Naz and Naruz were in the main house with Gribnox nowhere to be seen, they were far from the main tunnels where goblins sharpened weapons and got ready for battle.

Naz and Naruz needed to talk because there was a chance this place would fall and should that happen, their fate would remain unknown but there was no chance they would allow Naz to give birth to the very thing they were trying to wage war on.

The space was lit only by a single flickering torch stuck in a crack in the wall.

Naz sat on a broken crate, her large orc hands resting on her knees. Naruz leaned against the rough stone wall, her arms crossed over her chest. Both kept their voices low, eyes darting to the entrance now and then.

"Who exactly is this Kraghul?" Naz asked, her deep voice a soft rumble.

"Everyone talks about him like he's death itself. Bigger than any orc. Meaner too." Naz continued. They weren't among the people fortunate enough to establish visuals on him so they had no idea what he looked like.

Naruz glanced toward the door, making sure no goblin ears were close because what she was about to say would only make their fear worse.

"I've heard the stories. Passed down from the orcs in the brothel... well, you know. Kraghul is the son of Urgar the Skull Taker. Urgar is a brutal tribe leader. He collected skulls from his enemies and hung them on his belt like prizes. Kraghul made his first kill at age three." Naruz began to tell her the tale that surrounded him.

"Three years old? That's barely out of diapers. What could a child that small kill? A rat? A bird?" Naz leaned forward, her eyes widened with interest.

"No. His older twin brother." Naruz dropped the bombshell.

Naz gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in disbelief.

"His own brother? How? Why?" Naz questioned, hoping this was not true. Naruz sat down beside her on the crate, the wood creaking under their weight.

"The rumor goes like this. Kraghul and his twin were born just minutes apart. Urgar's tribe was harsh—no room for weakness. The chief believed only the strongest should survive. He made the boys compete for everything: scraps of food, a warm spot by the fire, even their mother's attention. One day, when they were three, they fought over a meaty bone from the evening meal. Kraghul grabbed a sharp rock from the ground. He didn't just hit his brother once to win. He kept smashing until the boy's head was broken open. Blood pooled on the dirt," Naruz felt uncomfortable telling this story. Naz shivered, wrapping her arms around herself.

"That's not normal. No child does that. Not even in our tribes." Naz knew this was taboo.

"That's what the story says but it worked because Kraghul received all the affection from his parents because he had proven himself," Naruz whispered, leaning closer.

"They say Kraghul is possessed by a demon or rather, the angry spirit of his twin brother. No one had ever seen violence like that from someone so young. It wasn't a tantrum or accident. His eyes changed, they say—black as night, full of hate. After that day, he acted like two different people. Sometimes he was nice, kind, even goofy. He'd share his toys, laugh at silly jokes, help younger orcs with chores. A sweet kid. But then, without warning, he'd switch. Become the devil reincarnate—screaming, breaking things, attacking anyone near. The demon inside made him stronger, faster, unstoppable in his rage." Naruz revealed but this sounded more like folklore than reality.

Naz rubbed her arms, trying to chase away the chills.

"Of course, these are all rumors. Tales told to scare those who listen. But every rumor carries a hint of truth, doesn't it? If even half is real..." Naruz knew the entire thing wasn't true but had no way of telling which part was. Naz stared at the torch flame, watching it dance.

"We stand no chance against him. Look at us—trapped in here with goblins who can barely hold a spear straight. The goblins that can fight wouldn't even make it past two orcs, we are screwed no matter how you look at this," Naz confessed.

"It's like waiting for the axe to fall. Slow and sure." Naz's voice cracked a little.

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the words hanging heavy. The distant sounds of the preparation filtered in: metal on stone, muffled orders, nervous chatter. Naz placed a hand on her belly. It was rounded now, the baby due in less than a week. The thought twisted her gut.

"The little one kicking again?" Naruz asked. Naz nodded, her eyes soft but worried.

"Yeah. Strong kicks. But I'm terrified, Naruz. What if they break through before then? What if Kraghul gets in tomorrow? I fear dying in this place. Leaving the baby without a chance. Will I even live long enough to hold it?" Naz was concerned which surprised Naruz, she didn't know she saw this child as something to protect. Naruz reached over and gripped Naz's hand firmly.

"Listen to me. Everything will be alright. You're one of the toughest orcs I know. Carried loads twice your size. Fought off raiders with a broken arm. This baby? It's got your blood. It'll be a fighter from the start." Naruz tried her best to reassure.

"But I'm afraid it would have Gribnox's ugly face! Imagine he has my body and Gribnox's face?" Naz was already snickering at the thought of it.

"The worst of both worlds," Naruz responded, both orcs chuckling at the thought it,

"Forget about everything for a second," Naruz said, her voice steady and kind.

"We have walls and numbers. Drekk is here—he'll at least distract them. Vrognut is a pig but —both of them should give us a chance. And you? You stay back here, guard the food stores, the water. No front-line nonsense. I'll be out there with my axe, watching the entrances. We look out for each other, like always." Naruz reassured her even though she knew deep down she stood no chance.

But the words that came out of her mouth surprised her because her first instinct wasn't to run away from this place while the goblins created an opening. She chose to stay and protect it because she considered this place her home.

Naz laughed a little, the sound easing the tension.

"Okay. Okay. I feel better. A bit." Naruz had successfully reassured her.

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