In the council chambers of Kingsbird stood Kuran with Lehid and Raven on his sides and Beep floating close to them, observing everything. One of the Skywings was standing in front of all Skywings and Groundwings, beginning to speak: "Due to the actions of Overlord Kuran, the report of the two hunters that came with him and the mage Beep, who speaks through his magical eye, our fear regarding the mountains are no longer of a problem. The Feloians are packing and preparing to leave for the lands of the Overlord. And as the agreement between the Grand Council and Overlord Kuran stands, we are officially acknowledging the Yuma Community as one of the communities of the Skeith. With Overlord Kuran Yuma as their first leader."

"With Groundwing Raven on the side of traditions." Said a Groundwing

"And Skyring Lehid on the side of advancement." Added the other Skywing.

"Speak your first words as the leader of your Skeith Community." Finished the second Groundwing.

Standing up, Kuran looked at the four leaders of the council, "I thank you for granting the proposition. As the leader of my community, I will do everything so it will prosper and grow. To keep the traditions on the ground and look at the sky to spread my wings, soaring the future. Everybody who wishes to come to my community is welcome to do so."

"Then go. Go and attend to your community." Finished the first Skywing with her arms spread "may it grow and flourish under your care and the care of those after you."

After this announcement, the small group of four began to leave the council chamber. The meeting is officially over.

Finally. In one of the Groundwing's minds, that went long enough as he was leaving the other three council leaders. The three looked at him with the impression that he was disappointed that he didn't get his will.

Though they couldn't be farther from the truth… as he entered his room, Atus was already waiting there and a glowing crystal ball.

"Atusss has already told usss that it issss done." Said a voice from the crystal ball, "you did well."

"Since you gave me the background support I needed to become the youngest Groundwing in High Council Leadership, it was the least I could do." Adding after a short pause, "even if the gambit was not really to my taste." Argued the Groundwing

"To which I have to agree with him," stated Atus, "In how little time we had to prepare, it was more of a game of Roulette than of chess." And looked at the crystal ball, "additionally, we still don't know why you used the favour we owned you to get this Overlord the community status."

Due to how their ally urged the two Skeith to get it down, they had to create a wrench in procedures. Taking what they knew, they could only do it with a broke of traditions, but Atus couldn't create chaos if he pulled something. Nothing he could have done realistically could have the desired effect as he was a Skywing. It would either be odd for his behaviour or nothing of gain.

However, the groundwing… he could. As a Groundwing, he could risk that blatant break by pulling a juristic move to a highly debated topic. Not to mention making a public objection to a human gaining the benefits of a Skeith tradition. And that chaos was in Atus's forte as he rallied his political allies and managed to make a forceful wave that ended with that deal. So far, this was a plannable gambit. The unpredictable part was that they had no clue what was waiting in the mountains.

Luckily it was a case of lost souls who just wanted to survive. But if it had been worse… then the work would be for nothing or worsened everything in the mountains.

"Becaussssse of my planssss. Just know that if my plan ssssuccessss, the Nagassss will sssstart playing on a different level." Answered the voice, "and be glad I was only asssking for thisss. Elssse it could be worsssse. Now be glad. Until nessst time." And the glow stopped on the crystal ball.

"Anyway," shrugged the Grundwing and waved the air, "we got what we wanted… a new Community far outside the forest."

"That's true," nodded Atus in thought, "and even if we are no longer allowing more… we can subtly send them over. If the old prophecy is true, we played our cards well."

"I am not a fan of those. I just see him as our current only available tool to move Skeith out of our current borders to expand. We both know we are too many." Said the Groundwing and huffed "seriously. All that work to get high as Groundwing. Only to see: For them to CONSIDER accepting any change is too much to ask for. That's ridiculous."

Atus laughed, "I know what you feel. For free thinkers, we Skywings are limited as well in our views. We both are trying to break moulds as old as the tree we are sitting in."

"Don't remind me," sighed the Groundwing and sat down, "too bad we cannot celebrate this little victory without revealing our little and forbidden alliance."

"Yeah. In fact, I should go now before anybody misses me," nodded Atus and headed to the door, "I am supposed to meet Overlord Kuran after that meeting. And that is what I am going to do now."

"Alright. I look if I find opportunities to milk our little precedent as much as possible," smirks the Groundwing. Atus only chuckles and leaves the room.

Overlord: Kingdoms Rise

Meanwhile, at the Felion's crash site, the ship's crew gathers all the valuable items and parts they can carry through the Overlord's gate with the help of the Minions.

Although it proves to be difficult for the minions since they are working with unknown technologies. One Brown Minion tried to drink from one of the vials with strange-coloured liquid. Fortunately, a felion wearing a white coat stopped the minion before it was too late. Thought others were carrying a box of explosives while a red minion had thrown a fireball for some reason. The results were… predictable.

It was a wonder that no Felion were dead in the aftermath. Only a handful of minions and a new hole in the ship. The blues were quick to resurrect those that were, one way or another, enough in one piece that revival was possible.

[How can that Overlord guy work with these things? They are dumb as rocks!] One of the Felionain complains, carrying a bag full of first aid.

[At least they aren't our enemy.] A female felionain sighed, putting a box full of round metal items on the ground. [They may not be intelligent, but the minions make up for it in numbers. Not to mention their subspecies have abilities we could be wary of.]

[Still, I don't see the point of-] he stopped as the gate flashed. A dark blue-skinned woman with green eyes and silver hair stepped out, flanked by two male archers of the same colours, except the eyes, which were brown and yellow. [Who is that?] he asked in wonder.

[Maybe one of the Overlord's servants?] The female felionain answered. [But what for species is she?]

The girl is moving forward, off the portal to make space for the usual business and looks around carefully, "ok. Who is able to talk with me?"

"Coming! Coming!" A female voice vigorously shouts, as a blue and round drone flows towards the blue-skinned woman. "I'm sorry for the mess, but these beings aren't easy to handle." The drone said and asked. "I'm taken that you are one of the Overlord's allies?"

"That's correct." she replied, "Isadel Balris, princess of the dark elves and one of Overlord Kuran's Mistresses." and gave a slight bow "with who am I talking?"

"Wait, you're a princess? Like a 'princess', princess?" The orb asked in disbelief, starting to geek out. "OH MY GOD! Never met a real princess before! This is so cool!"

"Uh, thanks?" Isadel tilts her head in confusion. "Not to interrupt your…. moment. But can you please tell me how things are going here?"

The drone snaps out of its fangasm and quickly apologizes. "Oh, right! Sorry!" It said and explained. "We had a few troubles with the Minions here and there. All in all, everything is proceeding as scheduled."

She giggles at that answer, "I would be surprised if there weren't a problem with the minions. Throughout history, the difficulty of working with them was very often stated. At least since the first minions were mentioned in history." Putting her hands behind her back. "Still, loyal to death and easily replaceable. These are the basic qualities of minions."

"A lot of the crew kinda question those qualities, ma'am." The orb stated. "It's a wonder they are still alive at this point."

"Not really… First, the blues do migrate a lot of that stupidity. And second… if you only need the life force of a sheep to replace a minion, or a special type of bug you can mass breed, then it is really quite simple," explains the Elf with a smile. "I don't know all details, but they are magically made."

Just then, they heard a small explosion close by, followed by the two saw two red minions covered in black dust. A few armoured Felionains quickly put down the fire using a fire extinguisher.

"Perhaps we should call back the red ones… their fireballs are more of a hazard than usual here," mused the Elf. While having a finger on her chin and the head tilted slightly.

"Agree." The drone nodded.

Overlord: Kingdoms Rise

"Ah! Home sweet home!" grinned Kuran as he stood in his throne room after the Nethergate brought him back here. Alongside Lehid leaning against his frame, "indeed. Even if we weren't gone THAT long," she giggled.

"Eh. Long enough, given what we had to handle." and looks at Gnarl as the old minion was always here to greet his superior back. "Let's cut the formalities this time, Gnarl. What's the status of Felions?"

"Quite well, my liege. Thought we had to call back all reds as their… fire was quite more difficult than usual," explains Gnarl

Kuran was facepalming and groaned, "I thought I said to NOT send any reds out there. They are a walking hazard by a ship."

"To be honest, Sire, I still do not understand how this bulking piece of metal could be a ship. It's not nearly shaped like a ship and as I said, made of metal. Metal sinks in water." Countered Gnarl to his master, "and about who sends reds… let's say this one isn't sending anybody anywhere for the foreseeable future."

The Overlord raises an eyebrow with a questionable look, "do I want to know?"

"Sometimes it is a blessing in disguise to remain ignorant of things" was the only answer of the minion with a sheepish grin. "Thought we might… be encouraged to install some more stable fences to prevent people falling down to their doom by accident. Don't worry. I have already set everything in motion."

Kuran and Lehid only rolled their eyes. The Overlord simply answered, "Gnarl… we will have again a word about those accidents and how much I hate them to happen." Just groaning internally with how blatant Gnarl is handling some problems. Not to mention, not every Problem is solved by having people falling to their death or the like.

"Of course, sire," grinned Gnarl brightly. The grin pretty much confirms Kuran how little care the old minion had for some of Kuran's policies. And the Overlord just wondered once more if there isn't a way to remove that old geezer with somebody more acting to the Lord's taste. Or having a proper secretary to keep Gnarl in check.

"Oh, and by the way, Mylord. Your… green thing is back. And brought a friend." coughed Gnarl and laughed weakly, "and… they are playing with your Chicant to- OUCH!" shouts Gnarl as Kuran hit him with his gauntlet-covered fist.

"You are respecting Alexandra! I have adopted her as a daughter, and such you treat her! Understood?" growled Kuran deeply, narrowing his eyes.

Slightly confused about how his master could growl, Gnarl nodded, "Understood, master," while rubbing his pained head, "and those… things?"

"You refer to them as people as well." told the dark Overlord while rubbing his chin, "thought Aline is back and brought somebody with her? I know Zan can be quick, but that quick?"

"Who is Zan?" Ask Lehid in wonder.

"A friend of mine. We have done quite a few things in the past. Runs a known establishment today, and I have sent Aline to him for training in a few fields." explains Kuran

"Aline? You mean that green creature with black tentacles as hair?" wondered Lehid, "what did you call them, Meradris?"

"Meratrix." Corrected Kuran with a chuckle. "And yeah. That's her… but I don't know why she came back with a second one." and turns to his oldest minion, "you said they are playing with Alexandra? So, they are in one of the children's rooms?"

"The playroom, master," confirmed Gnarl with a gesture to which Kuran nodded.

"Alright. Then I head there next. You have called for all lords to gather?" wondered Kuran

"Yes. This evening, each of the lords will be here," answered Gnarl with a nod.

"Very well." he nodded and began to leave the throne room.

Overlord: Kingdoms Rise

Reaching the playroom of his adopted daughter, he saw his green and black Meratrix Aline playing with the Chicant princess. Clothed in rags as clothes are likely not to survive a play session with the giant insect. With her was a red Meratrix with long black tentacles on the head and expensive curves.

Kuran chuckled at the view, "Typical for that wolf to choose those kinds of curves for his Meratrix." seeing the symbol on the reds collar. He watched the three play for now until Alexandra was getting tired, and the two tugged her into her bed for her afternoon sleep.

Then they went to change clothes but then noticed Kuran. So, they head to him with Aline announcing, "master. I have returned from my training. I am now able to protect and take care of your offspring. As well for your bodily needs."

To which Kuran sweat drops… he completely forgot that his wolf friend will give more than just the training he asked for his Meratrix. But nonetheless, he nodded to her, "very well. Welcome back, Aline. I will introduce you to the others soon enough so nobody will question your presence."

Then he turned to the red one, "and you are?"

She grinned at Kuran. "I am Claret! And Master Zan send me to you to aid Aline with the babysitting duties. As well to be your secretary to your Overlording business!" and was licking her lips as she looked over Kuran's body. "But Master Zan has failed to inform me of how good you look… I am hoping we get to know each other better soon. With some… personal exchanges."

Aline looks at Claret "Claret. Master Kuran just returned from his trip, and most likely, he has others to take care of before he would ever go to us."

Claret was elbowing Aline, "don't be such a killjoy. You want him as well. Admit it."

"But I also realize that I am very low on the list of females that would gain his bodily attention." She defended herself with a look at her in slight disappointment.

Kuran was looking at the two and rubbed his head. "I wonder who is worse… you, Zan or Sunkren in regards to your opinion of my sex life," he whispered, low enough that the two females are not heard him.

Then he cleared his throat, catching the attention of the two girls. "Well… welcome here, Claret. I am sure once you are introduced to everybody. Shown the inner workings of the kingdom and my role as Overlord, you will be a great help in this part of the ruling." Then he looks at the door, whispering to her, "especially in toning down Gnarls… ideas of dealing with trouble or people making mistakes." While makes a mental note that he needs a way to secure his bedroom better without locking out servants that might do their duties or waking him up.

As having one Succubus in the castle with her needs isn't bad enough for his nightly rest.

Speaking of her… "Wonder where Sunkren is. I haven't seen her for a while." he muttered, "well, she is a big girl. She can take care of herself. I got a few nights of good rest at least." and chuckled himself.

Then he looks back at the girls. "Ok. I want you two to get in the best clothing you have. I have a meeting with the Lords and their Proxies to explain a few things. And that now includes introducing you as new members of my staff."

"Understood, Milord," nodded Aline and bowed, "I will be in the most representative form I can manage for this occasion."

Claret was grinning. "Don't worry! I will ensure that they know that I am here for you, and only you can touch me." causing Kuran to hold back the urge to facepalming. The next time he sees his friend, he has to voice his opinion about the kinds of help he sends to him.