(A/N): Enjoy and thanks for staying with me thus far.
Disclaimer: I do not own Overlord, only Hanson.
Chapter VIII: Endgame
William awoke on a field stained red by the blood of thousands of corpses. The entire coalition army had been destroyed, and it was his entire fault. William resisted the urge too weep as he gazed around himself, looking at the slain. They were all so brave, and so young. Now, none of them will ever return home. William removed his helmet and bowed in reverence. May the Light guide you to eternal peace, he prayed silently. The paladin walked slowly towards the spot on the field where the Overlord had vanished and the Shadow appeared. The Overlord's sword was stuck in the ground, its black blade absorbing light. Its runes, however, were dull and barely glowed. William took this as a good sign. The paladin king gripped the sword handle, glad that he wore gloves. The Evil taint was palpable on the sword. William placed the sword in a bolt of cloth, rolling it up and tying it up. Here's hoping you never take a life again, he thought.
As William made his way towards the Dark Tower, he knew that the emotional and mental scars he received would haunt him forever. William gazed up at the Dark Tower, the onyx outer covering reflecting the weak light. As he stared up at the imposing structure, William thought he heard someone calling his name.
The paladin turned and saw Goldo and Oberon limping towards him, their armor as bloodstained as his own. "Are we the only survivors?" Goldo asked. "It seems so," William said. "Let us leave this Evil place," Oberon said. "I can't stand the sight of so many good men dead." "Go on," William said. "I shall stay until all who perished here get a proper burial." Goldo nodded and said "I shall return with a complement of dwarves so we can fashion a monument to all that perished here, for the ages to remember their sacrifice." "I shall return as well. I plan to plant a grove of trees, in hopes that their affinity for the light shall drive the Evil residue away from this place," Oberon said. William nodded to his allies and shook hands with them. "Thank you for your help my friends. I shall never forget the sacrifices you have made along with me. If ever you find yourselves in need of my assistance, do not hesitate to ask." With that, the three heroes parted ways. William went to the village Spree to announce their liberation and to recruit villagers to help him bury the dead. Goldo traveled back to the Golden hills, planning on bringing back the finest craftsmen to build the monument in memory of those who had perished. Oberon wandered back to Evernight, looking for saplings of the Light tree and carrying them back to the Dark Tower valley.
"The Old Overlord is gone sire," Gnarl said with finality during one of the rest stops on the way to the sanctuary. "Now you are the true Overlord." Gnarl reached into a sack he had carried the entire journey and pulled out a gauntlet similar in design to Hanson's. Hanson quickly saw the difference between his gauntlet and the new one: a jewel imbedded in the forearm plate. "During the trials, the minions followed your commands because they were ordered to do so by the Overlord, right now, they are following me as much as you," Gnarl said. "With this gauntlet, they truly obey your commands!" Hanson took off his gauntlet and slipped on the new one, feeling its weight and fit. When he made a fist, the jewel ignited and began to burn with a crimson flame. "The Netherworld accepts you as its master," Gnarl said. "Now, your legend begins!"
End of Son of the Overlord
(A/N): Before you start ranting and raving at me, allow me to explain. Son of the Overlord was just part one of this fic. I project at least two more parts in the future. I have included the intro chapter of the next part in this update. Enjoy.
Part II: Overlord
Introduction: Five years later
The man once known as Hanson Strongarm stood in the middle of a stone chamber, not shivering from the cold as five browns dressed him in his steel Overlord armor. The torchlight glinted of the steel, reflecting off of the various angles. The minion finished fastening the straps and placed the Overlord's helmet over his head. Nearby, Gnarl wiped an imaginary tear from his eye and clasped his hands together in excitement. "It has been fifty five years since I said this, and I was beginning to worry I never would again," Gnarl said, more to himself that anyone else. As the minions finished arming and armoring Hanson, Gnarl proclaimed "Master, let us go forth. There are nefarious deeds to be done!"
William tossed and turned in his bed muttering "no…no,"under his breath. In his mind, the paladin fought the mental battle with the Shadow over and over again replaying the event over and over. He could feel the indomitable will of the dark being crushing his own, and he could see the army of brave men, elves, and dwarves get slaughtered over and over again, right before his eyes. The king sat up in his bed, his forehead covered in a sheen of sweat. The early morning sun peeked through the curtains to the king's chamber, casting a thin ray of light into the sparsely furnished room. Since the death of his wife at the site of his first battle with the Overlord, William had gotten rid of many of the lavish comforts in favor of a simple, more militaristic style. The only furnishings in the room were a simple bed, a wooden desk with a chair, and a squashy leather sofa for visitors.
William swung his legs off of the bed and walked over to a steel basin. The paladin reached in and splashed water on his face, wiping away the sweat. The king's bare feet slapped the stone floor as William made his way towards his inner chamber, the Sanctum of the Light. As he knelt in the middle of the sanctum, the sun rose a sufficient distance to shine through the tall windows, illuminating the crystal statues of paladins past. William prayed fervently, begging the Light for assistance. His daily prayer complete, the paladin selected a simple white tunic and pants, both embroidered with the symbol of the paladin order in golden thread. As he pulled on leather boots, William contemplated the event that had the entire buzzing with excitement. Half a year ago, William had consented to allow suitors into his city to court his daughter when she turned twenty. For weeks suitors would flood in, bringing gifts and diplomatic offers, as well as revenue to the city merchants. The suitors would spend their time feasting, hunting, and killing one another in an attempt to gain Princess Elizabeth's favor.
William sighed as he ran his hand through hi salt-and-pepper hair. While he disapproved of the suitors, he would let his daughter have her moment.
Her Royal Highness the Princess Elizabeth was being fussed over by a quartet of handmaids who had bathed and dressed her, and were now fussing over her hair, almost fighting about the style it should be in. "The mistress should be at the height of fashion, so an elven braid should do it," one said. "No! Do a Chester knot!" another shouted. "Just leave it alone," Elizabeth told them. "It doesn't make much of a difference anyway." The handmaids bowed and backed away respectfully, allowing the princess to see herself in the mirror. Elizabeth was clothed in a white gown with a gold trim similar to her father's. her hair flowing down her back. Satisfied, the princess swept out of her chamber and down a flight of stairs, paintings of former kings glowered down at her as always, but she ignored them. Today was her day.
She joined her father for breakfast, sitting next to him, hardly able to hide her excitement. The servants placed eggs and bacon in front of William and his daughter, with hot tea to wash it down.
Muttering his thanks, William attacked his meal, while Elizabeth did the same. Today would be an eventful day indeed, father and daughter thought.
(A/N): Well, there you go. Sincerest apologies for not having a "Hanson beating someone to a pulp" scene, but this is only the first chapter of part 2, so there's hope yet. Review please, either to tell me that you like it, or to provide constructive criticism. I will try to respond to everyone. See you next time.