AN: I would like to apologize for the long wait. School has been a bitch recently. But, I'm going to start working on chapter 4 as soon as I post this, so it will probably be up either today or tomorrow. Also, ShadowFlex, I would like to apologize about not approaching you first. I should have. Sorry.
The oath only took about twenty minutes for everyone to complete. It had to be done one at a time, or else the binding spell would not activate. At least, that's what the gate guardians said.
Once everyone was done, they were immediately escorted away from the fountain. After walking through another [Gate] spell, they found themselves outside a giant doorway. If one were to be forced to name them, it would most likely be "The Gates of Reckoning." Intricate carvings decorated both sides of the doors; a beautiful goddess on the right and a cruel-looking demon on the left. Countless ominous-looking statues were arrayed around them. It also seemed to be the source of the singing they were hearing. The group didn't even notice when their 'escorts' had suddenly disappeared.
After a few moments, Fluder cleared his throat. "Beyond these gates lay the presence of a god. You are to do exactly as I do when we get in there, and do not speak unless you are directly pointed out. Understood?"
The rest could only nod in fear and anticipation. They had already come this far, they couldn't turn back now. After Fluder was made aware of their resolve being stiffened, he walked up, and set his hand on the set of doors.
It didn't look like he even touched them, and they started opening on their own. As more and more of the room was revealed to them, they could only feel an extreme sense of inadequacy as they took in the picture. It was a room, about 25 meters high, and almost seemed like it could have been a nave of sorts, just without the pews. The walls were decorated with murals of different heteromorphic creatures, each giving off an aura of power.
Along the center carpet were 42 different pillars, none being exactly the same, as if each were designed by different people without the knowledge of what the others were doing. On 41 of them hung flags, each displaying a different crest. In front of the 20 pillars furthest from them were different angelic beings, each of power that was unthinkable to the members of the group. And they were singing. They were being used as a personal choir for the being that had drawn their attention from the beginning.
It was seated upon an obsidian black throne, crystalline in nature. It's back was about ten meters in height, and detailed to the point where it was almost unrecognizable as being made of stone.
Next to it floated a staff made of pure gold, it's base curving and coiling like a snake, until reaching the top in seven snake heads, each holding a different colored crystal ball in their mouths and looking like they were screaming in agony.
However, even these feats of design and beauty couldn't capture the eyes of the beholders; the main attraction was just too… interesting.
What sat on the throne could only be described as death incarnate. A skeletal being, adorned in the finest robes possible, being a mix of midnight purple that was very mistakable for black and a dark blue that rivaled the ocean in deepness, that opened around the chest to expose the ribcage. Inside of where the intestines would be, if it were alive, there was a floating red orb that emanated an aura of power that even the angels couldn't stand against.
On it's shoulders were horns that essentially doubled it's frame. Around its neck was a gold ring, which would typically come off as gaudy, but it somehow worked. Each of it's fingers were adorned in intricate rings that were magical in nature, but also served to round out it's appearance.
However, even with it looking like the ruler of death, as it slept, one could only compare it to an old man. Someone who had lived a long time and had many regrets, but an equal amount of stories to tell. This idea was only reinforced by the aura filling the room, an aura that only the most depressed people on the planet could hope to even come close to.
As the group neared, some of the angels glanced at them, but immediately turned back to their ruler. They were about two meters away from the steps leading to the throne when Fluder suddenly stopped and knelt down. The others followed suit immediately. He suddenly started muttering to himself, as if weighing the pros and cons of taking an action. From what happened next, he obviously decided to.
"My master, The True Lord of Death, Reaper of Souls, we make this plea so that you may soon awaken, and re-take your rightful throne as the Supreme Overlord of this world!" Fluder's chant seemed out of character, as he probably used 'God of Magic' as a title instead, but the rest of the group could tell that it was meant to awaken the slumbering deity.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl, with what was only a few seconds feeling like days to the kneeling group, as the sleeping god finally awoke.
Inside the eye sockets of the bare skull, one could faintly make out a pair of red lights slowly manifesting. From barely noticeable to completely ablaze, that was the sign that the Supreme Being known as Ainz Ooal Gown was coming to.
Finally, he slowly tilted his head up, and raised a hand to silence the choir of angels.
"My beloved children, long have you awaited my awakening, singing to me as I slept. I thank you for spending your precious time with me. It is finally time for your well deserved rest. Please, return to your rooms and do whatever you need to do. Although, I'm afraid I will eventually have to call upon you for your services once more. Please forgive me." He spoke with a voice that could only be described as indomitable, yet also gentle in a way. It almost seemed as if he were a loving father comforting a child. This shook the members of the mortals to the core.
Once the last angel had left the room, he turned his gaze unto the ones who awoke him. "Now then, to the matter at hand. First, I believe I should welcome you. I am Ainz Ooal Gown. I do hope you enjoy your stay." To the unintelligent, it would seem like he was taking up a sarcastic and annoyed tone, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. In all honesty, his mind was still a bit foggy after waking. "I was hoping not to be disturbed for at least a little while longer… but it's already done. So, how can I help you?" At this point, his control was coming back, and he started taking up a kingly, yet kind tone -to the surprise of the mortals.
They had previously decided that it would be Rampossa to explain their situation. He had volunteered for it, using the logic that as the oldest there, he was the most expendable. However, now that he was face to face with this GOD, he found himself struggling. In an attempt to calm himself, he swallowed before giving his summary of the situation.
"Th-the Slane Theocracy has declared war on essentially all the other countries as a result of us refusing to join their war on the demi-humans and dragon lords. While if it were any other country, we would have been fine, the Slane Theocracy is in possession of many godkin, who, if fully equipped, could destroy a nation single handedly. As such, we have no other way out than to beg for your help, o' Ruler of Death."
Ainz pondered this for a moment, looking to Fluder for confirmation, who nodded in agreement. His thoughts were interrupted by a terrified Draudilon, who was hastily saying "Please, sire. Fluder has told us a bit of your power and unending mercy. We must implore you to accept, as without your help, the rest of the world will likely be destroyed!"
Ainz stroked his chin once more, as if trying to remember something. "Ah, yes. This is the country founded by those six stooges, right? I could never understand their reasoning behind protecting that group of lunatics…" He let out a tired sigh, something which surprised those present. However, what truly shocked them was Ainz referring to the Six Great Gods as 'those six stooges.' Yes, most present only believed in the Four Elemental Gods, but that was a subsection of the church of the Theocracy, which meant that he just insulted the gods that most of them believed in so much.
Most had enough common sense to keep quiet about it, so as to not incur his wrath, but one of their numbers didn't have that in mind.
To the dismay of the others, Remedios bolted upright, unsheathing her sword as she shouted at the top of her lungs, "THE FUCK DID YOU JUST SAY, FITHY UNDEAD?"