BALLAD OF THE ORC PALADIN

Into Valkra

The morning sun was a pale disk barely visible through the thick fog that clung to the landscape. The air was cold and damp, and as Kaito adjusted the pack on his shoulders, he could feel the tension radiating from the group. They were close now—close to the forsaken lands of Valkra, where few dared to tread. The dark territory lay beyond the jagged cliffs and treacherous ravines they had been navigating for days. Valkra was more than just dangerous terrain; it was a land where shadows had teeth, and the dark power Grushak had spoken of began to make itself known.

As they packed up the camp, Kaito could feel the weight of Grushak's words from the night before. He had always known that something more sinister lay beyond the political struggles between the kingdoms and races of Galharn. The Guild leader's warning about a rising darkness was no longer a vague threat—it was becoming reality. And Valkra was at the heart of it.

The group set off without much conversation. Grushak led the way, his massive frame moving with surprising agility as they navigated the increasingly steep and rocky terrain. Sylvara was not far behind, her elven eyes sharp as she scanned the surroundings for any sign of movement. Kaito, who had been watching her closely over the last few days, knew she was more than just cautious. She was anticipating something—something that might attack from the shadows.

The narrow ravine they followed soon gave way to a plateau, and from their elevated position, Kaito could see the edges of Valkra in the distance. Dark clouds swirled above the distant mountains, and the land between them was barren and scorched, the remnants of old battles etched into the landscape. Crumbling watchtowers and half-buried fortresses jutted from the earth like the bones of a fallen giant, a stark reminder of the chaos that had once consumed these lands.

"This is where it begins," Grushak muttered as they paused at the edge of the plateau, gazing out over the land. "Once we cross into Valkra, we'll be on our own. No patrols, no laws, no safe harbours."

Kaito nodded but said nothing. The reality of their journey was sinking in. Valkra wasn't just dangerous—it was a land abandoned by the gods, where dark forces reigned and where even the most seasoned warriors met their end. He thought again of the temple, hidden somewhere within this cursed territory. It was the key to his transformation, the only way to prove to himself and others that he wasn't just an orc. But it felt farther away than ever, a flickering hope on the edge of a growing nightmare.

"Move quickly and stay alert," Sylvara added, her voice tight. "There are creatures here that are not natural. Beasts twisted by old magic. We're not the only ones hunting in these lands."

Her words sent a chill through Kaito, but he pushed the fear down. He had to stay focused. One step at a time. The temple was waiting.

As they descended into Valkra, the landscape grew more hostile. The air itself seemed heavier, almost suffocating, as if the very ground was tainted by the darkness that had consumed the land. Strange sounds echoed from the mountains—unearthly howls, distant roars, and the occasional crackle of something that felt like magic.

The group moved in silence, every step measured and deliberate. Grushak's axe never left his hand, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger. Sylvara's bow was at the ready, an arrow notched and poised to strike at a moment's notice. Even Borin, who usually grumbled and muttered under his breath, was silent, his war hammer gleaming in the pale light.

Kaito could feel the weight of his dagger at his side, but it felt inadequate compared to the threats lurking in this land. He kept his focus sharp, his senses heightened, but his mind continued to drift to the temple, and what awaited him there. Would the gods truly grant their blessing to an orc? Could he find redemption in a place like this?