CHAPTER 3-MYSTERIES & EXPLORATIONS
In a darkened room sitting cross-legged in meditation was Madara, still in the traveling attire he received from the Observer, shortly after his arrival in this new world. Thanks to the information he gained from the young adventurers he saved, he found a decent mid-class inn to base himself in for the evening.
"Hmm... I can no longer sense the tracking jutsu I placed on that girl. It wasn't removed. That much is certain. It feels more like it is being blocked by some powerful force. How very interesting. Something else for me to ponder." He said to himself.
He was mentally reviewing everything that has happened, and everything he learned with a pensive expression on his face.
While he did so, Madara was questioning everything that he has done thus far, and in particular, his handling of the mythril ranked adventurer known to him as, "Nabe". What had his attention, were the feelings of anger and disgust he felt when she glared at him in contempt and disdain. He felt it was a slight upon him in particular, but didn't fully understand why, and where such feelings were coming from.
'Why did I act in such a manner? I am not one to act thoughtlessly or impulsively, like those two young men I once fought. Such a strange feeling it is. Was it pride then? Perhaps, but I feel that there could be more to it.' He allowed his thoughts and feelings to wander as he searched for the answer in his mind.
During this he remembered the scene he came upon when he found the caravan that was beset by the goblins and ogres. The same could have happened to him when he had been newly awakened in this world. The brutality and the acts of barbarity he had witnessed them inflict upon the humans there, offended him to his core. It was this point that filled him with confusion.
Throughout his long life, he had seen the repeating cycle of violence and brutality many times. Seeing humans kill and slaughter each other was par the course as far as he was concerned. It was a testament to how jaded he had become in his life, as he had seen what he felt was the worst of humanity.
It was one of the main reasons he sought out the "Infinite Tsukuyomi", in his world. Still, after his second death and his second resurrection, he could feel that a part of him had softened, at least a little bit, when he recalled his final goodbyes with his old rival and friend Hashirama.
However, what he saw at the caravan ambush had stirred something different within him. The outrage and wrath it brought out had been completely unexpected. The world he lived in was one where humans were the dominant race, and although there were sentient beasts, very few preyed upon humans like he saw those demi-humans did.
He then slowly started to realize the reason why as he then remembered long forgotten feelings he once had for his fellow man, before the brutal realities of his war-torn life had settled in. With this in mind, he took the time to review the state of humanity in this new world. He did this thinking it might provide an answer, since most of the new information he gained had not settled in, and he was not consciously aware of yet.
What surprised and even offended him to a certain degree was the fact that in this new world, humanity was the weakest race in a world filled with predators. He knew of the time roughly 600 years in this world's past where humanity was on the verge of dying out. If not for the intervention of powerful beings that were called the "Six Great Gods" and others like them, humanity would more than likely be extinct.
Madara also knew of the current status of human nations in this new world. From what he had gathered, there were roughly six human countries on this continent, with the Re-Estize Kingdom being the most geographically safe from outer, non-human threats. As he reviewed his information, he grasped the sorry state the Kingdom truly was in as it was a corrupt mess that did little to safeguard its people.
Then there were the two countries closest to the Kingdom, the Baharuth Empire and the Slane Theocracy. Taken together these were the safest human nations on the continent. The same could not be said for the Roble Holy Kingdom, Karnassus City-State Alliance, and the Dragonic Kingdom, which faced near daily threats from hostile non-humans in varying degrees.
Madara's expression soured as he recalled that the further away one went from the central continent, the fewer human nations and settlements there were. He felt a pang of disgust hit as he recalled that in a nation called, "The Troll Kingdom", the demi-humans there consider 6-month old human fetuses to be an exquisite delicacy, which they served to their most honored guests.
A similar state of affairs was practiced in the beastman countries, where one of which was currently invading the aforementioned Dragonic Kingdom. He recognized that this was a pattern that repeated all over this world, as humans where often lowered to the status of playthings, slaves, livestock, or all of the above.
In the eastern continent, only two human nations had managed to survive. Despite a few rivalries, they had formed alliances with the dwarven and elven nations that still existed for the expressed purpose of their continued survival. If not for sympathetic dragons and other powerful beings, they too would have long since vanished. In the western continent that was across the seas, humanoids were practically extinct.
All this information had coalesced into Madara's consciousness, and brought about subtle changes to his views and feelings that he himself did not even realize at the time. That is, not until after he encountered Nabe. The fact that a non-human, masquerading as a human, looked down on him, was an affront he could not tolerate, and combined with his most recent experience, gave birth to a new kind of anger for him.
His hands clenched into fists in his lap as his Sharingan flared, and glowed in the dark of his room. He then felt the return of his two oldest companions, anger and hate, as he recalled all he had learned, and the face of the non-human that dared to offend his honor, and his now growing pride as a human. He who was a veritable god among men.
"Hmph. How curious." He remarked.
A faint smile escaped his lips as he placed his right hand on the left side of his chest and then spoke in a whimsical manner.
"Hashirama. I never thought that a man like me could change, even slightly. It is almost comical." He said as he finished speaking with a light chuckle.
Just then, Madara's eyes twitched as if he had reacted to something.
"So then, they found some useful things."
As he said that he disappeared in a burst of white smoke and steam, leaving his room still and quiet.
...
In a large, bright, and spacious study, a large figure clad in luxurious black robes sat at an exquisitely designed desk. Pearl white, skeletal fingers which bore nine magnificent rings were interlaced as the elbows of the arms rested on top of the desk. They rested in front of a pure white skull with red flame-like dots of light inside empty eye sockets.
This was the Overlord of Death, and master of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, Ainz Ooal Gown, who sat at his desk as if he were in deep contemplation. He lets out a long and exaggerated sigh as he leans back in his chair, and with his hands going to his arm rests. After a few moments of silence, his sight goes to his right hand that was trembling ever so slightly.
"Che!"
He reaches over with his left hand to grab hold of his right, and after a few seconds the trembling subsides.
"Again?... what's going on?" Ainz says to himself in annoyance.
Cupping his chin with his right hand, Ainz quietly ponders to himself in search of the answer to his question.
'This started ever since I met that man called Madara. When I first saw him in the street, I felt strange. It felt like he was bigger than he looked, and I felt repelled by him. I didn't realize it at first because of the sudden scuffle between him and Narberal. Even though it was technically her fault, I didn't feel the anger and worry for her like I normally do for the NPCs. Instead, all my instincts was telling me to resolve the issue quickly and to get away from him as soon as possible...'
Ainz' hand goes back to his chair's arm rest as he continues his line of thought.
'I only realized this after I scolded Narberal and finished my business at the guild. Every time I think about him, my hand shakes, and I feel anxious and... afraid? That shouldn't be possible. I'm an undead now, and even if I have a few lingering emotions, fear and anxiety shouldn't happen that easily. Is he really a player? There's something about him that makes me think he isn't...'
There was a sudden knock at the door to his study that brings Ainz Ooal Gown back from his thoughts. After a short pause he gives permission to enter.
Then a world class beauty gracefully steps into the study. She wore a pure white dress that had matching long gloves, with a golden necklace that was patterned after a spiderweb that extended from her shoulders down to over her large breasts. Her hair was a flowing, lustrous jet-black that reached down past her waist, and had a pair of horns jutting out the sides of her head.
She was the Overseer of the Floor Guardians of Nazarick, and personal creation of one of Ainz' friends, Albedo. She wore a bewitching smile on her face that could entrance any man with but a glance. She takes a bow and speaks in a sweet, honey like voice.
"My apologies for disturbing you at this hour, Ainz-sama.~"
"Umu. It's fine Albedo. I was not doing anything of importance anyways."
"Ah.~ Such a generous master. As expected of the man I love!~" Albedo says as her eyes glaze over in excitement, and the wings on her waist twitch.
"U-Uh, A-Ah." Ainz said weakly as he reels back slightly from her display.
'Aaah. Why did I have to alter Tabula-san's settings?' Ainz thought to himself in regret.
In his original human life, he was a virgin salary-man with almost no experience in dealing with the affections of the opposite sex. As such, whenever Albedo would put her feelings for him on full display, there were times he was at a loss at how to respond. In the end he resolved to just force his way through as he spoke to her.
"What brings you here, Albedo?"
"Oh! Pardon me Ainz-sama." She said as she composes herself before continuing. "I had wished to discuss the incident in E-Rantel with you, regarding the human that you and Narberal encountered."
'Aaah. The one thing I didn't want to think about in front of any of the guardians. How am I going to explain it if those strange hand tremors start up again? Oh, my stomach hurts. Oh! I delayed a response...'
"And? What did you wish to say, Albedo?" He said in a dignified manner as he also carefully hid his hands under his desk.
"Yes, my lord. I wanted to seek your permission to put the area and also the human in question under surveillance, due to the strength that Narberal described, and the potential danger he may pose."
The lights in Ainz' skull dimmed as Albedo put forward her request. Indeed, it was an action he had considered before. However, with his most recent confusion regarding his reaction to the mysterious man called Madara, and him still dealing with the aftermath of being forced to kill a brainwashed Shalltear, it was something that had briefly slipped his mind.
'Albedo has a point. Player or not, he may be a threat. Especially if he can make me feel like I have a cramp in a stomach I don't even have anymore. But if that man has any skills or talents that can help him detect surveillance from magic or stealth type NPCs, it wouldn't take long to realize that activity started right after he met Momon and Nabe. Even I would get suspicious. I can't risk any negative reactions or suspicions to the good names of Momon and Nabe. Not when it's started to pay off. But I can't ignore this either. What to do...?'
After a moment with his head down in contemplation, he lifted it back up to speak to Albedo in the best authoritarian voice he could muster.
"For the time being Albedo, we do nothing. If this man has the skills or perception to notice our surveillance, then it wouldn't take much for him to link it to his most recent encounter with Momon and Nabe. I don't want to risk any negative consequences or suspicions to their personas. Am I understood?"
"My lord, if I may, does a single human really warrant such caution?" Albedo said politely, but there was an undercurrent of disbelief in her voice.
"Albedo, as I have said before, never underestimate a potential danger, even if it comes from a human. The fact is, even I am not sure that man is human, and we cannot afford any careless mistakes like the one Narberal made. Although it could be said that her mistake was a good fortune in disguise in alerting us to this man's presence."
"Ah. I see. As expected of Ainz-sama. I apologize for my shallow thinking." She says as she takes a bow of respect.
"Not at all, Albedo. It's fine as long as you understand. Hmm... now then, wait at least three weeks before placing him and the area under surveillance with the combined use of magic and servants proficient in stealth. That should give sufficient time to ensure that any suspicions to Momon and Nabe can be avoided. Now go."
"Understood, my lord. Then I will take my leave." Albedo says as she takes a final bow before she leaves Ainz study.
After he is sure that she has left, Ainz lets out an exaggerated sigh as he slips into the comfort of his own thoughts.
'Ah~ah. Putting on the act of a wise ruler is tough. I wonder if I will ever get used to it? Huh? Not again. What a bother...'
His thoughts trail off as he once again notices a tremor in his right hand. This time he clenches his fist and pounds it a few times on his armrest, which seems to have had the desired effect. Ainz then grunts as a thought crosses his mind.
'I hope I made the right choice here. I have a bad feeling about all this...'
...
A slight breeze gently caresses the leaves of nearby trees as a lone hawk with brown and white feathers floats down onto one of the branches. The animal seemed to be perfectly at ease with itself and its surroundings. Then in an instant a blur passes it by, and the avian was gone. That same blur leapt from tree branch to tree branch with a blinding speed that belied its ability to do so in near complete silence.
In what seemed to be five minutes, this blur had silently traversed approximately two kilometers, but then comes to a stop in a clearing in a forest. Standing still in the light of the moon was Madara with the hawk under his left arm. After looking around, he takes a step forward and places his right hand on the grass. The instant he did there was a burst of steam that erupted, and there stood another Madara.
This second Madara looked at the first and the hawk that it held in its arm as he spoke in a satisfied toned of voice.
"Hm. Sending out my clones beforehand is proving beneficial in exploring this new world."
What Madara was referring to, was the fifteen Wood-Release clones he had created earlier in the day. After they had cleaned up the scene of the caravan massacre and the subsequent battle, they were sent out in all directions, and through Madara's link with them had kept in communication with the main body.
As the clone gently lowered the animal down, the original Madara's eyes morph and change into a shining, light purple color with ripple patterns that had spread over the entirety of both his eyeballs.
"Now then, it is time to see if the Rinnegan's 'Animal Path' abilities can still function in this new world."
After making that statement, he clasped his hands together, and once they had parted a black rod sprang forth from the palm of his left hand. He proceeded to lower it to the hawk that still lay unconscious. He then thrust the rod in the animal and retracted his hand, leaving it in just below its neck. Madara repeated this three more times across the hawk's back before he stood up straight, leaving a total of four rods in the animal.
"Now, let's begin."
After he made that statement, both Madara and his clone took four steps back, and then a ring formed around the avian made up of different and distorted kinds of letters and symbols. Then he pressed his hands and fingers together to form the hand seal of Hitsuji (Ram).
[Rikudō no Jutsu: Chikushōdō]!
Suddenly a pillar of ethereal looking blue flame bursts up from the circle, engulfing the hawk and the circle entirely. After about a minute of this the sight dies down, and the circle fades from view. The hawk could no longer be seen, leaving only scorch marks.
It seemed a failure but Madara did not appear to be displeased. Instead he stepped forward and thrust his open right palm onto the ground.
[Kuchiyose no Jutsu]!
Immediately upon that command, a pillar of white steam shot up into the air, and then the flapping of giant wings cleared it away, revealing an incredibly large hawk with black rods in its body and the [Rinnegan] in its eye sockets. It cried out once, as if it was celebrating a victory of some kind. It then settled down and stood up on its two legs as if to display itself for inspection.
It was a sight to behold as it stood up 8 ½ feet tall (259 cm), with a corresponding wingspan that would be breath-taking if there was an observer nearby to appreciate the size and majesty of the newly reborn creature.
A faint smile briefly crosses over Madara's lips before he returns to his usual stern and focused countenance.
"It seems the test was a success. Now all I have to do is restock on my supply of summons. Fortunately, there is another good prospect near here." He said as he then dispelled the summon.
Madara clasps his hands together in a hand seal like that of the one from earlier and he once again disappears from view. His clone then leaps away in a high-speed blur and it completely disappears from sight.
In another location beside the edges of a giant lake shrouded by a thick blanket of mist, the real Madara reappeared next to another of his clones. He took a brief moment to survey his surroundings before he spoke in a deep, authoritarian tone of voice.
"Now, let us begin the main event."
After making that statement, both Madara and his clone placed their right hands below their chins with their index and middle fingers extended up vertically. A faint hum could be heard chiming in the air as they did this.
In what seemed like a mere twenty seconds, a large mass suddenly burst forth from from the body of water. What appeared was a massive reptilian quadruped whose size easily matched that of a large house. It had ten serpentine, snake like heads, and sharp curved teeth that could be seen as it hissed and growled in anger. It also had webbed feet, serpentine tail, and a thick strong body composed of scales and muscle.
The creature that Madara and his clone had "encouraged" to show itself was known as a hydra, which normally can have eight to twelve heads, depending on its age. Hydras are very strong and have high regenerative abilities, making them able to heal from any serious wounds given enough time.
"Hoh.~ An interesting specimen, and a perfect addition."
Just as Madara finished speaking, the already enraged hydra charged at him. He then looked at the hydra and said only one word in a deep, threatening voice.
"Obey."
The hydra's movement slowly stumbled and stopped as each of its heads glazed over, and the image of the Rinnegan could be seen in each of its eye sockets. As it stood still a number of blurs burst forth and thrust black rods into various parts of its body. It stood still in its daze seeming to feel nothing at all from these actions.
When the blurred movements ceased, there were black rods all over its main body, tail, necks, and heads as it was now surrounded by five more of his Wood-Release clones. Then Madara performed the same hand-seal as before as various circles and patterns emerged underneath the reptilian creature.
[Rikudō no Jutsu: Chikushōdō]!
As before, a pillar of ethereal looking blue flame bursts up from the circle, engulfing the hydra and the circle entirely. After a minute the sight dies down and leaves no traces of the creature behind.
"Hm. Another successful acquisition, and through the Animal Path, it should become much stronger, like the previous one. Now to..."
Just as he was about to do something else, Madara received a summons from another clone in a different location. His present clones then dispersed, having also sensed the summons. He then proceeded to clasp his hands together and vanishes in a burst of steam. With the departure of Madara and his clones, the thick blanket of mist slowly and inexplicably started to dissipate.
...
The light of the evening moon shined down upon dilapidated and ruined remains of a small village near the Azerlisia Mountain range. It looked as if it was overgrown with moss and various other types of plants, showing that it had been abandoned for quite some time.
Nearby the abandoned settlement was a small cave leading into the base of one of the mountains, and appearing near the mouth of the cave was Madara, whose eyes had returned to normal, and was greeted by another of his clones. After exchanging a few brief glances they both walked into the cave together with the clone taking the lead. Though it was pitch black, they moved as if the darkness posed no issue for them.
The cave itself appeared to be an abandoned mine of some kind, with built-in support beams lining the tunnel, and digging tools strewn about the area. As they neared the end, two lit candles could be seen illuminating the darkened tunnel. When they finally approached the end, unearthly moans and grunts echoed in the narrow confines of the abandoned mine.
What came into view was a figure dressed in a faded, worn-out long coat with clothes that resembled that of a noble, but was equally faded from years of deterioration and lack of care. It was restrained from a framework made out of stone that secured the head and hands like a pillory. Upon closer inspection, the figure's fingers and head was a moving skeleton with faded, rotted flesh and red points of light in the eye sockets.
"RELEASE ME!" The skeleton bellowed with a deep male, echoing, sepulchral voice as it struggled in vain to break free.
The being that had been restrained was what was known as an Elder Lich. They were a powerful type of undead which were often magic casters, and capable of commanding lesser undead with the aid of necromancy. They could also cast highly destructive types of magic. At least, by this new world's limited standards and imagination.
"Ah. So this is an undead." Madara coldly remarked.
The lich ceased its struggles when it heard his voice and stared at the two Madara's standing before him. Without the appropriate amount of flesh on the face, it was nigh impossible to discern its facial expressions. However, its pause with silence, and mouth agape clearly showed that it was in shock at the appearance of two identical versions of what was obviously his captor. Then it stuttered as it spoke, clearly showing its shock.
"W-What i-is the meaning of t-this? Who are you?!"
Madara had a bored, disinterested expression on his face as he stepped forward, and his eyes widened only slightly at the question, before answering in a matching tone of voice.
"Ah. I see. Then you don't know. Very well. My name is Madara. Madara Uchiha. What fought and captured you was what you could call a copy of my being. A piece of myself I split off to explore and search for interesting things."
The lich seemed to be in both awe over such a thing as he gazed upon Madara, with the flames of its eye sockets becoming ever brighter. Then it closed its mouth and those flames dimmed as the lich spoke in a calm, and skeptical tone of voice, but still there was a very subtle, unexplained shaking in its body.
"If you can actually do what you say, then why did your 'copy' invade and disturb my home? How could I be of interest to you?"
"The answer is simple, lich. I wish to conduct a few experiments. I am curious to see how my chakra can effect your kind."
"C-Chakura? Experiments? What nonsense are you spouting human?!" The lich said as it growled, clearly confused and offended by Madara's words. However, the tremors in its skeletal body increased ever so slightly, and made a jittering sound against the stone.
"I have no need to explain any further." Madara coldly responded as he made mental notes of the lich's behavior and body language, seeming to be somewhat curious.
He approached the as of yet unnamed lich and took a knee so they both could be at eye level with each other. The lich seemed to be none too pleased with the closeness as he turned his head away, but Madara grabbed his head with his left hand, and forced him to look straight at him. His Sharingan then flared on, surprising the lich who let out an audible, "Huh?!", at the sight. Before he could ask questions Madara spoke up.
[Sharingan: Genjutsu]!
Madara released his grip from the lich and waited for a few minutes before he stood back up. Then he raised his right index finger and shifted its position from side to side. The lich followed the finger's movements for a moment and then spoke.
"W-What are you doing? What just happened?!"
Madara doesn't respond as he ceases the finger motions and cups his chin with his right hand as he sank into thought.
'As suspected. Illusionary Techniques do not work against the undead of this world. I had thought that this might be the case. Back in E-Rantel, I attempted to use Genjutsu on that "Momon" I had encountered, but nothing happened. His presence and energy felt very similar to this lich, although several times more powerful. With this in mind my clone captured it to test my suspicions. Now it is confirmed: Momon is an undead creature of some kind, masquerading as a human...'
"Hm?"
Madara was pulled away from his inner thoughts as he noticed that the lich was now shaking uncontrollably like an under-dressed man in winter. He noticed similar reactions throughout his time being in the presence of the undead, and did not fail to notice that the tremors intensified not long after he attempted to cast the [Genjutsu] upon him. He then looked at the clone, who then nodded as if in reply to an unspoken question.
He then showed signs of genuine curiosity as he perked an eyebrow and calmly spoke to the quivering undead.
"Tell me lich, are you afraid?"
The undead's jaw dropped as it attempted to parse the words of the question it had just received. Undead normally have lowered emotional responses to outside stimuli, but this cased seemed to be different. The undead then lowered his head in contemplation. He seemed to be unsure at how to respond and thus stayed silent.
Madara noticed this and interpreted it as confusion as well. He once again took a knee in front of the lich, which gained its attention. He clasped his hands together, which produced an echo which resounded throughout the tunnel. After a brief moment his hands started to glow a light blue color, and as he slowly parted them a small, ethereal looking blue flame could be seen.
The instant the lich saw it he turned his head away, as if he were repelled by it. Madara caught onto this and decided to conduct another test. He motioned the small, blue flame into his right hand and then reached over and positioned it under the pinky finger of the lich's left hand. The instant he did the finger dissolved into ash and the undead howled in pain and agony as it thrashed and struggled to be free of its bindings.
Its howls of suffering reverberated off the stone walls of the tunnel for about ten minutes before it started to settle down and collect itself. Madara extinguished the blue flame in a closed fist as he then stood up and looked down on the lich with focus as he then contemplated the reactions he had seen.
'How curious. From the information given by that old man, creatures like this one are collections of negative energies that act as a sort of anti-life, giving birth to undead like this lich. They can sense others of its kind, and are also sensitive to life, which the unintelligent undead normally attack. The chakra I possess is like a form of life energy, but this lich is repelled and harmed by it. Perhaps the unique properties of chakra acts like a form of antithesis to its existence. It would explain why that small portion of chakra caused it so much pain, and its almost instinctive reaction to flee from my very presence...'
Just as Madara had completed his inner musings, the undead creature speaks up with the resignation of a condemned prisoner.
"To answer your previous question, yes. I believe I am afraid. It has been so many years since I have felt that sensation, I hardly even recognized it. Not since I lost my humanity over fifty years ago. Whoever you are stranger, just go ahead and end my miserable existence. Maybe in 'true death', I can finally see my family again..."
This had caught Madara's attention. From the way the lich spoke, not only was he once human, but him becoming an undead was not entirely his choice. Where once he was almost entirely indifferent to the undead, a tinge of curiosity had now seeped into his consciousness as he reflexively asked a question.
"Tell me lich, how did you become like this?"
The undead lifted its head for a moment to look up at Madara before lowering its head once again and keeping in empty tones.
"I was once a minor noble in this area. I wasn't rich, but life was good and the people I ruled over were content. We specialized in producing crops, cotton, and mining metals for blacksmithing. With the diverse resource production I introduced in my youth, it ensured that we wanted for nothing. That probably made us a good target..."
The tone of the lich became distant as he remembered events that had long since passed.
"One evening, my manor was attacked by servants of Zuranon. Tell me stranger, are you familiar with them?"
Madara simply nodded in response to the question.
Zuranon. The name triggered a recall of knowledge Madara gained from his benefactor upon his arrival in this world. They were a death cult whose members had a fascination and obsession with death and the undead. They would sometimes attack cities using undead, and were regarded as extremely dangerous criminals. It was also known that there were Twelve Executives that led Zuranon.
The lich continued its story upon seeing Madara did not need to be told who and what Zuranon was.
"Since I was the eldest son of five, and the head of the family, they must have felt I was perfect for their experiment. They caught me in the middle of the night whilst I slept. When I had awakened, I found myself in an underground cavern, surrounded by undead and a single Elder Lich. What they wanted to do was to find a way to create an Elder Lich without large-scale, city destroying rites that they are commonly known for..."
The undead's bony fingers clenched into fists as he reached this point in his story.
"I am unsure how they managed to do it. All I saw was a strange crystal artifact I had never seen before or since. All I recall was searing pain one moment, then darkness, and then I found I no longer had a living body. Feh! Those twisted filth were actually happy for me! They spoke as if they did me a favor! When I found out that their ritual had killed off my home, my wife, and my brothers, in my rage I unleashed all the magical power they bestowed upon me and destroyed them all! That was the last time that I had felt anything. At least, not since your arrival here."
The lich fell silent as he concluded his story, which indicated he had no intentions of speaking further. For his part, Madara himself was also silent as he digested the new information he was given. A small pang of regret stung him as he then realized the full implications of what had happened to the lich, and what he had done. Although he was not one to apologize for his actions, he did the next best thing.
Madara released his Sharingan, stepped forward, and with a clap of his hands, the stone restraints that held the lich crumbled into peddles. At first the undead did not know how to respond. He simply stayed on his knees staring blankly at Madara, trying in vain to discern his intentions. Madara then folded his arms and spoke calmly.
"What is your name, lich?"
This caught the undead off-guard for a moment before he responds in a voice that had a modicum of pride.
"Lottus. Lottus Javyn Dale Franklin."
"Hm. Very well, Lottus. I offer you a choice. Continue to wallow and stew in your own misery, here in the broken ruins of your past, or you can follow me."
"...Huh?"
The undead known as Lottus was taken off-guard by the offer. After being hunted and captured by the copy of Madara, and then once again made a subject for experiments, he expected to finally be put down. Instead, he was given an offer of servitude.
What kept him from rejecting it outright, was the sheer presence of the man that stood over him. After the short time with him he could tell: power flowed out from Madara like a vast ocean had been dropped on top of his head, and for the first time in over half a century, he felt fear because of it. However, at the same time, he could also feel a pull to the man, like a moth drawn to flame. He then knew in his soul, that if there was such a thing as a supreme being, this Madara was without a doubt such a being.
After a few moments of reflection, Lottus, whilst still on his hands and knees, took a deep bow towards Madara. It was a bow of servitude and of reverence to him, as Lottus then spoke in a matching tone of voice.
"I, Lottus Javyn Dale Franklin, hereby swear to faithfully follow and serve you from now, and until true death claims me, Lord Madara Uchiha."
He stared down on Lottus intently, as he observed the lich for a moment. Although his outward expression changed very little, Madara was actually quite impressed with Lottus' earnest vow. With his keen senses, he detected not a hint of deception from the undead, and felt the vow was a genuine one.
"Hm. Very well then. I accept your service, Lottus. Now rise. If you are to serve me, then it will be on your feet."
The undead lich hesitated for a moment, as if struck by confusion at Madara's words. However, after just a few seconds he complied, not wishing to cause friction with his new master. He then took a slight bow as he spoke in tones of respect.
"As you wish, my master. How might this one serve you?"
"First, tell me your proficiency in magic. My clone ambushed you quite quickly, so you did not have a chance to show much."
"Yes, my lord. I am currently capable of the 4th-tier of magic and will soon be able to reach the 5th."
"Hoh? Is that so? How have you been able to accomplish this?" Madara asked in genuine curiosity.
"After I slayed those of Zuranon, I discovered that they had somehow built hidden lairs under these lands. I was able to procure almost everything that lay within, including the tomes they possessed regarding magic. I have studied them extensively to increase my power, as well as to conduct research in finding a way to become human again."
"Oh? Is that so? How curious. Then for now you will continue your research and to build up your magical power. My clone will remain to assist you, as well as provide a means of contacting me should the need arise. Do you have any questions?"
There was a moment of hesitation from Lottus when he posed his question. Still, Lottus could not help but be curious, as Madara's previous words and actions left quite the lasting impression on him.
"If I may Lord Madara, I am curious as to what you meant earlier when you referred to 'chakura', and that blue flame that made me experience pain for the first time in so long."
Madara simply nodded knowingly, as he was aware that nearly everyone in this world would be completely ignorant of what it was. Still, he weighted the potential positives and negatives of such knowledge being shared to anyone, let alone a servant he had originally planned to put down before changing his mind.
After about a minute of inner deliberation, he decided that an ignorant servant would be useless, and there are ways to keep someone under surveillance without their knowing, even a life sensitive lich.
"Very well. I shall answer your question, but know you are to share this knowledge with no one. Violate that order, and there will be consequences." Madara said threateningly in a steely voice as he glared at Lottus, allowing the pressure from his chakra to exert itself.
The effect was immediate, as Lottus literally shivered under Madara's gaze. Although the sensation was unpleasant, a part of him actually relished in being able to feel fear once again. He then took a bow and replied to his new master.
"You have my word, my lord. I will not utter a single word spoken between us without your approval." Lottus said sincerely.
Seeming satisfied, Madara placed his hands in front of him before explaining.
"First, the word is 'chakra', and it refers to the energies that flow within me. When the energies of the mind and the spirit, is molded and combined with the energies of the body, the power known as 'chakra' is formed. Normally, it not visible to the unaided eye unless it is deliberately manifested in large amounts or in high concentrations. Like so."
In an instant, the energies of chakra flare in Madara's outstretched hands, which still resembled a ghostly blue flame. When Lottus saw it, he was both fearful and awed by the sight. Just as he stared at the sight, Madara resumed his explanation.
"As an undead, you can most likely sense it, having experienced it with you own body. Chakra is a potent life-force energy that can be manipulated and controlled to create a number of effects that would be extremely difficult otherwise. This includes feats such as walking on water, exhaling fire, granting superhuman speed and strength, and the creation of illusions. Does that satisfy your curiosity?"
"Y-Yes! Thank you very much for the explanation." Lottus said excitedly as he took a bow.
Once again, Lottus was in shock and awe. The power that his master had described was a complete unknown to him that somehow stirred emotions that he thought were long lost. That was probably the effects of the "chakra" that his master described. He found himself wanting to know more, and now that he served Madara, he most likely could and he nurtured the faint hope that it might hold the key to his lost humanity.
When those faint hopes rose up from within him, his master Madara spoke once again.
"Now then, I shall take my leave."
"Yes. Safe journeys my lord." Lottus said as he took another bow.
Madara did not even respond as he walked out of the cave. When he did he mused to himself at this most recent development.
"Hmph."
'That was quite unlike me. Hashirama. I wonder what you would have made of this? You would most likely laugh and smile like an idiot at my expense.'
That last thought actually had Madara smiling briefly before he returned to his usual stoic demeanor.
"Now then, time to return and prepare for tomorrow. I look forward to seeing if those children have any potential."
With that final comment he weaved a hand sign, and then disappeared in a blurred flash.
...
*Author's Note: Well! I hope everyone enjoys this chapter. To be honest, I have been taken completely off-guard by the reactions and support this initially simple idea has received. Please stick around because I have some crazy shit planned out for the future. And no, I am not going to say what happens. I try to keep spoilers to a minimum here. Anywho, I will start work on the next chapter of my main series, so it will be a while before this one receives another update. Please be patient. I'm only one guy after all. Until next time!*