Overlord: the Dark Savior
By: Blur the Hedgehog
Chapter two: Of Halflings and TrollsDorian walked down the length of the red carpeted throne room toward his throne. He knew something wasn't right when he noticed that the room was no longer in ruin. There were statues in robes lining the sides of the room the spiked throne had two gold encrusted chimera statues on either side. However the most amazing thing in the room was the woman sitting on her knees on a blue cushion next to the throne. The dress she wore hugged her curves and showed off her high D cup breasts. Her blue, cyan, and silver hair flowed in an unseen wind. "Good evening, master." The woman said in the same voice he had heard before. She stood up and walked over with a sexy strut that would have any straight male hard as a rock. She stood chest height to Dorian. She then rested her head on his armored chest to hear his heart beat. She sighed blissfully, "It is good to finally speak with you face to face."
"You're the tower heart, aren't you?" Dorian asked causing the woman to look into his eyes.
"Yes I am." She said stepping back a couple of steps. "I am also the one who brought you here." She stated walking passed him. He followed her to the portal and she explained why. "I brought you here to bring this world back into balance." The portal rippled and showed a dark figure in similar armor as Dorian. "The previous overlord sought to cover the world in darkness. He cared not that his actions would one day destroy the world, he just wanted to rule over all." The scene changed to show seven people silhouetted against the sun. "These seven heroes defeated him in a grand crusade." The sun turned red as the eyes of the hero's glowed red as well. "However the heroes became worse than the evil they had laid low." The shortest hero became the focus as the heart continued her tale. "This is Melvin Underbelly. He was a Halfling that joined the crusade. He came back to Spree and was named the king of the Halflings. The town of Spree gave him a hero's welcome and a feast." The image turned into a giant ball of fat with tiny arms and legs. "The rich food and drink made him grow and so did his appetite. He soon demanded more food from Spree and put the citizens to work as slaves for his people." The image then showed a dry barren landscape full of skeletons. "If he is not stopped then Spree and the neighboring lands will be reduced to a wasteland."
"I'll do what I can although I can't promise I'll be any better." Dorian stated with a little uncertainty.
"That is all that matters, master." The heart said placing her hand on his cheek. "I have faith that you are just what this world needs." She gave him a kiss on the lips as the world faded away.
"Master it is time to rise." The annoying voice of gnarl came to Dorian's ears. He got up and saw some browns standing next to an armor stand waiting for him. Once dressed he walked into the throne room where he was greeted with a bowl of pumpkin porridge. "I apologize for the lack luster meal sire." The rotten walnut stated, "Without the red minions, the kitchen and forge are almost useless."
"As long as my grumbling belly isn't a distraction while I speak with the one in charge of Spree, I'm okay with it." Dorian stated while he ate. "What exactly do we know about Melvin Underbelly?" Dorian asked pausing in his meal.
"With the green minions gone our spy network has suffered a great blow." Gnarl stated, "The stealth of the greens made getting information quick and painless."
"I guess I should talk to whoever is in charge of Spree then, yes?" Dorian said placing his empty bowl down. He placed his helmet on and strode toward the portal. "What would we need to get this tower fixed?"
"A crane would be particularly helpful in removing some of the debris and opening up some rooms." Gnarl stated looking around, "As strong as your minions are, even they can't move this stuff." He then shudder as the thought of going back came to him. "I am not the evil entity I once was sire. I can't take the feeling of lush green grass under my feet or bird songs in my ears. I'll stay here sire, probably find a dark corner to lurk in and maybe something to pummel."
"Really," Dorian asked he wasn't comfortable leaving the puss sack in the tower alone. "What if I need advice in the field or a secondary general to take some minions to flank the enemy?"
"I can give you advice from here sire." Gnarl stated, "With the tower heart in place, I can communicate with you directly. Seeing and hearing everything that you do." He then tapped his chin and said, "As for someone to lead your forces in battle with you, I have no idea how you'll accomplish that."
"Well I'm off to speak with the citizens of Spree." Dorian stated as he stepped through the portal.
"Testing, testing." Dorian heard in his head. "Can you hear me master?"
"Loud and clear gnarl." Dorian stated pressing two fingers to the side of his helmet as if he had a secret service ear piece in it. "Just so people don't think I'm crazy, I'm going to press the side of my helmet when I want to talk to you."
"Excellent idea master." Gnarl stated. "You've no doubt seen that the sheep you have killed yesterday have reappeared. They are quite frisky and breed like rabbits."
"Well meat and minions won't be a problem." Dorian said as he summoned his squad. After a rampage through the nearby sheep herd, he made his way to Spree and saw a pillar in the way. "Get that rubble out of here." He shouted pointing at the stone obstacle. He then walked down the path and saw a wooden wall and draw bridge.
"Halflings approaching!" a panicked voice shouted from the wall. "Secure the gate." The voice belonged to one of a pair of villagers one with a pitch fork and the other with a crossbow that looked like it was about to come apart.
"They can't be Halflings." The one with the pitch fork said, "I mean look at the one with the helmet."
"He might be two Halflings holding up some armor." The one with the crossbow stated not taking his eyes off Dorian.
"Hmmm," the pitchfork wielder said pensively, "You might be right."
"I merely wish to speak with your mayor." Dorian asserted, "What can I do to prove my words are true?"
"You could go to the slave camp down the road to free the men that are forced to work there." The pitchfork wielder stated.
"I'll be back with the men from the camp and the head of the camp's foreman." Dorian declared before heading off down the road.
Their caution is justified. The heart said calmly. Trust should be earned instead of given. As the warrior this world needs, you will need to gain the trust of the people.
"Stay alert master!" gnarl stated suddenly, "Those Halflings are setting up an ambush in the wheat." True to his word, a small group of Halflings stood ready to attack them. "Use your newly acquired fireball spell to roast them like suckling pigs." Dorian held his hand up and concentrated until his hand burst into flame. He then thrust his hand forward and a semi solid ball of flame flew forward catching the wheat on fire. As the flames spread, the Halflings screamed as they burned to death.
"Gather up the loot." Dorian stated pointing at the burned field. After his minions had gathered the arms and armor of the Halflings and gave Dorian the gold and life force, the squad continued their trek down the road.
"Get away from me you sawed off pigs." A woman shouted from up ahead. The woman was in her late twenties/early thirties. She wore a tattered skirt that stopped just below her knees. The sleeves were ripped off her blouse. Her blouse was also ripped open letting her high D cup breasts to show. Her hair was a fiery red. She was currently being chased by a small squad of Halflings. One of the Halflings swung his sword and caught her leg making her fall.
"Good work boys." The leader of the squad stated. He then grinned at the woman perversely and sneered, "Hold her still while I eat her." As four of the squad grabbed hold of her she prayed to either die or be saved.
"Eviscerate them!" an angry voice roared catching the attention of everyone. As the squad turned to see who shouted a swarm of golden bat eared angels descended upon the repugnant Hobbits. Some of the fanged saviors wielded clubs and were clad in loin cloths while others had swords, shoulder guards and pumpkins on their heads. With the squad torn apart the leader tried to run only to hit the legs of the one commanding the fierce fighters. "I will enjoy gutting you, you little piece of shit." The armor clad Adonis growled raising his axe. The weapon came down so fast that it looked like nothing happened. He then poked the Halfling in the head and the top half fell backward. "Are you all right?" the godly man asked taking his cape off and wrapped it around the woman.
"I am now." The woman said as she sat upon her knees. She watched as the golden angels went about gathering up the weapons and armor that had been left behind as the Halflings dissolved into mist. When one of the little creatures came near to give the armored man a bag of gold, she reached out and scratched the top of its head between its ears. "You and your little angels saved me." She stated as the minion fell to the ground with a happy expression on its face and its leg twitching. "Although they're not as cute as those little red ones that Melvin has in his kitchen."
"What?" the minion gasped at her statement.
Master, the heart said with astonishment, this woman just might be a general you need to help you fight better on the battle field. Try to convince her to help spy on Melvin.
"You seem to be quite enamored with my minions." Dorian stated, "I am Dorian the overlord." While she couldn't see it, he was smiling at her kindly. "Who might you be, my lovely lady?"
"My name is Katheryn." The now identified Katheryn said trying to bow.
"I was hoping you could tell me what the situation was like in Spree." Dorian said only to see a look of disgust appear on her face.
"The situation in Spree wouldn't have happened if it were not for lord Spree." Katheryn said with the utmost venom. "Just because some sawed off midget was a part of some fight. He gave that little bastard a feast that the village would later be forced to give again but in greater quantities." A flicker flame of rage flashed behind her amber eyes. "He then had the gall to flee the village when his lifestyle was threatened." Dorian noticed heat haze rolling off of her and felt nervous about what he would ask her to do.
"Lady Katheryn," Dorian said as calmly as possible, "If I had any other option I would never ask you to do what I am about to ask." He placed a hand on her cheek to have her look into his eyes. "My information about Melvin and his people is practically non-existent. I need someone to spy on the Halfling village." His tone and eyes showed no deceit to his words. "I promise you, if you get caught by the Halflings, I will come to rescue you."
"If it will help you get rid of these Halfling once and for all, I'll do it." Katheryn said with conviction, "I'll also try to free those little devils that Melvin has if I can."
"Thank you, lady Katheryn." Dorian said helping her to her feet. "Try to find some appropriate clothing and sneak into the village." He looked down the road and said, "I need to get to the slave camp and free the men there."
"They took my friend Anna there too." Katheryn lamented, "They said something about breaking her fierce spirit." Her tone turned pleading, "I'm worried that she might not be strong enough to survive much longer. I beg you, please save her from those monsters."
"I will, I promise." Dorian stated as he walked down the road once more.
"Getting a mistress already master." Gnarl said in slight disgust. "I should warn you that the tower can only accommodate one mistress at a time." He hoped that the overlord would take his bluff.
That rotten walnut is lying. The heart growled. This was a part of the pervious overlord's plan to cheat death. You can have as many mistresses as you want.
"She is not a mistress candidate gnarl." Dorian stated filing the heart's information away. "I think she would be an excellent general for our reds." An annoyed tone came to his voice. "Did you not see the heat she was giving off?" he then smirked and said, "She seemed close to throwing her own fireballs around."
"Now that you mention it master, she did seem to have a strong affinity toward fire magic at that." Gnarl relented with a slight wonder to his voice. He decided to push the thought of how that Katheryn woman would affect his puppet out of his mind for now. "I almost forgot master," gnarl said in false realization, "Killing innocents, and I use the term loosely, will increase your evil energy, granting you greater power." As gnarl said this Dorian was passing a group of farmers. Some fled at the sight of him. "However this is hardly useful if you wish to establish a long term domain." Some of the farmers fell to their knees bowing before the minions. "Fear and awe can be useful tools as well. It would also allow you to gain gold as tribute."
It will also prevent your predecessor from taking over your body should he come back. The heart stated giving her champion a much needed push toward the right decision.
"You don't want to go that way." One of the farmers said as he stood in the middle of the path. "That road leads straight to the slave camp."
"That is precisely where I am headed." Dorian stated as he pressed forward. "You need not concern yourself with my safety, I can handle myself."
"I believe you." The man said as the overlord walked passed. Dorian walked down the path and saw the gate to the camp from the top of the hill. He continued down the path until he saw a strange well with red light glowing from it.
"Hey gnarl," Dorian asked, "Do you know what this thing is?"
"That is an arcane blood pit sire." Gnarl stated, "You can sacrifice your minion to heal you. They will gladly die for you, they are very loyal."
"Let's make our way to the camp." Dorian stated. He stopped on the banks of a creek that was just out of range of the Halflings on the lookout stand. "I'll see if I can take out some of the rock throwers from here." He said as he made his plan. "You lot take out the foot soldiers." When he got a nod from his minions, he focused his energy on the lookout stand and threw a ball of fire at the rock throwers. The fireball hit the Halfling in the chest knocking him back into the others. He thrashed around trying to put himself out and messed up the aim of his fellow rock throwers.
"Charge!" one of the minions shouted as Dorian pointed forward. As they got close they leapt in different directions onto the Halfling foot soldiers. They hacked, slashed and bludgeoned the sawed off miscreants until there were none left. Some Halflings thought they were smart hiding in a nearby pasture to ambush anyone that came to the gate only to be met by a wall of muscle and steel. As the last Halfling evaporated, Dorian sent his minions to turn the wheel.
"Clearly they were overconfident in they're abilities." Dorian stated as the gate came down. "Only someone like that would leave the gate wheel on the outside of the gate." He strode forward when the gate was fully open. As he walked along the path a tower and minion gate rose from the ground. He saw a few of the villagers working with sorrowful looks on their faces. "You there!" Dorian shouted getting one of the men's attention. "What can you tell me about this camp?"
"The camp has a bunch of rock throwers guarding the cages." A man with a white rag on his head stated. "I also heard something about a troll guarding a majority of the villagers."
"What about a woman named Anna?" Dorian asked narrowing his eyes.
"They've been trying to starve her." A man with a red rag on his head said with tears in his eyes. "She is also chained to this giant block and is forced to drag it where ever she goes. The foreman sits on top of it and taunts her."
"Thank you for your assistance." The overlord stated as he continued. He then noticed lookout platforms flanking the paths. He decided to split his forces up and take out both rows of defenses. Dorian threw fireballs at the rock throwers making sure his minions wouldn't get too hurt. After the minions killed the Halflings, Dorian recalled his troops.
"Excuse me my lord." A villager said in a nearby cage. "Could you please let us out of here?" he then fell to his knees, "We could help you fight these Halflings and their pet troll."
"Open the cage!" Dorian shouted pointing at a wheel. The minions ran to the wheel and started to turn it. Luckily only four minions were needed for the wheel. A shout got the overlord's attention and saw some Halflings charging at him. "Get rid of those fools." He growled pointing at the Halflings.
"Thank you my lord." Another villager said after the cage was opened. "We'll help you fight the troll." The group marched down the path and saw a giant blubbery creature stomping around the cages full of villagers. The beast seemed to be following a food trough on a stone block. Sitting next to the trough was a Halfling in gold armor.
"I'll kill you one of these days you sawed off bastard." A feminine voice shouted from the front of the block. Turning his attention to the voice, Dorian was suddenly aroused and enraged at the same time. The countless hours in the sun had given her a golden tan that complimented her Mahogany brown hair. While the days of pulling the block had given her strong muscles, she still retained her feminine appearance. She had a tattered brown skirt that stopped just above her knees and a tattered brown top that loosely covered her E cup breasts. What angered Dorian most was the fact that she was covered in whip marks and bruises.
"Yeah, yeah." The foreman laughed, "Keep telling yourself that, bitch."
"I want you and these villagers to distract that troll and that foreman." Dorian snarled as he saw the foreman whip Anna's back. "I'll free Anna and have her deliver the killing blow to the foreman." When he got a nod from his group he shouted, "Attack!"
"Who let these slaves out of their cages!" the foreman shouted as the troll was attacked by the clearly outsized opponents. The minions followed the villagers lead in spite of the fact that their loyalty rested firmly with the overlord. When the villagers ran close to the troll and hit it, so did they minions. They also backed off as the troll tried to belly flop on them. "GUARDS!"
"Don't worry," the overlord said quietly to Anna using the battle to sneak up to her, "I'll get you out of these chains." He then grabbed the chains and melted them with his fire magic. He smirked as the clattering chain caught the foreman's attention. "Surprise mother fucker!" he leaped up and punched the foreman in the face. The foreman fell off the block and onto a minion just as the troll fell on top of him dead. As the great brute dissolved into a grey mist, the broken form of the foreman lay quivering. Dorian smirked as he held his axe out to Anna and asked, "Would you like to finish him off my dear?"
"I have been waiting a long time for this." Anna said with a sadistic smile on her face that matched the evil grins that the brown minions were wearing. She took hold of the large axe and swung it with ease. Her gaze then fell on the foreman as she cackled, "Thought you were unkillable while I was chained huh? Looks like all that bravado has left you." She hefted the axe above her head. "Now die for the overlord!" she then brought the axe down and buried it into his chest breaking his chest and splitting his heart. She then raised it up and chopped the hobbit's head off. She quickly picked his head up and held it to the overlord. "For you my lord."
"Well," gnarl mused as Dorian took the head in hand, "She has a certain vicious streak that I like master." Dorian then saw her playing with the minions using the head of another Halfling as a beach ball. "It would also seem that she has gained a bond with your browns sire."
"I think I have found my first general." The overlord stated. He put the head into a make shift pouch then walked up to Anna and said, "You certainly have a way with the children."
"Ma, ma!" a minion wearing the foreman's helmet cheered as he hugged Anna's leg.
"Aw you are so cute." Anna stated scratching the minion's chin. "You'll probably want this back." She then held up the axe with a slight sad look on her face. Dorian looked back at the block and saw that the chains were attached deep in the stone.
"I have an idea." He stated as he walked back to the block. He stood next to it and channeled his dark energy into his arms and began to punch the stone. After a few punches he had shaped the stone into a crude ball. He then picked up one of the Halfling swords and used his fire magic to fuse the chain and sword together. He smiled at his work and dragged the heavy weapon over to Anna. "How about we trade?" Anna stared in awe at the crude yet elegant weapon of retribution. It was the embodiment of poetic justice crafted from items meant to subjugate her people.
"Thank you my lord." She wept as she took hold of the handle of the mace. She swung the weapon around like she had been doing it for years. She then looked at the overlord with longing and asked, "May I please go with you my lord?" when she received a look that asked why, she explained, "I want to help you free my village. I also want to punish the people who allowed this to come about." She then looked at herself then back to Dorian. "I want you to train me to be stronger."
"If you come with me, you may be called upon to do things that might make you out to be worse than your oppressors here." Dorian stated looking her in the eyes. "Are you willing to run the risk of being called a tyrant?"
"I am my lord." Anna stated with conviction, "I am willing to give up my place in heaven to makes sure the people are free from suffering."
"So be it then." Dorian said with pride, "As your new lord and master I order you to open that gate." He then pointed at the wheel next to the gate at the back of the pit.
"Come along children," Anna stated waving at the minions to follow her, "We have work to do."
"For the overlord!" the minions cheered eagerly chasing the new general. Anna and the browns turned the wheel until the gate was down.
"Thank you for freeing us lord." A villager said.
"I'm looking for a crane." Dorian stated as he crossed the threshold.
"That crane over there won't be getting used for much." Another villager stated as he pointed at the crane. "Go ahead and take it."
"Anna," the overlord said turning to his mace wielding lady, "Make sure this thing gets back to the tower." After getting a nod, Dorian swept some minions in place. Anna then wave at them to follow her to a nearby tower gate and disappeared along with the crane.
"My lord," Gnarl stated in his head. "Lady Anna and the crane have arrived at the tower safely." The traitorous imp then gasped, "It would seem that the tower heart is granting access to your minion by giving her a gauntlet like yours." He then chuckled, "Between the two of you, your overall hoard size has doubled. That means you can attack from two different sides at once."
"Excellent," Dorian stated as he swept more minions to the cage wheel. "I'll be back to the tower soon." After the cages were opened, he escorted the villagers out of the camp. He had encountered two patrols. He bid the villagers good day and walked back to the gate on the hill. When he got back to the tower he saw a lot of wooden scaffolding and the crane high up near the rafters. Anna was also helping to clear the rubble.
"It is good to see you again my lord." Gnarl stated getting Anna's attention. She let go of a pillar piece she was moving and it rolled over a minion. "The repairs are coming along nicely now that we have the crane." Anna then hugged Dorian pressing her breasts against his chest. "Lady Anna was of a great help with her extraordinary strength."
"We have already opened up the dungeon." Anna said with glee. "It has this amazing magic in it that allows us to fight any enemy we want."
"Provided that my lord has killed it before hand." Gnarl interrupted.
"This is really good news." Dorian stated. His expression turned pensive as he thought of Katheryn. "What news did we get from Katheryn concerning Melvin and the Halflings?"
"The Halflings have taken a large amount of food from the village recently." Anna said handing Dorian a piece of parchment. "Melvin seems to be planning another of his feasts and demanded some serving girls from the village as well." Anna looked down sadly, "Katheryn is planning to sneak in with the other women."
"Don't worry Anna." The overlord stated making her look into his eyes. "Just as I have promised her to save you, I will save her too." He then looked out at the sky and saw that the sun was going down. "Tomorrow we will enter Spree and talk to the one in charge."
"I will have the minions start the repairs up again in the morning sire." Gnarl said with an exaggerated bow. "I shall bid you both good night."
"I don't like that gnarl all that much." Anna whispered to Dorian after they left the throne room and he took off his helmet.
"Nor should you." Dorian stated.
