I don't own Overlord only my OCs. updated 03/10/2019
Prologue
The struggle for dominance is endless and inescapable. Supremacy is the goal of every living creature in this world. They will kill and die for their kind to rule. Some call this eternal conflict equilibrium, the balance between good and evil. A never-ending war that will continue till the end of time.
A group of seven people dawned in cloaks marched through an abandoned village. Once they arrived at their destination they looked up at a dreary sky over the now lifeless Carne village. Ever since the Lycans had occupied the nearby forest, most of the inhabitants had all but fled. The group stood before the exterior of the cathedral. It had stood here for years as a symbol of unwavering faith but now it was a mere shadow of its former self.
Suddenly a blood-curdling growl alerted the seven individuals. Each of them drew a weapon ready for the incoming assault. From inside the abandoned houses, rabid Lycans emerged. The pack of beast quickly surrounded the group of hooded individuals. They stood on hind legs, towering over every member of the group. Eyes filled with hunger as their mouths foamed up. Both parties stared each other down, the conflict was imminent.
Then the two sides clashed in a mix between razor-sharp claws and forged weaponry. The tide of the battle was one-sided as the seven dispatched the lycans with ease. After cutting off limbs, blocking slashes and several decapitations the party stood victorious as lycanthrope bodies littered the soil all around them. For a moment, they believed themselves to be done when they heard a scrambling noise. They spotted another lycan taking off in the opposite direction.
The cloaked figure armed with a bow drew two silver tipped arrows and fired at the fleeing beast. With incredible accuracy the first arrow penetrated the lycans hide and piercing its lower back. The creature released a quick yelp before the second arrow made contact. The projectile pierced through the back of the beast's skull, causing the arrowhead to protrude between its eyes. Which ended its feral existence. They examined the remains of the dead creatures. Their hairy frames were unusually skinny. As their ribcage and hip bones were completely visible. They must have been a pack of weaker lycans who were on their last legs. Cast out for whatever reason. With the lycans taken care of, they proceeded with their mission.
One by one the entered the church. Inside they were quite surprised to see recently lit candles decorating the interior. A set of candles surrounded a damaged portrait of the village's founder, Thomas Carne. They paid little mind to it focusing on their task at hand. The party of seven walked up a set of stairs, as they searched for hidden, blocked off corridors, opening their path whenever they found them. The group made their way to the main room, the smell of wolfsbane leading them. Soon they came upon a lone nun who was surrounded by lit candles. Her face surrounded in darkness making her appearance impossible to decipher.
"Who are you?" she wheezed.
The leader took a step forward and removed his hood, revealing his face. He had the appearance of a seasoned warrior. His hair once bright blonde was now grey, matching the beard and mustache near his mouth. Across his face two scars were present, one laid on the bridge of his nose. While the other sat over his right eye, rendering it permanently closed. With his single keen eye stared at her like an eagle sizing up his prey.
"I am Climb," He announced in a gruff tone. "Commander of the protectorate, Stalwart defender of humanity."
"Thee Climb, the faithful dog of Princess Renner. I'm honored to be in the presence of greatness," she said sarcastically. The woman laughed for a second before her tone got serious."What do you want?
"My companions and I seek a means to end the lords of darkness reign," He proclaimed as he sauntered around the nun, his blue eye trained on the woman. "We've done all we could, if we were to fight them now we'll surely perish."
"And?" Was all she said, staring into his eye with arms crossed. Climb stood dumbfounded by her blunt response. While his companions looked at one another in confusion.
" What do you mean and,?" Climb replied."Humanity is on the brink of extinction, and," He paused as a growl escaped his throat. "They took everything from me!"
"So its revenge you want?"
"No," he answered. "It's my duty as-"
"Just drop the moral posturing, we all know there's no altruism in this hunt. Your sheer tenacity to get back at them brought you here," The nun fired back."There's no dishonor in it Climb. Revenge is motivation enough at least its honest."
The commander of the protectorate remained silent. Just before he spoke Climb paused again. He thought about what he was going to say and reframed from speaking. Then he shook his head and laughed.
"Honestly...yes it's about revenge," He murmured as he clenched his fist tight. "I want to be the one to personally run my blade through those monsters, a day doesn't go by when I don't think about inflicting an unspeakable amount of pain upon them for the graveyards they filled, the thousands who suffered and the friends they crippled."
"Good," she said in an amused tone. "Here's the deal you tell me the story of these lords of darkness and I'll tell you my version of it."
"What is the purpose of telling a story of the past,?" He asked. "We should be focusing on the present."
The woman sign before speaking. " Where I'm from theirs a famous saying there are three sides to every story your side, my side, and the truth."
"So you want to find the truth?" Climb said in confusion.
"Only through the truth can you find what you need to defeat them," the nun uttered. " You do want to defeat them, yes?'
Climb closed his eye and took a deep breath. If he was the old him he would've threatened the woman or simply walk away but he was desperate for help. If he had to sit down and exchange stories with her to have his vengeance the so be it. He opened his eye, giving her his full attention.
Those were dark times for the human race. Monsters, demons, and even other humans preyed upon humanity. Many were filled with somberness and despair but in our most desperate hour four elite adventures rose up to defend us. Remus, a quick-witted marksman who garnered the admiration of all those meets, gaining the respect of nobles despite being born a commoner. Then there was Abel, an old bitter mercenary who traveled the lands protecting the innocent from harm and taking the fight to the enemies doorstep. Next was Azreal, a zealous cleric who dealt justice to those who were unworthy of redemption, forcing them to face the consequences of their sinful existences. And finally the mysterious Aeon, who sought the right the wrongs of his unfair world, choosing to suffer the predations of monsters so that others may be free. These four fought the forces of darkness that plagued the land, sending them back whence they came. These dedicated warriors became the beacon of hope people prayed for.
In the forest, the adventures guild discovered a tomb that was the source of much of the veil covering the land. It was believed to be own by Jaldabaoth, a cruel and powerful devil who sought to conquer the world. Many adventures entered the castle and died within its walls never being able to produce a full map of the tomb. At one point Jaldabaoth summoned a demon known only as the forbidden one, a Fiend so powerful that he lost control of it, accidentally unleashing it into the world causing massive destruction. The power of the demon was so intense that even supreme beings feared it.
The four confronted the forbidden one directly. After a grueling battle, they realized they were no match for it. Unable to kill the creature outright they looked for a way to send it back to where it came. The heroes led it back to the tomb and reopened the portal the forbidden one appeared from. With everything they had the adventures forced it back inside. Sealing it close with a powerful spell. They banished the demon but at the cost of their lives. The people mourn the loss of the four great heroes, forever immortalizing them in our hearts and minds. With their sacrifice, the balance of power was shifted in humanities favor, or so we thought. On one fateful day, four dark entities emerged from the tomb of Nazarick. They secured control of the land, sharing power by laying claim over a region.
The first to reveal itself was a ferocious wolf-like beast, its eyes a piercing yellow and fur that glimmered like the full moon. The beast moved with such speed that it seemed like a blur, a great wind moving over the fields. Upon the beast back sat a wolf that masqueraded as a man. In his hand, he held a weapon with the power of thousands of arrows. With each used the sound thunder echoed across the sky. Resting on his head was a broken crown, the same crown that once belonged to king Ranpossa the third of Re-Estate kingdom. A warning to all those who wish to challenge his right to conquer.
Before we knew it another had risen. This one was a large bat-like monster shrouded in fire and smoke. Its fangs were permanently stained by the blood of its enemies. Although the sight of the creature was clouded, the monster relied on its large ears and horned nose to hunt. Anywhere this creature traveled ruin was left in its wake. The one who dominated the monster was a creature that wore the face of a man. He spoke of peace but only brought about unnecessary bloodshed, forcing men to slay one another. Clenched in his fist was a mighty sword engulfed in flames. This blade will forever be known for beheading the Bloody Emperor.
The next creature to appear a pitch black steed of otherworldly origin. Noxious blue fumes made up the creature's mane and tail. It galloped with an aura of superiority, that would strike fear in the heart of any man. Were ever it ventured too famine followed, crops, livestock and even rivers weren't safe. The steed was mounted by a devil who portrayed himself as an angel. In his hand he carried a banner, on its canvas was a pair of scales. To this day his banner flew high in the capital of the Argland council state.
The last one to appear was a pale skeletal horse. Glowing green vapors emanated from the steeds core. With each step it took the wales of the damned could be heard. The creature who sat on it was the walking embodiment of death, a lich of unparallel horror. In his possession was his massive scythe, which he used to reap the souls on the Cardinals who didn't submit.
Its widely believed that the four great heroes noble sacrifice caused their spirits to ascended to the heavens as immortal beings, second only to the gods themselves. While their mortal remains took on the form of these evil creatures. Becoming the same monsters they had fought against in their lifetime. Some sort of karmic irony or it was the world balancing the scales. Another belief that circled around was that these supreme beings were behind everything since the beginning, and were waiting for the shadows until the human race were defenseless.
These dark gods claimed that they were doing this for our own good, but that was a lie. Like all beings, they wanted to be worshipped, placed on a pedestal for everyone to see. They were vain, petty and mean. Sadistic abnormalities who spread their evil throughout the land. This came full circle when a severe disagreement amongst the supreme beings led to a schism between the denizens of Nazarick. As their final decision as a council, they agreed to seal the tomb. Preventing anyone from accessing the monument. After that, they went their separate ways with their respective followers. Thus an uneasy alliance between was formed, with the only thing keeping them from raging war on each other is mutually assured destruction.
The supreme being Necross, became the lord of the necromancers, establishing his domain in the south. His presence brought about the awareness of death to the people of the slane Theocracy. This caused existential anxiety within them which led them to cease the worship of the Six Great Gods in favor of their new overlord. Those who seek to control the power of the deceased had to pay a price. Necross only shared a small portion of his power with his followers, who sacrificed themselves in a ritual. Once dead, they become his vassals. Devoted enforces of his unholy powers.
The beastly Romulus, lord of the lycanthrope made his home around the remnants of the Re-Estize kingdom. Ruling the fearful population through his lieutenants who see him as a savior, a visionary but he's subjugation personified far as I'm concerned. His Lycan children spread virulent diseases all over the region. Those who bodies accept the gift become apart of the pack. Those Who didn't turn suffered an agonizing end, separating the wheat from the chaff, he called it.
Then there was Caine the lord of the vampires. Who took up residence in the imperial palace. To prevent an insurrection of any kind he pitted the various Baharuthan factions against one another through control and fear. The group that proved themselves to him would join his ranks of vampire fledglings. While those who proved to be unworthy were sent to live the rest of their days as cattle in his blood farms.
Mephisto lord of the demons seized the Argland council state for his own. The self-proclaimed law-giver, using intimidation to break his enemies physically, mentally and any other way he can. Under his rule, the class gap between the rich and poor was even more apparent. The price of grain was about ten times normal, with an entire day's wages buying enough food for only one person. While the price of the oil and wine supplies remained unaffected. The only way to prosper was to sell your soul to Mephisto by signing one of his binding contracts.
With the Adventures guild dismantled a new organization arose. The Protectorate, an order of warriors to act as humanity's protectors against the darkness. Born of the coalition between the remaining human settlements in the region. We recruited the fiercest warriors and fought with imbued weaponry and mystical relics. We frequently tried to destroy them but no one ever returned alive. The dark times had indeed. Times without hope. The faithful claim that this is a test from the gods, to strengthen our vitality. Perhaps this is true, or perhaps it is a lie. If it is true, darkness has come to engulf humanity, and we are witnessing the end of mankind.
Climb to a deep breath."There I told you my side of the story, now tell me yours."
The nun stood up from her position and peered forward. Her brightly color eyes were now visible. "To combat these monsters, you have to remember all the stories. Remember the legends. You must do more than stoop to their level. She began to levitate in the air. "They are more than their actions. For you to understand your enemies you must know their past. Only then can you defeat them. I tell you this not because I believe in you but because you have it where it counts just like they did many moons ago in a distant world."
A/N: That's it for now folks. I believe this was a good note to start this story on. The following chapters will introduce our four protagonist and their humble beings before coming to the new world. FYI the tone between the game and the new world will be completely different. The game would be a lot more light-hearted compared to the grittiness of the new world.