32 What was it?

Mark examined everything around him with exceptional annoyance, slowly and very carefully advancing into the depths of a dilapidated house.

The builders of this house obviously didn't even think through the general layout when they were creating this ugly thing. But what made it even more appalling was that later, probably one of the owners thought of redevelopment this already monstrous thing just by adding a few new unnecessary rooms, which distorted the already shaky frame completely. It was bad... As in REALLY BAD!

It was just a pile of rubbish that resembled a house. Columns, beams, and a bunch of other stuff were there just for show. Everything seemed to have been stuck together anyhow, as long as it looked pretty from the outside.

Mark's father would tear off the hands of these negligent builders and made them eat it if he saw this blasphemy.

"Hey, Mark! Think, if I kick this stick, will this little tent crumble to pieces?" - Neils' mocking voice made Mark emerge from dark thoughts.

Orc turned and looked with displeasure at the kid who was standing next to the cracked column. Directly above it, the ceiling boards sagged down. You could even see the darkness of the second floor through the gaps between them.

Mark halted, immediately sensing that this was the most unstable place of the structure right now. This column pretty much could be the only thing that was holding the roof from falling in right now.

"Stop clowning around!" - He barked, seeing how the boy lifted his foot for a kick. But Neils acted as if he had not heard anything delivering an impressive blow to the flimsy wood. Only a slight smirk showed that he did it on purpose.

Orc clenched his teeth and was ready to catch this brat when a sharp crack made him freeze in place. The ceiling shuddered as if ready to crumble. Both guys instantly crouched. Mark shut his eyes, expecting everything to collapse on them this instant. But a second passed, then another ... nothing.

"Wow! Guess it sturdier then it looks. What a pity!" - Neils remarked mockingly, straightening up and looking around, although notes of nervousness clearly appeared in his voice.

"You fool! What's wrong with you ?!" - Exploded Mark.

"What's wrong with you?" - Neils snapped back, clenching his fists. Just a second ago, he looked so full of himself, but now he ignited like a wild flame. Mark, with surprise, peered at a guy whom he had never seen like this before. These mood swings looked really abnormal.

"Neils, I don't understand why are you behaving like this." - The Orc began cautiously, taking a step forward, and trying to mentally probe his friend through their bond. But inside of this boy was a raging hurricane of feelings, a mess of scraps of thoughts, memories, grievances, and pain. It seemed like all these snaping and snarling before were just a way for him to vent, but now Neils was really on the verge of an explosion. Just like this crappy house...

"Why am I angry?" - The boy hissed at last. - "Maybe it's because you act like an idiot ?! How long do you know these women? I went with this farce just cause Cali asked us. But look at you. A few pats on the back, and you are ready to vomit your soul to them and do their bidding!? Are you a dog? Forgot why you became like this?"

Words oozing poison flew out of the boy's mouth one by one. Like a stream from a bursting dam.

Mark didn't even frown, although his friend's words hit his heart sharply. He calmly stared straight into the kid's eyes and slowly sighed.

"I just decided that since we are starting a new life, it really should be a New One. And in the new life, there is no place for old prejudices." - The Orc replied, his eyes deemed for a second as if at that moment, he was trying to look inside himself, seeking confirmation of his words. - "All this time, we lived hiding behind a stone crust. But did it bring us something good? Maybe we should try it differently? We will probably be deceived or betrayed more than once. So what? Whining and barking even before this happens, won't solve anything."

Neils scowled, ready to respond with a new stream of stinging words, but Mark did not give him such an opportunity. The Orc took a step forward and looming over the boy, carefully pressing his board palm to the cracked column just above boy's face.

"When you are alone, such a burden can be unbearable." - He said quietly, ignoring the boy's indignant look and focusing all his attention on the old wood as if trying to listen to it through his thick skin.

"But, we are no longer alone ..." - The Orc suddenly continued sharply, turning his gaze at his friend. His tone completely changed, and the corners of his lips crawled up. - "If there were nine more of these flimsy columns here shouldering the load altogether, everything would not look so shitty now." - He finished with a grin and winked at the annoyed guy. Neils only grunted, turned sharply on his heels and strode towards one of the aisles.

"Nine more of the same ugly columns would make this house a real dump!" - The boy threw over his shoulders and disappeared into the aisle. Orc's smile only widened. He shook his head and hurried after his friend, fearing that this weak structure could not stand the next explosion of the raging temper of the small Stone Beast.

During a couple of hours, they managed to explore the entire first floor. Some rooms looked a little better than others, but the Orc's tenacious gaze could immediately determine that his first opinion was correct.

The builders hired by the hostess of the orphanage either deliberately deceived her or were simply so inept that they could not understand the deplorable state of the whole structure.

Mark's face looked more and more gloomy. So when they accidentally stumble upon the door leading to the basement, he already didn't expect anything good. The entrance turned out to be large enough for an impressive figure of the Orc, although Mark had to hunch and bow his head to fit through the passage.

Mark had already managed to take a couple of steps forward when an unnaturally quiet voice made him pause in his footsteps.

"I'd better go, climb to the second floor, or something." - Said Neils, squinting at the stairs leading to the darkness. Mark did not even need to turn around to guess why the boy suddenly said that. Their time as a Stone Beast left no secrets between them. This messy house probably brought too many nightmares back to Neils. To force him into the dark, closed space now will not be the best idea.

The Orc only waved his hand continued going downstairs. Fortunately, for his species, darkness was never a problem. Orcs always settled in caves and had excellent night vision. Mark didn't even need a torch to carefully examine and grasp everything around.

The basement surprisingly pleased him in many ways. It immediately became clear that the real professionals made the foundation. It was cool and dry. Even the ventilation system was made so well that those crooked-handed constructors from upstairs have not been able to spoil it.

Mark enthusiastically checked everything around again, already mentally planning how best to use this opportunity, when suddenly footsteps sounded right above his head.

The Orc steeled. No, it was not Neils. Mark would recognize his steps right away. Here the gait was light and as if dancing ... A soft woman's voice burst into the sensitive ears of the Orc, humming some kind of melody.

For some reason, his heart skipped a beat. Mark froze and even held his breath, as if afraid to frighten away the moment. The tips of his sharp ears trembled slightly, catching a barely audible melodic tune. This voice seemed to envelop his consciousness, so gentle and caressing.

Orc himself did not even realize how, as if in a dream, he began to slowly move towards the stairs. He easily climbed the ladder in two jumps, barely touching the steps.

He wanted to see her, at least from a distance to look at the woman who made his heart tremble with her sweet voice.

Orc halted just a step before the entrance where the singing still sounded and hesitated, not daring to cross the threshold. What if he scares her? Of course, he will! A string of memories flashed before his gaze. Faces twisted in horror and disgust pursued him wherever he went.

He had almost retreated as the voice suddenly grew louder. Not understanding what he was doing, Mark took a step forward and froze. An amazing girl fluttered right in front of him in the middle of a small room, which was most likely an old dining room.

For Mark, human women always seemed more like children. Small and as thin as matches. But this woman was completely different. As if the heat weives was coming from her. Narrow waist, wide hips - everything in her was full energy. All these curves were as if created for hot embraces. A shock of chocolate curls made her look like a lioness. Each of her movements was filled with grace and confidence. Singing under her breath, woman sauntered around the room. From time to time, she began to move her hands, as if drawing something in the air. And Mark couldn't stop staring, striving to take in every movement.

Orc slowly gulped, trying to calm down. "This is all cracked Gorgon's falt," - he began to repeat to himself as if it could at least somehow pacify his raging heart. He imagined how she will freak out as soon as she discovers an ugly beast salivating at her from the shadow. Seems like it finely worked, his heart started to quiet down and Mark backed a bit, preparing to leave.

However, the luck today was obviously not on his side. Just as orc was about to turn, tearing off his hungry gaze, the girl suddenly lifted her dress, trying not to stain the hem on the rubbish lying on the floor. Mark's mouth went completely dry...

These legs ... Mark could barely cope with the bunch of images that were flooding his mind in the same second. All his life, he struggled with that half of himself that was given to him by his wild ancestors.

"Animal!" - A voice sounded in his head from a long-forgotten past, slashing through his mind like a whip. The Orc immediately flinched, recovering. He turned his head away, tasting the revolting feeling of shame for the first time in so many years and was about to leave. But something made him stop again. His sensitive ears caught a strange crackle, and his whole body instantly tensed, sensing the worst.

In the next second his body moved on its own. The Orc leaped forward and grabbed an unsuspecting girl in one motion.

She only managed to scream ones as everything around literally began to crumble. The floor went from under Mark's feet, and pieces of the ceiling started to fall on his back. He didn't feel anything, only trying to ingulf his precise passion in his arm so that nothing would hurt her.

They landed somewhere and the debris finely stopped shifting, pressing Mark to the ground. Everything quieted down. But his heart was still humming with worry. Despite the pain and the weight of the whole building literally on him right now, orc's only thoughts were of this delicate woman nesting in his arms.

"All is well, I'm here, little one." - he managed to whisper soothingly

before the darkness swallowed him in.

***

The first thing Agatha heard when consciousness returned to her again was a strange sound, similar to the sound of a huge drum. Right by her ear, Tuhg Duk Tuhg Duk ...

She tried to move or look around, but all attempts were in vain. The darkness was everywhere, and her body was as if shackled down.

"Hey! Someone!" - She tried to shout, but her mouth produced only a strange gurgling sound. At the same moment, the dust got into her lungs, literally soaking the air.

Agatha coughed but the dust kept getting into her mouth, suffocating her more and more. Her head started spinning. In desperation, she began to clutch at everything by hand. And the next second she really managed to grab something... Something big and hard... In the panic, she squeezed that thing with all her might as if it could help her somehow.

"Shhh." - a booming voice sounded over her ear. - "Calm down, little one. Breathe slowly."

This rough voice frightened Agatha so much that she even stopped breathing. Instant panic froze the whole body. Only now she realized that she was lying on something warm and ... soft ?! Consciousness immediately drew something huge that surrounded her from all sides. And it was ALIVE!

But Agatha was not one of those women who easily fell into hysteria. She gritted her teeth violently, stuffing her fear deeper and took two slow breaths through her nose.

"Right! It was the same voice that she heard before everything around was plunged into darkness." - A sudden thought burst into her mind.

"What happened? Who are you?" - Finally gathering herself, Agatha squeezed out, trying to slowly wrest her hand from someone else's hold.

A sigh sounded above her head and the thing which she lay on slightly moved ... Her palm was carefully released.

"This damn flimsy house actually collapsed." - Agatha heard the displeased voice of a stranger. - "Ms. Filimona asked us to help with the inspection. We came along with the Duchess of Davenport."

Hearing this, Agatha relaxed a bit. She saw the Duchess more than once and knew a lot about her. This woman would hardly have brought suspicious people to the orphanage. Moreover, this stranger still saved her. So it will be very rude of her to suspect her savior in this situation.

She opened her mouth to ask more questions but something made her stop for a second. Something was wrong. The voice of this man sounded strange. As if with every word it became quieter.

Agatha moved a bit and tried to least somehow inspect the surrounding situation. She carefully stretched her hand feeling around, but as soon as she moved slightly, a muffled grunt sounded over her ear.

"Don't move, please," - the stranger croaked, barely audible.

"But you're holding me to tight. Can you please let me go?" - She bagged feeling very uncomfortable. Some very bad premotion bagged her, but Agatha tried to chase it away, only focusing on now and here.

"I am sorry, little one. But I can't do that." - the stranger whispered stretching his word. And then added so quiet that Agatha almost didn't hear it. - " We are trapped..."

"What?!" - Agatha cried out, succumbing to sudden panic. At that very moment, space around her seemed to begin to shrink. Agatha felt her head start spinning again, and a small tremor shook her body.

"Shh. Everything will be fine. We will be found in no time." - A gruff voice sounded from the darkness. It seemed to envelop her with its stoic confidence, pushing the cold claws of terror to the side.

The woman felt the man next to her move again. And then something warm fell on her back. The movements were strange, and only a second later, it dawned on Agatha that this man was trying to awkwardly pat her on the back as if comforting a child.

Her heart sank for a moment. She grimaced, kicking herself in her mind for a moment's weakness. This man not only saved her, but now also consoles her, and she behaved like a little whiny b... What a fool!

"Sorry. I'm fine now." - She croaked, finally pulling herself together. - "But what do we do now?"

"Nothing. Wait..." - The stranger answered simply. But this time, Agatha again caught something strange in his voice. Like an odd rattling.

"Are you hurt?" - She asked quickly, holding out her hand and trying to feel whatever she could reach. The warm, rough surface beneath her fingers immediately flinched, and the stranger grunted weirdly.

"This .. Do not ... Do not touch.".. here" - He squawked out. Agatha immediately became agitated.

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"You're hurt, I knew it! Where? Where are you injured?" - She demanded, beginning to pat here and there, trying to figure out what was under her fingers. The stranger groaned again and shifted, pulling away, although, in the current conditions, it was almost impossible.

"Nothing hurts. Enough ..." - he tried to stop her. But the voice was very weak.

And it spurred Agatha to double her efforts. She continued to gropingly inspect everything around. Solid curves and some strange ridges. What the hell is this? A very muscular hand? No, she clearly felt one of his hands somewhere under her head and the other around her back. Agatha tried to imagine the approximate position of her savior. Somewhere there is a head, there are hands ... Is that the third hand? Or foot? Maybe this is a fracture?

Agatha was so carried away that she did not even notice how the breathing over her ear became heavy and harsh, as if a stranger had run several kilometers without stopping.

"Enough!" - Suddenly he roared and abruptly moved. The debris around shifted, something fell and cracked. Agatha stilled, afraid to even breathe, flinching with every bang and boom.

"What? What happened?" She squeaked gluing herself to her savior.

But her voice sank in a new rumble. This time from the other side. And then through all this chaos, they heard voices.

"They are here! Hurry!"

"Come on faster! Dig here!"

Everything around started to move. Clanking, banging, and then a sudden bright light. Agatha closed her eyes and at the same moment, strong hands which were gently squeezing her all this time grabbed her tighter and swang up as if she didn't weigh anything. Someone caught her from above and pulled, helping to get out.

When Agatha finally managed to open her eyes again, she was already outside. She was seated on a stone in the middle of a pile of debris. Mrs. Philemon fussed around, carefully examining her from all sides.

"Agatha! My girl! What were you doing there?" - All her usual calm disappeared at this moment. The eternally neat and well-groomed mistress of the orphanage was now completely disheveled, and her face expressed genuine concern.

Thin long fingers gently brushed dirty hairs back from the girl's forehead.

"Are you hurt? How are you?" - Philemon asked in a slightly shaking voice. Agatha shook her head uncertainly, and then spun around.

"There!" She began, trying to find her protector in the wreckage with her eyes. The remaining men just managed to peel away another part of the rubbish. the Duchess of Davenport was spinning next to them, orchestrating the process with her loud general-like voice.

Agatha looked and looked... but the time seemed to still. Where is he? She jumped to her feet and was about rush there, not being able to endure it any longer.

"Wait..." - Philimone tried to stop her. But was a second too late.

A colossal hand appeared from under the debris. No, it was not a man's hand! Claws, greenish-gray skin ... then the second hand and finally the creature scrambled out completely. Fanged muzzle, sharp ears, pitch-black hair.

Agatha hiccuped and staggered. Orc! It was a huge fanged orc! And the thing that she touched was definitely not a hand ... and not a leg ... They were MUCH bigger ...

Then what was it ?!