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RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth
Chapter 43: The Third Overlord
The battle ground to a halt. The massive cloud of darkness lifted and focused in on the hill where the Second Overlord and the Usurper had fought. Standing there, gathering the power was the Second Overlord. On the ground next to him was the dead body of the Usurper. What was most surprising was the one standing in front of the Overlord. Dorian Gintus, the Grimm Shifter.
He was glaring at the Overlord. The Overlord just stared down at him. The silence that entrenched the battlefield was deafening. Peregrine made his way closer. Not a word was being said as the two just stared down each other. Draconem landed next to the old king.
Yang, Weiss and Blake made their way over. Ruby stood next to Dorian. Resolute and ready to strike at a moment's notice. Dorian slowly lowered Memento Mori until the tip of the blade rested in the dirt. Grimm that had battling earlier gathered around the two beings, the authority the two of them radiated demanded that it be done. Even Peregrine and Draconem felt obliged to obey the unspoken command. The sheer amount of negative emotions would have been enough to satiate the entire species for days. Anger, rage, sadness, betrayal, animosity, and a slight tinge of fear.
The tension was palpable, yet not one single being dared to break the silence. A ring had formed around Dorian and the Second Overlord.
"It is good to see you again Dorian." The Overlord broke the silence.
"I almost wish I could say the same, Altdor." Dorian responded.
"Then why don't you?" Altdor asked.
"Because the last time we spoke, you abandoned me. You were fully willing to let me fall to my death." Dorian answered quite stoically.
"I had to preserve myself, Dorian. However, I'm not lying. It is good to see you again." Altdor said. "I admit, I am quite pleased you survived that fall."
"So am I." Dorian replied.
"Enough of the pleasantries, Dorian. You have something of mine." Altdor said.
"If you refer to the Tenebrae Absoluta, then you are mistaken. Just as the Nobilis Lux rightfully belongs to Ruby, the Tenebrae Absoluta rightfully belongs to me." Dorian said.
He's not going to give it up. You will have to challenge him for it.
He's not going to give it up. You will have to challenge him for it.
"You named the power?" Altdor asked.
"Yes. You once said that 'the light may be noble, but the darkness is absolute.' I just pulled the name from there." Dorian answered.
"That is a good name. Nonetheless, you are mistaken. The Tenebrae Absoluta belongs not with you, but with me." Altdor answered. "We can either do this the easy way or the hard way. No matter what, it will be mine once more."
You can't accept help for this.
You can't accept help for this.
"Ruby." Dorian got her attention. "Got to our team. If this is to be won, I have to fight him alone."
"Dorian, you can't-" Ruby began.
Dorian silenced her with a raised palm. "I must. Caligo has informed me that this is the way it must be. I will still need you, but I have to fight him on my own. We can't double team him like we did with Salem."
"Please, don't." Ruby said.
"I have to. Don't worry. I'll win. I can't afford to lose." Dorian responded with a small kiss.
Dorian looked and nodded at Peregrine; a silent command sent to the old Grimm. Peregrine returned the nod and Dorian pushed Ruby towards the first king of Vale. Ruby, being wholly unprepared for the momentum, stumbled and fell towards Peregrine. Peregrine caught and held her back as she tried realized what was happening. The grip of the Gallorook was too strong for her to break.
"Your choice?" Altdor prompted.
Dorian took a deep breath and pulled lifted his blade. Raising it towards Altdor's throat, he glared at the Overlord.
"I, Dorian Lycan Gintus, stake my claim on the Tenebrae Absoluta! I challenge the Second Overlord of the Grimm for the right to be the Overlord, and for the power that comes with it. This day your blood shall spill, and the sun shall rise on the reign of the Third Overlord of the Grimm." Dorian spoke.
"The hard way it is then." Altdor muttered. "Then I shall answer in kind with my own claim on power and position. I, The Second Overlord of the Grimm, accept your challenge."
Dorian's glare turned into a grin. Altdor summoned a blade of darkness and locked it with Memento Mori.
"I should like that sword back when this is over." Altdor finished.
The two combatants stood in silence with their blades locked. The silence was, again, deafening.
"To the death." Dorian said.
"To the death." Altdor responded with a little growl in his voice.
"Interesting." Peregrine muttered from the sidelines.
Dorian disengaged from the locked blades and swung his sword at Altdor's head. Altdor ducked and returned with a strike at Dorian's midsection. The Grimm Shifter back stepped to avoid the blow before dashing in and striking at Altdor with multiple fast, if shallow swings. Altdor powered through the flurry of attacks, either letting the blade glance of his armor or blocking it with his blade.
Altdor swung the blade of darkness at Dorian, who rolled out of the way. Dorian countered with a strike to Altdor's forearm. He followed with a strike aimed at Altdor's side. Altdor parried the blade and threw Dorian off balance for a brief second. Altdor capitalized on the stun with several overhead strikes that Dorian struggled to block. The shifter rolled to escape the third strike. Altdor's blade slammed into the red earth. He glared at Dorian. Dorian cracked his neck and lowered his body, readying himself for the next attack.
Altdor dissipated his sword and summoned a new one as Dorian rushed the Overlord. Dorian slashed at Altdor's side and continued past, only spinning back to the Overlord once he was out of reach of the Overlord's own blade. Dorian made the same move again. Altdor saw it coming and dodged out of the way. He attempted to parry Dorian as he tried a similar strike as the two, he just did.
"You have to let me go and help him!" Ruby pleaded with Peregrine from the sidelines.
"Can't do that." Gallorook responded.
"Why not?" Weiss asked.
"This is something Dorian has to do alone." Peregrine answered.
"Has it ever been done like this before?" Yang asked.
"Uh, well, no. It's never been done at all." Peregrine answered as Dorian rolled to avoid a slash from Altdor. "No being has ever challenged an Overlord for their power in such a direct way as Dorian has. Most would have done it like the False Overlord did. Backstabbing, sneak attacks, the like. By challenging him openly like this, Dorian is, I assume, legitimizing his claim. Killing the Overlord in open combat like this certainly adds weight to the authority over the Grimm he would gain."
"But he can't kill Altdor." Ruby cried as Dorian locked blades with Altdor.
"Why not?" Peregrine asked.
"Only a silver eyed warrior can kill an Overlord, it's what we are born to be. The direct antithesis to the Overlord of the Grimm." Ruby answered through tears.
"That's…" Peregrine trailed off. "Oh, dear."
"What do we do?" Yang asked.
"I think it's more of a question of what can we do?" Blake replied as Altdor threw Dorian back.
"What do you mean?" Weiss asked.
"Well, let's look at the facts here. This is a duel between a man and a Grimm fighting for a power and an authority that would essentially make them a god." Peregrine began. "Altdor is extremely talented and powerful in his own right, and he doesn't even have the entirety of the Tenebrae Absoluta. Dorian, meanwhile, is resourceful and tricky. He relies more on his skill with his weapons than the power gifted to him. If he were to let loose with that power, well, anyone trying to help him would just be getting in the way."
'And Altdor wouldn't hesitate to kill any of you if you tried to help him and got in his way.' Draconem finished.
"So, for now, all we can do is watch and hope." Peregrine said, releasing Ruby from his grasp.
The disparity in fighting styles between Dorian and Altdor could not have been more pronounced in any other setting. Altdor would easily tank Dorian's attacks and show no sign of it affecting him. Dorian just rolled and dodged Altdor's. It was really a battle of agility versus strength. Fast and weak vs strong and slow. Granted, Altdor really wasn't that slow… and Dorian couldn't dodge forever.
Altdor parried a thrust from Dorian and immediately countered with a punch to the face. Dorian fell back on the defensive. Altdor pressed his advantage and made a multitude of attacks on Dorian's flanks. The Grimm Shifter struggled to block the attacks. The last strike made it through Dorian's defense and slashed his side. The girls watched in horror as Dorian's aura shattered. Dorian winced but said nothing. A small trickle of blood seeped from the shallow cut.
Dorian scowled. He would never win by blade alone. Calling forth the Tenebrae Absoluta, Dorian countered Altdor with darkness infused punch to the Overlord's helm. One of the small horns on the side of Altdor's head broke off and fell to the ground. Dorian smirked and gathered darkness in his right hand.
The Overlord looked at the fallen horn. He cracked his neck and stared down at Dorian. Following Dorian's example, he called forth his own power. Bending the shadow to his whim, Altdor summoned dark spires from the ground. Dorian struggled to dodge the attack before rushing the Overlord. Altdor formed a second sword from the darkness in his off hand and blocked Dorian's strike.
Dorian pulled back and tried a thrust at Altdor's heart. The Overlord deflected the blade and returned with a kick to the chest. Dorian was sent sprawling to the ground, groaning in pain. That kick had probably broken a rib or two. He'd be feeling that again in the morning.
The Grimm Shifter slowly pulled himself to his feet. If he had them, one Altdor's eyebrows would have been raised. Dorian raised his blade and charged at the Overlord again. Altdor shrugged and struck with one of his blades. Dorian blocked the strike, but Altdor was already swinging with his second blade. Dorian released one hand on Memento Mori and summoned a blade of his own from the darkness. His blade was rather shoddy, but it did its job well enough.
Altdor scowled at Dorian. He released one of his blades. The sudden lack of an opposing force on Memento Mori caught Dorian off guard. The Grimm Shifter fell to that side as Altdor decked him in the face with the hilt of his still held sword. The blow was followed up by a slash across the chest. Blood was seeping from the wound. Altdor Sparta kicked Dorian in the chest. Again, he was sent sprawling to the ground. He felt another rib break.
"Give up Dorian." Altdor said as Dorian struggled to his feet. "You can't win."
It was impressive. The Grimm Shifter, despite obvious difficulty, raised his blade once more.
"I don't have to win." Dorian answered. "I just can't stay down."
Dorian attempted to charge the Overlord again. With the pain, shattered aura, and broken ribs, though, it wasn't very fast or intimidating. He raised his blade to strike Altdor. The Overlord easily blocked it. With a deep sigh, he headbutted Dorian. A gash opened on his face. Dorian swung with the might he had left at Altdor's side. Altdor easily deflected the blade and roundhouse kicked Dorian. Again, Dorian was sent sprawling in front of the girls. His breathing had grown heavy and labored.
"You never stood a chance Dorian." Altdor stated. "Even when I was housed in your mind, you relied on me for so much. So many battles where you used my strength, my power to win. All the while, you were quite protected. Nevertheless, I must admit, your tenacity has impressed me."
Altdor paused, before continuing in an almost pleading tone. "It is admirable, but I ask of you to stay down. Stay down and I shall let our… your team go free. No pain, no harm. Make your choice."
"Dorian?" Ruby asked as she knelt next to him.
Dorian coughed as Ruby helped him sit up. A small globule of blood fell from his mouth. One of his lungs was likely punctured.
"He's… right." wheezed Dorian. "I can't beat him. Not as Dorian Gintus."
"But you aren't just Dorian Gintus." Ruby said.
Dorian looked at her. She was clearly on the edge of tears.
"What?" He asked with labored breath.
"You aren't just Dorian Gintus." Ruby repeated as she pulled out the small crimson pearl Hunter had given her. "I was told to use this to remind you of who you were. I have no idea what this small trinket is, but Hunter told me it was yours."
"Hehehe." Dorian weakly chuckled. "I can't believe he kept it. Such a unique pearl."
"Dorian." Ruby said. "You aren't just Dorian Gintus."
"Ruby…" Dorian said, his vision starting to go black.
"You are Dorian Gintus, the Grimm Shifter. Dorian Gintus, the Third Overlord." Ruby said as she pressed the small pearl into his hand.
"Ruby." Dorian weakly repeated.
"Dorian Gintus that I love." Ruby finished with a small kiss as a tear finally fell from her eye. "Show him who you are and come back to me."
Ruby helped him stand. Once on his feet, Dorian raised his sword once more. Ruby backed up to the girls.
"Your choice then?" Altdor prompted.
Dorian looked at the pearl in his hand. He turned his head and glanced at the Grimm arm currently holding his blade.
"You are… right." Dorian stated slipping the pearl into his pocket.
"About?" Altdor asked, puzzled by Dorian's actions.
"I could… never… beat you." Dorian answered as he stabbed Memento Mori into the ground.
All around, Dorian could feel eyes watching him with curiosity. He pulled out one of his Grimm bone daggers. He glanced back at Ruby and winked at her.
"So, you're giving in?" Altdor asked.
"No." Dorian answered. "But you are right, I could never beat you as Dorian Gintus."
Dorian slashed the veins on his Grimm. More blood began to flow. Dorian was beginning to lose consciousness.
"But I'm not just Dorian Gintus." Dorian continued. "I am Dorian Gintus, the Grimm Shifter. And now…"
Dorian raised his bleeding Grimm wrist to his mouth and sucked the blood down. He lowered his arm and wiped his mouth. His grin turned feral as the shift took hold. For the first time, Dorian didn't feel any pain during a shift.
Altdor took a step back. The sheer amount of power radiating from Dorian as his body began an Overlord shift took him by surprise. Bones snapped, muscles popped, wounds stopped bleeding and Dorian grew. His size increased to an imposing seven and a half feet. Bone plate armor grew everywhere on his body, completely encasing him. Spines grew from the shoulder pauldrons, and a rib like structure grew along his midsection.
A cloak of flowing darkness stretched behind his back, along both arms. The symbol of a Beowolf head burning in flaming agony adorned the back of the cloak. Seven white bone spines grew from his back. Shadows appeared to connect the spines in a manner similar to electricity arcing along a tesla coil. A helm encased his head and shrouded his face in the shadows. The only visible aspect of his face, similar to Altdor, were his eyes. Unlike Altdor, however, Dorian's eyes were the same heterochromatic eyes he had as a human-Grimm hybrid. A deep royal purple left eye, and a blood red crimson right eye. Both promised death to whoever crossed him.
When the shift ended, Dorian Gintus was gone. Standing before them was Dorian the Overlord. His power literally shrouding him. Heavy bone plate armor protected his body. With deft movements, he pulled Memento Mori from the ground. The blade looked far more suited to him in his new form.
"I am Dorian Gintus, The Third Overlord of the Grimm." Dorian spoke.
Power laced his voice in a way that felt… unplanned. Unlike with Altdor, who had to consciously project power into his voice, for Dorian it was natural, like breathing.
"And you shall give me the power that rightfully belongs to me." Dorian continued as he pointed his blade at Altdor. "We can either do this the easy way or the hard way. Your choice Altdor."
Dorian didn't have to wait long as Altdor took initiative and charged Dorian. Dorian chuckled and easily blocked Altdor's attack by grabbing the blade with his hand. The heavy bone plating armor on his hand to protect his hand from the blade. Dorian didn't say anything as he pulled Altdor closer and slammed his head into Altdor's. The headbutt caught the Second Overlord off guard.
Dorian withdrew his own blade and launched at Altdor with his own flurry of attacks. Altdor found himself struggling to keep up with the rapid flurry of moves. Dorian didn't relent. The Overlord was slowly being pushed back. Dorian called forth the Tenebrae Absoluta. He willed the shadows to gather in his hands as well. With Altdor off balance, Dorian launched a spear of darkness from his hand. Altdor rolled to the side to avoid the attack. Standing up, he brushed some dirt off his shoulder and scowled.
"No more time for messing around then." Altdor said as he summoned a new blade of darkness.
Dorian just cracked his neck and got in a ready stance. Altdor ran to meet Dorian and Dorian ran to meet Altdor. Despite his new size and power, Dorian still retained much of the speed he had before. Altdor tried to slash at Dorian's head. Dorian dropped to his knees and slide under the blade while simultaneously slashing at Altdor's knee. Altdor's attacked missed while Dorian's hit home.
The sudden force to the back of his knee forced Altdor to the ground. The Second Overlord rolled onto his back to block and overhead strike from Dorian. Dorian scowled as Altdor pushed him back and rose to his feet. Altdor called forth the darkness he commanded and launched a concentrated sphere of it Dorian. Dorian backhanded the attack and let the sphere sail towards the ring of Grimm. It landed and burst into a multitude of spears, killing several Grimm.
Dorian advanced on the Overlord. Altdor kept launching attacks fueled by the Tenebrae Absoluta at Dorian. The Shifter managed to dodge or deflect them all. Once he was close enough, Altdor caught Dorian off guard with his own shadow infused fist to the face. Dorian stumbled back but recovered quickly enough to block Altdor's flurry of attacks. Each slash and thrust of Altdor's blade was deftly dodged and deflected. If Altdor that it hard to hit Dorian previously, now it was near impossible. Even as a giant, he still retained the speed he held in his normal human form.
Dorian ducked a swipe aimed at his head and slashed at Altdor's side. The Overlord yelled out in pain. Black blood began to seep through the wound. Altdor glared at Dorian.
"Oh, how the tables have turned." Dorian said.
"That power belongs to me!" Altdor yelled, once again swinging his blade at Dorian.
"Maybe it did at one point, not anymore." Dorian answered, leaning back far enough for the blade to just barely miss him. "There was a time when I called you friend."
"A foolish time it was for you!" Altdor replied in an angry voice.
"Maybe, but you have to admit, I learned a lot from you." Dorian said as he blocked another round of attacks from Altdor. "I learned a lot from while you were in my mind."
"HOW!?" Altdor yelled.
"You left behind quite a bit of knowledge when you pulled out of me. You really shouldn't have tried to flee as we fell from the top of that tower." Dorian answered.
Altdor didn't respond. The battle was no longer going in his favor. When he was just Dorian, it had been so much easier, now… now he knew how the Behemoths felt going against him so many years ago. It just made him angry.
"When I get my power back, your friends shall suffer!" Altdor nearly screamed in rage.
It was an odd experience. Dorian had never known Altdor to completely lose his cool like this. Then again, he had never known Altdor to be on the losing side of a fight either. The fact that Dorian was beating him with the power he once held dear just added insult to injury. Dorian stabbed at Altdor with the bone dagger in his hand. The small blade sunk through a gap in the bone plates into Altdor's arm. The Overlord again cried out in pain. Mixed in with the pain, though, was fury. The Overlord was angry. Pure unbridled rage. The negativity flowing from the Overlord of the Grimm was satisfying. Being mostly Grimm himself, Dorian just drank it in. The feeling of such overwhelming negativity was euphoric.
Amidst the negative emotions Dorian was drinking in, he also felt positive emotions. Hope, happiness, and love. All centered around the four girls he had grown quite close to. Being a human with powers of the Grimm had its perks. Feeling the positive emotions was far more satisfying than the negative ones.
Altdor, barely containing his rage, noticed that Dorian was distracted. He summoned a spear and threw it at the Grimm Shifter who once called him friend. The spear found its way through the armor of his right arm. The pain… actually wasn't that bad. Shifting was far more painful. Dorian looked down at the spear and willed it to dissipate. He looked up in time to see Altdor rushing at him, sword raised to strike. Dorian barely had time to backstep to avoid the attack. Altdor thrust at him. Dorian dodged and withdrew another of his daggers, this one being the Nevermore steel feather he collected during his initiation to Beacon.
Altdor in his rage, took and overhead swing at Dorian. Dorian looked up and caught Altdor's blade in a cross guard between the dagger and Memento Mori. Altdor despite the rage, was slightly shocked that Dorian was able to hold back the attack. The Second Overlord's shock turned to nervousness and slight fear as Dorian pushed him back. Dorian rose to his feet and kept Altdor's blade locked between his. Altdor felt dwarfed as Dorian kept him held down. The stalemate lasted for naught but a second.
Dorian disengaged from it. The sudden lack of an opposing force meant that Altdor could not hold balance. Dorian backed up and allowed for Altdor to stumble forward. He spun to the side and brought Memento Mori down on Altdor's arm. The sharpened DeathWalker bone blade cut through Altdor's wrist after overcoming the resistance. Dorian didn't let up as he stabbed his dagger into the back of Altdor's knee.
Altdor's blade dissolved into the ether as he landed on the ground. Altdor rolled onto his back only to feel Dorian's blade pressing into his throat. Altdor gulped in nervous apprehension. He couldn't because of the dagger in his leg, and he couldn't fight as effectively due to the fact that his dominant hand lay three feet behind Dorian.
"It seems like a lifetime ago now, but you once told me that you had chosen me to be your vessel. To be the housing for your mind and power. How does it feel to know that the vessel you chose has become the tool of your destruction?" Dorian asked him.
Altdor didn't respond he just glared at Dorian. Dorian turned and gestured at Ruby. The young reaper, realizing what needed to happen, grabbed her scythe and strode over to Dorian.
"So, are you going to kill me now? Death by decapitation?" Altdor spat.
"It is not my place to kill you." Dorian answered.
Altdor looked at Dorian questioningly. "Why?"
"Only a silver eyed warrior can truly destroy an Overlord. I just dueled you to legitimize my claim. I told you, Altdor, I am Dorian Gintus, the Third Overlord of the Grimm." Dorian answered.
Ruby stood next to Dorian. Her eyes began to glow silver. Her blade coated in Nobilis Lux.
"However, I am not totally unmerciful. Do you have any last words?" Dorian asked.
Altdor said nothing. He just glared at Dorian. Dorian sighed.
"So be it." He said and gestured to Ruby.
Ruby nodded resolutely as Dorian lowered his gaze. Ruby raised her blade and plunged it through Altdor's chest. Similar to what happened with Salem, the darkness exploded out from Altdor. The force of the explosion was far more powerful though as it shrouded the land in darkness. Dorian didn't hesitate to assimilate the power.
The Tenebrae Absoluta was once again whole, and it was his. Looking down at the body of Altdor, Dorian simply nodded his gratitude at the disintegrating body of the Second Overlord. His base nature betrayed by the lack of remains after a few minutes. Looking around, Dorian and Ruby noticed that the only beings present were themselves, Peregrine, Draconem, their team and the White Fang.
"Their gone?" Dorian questioned.
"They fled during your fight with Altdor." Weiss answered.
"Then it is done." Dorian answered.
"Yes. You, my lord, are the Third Overlord of the Grimm." Yang said.
"Please, Yang, you don't have to call me your lord. We're still friends. I'm still Dorian Gintus." Dorian said.
With a flexing of his power, Dorian felt his shift reverting. Soon enough, the same Dorian Gintus they had come to know and love, stood before them. He smiled at them.
"When did you learn that?" Blake asked. "I thought you needed a catalyst."
"Not anymore." Dorian said. "Having the Tenebrae Absoluta as complete allows me to shift between my human form and my Overlord form with no catalyst. Other shifts still require a catalyst of Grimm Blood."
'So, what now?' Draconem asked.
"We go home. I'm tired and could use a rest." Dorian answered.
"I think he was asking about us and the rest of the Grimm." Peregrine replied.
"No idea. I'll just let them be. Need to keep the Huntsmen and Huntresses in business, right?" Dorian said.
"What about us?" Adam walked up.
"I… don't know." Dorian admitted.
"I can help with your situation." Peregrine answered as he pulled Adam away, Blake not so subtly followed them.
"Draconem, you mind giving us a ride back to patch?" Dorian asked. "After that, do as you please. So long as you don't destroy any kingdoms or villages, we won't have a problem."
'I don't think we'll have a problem.' Draconem replied.
"Blake?" Ruby called as Weiss, Dorian and Yang climbed on Draconem's back.
"You go on without me. I'm helping Peregrine and Adam with the White Fang." Blake called back.
Ruby shrugged and turned back to Draconem. Looking up she saw, Dorian's hand extended to help her up.
"My lady?" He prompted.
Ruby smiled and grabbed his hand. Dorian hoisted her aboard the dragon. Dorian smiled and gently kissed her as Draconem took flight. They flew for a few hours. Being on a literal mountain sized dragon made the flight go by quite fast. Ruby remained in Dorian's arms the entirety of the flight.
The soon arrived back at the island of patch. Draconem landed a little ways away from Ruby and Yang's house. Once they had disembarked, Draconem took off and left for who knows where.
They walked for a short ways before reaching Ruby and Yang's house. They approached from the backyard. Their father must have seen them approaching as the back door flew open, and Tai Yang stood there. Ruby and Yang left Dorian and Weiss and ran to hug their dad. Dorian just smiled. He offered a halfhearted greeting before entering the house and crashing on the couch. He was out like a light before his head hit the cushion.
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Data Log UV043
Information - Thus ends the final chapter of. All that is left now is an epilogue. I plan to have it out before Christmas. After that, I shall be taking a break from writing until the new semester begins. Please leave constructive criticism. Updates to the archives take it into account, and it is greatly appreciated.
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