You know I never really appriecated the problem of writers block till now. Oh well.
Chapter 21: Desert Princess
A week after leaving the Heartlands Zechs sat on his throne. At the foot of the stairs four Browns held up a wooden slab with the world carved in it. Areas he controled were in red, blue for the Dominion, and grey for the Fang. With Zen's death the White Fang was no more. It was finally a war between him and Sora. The Elves of Everlight, the Dwarves of Golden Hills, and the Humans of Heaven's Peak against him and his Minions. The outcome was clear. Especially since he already had Minions on the island. Zechs just needed a distraction for the Paladins while he tried to take down the wall the dwarves had built. And to that his eyes turned to the only blank part on the map, the Ruborian Desert that abandoned the Fang. Lifting his eyes he saw Kisra walk in. Zechs still wondered how she could look so stunning in nothing but a white cloth wrapped around her legs and another around her just, leaving her waist exposed. Standing up he embraced her in a kiss.
"What are you planning now 'Dark One'?", Kisra always liked to poke names at the many titles he was getting these days. Dark One, Dark Lord, Bane of the Elves, Demon Master, and alot less flattering names. But it never bothered him, an Overlord rules and that means name callers usually insult him while hanging.
"Iv got an idea for the dwarves, but I cant have Sora nosing around Evernight until its done. Im thinking its time me and the Raiders have a talk."
Kisra just made a face, "Why bother? Sheria's a cow anyway. Back in Marquise the Fang always joked that Turok kept her in the desert or else half the White Fang would have kids."
Zechs laughed and forced her on the map, putting alot of pressure on the Minions holding it.
"I need them to keep the Paladins out. And when do Mistresses question the Overlord?"
"When the Overlord's 'punishments' are usually very good for the Mistress."
Vanitas was lounging outside when Zechs called out a half hour later to get some Blues, the Minions holding the wood were crushed.
Five days later, on a balcony of a sandstone palace, Sheria of the Ruborians sat and waited. She was in her usual outfit, a black cloth that twisted and split in all the right places and left freedom in combat. Beneath that was a bronze breastplate that lifted her assets up. The outfit fit perfectly with her tan skin and black hair. While she was the dream of most Ruborian men, everyone knew she could use the katana at her side with deadly skill. While she sipped her wine one of her two bodyguards pointed and they both drew their weapons. Right on time a large black dragon burst from the clouds and sailed over the sands. Swooping to the palace the dragon let off his rider. A large man in deep gray armor and spikes of Netherworld rock stood up, a demonic sword with a crystal eye at his hip. Two brown creatures in black armor and swords jumped down too. Looking into the glowing purple eyes Sheria decided the reports were true, the Overlord was not a man to be messed with. Vanitas flew up and circled the palace. Zechs strode over nodded his head.
"Princess Sheria, thank you for meeting me."
"Not at all Dark One. So what can the Ruborian Raiders do for you?", the two leaders sat at a granite table as slaves brought wine for them and some meat for the Minions.
"Im planning a surprize for the Dwarves and the wall they built to keep me out. But I cant have Sora and her Paladins poking around Evernight trying to put out fires and spoil the surprize."
"And you want us to leave the comfort of the desert to fight Sora? And what will I get in return?" Sheria's lips curved up in a smile.
"All of Heaven's Peak as your slaves, exclusive power over the slave trade with tributes to me, water you lack. And I wont make this place suffer like half the land has."
Sheria's smile widened, but before she could say anything Vanitas' roar cut them off. Flashes of blue surrounded the palace as Sky Knights appeared, about ten teams of ten. Vanitas swooped down and breathed fire on a entire team, but the rest used the distraction to cut down the surprized guards and breach the palace. Zechs readied Soul Eater and his two Minions took either side of him. Sheria's royal guards ran to her as they all drew their katanas. Sheria held the hilt so the blade ran up her arm, and a metal gauntlet on her other hand acted as a shield. The doors to the balcony burst open and Zechs' lightning hit three Knights. Taking three steps he swung Soul Eater at another Knight, cutting off his head and removing his soul. The other Knights stopped at the door, clearly shocked that the Overlord was there.
"They didnt know I was here", he thought in amusement. Turning to Sheria he laughed, "Seems today's company was after just you."
"Well my father always told me to share."
Zechs nodded and threw a fireball at them. Now that they were over the shock one of the Knights chopped down with his enchanted angel blade, the magic slicing the fire in half. Zechs snorted. Once a Sky Knight would have been a challenge, but now he had Soul Eater. The Knights fell on the group. One Brown stabbed at a Knight's legs, distraction him as the other Brown jumped on his back and cut his throat. Sheria's guards were just well trained enough to to take a Knight down if they both fought him. The princess herself danced through the battle, her gauntlet skidding the angel blades as her reversed katana turned a normal punch into certian death. As the last Knight fell the group took off into the palace. All around Sky Knights took down the average guard, only some of Sheria's elite warriors that rallied to her could hold more then a few seconds. By the time they reached the second floor the enemies were retreating as word spread the Overlord was at home. Several ambushes later they finally stepped onto the sands of Ruboria. Zechs was about to call Vanitas down when a wave of energy hit them. The Minions and guards where blasted away and Sheria ducked behind Zechs. The Overlord himself stood still as the attack washed over him. The weak attempt came from a Sky Knight with gold trim and an angel blade claymore.
"So tell me tin man, where is Sora? This is the first time in awhile she hasnt been stalking me."
The Knight was visibly shaken that Zechs was so unaffected by what he must have considered at powerful attack, but kept his voice firm and steady.
"My Lady had no idea scum like you were here, but now I can bring back your head and the desert rat's."
Zechs simply snorted and lifted Soul Eater. The Knight swung with heavy attacks, forsaking defense for raw offence. Zechs used the style often, but unlike the poor fool an Overlord had far better protection for it. Zechs knocked a few chops back before slamming his boot into the Knight's chest, leaving a dent and sending the holy warrior to the ground. He let the Knight stand up before advancing.
Sheria watched in awe the entire escape. She was no slouch, and these Knights that could defeat her elite where thrown around like toys by one man! The Sky Knight rose and swung his claymore at the Overlord. The Dark One raised his hand and caught it inches from his head. Even from here she could smell how desperate the man was as he pushed on his sword. The Overlord slammed his free fist and broke the Knight's jaw before ramming the evil looking sword right through him. The eye flashed as the man slid off and the Dark One turned to her.
"Well Your Highness seems the guests are gone."
Sheria just smirked.
Kisra growled in worry. An hour ago Vanitas had returned and took four Minions without explanation, no one seemed to know what was happening, and she had a feeling in her gut that her life was about to get interesting. Sure enough the Tower Heart flashed and Zechs appeared. Kisra was about to greet him when she noticed another person, female and attractive. Sheria looked over and glared back at her, both women knowing where this was going. Unfortunatly Zechs did also, seeing as he spent five minutes thinking of a way to break the tension.
"Sheria this is..."
"Kisra, Mistress of the Overlord."
"Thank you Kisra. This is..."
"Sheria, Princess of the Ruborians."
"Yes. Kisra we ran into some difficulties and her palace isnt the best place to make our alliance."
"Good, when is she leaving?"
This was unbelievable. He had brought races to their knees, built a Dark Empire and has waged a war on man, elf, and every other race, but the words he was about to say made him sweat in his armor.
"Sheria will be staying with us. As the second Mistress."
The silance from Kisra was somewhat errie, even the Minions stopped their work to see what came next. Sheria however turned to Zechs.
"Well my Lord before I call the generals from the desert Ill inspect the bedchambers."
As she turned to the staircase Kisra spoke in a cool voice, "Dark One, she seems to have forgot who is here first and who has been in the bed longer."
Sheria stopped and both of them looked to Zechs. Just then Vanitas snaked his head in.
"Master, the peasants in Mellow Hills are acting up again."
Zechs has never been so happy for the small of fire and sulfer. He quickly mounted the dragon. The two Mistresses glared at eachother and his retreating form.