Within a dark and foreboding Castle, a great battle is raging between two opposing forces. A hulking figure, clad in demonic looking armour and wielding a large axe controls a horde of creatures made up of four monochromatic tribes, each bearing a resemblance to each other and also had a striking similarity to old folktales of Imps, Goblins and Gremlins. Suggesting that these beings could have been the inspiration for these tales.
Opposing this Monstrous Horde and their Master is a band of warriors seeking to become Legendary Heroes, by overthrowing this Dark Lord and their Army of Monsters. This group that was once thirteen members strong, had been reduced to five. A powerful Sorceress, whose spell casting was cutting swaths through the horde of creatures attempting to overwhelm the group of would-be heroes. Twin elves, one a swift-footed swordsman whilst the other was a master sharpshooter with their bow. Each of them where working with the Sorceress to decimating the creatures and open a path though them to their Master, and allow the groups two remaining members a chance to fight the person who commanded these little demons.
The final two members of the band of heroes was a barbarian of a man, wielding a great sword from the frigid lands of the Northern Realm, and their partner who was a skilled thief from the blistering desserts. These two would engage this Evil Knight in combat, the barbarian intending to pressure them physically in melee combat whilst the thief would use their skills to weaken their enemy using hit and run tactics whilst also attempting to remove whatever mystical artefacts the Horde's Leader was using to bolster their physical abilities, anything that granted them access to magical power, and if possible whatever allowed them to command the Legion of Minions at their beck and call.
The Sorceress conjured a wave a flames and launched it forward to burn a path through the horde of creatures. The amphibious looking blue creatures rapidly coated themselves in magical energy and quickly flitted between their cousin tribes to escape the flames.
Some of the brown skinned creatures who bore the strongest resemblance to stories of goblins and gremlins stayed put to meet the flames as they belonged to the physically toughest of the four tribes of creatures whilst others of their ilk used their strength to help their green skinned reptilian looking cousins escape the torrent of fire by using their arms to spring board the acrobatic and sneaky creatures, increasing their leaping distances.
The red skinned creatures, bearing the most demonic appearance and being the apparent inspiration for the folktales of imps, manoeuvred themselves to intercept the flames and embrace them. These beings were immune to fire and were capable of absorbing them. However the heroes knew this and had used the knowledge to force the red creatures into a position where the archer could get a clear shot at them. Thinning out the Horde.
They had approached the home and stronghold of the one bearing the title of Overlord, and sought to dethrone this malicious self-proclaimed ruler and conquer, believing that they were prepared and that their group of thirteen would be more than a match for this dark figure and the horde of creatures that served under them. They had learned the history of those that previously bore the title, heard the legends and accomplishments of the titles current bearer, and had even learned everything available regarding the artefacts commonly found in an Overlord's possession including the creatures that served them. The Minions.
However the Minions were more dangerous than they had anticipated and the Overlord more challenging than they could have predicted. The Overlord's military tactics with his army of Minions, combined with both the different magic spells they had at their disposal and their weapon skills had easily cut down over half of their team.
The heroes were becoming desperate and were now acting more recklessly to accomplish their goal of defeating the Overlord. The Barbarian and Thief rushed forward, following in the wake of the Flames cast by the Sorceress. The Archer's arrows whooshing past them and felling the Red Minions that attempted to block their path to their Master.
The Sorceress let out a sudden scream as several of the Green Minions used their stealth and acrobatic skills to get past the Elven Swordsman who had been attempting to keep the various Minions from harming the only remaining Magic User within their team, and pinned her to the ground. Their claws and wrist bound metal blades poised to stab and slash various parts of her body. The Sorceresses' scream distracted the two elves, allowing the Brown and Green Minions to grab and restrain them both.
However all was not yet lost for the Heroes. The Fire Spell that the Sorceress cast had carved a path almost all the way to the Overlord. Besides the few Red Minions the archer had not eliminated within the magically carved path, a mere three rows of Brown Minions separated the Thief and Barbarian from the Overlord.
With nimble hands, the Thief tossed a few explosives towards them. The Brown Minions all leapt and piled atop of them, smothering the explosion with their bodies to protect their Dark Lord, and both the Thief and Barbarian were finally able to able to breach the Horde of Minions. Finally entering the twenty foot wide open space the Overlord had reserved for himself within the heart of the Horde.
"So you've forced you're way into my domain, and fought you're way through my Minions to reach me only to leave yourselves completely surrounded." came the Overlord's gruff voice. "You've sacrificed your comrades to get to this point, if any of you were doing this for your own selfish desires rather than for the Greater Good I may have seen your efforts as being worth some praise and respect."
"I'm here for revenge. You destroyed my home and I wanted a chance to make you pay for it in blood. Joining this heroic crusade meant I had a better shot at it" The Barbarian retorted.
The Thief gave a tired shrug. "I thought I could sell some of your Mystical Artefacts if I survived. We may have joined this crusade to eliminate you, as you have enslaved or destroyed our homes… but us" Gesturing to themselves and the Barbarian, "are more in the morally grey area when it comes to Good vs. Evil."
"Minions, bring their remaining allies forward." The Overlord raised his left gauntlet and a ethereal horn sounded alongside his command. "I'm curious to see if that's true. Kill the comrades that got you here, and I will give you both a chance at what you seek."
"He lies!" screamed the Elven Archer as they were dragged forward alongside their twin and the Sorceress. Each of them had been restrained by a group of ten Minions. With Red and Green Minions ready to burn and stab them at the smallest attempt at escape, if they could slip past the brute strength of the Browns. The Sorceress had also been gagged to try and prevent her using any verbal evocations for her magic.
"The Overlord would never grant you your wishes, he only wants to spread his Evil ways." The Archer continued. Ignoring the frustrated and defeated looks on the other supposed heroes being held prisoner by the Minions. .
"How will killing them give me my revenge against you?"
"If you do, then I'll fight you one on one. None of my Minions will get involved." The Overlord replied to the Barbarian.
"What about me selling you're stuff?"
The Overlord let out a chuckle "I'll give you a chest of Enchanted Objects to take away with you. Plus you will be required to leave my Domain before my duel with your friend if you accept"
The Thief and Barbarian shared a look. Each considering if the killing of the people they had fought alongside to get here was worth it. The Thief consider his interaction with those he travelled with, focusing on the way the Eelf Archer had belittled and berated him for the duration of the time together in a group. Finding his resolve, they withdrew a dagger and calmly approached the Archer. Suddenly ramming the blade into their throat.
"You were always a pretentious and judging prick. However, I am a survivor." They gave the dagger a twist. "Unlike you, my morals won't get in my way."
The Thief pulled the dagger from the Elf's throat and let him die, a brief flicker of magical energy visible in the dead Elf's eyes as his life faded. The Minions dropped the Corpse as soon as it stopped twitching. His Swordsman twin let out a few silent sobs at losing his brother whilst seething at the thief's betrayal and their own failure. His eyes giving a brief sheen of red energy.
The Overlord laughed, unaware of the minute magical energies given off by the elves. Raising his left gauntlet which had a glowing crystal embedded within it, a ethereal horn sounded. A group of his brown Minions responded to the noise and brought forth a Chest full of enchanted Jewellery that thrummed with mystical energies.
"These Minions will escort you outside and help you load your spoils onto a horse drawn cart that will be waiting for you. Once the Cart is loaded you must leave the vicinity of my castle within 5 minutes. Otherwise my Minions will kill you and reclaim these items from you."
The Thief merely nodded and followed the Minions away from the Overlord and his former comrades. Wishing only to put this ordeal behind them, and how to turn these items into riches and help him to forget his time with this supposedly heroic group.
The Barbarian watched him leave, still contemplating on the Overlord's offer of the lives of the people he fought and bleed with to get here, in exchange for a more personal fight against the Overlord without needing to worry about the little monsters that served his every whim joining the fray.
"If I do take your offer and kill one of my comrades…what will happen to the other?" The Barbarian queried.
A raspy chuckle sounded from within the Horde as an elderly and greying brown minion stepped into the clearing. It's back stooped, wrapped in heavy cloths and a glowing stone suspended from a rod strapped to it's back.
"Well I can think of a few uses for the Sorceress"
The Overlord's gaze snapped to the creature, and the heroes saw his eyes harden whilst looking at the unusually well spoken and ancient looking Minion.
"That is not your place to decide Gnarl, your role is an advisor only. We are past the stage were you are needed to provide guidance and instructions for someone new to the role, and if you make a decision for me again. I'll ensure you regret it."
Gnarl let out a shiver of fear, even as a pleased look flickered across his face.. "Of Course, Sire."
"Besides, I can see the conviction in this warriors eyes. If he has the strength and skill to back it up, he could easily leave me maimed even with the Horde supporting me in combat. If he were able to slay me…he could be a potential successor if you could shift him from a Neutral Alignment and further away fro the side of the Light."
"Surely you jest my Lord!" Gnarl exclaimed. "We wouldn't dare dream of serving someone who overthrew you as part of the forces of Light and the Greater Good"
The Overlord's glare deepened as his gaze burrowed into Gnarl. "That's a lie and we both know it. You served a former Hero who became know as the Infernal Overlord. Even if it was part of the Previous Overlord's plans to corrupt the Heroes and turn them against the others whilst quietly taking over the body of one of their party. You still served a former Hero and willing sided with them when he proved superior to his predecessor who had cheated death and incited a Civil War among the Minions."
As the Overlord and Gnarl bickered a wisp discreetly left the dead elf's body and entered the Sorceress who shudder as the wisp merged with her and clenched her eyes shut, unintentionally preventing anyone from seeing them glow temporarily.
The Barbarian shifted his weight considering if the Overlord was distracted enough for him to safely strike the dark lord. He tensed his muscles and was about to take the risk and lunge at the Overlord, but without removing his glare from the diminutive grey creature that served as his advisor, the Overlord pointed his axe at the Barbarian's face. Letting him know he was aware and ready to retaliate.
"I know you're eager to take a swing at me, but my advisor seems to think themselves superior to me when their entire species was created to serve a master"
A ball of magical energy rushed forth from the Sorceress's whilst the Overlord's attention was divided. Everyone's head snapped towards the sudden ball of light as it emerged and made a beeline for the Overlord. They swung their Axe into the ball, expecting to cleave through a magical attack, however the weapon passed harmlessly through the object before the glowing energy sunk into the Overlord's chest and the ghostly image of the slain elf archer could briefly be seen overlapping the Overlord's body.
The Overlord grunted as his body jerked erratically and the gem within his left gauntlet began chaotically shifting through various colours. The possessed Overlord raised the control gauntlet above their head and the ethereal horn sounded for a moment as his intent was magically sent to his Minion Horde, before suddenly and rapidly alternating both the pitch and tone. Which locked all the Minions in place as the horn sound kept sending confusing and contradicting messages straight into their psyche on what their master was instructing them to do.
From the Overlord's lips came the strained voice of the recently slain Elf. "End Him Now! I can't hold Him for long!"
The Barbarian let out a Roar as he swung his Great sword, and severed the Overlord's left arm. Cutting of the phantom horn sounds, but also preventing the Overlord from controlling his Minion Horde. The Barbarian then followed this up with a heavy blow directly into the Overlord's torso, by cleaving through the armour at his shoulder down to the centre of his chest.
The Barbarian then wrenched his great sword from the Overlord's chest and with a spinning strike, decapitated him. The Overlord's head bounced along the stone floor as the Minions stared in shock, and the ghost of the Elf Archer unprocessed the Overlord's body. Raw magical power that had been drained into the spectre from the Sorceress and Overlord swirled around him.
"The Overlord is no more," came the spirit's voice. "You creatures are without a Master… and with what little understanding of the Magic I have been able to borrow from your Ex-Master and my Associate…You are Banished!"
A powerful pulse of magic radiated outward from the Elf Ghost and almost every Minion present was turned into orbs of light that corresponded with their Tribe and rapidly disappeared. The Minions that appeared to be unaffected by this display of magic were Gnarl, 2 of his fellow Brown Minions, and 2 members each for the other tribes.
The Brown Minions still standing alongside Gnarl were another whose colour had begun to turn towards a greyish hue who wore a Jester Hat, carried a Cane and had painted white symbols on it's body. The other had the regular healthy colouration of a younger Brown Minion, whilst carrying a Hammer and wore a Blacksmith Mask. The Blue Minions were represented by a light pale blue member who was wearing brown robes and carrying a Scythe, alongside a younger tribe member who had arcane runes tattooed on it's hands and forearms.
From the Red Minions stood a vibrant skinned member of the tribe whose ram like horns had been given a metallic coating, beside him stood his elder whose red skin had a more ashen appearance and both of it's horns had been broken in an asymmetrical fashion. The Green Minions that remained were another young and old looking pair. The elder's colouration had taken a yellowish hue, and it's left arm was missing from the elbow down, having been replaced by a metal hook. The younger of them had a small amount of moss growing on it's chest and green, poisonous vapours were released on each of it's exhalations.
As the Barbarian and Sorceress watched in mute shock, the Elven Swordsman rose up and approached his twin. "Brother… how much control do you have?"
"Enough… but this borrowed power will quickly tear my spirit apart without a body.. Even though the power is temporary."
"We were two souls in mirrored bodies… perhaps we could be twinned souls sharing a body."
The Ghostly Elf smiled at his brother, and then flew into his body. A shimmer of magic wrapped around them and then rapidly faded.
The elf looked a little disoriented as he spoke to the still mute Sorceress and Barbarian.
"This is strange, we are sharing all memories, but can distinctly tell which belongs to who… although speaking and movement seems to require an effort on both of our parts… in time we may not need to function in unison."
"Foolish," came the Elder Blue Minion's gurgling voice. "there are ways to cheat death that are permitted, and those that are forbidden.. This is most definitely forbidden"
"What have you done?" The Sorceress added in shock. "Stealing magic and knowledge. Intending to permanently possess the body of another, even if willing given… your rapidly falling to the same level of Evil as these foul creatures"
"We admit, that the anger at that no good Ruborian Swindler made Us act rashly… but after Our brief stint in the Overlord's body We realise that as much as We wish to destroy everything that permits this Champion of Evil to keep coming back… it's better to keep the Devil you know rather than risk the rise of something new and unpredictable."
Whilst the Sorceress, and the merged Elves spoke. The Barbarian approached the body of the fallen Overlord. He picked up the Axe and gave it a few test swings. Placing onto his belt, the warrior then stripped the Mystic Gauntlet from the severed arm and removed the tri-pointed helm from the decapitated head.
"Do these need to be destroyed or can they be kept as proof of what we achieved?"
"Destroy the gauntlet" replied the Elves. "They can replace it, but it will help delay their return by at least a few decades. The helm could be kept as a trophy, but might draw the wrong attention if anyone recognises it."
The Barbarian shrugged, and the stomped on the Overlord's helm several times causing it to dent and buckle slightly before kicking it away, where fell into some water and was swept away. They then tossed the Gauntlet to the Sorceress.
"You might be best to handle that. Don't trust whatever that crystal might do."
The Sorceress closed her eyes and with a whisper of arcane words, the crystal shattered and the gauntlet rusted and fell apart.
"That was the last of my power. If someone hadn't drained my Mana Pool we could have transported back to the Opal Bastion"
"We can create a portal for you both to return to the Bastion, however we will remain here and use what's left of Our burrowed magic to delay the Overlord's return as much as We can. there are Relics around which we can strip of their arcane power or destroy them outright. Anything that can't be eliminated shall be scattered around the various lands… much like I believe the Minion Tribes are currently attempting" The dual elves stated suddenly turning a glare towards to Minions that were not banished .
It was at that moment the Sorceress and Barbarian noticed that the most vibrantly coloured of each tribe had went missing. Leaving behind the five Minions whose less vibrant colours implied they were of an advanced age amongst these creatures..
The one who the Overlord had addressed as Gnarl smirked. "This is not the first time we've lost a Master, and wither by our own hands or another's our tribes have been forced to scatter and hide ourselves away multiple times until we can reunite under the banner of a new Dark Lord."
The Blue Minion took over from this point. "Each of us you failed to banish are the most Elite of our Tribes, and our more able bodied counterparts have already begun the process of evacuating our Tribes."
The crackling voice of the Red Minion continued ,"Plus we've now removed one of the sources of the Overlord's power from the castle and secured it away safely. As long as it survives, we five are tethered to it and can't be killed."
A hissing laugh came from the Green. "Unlike our Fellow Minions, as we provide a Vital Role to our Overlord, we are not bound the same way."
"You've moved all of your Hives and an Relic already!?" The twinned Elf exclaimed
"Of Course," The jester capped Minion replied in a brogue voice. "You've peeked into our Master's mind, so you should know. No matter how much you break, or hide our things. There is one thing we prove and love to say."
The elf of twin souls glared and grit his teeth. He gestured for the Barbarin and Sorceress to stand next to him as they opened a portal for them all to step though and then began casting several gigantic and overlapping magical glyphs on the ground "Once We leave through this Portal, the Glyphs will activate. Anything with a touch of the Arcane will be rendered permanently inert, and this Castle will be forced to sink and collapse beneath the gound. We hope you all rot."
Gnarl chuckled dryly as he smiled smugly at having outplayed the heroes even in being defeated temporarily, never once fearing how badly they would be set back if the Elf's parting gift was even half as effective as they hoped their magic would be. After all, "Evil always finds away."
Author's Note: I hope any readers enjoyed their first taste of my Idea for an Overlord Story. This is set after the Events of "Overlord 2", but is also an AU due to Canon Divergence. "Overlord: Fellowship of Evil" does not occur in the Universe I'm attemtping to build for this story.
I have a few ideas in mind for where i want this story to go, and for those who wish to join for this jouney i hope it proves to be interesting and fun. Be warned, updates will likely be sporadic. Until next time.