Chapter 4

Written By Illuminet

Disclaimer: Just refer to the first chapter to see it. Otherwise, proceed...

"..."-Indicate Speech

'...'-Indicate Thought

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Netherworld, Overlord's Castle, Etna's room, formally Laharl's room

Etna looked at her reflection in the mirror. She always got up early to bathe before she had to deal with the everyday pressures brought along with being a female Overlord. Female Overlords were rather rare throughout the generations of succession from one Overlord to another. Although there were plenty of Overlords before her, Etna was only the third Overlord in history to be female.

'Both female Overlords before me were also not treated with equal respect as the male Overlords, but at least they were treated better than I am.'

Etna thought bitterly. She had learned that Laharl had a hidden chamber under his room that was actually a personal library. Through the knowledge she gained from some of the books, Etna had learned about the previous female Overlords reigns. They had been Krichevskoy's and Laharl's ancestors, which was a rich and well respected family before it became the leaders of all the Netherworld. This was mostly the reason Etna believed they had gotten more respect from the general public and the Senators than she herself had. Etna was the first Overlord to come from a commoner class of Demons, which may have been the mass of the population, but the most looked down upon. Save for her Vassals, all other Demons still viewed her as the commoner she once was.

"Your highness, something urgent has come up!"

Aramis stormed in on her, a serious look on his face. In most circumstances of him walking in on her while she was brushing the long red strands of her hair and was wearing the lacy black bath robe over her well endowed body, he'd play his role as an annoying kid brother and tell her to dress properly. This, however was not one of those times.

"The Overlord of the Alternate Netherworld is here, your highness. She looked in pretty bad shape to me, like she got beat up. She's waiting for you in the throne room."

Aramis said quickly before turning on his heel and walking away.

'Priere is here and looks like she got beat up...?'

Etna got up quickly to greet the other Overlord without bother to dress in her usual attire.

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Netherworld, Overlord's Castle, Throne room

Priere looked up to see Aramis walk into the room. She was about to yell at him to find out where Etna was, but Etna came out before anything happened.

"Priere, what happened to you?"

Etna asked with concern as she took in the sight of her friend's dirty and torned clothing. Priere narrowed her eyes.

"I'd like to be here to visit you with some good news. Unfortunately, I can't. Baal has gotten free from his tower in the Alternate Netherworld and has already no doubt conquered it already."

Priere told her. Etna's eyes widened slightly.

"The Lord of Terror is free? Your serious about this?"

Etna asked. Priere nodded.

"Yeah, positive. I'm here to warn you about him. The Netherworld could very likely be in danger!"

Etna took in Priere's words carefully. Baal had attempted to take over the Netherworld, however, Krichevskoy had gotten word of the invasion and went to the Alternate Netherworld to defeat Baal. In the end, all Krichevskoy could do was use the last remaining amount of his energy to seal the weakened Baal away.

'I can't believe Baal was able to get free. Overlord Krichevskoy, even being the strongest Overlord in all Netherworld history, couldn't do much more than seal him away. I'm not strong enough to surpass Overlord Krichevskoy yet, so what can I do against the Lord of Terror?'

Etna was filled with worry, something she wasn't to accustomed to until recently with trying to maintain peace and tranquillity in the Netherworld and its relations with the other worlds.

"I've got to inform the Angels and the Humans. Hopefully I'll be able to persuade them to help us."

Etna said after a little while of thinking. Priere nodded.

"I have to agree with you. Baal can't be stopped alone. We have to combine our strengths or Baal will simply pick all the worlds off, one by one."

Priere stated.

"I have to get dressed in more formal wear. How about you? I don't think it's best for you to go in the condition that your in."

Etna told the Overlord of the Alternate Netherworld. Priere merely waved her hand.

"I have a spare change of clothing with me all the time. Just hurry and get yourself ready. Time is not in our favor here."

Priere said. Etna nodded. It was true, time was going to be the greatest enemy.

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Alternate Netherworld, Overlord's Castle, Throne Room

"What's that, you say? A trial of peace has been going on with the races?"

Baal asked as he sat a pile of rubble that used to be the throne. His posture was relaxed, his head leaning on his hand, with his propped elbow leaning on a knee. The Demon in from of him, a Halloween Demon with a pumpkin head, seemed to be quivering as he told Baal about what had been going on in with the worlds in his absence. Baal could hardly believe that the three races were actually talking to each other without hostile intentions. After a little while, Baal sent the Demon away, who ran in a hurry to get out of the dark and piercing sight of Ball's eyes.

'Interesting...so Krichevskoy is dead, and it would seem the whoever the new Overlord of the Netherworld is, he has managed to pull the races together. No doubt Priere has already informed this Overlord of my return. The obvious thing to do would be to keep the races at each others throats. If that should fail, then at least weaken their powers one by one so they wouldn't have a chance of defeating me. I may be the Lord of Terror, but even someone like me has limits unfortunately. If I should fail to conquer the other three worlds...I have to find a worthy successor to finish what I began, but no Demon here is worthy of my title and power to add on to their own...hmmm'

Baal shifted his gaze to the ceiling as he thought. Not long, he came up with his answer.

"I think it's time to visit Celestia. Angels have always considered us Demons as great and terrible evil forces. I should strike them first to sever the ties of their peace with us. The Humans can wait..."

The room filled with Baal's laughter as he stood up. With a few waves of his hand, he opened up his own personal Dimensional Gate to travel through.

'Wait for me Angels. I'll rule Celestia soon as well.'

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Earth, White House, President's Office

"Okay...let me get this straight...your telling me that there's a Demon more powerful than the Supreme Overlord and has been set free?"

The late middle aged man asked. He wore a black formal suit. President Gordon X (Note: The tenth, not actually an X), was not pleased with what he was hearing. Getting a private meeting with two beautiful Demon Overlords was crazy enough, and now he was being told that a Demon called the Lord of Terror, who had powers exceeding the Supreme Overlord, had gotten loose into the Alternate Netherworld.

"That's exactly what were saying. Baal will undoubtedly come and conquer the other worlds soon enough. We already lost the Alternate Netherworld, and I'm taking a big chance by meeting with you instead of staying to protect the Netherworld."

Etna stated. Gordon X nodded. He had his doubts on what the Human technology could do towards someone who was said to have more power than the Overlords. He knew the stories of Etna's predecessor, Laharl, from some of his ancestors. Even with their most advanced technology at that time so long ago, Laharl by himself proved he could take down tons of the Human battle cruisers without breaking a sweat.

"Look, I know your probably thinking what the humans can do. You've had thousands of years to advance your technology further, plus you do owe us Demons and Angels a debt because we've given you the right resources to keep Earth alive for so long. I'm not sure if it will be much, but I do want your cooperation on this."

Etna told him. Gordon X looked to be in deep thought. Finally he nodded swiftly.

"Your right, Overlord Etna. It may not be much, but I'll have our new and improved EDF to help your cause against this Demon. It will take some time to prepare this, but hopefully we'll have enough time. You and Overlord Priere should head over to Celestia to gain their help."

Gordon X said. He shook hands with the two Overlords before bidding them farewell.

'I have no doubt in my political abilities to persuade the congress in favor of helping the Netherworld. I just hope we'll be ready by the time they'll need our help.'

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Celestia, Seraphic Sanctuary, Sacred Alter

He felt it. His people were being defeated. some held out longer than others, but the result was always the same. What concerned him the most was why he could not feel the presence of the slaughterer. It was almost as if his people were dying by an invisible force.

'Who...is out there? Why can't I feel anything to label the one who has been committing these senseless acts of bloodshed?'

The youthful looking angel with multiple giant wings looked worried, and it showed in his emerald green eyes. The new Seraph of Celestia, Michaelangelo, pondered who the visitor could be but could draw no conclusions. He turned sharply when the doors of his chamber had been thrown openned hasilty, his blond hair swaying with his movement. Michaelangelo's eyes widened slightly.

"You are...the Arch Angel. What has happened to you, what is going on out there?"

The young female Arch Angel's clothing was splattered with large amounts of crimson stains, which Michaelangelo had no doubt to be blood.

"Lianas, what is going on?"

Michaelangelo repeated, using her name. Judging by the look of her jade color eyes, something had terrified her. She had wanted to speak but soon felt her vision going black. The azure haired Angel didn't fall to the ground however, as Seraph Michealangelo was by her side quickly to catch her.

"It would seem that I beat her up a little to much. She didn't even get a chance to tell you who I am."

Bellowed a dark voice. Michalangelo held Lianas close to him as he looked towards the chamber doors. He could only make out the silhouette of a massive being and the red glow of eyes. Michaelangelo cringed at what he saw as the being stepped into the light. Michaelangelo had never seen such a massive Demon before. He cringed at the sight of blood that stained the Demon's body as well as some Angel feathers that clung to the spots. He knew this was the one who killed some of his people, and not in the gentlest of manners either. He had started an out right blood bath.

"Who are you, Demon? What is your purpose here?"

Michaelangelo asked through gritted teeth.

"Didn't you hear? I came by orders of his highness, the Overlord to do away with the Seraph. He wishes to rule Celestia."

Michaelangelo narrowed his eyes at the explanation.

"You lie, Demon. First of all, the Overlord of the Netherworld is female. Second, she helped to bring please to all the races, so why would she backfire that right now?"

Michaelangelo stated. The Demon now looked with slight surprise.

"It would seem the information I got was incorrect. I knew I shouldn't have asked that idiot from the back water area of the Alternate Netherworld. I forget how slow they are to getting any new information or even if it's correct information either. Oh well, a little mishap."

The Demon said with a chuckle.

"Your the one who wants Celestia, don't you?"

Michael asked. He was answered with a slight nod of the head.

"Yes, your not mistaken. I am Baal, the Lord of Terror and you...Seraph Michaelangelo, was it? The strongest of the Angels and their leader as well, I believe."

Baal stated.

"Baal, the Lord of Terror. I've heard about you in the legends. I didn't think you could mask your presence and power so flawlessly. Well...it doesn't matter, I won't forget and forgive what you've done to my people. I shall cleanse you of your sins."

Michaelangelo stated. Baal quirked a large eyebrow in amusement.

"If I may be so bold, how do you intend to do that?"

Baal was clearly amused by the Seraph. He knew that the Seraph did not stand a chance with a direct approach. He could tell Michaelangelo was slightly weaker than Overlord Priere in terms of powers, but being an Angel, he could employed special skills to deal especially with Demons.

'Yes, Seraph...amuse me...show me the depths of your powers before I take over your world.'

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Netherworld, Infinite Darkness, Wastelands

Already one world had been taken over, and another would soon follow. Laharl was either blissfully unaware or he knew of what was going on yet chose to not acknowledge it. Only one thing mattered to him, and that was the safety of the white flower. Many would think someone like him crazy to give up everything for only a simple plant. The title of Overlord had once meant everything to Laharl, but now it was the last thing on his mind.

'It has been a peaceful day here for once, hasn't it, Flonne?'

He lay on top of a withered tree that looked over a small cliff. The darkness stretched on into the horizon. As with most Demon, Laharl could see easily in the dark. His leg dangled lazily over the side of the branch he laid on. Laharl let the white flower lay on his chest. Laharl stiffened as he heard a sound down below on the ground.

"Your highness, it's been a while."

He heard a gruff voice speak out to him. Laharl remained silent for a while.

"You shouldn't be calling me that, Manty. Only the Overlord deserves that kind of formality."

He said to Manty the Manticore. He didn't expect to see one of his former Vassals here.

"Perhaps you are aware already, but Baal has reawakened. He has already taken over the Alternate Netherworld ."

Manty said. Laharl turned his head to gaze at Manty from the corner of his eye.

"The Lord of Terror? What are you talking about? He's only a myth."

Laharl stated. Manty shook his massive head.

"Don't deny it, your highness. I'm well informed that you believe in the Lord of Terror's existence. Your simply using an excuse from the time you were still an Overlord."

Manty said. Laharl turned his head back to the dark horizon.

"What gives you the excuse to call me your highness when I'm not the Overlord anymore?"

Laharl asked of the former Vassal.

"Your reign as Overlord ended too quickly your highness. I had no doubts that Etna would become a great Overlord. Still, unlike you, she didn't have all the necessary teachings from her predesesor to truly succeed your place. Look, I understand that the flower you hold now used to be someone you cared deeply for. You must understand that you have to retake your place as Overlord. You can't keep obsessing over a flower."

Unknown to Manty, Laharl narrowed his eyes.

"I don't need you to tell me of what I should have done. This is my life. I chose to become the guardian of this flower and I will keep my word as long as I breathe."

Laharl almost hissed at the Vassal. Without another word, Laharl teleported out of reach from the former Vassal. Manty shook his head..

"I wish you could realize that by protecting your flower , you put the entire Netherworld at risk."

Manty said softly before turning around to head back to the castle.

***TBC***

Note: Thanks for the positive reviews. I'm glad some readers like the story. Anyway, sorry for not getting this up sooner, but I've been busy.