Chapter 12: Cracks and Truths

The army escorted Cain, the villagers, and the others back to the training camp in a grand formation. Along the way, the scenery gradually shifted from charred forests to tranquil green fields. The air was still thick with the lingering scent of smoke, but the wearied faces of the group bore traces of relief and safety.

Cain sat at the edge of the transport vehicle, gazing at the shattered ridges in the distance. His mind replayed the scene of the orc leader's appearance.

The destruction and oppressive aura it brought were beyond anything they could comprehend. That weapon glowing with red light, those unnaturally calm and steady steps—it all felt so unfamiliar yet strangely familiar.

"Ze," Cain moved to sit beside him, his tone low. "I have something to ask you."

Ze, staring at the lingering clouds in the distance, nodded slightly. "Go ahead."

"Those orcs… How could they appear here? The training camp never mentioned them before… and no one said this was a war zone."

Ze was silent for a moment, as if weighing his words.

"Do you know the history of the elves?" he asked in return.

"Somewhat… Our books say the Elven Court has always upheld order and balance, ruling over multiple elemental realms…"

"That's the history they chose to leave behind," Ze said calmly. "A long time ago, there was another group of elves—they didn't worship nature and order but instead embraced darkness and chaos. They were known as Shadow Elves."

Cain frowned. "You mean… the elves had traitors?"

"Not just traitors. They once launched an internal uprising, attempting to seize power and overthrow the fundamental structure of the elven world. Though they were ultimately defeated, the court sought to eradicate them. Yet, remnants of their faction still linger in the dark corners of Elamia, waiting for their chance."

Cain clenched his fists. "So, these orcs… were summoned by them?"

Ze nodded. "A few years ago, the Shadow Elves inadvertently opened a spatial rift connecting to Arcath. Since then, the two sides have worked together like collaborators. The Shadow Elves transport orcs to Elamia for plundering and destruction while sending Elamia's resources back to Arcath."

"Then why hasn't the central army disclosed this earlier?" Cain questioned.

"Because… we still don't know the true purpose of the rift's opening. If the truth were revealed, it would only cause panic, and the situation would deteriorate faster." Ze paused, his gaze complicated as he looked at Cain. "But I suspect you're not asking just for strategic reasons… It's about your parents, isn't it?"

Cain froze, his expression shifting. "I have no memory of my parents. I came to Elamia on a spaceship as a child. I know nothing."

"Are you certain you have no memories at all? Not even fragments or dreams?"

Cain spoke softly, "I only remember a vague conversation. Someone said they had to stay behind to hold off the orcs and ensure the spaceship's safe departure. At the time, I was just a baby, wrapped in a rescue pod…"

Ze nodded lightly, a trace of pity flashing in his eyes.

"Cain… your parents were part of the resistance in Arcath. When humanity was forced to evacuate, they volunteered to stay behind to block the orc pursuers, ensuring the survival of the human race."

Cain was stunned, as if his soul had been torn apart in an instant. Shock and sorrow surged through him. "Are they… still alive?"

"We don't know," Ze shook his head. "But if the orcs can come through the rift, then perhaps… they are still there."

This statement struck Cain like lightning, piercing straight into his heart. He had never dared to hope for a connection to his past, but now, a sliver of hope emerged—the only chance to see his parents again.

"You said the orcs can pass through… Does that mean I can too?" A spark of determination lit up in Cain's eyes.

"In theory… it's possible," Ze said in a low voice. "But the rift is unstable and extremely dangerous. Once you go in, there's no guarantee you'll come out alive."

Cain gave a bitter smile. "At least now I have a direction."

He looked up, his gaze fixed on the faint scar of the rift lingering on the horizon, as if it hadn't fully healed.

"I'm not just here to fight or train. I'm here to find my family."

Ze said nothing more. He simply stood up and patted Cain on the shoulder.

"Then you'll need to be stronger than anyone else. Otherwise, you'll die on the other side of that rift."

By the time the convoy arrived at the training camp, it was already evening.

At the edge of the camp, makeshift medical tents and shelters were running efficiently. Central army medical officers quickly triaged the wounded. Roddy was carried into a surgical tent, his body riddled with fractures and lacerations—his condition critical.

Aina stayed by his side the entire time, refusing to leave. When the military personnel tried to stop her, Roddy weakly opened his eyes and whispered, "Let her stay… It puts me at ease."

The faint sunlight filtered through the gaps in the tent, falling on Roddy's pale face. He lay on the makeshift bed, his breathing weak but steady. Aina sat by his side, her palm pressed against his chest, where his wounds were bandaged. Tiny specks of light emanated from her hand, slowly seeping into Roddy's body.

A military medic nearby watched in astonishment, his expression tightening before he quickly turned and left.

"You idiot… How did you even manage to hold on until now…" Aina murmured softly, tears still lingering in the corners of her eyes.

Roddy's lips twitched, managing a faint smile. "Because… you all looked like you were about to cry… I didn't want to see that."

"And you still have the nerve to say that?" Aina frowned, tapping his forehead lightly. "You nearly lost your life! Do you think we're just useless burdens who can't do anything?"

"I never said that… But if it happened again, I'd still stand in front of you," he replied weakly but firmly.

Aina was momentarily speechless, silently increasing the flow of healing energy. Whether it was psychological or not, the light seemed to resonate with a force within Roddy, lingering inside him.

Moments later, Aina withdrew her hand, sweat beading on her forehead. "This is all I can do… The military medics will have to handle the rest."

"Thanks, Aina," Roddy said softly.

"If you pull another stunt like this, I won't heal you again!" she said, feigning anger before standing up and leaving the tent.

As night fell, the medical area grew quieter.

Roddy, caught between consciousness and unconsciousness, felt a deep resonance spreading from his chest to his limbs. He sensed something dormant within him awakening. His damaged muscles and bones were repairing themselves at an almost imperceptible rate. At his wounds, faint earth-colored patterns briefly appeared before merging seamlessly with his skin.

Unbeknownst to him, he was forming a subtle connection with the earth element—a healing power Aina had neither noticed nor learned.

He slept on, unaware that his fate was taking a new turn.

In a corner of the camp, Ze was cleaning his weapons. His silver-white twin daggers still gleamed with a cold light.

A tall warrior clad in golden armor approached, his posture upright and his gaze sharp. Before the man spoke, Ze had already risen to salute.

"Brother."

The golden-armored warrior nodded faintly, removing his helmet to reveal a handsome yet stern face. He was Ze's elder brother, Rayce, the current Special Commander of the Central Army.

"You've done well. Father would be proud of you," Rayce said, looking into Ze's eyes. "But this time, the situation is more complicated than we thought. You've encountered the rift… and that orc leader."

"He's no ordinary orc," Ze stated firmly.

"I know. Our informants in Arcath have long suspected a connection between the Shadow Elves and the orcs' arrival. Now, it's finally confirmed." Rayce paused before adding, "And… your friend's parents are still on the resistance frontlines."

Ze's eyebrows raised slightly.

Rayce spoke in a low voice, "He'll find out sooner or later. Instead of waiting for the news to reach him, it's better if you tell him yourself. Perhaps… he's the key to the upcoming battle."

Ze nodded slowly, turning to look at Cain, who sat by the campfire with a heavy expression.

In the distance, night descended. The campfires flickered like scattered stars, swaying in the breeze. Beyond those stars, a new war was about to begin.