Darkness Creeping In

Third Person's Narrative;

Several miles away, deep in the mountains, and shielded by a fog of clouds, sat a kingdom that kept to itself. The thriving, small kingdom inhabited by Ogres. 

The green kingdom called Gorvahn…

***

"Father, it's getting worse. "Thragna the ogre princess declared as she marched into the ornate throne room with a bunch of decayed vegetables in her hand.

Thragna was indeed a sight to behold. Standing at about 9 feet, it was easy to see that she was a woman whose presence alone demanded respect. Her green skin gleamed under the chandelier lights as she stood before her father.

Her long, black hair, sat over her shoulders in thick braids decorated with metal rings, tiny carved skulls, and other bone trinkets. Her massive horns which curled backwards were firmly wrapped in vines. A fashion statement that also served to protect her horns.

Her cape of leather and furr spoke of the comfort and wealth of her background, just like the golden bracelets on her wrists, and the anklets on her feet. Yet, she wore them with an effortless grace, you could tell she knew that her true strength lay not in wealth but in herself.

"The people will starve if this continues. "Thragna complained as she dropped her weapon on the table before her father. It was a thick wooden staff that had wicked spikes of rocks and broken bones at its end. 

A weapon with which she could do great harm to any group who felt brave enough to cross her.

Thragna's tusks which protruded from her lower jaw, caught the sunlight that streamed in through the windows as she spoke. Her short, roughly cut skirt wrinkled and folded as she paced in front of her father. Her beautiful brown eyes were furrowed, as worry began to ransack her mind.

They had been facing this problem for weeks now. At first, they hoped that eventually, things would go back to normal, but things only ever got worse. 

"How bad has it gotten? "Her father, King Draghor questioned, and Thragna sighed as she stopped pacing to face him.

"60% of the farms are gone, father. "She replied in visible exasperation, and Draghor held his breath. He had hoped for some good news. At least one good news. In the past weeks, it's been trouble upon trouble, and he was in need of a break. Of anything good, he could hold on to.

"The rot keeps spreading. Nothing we're doing stops it. The crops blacken and die overnight, and the farmers are forced to harvest the decayed crops and burn them by morning. They then plant fresh crops but the same thing happens again. Even planting in different places yields no better result… "Thragna continues, and Draghor sighs as he runs his massive hands over his face. 

The situation has indeed gotten worse. Just a few days ago, only 10% of their farms had this issue. At first, they blamed the changing climate, but now it was clear that something far worse was at play. Something bigger than anything they've ever had to deal with. 

It was as if nature who was previously always in support of them, was turning its back on them. Retreating and leaving them with dead lands. It wasn't natural. It wasn't right. Something ominous was going on, and Draghor could feel it in his bones. He could feel it, but he refused to acknowledge it. Because acknowledging it made it real… Acknowledging it, made it true.

"Father, we must reach out—before it's too late. "Thragna continued. Speaking softly this time she leaned over the table. 

"We need all the help we can get before whatever this thing is, consumes us… "She added with her voice tender like she was cajoling a child, but Draghor already knew this trick. And he wouldn't fall for it.

"We can't do that. "He replied adamantly as he stood. Causing his 10-foot-tall frame to tower over Thragna. 

Any other being would feel intimidated in the presence of a creature so huge. One of the biggest ogres to exist in Gorvahn, but to Thragna, he was just her father. And she was the only one in the entire kingdom who could stand her ground before him, and even go head-to-head with him on certain topics.

…Like she was about to do now.

"We have to, Father! Livestock are refusing to graze. They are repulsed by the swiftly withering grasses, and even the ones who eat end up sick, or become reckless! "She raged, and Draghor blinked at her before turning his back to her.

"Father, this isn't some agricultural defect that we can solve with a little fertilizer. A dark force is creeping up on us. "Thragna then spoke, but Draghor remained unyielding.

"The village healer spoke to me. Her herbs are losing their potency. Some villagers swear they hear voices in the dark, and some have claimed to see their shadows move like they had minds of their own. "She continued, and Draghor still left his back to her. An unspoken proclamation of his defiance and Thragna wouldn't allow it. She couldn't. Now was not the time to be stubborn. Now was the time to take action because everything was slowly beginning to fall apart. Her father needed to understand that.

"The decay is spreading beyond the fields, Pa! It's creeping into our sacred groves! Just this morning, Naka's tree was oozing black sap! "She raged, and this caught Draghor's attention. 

He turned to her with wide, stunned eyes, and she took a deep breath. She knew that would get to him. Nothing has ever affected any of their sacred trees before. This happening now was certainly a cause for alarm, and the people knew. Everyone knew. So, he had to know too.

"What!? "He demanded, and Thragna nodded. 

"Naka's tree is withering, Pa. If this… thing is strong enough to affect one of our sacred trees, don't you think it's a sign? If we don't get help, this rot will consume all of us. First our land, our animals… What do you think it would come for, next? "She replied, and Draghor fell silent. His mind was racing and his heart swelling with worry.

"You know they won't help us. "He mumbled in resignation as he looked away. Trying to hide his worry and Thragna walked up to him.

"We haven't tried. "She replied, placing a hand on his shoulder, and Draghor looked at his only child. 

"Thragna, why do you think we Ogres keep to ourselves? The rest of the realm sees us as brainless monsters. They see us as violent airheads who do not deserve to mingle with them. Thragna, you know the trajectory of this realm. The other kingdoms won't help if they don't get something in return. They never do. "He spoke, and Thragna sighed.

"That doesn't mean we just sit on our hands, Pa. If they want a deal, we can come to an agreement. We can sell some of the Titanbone Elixir to whoever helps us. "She replied, and Draghor's eyes went wide.

"What nonsense!? Do you have any idea what that would do!? The old gods had a reason for separating all kingdoms. All kingdoms have their own abilities and strengths. Why then in Earth's name, would we go about mixing our magic with another kingdom's!? "He demanded, and Thragna frowned.

"Would you prefer we sell them the blood stones then? "She asked, and Draghor's jaw dropped, his tusk catching the light as he moved away from her.

"What has gotten into you!? We can't give any of those out! If we sell them gems that can store life essence, absorb their wounds, and return life to the dead, how much trouble do you think it would cause? And if we sell them the elixir of giants that adds a 50% increase to all abilities… "He began but stopped as if he couldn't bear the thought of what would happen if any of that happened.

"Do you want to break the realm, Thragna!? "He raged, as he grabbed her arm, and she scoffed - Yanking her arm away from his grip.

"I'm trying to save my people, Pa! I know you can feel it! You can smell it too. The sickening scent the wind now carries. The smell of… of overripe fruit and decaying animals. It smells like Gorvahn is rotting from right beneath us, Pa! There's danger here. We have to do something, otherwise, Gorvahn will crumble! "She yelled, and Draghor stared at his little girl in amusement.

"Will you send out the letters, or should I? One of the other kingdoms will help us. They must. If they don't we will seek another way, but this is the first step, Pa. There's no time to waste... Think about your people! "She pushed further, and Draghor finally sighed in defeat.

"Fine. I'll send out the letters. I hope their silence won't disappoint you too much. "He replied, and Thragna smiled in relief.

"Someone will answer. "She replied hopefully before grabbing her staff off the table and looking up at her father.

"I'll go join the farmers. We'll salvage whatever we can, and try to feed some of the livestock. I've also opened the storehouse for contributions. We don't know how bad this is going to get or how long it will last. We should have some food saved for when we need it. "She informed, and Draghor nodded. 

With that, Thragna walked off with her cape swaying behind her. 

As she exited the throne room, the door shut behind her with the graceful finality of her aura. 

Princess Thragna. The powerful heir to the throne, of Grovahn. A force to be reckoned with, and not underestimated. 

The darkness had gotten to her home. But she won't let it take it. Not without a fight.