21. Sarod

21

SAROD

I storm through the streets of Orcland, my teammates hot on my heels. My blood boils with rage, whicht fuels my every step. Grokus has Josie. That bastard dares to touch what's mine. The thought of his filthy hands on her makes my vision blur with fury.

"Spread out," I growl to my team, my voice rough with barely contained anger. "Hit every tavern, every back alley. Someone's gotta know where that scum's hidin'. And when we find him..." I let the threat hang in the air, my teammates nodding grimly.

We split up, covering more ground. I bash open the door of a seedy pub, the rotting wood splintering under my fist. The patrons fall silent at my entrance, a sea of green faces turning to stare. The stench of cheap ale and unwashed bodies hits me, but I barely notice. The bartender, a grizzled orc with a missing tusk, eyes me warily, his hand inching towards something under the counter.

"Where's Grokus?" I demand, slamming my fist on the counter hard enough to make the mugs rattle and spill their contents. The acrid smell of cheap ale fills my nostrils as I glare at the bartender, my eyes scanning the room, daring anyone to lie to me. "I know you lowlifes know somethin'. Start talkin', or I'll tear this place apart board by board."

The threat works like a charm. The bartender's one good eye widens, and he mumbles something about a tavern wench who often entertains Grokus when he's passing through the streets. I toss him a coin, the metal clinking against the worn wood, and storm out, signaling my team to regroup with a sharp whistle.

As we gather in a nearby alley, taking a moment to catch our breath and contemplate our next moves, Grul falls in step beside me. His tusks glint in the dim light as he speaks. "Captain, what's the deal with this human? Never seen you so worked up over a piece of tail before. She must be somethin' special to get you this riled up."

I clench my jaw, considering how to answer. The truth is, I'm not entirely sure myself. "She's... different," I finally mutter, running a hand over my face. "Ain't just some conquest. She's got fire in her, a spirit I ain't seen before. And I'll be damned if I let that bastard Grokus snuff it out."

Grul raises an eyebrow, his tusks twitching with amusement. "You fallin' for a human, Sarod? That ain't like you. Never thought I'd see the day."

I grunt, running a hand over my face as I try to sort through the jumble of emotions churning in my gut. "I don't know what it is," I admit, surprising myself with the honesty. The words tumble out before I can stop them. "She's gotten under my skin, Grul. In my blood. It's like nothing I've ever felt before."

"Hmm… You know what? I getcha." Grul slams his hand into my back, nearly knocking the wind out of me. "I felt the same way when I met Dana. Knocked me on my ass, she did. I just figured you'd be the type to find yourself a female orc and marry her. You know, keep the bloodline pure and all that shit."

"Why?" I raise a brow, genuinely curious. Grul shrugs, his tusks jutting out as he ponders.

"Those females are important, you know that. Keepin' the tribe strong and all. And I always thought you'd want the best of the best for yourself. Some warrior princess type to match your big bad self on the zyrphix pitch."

"Heh," I mumble, shaking my head and running a hand through my coarse hair. The thought of some orc princess pales in comparison to Josie's fire. "Josie is the best of the best. She's got more fight in her little finger than most orcs I know."

"If she's making you act like this, then I believe that." Grul eyes me with newfound respect. "Never seen you so worked up over a female before. Human or not, she must be something special."

"Yeah." I pick at the rough patches on my hands. Years and years of training have hardened my flesh into the way it is. "I can't let Grokus hurt her. She's mine to protect." The words feel strange on my tongue, but right. I've never felt this way about anyone, let alone a human. But Josie... she's wormed her way into my heart, past all the walls I've built up over the years. The thought of Grokus laying a finger on her makes my vision go red, my fists clenching at my sides.

"We'll get her back, boss," Grul assures me, his voice gruff but sincere. He claps a meaty hand on my shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. "And we'll make that bastard Grokus pay. He won't know what hit him when we're through."

I nod, a low growl rumbling in my chest. "Damn straight we will. Grokus has no idea what he's unleashed. I'll tear this whole damn city apart if that's what it takes to find her."

I clench my fists, my muscles coiled tight with tension. Grokus thinks he can take what's mine? He's about to learn a painful lesson.

"Captain!" Groknak's voice cuts through my thoughts like a blade. He jogs up, slightly out of breath, his massive form heaving with each intake. "Got a lead. Some drunk at the Broken Tusk says Grokus bought a property on the outskirts. Old farmhouse, abandoned for years. Sounds like the perfect hideout for that bastard."

My heart pounds faster, a rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. "That's gotta be it. Good work, Groknak," I growl, clapping him on the shoulder. My mind's already racing, plotting our next move.

I turn to face my team, their eyes fixed on me with determination. These orcs have fought by my side on the zyrphix field, their bodies as battered and scarred as mine. But this... this is different. Personal. The air crackles with tension as I meet each of their gazes. They know what Josie means to me.

"Listen up," I growl. The words rumble from deep in my chest, carrying the weight of my rage. "Grokus crossed a line. He took someone important to me. Someone I..." I hesitate, the words unfamiliar and almost sticking in my throat. Emotions I've kept buried for so long threaten to surface. "Someone I care about. This ain't just about gettin' her back. It's about sendin' a message. No one messes with what's ours."

I clench my fists, feeling my nails dig into my palms. The thought of Josie in Grokus's clutches makes my blood boil. I've faced down opponents on the zyrphix field without flinching, but this... this fear for her safety is something entirely new.

Grul steps forward, his scarred face set in determination. His eyes, usually gleaming with mischief before a match, now burn with a fierce loyalty. "We're with you, Sarod. To the end."

The others nod, a chorus of grunts and affirmations rising from the group. Fists pound against chests, a rhythmic sound of solidarity. Their loyalty warms something inside me, a feeling I'm not used to. It's like the rush before a zyrphix match, but deeper, steadier. For a moment, I'm caught off guard by the intensity of it all - their unwavering support, my own tangled emotions. But I push it down, focusing on the task at hand. Josie needs me, needs us, and by all the gods, we're gonna get her back.

"Josie ain't just some human," I continue, surprising myself with the raw honesty in my voice. "She's... she's part of us now. And we protect our own." The words feel strange on my tongue, but right. I've never been one for sappy speeches, but damn if this situation doesn't call for it.

I see the surprise in their eyes, but also understanding. They've seen the change in me, even if I've been too stubborn to admit it. Shit, I've been too stubborn to admit it to myself. But there's no denying it now. Josie's gotten under my skin in a way no one else ever has.

"We go in hard and fast," I lay out the plan, my voice growing harder as I focus on the task ahead. "No mercy for Grokus or anyone stupid enough to stand with him. That bastard's gonna regret the day he ever laid eyes on her." I clench my fists, imagining the satisfying crunch of bone beneath my knuckles. "But Josie..." My voice softens slightly, betraying the depth of my feelings. "We get her out safe. No matter what. Anyone who so much as bruises her is gonna answer to me personally."

The team nods, their faces set with grim determination. I feel a surge of pride and gratitude for these orcs who stand beside me. Grul and Groknak, my most trusted teammates, flank me on either side, their massive frames radiating lethal intent.

"Let's move," I growl, leading the way forward. With every step, my resolve hardens. Josie's face flashes in my mind - her defiant eyes, her stubborn chin, the way she looks at me when she thinks I'm not watching. The memory of her soft skin under my calloused hands fuels my rage, making my blood boil hotter with each passing moment.

I'm coming for you, Josie. And Grokus better pray to whatever gods he believes in before I get my hands on him. My fists clench and unclench at my sides, itching for the satisfying crunch of that bastard's bones. The air around us crackles with tension as we march forward, a small army of vengeance with a singular purpose. Grokus has no idea what kind of fury he's unleashed.