Thanks for all the positive reviews. I know the chaps arnt very long but this is my first time writing. I may just do a long story with short chapters or try to lengthen the chaps we will see. The First Minion is NOT Gnarl and Vanitas is the dragon from Overlord 2. Just to make you wonder how Gnarl came to be.


Chapter 7: The Nightmare begins with redstained snow

A group of Nordbergian hunters trudged through the snow, looking for much needed food. Seven years had passed since that storm that buried more then half of Nordberg and they were still recovering. Traders reported the rest of the lands were in similar shape. Still, most of the houses were repaired and Midwinter's Eve was in a few days, and the men intended to make this a cheery one. Thats why they where farther then they usually went, passed the magical creature cavern and into the uninhabited snow wastes. The fairies and elves living in the cavern tried to warn them away, said something about a great evil, but Nordberg men had families to feed and who trusted magical creatures anyway? Sure there had been some disappearences over the years, but that could be wolves or broken ice. The hunters made camp under some trees. They where inluck, seals all around. Mabye they would even check out that mountian in the distance for deer. The pleasant thoughts were wiped away when a group of wolves burst into the camp. The hunters crowded to the fire and drew their spears. One called out as brown demons jumped off the wolves started fighting the hunters. Those that tried to flee where killed by green monsters hiding in the snow or fireballs from red creatures. One hunter knocked a brown down and was about to end him when violet lightning tore his arm to shreds. Looking through the pain the hunter saw a demon from the Abyss stride toward them. Purple eyes glowed like fire and a burning sword belonged to a armored monster. He had time to blink before the demon stabbed his heart.

Pulling his sword out and cleaning it on the dead man's fur coat Overlord Zechs checked to see the battle ending as the Minions cut down the last hunter. The Browns looted the bodies for money and brought him Lifeforce. Moving his arm the Reds and Greens came out of hiding. Zechs almost sighed, you would think Nordberg would have learned by now. Seven years to killing or enslaving anyone this side of the cavern and hunters or adventurers still came. Walking toward the mountian, he named it Mount James, he lost his annoyance. Wooden watch towers with Reds encircled the mountian. Greens flitted by the trees and plants. Blues swam in the waters around Mount James, using their magic to sink unwanted guests. At checkpoints up the trail and through the tunnel Browns in helmats and pikes guarded the only known way into the Netherworld. The place was seeing its share of life as well. Minions of all kinds wandered the Spawning Pits worked on the Battle Rock on ground before it took to the air. Browns and Blues were arguing with Vanitas on how to make the Netherworld Gate Network Zechs wanted a reality. Slaves, human, elven, even to occasional dwarf or halfling worked on carving the mighty Netherworld Tower. They only worked on the outside and less important rooms, Zechs only trusted the First Minion and his Browns to build the Private Quarters and Throne Room. Arriving at the Tower the guards saluted and the others bowed. The Tower Heart shone above the throne, held in the hands of a statue of Lea with angel wings.

The last seven years had been very busy. Using the old records left behind and Zechs' own power he had created a domain like no other. First he had discovered the Hives were meant to house the four kinds of Minions. Experimenting with the stone revealed his newest servants. Reds were physically weak but could throw fireballs, Greens were alittle tougher and where sleathlty assassins, and Blues were the weakest but used magic and could revive fallen Minions. Using the Lifeforce he had collected since fleeing Marquise he had created a small army. Rather then rush to dominate like some fools would Zechs had secured his own power first. His first act in that was using the natural flows of the Netherworld to create platforms that would take those on it to parts of the Tower or Netherworld without having to fly on the dragon. The slaves used many smaller versions to work on the Tower. Then he had taken friendly wolves and trained Browns to ride on them. Taking other packs of wolves he had them breed to have a constant supply of mounts. In the years to come the new breed's descendents would likey accept Browns as well. Zechs wasnt able to find mounts for the other tribes in Nordberg but could wait till warmer climates. Then he had taken chunks of Netherworld rock and infused his magic into the disks, creating Spell Stones and Catalyists to empower the magic of those who used it. The Stones where a more focused lightning magic called Evil Presence for enslaving or killing, Halo to blast away enemies or empower Minions, and Minion to turn a Minion into a magic bomb or use its life to heal and shield. Zechs had also found a river in the Spawning Pits that could revive Minions if the Blues didnt make it. So far the only ones who could use it were the Overlord and Blues, but it wasnt needed much. Then he had set patrols on wolfback on the area around the mountian and Greens and Reds at the cavern enterance to keep anyone who came from leaving. Men that resisted were killed, those that didnt worked on the watch towers, traps, supports for the tunnel, or the Netherworld. The women cooked, cleaned, and occasionally served Zechs. The children where used to keep the adults from rebeling and mostly played with the Minions watching them. He had also set up a forge and created Forge Stones to craft armor if he ever needed to.

He had also spent time looking into the political situation of the world. Zen and the White Fang had expanded, unifiying various raider groups and making allies with the Halflings of Mellow Hills and the Ruborian Raiders to make a sizable domain. The new Holy Dominon of Light had been established to counter Zen and create peace. It was made up of humans from all over, the elves of Evernight and Everlight, and loosely with the Golden Hills dwarves, and was lead by the Paladins of Heaven's Peak and their High Paladin Sora. The stubborn and pridefull Nordberg had refused the Dominion and driven back the Fang, which worked fine for Zechs. Without outside aid the snow covered land would fall faster, giving the Overlord wood to build towers and fortifications, food to feed the Minions, and slaves to forge weapons and helmats and care for wolves. The First Minion ran up and bowed to the seated Overlord.

"Master, the Greens find way into Nordberg. Wolfies and Browns are in place. Reds finding high points.", Zechs nodded, it was time to begin his plan. First Norberg, then the world.

Midwinters Eve was one of the best parties in Nordberg. Some had prefered the festival in Marquise, but that was deep in Fang territory. So they settled for good ale, warm meat, and a Norbergian wrench. The gate guard was about to lock up with a group of kids ran but laughing. Zechs stood on a cliff overlooking the front gate. He was excited, but a odd feeling kept nagging at him. He felt like this wouldnt be the first time. Closing his eyes he saw another in the armor, red eyes burning with hate. Opening his purple eyes he shrugged, it was his time now. Pointing to the sky he released a bolt of lightning that boomed in the still night. The people looked up when several groups of children tore off their coats to reveal green monsters with blades on their hands. Moving quick the little things jumped on several guards and stabbed them to death. Another group ran toward the gate. Some guards realized what was happening but were stopped by a rain of fire from the trees and cliffs. Reaching the lever the Greens opened the gate to Nordberg. Howling the wolf mounted Browns ran into the town, clubing or cutting anything in their way. By the time Zechs entered the townsfolk had blown several bridged and walkways to keep him out. Calling some Reds he sent them through the flames and burned the oppossers. As his Minion took the long route Zechs ran and jumped over the gap to the main square. Several Norbergians took up spears and daggers and charged. Gathering the magic to him Zechs unleashed his Halo Shockwave and sent the locals flying into trees or slumping down from walls or houses. More wolves crossed the gap and joined him on the charge to the Town Hall where the fighters where holding out. The mayor strode forward in full armor.

"Demon from the Abyss! Know we have not bowed to any invader, be it Paladin or Raider! You will take this town when the last of us falls"

"Fair enough." Zechs gathered his power and launched a bolt into the building. The Hall exploded and crushed the mighty mayor. The people stared.

"Anyone else want to make a noble last stand?"

Two hours later Nordberg flew the flags of Zechs, Blood red with a gold Overlord helm on it. Half the population would remain to mine, cut, or forge. The rest would began the trek to the Netherworld to finish the Tower and be prisoners against rebellion. Zechs inspected the work. Once enough Minions were fitted with real weapons and armor he would decide his next move. His vengance drove him to crush the White Fang, starting with Mellow Hills.