A/N: It has been an unfathomable long wait for those who have yearned for an update and for that, I apologize. The given reason why I stopped updating/writing was due to my waiting for Season 4 of the anime but that was a lie. The truth is that it was due to my growing disinterest and even some disgust toward this fanfiction. By the time chapter 8 rolled around, my writing style changed.
I had grown to be annoyed with Madara's faction, finding the whole thing too self-indulgent of my past preferences and misplaced confidence in imagination. The details of the faction were never written online or on paper and only stemmed from my head. So when I lapsed in motivation to write this, so too did my vision of Madara's faction fade (key example: I am sure I had a name for the faction but I forgot it).
This caused me to be stumped about how to write Madara's faction rather than when to write Madara's faction. It created a perpetual cycle of me finding some motivation to write this, me trying to figure out what was happening, me figuring it all out, but then me losing my motivation from my realization of my distaste.
Hence, this chapter is made up of three parts: the beginning was made way back in 2019, about half of the middle point is from 2021, and the rest is made up from the middle of 2022 (right now if you are reading fresh from the update). Due to this minor disconnect, this story may transition to a more contradictory mess until I give up and make it into a crack fic or something.
Note: Due to my past self sticking close to the Overlord timeline, you only need to review yourself with my OC's (I.e. Madara's faction) to get caught onto speed. Though from here on out, I will deviate greatly from canon.
I do not own Overlord or Naruto.
Chapter 9
Symphony of Clamored Destruction
-The Human Kingdom of Re-Estize-
-Re-Estize-
The Eight Fingers were an organization that wasn't to be trifled with. They controlled the kingdom in the shadows, their reach ever grasping. They gathered talent from across the human realms, attracting the cut-throats with their bloody money.
Yet, there Gargan stood, before the last known brothel in the capital. Her boisterous frame towered over her companion who she approached.
Clank. Clank.
"Your armor is loud," Tia stated plainly as she waited by the entrance, accompanied by the dead entrance guards.
"Thank you, Ms. Obvious," Gargan shot back.
"You're welcome."
The armored warrior rolled her eyes.
The entrance to the brothel was strangely unguarded but never the less the guards, adventurers, and mercenaries moved in.
An adventurer was the one to open the door and peered inside for guards, only to freeze. "T-They're slaves here!" he said as he motioned for the guards to come in. "Everyone fan out and search the building!"
The group was confused and became paranoid, searching the area with caution. Yet all they ever found were dead bodies of thugs, criminals, and nobles. This created a sense of unease amongst the raiding party.
Though the Black Army detachment was indifferent to it all.
The headquarters of the Six Arms was a relatively normal-looking noble's house. It lay only littered with a minimal amount of guards to conceal its purpose and pass as simple mercenaries hired by the resident noble.
This was their only form of outside security, the buildings surrounding it were just slums filled with normal refugees and people. As such, the group assaulting the place had been watching, sleeping, and waiting in these slums. Of course, they paid for their housing.
"The moon has nearly reached its zenith... Begin the operation," Evileye, the leader of the group, commanded.
The plan was simple, Evileye, Momon, Nabe, and the Black Army squad would attack the entrance, hopefully catching at least some of the Six Arms. Simultaneously the rest will converge from behind and attack the previously discovered back entrances. From there they would pincer the remaining enemies and cripple the Six Arms.
-Slane Theocracy-
-The Church of the Divines-
For the first time since the annihilation of the Sunlight Scripture and the loss of important Black Scripture members, the alert level was lowered. Some minor angels took up posts for the tired guards. As such, many took this time to pray, get rest, and drink.
While drinking in excess was strictly prohibited, Gabriel herself had provided wine and beer, stating that it was a day of rest. Besides, their alcoholic levels were monitored by a single minor angel.
Gabriel, the ever-so-beautiful angel, swirled the wine in her hand. She watched as the Black Scripture drank their pent-up grief away with the alcohol that her Supreme Being had provided to her. Hearing the soft footsteps of her expected company, she took a small sip.
"The extra seat of the Black Scripture, Zesshi Zetumei, I presume?" Gabriel inquired as she turned to the petite "Godkin."
The bicolored reaper knelt before the angel in a show of respect. "I am," she said simply.
"Rise, I called you here to chat," Gabriel said. "So... How do you feel about our sudden intervention? Perhaps some anger in our prior inaction, perhaps?"
Zesshi, who had just risen from her kneel, looked unfazed but a slight twitch betrayed her demeanor.
"Don't be shocked, I am the angel of documentation after all. As boring as that sounds, I document all major moments of humanity and your birth," she pointed at Zesshi, "is a crucial point in history... The strongest Godkin... Born from a powerful Godkin and a player."
Zesshi, who had always had a bored look on her face, looked at Gabriel with mixed emotions. "A player?" she asked, her emotions suppressed to try to keep a face of professionalism. "That bastard is a player?" Her teeth ground against each other.
"Of course, we don't know for sure but from the Elf King's power to the items he uses, suggest that he is a player from the elf guild of Morthal, a relatively minor one who only rose in prominence due to finding a World Item," Gabriel said as she sipped her wine.
Zesshi played her poker face, the only anger she exuded was the tightening of the handle of her scythe.
The half-elf Godkin took a deep breath to calm herself.
As she did so, Gabriel took a sip of her tea whilst looking at the horizon. "Are you perhaps willing to give up everything to sate your vengeance?" she asked as an evil glint flickered in her eye.
-Baharuth Empire-
-Baharuth-
A dragon loomed, unseen in the skies above. Its red eyes gleamed with a keen gaze, studying the city below and memorizing it. On top of the dragon, Obito took a bite out of his sandwich, savoring the food made by human hands. "A bit dry..." he mused as he threw it away.
The dragon shifted its head in a flash and snatched the discarded food. "You continue to entertain thou pet?" it asked as it liked its maw, striking a conversation with its rider. "Thee need not regard her if thou finds it troublesome..."
The captain of the Grey Guards lightly hit the dragon with his foot, which for someone of his level was akin to a tap from a car. "You are one to speak," he retorted as he stretched. "Anyhow... Five minutes until some action."
His eyes shone red in the dim moonlight as a reflection of his excitement. "Let us start a war."
He then put on a blue mask that depicted a devil.
-Tomb of Nazarick-
-Throne Room-
Madara stood before the throne of kings, the extravagant chair dainty small in comparison to the wide berth afforded to it. Around it, the marble pillars and blacked granite-like walls prove the point with their imposing stature. The adorning gold and decor of torches, highlights, and banners all but completed the look of a demon king's throne room.
He was alone within this grand room. Albedo was busy with preparations, the servants were outside either toiling or awaiting commands, and Momonga was participating in the event in Re-Estize.
"Thousands upon thousands of hours of hard work by but a group of fifty-some denizens..." he mused as he began to ascend the steps preceding the throne. "Millions of resources burned for the sake of an extravagant reception for an invasion that would never come..."
He paused before the throne and a smirk formed on his face. "Yet, the last ones to remain were but two people... The guild master who remained loyal to the very end, who played to upkeep the memories of a heartwarming past, and the black sheep who played out of boredom."
He put a hand on the throne, feeling the metal of the World artifact and the power emanating from it. "I shall rip off your training wheels now, Momonga... Show me the determination of someone who fights solely for memories but not a dream."
He then moved past the throne and into the shadows. "I, on the other hand, will keep moving forward."
Then he teleported away, his destination the vault.
-The Human Kingdom of Re-Estize-
-Re-Estize-
The Six Arms' headquarters were engulfed in an inferno. The burning blaze consumed all the unsuspecting occupants. As with all flames, it did not distinguish between slave and slaver.
Ainz look upon the carnage with surprise within his heart, his expectations of what was to happen betrayed by this inferno. He watched as victims poured out of the building, their forms aflame with the intense fire. I thought he wanted me to increase my fame?! This was a necessary step!
"Oh, gods! Help them!" one of the adventurers shouted in terror as they tried their best to approach the building without catching alight.
Following this person's lead, the rest of the guards and adventures moved to help the survivors whether they were their enemies mattered little to them.
After all, what sane human would allow this many people to suffer horrific deaths such as this?
Ainz took a glance at the Black Army squad accompanying the force. They had begun to spread out, entering the vicinity of the burning building. Yet, they were not there to save the survivors but to end them.
By the time they were collectively on their fifth kill, the guards and adventurers took notice. "What are you all doing?!" one of the guards shouted in shock as he observed a Black Army soldier stab an unharmed survivor in the throat.
"They are criminals," the nearest Black Army soldier declared with fresh blood marring their armor, "they do not deserve mercy for they take lives themselves. Ask yourselves this: How many comrades have your rescues killed? How many civilians have they silenced, coerced, or brutalized?" The soldier then walked up to the guard, the blazing blue eyes underneath the helm piercing through the darkened visor. "Then tell me what conclusion you reached."
The guard fell to the ground, his psyche shaken by their words. Yet, he still managed one last sentence before completely falling back. "Y-Y-You are all are no better than them!"
Ainz observed the Black Army soldier as they merely huffed in disgust and walked away, their destination being another poor sod who escaped the fire. "Ruthless..." he muttered, a small bit of admiration sneaked in before his emotional suppressor hammered him.
"..." Nabe was surprisingly silent by his side. Perhaps she was content with the extermination of what she deemed as pests lower than insects?
Suddenly a strange chill went down everyone's back, one that screamed pure evil.
"What is that?" a random adventurer asked as they pointed towards the fire.
From the inferno emerged a devil.
"W-What happened here?" Gargan asked in shock, her body recoiling from the horrendous stench of butchery.
Tia too looked upon the carnage, her impassive demeanor cracking as she gagged at the sight before them. "N-Not h-h-human..." she muttered in sheer horror.
Laid strewn were the bodies of all the criminals or denizens of the house. They were not laid down either but suspended in the air. Their bodies were sewn together in a horrific display of artistry. Be it criminal, customer, or prostitute they are all equal in the twisted display of barbarity.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The sound of the clicking of heels upon the stone stairs echoed in the bloody hall. Each time a footstep sounded, it was as if the bell of the ultimate evil rang with its haunting sound.
For each step was another step Hell encroached upon the world.
The women duo drew their weapons as the surge of danger rushed through their veins. Their hearts hammered within them, smithing the fear out of their confidence.
Then the hall was bathed in the light of the red flames of the harbinger of destruction. In this new light, all of its features were given definition. Scaly skin chiseled in the likeness of a dragon forged from the darkest of metals. Bristling muscles pulsating with the demonic flames of ruin.
He who dominated the realm of Músphellsheim and became the scorn of the world. The one who enraged the gods so much that no one could claim to be their ally, lest they be caught in their destruction.
"Do not fear... I shall deliver upon thee thou'st salvation through liberation."
-Slane Theocracy-
-Church of Divines-
"Who are you?" Zesshi demanded as she gave Gabriel a flat look, her eyes brewing a storm within them.
The archangel tilted her head in an act of innocence at the question thrown. "I am Gabriel, the archangel of-"
"Which master do you serve?" the Godkin cut in, silencing the spawn of divinity. Her mismatched boring into the skull of the archangel.
Gabriel felt her façade crack, if only a tiny bit as she gave a small smile to the strongest of the Slane Theocracy. "The six Great Gods of course."
"If you are truly the scion of the Six Great Gods and the archangel of documentation... Why are you uncertain of the identity of the elf king?" Zesshi asked as she leaned back. "If you were truly in this world at that time, then how come you could not see the arrival of a Player?"
Gabriel maintained her smile, the small classification morphing into a wider one with every second. Then laughter erupted from her finely made lips, the hymns of mirth uncanny as it both soothed and unnerved all who heard it. Wiping a stray tear, she took a breath as she controlled her breathing. "I am sorry... I just didn't..."
She paused as a massive grin formed on her face as she suddenly stood up and spread her arms wide. Her face flushed in pure ecstasy as she proclaimed, "Didn't think you were this slow!"
Suddenly, a massive fire erupted behind her. Screams and shouts erupted from the entire capital as the city was set aflame.
The Godkin was already upon her with her war scythe causing the very air to scream.
"Disappointing," Gabriel affirmed as she blocked the blade with a weapon of her own.
Zesshi's eyes widened as she easily identified the weapon. For it was her very own War Scythe, an artifact of the Six Gods. "What?"
"Let the cycle resume," the archangel of documentation declared as she grabbed the Godkin and teleported away with her quarry forcibly brought with her.
-Baharuth Empire-
-Baharuth-
The first nature humanity tamed was the indiscriminate flame. It was therefore burned in the psyche of every human, every half-human, and every demi-human the fear of fire.
So when your very home was set aflame, your very society gave birth to an inferno. What is the natural response to this?
Despair.
Obito watched as the entire capital of the great Baharuth Empire was brought to rubble. The draconic power smoldering the empire's flame of ambition.
He took a breath as he cast [Amplify Voice].
"Hark, brave warriors. Hark, emperor Jircniv. I commend your sacrifices. Guidance has delivered you all through your history till this point. Now, after languishing in the fruits of peace, let me proclaim the beginnings of a new epoch. An epoch glistening with war. Brandish the flames, for the Age of the Darkness!"
He then strained his eye, the Mangekyou Sharingan spinning with life. In an instant, the entire Imperial Magical Academy disappears not in flames but a vacuum. The entire structure entirely vanishes in something akin to teleportation.
Then as swift, as he wrought his destruction, he teleported away.
-The Tomb of Nazarick-
-Treasury-
Madara looked upon Nazarick's Vault Guardian, Pandora's Actor, with an amused gaze. The obnoxious yellow outfit reminded him of the lowly loudmouth who brought him low so long ago. Ah, it would truly be a comedy if Momonga had created him in the likeness of the brat.
"I, Pandora's Actor the guardian of the Great Tomb of Nazarick's great Treasury, is at your service!" the fellow doppelgänger declared with a comedic salute.
The Uchiha couldn't help but snicker as he came to a quick realization: "So Momonga based you off of him."
"That is correct, Madara-sama!" Pandora's Actor replied with an exaggerated bow. "I am blessed with the personality of my god! For how could a person such as myself not follow in the footsteps of a Supreme One such he?!" Then, seemingly as an afterthought, he added, "Of course, you are the same as him."
A truly evil thought formed in his mind as he conjured a little scheme formed in his head. If he is like this without a façade then perhaps... Interesting...
"Anyhow..." he needed to move on, "I came here to obtain the [World Item: Caloric Stone]."
His words while heavy did not serve to damper the German-themed doppelgänger. "Of course! But may I ask as to why?"
Madara's Sharingan spun with annoyance, the transition of charcoal black to piercing crimson perhaps now unnerving Pandora's Actor. "I do not need permission from you," he declared as he walked past the NPC, "braver hund."
The creation of Momonga remained silent at those words, allowing the Uchiha to freely enter the grand Treasury of Nazarick. Yet, under his breath, he muttered, "Ein jeder kehr' vor seiner Tür, und rein ist jedes Stadtquartier."
Madara, with his unparalleled senses, heard but chose to ignore those words.
-The Human Kingdom of Re-Estize-
-Re-Estize-
Half a dozen heads were separated at once the bodies dropping dead without much fanfare.
Ainz looked upon the new arrival with the realization that to build up a meaningful villain, first impressions were key. With this in mind, he regarded the masked man with awe. This was the epitome of villain that most of the guild had strived for, the badass evil that has no regard for morality.
It was a shame that he was not the one behind the mask of villainy but rather the sword of the hero tonight.
"More mongrels I presume?" the man asked. He took a small glance at the inferno behind him and with a snap of his fingers, extinguished it. He then held out his hands towards the raiding party. "{Maximize Magic: Grand Fireball}!"
"Nabe!" Ainz called out as he charged the masked man. He drew one of his swords, the hunk of metal gliding alongside him with a whistle.
"{Greater Flame Resistance}!" Nabe called out, surrounding Ainz in an invisible bubble that blocks all fire attacks. A high impenetrable shield that protects the person from all harm from flame-based attacks to the eighth tier.
The massive fireball from the man was launched and quickly impacted the shield, splashing the dark warrior in an inferno.
Yet, from the ash, he emerged with his sword in a piercing motion to skewer the masked man.
"Hah! Interesting!" the devilishly masked man proclaimed as he drew a sword of his own and with masterful precision parried Ainz's brutish attack. "I am Lucifer, a pleasure to make your acquaintance!" He then kicked the armored leader of Nazarick, sending the skeleton in armor skidding.
Then from his back, bat-like wings emerged. "Let's dance!" he shouted as his blade, an Uchigatana, gleamed in the pale moonlight.
A fair distance away from the battle, the leader of the raiding party, Evileye, looked at the battle unfurling before her. The display of sheer strength displayed by a human combating the keen swordsmanship of a demon. A mythological battle that would surely cement a new legend among the songs of bards.
"The realm of heroes..." she muttered, awestruck at the battle.
Realizing that she was getting too enamored by the epic fight, she drew her eyes away from it and instead focused on the sidelines. "Everyone! Collect the wounded and clear out!" she ordered, her young voice betraying the working gears of wisdom in her head.
Seeing that they were outmatched, the soldiers and adventurers began to fall back. Some even abandoned their duties altogether and turned tail in fear of the two powers.
Satisfied that her orders were at least being partially carried out, Evileye turned her attention away from the party and instead focused on one individual not engaged in combat, Nabe. That was undoubtedly a sixth-tier spell... she thought, recalling the buff spell that the raven beauty applied on the black-armored warrior. To think she has reached my level at such a young age... I...
"Snap out of it, raid leader," a Black Army soldier said, drawing the attention of the petite masked blonde. "Jealousy is unbefitting for someone of your stature."
Alongside the soldier were his fellow companions, their lustrous black armor making them indistinguishable together. All of them held their swords at their sides, unsheathed as if prepared to jump into the fray.
Evileye looked upon them with slight confusion, her mind connecting some dots in her mind. "Are you perhaps Sir Momon's squires?" she inquired, curious if there was a connection.
"Squires?" the Black Army soldier asked as he shouldered his blade. "Didn't take you for a joker," he mused.
With the first put out, the sound of bones chattering was heard all around them. The incessant noise was given form from the epicenter of the passed inferno was an army of undead.
"Finally some action."
Within the castle of the king, Lakyus looked upon the place of battle with concern. Her confusion was not placated by the reassurances of her comrade on the field. Then she turned to a more distant location on the outskirts of the capital.
"C'mon... Answer..." she almost begged as she tried to utilize {Message} to contact her two friends on a different battlefield.
"What is happening?" Princess Renner asked out of concern as she looked out of a separate window beside the adventurer's own. "Has our attacks failed?"
From the shadows, Tina too looked to the distance as concern and anxiety were written clearly on her face. For who was closer than a twin?
"Lowly humans... Thou'rt unfit even to graft..." Death Lord X mused as he sat upon the corpses of Gargan and Tia, their mangled corpses laid bare underneath him. "{Reanimation}."
Their bodies started to twitch until their limbs started to contort back to their natural state, underneath his weight. As they reformed, he looked through his inventory until finding the thing he needed: Divine-Tier armor.
"Thine bodies will serve thou leader in death," he mused as he finally got off the corpses. "In the service of despair."
Chapter 9 End
Writing this has admittedly made me a bit sentimental... For Elden Ring.
After this arc concludes, I may open this up for adoption so I can finally put this out of my life for good. Or maybe not depending solely on my motivation-
I AM THE STORM THAT IS APPROACHING!
PROVOKING,
THE DARK CLOUDS OF ISOLATION!
I AM THE RECLAIMER OF MY NAAAAMEEEE!
BORN IN FLAMES,
I HAVE BEEN BLESSED!
MY FAMILY CREST IS THE DEMON OF DEATHHHH!
SaveTheWeak, out.