Africa Leveling

The orc village, nestled deep within the jagged cliffs of the Black Crags, loomed before them like a fortress built to defy the gods themselves. Massive wooden gates, reinforced with iron and adorned with the skulls of long-dead enemies, creaked open as the surviving warriors returned. The air was heavy with ash and the scent of blood, a grim reminder of the battle they had barely survived.

Jajwok followed at the back of the group, his steps unsteady as he adjusted to his new body. The youngling's muscles were smaller, its frame wiry and underdeveloped compared to the towering orc warriors. Yet, beneath the surface, Jajwok could feel a latent power, untapped and raw, waiting to be harnessed.

The villagers gathered to greet their returning warriors, their cheers of victory turning into murmurs as they caught sight of Jajwok. Whispers spread like wildfire—half in awe, half in suspicion.

"Is that… a human?"

"No, look at his skin. He's one of us, but… different."

"What did Kragzul do this time?"

Jajwok kept his head down, ignoring the stares and whispers. Urgak, walking ahead of him, turned and barked, "Enough gawking! Prepare the feast! We've won the day, but the cost was high."

The crowd dispersed reluctantly, though their eyes lingered on Jajwok as they went about their tasks.

Kragzul leaned on his staff, his frail form visibly weaker from the ritual. "You'll have to prove yourself to them," he said quietly to Jajwok. "Orcs don't trust easily, and what you've become is… unprecedented."

"I didn't ask for their trust," Jajwok replied, his voice low and filled with bitterness. "I didn't ask for this at all."

The mage sighed. "Be that as it may, you're here now. If you're to survive, you'll need their acceptance. And that means one thing—The Trial."

Jajwok frowned. "The Trial?"

Urgak, overhearing their conversation, snorted. "It's tradition. Every youngling must face it to prove their worth. If you fail, you die. Simple as that."

Jajwok's stomach tightened. He wasn't afraid of death—he had faced it already—but the thought of being judged, of being seen as weak or unworthy, stung in a way he hadn't anticipated.

"When?" he asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.

"Tomorrow," Urgak replied, a grim smile tugging at his lips. "At dawn."

---

That night, Jajwok sat alone by the edge of the village, staring up at the twin moons that hung low in the sky. The feast roared behind him, filled with laughter and the clatter of tankards, but he felt no urge to join.

He flexed his hands, studying the unfamiliar green skin and sharp claws. His body felt alien, as though he were wearing a mask he couldn't take off. Yet, beneath the surface, there was a strange sense of strength—a pulsing energy he didn't fully understand.

"Lost in thought, eh?"

Jajwok turned to see Urgak approaching, a massive slab of roasted meat in one hand and a tankard in the other. The orc plopped down beside him, the ground shaking slightly from his weight.

"You're brooding like a human," Urgak said with a chuckle. "Orcs don't brood. We fight, eat, and drink. That's how we deal with our problems."

"I'm not like you," Jajwok muttered.

"Not yet," Urgak admitted, tearing into the meat with his teeth. "But you will be. Tomorrow's Trial will see to that."

"What exactly is this Trial?" Jajwok asked.

Urgak grinned, his tusks gleaming in the moonlight. "Ah, that would ruin the surprise. But I'll tell you this—no one faces the Trial alone. You'll have a guide, someone to watch your back."

Jajwok raised an eyebrow. "And who's unlucky enough to get that job?"

Urgak smirked. "Me."

---

Dawn came too soon. The village was alive with anticipation as the orcs gathered at the arena—a massive pit carved into the heart of the cliffs. Its walls were lined with jagged rocks, and its floor was littered with bones from past trials.

Jajwok stood at the edge, his heart pounding as he stared down into the pit. Urgak stood beside him, rolling his shoulders as if preparing for a casual stroll.

"Don't die too quickly," Urgak said, clapping Jajwok on the back.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Jajwok muttered.

The chieftain, a massive orc with a scar running down the length of his face, stepped forward to address the crowd. His voice boomed like thunder, silencing the murmurs.

"Today, we witness the Trial of the youngling who carries the spirit of the human warrior, Jajwok! He will face the Pit of Shadows, where only the strong survive. Let the gods decide his fate!"

The crowd erupted into cheers as the chieftain raised his axe high. With a deafening roar, he brought it down, signaling the start of the Trial.

Urgak leaped into the pit, landing with a heavy thud. He turned to Jajwok, a grin spreading across his face. "Come on, human. Let's see what you've got."

Jajwok hesitated for a moment, then followed, landing awkwardly beside Urgak. The pit was eerily silent, the cheers of the crowd muffled by the high walls.

Suddenly, the ground began to tremble. Shadows pooled around them, coalescing into forms that twisted and writhed. The air grew cold, and a low growl echoed through the pit.

Jajwok tightened his grip on the crude blade he had been given. "What are these things?"

"Shades," Urgak replied, his voice steady. "They're the spirits of those who failed the Trial. Hungry, angry, and desperate to drag us down with them."

As if on cue, the shadows lunged.

Urgak roared, swinging his warhammer with bone-crushing force. Jajwok moved instinctively, his blade slicing through the nearest shade. To his surprise, the shadow dissolved, but not without resistance.

The battle was unlike anything Jajwok had faced. The shades were relentless, their attacks swift and unpredictable. But as the fight dragged on, he began to notice something—a connection. The power within him responded to the shadows, as if it recognized them.

He closed his eyes, focusing on that power. It surged through him like wildfire, his blade glowing faintly with golden light. When he struck again, the shade disintegrated instantly, its anguished scream echoing in his mind.

Urgak glanced at him, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "Well, well. Looks like you've got some tricks up your sleeve."

Jajwok didn't respond, too focused on the battle. The shades came in waves, but with each strike, he grew stronger, more confident.

When the last shade fell, the pit fell silent. Jajwok stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving and his blade glowing faintly.

Urgak clapped him on the shoulder, his grin wider than ever. "Not bad, human. Not bad at all."

Above them, the crowd erupted into cheers, their suspicion replaced by awe.

For the first time since his transformation, Jajwok felt something other than anger or despair. He felt… hope.

This was only the beginning.