-The Great Green-
*POP*
When Rukzod realized it, he found himself in a familiar place, facing two Orks and a Grot, their mouths agape, staring at him in disbelief in the middle of a card game.
The boss's mouth opened, ready to ask what had happened, but the laughter and taunts that followed interrupted him.
"HAHAHA!"
"YA'RE BACK ALREADY?!"
"DID YA FARGET SOMEFING?!"
Skullrippa, Gol D. Loota, and Makari laughed with all their might, a noise that echoed through the mountain range, traveling the infinite distance of the immaterial world, almost falling from their chairs with tears in their eyes.
Rukzod, however, spent only a moment in confusion before his teeth clenched, accompanied by a growl similar to an rabid Squig. His green skin, now devoid of bionic parts, turned red, and he leaped upon the group, initiating a fight.
"SHUT YA GOB!"
Everyone stopped upon seeing the large shadow forming above them, but it was too late to move away. There was a crushing impact; the table was reduced to shards, cards and teef flew away, and the green-skins found themselves in a tangle of bodies, exchanging kicks, punches, headbutts, and bites.
-XXXXXX-
The Ork who had been killed, revived, and killed again grumbled, walking through the mountains, ignoring the mockery that still reached his ears. The fight allowed him to relieve stress; it was fun, and when things calmed down, he explained what had happened.
Teef Rippa, the same Ork who has caused so many changes in the city, Teef Rippa, the same one who killed Skullrippa, Teef Rippa, Teef Rippa, Teef Rippa, how did he grow so much in such a short time? Not only in size, but in power.
"Wot did 'e have 'dat i didn't?" That's what Rukzod wondered as he walked, for he had grown tired of boring games.
He failed to take another step, for a massive earthquake shook the region. The earth trembled, the snow of the mountains threatened to turn into an avalanche, and two emerald giants crossed the green mist of the horizon.
There they were, Gork and Mork in their eternal scrap. Witnessing the twin deities made Rukzod's mouth drop to the ground. He didn't know what to do, what to say; he hadn't expected to find them both so soon, but amidst his religious stupor, something surfaced in the back of his mind, something that would happen to every Ork killed in battle.
Perhaps a life as a boss wasn't for him; perhaps he should start over, yes, it was a good idea. To try again from scratch.
Approaching the deities with trembling steps, he hesitated, pondering whether he should really continue. Taking a deep breath, he used what little determination he had left to speak to the gods.
"Gork, Mork, kan ya…"
*POP*
Then, Rukzod disappeared.
-Armageddon-
*POP*
"WAAAGH!"
An Ork Boy shouted, bursting through the devastated land towards the trenches ahead.
Artillery rained down around him, billowing fire and smoke, making the air boil and burn his nostrils as more craters opened in the sea of bodies, but he didn't care, being exactly where he wanted to be.
The other lads joined him, a green tide encased in metal, firing, laughing and shouting, clashing with the humies whose flashy shootas turned the darkness of the night into a deep red.
And there he was, in his tank, leading the puny ones on their way to the giant city that touched the sky, the only humie who knew how to fight propa', with his red Power Klaw, funny hat, clothes full of shiny gubbins', and a single red eye that pierced the soul of any Ork.
The Old Bale Eye.
The Ork could only run faster, ready to face that legendary figure.
-Green Morgue-
When I realized it, I was conscious, or maybe not. My mind was confused, in that state between waking and deep sleep. I didn't know what was happening, I couldn't feel things around me.
I tried to open my eye, but it was as if it weighed a ton, and my Git Finda only showed a dark screen with three red dots. Then I saw a blinding light accompanied by static, huge shadows were above me, staring at me, and distant voices reached my ears.
"Get outta 'da way, 'e's wak'n up!"
"By Gork an' Mork, he's still alive!"
The volume made my ears ring, followed by an agonizing headache. Trying to get up only made the situation worse; everything was spinning, it felt like my soul was leaving my body, blurry and duplicated shapes surrounded me, so I remained seated, breathing deeply, waiting to recover.
"'Ere, boss, diz should help."
Something pricked my right arm; I shuddered, but I had to endure the surprise, as I didn't have the strength to fight whatever it was. Seconds later, the pain disappeared and I felt better, my vision clearing and allowing me to analyze my surroundings.
I knew this place, the lower levels of the hospital; I was on an operating table, and around me were Gharmott, Doomboilah, and several Grots.
"How ar' ya feeling, boss?"
I almost laughed at the question whose answer was obvious, even so, I answered Painboy.
"As if a Trukk ran me over."
I rolled to the side, placing my feet on the cold floor, almost falling as the strength in my legs vanished. I leaned on the table, immediately realizing something was wrong; I couldn't feel my left arm.
Looking to the side, feeling a mixture of confusion, curiosity, and fear, I cursed as I saw the bionic arm in place of the flesh one, starting with a gray shoulder pad and arm full of pistons and gears, and ending in an armored forearm with a hand with four wide fingers.
"Sorry, boss, but ya old arm was really messed up."
"Gharmott, how extensive is the damage? Tell me at once."
As much as I wanted to wait, the sooner I knew the extent of my injuries, the faster I could prepare.
The Painboy didn't answer immediately, pausing and thinking before snapping his fingers. The Grots brought a wheeled board covered in medical drawings, and then he began his explanation.
"To sum it up, boss, 'da Boyz found yer at 'da gate uv yer territory dragg'n wot was left uv Rukzod. Before anyone kould say anything, yer fell face down on 'da ground, trembl'n an' vomiting, so dey brought yer ere. I fixed 'da broken bones an' otha problems, but yer brain an' nerves fried, I don't even know how ya survived, but now it's gunna take a long time ta get betta. Until den, yer're gunna have trouble mov'n an' do'n fings."
"How long?"
"Hm… About two years, unless yer let me mess wit' yer head ta see if I kan fix fings."
ZOG! If Ork biology is going to take this long to heal everything, then I almost killed myself during the fight!
"Great, I'll give you some extra teefs for a job well done. Now…"
I looked at my bionic arm, having some ideas. I turned to the Mekboy who was silently observing everything and asked.
"Doomboilah, how many weapons can you fit on my arm?"
Despite his face being an iron mask, I was sure he was smiling.
"It depens', how much dakka ya want?"
Then it was my turn to smile.
-XXXXXX-
The doors of my mansion slammed shut behind me with a heavy bang. I had to ask my Orks to drive me here because I couldn't drive.
I could barely hold the keys without trembling like a frightened animal. Walking was another problem; my legs trembled with every step. Now my new Copper Staff served as a cane, doing little to hide how much I limped.
My senses still work for now, although weaker, but my greatest loss was my strength. I grew taller; I was officially a Nob now, but the strong body I worked so hard to build was gone.
I looked at my reflection in the window, seeing my sunken eyes with dark circles and skin hugging my cheekbones. The same was true for the rest of my body; I was thin for an Ork, and now I would have to eat and train like crazy to regain what I had lost.
I touched the glass, seeing my dejected face, which was quickly replaced by anger. My clenched fist trembled, but not because of my feelings. I gritted my teeth, fighting the pain, and opened my hand, struggling throughout the process.
With that done, I turned my back to the reflection. I imagined it staring at my back, but I ignored the strange thought, searching for Laenae. I found her in her room, sitting on her bed, playing with some dolls, but without the energy I had grown accustomed to seeing.
"Laenae?"
Her head snapped up, staring at me for a second before a smile appeared on her face. Without wasting any time, she stood up, running towards me with open arms.
I felt a pang in my chest when I realized I couldn't bend down to hold her in my arms, so I let her hug my leg and stroked her head.
"Did you miss me?"
"Yez!"
"And where are Dobby and Gulg?"
She looked up, staring into my eyes, her face lost in deep thought.
"'Ide-an'-seek."
"So you were playing hide-and-seek and you ended up forgetting about them?"
She brought her hand to her mouth, looking away and then nodding, feeling proud of having forgotten. I couldn't help but laugh at the answer.
"How about we look for them together?"
I offered my hand, which she accepted, holding my index finger, then we walked through the mansion, searching for the Grots. Honestly, I was exhausted, but walking with Laenae by my side made it worthwhile.
Looking at the smiling child, I thought that perhaps I should rest, step away from the front lines for a while, and focus on taking care of her. Turning to one of the windows, I saw the sun breaking through the clouds, shining on the city now free of gas.
Yes, that would be a good idea.
END OF CHAPTER