Disclaimer: I don't own Overlord or Dungeons & Dragons
The Greater Apotheosis of Ainz Ooal Gown
Book : Realmfall
Chapter 2: Meeting the Children
Beta:
After testing his magic from YGGDRASIL worked and that he held the loyalty of the Nazarick Floor Guardians, a task that took him a couple hours, Momonga walked out of the Great Tomb escorted by all his Floor Guardians save Victim and Gargantua to check on what Sebas Tain had discovered on the minor scouting mission he'd sent the Iron Butler on.
As he walked towards the exit of the mausoleum that housed Nazarick's above ground entrance, he could already see that Sebas had been correct in reporting that the Tomb had been transported into a massive underground cavern. The Overlord could see the roof of the cavern in the far distance through the gaps between the colonnaded entrance to the mausoleum that housed the Tomb's entrance.
"Lord Momonga, is this wise?" Demiurge, the Arch-devil with dark skin and nicely combed black hair dressed in a British suit with a tie asked, his silver tail, covered with metal plates and six long spikes at the end waving in agitation. "There is an unknown army outside. It is not sa-"
"Be calm, Demiurge." Momonga said soothingly to the Floor Guardian of the Tomb's 7th Floor. "They are merely here to pay me homage and swear their fealty or did you not hear Sebas' report?"
"That is merely what they claim, my Lord. For all we know they might be lying."
"And if they are, I have you and the other Floor Guardians to ensure my safety." Momonga said, causing the rest of their party to preen. "Though I doubt that will be necessary. Or do you doubt my judgement in this matter?"
"O-Of course not, O Supreme One! I would nev-"
"Peace, Demiurge. I understand your concern but trust in my wisdom." Momonga stopped to comfort the devil, allowing the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown that he carried with him to float freely for a moment whilst he laid a comforting hand on the Guardian's shoulder.
It was a risky move to bring the Staff whose destruction would mean the destruction of Nazarick however the Guardians had insisted he be armed to the best of his ability and that meant taking it along. It just meant he had to be very careful to keep the Staff out of danger.
"Always, my lord. Always."
Satisfied, Momonga released Demiurge and retaking the Staff continued walking towards the exit.
I wish I had his faith. Momonga thought to himself, suppressing a sigh. The only reason he was making such a risky move as meeting the army at his doorstep was he had a suspicion that they were part of the starting bonus Nameless had claimed he was giving him. While he, of course, couldn't be certain of that, he was fairly sure and was willing to make the gamble. It was not like he had much of a choice. The army was by Sebas' reckoning massive and even if through sheer attrition alone could likely have overwhelmed Nazarick's defenses. If they were hostile they were doomed. But if they were friendly as they'd claimed…
Stepping out of the mausoleum and reaching the top of the steps leading up to it, Momonga surveyed the horde of monsters that surrounded Nazarcik. At his approach Sebas who had been keeping a watchful eye on these unknowns all this time, took his rightful place behind Momonga as a butler. At the same time, the swarm of monsters all fell into submissive postures at the sight of him.
Directly ahead of him, just outside the tomb complex that served as Nazarick's above ground level - if that still applied considering their current location - and the horde of Nazarick Old Guarder skeleton warriors that had risen to defend it should the need arise, stood legions of undead mainly Skeletons, but also other types up to and including the occasional Lich. At the head of these armies of the unliving stood a cluster of what appeared to be humans. But even at a glance, Momonga could tell that there was more to them than that.
As if sensing his curious gaze, as a body the 'humans' morphed into five meter tall humanoids with a body made of bone with pieces of what looked like withered plant material hanging off their bodies in manner that reminded him of the remains of flesh, with heads that were a perpetually flaming pyre within which floated their skulls. Their clothing, all heavily enchanted, shifting to accommodate their changed shape.
Data: Life. Data: Mana. Momonga silently cast in quick succession, allowing him to view the HP and MP values of the creatures. Based on that and their general equipment, he guessed each of these unknown undead were relatively powerful creatures roughly equivalent to a level 80 creature by the standards of YGGDRASIL that specialized in magic of various kinds in addition to commander-type skills.
A fitting combination for commanders of an undead host.
There was an expectant air surrounding the whole cavern and much as Momonga wished to survey more of the varied masses arrayed before him, he decided to speak. He didn't want to keep anyone waiting and risk setting them off.
"Rise, my loyal subjects." Momonga said, his voice somehow reaching to the furthest reaches of the cavern and beyond.
As one the monstrous masses stood and the leader of the strange undead that led the legions stepped ahead of her fellows.
"Oh great Bone Father, I am Enri Emmott of the Momons."
Ah! So that's what they're caused. Judging by their name and what she calls me I think it's safe to assume Nameless forged them directly from that part of me he took.
"We the creatures of Felmid, have awaited this day, the descent of you, our god, since we were created from your essence eons ago."
I guess that explains what he meant by time travel.
"Born of your power and your will, we live to serve you O great Supreme One!"
Next to him, Momonga sensed the Nazarick Floor Guardians shuffling as they heard this Enri creature's speech. He could only imagine how they were spinning what she was saying to add to whatever misinterpreted fantasies about his godly nature and power they themselves believed in.
I wish I could correct them. But…
Doing so would be a death sentence. And despite the madness that his life was becoming he still wanted to live. As such, he was forced to play the role of the Undead God-King instead.
"All hail the Bone Father!" Enri shouted, falling to one knee once more. "All hail the one true god of Felmid!"
Her cry was immediately picked up by the undead hosts at her back as they too once more fell into poses of supplication.
"We the Momons, your children, offer our existences and those of our legions to your service from now to the end of all things." Enri said with a booming voice that was soon joined by all the many undead she represented.
Startled by the sudden declaration, Momonga could only nod. That was however more than enough it seemed and with visible joy, Enri and the Momons stood.
Momonga was wondering what was going to happen next when a voice hissed into his mind.
All hail the Bone Father! All hail the one true god of Felmid! Came a telepathic hiss not unlike the sound that resounded in his head when using the Message spell in this strange new world.
Turning to the source of this cry, Momonga saw a creature with a long slender serpentine body that ended in a bifurcated tail with a pair of long sickles at the end of long arms and an arrowhead shaped head. It was surrounded by swarms of creatures which all shared the same arrowhead shaped heads, single taloned arms, serpentine bodies and bifurcated tails but which otherwise were greatly varied. Some had gems embedded in their skin that glowed with rainbow light. Others flew on membranous wings growing from their backs. And others still looked liked they were made of living crystal. These and many, many more all bowed to Momonga.
I, the Sliver Queen, the lady of the beasts of the earth, swear my undying fealty and that of my children to our creator, the great god Momonga.
Momonga nodded in acceptance to the strange creature and felt a rush of excitement from it in return at his acknowledgement.
"All hail the Bone Father! All hail the one true god of Felmid!" A large flight of Dragons literally made out of various elements cried out in a mix of discordant roars next as with their heads bowed, they sat next to the Slivers.
"I am Deathwing, lord of the beasts of the air." The massive Dragon whose cracked earthen scales literally leaked molten lava and had metal plates bolted into his flesh along his back at the head of their ranks said, bowing his head even lower as he spoke. "And I too swear my undying fealty and that of my children to our creator, the great god Momonga."
Again Momonga offered the Dragons a nod, and like he had now come to expect yet another batch of the monsters took their turn to address him. This time they were the various aquatic creatures that filled a large lake. They were led by a massive jellyfish kaiju. Its hood had two large glowing red orbs and was covered in armored segments. Between the hood and the creature's many tentacles was a roughly spherical mass of shadows which churned with souls struggling to break free from their prison. Looking out of this darkness were a pair of malevolent humanoid eyes on either side of a wicked curved beak.
"O great god Momonga," the jellyfish said, its orbs pulsing as it manipulated sound to allow it to speak. "I Merwyrm, lord of the beasts of the depths swear my eternal loyalty and that of my subjects to you."
Momonga once more nodded and acting on some unknown instinct turned to the other side of the ranks of the Momons' legions where there was what looked to be a freshly dug tunnel. In the mouth of it, stood a quadrupedal mammal-like reptilian kaiju, with reddish-brown skin, a prominent horn on its head and floppy, dog-like ears. Its body was surrounded by a sickly blue aura made out of howling tormented souls. It was flanked on all sides by a host of bizarre creatures that carried many characteristics associated with a life underground.
With a deep bow and in a barely intelligible growl, the kaiju spoke. "Baragon, lord of the beasts of the Underdark pledges his service and those of his vassals to the great god Momonga for all eternity."
Like with those who had gone before him, Momonga gave Baragon a bow and turned to the last of the monstrous contingents arrayed outside Nazarick. These were a collection of plant people. They all looked different but each was clearly a plant or fungus of some kind that had taken a humanoid shape with Zombies or Skeletons or other undead creatures at the heart of their bodies. Towering over this walking forest was a single immensely tall specimen made of twisted roots and branches, a massive crown of leaves for hair, and a Skeleton in tattered robes seated in a wooden throne with roots entwined with its bones where a human head should have been.
"I Malwood," the lead plant creature began. "Lord of the plants hereby offer the undying service of all fauna on Felmid in perpetuity to the will of the great god Momonga."
Like with the others, Momonga offered Malwood a nod.
The moment he did, the moment he acknowledged the servitude of the last of Felmid's great lords, he suddenly found himself surrounded by an intense aura which swept out from him. Somehow he knew that it spread at an exponentially increasing speed until it had encompassed the whole planet and all the beings who inhabit it.
As it finally did so, Momonga felt himself connect to all life on Felmid. Be it the Momons or their lowest Skeletons or Deathwing or the least of the Slivers or the great leviathans in Merwyrm's service or the smallest burrowing insect within Baragon's dominion or the mindless fungi of Malwood's court, all were as much a part of him as his own body. In an instant, he knew everything there was to know about them. From their life histories, their abilities, their likes and dislikes. He knew them all better than he knew his own. He was them and they were he.
This wondrous experience should have overwhelmed him. Should have shattered his fragile human mind. Instead, he inexplicably felt that this was how it should always have been. All these myriad plants and fauna had been made from him and now were once more part of him as they should be.
All was right with the world.
Done!
Hmm… Not too happy with this chapter to be honest. It was necessary as a stepping stone chapter but the delivery leaves something to be desired, yet I can't pin down what. Well, hopefully it was still readable and mildly entertaining.
Response to Clotho (guest): I'm glad you like the story so far. Where Nazarick has been transported should be explained over time. As for cross-posting to Spacebattles, I won't do so. It's far too opinionated a forum for my tastes. I'll freely admit my skin is not thick enough for me to post there. Especially since I've already written the whole story at the time of posting and am not particularly open to changing anything. Minor things are fine but major rewrites are out of the question, a consideration that I doubt Spacebattles will respect.
Here's a quick guide on the things I borrowed from other IPs:
The Sliver Queen = Sliver Queen from the Magic the Gathering franchise
Deathwing = Deathwing from the Warcraft franchise
Merwyrm = Tentacruel from the Pokemon franchise
Baragon = Baragon from the Godzilla franchise
Till next time, ukee lat!
