A Theory on Godhood: An Overlord Story

by Konahrik3115

The entirety of Ainz Ooal Gown, all 41 members, find themselves transported into a whole new world on the last day of Yggdrasil. How will a guild of 41 all-powerful heteromorphs change and influence the events that happened in canon, while also creating entirely new events to explore? For you, the dear reader, this is a tale best told as a theory, a theory on godhood.

40. Players on the Board

Nazarick, tenth floor

Momonga watched as Punitto Moe grumbled to himself, wringing the newspaper in his leafy grip. His yellow eyes were a dark shade of orange, bordering on red. The source of his ire, Touch Me, was kneeling in front of him on a floor covered in rice.

A traditional Japanese punishment, meant to curb the unruly behavior of misbehaving students or children. To the heteromorphs of Ainz Ooal Gown, the pain normally inflicted from the rice was nonexistent.

But the message the rice provided was clear: somebody was in deep trouble.

"So let me make sure I have this straight," Punitto started, his voice deathly calm, "you, without telling a single soul besides Sebas, snuck out of the tomb to go visit E-Rantel."

Touch Me spoke, his tone also flat. "Sounds about right.

"You helped the survivors there, made contact with Gazef, got roped into helping him and his peons, and then fought off a group of people who were not only able to catch up to you, but also had the potential to hurt and kill you. Mind you, we still have no idea you're gone, so you can't expect any back-up without breaking your cover."

"Yes. An unforeseen consequence, but it happened."

The Death vine strangled his newspaper tighter. "Oh yes, it definitely happened. Not only did a fight break out, but an entire city sank into the ground! You were forced to use your own trump card because these people made you desperate!"

His eyes fully turned red, Momonga wincing from the memory of his own punishment at his friend's hands. "Punitto, perhaps we should take into account everything that's happened so far-"

"STAY OUT OF THIS MOMONGA!" Punitto snapped, "YOU'RE NOT GONNA SMOOTH TALK HIS WAY OUT OF THIS ONE, ESPECIALLY NOT WHEN I'M CONVINCED YOU AND ALBEDO ARE COVERING FOR SOMEBODY ELSE!"

Unfortunately, the keen-eyed strategist was right. Momonga was sure that if it weren't for Albedo, he would've spilled the details of Tabula Smaragdina, Small Cuttlefish, and Tempest Aizawa's own adventure with Nfirea.

Albedo was present in the throne room as well, standing just a little too close for Momonga's comfort. Her behavior and flirting over the past week made it no secret how she felt about him, made all the more potent by Ulbert, Whitebrim, Bukubukuchagama, and Peroroncino's meddling.

She was a shining beacon of ethereal beauty as always, in her pure white dress and angelic wings and devilish horns. She watched with incredible sorrow at Touch Me's kneeling form, but dared not speak out.

A few of the maids were also present, but they were less restrained in their feelings on the punishment. One with curly, princess-like hair openly wept into the shoulders of another with bright-red hair.

The first strike was a thunder crack, thudding against Touch Moe's right pauldron. He didn't even flinch, and all of Punitto's rage poured out.

SMACK!

"TO THINK, WE COULD'VE LOST YOU BECAUSE YOU DECIDED YOU NEEDED ALONE TIME TO DEAL WITH YOUR GRIEF! YOU WENT UP AGAINST A CLEARLY HOSTILE FORCE, ONE WITH THE MEANS TO MATCH YOU OF ALL PEOPLE, AND THAT WANTED TO CAPTURE YOU FOR THEIR OWN REASONS!"

SMACK!

"WHAT IF YOU DIED, TOUCH ME?! OR WORSE YET, THEY HAD SOME METHOD OF INTERROGATION THAT WAS ABLE TO REVEAL THE LOCATION OF NAZARICK?! IF THEY COULD GET YOU, THEN GODDAMMIT THEY'D BE ABLE TO ROUND THE REST OF US UP TOO!"

SMACK!

"NOT ONLY THAT, BUT THE NATIVES SAW YOU COMPLETELY DESTROY AN ENTIRE CITY! WHAT THE FUCK KIND OF IMAGE IS THAT GOING TO PAINT US AS, HUH?! I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE THE REPORT GAZEF IS GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE TO HIS HIGHER UPS! IF YOU WERE HOPING FOR AN ALLIANCE, I'M NINETY-NINE PERCENT SURE THAT JUST WENT UP IN SMOKE!"

SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!

At each hit, Albedo clung to Momonga, who felt the otherworldly force he dubbed his "emotional inhibitor" work overtime to keep his emotions in check. Were he human still, he'd be a bushing, stuttering mess with such a world-class beauty attached to his arm.

Tears welled up in the corner of her eyes, but they refused to fall. All the overlord could really do was awkwardly pat her back as a counseling gesture. She held onto his robes even more, burying her head under his.

In time, the hits of the newspaper faded away, leaving a huffing Punitto Moe glaring at the insectoid paladin before him. His newspaper was in working order, but if it were an ordinary piece it would've shredded on the fortress of metal that was Compliance with Law.

Punitto's eyes were an angry-crimson, the shade not fading while he whirled around to face Momonga and Albedo, pointing the newspaper accusingly.

"I'm going to cut you a deal. If you just admit that something is going on that's making you do cartwheels to keep mine and Ancient One's attention inside the tomb, I'll let you off easy. Who. Has. Left?"

Times like these was when he was thankful his emotional inhibitor kept him in check. The sweat he'd accumulate would drown everyone in the tomb and then some.

Why did I have to get dragged into this? I just wanted to let my friends have some fun! Now I'm about to receive the whipping of my life and I'm not even alive anymore!

Rather than say anything, he did what he did best: kept his mouth shut. It may land him with an even worse punishment, but he'd rather not betray his friends' trust just because he was afraid of some sort of newspaper!

Well, okay, the newspaper was legendary for a reason. No one else wielded it with the efficiency and deadliness that the battle priest did. Momonga was pretty sure Punitto actually killed other players in PvP with it.

The two guildmates engaged in a staredown, Punitto doing his best to burn holes into his skull with glare, and Momonga doing his best to just meet his friend's eyes.

It did not last long, not some of his guildmates suddenly materialized between the both of them. Tabula, Cuttlefish, Tempest, and, strangely, Wish III, utilized their guild rings to teleport to the throne room, perhaps to find Momonga.

I thought Wish just knew about the whole thing? I didn't actually think he'd gone with them, but then again, he probably got tired of being cooped up in the tomb too.

"Oh, Punitto Moe! It seems you're in the middle of something. How about we get out of your way so we don't bother you," Wish III immediately said, taking note of the situation.

Of course, the death vine player was having none of it. "The men and women of the hour have arrived…Don't think you can escape this so easily. Where are you coming from, huh?"

Tempest stepped forward. "We just needed some fresh air. The day is surprisingly nice. I don't think I've ever seen a bluer sky."

"Really now? All four of you? That's funny, because for the last week I've noticed that some of you have been missing when you should've been present. Not quite there, but present enough."

"Come on, man, You can't be serious," Cuttlefish batted her eyes at him, "I mean, sure, it was a recommendation that we stay in the tomb, but we were still at the tomb, just on the surface! We're kinda in the middle of nowhere, nobody would see us."

"Which is precisely the reason you choose such an isolated position for your own getaway."

A new voice at the end of the hall caused everyone to turn. The massive double doors had opened on their own, allowing the rotund form of Ancient One to stride on through.

His cane, embedded with various precious gems and outlined in valuable metals, propelled him along. Rather than his posh divine tier robes, he was wearing a bathrobe, indicating he just came back from the hot springs.

His obese demonic body hung from the bottom of his robes, held up by those powerfully thick legs of his. His vestigial wings kept flapping, as if trying to help reduce some of the immense weightof the aminuzu demon.

"I apologize for being somewhat late, I was preoccupied," he said smoothly in his echoing undertone, "I needed a moment to destress. The paperwork of inventory and research was beginning to get to me."

"Ancient One? What are you doing here? And what are you talking about?" Tabula asked, feigning innocence, but Momonga already knew it was in vain.

The demon waved away the question. "I must admit, you actually almost had us fooled. Your methods of rotating people in and out were clever, but I regret to inform you that I still discovered your antics anyways."

"Wait, you're saying that Punitto Moe didn't even know anything was going on? Why is he so mad then?"

"For starters, because that one right there," Ancient One gestured at Touch Me, "Decided he required a holiday. Unfortunately, his actions have caused the further downfall of a city, E-Rantel to be precise."

He reached them all then, standing beside his counterpart. "A grievous miscalculation of the true power we all possess, but one that I personally find blameless. It was needed, but the consequences were dire regardless."

Punitto's eyes began to lighten in color. "Ancient One, I thought we agreed-"

"That you would deliver punishment, yes. But you forget, old friend, that I am more than capable of explaining myself. You indulge too much in your own rage at times, even if it is justified and birthed from a noble place."

Momonga forgot how bashful the priest could be at times, but he could sense the last of Punitto's rage subsiding. He put the newspaper back into the folds of his robes with a grumble and crossed his arms.

Ancient One walked up to Touch Me, laying a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Understand, my dear boy, that we care only for your well-being. What we do, we do to accomplish one very simple message: we do not wish you to perish. We are your friends, we cannot aid you in your grief if you are so tied up in trying to absolve yourself of it. I understand, but I cannot condone it when it needlessly puts others at risk."

Then he turned to the quartet that just arrived. "As for how I and Punitto discovered something was amiss, I noticed there were some peculiarities in your daily routines. Oftentimes, Cuttlefish, I notice you prefer some peer review for your work from Tabula during lunch time, where you can sit down and eat together while you read. That hasn't occurred at all this entire week, when it usually happens two to three times."

He pointed his cane at Tempest next. "Usually, Tempest, I learned that in your free time, you enjoy sitting in the library with your sister every Thursday. Not a peculiar thing by itself that you miss one day, but what was is that rather than your sister reading by herself, she was playing checkers with Luci*Fer again, indicating she had no plans for anyone to join her."

And then he pointed at Wish III. "You were a bit harder to read, but I believe that when you are in the tail-end of striking a bargain with someone, you get unusually charismatic and share more information than you should. I recognized this when you and Tabula would speak. I never meant to eavesdrop, but occasionally I overheard you mentioning something about 'making sure the boy forgot about his grandma'. There's only one individual as of late that I can think of who matches a description like that."

"I cannot forget your actions either, Momonga and Albedo. All too frequently, you were quite eager to bar yourselves from your own activities. You threw yourselves, sometimes quite literally for you Momonga, in our path. Momonga, old friend, you no longer avoided Albedo to save yourself from her feelings, forced or not."

Albedo's head snapped to look at the overlord. "My lord, you were avoiding me? Did I do something wrong? I apologize if I offended you somehow. What can I do to appease you?"

Momonga's jaw hung open. "I…I don't…"

Thankfully, Ancient One saved him from an impending disaster if he ever knew one. "He's not avoiding you in the way you're thinking, my dear. Rather, it is an emotional distance, though sometimes physical. This, I suspect, is not of his own volition when it comes to his feelings."

"But when I would see the two of you practically sewn at the hip everytime myself or Punitto Moe was in the vicinity, that's when I noticed something changed, well and truly. By following this mental layout that I provided for you all to understand, I reached the conclusion that others were not themselves either. I brought this up with Punitto, and the rest unfolded as it has now."

The explanations were somewhat long winded, but they helped to explain his rationale and thinking. Ancient One always had a knack for eloquent speeches, though it could make him come off as a bit snobbish.

Nobody in the guild had a problem with it, because they at least knew it was a carefully crafted weapon to throw off their rivals. In a way, he was a gap moe himself. Such a horrible and disgusting avatar was complemented by a well-mannered tone.

His fat, slow form? He could evade the next ten moves of a player with his skill [Eye of Eternity]. His lackluster melee prowess? Offset by the potent and powerful demon magics at his disposal.

Poise and elegance were his tools, ready to be sharpened and hurled at Mach speed at a moment's notice. The intellect he possessed was his most dangerous weapon.

Momonga used to wonder why he let Punitto Moe take the lead in their strategies, until he realized that he was better at predicting people themselves. The death vine player was used to warfare and PvP action, whilst the aminuzu seer was more peaceful and content to observe from afar.

Tranquility and chaos. Peace and wrath. They were two halves of the same whole, despite being almost polar opposites in terms of their personalities.

"Now, I believe we're owed an explanation as to Nfirea. How is the boy? Recovering well, I hope?" Ancient One transitioned seamlessly, clasping his hands together.

Tabula took a moment to respond, but seeing no way out for himself or any of the others, he relented and began to explain everything.

The academy, inducting Nfirea into their ways, teaching him, experimenting with his talent, learning from him as much as he learned from them. Every so often, another of the quartet would take over to explain their points of view and thoughts on the matter.

It wasn't until they reached the incident with the shoggoths that Punitto Moe interrupted. "Hold on, something breached your defenses? How did none of the other summons detect anything? And why?"

"It could be whatever infected the shoggoths didn't mature until that point, or was lying in wait for those two months to learn as much as it could," the alchemist theorized, "but the point is that we scorched the place and Tempest killed the infected ones. We should be fine."

"Should?"

Once again, Ancient One stepped in. "I would give them the benefit of the doubt. Even if they did venture out and kept their adventures secret, they took the time to cover their tracks and embed failsafes in their plans."

Punitto Moe looked like he wanted to say something else, from the way he held up a leafy hand and reached the other into his robes. Evidently, he gauged the merit of it to be less than his counterpart's argument, because he remained quiet.

A storm of conversation broke out, some of it being drowned out by Momonga's wandering mind. He was glad to know Nfirea survived the events of E-Rantel's destruction, truly he was, but he found his thoughts elsewhere.

The fake staff was at the forefront. He recalled it being created by Amanomahitotsu as a replacement for his temporary "grounding" from the real one. The fake was left behind in the official alcove in the meeting room.

The real staff was stored safely within the Cherry Blossom Sanctuary, overseen by Aureole Omega, Coup De Grace's NPC and the leader of the Pleiades Battle Maids. It would stay there until he could be trusted with it again, or until such an occasion called that he needed it right away.

A faint buzzing echoed in his skull, causing him to grit his teeth. The words of his friends faded away completely, replaced by the persistent drone of white-noise. The experience was familiar to him, but he couldn't place it.

Why was this happening now? Wait, shouldn't he be paying attention to the conversation? Their voices disappeared, but that was because his thoughts weren't all together. What was he doing again?

MOMONGA.

The word rose unbidden in his mind, causing him to tilt his head and look towards the ceiling. That's odd, why would he think of his own name?

COME TO ME, AND BRING THE OTHERS. WE MUST SPEAK.

When he focused on the thought, he realized that it was not his own, but rather another voice. A curiosity, because he didn't recall opening a [Message] call with anyone.

THE TIME FOR YOUR BANISHMENT FROM I MUST END.

It sounded sagely, wise in a way that was boundless. The voice was also flat in its inflection, making it impossible to gauge whether it was male or female. It simply was, he reasoned.

Over the last few weeks, whenever he did use the fake staff, even just to walk around, he remembered what it felt like. Every step fell with a heaviness he was not accustomed to. The fake staff didn't fit his grip quite right, never comfortable in his bony fingers.

Something in his gut instinct told him that this voice, and the feeling brought with it, was familiar. He recalled the unease he felt from holding the fake staff, how unnatural and burdensome it was. Was the voice that reason? Did it merely make him aware of how wrong it was to wield an item not meant for him?

MOMONGA.

An instinctual urge won over. "Everyone, please, might we stop this conversation for a moment and come with me? I-we have matters to attend to in the Cherry Blossom Sanctuary."

It was a suggestion so far out of nowhere that his wish was partially fulfilled. Everyone stared at him with confusion.

Albedo tugged on his sleeve. "My love? Why would you need to go to the Cherry Blossom Sanctuary? Has something happened?"

"I can't quite explain it, but call it a gut feeling. We need to go and visit the guild staff. The real one."

"Hold on a second. You're still on probation for your stunt with the staff the first time. You're not planning to take it out, are you?" Punitto asked, his spotlight eyes narrowing.

"No!" Momonga said immediately, "I can't explain this instinct, but it comes to me from a place within me? It's strange, I'll give you that, but it is urgent. We go just to satisfy it and then leave, is that fair?"

His uncertainty got the others to peer at him as if he'd gone mad, but now that they were here and he was hearing that voice, he knew that he had to do something. He wanted backup in case somehow their defenses were breached.

Finally, Ancient One said, "Let us be off then. My own curiosity is raised now."

The others agreed, their guild rings lighting up and channeling the power to teleport them to their collective destination. Albedo was left behind, not having a guild ring of her own yet. She'd have to use a floor [Gate] to get around.

As a whole they arrived, light pink petals falling upon their heads from the overhanging branches above. The tree from which they fell was colossal, the canopy almost serving as a roof with its mighty branches.

In an alcove in the center of the tree rested the real staff of Ainz Ooal Gown, floating and spinning in place. A Japanese shrine stood slightly to the side of it, laden with pictures of the Pleiades and of various members of the guild.

Aureole Omega herself stood there as well, between the shrine and the tree. A feather duster was in her arms, to help her clean her shrine.

"Has your punishment come to an end then, Lord Momonga?" She asked in a gentle, high-spirited voice.

She was the leader of the Pleiades and also the area guardian of the Cherry Blossom Sanctuary. She looked utterly human, a young girl to be precise, though her official classification from Yggdrasil was as an immortal.

Her attire consisted of the traditional Japanese miko, or a shrine maiden. This included a pair of long, divided red trousers called hakama and a white kimono jacket called a haori.

Ribbons were done up for her golden hair, the same shade as her eyes. At least, from what her creator Coup De Grace told everyone, as they were covered with a half mask painted in the likeness of a fox.

"We'll see about that. For now, what did you want to do here Momonga?" Punitto asked while tapping his foot.

Not believing he would get this far, Momonga hesitated a moment. He looked between his friends, Aureole, and the staff. When he looked upon the staff again, he felt the same buzzing from earlier in his mind.

COME. REACH FOR ME. ALLOW ME TO GET CLOSER SO THAT I MAY COMMUNICATE WITH THE OTHERS.

He obliged, walking right up to the alcove. His skeletal fingers wrapped around the grip and nestled right in, made for him with an artist's touch. It was as if it never left his hands, a familiarity that filled him with warmth and comfort.

"I…I cannot explain it, but the staff is speaking to me," he said, ignoring the incredulous looks he got from his friends. "I don't expect you to believe me, but for a few weeks now, I've felt this overwhelming presence, not invasive, but a part of me, if that makes sense."

When there were no questions, he took that as a sign there was too much confusion to form any, so he continued as best he could with his half-formed explanation.

"It feels as if a part of me was gone, forced to vacate my body and mind when the staff was relinquished from my possession. But here we are now, and I believe it wishes to speak to all of you as well."

He held out the staff to his friends, the warmth of it never leaving him. As an undead, he knew he couldn't feel actual temperature like he used to as a human. Rather, it was a memory of it, dredged up by the staff to show it was an ally, at least.

How it knew to do this, he could only guess at. Perhaps when they came to the New World it gained a sapience of its own, a result of the flavor text becoming reality.

That made the most sense to him, given how Albedo's tampering in Yggdrasil transferred over. If her flavor text would become real, what else did?

After more glances of concern, Ancient One was the first to take the guild weapon. He gazed at it studiously, and then, whether as a joke or not, held it up to his ear.

"Greetings?" The aminuzu seer said. At first, there was no response, and it dragged on like that long enough for the others to look like they were seriously doubting Momonga's claim.

I APOLOGIZE IF THIS IS HOW WE MUST MEET. THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING. IT IS GOOD TO MAKE YOUR ACQUAINTANCE AFTER SO MANY YEARS.

Ancient One leaned his head back, squinting at the staff. "It appears madness has not consumed you after all, Momonga. I suspected that much changed when we arrived to this place, but this is pushing my suspension of disbelief.

The others looked similarly startled, backing off to give them room and gaze at the staff with weary eyes. Wish III tried to reach for it, but caught himself and pulled his hand back.

Punitto Moe was not so restrained, gesturing for the staff and promptly having it handed over. At arm's length it was kept from his body.

"Alright, what kind of practical joke is this? Who messed with your flavor text to make you like this, huh? How the hell is this possible?" He asked flat out.

I HAVE NOT BEEN TAMPERED WITH. I AM MY OWN ENTITY, THOUGH MY IMAGE HAS BEEN USED TO ALTER ANOTHER. I ASSURE YOU, WHAT YOU WITNESS NOW IS AS I AM.

"Talking staff aside, how were you able to communicate with Momonga from so far away?" Touch Me inquired, "This place is well guarded and protected. If you've somehow mind-controlled him-"

NO SUCH INTERACTION TOOK PLACE. MOMONGA IS MY MASTER, IN A SENSE. AS GUILD LEADER, HIM AND I ARE BOUND IN MIND, A CONNECTION DEEPER AND TRUER THAN ANY OTHER. I COULD NOT CONTROL HIM REGARDLESS, FOR HIS POWER IS GREATER THAN MINE IN THAT REGARD.

Small Cuttlefish put a hand on her hip. "Your master? I'm sure you don't mean it like this, but that sounds a little bit more kinky than it should."

"Only you or Peroroncino would think something like that at a time like this," Tempest huffed.

I AM NOT OVERLY FAMILIAR WITH THE NUANCES OF YOUR TONGUE, BUT I WOULD AGREE WITH TEMPEST AIZAWA, IF MOMONGA'S MEMORIES ARE CORRECT.

"Hold on, you can look into my mind?!" Momonga asked, his emotional inhibitor activating to try and calm him down."

OF COURSE. OUR CONNECTION IS, WHILE INTRINSIC TO US, NOT SO DIFFERENT THAN HOW YOU UTILIZED THE [MESSAGE] SPELL TO SPEAK WITH RA RA RASPUTIN AND ARIEL. COULD YOU NOT FEEL THEIR EMOTIONS? THEIR THOUGHTS?

The staff's counter questions and way of telling him made him pause. Momonga wasn't sure how to feel about the guild item being able to peer into his mind, especially since he didn't consent to it.

Does this mean I'm going to have to think very carefully about what I think about from now on?

IF IT IS ANY CONSOLATION, MOMONGA, YOU NEED ONLY ASK AND I WILL RETREAT FROM YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS. CALL FOR ME, AND I SHALL ANSWER. YOUR MIND IS SACRED, AND I APOLOGIZE FOR UTILIZING OUR CONNECTION IN SUCH A MANNER.

Apparently, all of his guildmates heard that too, because now they gave him glances of understanding and even pity. While he didn't feel violated, he did know his boundaries would need to be reestablished.

But that had to wait. There were more pressing concerns to be had.

"Alright. I'll be sure to remember that. But there is another matter to address. Why call me here and bring my friends? What is it that you needed us all here for?" Momonga got straight to the heart of the situation.

Since it first began to speak, the staff never faltered to reply or talk to any of the guildmates. Now, it stopped, almost as if pondering on how best to say something.

There were times Momonga felt like his words could be misinterpreted, or twisted in such a way that others could take them in a completely different direction than his original intention. His friends helped him to recognize that within himself.

He feared if they were not there, he'd spout some nonsense or contemplate an issue and have no one to check and make sure his orders were carried out to their actual meaning.

One instance that came to mind was a comment he made regarding the size of Hamsuke while talking to Bukubukuchagama. The oblex slime was riding around on the poor creature with Aura and Mare like a merry-go-round.

"I would've thought her much smaller, like a real djungarian hamster," he said. Not even a day later, the twins came before him, holding a miniaturized Hamsuke in the palms of their hands.

"Lord Luci*Fer helped us with this one, dad!" Aura said, either not noticing or not caring about the usage of the title, "He thought it was best he handled it. We just presented the idea, of course, but he was so helpful!"

Thankfully, he recognized the spell for what it was, it being a simple [Reduce] spell. He took Hamsuke and let the children go, and then waited for the duration to expire before transporting the frightened mammal back to the sixth floor.

An admittedly adorable mistake, but one that showcased how the NPCs mistook his phrasing. He recalled another incident from Blue Planet, who told him that the twins had taken the time to lighten the color of every red rose that was present on that floor.

Cocytus apparently was roped into trimming the shrubs and trees, his actions the result of some passing comment the Druid made. He knew then and there it wasn't just him, but others as well.

He sensed no overt nefarious purposes behind their actions. Ultimately, the NPCs strove to make the guild of Ainz Ooal Gown happy.

The only reason any of these memories resurfaced was because the way the guild staff paused to answer was like it was cognizant of the fact it could be misunderstood, and wanted to avoid as much confusion as possible.

Which the time for that has already passed. Still, I get where it's coming from at least.

Finally, it arrived at a conclusion mentally, though Momonga could not sense it despite the supposed "connection" the item claimed they had. Perhaps he'd need to strengthen it on his end, or it already severed the connection between the two of them to submit to his wishes.

WHAT I ASK FOR WILL ONLY BE OF PHENOMENAL BENEFIT TO THE GUILD. YET, I UNDERSTAND THAT NOT ALL REQUESTS CAN BE FULFILLED, SO I ASK SO WITH THE GREATEST OF HUMILITIES.

"If you want to reunite with Momonga, go ahead," Punitto answered for all of them, "I didn't realize you'd be suffering from separation anxiety, so I'm sorry about that."

YOUR GRACIOUSNESS IS MOST APPRECIATED, PUNITTO MOE. THAT IS ONE OF THE REQUESTS I HAVE. THE OTHER IS…MORE COMPLICATED I'M AFRAID.

"It can't be that bad. Still, you have it on my word as a member of this guild that we'll try to supply it as best we can," Touch Me said this time. Punitto shot him a look, but he was ignored.

The staff wriggled in the death vine player's grip, to which he finally let it go. It leaned its length down, its version of a bow if a staff was capable of such.

AGAIN, YOUR GENEROSITY IS BEYOND HELPFUL. YOU WILL FIND, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT NOT ALL REQUESTS OF MINE ARE SO EASY. I ASK FOR TWO OTHER THINGS. THE FIRST, I CANNOT TELL YOU DIRECTLY, AS I AM UNAWARE OF WHAT OR WHERE IT MAY BE. THE SECOND, IS THAT I BE GIVEN THE CALORIC STONE, TO ASCEND ABOVE AND BEYOND ANYTHING YOU HAVE YET SEEN.

---

The Slane Theocracy, Cardinal's Chambers

Provida Oculi, or Thousand Leagues Astrologer, stood off to the side of the main podium where the cardinals stood, carefully gauging their reactions at the news they had just received.

The members of the Black Scripture, her scripture, came back to the capital only earlier that day, reporting directly to their superiors. Of course, they were briefed in advance long before any of them arrived by Provida herself.

They didn't believe her at first, for the news of E-Rantel's complete sinking into the ground was incomprehensible to her as well, and she witnessed the whole event.

Now that her teammates were back to give the tale of their encounter with the silver paladin, the one known as Sebastian Tou-Chi, she could see the slowly dawning horror in their eyes.

Even Cardinal Raymond, who normally was so calm and level-headed in the wake of all terrible news, was off kilter. His eyes looked like they'd pop out of his skull.

Cardinal Dominic was nearly shaking, his skin pale and clammy. Cardinal Yvon wasn't much better, and Cardinal Maximillian's hands were clenched so tightly his fingernails might draw blood at any moment.

Cardinal Ginedine's jaw was practically hanging on a loose hinge, mouthing silent prayers to the six for comfort or aid or advice. Cardinal Berenice held a hand over her mouth, shielding it and her expression, though her eyes betrayed her.

No one could say anything. How could they? The Sirs of Ainz Ooal Gown were believed to have been the pinnacle of their organization, the absolute tip, but now someone else came along with a power to not only hold back the might of the Black Scripture, but to permanently erase an entire city off the map.

But Provida did not let these thoughts affect her. She learned from her teachings what was possible and what was not. Her gods were not invincible nor infallible, as heretical as that may sound.

She knew Rufus agreed with this sentiment, but both knew better than to voice that sort of opinion.

Finally, Cardinal Berenice spoke. "All those people…and the entire city as well. That paladin was truly able to fend off every single one of you?"

"Indeed. Though we tried not to kill him, even at our level one should not so easily be able to defend against us. All we can be secure in is the knowledge that we could at least match his speed," answered the Captain of the Black Scripture.

"And just when we thought we only had three others to worry about!" Cardinal Dominic nearly shouted, "He calls himself a 'World Champion'! Of another land known as Alfheim! I prayed that we would never face such a calamity like that of the Greed Kings in our entire history, but now comes along another, razing a city to the ground!"

"To think he only did it with a single stroke of his blade," Cardinal Raymond agreed, "[World Break] he named the attack, an apt description for something able to finish off E-Rantel."

"At least the people were able to escape the city with the paladin's help. The usage of Sebastian's magic was most certainly a blessing, but it only confirms that he is of the same blood as the others," Cardinal Maxillian replied.

They began to discuss amongst themselves, the only thing keeping their discussion civil was their collective terror at the notion of such god-like power.

It was honestly the best description Provida could give to it. No other was capable of such feats, save those of a True Dragon Lord like classification. Perhaps Zesshi could, but the half-elf was content to fight to find her mate in a strong man rather than obliterate everything in her path.

Looking at said half-elf now she could see the dopey-eyed look on her face. Provida could even hear her humming a merry tune to herself, something she almost never did. If anything, she seemed off in her distant little world fantasizing.

The subject of those daydreams was obvious enough. She found someone more than a match for her, and would do everything in her power to acquire that paladin for herself. She had no doubt in her mind that if Zesshi was allowed, she'd hunt Sebastian down and drag him back to the Slane Theocracy herself.

Beyond that, however, all her other teammates were either indifferent or looked pleased or slighted.

Except for Parvus Puer.

The diminutive man should've looked outraged at his apparent defeat by the hands of the World Champion, but now he was quiet. Actually, he appeared contemplative, his eyes narrowed in thought.

His hands were completely still and by his side. He gazed off into nothing with his thoughts, but what the content of those thoughts were she could not say. It was an odd look for one so smug and blustering all the time.

"Rufus, would you know anything about a 'World Champion' named Sebastian Tou-Chi? One who wore silver armor and wielded a sword and shield?" Cardinal Ginedine broke away from the other cardinals to ask.

Rufus, who'd otherwise waited patiently in the shadows that entire time, took a moment to answer. He lifted his hood slightly, enough to show off the yellow flames of his eyes in the darkness of his cloth.

"Surshana and the others spoke very briefly of World Champions in their time. Evidently, there existed only nine, and they belonged to other places of a similar nature to Alfheim. As to the names of those individuals or their exact abilities, I cannot say."

His answer was short and curt. It satisfied the cardinals enough for them to return to talking amongst themselves, but that didn't sit right with Provida.

Being that Rufus was so close to the Six in their prime, she thought he would know much more on the subject. He was knowledgeable about the one who shattered her scrying mirror with ease, even giving her a code phrase to say to the angelic being when she made contact again.

Now he suddenly didn't know? She had no reason to distrust Rufus, he was pretty much an uncle to her, and a father figure to others in the Black Scripture. Something stank of falsehood, but from what angle she couldn't fathom.

Rufus knew more than he was letting on, but he bit his tongue. Why? What was so important that it warranted withholding information from those he trusted?

"That's enough for today. Thank you for your reports, you are dismissed," Cardinal Raymond said, gesturing for them to leave.

All of them gave a half-bow, and then proceeded to the exit. Well, most of them anyways. Provida decided she needed to get some answers from the undead first.

Apparently, she wasn't the only one, as Zesshi and Parvus followed her while she tracked Rufus. He floated along gently, his levitation allowing only the very edges of his robes to lightly brush the polished floor.

She caught up to him in the hallway just as her tag-alongs did, Zesshi being the one to reach out and tug on the sleeve of his robe. The undead stopped in his tracks, peering over his shoulder at the trio.

Before he could ask them why he was being disturbed, the half-elf beat him to the punch.

"Help me," was all she said at first. Her tone of voice indicated a primal desire, one fueled by the sight of treasure or bodily need. Rufus did not respond, awaiting for her to continue.

"Help me catch him. Help me catch the paladin, Sebastian Tou-Chi. I know you're just as intrigued by him as I am, though not for the same reason," she purred.

Parvus rolled his eyes. "Really? You're doing this now? I would've figured you'd wait until you returned to your chambers before you decided to wet yourself. Why bother Rufus with something so menial?"

"I suppose I could ask why you're here too then. I need to speak with him about urgent matters," Provida said, her tone neutral but commanding.

"Oh? What could possibly be more important than whatever I have to ask of him, bookworm? Please don't tell me you're going to bother him with more of your research, else you'll be the first person in recorded history to make him fall asleep."

Her nostrils flared, "That was quite possibly the lowest level insult you could hurl at me, you pea-brained child, but I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. The mind matches the body afterall."

"I swear I'm going to strangle you-!"

A clawed hand gently and firmly rested itself on Provida's shoulder, as it did on Parvus's. They immediately shut up, standing ramrod straight and looking everywhere except each other.

"Stop," Rufus said. It was all he needed to say. Parvus's lips trembled, aching to launch another snippet, but he wisely stayed silent. The elder being let them go, placing his hands back into the folds of his sleeves.

"What is on your mind? I have heard Zesshi's plea, now I will hear yours, Parvus," Rufus gestured to the shorter man. He shot Provida a smug look, and then replied as professionally and as courteously as he could.

"I need help with training my [Time Stop]. I've realized now that three seconds is not enough anymore. If possible, I would like to increase it to five seconds, maybe more."

Rufus nodded. "Very well. Meet me at the training grounds tomorrow, we'll begin with some intensive exercises with your abilities."

Then he looked at Provida. "Speak your mind as well. You seemed eager to seek my counsel."

Now that she was given the opportunity to ask her questions, she hesitated. She hoped to catch him alone, to find out if he really did know so little about World Champions. With Zesshi and Parvus there with her, it was doubly difficult to do so without arousing suspicion.

She had a feeling Zesshi wouldn't care. She cared little for anything beyond herself or whatever she deemed important to her attention, but Parvus was likely to rat her out, if only to spite her.

Just when she was getting ready to call it off, to tell her mentor "nevermind", the half-elf once again interrupted her.

"Rufus, are you sure that what you told the cardinals was everything you know about World Champions?" Zesshi asked, her voice unusually serious, "I find it hard to believe that was it. Maybe the cardinals took it at face value because they were scared, but really?"

"Are you seriously questioning his integrity, Zesshi? I thought better of you than that, and that's not saying much," Parvus huffed.

"You don't think highly of most people," Provida muttered. Her stout companion shot her the stink eye.

"What I said was all they needed to know. World Champions, especially ones like 'Sebastian Tou-Chi', are of no threat to us," Rufus admitted.

He continued. "The Six certainly knew of them, knew of their powers, their abilities, and what they were capable of. The silver paladin was among those they looked fondly upon, but the cardinals are not in the right state of mind to accept that he is not coming for us for some nefarious purpose."

"So you lied to them to keep them calm. Well, calmer than how they were acting," Parvus said with understanding, "Still, I didn't think you could even entertain the thought. Whatever happened to your complete honesty?"

"To lie is to ensure panic does not spread where it shouldn't. My reasons are my own, but you can rest assured that that paladin is no threat to us."

When it suited him, the rapier wielder took answers for what they were at face value. Provida knew he didn't care for the smaller details like that, so long as he got what he wanted in the end.

Parvus turned around, lazily waving goodbye. "I'll leave you alone then. I look forward to training tomorrow."

He disappeared down the hall, and Zesshi took that as her cue to leave. Before she could leave entirely, she stopped to talk over her shoulder.

"It's a shame you aren't alive in the technical sense. Maybe we could've had something like what I want with Sebastian. I hope you agree to help me with that little pet project of mine."

"I would've denied you all the same. That is not my place to choose, even if you are willing," Rufus responded flatly. Zesshi shrugged, and then wandered off to wherever she wanted to go.

Thus it was just the two of them alone in that hall. At that time of day, and with the Black Scripture in the building, many of the aids and workers were not out and about like they usually were.

This was not because they were afraid of the Black Scripture, for the most part, but because they didn't wish to impede in any way with the duties and responsibilities of such a prominent group.

A perk of her position, she supposed.

"Have you managed to make contact with the one we spoke of," Rufus asked, his yellow eyes showing again.

Provida sighed. "No, but not for a lack of trying. I've been trying to find some trace of his essence, but everytime I check over that area we met the first time, there's nothing. The surrounding area is also devoid of him. If I hadn't met him myself, it would be like he doesn't exist."

"Then I would advise for you to wait. It is possible he may turn up on his own in the future. There is no sense in chasing cold trails, even at my behest. I am certain another opportunity will arise again."

He started to float away, a clear indicator their conversation was concluded. The master scryer rubbed her forehead in consternation.

"Great. Now I get to wait some more. I miss when I used to be the best damn scryer for leagues around. Now the whole world is turning upside down, and we're all witnessing it. I can only imagine what Re-Estize is thinking right now if Gazef got back to them with the report."

---

Re-Estize Royal Throne-room

Gazef knelt before his king, as did some of the men who had accompanied him to E-Rantel. The nobles who were present before his assignment to the doomed city were there as well, including other important figures.

Pluton stood off to the side, fuming to himself. A vein bulged on his temple, the redhead Brita doing her best to keep the guildmaster calm. Those of the Swords of Darkness, Ninya, Peter Mauk, Dyne Woodwonder, and Lukrut Volve, were there as well.

It was a crowded throne-room that day, and for good reason. The six nobles were beside themselves, sheep present before the maw of a snarling wolf.

King Ramposa inclined his head in thought, gripping the arm rests of his throne until his knuckles were white. He seemed the most calm, but the Chief Warrior knew that he was panicking on the inside just as much as the nobility were.

His report was as clear and concise as it could be. He left not a detail out, including the destruction of E-Rantel as he and the surviving citizens were teleported to safety at the gates of the Re-Estize capital.

In the back of his head, he pondered if he should've refrained on some of the info, but to do so would've been insubordination of the highest order. The best action he could've taken was just to lay it all bare and hope for the best.

"All that infrastructure… To think only one person was capable of such a thing," Marquis Raeven muttered. He constantly dabbed at his forehead with a handkerchief.

"No, that's not possible. I refuse to believe it was only him that caused the damage. Captain Gazef, did you not say that the Black Scripture was present there as well? Perhaps they had a hand in the city's annihilation," Marquis Boullope retorted, his normally stone-faced visage crumbling in denial.

But Gazef shook his head, standing and turning to look over at the noble at the behest of his king. "I'm sorry, but I know what I saw and what Sir Sebastian told me. He alone was responsible for that power."

Marquis Boullope's nostrils flared. "Then we need to do everything in our power to hunt that knight down and destroy him! He cannot be allowed to live, not with the sort of firepower that can wipe our own city off the map!"

A haughty, almost maniacal laughter interrupted him. It was Marquis Blumrush. "Are you mad?! Do you seriously think we can somehow muster up the manpower needed to even face him? The Black Scripture is the Slane Theocracy's most elite and dangerous force, and even they barely put a scratch on the man! Who are we in the face of such indomitable might?!"

"Barring that, but we're not even sure where he is, or what other sorts of allies he may have," Margrave Urovana said, "We have already established that he is in league with or knows personally the Sirs of Ainz Ooal Gown, who took prisoner the Sunlight Scripture. Sir Sebastian, was it? He also has access to magic of a similar nature to theirs. We must remain vigilant and on guard for whatever else he may hold up his sleeve."

"Too many new powers are arising all at the same time," Marquis Pespea agreed, "Could you imagine the tide of the war with Baharuth turning if they discovered this sort of information, or worse yet, were able to ally themselves with similar individuals? It would be the end of days for us all."

Marquis Boullope barked a laugh at that. "One so young as yourself wouldn't know about the 'end of days', but I am inclined to follow your line of reasoning. We need to eliminate these sorts of factors before our enemies gain them for themselves. I motion that we assemble a task force specifically for finding and killing these individuals."

"Funny how quick to the draw you are to make a move like that, when you couldn't even figure out what to do regarding our own city for so long," Pluton finally jumped in.

The guildmaster's veins looked ready to explode, as did the Marquis's when he whirled to face the other man.

"How dare you speak out of turn! You are only here because you and the Swords of Darkness are the representatives for the survivors of E-Rantel! You could not possibly fathom the intricacies of our politics and bureaucracy!"

"I think I have a few ideas about that, given my own position as the head of E-Rantel's Adventurer's Guild," Pluton darkly spoke. Gazef could practically see the bolts of lightning arcing between the two men's willpower.

A loud slap echoed throughout the throne room, drawing everyone's attention to see that it was King Ramposa who had smacked the armrest of his throne.

"That's enough! I will not tolerate such discourse at a time like this! I understand both of your positions, gentlemen, but I do not think that is the right way to go about this. What I instead propose is thus: we do find Sir Sebastian and the other Sirs of Ainz Ooal Gown, but we do so in the hopes of an alliance, not bloodshed."

Several voices erupted at once, the nobility striving to make themselves be heard over their peers. As usual, Marquis Boullope's brashness and warlord-like disposition broke through.

"King Ramposa, you cannot be serious! We do not know the temperament of these people, nor do we even have many assurances we can rely on them. One instance from a single individual is not indicative of a friendly disposition."

"And yet, this 'one instance' was enough to have you crying for the knight's death warrant?" The king asked amicably enough, but the underlying tone got through to the blustering noble.

Marquis Boullope grit his teeth but spoke no more, settling for silently stewing in his indignation. King Ramposa sighed, and then gestured towards the Swords of Darkness.

"I understand that you, too, have met similar beings like the Sirs of Ainz Ooal Gown and Sir Sebastian Tou-Chi. Another band of adventurers called the Argonauts and the new Wise King of the Forest, yes?"

Peter Mauk nodded. "Yeah, though we haven't seen the Argonauts in a while. They were supposed to meet up with us here in the city, but it's been weeks now. The Wise King is…well, he could be helpful, but we're just not sure if he would want to."

"He could be if I asked him," Ninya butted in, "He may have declared his debt to us repaid, but he did say we were always welcome back in his forest. He sees us as equals at least, so maybe he'll help us out if we explain the situation."

"An admirable thought, young man, but even then, that idea is dubious at best. Although, I am in favor of seeking out the Sirs of Ainz Ooal Gown and the knight to ally with," Marquis Raevan said.

"Do we know of any place where we could even begin to look for them?" Marquis Urovana asked.

"The people of Carne are intimately familiar with them, enough to make statues in their honor. Perhaps they possess a method of reaching out to the Sirs? But if they do, how do we go about delegations?"

"That is a matter we will need to discuss in further meetings. For now, we will need to focus on other issues. Chief Warrior Gazef, when the time is right, I would like you to head the team that will initiate contact," King Ramposa declared.

Gazef placed a fist over his heart and bowed. "Of course, you can count on me."

"Excellent, now we will need to speak on how best we can integrate the displaced peoples of E-Rantel. We will need to develop some new programs for their handling, and a way to also compensate Master Pluton and his adventurers for their part in protecting the citizens."

From there, the discussion dissolved into more politics and planning on just what the king said. Gazef allowed himself to politely listen in, staying by the king's side for most of the talking.

His men were dismissed to retire to their quarters, as were the Swords of Darkness and Pluton and Brita. Eventually, even the nobles were dismissed. Only the king and Chief Warrior remained, content to remain in comfortable peace.

In that time, they were able to stay. They need not say anything else to each other, for they already knew they were right where they belonged. They just hoped that everyone else would be able to find that same peace.

---

The Underdark

The Master has gone quiet, stayed quiet for several days now. Green-Eyes-of-Primordial-Fire no longer floated in the great expanse of their underground home, keeping a watchful gaze on them.

Pack Leader did not understand it. Had it done something wrong? Had its brothers and sisters angered the Master somehow? As the first-born, it strived for perfection in its creator's eyes, to hunger and feast and slaughter all enemies of the Master.

And now the Master vanished, into dark root and moist earth and whispering wind. There were no words given to the hive-mind, only the void.

Others of its brood slumbered on rocks or patches of moss, soothed by the emerald light of the crystal pillars that pierced the earth. The mound where the seed was planted, several nest-mates huddled around it, tending to it to grow and flourish and be corrupted.

Primary Nest-Mate was among them, the eldest sister of their clutch. She recovered from her wounds, regrowing limbs and teeth and skin. Her horns dripped black gore from prey she slew earlier.

Another of their brood disappeared right before the Master did. The Master called it the first of a new brood, born of evolution and dark power. It looked different from the others, with a slobbering snout and gangly arms and thin frame.

That kin stared hungrily at Pack-Leader before it left. It recognized the drive of ambition in its ember eyes. They were similar and yet not. Of two worlds and yet neither. Just as it was the first born of its kind, the other was the first born of another.

It hated it.

Squeals from smaller kin resounded near the entrance of their home, those of alarm and righteous fury. They quickly diminished, reduced to submissive whimpers. Pack Leader raised its head, the fleshy petals of its maw unfurling and a low growl emanating from its throat.

Those still sleeping immediately woke up, surrounding Pack Leader and baring their fangs and horns and claws. The nest-mates around the mound also drew away, hiding in the darkness of their home.

They could not be harmed. The Master made it clear they were to live and tend for the sapling that would poke through any day now. They were bred for such a purpose, and fulfill it they would.

Another growl answered it, a challenge from an unseen foe. Except it must have been recognizable, as Pack Leader could see the smaller kin striding alongside…something, their necks bared and softly clicking their jaws.

It rose on two legs, significantly taller than even the bulkiest of its kind. It flared the petals of its skull, unveiling needle teeth and lashing tentacles.

"What… is this? Who dares… disturb our home?" It asked, voice raspy.

The smaller kin stopped in the tracks, allowing whatever they were escorting to plod along at its own pace. From the slick noises the presence emitted, it was slime based, trickling along the earth like a lowly slug.

In the dim lighting of the cavern, it could faintly make out a formless blob of black tar, slithering up to Pack Leader. It stopped right at its feet, bubbling and contorting before its very eyes.

Pack Leader tilted its head. "Why… has this come? What… is its nature… and why does it come…?"

A tittering growl popped out of the slime, growing now and reforming itself. It continued to grow and grow and grow, becoming a size even greater than Pack Leader's. There was no definable texture to its skin, but certain shapes formed that made it recognizable.

Oddly proportioned limbs melted out of the slime, unusually long arms with sickle talons, and feet that were adorned the same way. A grinning, long snout came out of the murk, along with flaming red eyes denoting it's status.

It recognized the creature before it, for it was the one that disappeared before the Master did. It came crawling back to Pack Leader, did it? Was it hoping to take over in the Master's absence?

"What… happened to you…? Where did… you go? Thought you… turned…"

The rival bared its teeth in a fearsome smile. "Served the… Master… Recovered a powerful weapon… and a new body… I have arrived… to new beginnings…"

Pack Leader snarled. "You have come… to an empty house… The Master is… gone… many days have passed… no word… You will not take… them from me…"

"Then strong leadership… is needed… Our kind will not be allowed to… rot… You… are no longer needed…"

"Mind yourself… hatchling…! I will tear out your throat…!"

With a lunge, Pack Leader reached for Rival's throat, sinking dangerous claws into the soft and malleable flesh. Even if this kin was fated by the Master for some grand purpose, it must have been successful if it could return.

It continued to wrench chunks of flesh from Rival, who stared at it with amusement. Rival raised one arm and brought it down with the force of a hammer, swatting away Pack Leader.

Pack Leader landed on all fours, skittering like an insect across the cavernous space. It hissed, trying to flank its opponent.

Rival dissolved into a puddle, traveling at grand speed towards the other alpha. As soon as its tar touched Pack Leader's foot, steam rose and with it came tendrils that wrapped around the ankle.

Other kin came to watch the fight for domination, making a rough circle around the two combating beasts to see who would come out on top.

With a toss, Pack Leader was crumpled against the harsh edge of one of the crystal pillars, the sharp quality of it digging into its flesh and drawing blood.

Before it could recover, Rival reached it in the same form, slamming another tentacle into its torso and then morphing into a massive hand to hold Pack Leader down.

Several tentacles tipped with barbs came out of Rival's back, the rest of its body reforming into its original shape. It grinned maliciously at the now subdued alpha.

"You… have lost… Beg… and I will spare… you…"

"I would rather… return to Master's essence… then bow to you…" Pack Leader weakly rumbled. It was picked up and slammed back down, its chest steaming from Rival's acidic touch.

"Then… you will die…," Rival uttered, the other hand was lifted, the fingers combining into a singular scythe edge.

Right as Pack Leader could see the weapon come barreling down on its neck, right as it was ready to accept its fate, a foreboding and overwhelming presence filled them both.

The scythe froze at the jugular, shaking with the force of Rival's will. However, it stopped entirely when a new voice entered the hive-mind, a familial and all-powerful feeling.

"Enough," the Master said, "Release it, and prostrate yourselves."

Every single one of their kind snapped to attention, bowing and groveling in place. Rival let Pack Leader to do the same thing, sinking to one knee. Pack Leader inclined it's head, the flesh petals quivering.

In the space above the tallest of the crystal spires, The Master's flaming green eyes flared into existence, ominously watching over them all.

"Your mission to the Lords of Ainz Ooal Gown went as expected…That is excellent news. You have evolved now beyond your original design, exactly as intended."

Rival snickered at Pack Leader before responding. "Thank you… Master… I have served your will… I infiltrated them… learned their designs… fought their servants… assimilated a new body… This… pleases you…?"

"That would depend, oh child mine, on if you are able to do as you were built to do. Your ascension went as planned, but now, I wish to see if you are able to do what I truly desire. Can you reproduce?"

The Master's words sent Rival off its axis, it suddenly seeming sheepish and looking around at its siblings. When none were forthcoming with an answer, it tucked its snout into itself, thinking.

It didn't take long, as its body shook with tumultuous force. Something strange was beginning to happen to the hive-mind, a persistent buzzing that had the smaller kin clawing at their ears to get rid of.

Rival howled in agony as the shaking reached a new level, the pitch-black skin boiling and glowing spots appearing just beneath the surface.

With a heave, those glowing spots broke through, oval shaped objects popping from its skin. They fell to the dirt with mighty thunks, pulsing softly the same color as the pillars that help up the roof of their home.

After a few seconds passed, black sludge began to pool out from hidden crevices in the smooth surface of those oval objects. They writhed and danced in place, being juggled by their own fleeting sensations.

Pack Leader could feel the growing consciousness of new life, something not felt since the destruction of the grove in the surface-above. Shining teeth of bone poked out of the slime, bringing with them gnashing mouths and whipping tongues.

Flaming eyes burst into existence, hollow sockets carving themselves out of the slime. Limbs shot out from the murky mass, solidifying and granting strength and weight to the green hearts.

In time, new kin rose from those artifacts, mewling pups that other small kin raced up and snatched. They were promptly deposited into the lakes of tar, where they greedily lapped up the life substance of the Master.

"And so it has come to pass, that a new generation of my children has been born. Well done, Mother."

Rival stared at the Master, soaking in the praise and new title afforded to it. It fell to both knees. "Thank you… Master… What is your… will now?"

The green eyes focused on Pack Leader. "Now, you will do as befitting of your title. You will rear these new pups to maturation, better and more powerful than the previous generation. But it will not do to have the rest of my children be left behind. You will…augment your siblings. Grant them your status, and multiply."

A transmission between the Master and "Mother" occurred, one that the hive-mind was not privy to. Instructions, most likely, on how Once-But-Still-Rival could accomplish its new task.

Finally, the hive-mind was opened back up to their consciousness. Mother glanced at Pack Leader, a satisfied and all too excited gleam in her embers.

She lunged at Pack Leader, using her greater strength to restrain it. It struggled in her grip, primal fear permeating its very being. A fear it had not felt since She-of-Blood-Fur-and-Smiling-Fangs.

Mother-but-Once-Rival opened her mouth, allowing black slime of her own to drip into its mouth, steaming and burning away at the flesh petals. It could only hold in the screams for a moment, but then couldn't restrain itself.

"Just as Mother shall bring about a new generation, you will lead them, my Pack Leader. You are my first-born, and so shall be afforded the privilege that comes of it. You will bring about a new era for your kind…Father."

The Master's words seared into its mind, etching themselves into its psyche. That pain was even worse than the slime which made its way into its body and changed it to its very core.

Already it could feel its body liquefy and remake itself, growing denser and more sturdy than before. Veins simmered with molten fire, and more hoarse screams rose from its throat.

It could sense Mother's grim satisfaction from its trial, but also more, though it could not comprehend all of those emotions at the moment.

"Another agent moves to enact my will. A bargain is struck, and so another heir shall be born. The seed's growth progresses steadily, and will sprout any day now. The Dragon Lords, those utter fools, play into my hands. Soon, Ainz Ooal Gown, we shall meet, and you will know the terror of an old world, as well as the betrayal of another. So says I."