Lehid sighs as she peeked into the room she was about to go in "I am not sure if I can do that." she whispers to her back, where Raven was standing with crossed arms.

He rose an eyebrow "And why not? So far you did a good job in leading them. Going in and tell them what the Overlord asked for isn't that much of a difference. And if you really want to be the Sky Wing of a Community lead by him, you need to prove that you can act like a Sky."

She turns to him and leans against the wall. After study his body form for a bit for no apparent reason she looks up and did the Skeith equivalent of a smile with her beak "For a former Ground Wing you act very much as a Sky."

"I am just an old fool who tries to use his experience to see both sides." waved the older Skeith off "After all the Ground Wings kicked me out of my community for daring to agree with some of the Sky Wings suggestions without even TRYING to force Ground Principles into it."

"Then how are you planning to be the Ground of a new Community if you got kicked out for being to Sky like?" wondered Lehid while stroking one of her own wings, a habit she got for being nervous. Thought she had to watch out where she is doing it due to her broken wing.

Clicking the own beak, the dark feathered Skeith points to her "You really got much to learn. New communities have barely a say and to add on it, it is hard to get Ground Wings who are willing to leave their home Communities to Join up in a new one. It is the lack of willing Grounds that forces them to reestablish me. You have it harder as Skies are more open-minded. But again, you already got the ear of the first Community Leader so it is a plus. But that is still music for the future as we have still to get them to acknowledge that community."

"I know... a Community formed and lead by a non-Skeith is something that never happened." she shakes her head "But that is something we have to worry later. Now we got first to finish that war. Else any plan we have for our future is down the drain."

"You're learning." clicked Raven again and put a hand on her shoulder "Now let's go in, tell these guys what you need from them and see how many are willing to pull that off."

Lehid nods "Right." and took a very deep breath. Then she turned around and opens the door, moving into the room and moves up the podium that was set up for this meeting.

Her eyes scanned over this place. Here were all Skeith Standing that joined the war and are still able to fight or do other jobs. "So little losses and wounded" she whispered herself and shakes her head slightly "I always feared we would lose much more up to that point." but knew that this fear could still be proven true due one factor she only learned recently.

Then she cleared her throat and called out "May I have your attention now, please!" and all Skeith turned their heads to her, and the whispering went silent. Eying over the whole place, she ensured that they all are REALLY silent before nodding "Thank you. And thank you for coming. I am aware that you might wonder why I called you here, a few days before we head off towards the capital. The reasons are that I need some volunteers to move in advance and do a mission of crucial importance. It might affect the outcome of the coming fight. And I need at least two how to head out. And only one of you will return, the other will stay and prepare for our arrival."

Then she paused as the listeners began to mumble and speak to each other and make their thoughts clear to each other. Then Raven hits with a staff he brought along the ground a few times and the echo of metal hitting stone caused them to grew still once more.

Nodding thanks to Raven, Lehid continues "The plan has two parts." She doesn't say it out loud but in truth, there were three parts. The third is not mentioned since human spies could somehow listen to this meeting.

"The first part of the mission is to deliver a message to a contact in the capital with certain instructions. These instructions are only to be read in presence of the contact!" explained the female, and hopes they get why she isn't naming the contact by name. Then she said "The other part I can name you is to prepare our arrival. The details are with the letter you are given for the contact."

She paused to let this part of the info sink into the minds of the Skeith before her. As most of them are Mercenaries, she doubts that many would raise their hands to this job as the dangers are hard to compensate.

"What do we get if we agree to that?" asks one

Raven raised "The Overlord is willing to hand you a weapon created in his personal forge. Together with a big bag of gold and a promotion if you choose to stay in our ranks after the war."

That caused the Skeith to whisper to each other once more. While the payment was well enough that many are considering staying anyway, a bonus plus a good new weapon (It is known that the Overlord tends to have very well made weapons) so many consider the risk and compare if it outweighs the dangers.

"Well, then why are we waiting?" laughed a voice and Lehid jerked her head to the source as she recognized it. A Skeith with deep blue feathers, a bow on his back and some simple clothes with only armour protecting the chest and shoulders, stepped forward and Lehid recognizes him as Rivali. He was born in her community but left soon as he felt the community had nothing to offer for his talents.

"Simply give me the task and make the greatest show that your blacksmith is able to create. I will prove that I am worth all of it."

Then he smirked at Lehid "It has been a while! Funny that you haven't noticed me before now. You must have really a bad taste that you ignore me that long"

"About my taste, we can talk another time" pounded Lehid and hold back the urge to slap that guy "The instructions are strict regarding that mission. We need at least two participants as one will return to us to give us a detailed report."

"Oh come on. If this is the case, any of these below me are properly going to try and impress you so you might reconsider who is your right hand on this. I mean come on. Such an old man?" he asks "of course I haven't really gotten the time to properly talk to you."

Lehid check turned red... not of flattery or embarrassment but of anger. They haven't seen each other for years and the first thing they are close to each other, he doesn't bother to say hi and criticize her for her choices? "Typical Rivali! That's so typical of you! You only bother with me to criticize me or demand something to stroke your massive ego!"

"I am the best archer of this sorry bunch. Even you have to admit it. Also, I am the best flier here. I am sure if you consider that, it makes only sense, that I also have the superior leading skills. The only reason I didn't claim it, was that it would only hinder me."

Lehid wanted to shout something into his face as she heard another voice calling "I would also like to offer myself for this mission!" and they turned to see a red Skeith stepping forward "I am Cross. And I am a good flyer as well and a good fighter."

Cross took that chance as she figured that, if she behaves as a Skeith, she is successful with whatever they order to her and is able to enact her own ideas, she would get face to face to the Overlord. And then she can act on the orders of her true Master. Also, she is sure who the contact is, what the secret assignment is and got a plan on how to "prepare" the arrival of the Overlord. All she needs is a simple good timing. Very good timing… and getting dominance to that arrogant bird. Many things depended too that this bird doesn't get an advantage for her actions to promote herself in front the Overlord. She barely paid attention to the third Skeith, a green one named Erson who stepped forward for the mission. As in her mind, he is properly going back for the report… Rivali is more in her interest for some reason. Something was off on him and she should take a close watch to him.

She has the bad feeling he has seen him somewhere before... and not in a good way.

Overlord: Rise of Darkness

"Where is that damn letter?" asks Steadfast, moving up and down irritated in the war room of the place where also Princess Arlene, Lord Sindir and Humilia. "it has been days since the last report, namely the first victory against the Overlord! What is Castian doing?"

Looking down on the map Humilia tapped at the spot from where said the last report came in "Knowing Castian, it could be that the final blow against the Overlord must be so crushing that he instantly set out to capture the rough Lords, which only should have very little defenses left according to the intel from Minus. May he have escaped the flames of hell."

"his soul escaped the eternal burns the moment I ended the sinful life of his in the name of our Goddess." countered Steadfast then rubbed his chin "But I think you're right. Castian must have turned very anxious after that Victory and stormed forward to secure the victory. Causing even Indust to be caught in it."

"As wise as always" smiled Humilia and stood up "Then I request that I head out to meet with the rest of the army and help in claiming the tower and destroy the cursed Minion Hives to end the Overlord Threat once and for all."

Steadfast was considering that proposal "Given that the Overlord self is now either dead or severely weakened from the fight, and that even if they have a reserve army, are not able to stand up against us." then he nods "Yes. Yes, you can head out to fini-" but stopped as the doors slammed open and a man stormed in. From the uniform, it was a captain of Steadfast's troops but due blood and dirt on it, the insignia which would indicate which of the Virtue was his superior officer wasn't visible.

The knight looked shocked "Who are you and why are you storming into this meeting unannounced?"

"Forgive me Lord Steadfast. I am Captain Van under the order of Virtue Knight Castian. I am here with grave news." was the captain's explanation as he bowed down "The Virtue Knights, except for Lady Humilia, are no more."

"WHAT?" shouts Steadfast in disbelieve "How could that happen? Report!"

"It began with a cowardly attack from the air during the night. Many were wounded, including Knight Castian, while Tampar and Charity got killed. Then on the next day, as Indust and Patriecia were preparing the cowards way out, Master Castian tried to arrest and judge them for assisting the Overlord. But they escaped." to which Steadfast sat down in shock

"Two of my most loyal... betraying me. What sinister reasons did catch up to them that they are doing that?" asks Steadfast looking up to the knight.

"I doubt that Captain Van can answer this question" quipped Humilia before turning to the captain "Continue! But only the most important parts."

"Gladly" nodded the knight "In this emergency, we began to march out instantly, leaving only the wounded, the camp and a few guards behind, marching forward to meet the Overlord's troops. However, due to the traitors warning him, he had retreated himself, forcing us to travel a few days straight without rest. We adapted the Godness Fist but the Overlord was also warned and set up ambushes. I belong to one of the few survivors as the enemy believed my death... I would have helped but with only a handful being still able to fight, it was useless. Virtue Castian and the army fell this day. I don't know the fate complete... but given what we know of the Overlord, the fate is sealed... either executed on sight or being in his dungeons, tortured for information and to please the sadistic and sick tastes of the dark master."

Princess Arlene rolled her eyes, after ensuring nobody would be caught that. "Such idiots" she whispered while crossing her arms "making the Overlord worse than he actually is to make themselves and their crimes feel better."

"I agree with you." whispered Sindir and shakes the head "While I have reasons to move against the Overlord, they are at least solid. Politics. He is grasping for straws just to justify ANYTHING to force his more and more deranged version of order into the world."

"Sadly there is only so little we could do to lessen the burdens on us and the citizen" sighs Arlene and turns her attention back to the knights.

Steadfast was sitting on the chair in shock, the fist tightens up, a clear sign that he was refusing to believe that defeat is only a matter of time now. Not to blame... for everybody the memory of the last Overlord was still fresh.

Which is wonderful ammunition for her little project...after all, he promised everybody to defeat the lines of the Overlord once and for all... and now he is back at their front door.

Thought much to her surprise the Lord stood up and slams his hand on the table. "If the Overlord is coming here... then he is going to see his own grave! We are going to deploy the Iron Knights!"

"The Iron Knights?" asks Arlene in shock, having to take hold on a chair to not fall down "There are some of them left? I thought all of them were destroyed during the last siege by the former Overlord before he was defeated."

Steadfast took a dark face "Yes most of them were destroyed by that last attack. But my Father, before he died by that attack, was able to give me the secret how to construct and power them." then the smile he is sporting made even Sindir and Humilia make a step back "And since the fall of the fifth Overlord, I have taken half of the taxes to rebuild them. While they weren't at the numbers yet like back when my father first introduced them, those we have now and those we should be able to make until the Overlord arrives should be sufficient to crush the invaders!"

Standing up from the chair he gestures to Humilia "Announce in the entire town, anybody is now under the duty to train five hours a day and help to construct new Iron Knights five hours a day! We need every single soul if we want to hold the capital and defeat the Overlord once for all! Nobody will be left out. Not even weak and fragile ones! Unless they cannot stand up by their own strength, each of them is expected to stand in the lines once the Overlord arrives!"

Hitting her chest in acknowledge, Humilia stormed out and Steadfast grinned to Arlene and Sindir "The Overlord must be weakened heavily from this victory of his... the ideal chance to crush him once and for all... as he is brushing himself to death and our impenetrable walls!"

Turning around he raised his arms "Bless our goddess as she has given me the tools of our ultimate win. After that, we will cleanse the world from all that is dark and evil. Now I have to leave and prepare the ritual to give the Iron Knights life so they would fight for the victory of good and light!" and stormed out.

Arlene and Sindir started after Steadfast until he was out of sight and the princess took a seat. "He completely lost it

"That... I have to agree," stated Sindir, holding his chest as his aid runs in with the medicine. Taking a long sip out of the bottle, the old Lord states "If he really pulls that through, that it is only a matter of time until the order of town collapses... as not a single one has the time to do his daily doings. Not even bread would be made at a constant rate. And I knew that not all of the money reaches the kings' treasury but never found why..."

"Is Steadfast even partially aware how much of our troubles we could have avoided if he had NOT taken that half of the income?" fumed Princess Arlene "my father wouldn't have to resolve with Slavery and a lot would have been used to try and improve the peoples lives." she ruffles her own beautiful made hair "The Overlord's rise would have been much slower and properly not even a considerable threat by now."

Agreeing with her Sindir looks at the princess "This is getting far out of hand... it was a grave mistake not ensuring he is watched or controlled as I were away to adapt to retrieve you from the Dwarves. If I had even the slightest suspicion about the state of his mind..."

"Don't beat yourself up." sighs Arlene looking over to him "I bet not even my father, one who trusted all of you could foresee it. Then again... all went down the drain as the Heroes became greedy." then she looks at the map "All we can do now is limit the damage. And for that, we need to figure out how to do that... after all the easiest solution needs an element removed."

"Which is too well protected as it stands now." nodded Sindir and stroke his beard, "I think we should meet later to discuss it further."

"I agree!" told the princess and leaves, to get her head clear.

Sindir who stood behind stroke his beard some more and looks at this aid. Shaking the head he spoke "No news form the Spies regarding the attack from the ones you send. It is too early."

"Still prepare for the worst case and they didn't succeed or worse too much of the Green Minions nature evolved within our subjects and are now under the Overlords Control."

"Which would include that he knows about where to search for the green hive." noted the Aid "What are your wishes regarding that?"

"Like I said... prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Let's aid the princess as she seems to be our best bet right now to get out of it relatively unscathed. At least I can properly reason with her or the Overlord. She tolerates me for being a potential political aid once it comes down to it." then he looks at his aid "Have our Spies find out about the procedure of the Iron Knights... perhaps we can influence their production to an outcome favouring our desires."

"I already thought of it and send a small scroll while Lord Steadfast were still announcing his plans."

"Sometimes you're smarter than it is healthy" laughs Sindir "Just watch out."

"I got a good master and teacher, milord." said the aid with a bow.

Overlord: Rise of Darkness

In the "guest rooms" in the Abyss Castle, the females being the current "guests" looked up as outside the sounds of unrest were heard and Isadel wondered "Is a party or so going on?"

After some more listening, Ahya the Naga, shook her head "no. I wasss here before, do sssstrike a deal with the lord ssself. No party of the Abyssss startssss with unressst with the demonssss."

"What cause of unrest?" then wondered Unor, even looking more confused as the unrest started to sound like an actual war broke out. "Are Abyss Lords at war?"

"Prey better not" was the Nagas counter "Elsssse our livesss are forfeit."

In the large fortress in the Abyss, Orlox was tasting one of his favourite wines, but then a lot of noise was heard, causing him to bounce and making part of his wine to fall on his jacket. Angry he shouted.

"WHAT IN THE HELL'S NAME IS HAPPENING?!"

A demon runs in as the castle shock in an explosion "Minions… three of them. And they are rampaging through the entire place. And our guards are simply not able to catch them. Or any of the wolves they brought along. THought one seems to enjoy to leave bombs around like he has taken an entire powder tower in his bags." scratching the head the demon continues "Another is a sociopath that makes even some of our maddest guards look jealousy at him and the third… I still don't know how he can run up a wall to get to an open window just to open a door from the inside."

Orlox began to think thoughtfully about the situation, thinking about some forms of getting them, until he got something. "Black Lobster! Paranoia! Come here!"

Soon an empty black samurai armour and a man with red clothes and a mask seeming a harlequin came into the room at his orders.

"What do you need, my lord?" Asked the black samurai armour.

"Seems that, by some twist insane decision of fate, we have three minions that are causing a lot of problems around here. I want you to capture them at any cost!" He ordered. "I will try to figure the best method for catching them."

The two bowed and head out to capture the invaders… only to find out that each time they reach where they SHOULD be, they are already somewhere else.

"You go over there!" Said Black Lobster to Paranoia, before sprinting on a direction, while the second summoned a mirror and got inside it.

As he exits it on the other side, he expected to find the minions in front of him… only to find them running on the- ceiling? Alongside the wolves?

As Paranoia's brain had rebooted from that sight, the minions and wolves have disappeared behind a door and as he runs after them… they are gone. And he heard their chaos making from… two floors above him. "How did they get up there?" Just before of summon another mirror and get inside.

A pair of demons just had the minions in front of them and went to try to get them, but just only for slam their heads to each other when they avoided being caught. Though as they recovered from their hit, they began to run… to avoid the bombs that the red one left behind, and they just jumped out of a window into a blood pool to avoid the bang. Taking their head out of the blood, one asks "Just what did they eat to get that crazy?"

"They're minions. You ever saw a minion use his brain?"

"Never but I also never saw some that mad! And since when are blue ones armed?"

A demon runs up to his lord and shouts "OUr man seems not to be able to make head and tails about their movement! Nobody managed to get them and many even wounded themselves in the process."

Orlox was thoughtful about the situation, trying to figure out how to deal with these minions. After a while then sighed loudly. "Okay, inform Black Lobster that he gets ready."

The demon thought for a moment, but then nodded."Yes, sir!" Said the demon and rushed away.

While Orlox moved to a yellow orb he had near, and placed his hands on them, while having a smug in his face.

"Dear 'residents' of the South Abyss!" Boomed Orlox's voice over all his territory. "I know that many ones of you don't want to keep suffering the tortures that all of you deserves for your actions! And many others wish to return back to the living world and leave this place! Well, don't worry any longer, my dears! As some of you could suggest, we have some, small pests, roaming around and causing problems there! The ones who take me that three different coloured pests and their pet wolves, will get my official amnesty, your sentence will expire, and start the process of reincarnation for leave the Abyss for good!"

That caused a loud uproar within the entire abyss that was even heard in the other three regions and all, really ALL who were not here by choice are rushing towards the castle to capture the three Minions… and Orlox had to realize his castle might get a bit… tight for the duration of that hunt.

Not helping that some are already trying to kill each other, if that was really possible being all them dead, to stop that others get hands on the target.

But the castle problem left to be an issue when the three minions got out the castle jumping from the window, soon being followed by all the mobs.

"Run whatever you want, stupid freaks. Here I have the worst of the worst in the known universe: Nazis, imperial stormtroopers, space invaders, the Alpha Section, Decepticons, Hydra, and that are only a part of all them. Is only a question of time." Murmured Orlox seeing the smoke caused by the chasing.

Though he has the nagging feeling that these bunches are different… perhaps elites of the Overlord? Perhaps he should ask. Maybe after of before punishing one of his wives by this outrage? On the other hand, they could be just some unruly ones that want to do their master a favour and act outside his command.