"We're close," Krag murmured, his voice a low rumble. "The tunnels will take us directly into the heart of the Orc King's stronghold. But we need to be careful. These tunnels were once used for escape, but now... they're a hunting ground."

"Hunting ground?" Wesley asked, his grip tightening on his sword.

Krag nodded. "The Orc King's beasts—Worgs and their master—patrol these passages. If we're lucky, we might avoid them."

But luck was not on their side.

A deep growl echoed from the shadows ahead, and Smiley's heart raced. Elendir, with his elven agility, pulled an arrow from his quiver and nocked it, his eyes scanning the darkness.

"They're coming," he whispered.

Without warning, a pack of Worgs lunged from the shadows, their massive bodies sleek and muscular, their glowing red eyes filled with malice. Leading them was a towering orc beast tamer, his whip cracking as he commanded the vicious creatures.

"Spread out!" Smiley ordered, brandishing her sword as the Worgs attacked.

The battle was fierce. Wesley and Elendir fought side by side, fending off the Worgs with sword and bow. DG unleashed her Gorgon powers, her snakes writhing as she cast protective magic around the group. Krag, using his brute strength, grappled with the Worgs, forcing them back with powerful blows.

Smiley locked eyes with the orc beast tamer, who grinned wickedly as he cracked his whip. She rushed at him, sword raised, and their weapons clashed in a burst of sparks. The beast tamer was strong, but Smiley was quicker. She ducked beneath his whip and struck at his side, landing a powerful blow that sent him staggering back.

Enraged, the beast tamer lashed out, but Smiley was ready. She sidestepped his attack and drove her sword into his chest. The orc gasped, his eyes wide with shock before he fell to the ground, lifeless.

With their master dead, the remaining Worgs fled into the shadows, their snarls fading into the distance.

Breathing heavily, Smiley wiped the blood from her sword. "Everyone okay?"

"We're fine," Wesley said, though he looked worn from the fight. "But we should keep moving. The Orc King won't be far."

With the Worgs defeated, they pressed on through the tunnels, emerging into the lower chambers of the Orc King's fortress. The walls were lined with dark banners, and the scent of blood and decay filled the air. The group moved cautiously, their weapons at the ready.

As they approached the throne room, the massive doors creaked open, revealing the Orc King seated on his dark throne. His black armor gleamed in the firelight, and his eyes burned with malevolent power. He was even more imposing than they had imagined, his presence filling the room with a suffocating aura of darkness.

"So, the little hobbit thinks she can challenge me," the Orc King growled, his voice deep and menacing. "You are fools to come here."

Smiley stepped forward, her heart pounding. "We're here to stop you. Your reign of terror ends today."

The Orc King rose from his throne, his great sword crackling with dark energy. "You will regret ever setting foot in my domain."

With a roar, the Orc King charged, his sword swinging with terrifying speed and force. Smiley barely managed to block the first strike, the impact sending her stumbling back. The rest of the group attacked from all sides, but the Orc King was relentless, his dark magic shielding him from their blows.

Wesley and Elendir fought valiantly, but the Orc King's power was overwhelming. DG tried to use her magic to protect them, but even her Gorgon powers couldn't break through the Orc King's defenses. Krag, though strong, struggled against the might of the dark lord.

Smiley knew they were losing. She had to find a way to turn the tide, but the Orc King's strength seemed limitless.

"Is this all you have?" the Orc King sneered, his voice filled with contempt. "Pathetic."

With a final, devastating blow, the Orc King struck Smiley down, sending her crashing to the ground. Her vision blurred, and she could feel the cold stone beneath her as the world around her began to fade.

But just as the Orc King raised his sword for the finishing blow, DG leaped forward, her body shielding Smiley from the attack. The sword came down, striking DG instead, and she cried out in pain as the dark magic surged through her.

"No!" Smiley gasped, her heart breaking as DG collapsed beside her.

With the last of her strength, DG placed the protection charm from Gandalf over Smiley's chest. The amulet glowed faintly, its magic spreading over Smiley and keeping her safe from the Orc King's final attack.

The Orc King snarled in frustration, his eyes burning with rage. "You will not escape," he growled, raising his hand to cast a powerful spell.

Dark magic swirled around them, and Smiley felt herself being lifted from the ground, her body weightless as the Orc King's ancient spell began to tear her and her companions apart. The last thing she saw before the darkness took her was DG's face, pale and still, her body cradled in Smiley's arms.

---

When Smiley awoke, she was lying on a frozen shore, the icy wind biting at her skin. She groaned, her body aching from the battle, as she slowly sat up and looked around. The landscape was a vast, frozen wasteland. Jagged ice formations stretched out toward the horizon, and the sea beyond was frozen solid.

She was alone.

The Icebay of Forochel.

Smiley clenched her fists, her breath visible in the frigid air. Her heart ached with the memory of the battle—the moment DG had sacrificed herself to save her. The Orc King had scattered them across Middle-earth, but Smiley knew one thing: she had to find her friends.

"I'll find you," she whispered to the cold wind. "We'll regroup, and we'll take down the Orc King."

With a deep breath, Smiley stood, her mind resolute. She had lost the battle, but the war was far from over.

And the Orc King would pay.