SCENE I: TRANSCENDENCE


CHAPTER I: DAMNATION


Commander Sindre had called every man to the northern grass field so every guardsman in town was standing in a rough formation waiting for further orders. Our squad was in front position only because our unit was performing drills close by but I don't mind the strangeness of the positioning. I'm too busy grinning in eagerness underneath my helmet at being in the vanguard for a change rather than the rearguard. Whatever the enemy is, I'll enjoy this-

An armoured hand slaps my helmet with a clang of metal on metal, breaking my thoughts and dampening my enthusiasm. I turn my head to the right and see the silver-lion helm of our leader, Sergeant Patrick. His helms glowering visage fixes me with an unpleasant gaze, both the eyes of the helmet and the eye openings focusing on me. In a grave voice, he snaps at me, "Focus, boy. Stop losing concentration. This isn't a training exercise, it's a call to arms so act like it."

"Yes, sergeant. Sorry, sergeant-" I stammer but he isn't done talking, snapping back at me harshly, "Stop kissing ass and obey my commands. Focus on the surroundings and keep your eyes open for hostiles."

My head nods a few times as I try to do as ordered, my mind and body reorienting to do as ordered. I try to take a defensive stance but my curiosity gets the better of me, my eyes glancing over to see if the sergeant has noticed my change in posture. He's far too busy correcting the rest of his squad of trainees, rebuking those he sees lacking and adjusting them physically if necessary. Though this is normal among our squad, the presence of fully trained warriors alongside us made our formation look more foolish, emphasized by a few laughs directed at us. Before I can distract myself with more idle thoughts, the loud voice of Commander Sindre booms from behind us, the words clear and precise. "Men of the Town of Irlo! Great evil will soon set upon your lands! Stand fast and protect your homes!"

The words invigorate me as I exhale from my nose in anticipation, my body feeling more focused and ready with our commander present. Every man in our squad is sharing the invigoration I feel, the sound of armour clanking and swords being drawn across metal heard even over the sudden wind running across the grass. But as the wind picks up to strange levels not common to our lands, my enthusiasm turns to dread. There wasn't any wind before-

"Focus, boy!" the sergeant snaps at me while pushing my right shoulder with his armoured hand, my focus returning to the horizon and the tree-lined edge of the town. Though the trees are no different from before, the sky is quickly snuffed out by black clouds that appear from nowhere. The abnormal sight amplifies the feeling of dread already inside me, the same feeling of wrongness and hostility spreading through those around me as well. My body starts shaking slightly from the feelings and the men around me start murmuring things that I can't hear because of the wind, even Sergeant Patrick muttering a prayer of protection at such a sight.

I'm scanning the treeline desperately for enemies or something to explain the change in weather and as if answering me, unnatural lightning starts to spear down from the black clouds. The bolts of white energy light up the landscape with ominous flashes and booms and with us watching, the lightning strikes slowly creep closer with each strike. The noise and brightness increases as the bolts spear down closer and I have to partially close my eyes just to avoid the pain caused by the light. What manner of monster is this!?

"Stand ready, men of Irlo! Do not let these tricks scare you!" Commander Sindre shouts in defiance of the growing storm, his voice clear and calm despite the noise and chaos caused by the unnatural storm. I steel myself with a quick prayer and try to slow my breathing but my heart beats hard in my chest and makes me embarrassed of myself. Though I will myself to stop shaking, all the signs of my cowardice remain. The enemy hasn't even shown itself yet!

The commander's defiance, impossibly, forces the black clouds to part, the unnatural dread and unease evaporating as the sun is revealed again. I breathe a shuddering sigh of relief to try and slow my heart down to normal levels, relaxing a fraction and willing myself to remain calm now that the evil was diminished. Others around me do the same, trying their best to do as our leader instructed. It's when we relax a fraction and let our guard down that the moment of relief is broken by a single word, spoken with inhuman, ancient malice.

Dragon Lightning!

A white bolt of power shoots out from the treeline, the energy transforming into an ancient beast and rushing towards us with incredible speed. I brace my shield out of instinct and brace my body for an impact but the beast curves upwards and over the formation. As I feel my hairs stand on ends from the energy and my head snap around to follow the bolt's path, the bolt arcs downwards and strikes Commander Sindre in the rear ranks. Metal blessed and sanctified splits apart as if it's flimsy metal, a roar of pain and outrage escaping our strongest warrior as he takes the full brunt of the bolt. Further screams from those within the town follow his cry and as he crashes to the ground, I learn first-hand what true fear really feels like.

I wait for a few moments in denial, not believing that he's been struck down so easily, but one of the soldiers near him shouts that he's dead. A chill runs down my spine but an armoured hand slaps my helmet again to get my attention, my focus coming back to the front as I look to my right in fearful bewilderment. Sergeant Patrick snaps at me while pointing with his sword at the trees, "Focus, trainees! The enemy has shown their hand but now they show their form!"

I follow the direction of the pointed blade, bracing my shield in panic and preparing myself to view the enemy that killed Commander Sindre in one move. The panic slowly dissipates when all I see is a single robed figure in a strange mask accompanied by a dark warrior with a horned helm, both figures still and making no moves to get closer to the town. After a few seconds of viewing in abnormal silence, however, I recognize that the black-robed figure is far larger than any man I've ever met, their size at a distance dwarfing everyone around me. They're carrying a massive, golden staff with inlaid gemstones in one hand, the staff glowing with abnormal light that slowly fades away. The other figure is no less intimidating, a tall woman in dark-plated armour wielding a massive axe held in a single hand. Though she is slightly smaller than her counterpart, she projects an aura of threat around herself and the size of the dark axe she holds is horrifying.

My entire body shakes from bone-deep fear, my breathing accelerating and sounding rough in my ears as my heart begins to race again. The sergeant snaps at me again when he notices my panic, a hand grabbing my right shoulder and causing me to jump in panicked surprise. His voice has lost some of its conviction when he shouts at me, "Calm your fear! Do not show such weakness in the face of the enemy!"

The rallying cry doesn't work on everyone and in the silence, the sound of booted feet and dropping weapons is my only warning. I turn around to see some of the men start ranting and raving loudly that death has come for them and that fleeing was their best option. My sense of duty is the only thing keeping me in place and against my survival instincts, I turn back around to face the strange foe. I can't run...we have to protect the citizens...

I look around to see if anyone else shared my urge but find, to my growing horror, that only the sergeant is left standing with me. Turning around, I see even the veterans retreating back into town, hardened warriors choosing to fall back slowly instead of standing their ground. I don't know what to do and the guiding force I rely on is standing next to me silent.

"C..Calm...y..your...f..f..fear..." I hear the sergeant stutter beside me, the sound of his shaking voice filling me with further dread. I can hear his armour clanking from his body tremors and glancing at him, his sword is shaking in his grip. His helm keeps glancing between me and the opponents in a fervent manner as if deciding between fight or flight. He stutters to me, "Novice...go...go out there...and face that...that creature...I will...I'll be...be behind you..."

He suddenly shoves me forwards with his left arm, my armoured boots snagging on the ground and making me fall onto my shield. I drop my sword in panic, fear choking my mind and making it difficult to rise quickly. It takes me several attempts to right myself and when I'm finally standing upright, I look around to see the sergeant running to town without grace or discipline, his sword and shield discarded behind him. The sight unnerved me more than anything else I've seen in my life, the second strongest man I knew fleeing in terror. Even the one who trained me is running...how can I-

Panic rises when I remember what I'm facing, my body spinning around and raising my shaking shield to defend myself from an enemy still present. The two figures are now only a few steps away, the tallest figure towering over me and fixing me in place with their frightening mask and glowing crimson eyes. My left hand tightens on a missing sword and my shield arm shakes violently in mounting terror from the sight of such evil.

"Arm yourself," the being rumbles in a deep voice as he points at me with his hand then points at the ground. My fear paralyzes me on the spot, my body standing there shaking as the figure stares at me for long moments. In the same rumbling voice, he repeats his demand a second time and gestures again to the ground in front of me. I snap my head down and see what he's pointing at, ungracefully diving to the ground and scrabbling for the weapon desperately. The metal that once felt strong and offered comfort now felt flimsy and weak in the face of such evil, my grip tightening around the hilt more out of fear then surety. My armoured boots slip again as I try to stand up and it takes me several attempts to stand like before. Inwardly, I was fearful that any moment, their patience would run out and they would simply kill me on the spot.

But when I'm finally upright, neither figure has moved and tallest one gestures for me to approach. My right-hand drops my sword in numb shock as I reach for the rosaries around my neck, closing my eyes and squeezing them desperately to try and control my growing fear and dread. An odd sensation of warmth flows from the symbol and I feel my breathing slow, relief blotting out the choking fear as I mouth a silent prayer of thanks for the divine assistance. Opening my eyes, the two figures are gazing at me curiously but I no longer feel as afraid or as filled with dread when I see them.

"Who are you!? What do you want!?" I shout at the figures in defiance as I reach down again for my sword, gripping the hilt firmly in my hand and bracing my shield in front of me. The figure in robes looks at his companion who stares back at them, both of them holding their gazes for a moment in silent conversation. They eventually come to a decision, the armoured warrior stepping away from the other as the robed figure stands in place.

"Come, warrior. Come and face me," the robed figure intones powerfully with outstretched arms, their staff disappearing from their other hand as they offer no defence of their body. Seeing a moment of weakness, I charge at them with a roar of anger, dragging my sword behind me and bracing my shield in front. My sword swings around in an arc aimed for the being's neck, a rush of savage joy dumping into me when I see the blade impact.

My face grins under my metal helm as I laugh hysterically at having struck the monster at all because I'm expecting some sort of defence or anything to stop me. But when the figure remains motionless and simply pushes the blade away from his neck, my fear returns and the blade comes away with no blood or viscera on it. My grip on the sword slackens and the robed figure tosses it aside gently with their right hand, other hand reaching forward and snatches the rosaries from under my armour. Their movement is so quick that I don't even see him move.

"Greater Break Item," the figure states ominously and with his words alone, the rosaries in his hands become fine dust that flows into my armour. Pure horror replaces any joy I felt before, the item I thought to be blessed and indestructible destroyed in an instant. My left-hand grasps at where the item used to be but find only dust and grime where it once was.

"What...how...how did you..." I stutter as I back away from him slowly but the same hand that destroyed the item casually reaches forward and grasps my armour collar, his grip keeping me in place. I feel my shield drop from my arm in numb shock and a sense of futility start to take hold, my fear choking out all other considerations. The shaking had returned to my body, paralyzing me in his grip as he slowly lifts me off the ground.

"Detect Magic," the figure intones as the mask's eyes glow bright crimson, the sight maintaining my paralysis and making my heart race. He's a master of evil...I didn't stand a chance...none of us did-

A heavy object slams into my back, the sound of metal sundering reaching my ears even as sharp pain slams into my body. Flesh tears on my back and something wet flows out of my armour, a gasp of surprise escaping me as the robed figure simply releases his grip. My body slams back first onto the ground and becomes heavier, my breathing now rapid and irregular as my heart hammers in my chest.

"Albedo. Stop," the robed figure commands, my head barely able to turn to the right as my body grows colder and harder to move. The dark plated woman is standing over me with her axe raised and with a simple affirmation by the warrior, she lowers the axe to her side. My vision starts to fade but now the robed figure moves beside the warrior and crouches down. Through the blurriness of my vision, I can see their mask and their glowing crimson eyes as they offer me a hand holding a diamond-shaped vial.

"Drink this and you will live but you must reach it first. If you live, you will be my eternal servant. Make your choice, warrior," he intones as he offers the vial to me, my breathing becoming more ragged by the second as try to focus on the vile. Something wet crosses my lips as I cough painfully, the wetness running down my chin. If I live...I'll serve...a monster...but...if I die...

My right-hand tries to reach forward, the arm barely responding and shaking violently as I put all of my effort into the action. I barely see the plated warrior raise their axe again but the robed figure says his companion's name to halt them. My breathing is too rapid and the pain is fading, something I found more terrifying than the pain itself. But all I manage to accomplish is tapping the tips of my fingers against the glass before the pain becomes too much and my arm slumps to my side.

"That is a shame," the robed figure intones as he places the vial back into his robe and raises the hand in front of me, the vile now replaced with a black flame on his index finger. He tells me the fire will be painless but all I can feel is choking fear overcome me, my body wanting to flee or say something but no limbs responding to the thoughts. Words of cold certainty follow the robed figure's words, spoken by their ally without dispute or compassion. "Just submit, worthless human. You should've made better use of your time."

The black fire envelops the hand in front of me and slowly moves closer to my helmet, my body still trying to move even though nothing responds. The helmet around my face turns black as hard metal blows away as if made of leaves instead of metal. I try to shout when the black flame touches my skin but I don't have the energy, my eyes closing so that I don't have to see my own demise. My heartbeat starts to slow down and my hearing fades completely but I feel a sense of gladness that the figure spoke the truth when he said there would be no pain. That small comfort made the moment far less dreadful and helped my last thoughts reach the forefront of my mind.

This is the end...


My heart starts beating again, something that doesn't make sense to me as I open my eyes to a world of black emptiness. The memory of being burnt alive by unnatural fire is still fresh in my mind and now, I couldn't see anything around me at all. At first, I think I've been blinded but as I look down, I see my armour of an Irlo guardsman coating my body still undamaged. Everything around me is silent and still, my voice saying quietly, "Am I dead?"

"I said that if you live, you will be my eternal servant...and you have lived," a familiar voice intones from all around me, my body shaking in fearful recognition as I snap my head around to find the source of the voice. The blackness reveals nothing and the voice chuckles at my actions to find them, their deep mirth only terrifying me further.

"You will not die yet. You have shown potential and I will give you a chance to live. We will see, however, if you will live beyond this moment," the voice intones powerfully, my head still snapping around desperately to find the source of the voice. As if conjured by my thoughts, the robed figure from before appears out of the blackness, standing grandly in front of me with its masked visage locking me in place. Crimson eyes bore into mine and I feel dread grip me into paralysis, my body shaking again as the figure explains my fate with a hint of amusement.

"You now belong to the Great Tomb of Nazarick and to Ainz Ooal Gown. Please, just call me Ainz."


My eyes snap open as I gasp in bewilderment, my left hand reaching for a sword on my hip that isn't there. Frantically, my eyes dart around the room I'm in trying to orient myself quickly but too quickly because sharp pain stings along my back. The pain is intense enough to stop my searching and force me close my eyes, a groan of agony escaping me even as I try to suppress the pain. As I wait for the pain to subside, the sounds of wind and animals filters in from somewhere but I'm too busy clutching my chest with my right arm to stop my rapid breathing to appreciate the noise. I cough slightly as well while trying to calm down and focus, my heart beating fast and uncomfortably in my ears. My body starts shaking again but this time out of pain.

"It's about time you got up!" a strange voice shouts from nearby, my eyes snapping open again and my body jumping slightly from the sudden change in noise. Looking around, no one appears to be in my line of sight and for a moment, I start to think that I'm either delirious or crazy.

"Do you humans ever look up? No wonder we get the drop on you all the time!" the voice states but I'm too disoriented to make sense of their words, my bodies shaking slowing but not stopping. A dark-skinned elf in a white suit comes into view on what I assume are wooden supports, swinging their legs around and looking down at me with a wide grin that's both confusing and intimidating. I finally piece together that I'm laying down and that I'm looking at the roof, the odd elf being the piece of the puzzle I needed to figure this out.

"To be honest, I expected you to be dead from that wound on your back. Albedo practically severed your spine with her axe yet you're in good health despite that! That's not something I'd expect from a worthless human!" the elf shouts excitedly as they leap from the rafter, giggling as they descend and landing gracefully next to me. I recoil slightly when the elf gets close and leans over me, her mismatching green and blue eyes and the strange smile she has on her face putting me on edge.

She's smaller than me yet she projects an aura of authority underneath the carefree smile. Her hands reach forward and move me to a sitting position, a loud groan of pain flowing through my teeth as another jolt of pain lances through me. Fingers touch my back with pokes and prods, only making the pain worse with each action performed. I don't know how long she tests the wound for but it feels like an eternity.

"Wow, not much scarring! Lord Ainz was right, you are special and you survived Albedo's wrath!...but that's Lord Ainz for you!" the strange elf shouts happily but my face fills with apprehension at the mention of the two names, memories of the previous events being dislodged and made known despite the pain. Lord Ainz...my captor...and now my master...and that dark plated warrior...Albedo...

"Aw, why the long face!? Serving Lord Ainz is the greatest joy anyone can have!" the elf shouts as they slap me on the back, another groan of pain escaping me as I feel my wound sting again. I turn to the elf angry from so much pain that she's causing but the anger only makes her smile wider as if something amuses her. Her right arm reaches forward to grab my left hand and I follow the movement, my body tensing when she shows me my left arm. The elf's response to my shock is to tilt their head and move her index finger slowly along the dull brown scales coating the back of my hand, tracing them all the way up towards my shoulder. "Between you and me? With scales like these on your arm, I don't think you can qualify as human anymore-"

"What is-" I try to say while turning to her but I stop myself, my eyes blinking from strange colours and images forming around the elf for a moment. I have to close my eyes to cope with the sudden dizziness, a hand moving to the left side of my face and tapping the skin near my eye. Her tone shifts from excited to something akin to soothing as I start to relax slightly from a more tender touch. "Relax, will you? Your heart can't take this much abuse right now. Go back to sleep."

I want to refute the words or stay awake since I have so many questions but her words prove true. A bone-deep tired settles over me and I don't feel like fighting it, letting myself get tucked into bed like a child by someone the size of a child. The dark elf is humming a strange song that I don't recognize and whispers one last thing into my right ear gently before I fall asleep.

"Welcome to the Great Tomb of Nazarick by the way."