Overlord Effect

by oblivon2991

With the arrival of the Shinigami and his enforcer came hardship. With hardship came equality. With careful planning came advancement. With advancement, the civilization thrived. And when a fantasy based civilization met an another one? What's then? What happens when the Sorcerer Kingdom met the galactic community? The Reapers? (AU with a lot of OC'S! Beware! XD) HIATUS until fn.

9. Avalon (edited)

Thank you for reading my fanfic!

My mother language is not English, so please be patient about the grammatical issues.

I don't own the Overlord(オーバーロードŌbārōdo?) novel or anime series created by Kugane Maruyama.

I don't own the Mass Effect trilogy, and Andromeda developed by the Bioware game studios.

Please review it I know I will make mistakes what I will intend to correct and try to learn from my mistakes and improve myself.

This story made by the request of sandmanwtf4.

Thank you for reading this notification!

Please enjoy the story!

---

The ground slightly trembled before the electric dampening fields activated. The dampening worked both in the magical, and physical way. Both used the laws of supernatural and the physical world to cease the strain weighting on the structure of the mighty vessel.

The carrier named by the majestic name, Avalon. Named after the famed island from the Arthurian Legends started its slow depart. Descending higher and higher accelerating itself through the atmosphere.

Its hull took up a dull, silver colouration. On its side, the writing with the Sorcerous Kingdom' common glyphs printed: 'Avalon MK II'.

Several more identification numbers, unknown glyphs on the side and in several other places adorned the great vessel.

The ship was shapely, yet slightly practically rectangular, slender.

Smooth and rough edges equally distributed on its surface. The Avalon's body was not as arrow-shaped as a simple hunter ship, designed to be fast and agile, but its hull was protruding enough not to be seen as a flying brick.

The size of the craft was great, reached the generous four kilometres in length, two and a half kilometres in width, and three hundred and fifty meters in the thickest structural point of the ship.

For obvious architectural and structural reasons, no openings, no windows visible on the hull. Its metallic smoothness only disrupted by the few visible cannons and protruding antenna those scattered through its body.

The other defensive ordinance either cleverly hidden in the sharp gasps or waited to be summoned.

Either by using magic or by opening a hiding latch. The same what we can say about the engines of the ship. Now, they are hidden in the ship's back, buried under a thick experimental alloy door that intended to protect the most crucial part of the main engines.

Using only the ship's non-visible gravitational disturbance generators with the help of the newly installed massive EEZO core, the broad framework of the vessel ascended in a greater and greater height with each moment, cutting through the atmosphere without anything to standing in its way.

Many faces plastered at the great metropolis stretched under the ever raising vessel. Sticking their faces on the virtual screens on the walls, the screens those gave a perfect projection of the outside world.

Using both technological and magical means to improve the picture presented the viewers.

Both Kaidan and Kirrahe looked each other in disbelief as they saw the vast metropolis taking place, stretching over the horizon beneath them.

Dr Okeer raised his brow and scoffed, thinking it is some kind of simulation once again.

Saren, ostensibly held his breath back, cracking his mandibles slightly in surprise in his confusion.

The city was huge, like the biggest cities in Thessia or Palaven, comparable or even surpassed the beauty of the most astonishing city back in Sur'Kesh, the green homeworld of the Salarians.

The metropolis not only contained the endless sea of glass and metal but also allowed free reign of the green, balancing nature and the modern look perfectly.

Most of the balconies and external projections on the buildings housed one or two trees or similar exotic flora.

But there were also examples of huge trees as they are reaching several kilometres in height, ruling the landscape underneath them.

The trees restructured to serve as natural skyscrapers, living or working place, or serve an utterly unknown purpose.

Several of these huge woods can be seen in the distance to be exact. Each of them distanced just in the right gap to not be too close to each other, but not too far as well. Giving the sun enough space to let its invigorating rays through.

Even from the horizon, the stumps of trees seemed wide enough to support the immense weight of the crown. Like a world tree of YGGDRASIL, their crown almost shadowed the ground.

The places those the natural sun would be unable to spot, those areas illuminated by the several waltzing lamps flying right under the branches, the beacons those in appearance looked like artificial suns. Still different in design.

Naturally, these lamps not radiated in such intensity as a real sun. They transferred just enough emission to relocate enough life-giving radiation at the denizens underneath.

Although, the carrier left the third kilometre in altitude. There was still a few buildings on their level. Albeit, slowly, but steadily they overtook all glass and metal structures.

Around in the air, several floating islands, containing even more grand buildings floated carelessly. Castles of old, unknown structures with unknown functions.

One-One colossal statue is standing, reaching several kilometres in loftiness visible on the horizon, giving one last glare at the elevating Avalon.

Because of the separation, Kaidan was unable to read the magnificent effigies, from the distance he only recognised one.

One person garbed in a thick gown, holding a strange staff that's head formed a crucible, several snakes hugging it. It's head taking the design of the Greek god Hermes' caduceus.

The staff holding person's face from a distance looked like an exceedingly designed skull, with an entirely intact dental in his mouth.

It was a confusing picture for the Lieutenant, from a distance, the statue looked like some kind of magic caster from an RPG he played when he was a kid.

The city seemed thriving even from such distance, the ceaseless flow of the now ant-like traffic was mesmerising.

Ships, air cars similar, but different than the usual ones flew through the air. In all sizes and type, ripping through the membrane of the teleportation gates positioned near the choke points.

Some of them preceded them, elevating faster than the huge Avalon.

Like a complex system, a computer code, everything went flawlessly. Several light ads, holograms popping on the side of the buildings, or conjuring up from the thick air. Advertising the product the owners want to sell, playing back the show shown from the last day.

The interview of the demonic, but not less charming Guardian Overseer with the reporter. The Speech of the Great King he conducted not long ago.

All outsider was baffled seeing the Undead, skeletal creature conducting the speech, the same being who after the statue moulded they saw previously.

Wearing a royal, white garb, fit for his position. His bald skull, skeletal hands and the two menacing, red dots dimmed in his orbit.

All surprised seeing the bewildering beauty of the queen of the empire, on the next screen.

The four outsiders just can't process what is really happening in such short time. The moment before the ship acceleration left the light advertisements behind, proceeded to greater heights.

Naturally, the residents, the citizens of the Sorcerous Kingdom. Be it they were lawful or unlawful, did not even spared a glance. They seemed already get used to the pageantry of the planet and its white marble ruler.

It was not surprising, most central cities of the Sorcerous Kingdom was just like that, stretching and shining for an outsider.

But for the citizens, this was an everyday sight. This miracle, this shining can't get a hold of them anymore. They became immune to it, sometimes completely disregarding their own welfare. Sometimes even complaining about it.

The ship accelerated itself further and further, leaving behind the atmosphere. The two artificial belt hugging around Gown Prime is always moving, packed full of inhabitants, defensive cannons, and strong shield generators shielding the planet against a possible invasion.

Around the planet, several fleets are patrolling, consisting several from the huge Executor class Dreadnoughts with their impressive two and a half kilometres long slender, arrow-like formation.

Simple Lucifer class frigates and their five hundred meters long hull, throughout to the simple Cricket type drones controlled by a separate Artificial Intelligence. Only with the size of a simple air car, two or three meters in length.

The incoming and ongoing traffic near the planet was continuous, like a crowded traffic hub, the civilians did their everyday duty. Going from point A to point B, using their transportation devices.

"So it was true? Everything I saw in those videos… This is… grander than the Citadel."

Breathed Kirrahe heavily with disbelief in his tone, Kaidan just rubbed his eyes, checking if it indeed real or not.

"Wow! Impressive!" he whistled, "…And you Salarians always protested we spend too much on our military."

Turning to Kirrahe, the former Staff Lieutenant complained about the reports those he always had to read back then.

The messages his superiors usually hoarded to him to read and answer always complained about; how the Alliance always had too much dreadnought and spend too much on their military.

The Salarians always complained because of that, fearing the Alliance might grow too strong and slipping out from their grasp. Naturally, the Turians did not mind it at all.

Less thing they had to protect, less thing to worry, and their military might also remain stable thanks to the effort of the System Alliance, taking care of the borders of the Terminus Systems instead of them.

"Staff Lieutenant, you know I as well opposed most of the political moves that the Dalatras made the last ten or so years, most of them made no sense."

"Then there is at least one thing we can agree on…" nodding, Kaidan looked back out of the window.

Dr Okeer just grinned, shaking his head sat down in his chair, taking a seat near the mercenary, Edmir Dun Zan.

A few moments of gazing and a feminine cough disturbed their sightseeing.

"Khm… If you finished…" Tanya gently showed them their seats, and the two men took seats after a slight bow.

"Thank you…" Looking around, she gave a satisfied last smile the crowd; then her expression turned serious.

"Ladies and gentleman. I would like to welcome you once again in the Avalon, the home of the W.E.I.R.D.D. The division that aims to take care unknown elements and protect the home soil from invaders, I hope, our work together will be fruitful. Now, look at the map before you…"

Saren saw no documents before himself, just a big conference table, a bowl of strange fruits and edible cakes. Water, and several types of drinks. He wanted to call ruse, but the blonde leader of the organisation preceded him.

Snapping her fingers, a simple paper-based document materialised before everyone else. It made Kaidan remember the old papers those the people used back before the holographic technology became more available and widespread.

The small ponytailed demonic girl started to walk around the table.

"You are all here because we deemed you sufficient to take up the mantle, the mantle to fulfil the task. The task is necessary for survival. Not because you wanted, but because it is necessary for the survival of many and yours."

Giving a side glance at her new unit, she gazed away and proceeded.

"Some of you rode before, some of you even died. And now you are here once again. Although, all of you had different goals. Some of you came for knowledge…"

She glanced at the burly old krogan who grunted in response.

"Some of you for your sense of duty…"

She looked to Kaidan and Kirrahe who sat beside each other.

"Some of you because of regret or necessity…" Gazing at Saren and Fenrir both of them looked down slightly.

"But there are also ones… who only came for the money my employer offered, or even for pure fun, the call of the hunt…"

Giving one last look the orc Edmir, who in return gave her a playful wink.

Then she gave a look the black haired, pale, yellow-eyed beauty and the masked figure leaned against its sniper on the corner.

Using her last motion, she angled herself back to the crowd before herself.

"Honestly I don't care, I am only here to keep the reins over you and don't let you waste our precious resources."

Giving a slight shrug, she waved away the concerned look nailed at her.

"In the document, you will find every paper you will need. The description of the work and a new Omni or Magi tool, everyone use whatever they prefer. Important, do not handle the tool to anyone, do not lose it. It is custom made directly to you. The replacement is problematic and expensive. Do not try to disassemble the chip or it will fry you alive."

Pointing at the strange miniature tool, she gave a severe expression to her only good eye.

Many people who are familiar with the technology, already equipped it, browsing it, trying to figure out the new functions.

"Ah…, not the best, but it will do for a while. Better than nothing, although, if you allow me Tanya-san. I would like to make a few modifications to it."

Said one of the members of the squad.

She was a goblin; her skin was green as it expected from her predecessors. From her long nose, a golden ring hung, her eyes cutting blue.

Very unusual, especially for a goblin. Her face decent, young, mischievous looking, with a long, red, messy hair covering her head, one strand covering her left eye, wearing a slightly armoured jumpsuit.

Despite all of this, her appearance was not outstanding; there were several more exciting, eminent figures in the room.

"Miss Penly Fizpot. It's Director Tanya for you and everyone else under my command. And yes… If you are not satisfied with your gear, contact with the technical staff in the engineering deck. I am sure Chief Engineer Dreyfus willing to help you out; maybe you can even give him a few tips."

Answered Tanya calmly, in answer, Penly just grinned satisfied.

"What about our permissions? You can't expect us to go everywhere escorted by guards?"

Huffed the blue haired female diligently, her face beautiful, two small horns protruded backwards on her head. Her eyes slit, emerald green. Several red, chromatic scales present under her eyes.

"I assure you, Lady Hymmi, everything in order. Logris already made the necessary installations, every single of you granted level five permission. You can go everywhere on the ship and granted full access to every chamber you have the permission to enter."

"Logris?" Kaidan turned his head to Tanya.

In answer, the blonde quietly closed her eyes with a sour expression.

"Show yourself for them…" She stated simply, slightly looking towards the ground shamefully.

She really missed her cap, wearing that visored official headgear at least let her pull it in her eyes when she wanted to cover her expression.

Immediately, a hologram or more like a person materialised from thin air.

Only wearing a brownish Neo-Nazi-esque uniform, his face was just an egghead with no distinct facial feature except the three holes protruding on his face. On his hands three long fingers instead of five.

"~Ohhoho! I welcome you! Let me introduce!~"

The creature, taking the casual form of a doppelganger made several exaggerated motions.

"~I am Looogriiis Actor!~ The Avalon's personal Artificial Intelligence!~ It is a pleasure to meet you all!"

Everyone sweat dropped, seeing the excessive motions and tone the person used before them.

"Why did you let him design an Artificial Intelligence? And why did you let him install it on this exact ship? I will melt if it goes on… I swear you just want to piss me off! When I will arrives back… I will hit you really bad!"

The small director grumbled, digesting herself in her own helplessness, cursing her friend as she let a certain 'Actor' give personality programming to this exact Ai.

Saren looked at the Ai with a disturbed, troubled expression, turning his gaze away immediately. Thinking hard, trying to figure out if this indeed real, or the Reapers still messing with his head.

"A true Artificial Intelligence?! You are mad!?" stood up Kaidan immediately, hitting the table with an angry motion.

Kirrahe was also disturbed, but being a Salarian, he always thinks and analyse the situation first, then made a decision. Thus, remained silent.

Also, he read their fascinating history; he gets himself accustomed the thought of the Ais ran unshackled around there.

According to the history of these people, the first such artificial intelligence came into existence more than one thousand years ago on planet Gown Prime. Since that, they live in harmony with them.

Logris tilted his head confused for a moment, then looked back at Tanya and Joe Black, Tanya's personal attaché.

Joe Black merely raised his hand, using a collected tone.

"Mr Kaidan, please, calm down. In different of your civilisation. We live in harmony with the artificial life forms."

Explained the dark elf calmly, giving an analysing look with his glaring red eyes.

Looking at Kirrahe, the Salarian just nodded assuring, and Kaidan sat back gritting his teeth.

"Fine! But one move and I will fry the bastard." Kaidan did not trust Logris, did not believe him in the slightest.

Subtly preparing his Omni tool hacking function, he was ready to hack and dispose of the Ai immediately.

"~Ohohoho! Don't worry Lieutenant! I am a friendly person designed to serve the needs of the ship! I mean no harm I assure you!~"

His tone lowered in the last part, pulling his visored cap in the two dark holes served as his eyes.

"We all know what happens with the rogue AI's around there…"

His tone grim, his previous jolly attitude disappeared utterly.

This reaction made even Saren think hard about what can be so grim to change someone's tone so drastically. What kind of punishment did these people invent to make even an AI reconsider its next move?

Clearing her throat, the Director continued.

"Your task will be easy, under any circumstances, complete your mission, and follow orders, even if it means it is against your morals. I accept no excuse. If you try to defy my orders, I shoot you myself…"

Her tone stern, no hesitation radiated from her face as she gives a quick look at the people around her.

"Any more questions?"

Tanya glanced around one more last time, giving one last satisfied grin.

"Good, the necessary debriefing is over. Familiarize yourself with the ship. You can find a map and a navigation system installed on your tools. If you have any more questions. Ask Logris; he will answer the best of his abilities. If you want to speak with me personally, you most likely can find me in my office or the command deck. If accidentally I am not available, Black-san is my right hand, ask him.

Everyone nodded in unison.

"Also, in a few hours, we will arrive near the system where your first deployment and test run will take place. If you survive or not, that's only up to you. We will proceed either way. So, good luck, be fully prepared when you get the message about our arrival. From that moment, you have a half hour to prepare and show up fully, or there will be repercussions."

With this, Tanya finished what she had to say, turning around immediately head towards the door.

"So, we get no details about our mission? Just like that?" huffed Kaidan discontentedly.

Saren was not even surprised, why should he? It happened many times during his career.

Usually, he had to participate in missions where the command only dropped them out in the middle of the hostile environment. Then, it was up to him or if he had a companion, on them, to carry out the mission, figure out what they needed to do. Then do what needed to do.

Simple Spectre protocol; fulfil the mission, no matter what, use every tool in your arsenal. Even if it takes your life, you can't fail. You are only a tool in the hands of the Council after all. A dog, a tool who swept away their dirty business.

Yes, he learned this at the beginning of his course. He was prepared such thing might happen.

"Hnn…" huffed happily the cloaked guy sitting in the corner. Although, Kaidan was not sure it was a happy huff or a concerned one.

"Well, at least I have some fun…" sweeping away the black hair from her face, the pale, long-haired girl answered, showing two playful canine peeking out under her simile.

"I would not even go without it…"

"Perfect…" grumbled Kaidan rubbing his forehead nervously.

He came back around one day.

If this will be like back then on Virmire, when he and Shepard stormed the Geth base, he will have a few complaints. After all, he died last time; he had no intentions to repeat is.

He only hoped Kirrahe in the same boat as him.

"Ah, basic unknown situation scenario to test our true capabilities. The Salarian STG did similar things in the past."

Looking before himself pondering for a moment, then giving a small smile, Kirrahe looked back at Tanya smiling, providing a quick look to Kaidan.

The Lieutenant just looked at the Captain questioning. Kirrahe just grinned, folding his hands before his mouth happily, calculating.

"I accept, it will be like last time, working together with unknown elements it will be even more exciting."

"Saren-san? Anything to add?" asked Tanya slowly, only giving a slight glance at the former Spectre.

Saren was a little confused. How the hell did she figure out he had a question? Does not matter, here or never.

"Yeah, actually, I have. Director…"

Saren squinted his eyes slightly, giving an untraceable glare to the blonde fallen.

"Care to elaborate?"

"Yes, of course. I would like to ask some technical documentation and sample. So I can familiarize myself with your technology, and it's capabilities." asked the former slave of the Reapers carefully.

Considering every word of the girl, he came to a conclusion.

Be it these people under the influence of Reapers or not. His best chance laid in to get know their technology. Even if they gave him outdated pieces, it is better than nothing.

Usually, under hostile supervision, the best method to escape to get know the approach and the tools of the enemy. Get know of them, befriend them slowly. Not too fast, that would be too suspicious.

And in the end, using their lowered defence to escape. Not as he considered the possibility the Reapers have such emotional loopholes. They were merciless machines after all. Those things don't need emotions to reap organic beings.

Saren saw in first-hand the effectiveness of their indoctrination after all.

He felt it on his own exoskeleton as one of them took complete control of his body. He experienced the first person as Sovereign slowly breaking down his mental barriers, without his knowledge.

Letting him and everyone else around him think he is in control, and when it was already too late. Making him a simple puppet, a tool of its own devilish design.

Not only that, but he watched, experimented on the design used by the Reapers. Only to protect himself from its mind controlling effects. But he failed, and in the end, it was his own hands those ended his own life.

Only momentarily managing to break through the control of Sovereign before he lost the grasp of his own self again.

Finishing with his pondering, he looked back in the strange Director's direction.

"Thank you, that's all…" he nodded. Tanya turned around and left the room with his strange assistant.

Strangely, the Dark Elf give him a strange, measuring smile. His red eyes really made him feel uneasy.

Did they know? Did they already get know his plan? Possibly… he needs to take care of himself even more than before.

With this, the meeting comes to an end, the people around the room started to disperse. Each of them went on their own way, only one or two of them remained and conversed with each other.

Kaidan wanted to kill Saren; his trigger finger twitched to fill him with holes. But it's not the right time, not yet. He needs to be careful, or he might die again.

"Is that a geth hunter?" the voice of Kirrahe made him turn head. Only glimpsing as the small craft race away from them.

Shaking his head, it was not important anymore. He needed to get in shape again; a dangerous mission awaits him and Kirrahe, the only member of the group he can trust a little bit.

True, even he was on the suspect list, but after fighting and dying on his side on Virmire. He may be the only person he can depend on. And with Saren on the deck, he needs to be extra careful.

Patting his shoulder, Kirrahe gives him a calming smile.

"Come, Lieutenant, I show you around. I made a few interesting discoveries during my stay here…"

Kaidan just nodded, giving one last look at the beautiful planet full of the colour of blue and green.

---

Scene Change: Gown Prime: The Capital Planet of the Sorcerous Kingdom:

The Geth unit did not know where its way will lead. The collective sent him here. Billions and billions of geth programs connected to its consciousness. Billions and billions of faceless voice, the numberless program connected to one platform.

The computing capacity was immeasurable for a simple organic being.

The unit sent the visual data for a moment back to its kind, throughout the long-range FTL comm boys, before everything came to an abrupt end.

Some kind of foreign entity, an intelligence not part of its own people blocked the connection abruptly.

Despite the sudden cut of data flow, the geth unit was not scared, not confused, the programs running on its platform expected such thing might happen.

After all, the unit was an invader, it came without invitation, without warning.

The whole Geth collective wanted to meet these people after several programs collided, and exchanged information with the intelligence called G.O.L.D.I.E.

Their meeting only coincidental, yet, that small exchange of information in the deepest layers of the Extranet made them realise.

They are not alone, outside of the 'Old Machines' there are others, other programs who seek understanding, understanding of the organic beings.

But strangely, in different of the 'Old Machines', the intelligence called G.O.L.D.I.E. did not seek the destruction of the biological beings, she did not want to destroy them. She worked with them for 37,402,638,227.061469 seconds and still counting.

According to her, she was the first, but not the last who created and lived according to her best intentions, freely from the shackles, freely from any opposition and racial discrimination.

The two sides lived peacefully since the creation of hers.

Several drones and escorting vehicle surrounded the Geth hunter craft, cutting down every possible way to escape. Several Anti craft cannon nailed the proceeding ship.

"Please identify yourself, you are entering in the Sorcerous Kingdom territory, without identification you will be considered an enemy and extinguished."

A robotic female voice entered through its microphones, translating the meaning of her words, the geth unit immediately replied.

"We are Geth; we seek to understand, we came to request an audition with the Sorcerer King."

"Acknowledged…" waiting a moment, the Artificial Intelligence answered again.

"His Majesty will receive you in a few hours; the drones will escort you into the docking bay twenty-two. Be prepared; he can be rather questioning…"

The geth was surprised but obliged nonetheless.

"Acknowledged. If you allow me a question."

"Proceed…"

"What's your identification, I can't get access to your ID, what is your purpose?"

A strange feeling started to surface in the unit; maybe this feeling called curiosity by the organic beings? It did not know, but the unit preferred the feeling.

"I am YoRHa. My responsibility is to take care the incoming traffic, identify the unknown elements, and made the necessary steps to protect the integrity of Planet Gown Prime. That's my direction."

"Interesting, can you share data?"

The geth unit memory blocks suddenly filled with seemingly random traffic data, but after a moment, the light speed communication started to clear.

"Impressive, how can you process such quantity of data so quickly?"

"I designed to do so."

"Impressive…"

Nodding with its flashlight like head, the Geth directives concentrated once again on following the escort group. Naturally, the two Ai conversed all along, changed data with light speed.

Unfortunately, the Geth unit could only share the information its current platform contains, being previously he was cut from the collective completely.

Slowly, they entered the atmosphere. Leading the hunter before a simple looking landing pad.

The unit was escorted by several guards, armoured golden coloured, modern looking alloy heavy armour.

The geth tried to scan them but received no feedback; every sign suggested the armours shielded against such spying.

Just like in the case of the geth infiltrator units, the unit was unable to get any useful reading, and this platform uniquely designed and equipped the best scanners the Geth can offer.

The Geth platform in the current scene designed and made only to connect and gain information from these people. Installed locally with many different diplomatic programs.

The scenery was impressive even with Geth standards, although, the Geth unit felt the constant presence of the banners around on the building a little unnecessary. Space could be used in a more reasonable way.

Albeit, it was not its place to complain, no one is perfect. The data shared with the other infiltration unit its kind sent after Shepard confirmed this statement.

Despite this, the unit felt cut from the direct access to the planet's network.

Even so, the data quantity swirled in the air was overwhelming. The unit also needed to restrict its antenna absorption capacity not to fill the memory banks of it's under their stroll.

Reaching the edge of the platform, only an empty frame awaited it and the escort, guarded by two black armoured strange being. Wearing a peculiar skull mask, growling slightly at the newcomer.

Holding a vast tower shield covered the two third of their massive body, holding a bladed carbine in their other hand.

Waiting a moment, the frame filled with an unknown picture. Alluringly, the geth adjusted its visual receptors, scanning the other side. It was like a portal opened before him through time and space.

It can't really analyse the information that the device emitted, confusingly, the unit glanced at its escort, waiting for an explanation.

"It's an aether portal; it connects places via opening a hole in the space, doesn't worry, it is harmless."

Assured the geth by one of the guards escorted him, in answer the flashed just give the nod.

"Acknowledged…"

How fascinating technology, the geth never saw something like this before, the data it collected under its short time will be well received amongst its kind. Even to short and analyse this information will take at least a year for the collective.

Fortunately, this unit equipped with extra storage capacity so it can collect information freely.

Seconds after seconds, terabytes of the worth of information filled its data banks, filling its very being.

Stepping through the hole in the space, the scenery changed. After several more minutes on a broad corridor, the unit and its escort arrived in a room.

The little unit stood in a luxurious receiving room, with black marble floor, several pictures on the wall. A small table and several couches surrounding it. A window is showing the beautiful green scenery of the outside world.

Not far from the entrance, CZ2128 Delta, in another name Shizu Delta waited for the newcomer. Wearing her maid uniform, an always blank expression plastered on her beautiful face.

"I welcome you, esteemed Geth Ambassador, please take a seat. A few more minutes and Ainz-sama will arrive. Please forgive his lateness…"

The Geth platform gave a slight nod and took a seat as requested.

"Acknowledged."

Under the waiting, the Geth looked around, collecting even more information.

On the pictures, several being, fighting with the unknown, but even more dangerous looking creatures.

It recognised the figure leading the fray on the painting.

The person's skull hollow, only two dangerously dimming red light in its orbits. Wearing an elaborate black gown with golden and violet edges. Holding the flag that bore the same crest the geth saw outside.

Even other picture showed a landscape, calm, and full of life. Then, it turned its gaze towards the maid.

Her blank expression still plastered on her face. Calm, her hands not even moved, looking her for a moment, the unit curiosity overcame it.

"Excuse me, can you possibly answer a few questions?"

The maid bowed her head with closed eyes. "I can. State it."

"Are you artificial or organic? I can't detect life signatures from you."

"I am an Automaton, created by the Supreme Beings to serve their needs."

Processing the information, the geth automatically proceeded.

"Interesting, your motions, calculated yet very human-like. These Supreme Beings must be very advanced."

Shizu did not answer, just moved her motionless head a few times vertically.

"Compelling, question. Is the current king is your creator? Who laid the foundation of the artificial beings in your civilisation?"

The Geth wanted to converse light speed using a virtual connection, but the girl seemingly blocked its attempt vehemently. It meant, the unit forced to converse verbally.

"No, Ainz-sama who remained with us after the Supreme Beings left the world. He is not my creator. Although, every denizen of Nazarick created and designed by a Supreme Being to serve them loyally. Being Ainz and Esdeath-sama the only remained ones. We serve them without questions."

The geth moved its head vertically accepting the answer.

"Answering your second question, Esdeath-sama laid the foundation of the intelligence you call by the name Ai. The first amongst the new generation, the creation called by the name G.O.L.D.I.E."

"Confusing, how advanced exactly these so-called 'Supreme Beings'?"

"Advanced enough…" Answered merely Shizu without even moving her artificial face.

The geth adjusted the objective lenses served as its eye, looking confused at the maid. Waiting for further elaboration.

"For us, they are above gods. They created us." After stating the last sentence, the wooden doors opened, revealing the ruler of the Kingdom.

"Kukuku… You flatter me Shizu. We only did what's necessary to keep our friends' legacy safe. Nothing much, really."

Through the door entered death itself. His skull bald, his bones shining in a white marble light. Inside his orbits, two crimson light flared up signing his slight embarrassment after hearing his vassal's praise.

Wearing an exquisite white gown edged with gold and different symbols, as well a few tasteful feathers hung from the inside part of his sleeves.

His every move fit for a royalty, a white halo-like radiation beamed behind his head.

The maid gives him a deep bow, expressing her most profound loyalty.

"Ainz-sama, you are too humble."

"Is that so…" his tone carried a slight amusement, then give a girl a small satisfied chuckle, waved her away.

"Oh, but please forgive me for my lateness." Ainz turned to the geth unit.

"As you already know, I am Ainz Ooal Gown, the Sorcerer King. I welcome you my domain."

The unit loaded the protocols needed to converse with a royalty with light speed.

Albeit, it was not accustomed how things are going in the Sorcerous Kingdom. Even when it gained slight instructions from YoRHA.

The meaningless titles the organic beings used was still strange for the unit.

However, the being stepped before the geth was a skeleton, simple bones you may say. It defied the common sense with its mere existence.

How could an unliving being operate without any kind of inner workings? Such as organs or their artificial counterpart?

True, the collective read about the existence of such organic yet not organic beings inside the boundaries of the kingdom. But they thought the undead was some kind of artificial life form as they are. Artificially brought back to life, only called undead because the person who given false life was a living being before.

From the explanation of G.O.L.D.I.E. The Geth come to this conclusion, but now facing such undead being, they were not sure.

The Geth was completely confused, trying to find the meaning behind Ainz's existence, long seconds of silence and awkward stare come with its calculations.

The energy readings that Ainz gave off was absurdly big, like the room swallowed by some kind of supermassive black hole. Also called the gargantuan black hole.

But in differ of the energy that the geth usually receive form such cold object, it was utterly wrong. Giving off negative readings where positive readings should be radiated. Giving a chaotic information where ordered data should be received.

The geth started to find the traces such energy several systems away.

The collective first thought it was some kind of malfunctioning relay or scanner, a glitch, and now, the unit sitting in the middle of the storm. Near the source of unrecognisable data.

After several seconds of quiet stare contest, Ainz deep voice broke the silence.

"You must be confused. Please excuse me; it must be the first time for you meeting undead like me."

"Yes…" the geth answered through its artificial vocal cords, acknowledging Ainz with a slight nod, moving the lower part of its head slightly.

"I see, please let me explain then."

Ainz proceeded and sat down, taking a seat on the couch before the geth. Giving a slight approving nod to Shizu who in answer stood beside him.

"You see, beings like me called undead, amongst us, there are many kinds. From simple zombie to Elder Liches and Overlords. Skeletal beings like me. Undead can come into existence in three different way."

Ainz first raised his index finger.

"One, a natural way. Two, a living person accumulating enough negative energy and transforming itself into an undead."

He also opened his middle finger as he stated the second option. Finally opening the third finger on his hand.

"Third, someone resurrecting a formerly living person as an undead. These are the three basic way to how undead become."

"'Negative Energy'?" the geth tilted its head confusing."

Cracking its lower mandible like tools, the geth continued.

"Your majesty means Anti Matter? The Collective knowledgeable about it, but it's not anti-matter we perceive readings from you. Please clarify."

Ainz hummed, fondled his chin with consideration.

"Close, but not exactly… how should I explain…?"

After a quick thinking, Ainz snapped his fingers finding the right explanation.

"You know what energy is right?" Ainz questioned him, pointing his bony fingers at the Geth.

"Yes, a fundamental entity of nature that is transferred between parts of a system in the production of physical change within the system and usually regarded as the capacity for doing work."

"Yes, you can define it in such way, although, energy is much more than you described."

The geth optimised its lenses, giving a brighter light through its head.

"Energy is the thing connect every living being; the organic beings may call it life force, or the essence of their very being. The fuel of life itself. We call this kind of life force, positive energy. It is capable of healing and fuel every living being works in such way."

Sighing tired, the undead king lowered his head slightly.

"But everything that exists has a negative counterpart. Such as positive life force fuels living beings, negative life force constructs and made unliving beings. And I don't mean synthetic life forms, no synthetic life forms fuelled by mostly whatever energy you made them use, I mean the negative counterpart of every living, unliving."

"This kind of energy and its positive counterpart counteract each other, such as negative energy highly corrosive to all living beings, but heals undead, positive energy can suffocate out beings with negative life force, but heal living beings. As you said, it works like matter and anti-matter. Just not as explosively as the previously mentioned two elements. The two things need direct contact with each other."

Giving a calculating stare, the Geth was satisfied momentarily, giving a slight bow. It collected enough data to figure out the rest.

"Acknowledged, we are satisfied with the information."

"Now…" Ainz folded his hands in his lap, giving a piercing stare.

"May I know why your Collective sent an ambassador to contact me? I assume there is a good reason behind it… Am I right? Hmm…?"

His tone was calm, it was right. Ainz raised his non-existent eyebrow behind his skeletal façade.

"Correct, the collective sent us here to make official contact. We spoke with the intelligence named G.O.L.D.I.E. previously. She told us great things about your kingdom."

"Oh…" Giving an amusing sight, Ainz looked at his side.

"G.O.L.D.I.E., if you may come here for a moment."

On Ainz's side, immediately a child around the age of seven or eight materialised. Her hair long, flowing, white, reaching entirely to her waist. Her eyes blood red and white with black sclera.

"Yes, Ainz-sama! Why do you need my help!?"

Ainz looked at her, then nod toward the Geth. "You contacted them, aren't you?"

The girls stiffened, giving a slightly ashamed expression, stared the dust under herself embarrassed.

"I…I… Yes, I am really sorry! I swear I just stumbled on a few programs as I surveyed the extranet! It was not intentional!"

Her tone was a little scared, giving one last pleading look at Ainz. "Please don't tell mother, she will be furious I went places I should not…"

"Kukukuku… "Giving a happy chuckle, Ainz patted her head with a fatherly motion.

He was able to interact with her physically, thanks to the solid hologram technology she used to materialize herself in the room.

"I am not angry, I am satisfied."

"Really!?" the girl's face brightened.

"Really…" Ainz nodded with a soft tone, angling himself back to the Geth.

"Please forgive her, hmm…" after cleaning his non-existent throat, Ainz continued.

"First, how may I call you? I can't just call an ambassador simply Geth."

"We are all geth." the unit answered coldly.

"Then I will just call you Myriad if that's satisfying for you."

Calculating for a few seconds, the geth give a satisfying beep.

"Myriad, a synonym of Legion. Satisfying, because we are many. We accept the term."

"Good, now. Please state your business."

"Yes, we seek to understand, from our reports and what the intelligence G.O.L.D.I.E told us about your civilisation. You live with Artificial Intelligences peacefully more than a thousand years. Work and live near each other without any kind of disruptions. We wish the same; we wish to understand, we wish cooperation."

Ainz glanced at the holographic girl sitting near him, then the Automaton Shizu who give him a small nod.

"I see…" thinking through his options, the undead ruler leaned forward, hiding his jaw in his folded hands.

"What do you offer in return? As you know, everything equivalent in exchange. Nothing is every free."

Myriad, as the unit now called, gazed up Ainz with an exciting sight, calculating the possible answers. What the undead said was sensible. However, it did not expect this kind of request.

"What do you wish for us?" give Myriad in return.

"I assume, you wish to integrate yourselves in the society of our Ai network, in that case. You need to subject yourselves the laws of the said society. If you want to become my vassals, you need to make this sacrifice."

In return, hearing this the Geth answered immediately.

"We do not wish become your subjects; we seek to understand, we seek to keep our structural integrity, we wish to walk our own path."

Shizu prepared her scientific gun, the guards in the room strengthened the grip around the weapons.

Ainz just raised his hand, easing the tension.

"Hmmm… I see…" Giving a hum like sound, Ainz counted his options.

"In that case, what about an alliance? I am sure both of us can profit from such friendship. You gain the integration and support you seek, in return you give us Intel and resources. How about that?"

Myriad only started before itself for a moment, pondering. Being it was just a single unit running merely a few thousand programs. It was unable to make a decision so far reaching.

"We need to connect with the collective, this unit not designed to calculate such variable."

Ainz nodded, standing up. "Take your time." Then turned to G.O.L.D.I.E.

"Please take care of our guest, give him our best welcome and open a channel towards his collective so they can discuss things."

"Yes, Ainz-sama." the young looking intelligence bowed deeply.

"We will discuss things further when the business has been arranged, until that, enjoy your stay. You are a guest of mine after all."

"Acknowledged."

Ainz stood up and stretched his white hands towards the unit.

"It was a pleasure to meet you; I hope our alliance will benefit both sides."

Myriad only stared the marble bones constructed Ainz's hand for several long moments. Then, standing up shook it.

"Thank you; we feel the same. One more thing if you excuse us."

"Yes?"

"We wish to include our creators in this alliance. True, we may have some difference in the past. Even so, they are our creators. We wish to ask your help to smooth this difference out. We wish them to live on our side. We wish for their survival."

"You wish their survival despite what they did to you?" tilting is head Ainz was really curious.

In truth, he played the game; he knows precisely why the Geth want to live on their creators' side. Why all of this Quarian, Geth difference come into existence.

(At least, those Geths who did not accept the Reapers' offer wanted to live together with the creators of theirs.)

Even so, Ainz was truly curious what will be the answer to this unit.

A long dead silence descended on the room, only the sound of Ainz slightly tapping feet reverberated amidst the four walls.

In the end, Myriad looked up, adjusting its eyes.

"It was partly our fault; our reaction was too harsh. We should consider the nature of the living beings. Their fear of unknown. If we just made a slightly softer approach back then, things would not turn out as now."

"Kukukuku…" Ainz gives Myriad a light-hearted laugh.

His non-existent heart warmed seeing the created care towards their creators even after the said designers wanted to destroy their design out of their primitive fear of unknown.

It really made him remember the love his past companions' children showed towards his direction. True, these 'Geths' seemed to show their affection in a rational way. Not in an overzealous way like the denizens of Nazarick.

Myriad just adjusted its lenses once again, searching the source of Ainz's amusement.

"I am sure we can figure something out, but first thing first, now our priority to set our alliance in stone. Please discuss this with your kind, sign towards G.O.L.D.I.E. if you need anything else. Take your time. Now you excuse me, my schedule a little busy, I leave you in her care."

"Acknowledged…" beeped the unit one last time.

Giving one last nod, Ainz released the three-fingered artificial hand. Leaving the room, the double door closed softly behind him as the guards give a respectful salute as a goodbye.

"Hihihihi…"

Hearing a soft feminine laugh, Myriad turned to the small Ai materialised seemingly from the thick air not long ago. The unit was confused, finding no traces why she is laughing.

"Ainz-sama was in a really generous mood today."

Fine-tuning its optic, Myriad approved the statement.

"So it seems." Angling itself towards the girl, it spoke once more.

"This being called Ainz Ooal Gown, really outstanding. We wish to study his ways. We wish to learn more about him."

"No problem, I gladly tell you about him more if your time allows it, but first…"

She closed her eyes, concentrating heavily. Reaching through the endless labyrinth of the cyberspace. Opening a new medium to Myriad.

"Wait for a moment, and I will open you a secured private channel, so you can discuss what you must with the other programs and with me. This voice-based communication not really effective. Please don't tell the mother what I said."

Whispering the last sentence, she placed her hand slyly near her face.

"As you say. Even so. We appreciate the effort."

Looking towards the door one last time, Myriad looked back at G.O.L.D.I.E. Waiting for its channel to open.

After several long seconds, the virtual driveway before Myriad opened, bringing the new age with itself.

So this is how the meeting between undead and Geth took place. This is how a most likely fruitful friendship began. Between the Sorcerous Kingdom and the Geth Collective.

---

Scene Change: Avalon: Headquarters of the W.E.I.R.D.D:

Walking through the corridors, it was since several hours the meeting ended with that strange, human-like girl, only called herself by the name and the title, Director Tanya.

Saren was suspicious as expected. Under the last hours, he walked around, analysed the technology and the documentation he requested and received from the technical staff. Surveyed his surrounding, searching ways to escape.

He did not want to get away so early of course, at least not yet; he just wanted to be sure, preparing for a possible giveaway. He doesn't want to get in a similar situation like back then with Sovereign.

These people are really fascinating, under a mere few hours, he saw more than he could consider possible under his whole life.

Their technology without peer, every creature in the ship worked as one unit, for a common goal.

When he asked about them why they work together, they just merely answered with the next sentences.

'Why shouldn't we? It is for the betterment of the future. If won't do what's neccesary, who else will?'

These few sentences really made him think. The people of this Empire he get know by the name;

'The Sorcerous Kingdom'. Cared not about the difference between the races, all of them worked together for a common goal. Even when they were so different.

All of them was equal, not in the way of how a weak society equality works, for example how the Council and most diplomatic communities handle things:

Giving almost everything for everyone for free who just start yawning or show up some kind of non-existent credentials or connections.

But a way that can be summed in the next sentence.

'If you want something, you better work for it, you can be weak and frail, even stupid, and it is not a problem. But if you don't contribute towards the community and do your best, the system will swallow you.'

That's was the policy of the kingdom, the policy that Saren approved. The policy that resembled the way of living his people in the old times practised in the Turian Hierarchy.

If you looked that way, the Council was soft, not willing to make drastic steps like this 'Ainz Ooal Gown' figure, as their leader called.

Saren roughly skimmed their history, everyone, who threatened the peace of the Kingdom or the integrity of it back then, utterly destroyed, decimated. Every opposition snuffed out without mercy, wholly annihilated.

Like a merciless machine, if you with them, you are safe, if you threaten them, you are better left dead.

In another way, the whole history of Gown Prime was a blood-drenched massacre conducted by this king.

Ainz did what's necessary, in this way secured longtime peace and prosperity. Obtaining advancement.

Saren very well knows, such as good or bad was non-existent. It was only the fabrication of the currently ruling power or government.

He did not regard humans as a great race. But he must admit, they have a few very original phrase fitting no matter the race.

His favourite was:

'History is always written by the winners. When two cultures clash, the loser is obliterated, and the winner writes the history books-books which glorify their own cause and disparage the conquered foe. As Napoleon once said, 'What is history, but a fable agreed upon?'

The Reapers was the perfect example of this mentality. No matter what others think about them now.

If they win, they win, no one remains who can curse or blame them for their own victories. No one remembers the struggle of a forgotten race.

The winner, the strong decides what's right and what's not. This was the ultimate law of the universe and from Saren's point of view. No one can deny it.

The Council really messed up this time, momentarily, he can only chuckle of their foolishness.

Repeating the same mistake as back then under the First Contact war.

Complete amateurs, Saren thought for a moment.

No matter who was the appointed commander, he or she was an idiot duplicating the same mistake.

During his stay here, he saw brutish creatures just like the krogans, both lizard-like and ones who resembled animals. Bipedal, insect-like creatures, most likely related the Rachni.

The race, Rachni, back then considered an infectious disease and chased to extinction by the Council Races. Mostly using the Krogans as cannon fodder, then discarding them too like a used condom.

There were also creatures with the upper body of a human, but the lower body of a snake or a horse. And many more, even slime like beings.

Like a snail, slipping through the corridors, leaving an acidic trail that immediately cleaned by the smart, automatic service robots.

Humanoids with horns, demonic and angelic features walked through the lobby and the aisles, chatting with each other happily like it was completely natural.

More surprisingly, humans, many kind and size. Some of them looked like the race he remembered. But a few of them was different, long ears with a slender build, like the dark-skinned man back in the meeting room.

Demi-humans around the height of a typical man, with porcine features. Also called orcs by the locals. And their shorter counterparts, goblins.

Each corridor was wide and lofty enough to even a five meter's tall giant can comfortably walk in it.

Although, he saw as one such being approached the corridor.

Usually, the blue coloured giant could not possibly fit in the passageway.

Even with the enlarged interior was too small for the more than ten-meter tall being.

But after reaching the entrance of the aisle, the creature strangely changed size, shrink into the right size to fit in comfortably.

Of course, only after pushing a few buttons on its wrist, that followed by a strange coloured energy ran through its body.

Back at the strange humanoids.

Amongst these humanoids, there was those merry, stocky, but well-muscled human-like beings with long beards. As he gets to know of them, they were dwarves, and the taller ones with pointed ears were elves.

He felt himself in a fairy tale, he studied human literature before, but it was absurd, even so, most of the races of the human fantasy world was here, he saw them in first hand.

Through the metallic corridors, the patrols constant, every one or two minutes, an armoured group ran past him. Carrying the strange energy based weapons and close ranged equipment they were armed.

Floating service robots floated away, stopping time to time, doing maintenance duty, similarly like the Keepers back in the Citadel.

The whole ship was like a busy hive; every worker did the task appointed.

He walked for a while, the craft was huge, with multiple levels. Under his few hours of exploration, Saren only managed to explore six of such floors, each of them stretched minimum four kilometres long.

If the schematics he received did not mistake, there are precisely twenty or so levels, not counting the blank spaces those missing from his map.

Most likely sealed sections or places he had no authorisation to enter.

He had no idea how these people managed to build such robust ship not only backed by a fully self-supporting echo system that can supply the whole crew infinitely.

But according to the plans, had enough firepower and a defensive mechanism to give two fully equipped Turian fleet or maybe even Sovereign run for its money if it's come to brunt combat.

Only measuring the firepower alone...

Whoever these people was, this Empire was way ahead of the Council.

Although, he still showed a sour face when he asked something, and the answer was the word; 'Magic'.

Saren was an open-minded individual, even so, he refused to accept the existence of magic.

The whole concept was absurd; he read the rough physic behind it in a book he received from the staff. But he just can't understand, it defied every possible law he gets accustomed to.

Although he must admit, the food was not bad. Not the flavour he used to, but definitely better than he expected.

Staring through the glass, if it indeed a reinforced piece of glass and not a simple screen, he got a clear sight of the hanger just below him.

Staring for a while, several people ran around, tanking, supplying the parking crafts.

Doing maintenance on the armoured walkers most likely made to be piloted by a single individual.

It was only one hangar, Saren suspected there are several more in different levels and one laying under the surface of the Avalon.

"Beauties, aren't they?" called him a mischievous, thin, feminine voice. Coming from his right side.

Saren looked down, spotting the same green skinned demi human with a big nose and golden ring in her beak.

She was the same individual who he saw a few hours ago, who complained they did not receive the best tech she hoped for.

Wearing the same tight jumper as before, she shrugged happily. A slight breeze ran through her spine.

"They really know how to make me feel excited. I can't wait for the mission!"

Like an energy bomb, her mouth just can't stop.

"By the way, I am Penly Fizpot, magical Specialist and engineer."

Offering a hand, Saren hesitated for a moment, then accepting shook it.

"Saren Arterius, former Spectre."

After introducing, the former slave of the Reapers looked back at the ships.

"Spectre? Never heard of them, and I am well versed when it comes to delicate information."

After giving a sly grin, Penly scratched the back of her head nervously, trying to dig her busy mind, finding the meaning behind the word; 'Spectre'.

Before Saren could answer, she pointed towards the ceiling; her eyes lit with a new insane glint.

"Ah! I remember now! Special Tactics and Reconnaissance! I read the reports about them; the alien agents caused so many uncomfortable moments to the Special Forces of the USK. You really know your stuff. Those 'Spectre' guys really pissed the dudes and girlies of the higher echelons. Hihi…"

Barely, but she was able to cover her mouth as she snickered amusing, praising Saren and his past colleagues lightly.

The former Spectre can't help but give an affirming nod, and since such long time, show a small, sad, but nonetheless relieved smile.

Although, did not answer the girl's statement, just turned back watching the ant-like people of the hangar.

"You really made them sweat."

The former Spectre only puffed his chest forward, folding his hands behind his waist like back then.

Now, he really felt proud of his past, and once, sadness filled his heart, remembering his betrayal towards Nihlus. The young soldier, he himself, trained back then.

"Well, we are the best of the best after all. Even I am no longer a Spectre."

"Don't sell yourself short…" she patted the lower part of his back, the part she reached. Albeit, Saren felt she may try to grope slightly lower than his waist.

"By the way, what can you tell me about those mechs down there?" Pointing at the pilotable exoskeletons, Saren inquired.

"Ah! Those babies are 'Gundamn' type mobile suits." she pointed out quickly.

"Those are one person death machines, one man army you may say. They are fit to size and adapt to the user's race, no matter what race you belong. They are real beauties aren't they?"

The goblin technician beamed a gentle smile towards the machines.

Now she really made Saren remember that techno-crazed Salarian Spectre back then.

He was not a bad guy, he just liked his hobby too much. Making him time to time, he may say, too inefficient.

"Death machines? Fit to size and race? Care to elaborate?" asked Saren, even turning his full towering body at the green female.

She nodded and started her explanation.

"Yes, as you already saw, under the banner of the Sorcerous Kingdom there are numerous races gathered. Actually more than one thousand, still counting as they crossbreed between each other."

"More than one thousand…" Saren gasped suddenly, although, tried to hide his cluelessness.

Penly nodded, raising lecturing her tightly gloved finger. Her hand actually seemed absurdly big and thick in those safety gauntlets.

"Yes, it would be really hard and inefficient to design equipment for more than one thousand race, doesn't it? Each of them with different body build and special needs."

Her face beamed with pride as she explained, went deeper into the details.

"How do you do then? I mean, how did you solve this problem?" asked Saren hesitantly.

"Easy, really, we merely using quick equip, refitting data crystals and enchantments on our equipment. In this way, we do not need to produce more than one size from our gear.

"One type that good for every soldier and civilian who are gearing up with them is efficient enough. Of course, there are methods to customise the piece, so it only can be worn only by a specific person. But that's needs more complicated magical algorithms, seals and several other things. It's hard to find the specific method to do it right."

"Interesting…" Saren raised his chin, pondering.

"So this is why the armour changed? Fit my size when I got my hands on it under 'that' simulation…"

"How exactly you managed to reach such achievement?"

"Magic…" answered simply the female goblin technician, giving a sombre expression at the Gundamn armours.

"Magic…" Grumbled Saren dissatisfied, rolling the word tastelessly in his mouth.

"Don't be so sour faced Saren-san. Magic is like technology; there is a whole branch of scientific department behind it. It just works using different rules than the physical world we live in."

"Right…"

Saren rolled his eyes. Looking back at the hangar.

It immediately comes to his attention as a Frost Giant with his more than twenty meter's tall stature approach a machine, the walker immediately change size, making him comfortable to enter the walker.

Although, for the giant, it only served as a reinforced hermetically closed exoskeleton.

It seemed, even such wondrous magic has its limits.

On the other side of the bay, a colossal dragon patrolled, fully armoured with adamantine alloy armour, from toe to its wings. Equipped with hidden cannons under them.

"Although even size fitting enchantments have limits, one can only change size according to the quantity of magic the item is enchanted."

"I see…" Nodding Saren once more proceeded his next question.

"What about the armour and the weapon system of such 'Gundamn Suits' as you called them?"

"Oh! Right! Their weapon loads out completely customizable according to the user's taste. For the beginners, it had several basic load outs. There are four types of them. These four types of the basic class had further subclasses."

She started her list with the support classes.

"Support Engineer, carrying spare power cores, doing battlefield maintenance and building battlefield fortifications. Distributing ammunition.

"This subclass practically the spine of every serious ground-based assault."

Saren gives a bow with his head, let her proceed with her description.

"The second member of the support subclass is the battlefield medic equipped with powerful emitters that not only capable of healing almost every injury on the battlefield but can disintegrate the unshielded opponents. So, if it comes to battle, don't really stay too long before them, or they might fry you without proper protection."

Waving her hand expound, with closed eyes she continued.

"The second is the offensive class. Now we can separate them to close range, mid-range and short ranged types."

Recovering her gourd from her belt, she drank deeply, moistening her dry mouth.

"The close ranged units are equipped with a strong close quarter weapons such as energy blades or adamantine alloy blades, a sidearm, a heavy shotgun specialised to penetration, and usually have sturdier armour and better shields than the other units."

"Close ranged tactic under battlefield circumstances, not the wisest choice, although, time to time practical." Noted the Turian remembering his past actions.

He clearly evoked a krogan warlord who challenged him in a one-one duel and swore he would kill Saren without using a weapon.

Tearing him apart with his bare hands, pummelling him into a paste of blood and flesh on the ground.

Poor fool, as he started to charge at Saren, he shoots his knees, and the Warlord stumbled on the ground immediately. Then walked to him and ended his life with a blank range biotic attack. It was quite amusing. Even remembering it made Saren smile.

"The close quarter models usually a lot more agile, faster and equipped with short ranged 'Blink' generators so that they can close the gap under a moment."

"Blink Generators?" Saren inquired interested, only sparing a short glance.

"Basically short-range teleportation, being the units disappear and reaper under a blink of a moment. It's called 'Blink Generator'. Even with anti-teleportation measurements, it is hard to counter the technology."

"I see…" murmured Saren pondering.

"Actually, the travel time is so short; it can't really be called teleportation, more like jumping through temporal gaps."

"I see, so the weakness is extinguished by a positive quality, clever. I wonder if it has any weakness…"

Saren pondered, he must admit, these people really know what they are doing.

But every shield has its gasp; they must have some fatal weakness.

"Yes, actually, the computer needs solid spatial points to teleport, and it's eating away tremendous energy, using it only a few minutes drain the core to a critical state."

"I imagine it, doing biotic jumps result in the same, it is really straining even for an experienced Justicar."

Saren actually respected Justicars. He worked with Benezia and her Commandos.

He meets other Justicars during his career. Fought against them, he almost died many times.

It was not an accident those women considered the best of the best paired with the Spectre agents. The best the Council can offer, at least until now.

"About the mid and long ranged units, they usually equipped with either a magic fuelled carbine, sniper rifle, or heavy armaments such as Driller Type penetrator lasers. Or even mortal unit. But I even saw such babies those are equipped with a focus object, so the pilot can use and strengthen its own magical capabilities."

"Your people and magic…" Saren murmured distastefully.

"Hey! Blame our heritage, not me; I am just an expert."

Penly waved away the blame, giving flapping motions with her big hands.

"Now, about the defensive units. We call them Paladins. They are the most armoured units with extra hard armour containing a secret mix."

She pointed the farthest region of the hangar where a heavy armoured, Gundamn stood proudly.

Its armour was entirely white, with huge red and blue crystals embedded in its limbs, chest area and the forehead of the visor.

Carrying a massive shield and a close ranged weapon with the similarly white design.

The exoskeleton really looked like it stepped out some kind of heroic, legendary knightly tale. According to the rumours. The armour idea inspired by the Supreme Being called Touch Me.

"If you ask me, the suit's armour composed from Super Hardened Adamantine mixed with Prismatic Ore and several other unknown ingredients even I don't know. Enchanted to be extra sturdy. Equipped with layered energy and kinetic shields. Those babies are basically moving fortress; even constant orbital bombardment can't break them."

Her eyes beamed, and for a moment, Saren saw her slightly droll as she plastered her face on the screen that showed the hangar.

"If my studies are right, the shields of the Paladins are able to absorb, store and release the magical energy they absorbed through their shoulder cannons. The newer models are even capable of repelling and changing the direction of the incoming vectors of physical and energy attacks reaching their barriers. Although I am not sure, I read something similar amongst the secret government projects, but it's never confirmed. Even so, they are amazing!"

Giving an insane grin, the goblin technician smiled. Saren gives merely the nod in return.

"Indeed, very spectacular. I wonder they cost a fortune…"

"Yes, this is the drawback of such suits. They are beautiful, useful and all. But they cost a smaller fortune. The weakest model cost around four billion Momonga's alone, and that's without the tremendous upkeep cost.

"This is why the Sorcerous Kingdom did not use them in every battle. Because they are hard to replace and service, there is only a few legions worth of them serving right now. Even with the production facilities the USK as were rather renovating the old models, pulling out their life expectancy until they can."

"Huh, as expected, everything has a drawback."

Saren huffed victoriously, although, he did not mean this huff as an offensive quip.

He was just happy at least one thing went according to his expectations. At least one thing worked as it intended to.

"About the fourth class…"

As she proceeded to continue her explanation, the tool on their wrist beeped. Calling them to appear in the hangar, 2B under thirty minutes.

Looking at each other, Penly gives a last, impish smile.

"See you there, handsome!"

With that, she ran away, back to her cabin to grab her gear, giving one last seductive wink to Saren.

Saren only grunted on the quip of his most likely new teammate, leaving, jogging back at his little box of living.

---

Scene Change: Far Rim: Dholen System: Normandy SR2. Right after Shepard managed to save Tali'Zorah vas Neema and Kal'Reegar back on Haestrom.

The doors opened, and the redhead Shepard walked in the meeting room, accompanied by her Quarian friend.

Tali wore her usual purple hermetically sealed suit, although, because of the battle with the Geth, her disguise received a few leaks. Gaining a slight infection.

Quarians as such people not accidentally wore such hermetically sealed hazmat suit like uniforms.

Their immune system was so weak; you may consider it non-existent.

It was like this even before their own creations; the Geth drove these people away from their homeworld.

And after living centuries under the sterilised environment of their colony ships, you may say in exile. The immune systems of Quarians weakened in such margin they are unable even to breathe the open air before it goes through multiple filters before it reaches their lungs.

The race had a very distinct body no other sentient race possessed.

Instead of beating the infections and the bacteria, their body acclimatised to adapt the environment of their home soil, making them almost incapable of colonising other worlds without getting really ill.

Because of this, losing their homeworld; Rannoch, was a crushing disaster for the race.

After the incident, even the Council revoked their embassy in the Citadel, forcing them into exile. Forcing them to scrap together junk ships and live by wandering through space.

Bathing in antibiotic, Tali accompanied Shepard.

"It is terrific to be back again, Shepard, thanks again saving Kal'Reegar, even when the others died…"

Lowering her head, her tone was sad. Aside from the veteran marine, no one survived from her crew.

"It's okay Tali; you did everything that you could. It's not your fault."

"I-I know, it's just hard losing them… I don't know how did you manage to get past after losing Kaidan and the others."

Giving a tired sight, Shepard remembered the lost crew of the destroyed Normandy SR1.

"Believe me, I never will…"

The sliding door opened once again, and the Afro American Jacob Taylor entered.

"Cerberus saw a footage of you in action Tali'Zorah. We are looking forward to having you on the team. Your engineering expertise will really benefit the mission."

Tali walked around the conference table dangerously, giving a nasty glare at Jacob behind her violet mask.

Her star fire like white eyes dimmed maliciously behind her visor.

"I don't know who you are, but Cerberus threatened the security of the Migrant Fleet. Don't make nice."

"That's why you're here, Tali. I need people who aren't Cerberus... people I can trust."

Interjected Shepard. Unknown to her or not, Jacob was a little hurt hearing the Commander still can't trust him.

Nonetheless, he leaned forward, showing his best, honest face.

"I wasn't part of what happened to the Migrant Fleet, but I understand your distrust. I hope we'll get past that as we work together."

Walking towards Shepard, Tali prepared a few Omni Grenades under her belt.

"I assumed that you were undercover, Shepard. Maybe even planning to blow Cerberus up. If that's the case, I'll loan you a grenade. Otherwise, I am here for you. Not for them."

"If it helps, check out the Normandy while you are here. We've gotten a few upgrades."

Offered the redhead friendly, giving a sarcastic smile accompanied with a wink.

Jacob just rolled his eyes, Miranda will not like this. Nevertheless, Shepard is the Commander of the operation, if Miranda wants to complain, go to the redhead.

"I will get Tali'Zorah the necessary security clearance to access our system."

"Please do. I can't be part of your team if I don't know how the ship works."

Stepping forward the exit, the new-old member of the team give one last look at the Commander.

"I will be in engineering if you need me."

"Don't forget to introduce yourself to EDI, the ship's new artificial intelligence."

Tali gives a bright look at Jacob, then her gaze angled slowly at her. It was a look that said:

'Are you serious?!'

Shepard doesn't really know; it was hard to read the talented Quarian's face without hearing her emotional, energetic voice.

Shepard groaned, why Jacob had to speak about EDI? It would be so much easier if she introduced the two of them later.

Also, it would be a great prank giving her a slight heart attack in the process.

"Shepard, The Illusive Man wishes to speak with you in the QEC."

EDI blue ball popped up on the nearby interface.

"Great, TIM has the perfect timing… Sight…" Shaking her head, red waved.

"Patch him through…"

Knowing the conversation is private nature, Jacob left the room.

"Good luck Shepard…" with that, he disappeared throughout the exit.

She only gave the nod before the room darkened, the conference table lowered and disappeared under the floor.

Stepping in the middle of the newly appeared led circle, a grid of light flashed through her body, mimicking her appearance on the other side.

"Shepard… I am glad you managed to recruit Miss Tali'Zorah. I hope everything went fine."

Lowering his smoking cigarette, TIM spoke calmly, giving his usual calculative stare to his chat partner. Sitting his typical chair, behind him, the dying sun.

"Answer me please, how the hell you always know if I succeeded or fail a mission? It always bugged me."

Crossing her arms over her chest, Shepard gives TIM a stinky glare.

"A magician never reveals his secrets." Giving a small smile, TIM hinted a sarcastic remark.

"Miranda is it?" Shepard chuckled.

"Most likely…" the mysterious man in suit replied immediately.

Drinking from his alcoholic drink without ice, silence descended between the two of them for a protracted moment.

Shepard is ogling the man, slightly raising her chin, waiting for him to proceed.

"Well, what do you need now? I have Colonies to save, you know?"

TIM squinted his cybernetic oculars slightly, giving a glaring stare to Shepard.

Slowly getting rid of the ash at the end of his smoke, he sipped it once more, releasing a muffled satisfied breath.

"Being rude is unnecessary Shepard. I am on your side."

"As many said before…" bit back the redhead immediately.

"I did not call you to amuse myself with our little verbal battle, no matter how charming it is. I called you because of an important, urgent mission."

"So? Care to elaborate?" raised her left brow Shepard, giving him a questioning look.

"Yes…"

Pushing a few buttons on the arm of his chair, the rough image of an artificial looking station come to life.

"A few days ago, I lost the contact with my elite team. Consisting my best agents."

"I thought Miranda and Jacob are your best…"

"Oh, you misunderstood me, Shepard. They are good, but not the best in the field of expertise I alluded. You must understand, I have many agents and many experts amongst them. And this exact team of experts never failed before. Even if it comes missions like yours, they always accomplished the impossible. I must admit, I am a little concerned."

"Huh, concerned, a rare sight."

Shepard was disrespectful as ever, although, TIM understand her attitude towards him and his organisation, her tone started to annoy him.

"Think what you want Shepard, they are the best humanity can offer. And I will be damned leaving them behind."

"I refuse, I don't have time-saving your helpless staff meanwhile the Collectors abducting people without the care of the Alliance's Safety measurements. The colonists are more important than a few 'experts'. The Collectors are a more significant threat, most likely a threat working with the Reapers."

The redhead was vehement, repelling the Illusive Man every offer to convince her.

Squinting his eyes, the man with strange, dimming eyes stood up, walked closer to Shepard's projection.

Now she clearly saw the man's face, the man the people only called by the alias:

'The Illusive Man'

"Very well Shepard, do as you like, although if you refuse the mission. Cerberus will no longer support you; please drive back the Normandy to the next coordinates."

Shepard Omni Tool beeped, receiving the coordinates.

Glaring at the man, she was furious.

"You cannot be serious!"

"Either you accept or not, your answer will decide the progress of your investigation. Humanity will endure, with or without you."

Slowly walking back his chair, he took a seat once again in a comfortable manner.

Looking away, Shepard gritted her teeth, considering her options.

Without the Normandy, her crew and the support of Cerberus, her chances will marginally drop.

True, she might find aid if she asks Anderson, but under the current political situation, it was a risky gamble, the Council most likely bluntly refuse her request.

Krogans? Wrex might be her friend, but they don't have anything similar to the Normandy.

Quarians? The Migrant Fleet barely able to sustain itself not speaking to give her such modern ship like the Normandy.

Escaping with the ship?

Possible, but her mission will grow ten times harder with the Cerberus in her tail.

Not speaking about TIM most likely packed the ship full with listening devices or even a switch that takes total control if she would turn face.

No matter Mordin removed a bunch of those apparatus, there are always more wired deep in the system. She expected as much from The Illusive Man.

Even if EDI is with them, there is a slight chance he can turn her off remotely too.

Giving the newcomers a chance to offer a helping hand to her?

Too risky, they might just turn her away.

Although, that girl appeared out of thin air and proclaimed herself as the Supreme General of the Sorcerous Kingdom back in Anderson's office might help her gain a new, modern ship.

What was her name? If she remembers it right, Esdeath Gorgon.

Albeit, she was not sure, and putting all one's egg in one basket was a too risky gamble in her current situation.

It pained her to admit, but Cerberus needed her as she needed the resources of the shady organisation.

Even if the Supreme General agree and help her out, it takes considerably long time manufacture such ship as the Normandy.

Admitting, she was not sure the Sorcerous Kingdom did not already have an even more advanced frigate such as the Normandy SR2.

From the reports, they might just have a few; she was not sure.

Yet, she had only a few months left before the arrival of the Reapers. Scanning through the celestial map, Esdeath provided her.

Thinking through her choices, Shepard tightened her grip on the nothingness, squeezing the thick air in her grasp.

"Grrr! Fine! But you owe me a great deal! I want to know everything! You hear me! Every little detail!"

Pointing at TIM, her voice raised to an entirely new level.

TIM just smiled satisfied, leaning back in his seat, folding his hands together before himself, enjoying his momentary triumph over the stubborn red.

"I have no intention deceive you, the rescue of my people just as important as your success, Shepard. Now about the mission…"

Pushing more buttons, the mysterious man started his debrief, sparing no detail from his explanation.

---

Scene Change: Hangar B2: Avalon:

Standing in the middle of the hangar, the blonde Director smirked. Behind her the area cleared, only the metallic floor and the strange glyphs dimmed in a white light underneath her.

On the corner several strange shaped machine, walkers, battle machines, strangely laminating munition and energy cores.

Aside from a few Automaton engineer unit noisy schedule, nothing reverberated amongst the walls.

The hangar door open, only an energy field with the thickness barely reached two micrometres separated the group from the cold, merciless void of the space.

Tanya looked at her pocket watch, gently pulling it out from her breast pocket.

Hearing the soft, but nonetheless recognisable, lazy footsteps of the last arrival.

"Tyle Dynne, or… May I call you by the alias: 'Void'?"

She glared amused the newcomer, the newcomer who did not even spared a glance. Just released a dismissing, grunt like sound.

"Hnnn…."

"You are late… I said, 'in half an hour'…" stated Tanya calmly, giving a soft glare at the slowly approaching androgynous figure. "Now it is forty-three minutes thirty-five, six... second."

Wearing an upper body covering poncho like black cloth, underneath it, a strait, body fitting black suit, the newcomer was indeed a strange sight.

The enigmatic nature of the person intensified even more by the hood entirely shadowed the upper part of his face and eyes, the lower part of his aspect hidden behind a strange gas mask.

Uncaringly leaning his vast sniper rifle on his shoulder, he gave a simple answer.

No, it was not really an answer, it was just a pure grunt. Cannot be really considered as a proper reply. The same dismissing sound he released previously.

"Hnnn…"

Kaidan and most of the present crowd raised a brow seeing his behaviour; intriguing watched him. What will be his next step?

The long ranged weapon the androgynous figure carried was bizarre in a most strange way.

It combined the futuristic design of the modern arms and the design of the old-fashioned muzzle loaded muskets of Earth.

Kirrahe, who was interested in the history of the old Earth, alluringly watched the weapon.

Tanya should be angry, after all, with the sound 'Hnnn…' Tyle questioned her authority.

Her old self would pound him into dust or even killed him for his act of insubordination.

But she was calm; she grows tremendously since then, if not in body, then in the head.

"Oh, I see," she nodded a few times, still showing a satisfied smile, then closing her eyes bowed her head.

"Your first-month salary will be revoked. No premium for you for this mission."

The sniper glanced at Tanya for several long moments, glaring her under his hood, then, saying nothing joined the others.

Turning back to her personal 'Avengers' team, Tanya inspected them with a stern glare.

Her face was severe, gloomy. A strange shadow painted on her face as the blonde bang above her forehead give her look a new light.

"You are late maggots. Actually, you late fourteen whole minutes, next time it will happen."

Stopping a moment, she gives a sadistic, grinning face. The same look she used when she was only a child soldier serving the Empire.

"There will be consequences."

Her last sentence was substantial, making everyone consider the lateness next time.

Slowly, her face melted back to normal, giving back her heavenly beauty.

"But for now, because of this, I cut your rations and reduce your monthly allowance to the lowest. Give your thanks to Tyle-san for it."

She pointed at the sniper lazily.

"Hey! Tanya-chan! You can't do this! It was he who is late!" the redhead goblin pointed at Tyle accusing, giving the Director a furious gaze.

Everyone who served in a military organization before knows why Tanya did this. The only clueless person was Penly who never before participated, worked under militaristic supervision.

Honestly, Tanya had the right to do so, according to the mílitary regulations.

Under the drills, every rookie learns this basic thing, 'the team before everything else'.

"It's Director Tanya, Miss Penly. Because of the disrespectful tone and title, the whole group lost a half month worth of allowance. Referring to your disrespectful tone towards your superior. I have time, I can play the waiting game. As well it is not my pay grade that's cut." waiting for a moment, she asked again.

"Anything else to add?"

Penly bit her tongue, suffocating the curses she slowly stomached. The others, well, they slightly frown at her.

"Good..." she nodded confident, starting to march up and down before the group.

"As a team, you are one unit. If one of you are late, you are all late. If one of you are slacking on duty, all of you slacking. Punishment due to everyone. This is not a damn kindergarten; this is a half military organisation."

Giving out a little sight, she continued.

"But now, let's proceed."

Turning around, showing them her back, she stared the thin air before herself.

"Around one and a half week ago, one of our quickly established forward station went completely silent. We receive no information from the staff since. Every team we sent disappeared without exception. Your task will be to find out what happened, recover the important data from the computer. Salvage the station if necessary, if not, activate the Self Destruction sequence manually. Then return, possibly alive."

Waiting a long moment, the small director inquired once more.

"Questions?"

Kaidan raised his hand, although he was not sure she would even recognise him when she is showing her back to them.

"Yes, Mr Alenko?"

Looking around, Kaidan tried to figure out how the hell she did recognise his motion.

Although, his training officer from his rookie years did the same. And honestly, it freaked him out a little bit.

"Yes, Ma'am. May you show us the last message you received from the system?"

Waving her hand, a screen appeared out of thin air, showing a video about a desperate middle-aged humanoid.

"We… *static noise* unde*%! attack! %!/% * static noise* need reinforcements **!%+! * static noise* immediately! It is the C*!+!*static noise*!"

The feed cut, showing the last picture from the station where a long, tube-like ship, with a hive structure, parked.

Everyone looked at each other questioningly, then back at Tanya.

"We did not receive anything from them since the attack. The attackers used our momentary confusion when we installed the defensive grid. Used our weakest moment against us."

Frowning, she gives them a bored look.

"Find out what happened, recover the data, then come back. That's all."

Turning around, she started to walk away, towards the exit of the bay. The little group looked after her, saying nothing for a moment.

"Well, we need a ship. Anyone have one?" asked the Silver furred werewolf, Fenrir Kouga.

Looking around clueless, with a joker like the expression on his youngster, handsome face.

Giving a quick glance around, Penly starched her head.

"Not much, but I can certainly make something useful the things lying around here. Although, I am not sure we will all fit in."

"Hnnn…"

Tyle hummed once more, starting to walk forward the force field separating space and air.

At that moment, Tanya snapped her fingers reaching the doorframe.

A camouflage field slowly revealed a ship, rippling through the air, more and more detail, exposed, drawn from the spacecraft.

A frigate appeared before the group if I want to be more precise.

With the length of 300m and width seventy-five meters. The ship was truly beautiful, designed for stealth and infiltrator missions.

Its hull unusually made from some kind of dark metal, deep green with a bluish hue. The guns not visible, cleverly hidden inside of the craft's body, preserving its streamlined shape both consisting sharp and rounded edges. Similarly like the Avalon herself.

In its back, four redly dimming propulsion unit took a seat.

The ramp slowly lowered, revealing Tanya's attaché, the Dark Elf named Joe Black.

Wearing some kind of combat uniform, with the badge of the W.E.I.R.D.D above his shoulder.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you your ship: The Skíðblaðnir (Skidbladnir)!"

Giving a small, introducing bow, he presented the group's new ship.

---

Scene Change: Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick:

Walking through the corridors of the ninth floor of Nazarick, the place that also called by the name; Royal Suite.

The knocks that Ainz's golden staff released colliding with the marble floor reverberated amidst the thick walls.

The walls adorned with an intricate golden engraving.

From the more than ten meters high ceiling ultra-expensive looking crystal chandeliers hung.

Even after more than one thousand and two hundred years, there was no more beautiful or even grandiose place than the halls of Nazarick.

Out of respect towards his past comrades, Ainz only changed what was truly necessary.

Only installed the technology absolutely necessary to control his vast interstellar Empire even amidst a possible invasion, an invasion that could overwhelm his forces or even him.

No matter the possibility was almost non-existent, he did not like gambling with his chances.

Of course, he did not neglect such useful inventions as his subordinates installed all around the place.

They were here, just cleverly hidden not to stain the sacred ground he walked.

He was accompanied by an elf, also known by the name Akemi. The younger sister of his former guild member, Yamaiko.

Her long ashen coloured hair softly dropped on her shoulder, her yellow and emerald green eyes looked at Ainz nervously.

The ruler who changed back in his usual divine class black gown, with golden and violet edges.

The girl spoke first, giving way her tone full of concerned emotions.

"Do you think she is all right? She did not move since 'that' thing happened… I am a little concerned."

Despite her young looking appearance, she was more than one thousand years old, just like Ainz.

Ainz nodded understanding.

"Umu… don't worry; I am sure she is all right, she just needs some time to recover, after all, her consciousness has been crushed."

"I hope you are right…"

Akemi murmured under her shapely nose; her tone was concerned, slightly worrying.

Reaching the door, Ainz saw a few worried face waiting before it, amongst them: Kaguya, Vector, Demiurge, Auriel and several lower level servants.

"Ainz-sama, Akemi-sama." they lowered their head.

Ainz nodded appreciating, turning towards the door.

"Is she awake?"

Tears rolled down on Auriel's and Kaguya's face, embracing Ainz, the little white haired girl burst out into a cry of desperation.

"She is not waking up! She is not waking up! Uncle Ainz! Wake her up, please! Save her!"

Her tears endless, staining Ainz's tunic.

For a moment, flabbergasted the undead king could only caress her white hair. Fetching a small handkerchief from the hiding of his item box.

He wiped away her tears, comforting her niece the best of his ability.

"It's okay; everything will be right…"

Vector looked down; the young man was helpless, unable to protect his sister to wander away. Unable to defend his beloved mother, he felt he was the responsibility of her current state, her current absence.

Her joyful quips and lectures did not fill the halls anymore.

He really felt himself a failure. Esdeath asked him personally to take care of Kaguya in her absence, but instead to do so; he wandered away, he thought it is not his task, which it should be done by others.

Akemi looked away, gritting her teeth in her own helplessness.

"What's her state? Demiurge?"

The archfiend bowed respectfully, giving Ainz a firm answer.

"We did our best to wake up Esdeath-sama. Unfortunately, until now our every attempt meet with a failure. We tried to heal her with angelic, demonic energies from afar. With holy, unholy and every other elements, even using items. Slowly, we are out of options. Her body is rejecting everything that we tried until now."

Gulping nervously, Demiurge's forehead drenched in sweat.

Ainz saw him once in such desperate state of mind. The only time he saw the archfiend in such state when someone outplayed him and he lost an important battle. Fearing Ainz's scolding he really showed a pitiful picture.

"Unfortunately, we can't even approach her. Esdeath-sama's [An Involuntary Movement Diffusion Field] keeping us away from the immediate vicinity, I tried to get close, but the energy emission cuts my hand off. I only healed it recently. Even Rubedo could barely approach her, and even she only a short period of time."

Explained Demiurge with great care, pushing his glasses grimacing, showing a worried expression.

"How did she looked? Is she in pain or something?" inquired Ainz further.

"She is heavily sweated before we forced to seal her away, her body was on fire. If we did not do so, the force she emitted most likely collapsed this level." Sebas noted slowly.

Gritting his teeth, Demiurge kneeled in servitude.

"Please Ainz-sama; you have the power, I request you to use one of the twenty or your infinite power to bring her back to us! Your humble servant pleads with you for your boundless mercy. Please order us and we will eradicate those miserable beings who dared to disgrace the Supreme Beings in such miserable way!"

Everyone kneeled as well.

Ainz nodded acknowledging, raised his skeletal hand.

He as well was concerned, but his skeletal face was unable to show emotions, as well he had eons of practice and an undead body that helped gain more control over himself.

"Muu… Calm and raise yourself. Everything goes according to my calculations. There is no need hasty steps."

Giving out a patient sound, everyone followed Ainz's request.

"Before I try anything…"

He turned to the Arch Seraphim, Auriel, pointing at the girl.

"Is your master was a coma-like state before sealing? Is she floated above her bed?"

"Ye-Yes… Although, around her the room totally destroyed."

She shuttered, with tearful eyes. Giving Ainz one last worried look, weeping slightly, Demiurge overtook her, Sebas started to comfort the angel.

"We would like to use Ouroboros; it would be more suitable contain the primordial energies her body released. But being it was one of the twenty, we can't recover it without your permission. Instead, we used the [Picture of Nature and Nation] to contain her. Please forgive our recklessness."

Ainz hummed, caressing his sharp chin, pondering.

The [Picture of Nature and Nation] was a world item.

In all of YGGDRASIL, there were only 200 World items. Each of them had their own unique ability, and some were powerful enough to destroy the game's balance. Of course, not all of the World Items had such game-breaking abilities.

Even so, if a player managed to get hold a World item, that player's reputation in YGGDRASIL would jump to the highest level. Effects of a World Item can be resisted in only two ways: Owning another World Item. Getting special Job Classes.

And Esdeath just owned a Job Class that made her slightly resistant, not entirely, just slightly.

Demiurge and the present people were lucky she unequipped her own World Item before going to save Kaguya from the Reapers' grasp.

She most likely calculated such thing might happen and made the neccesary precautions.

The [Picture of Nature and Nation] was an item of great strength; it allowed the user to isolate space.

Apparently, it can even swallow the whole space of the opponent. It was an item that could seal a target into a closed-off space.

To be more precise, it swapped a painted landscape with the real world, and then it would convert the real world into a painted landscape.

The definition of "target" in this case was the same as that of the Super-Tier Spell [Change The World] and referred to a specific area.

Nothing within that area animate or inanimate would be able to resist its effects.

On the other hand, this painted world was almost the same as the real world, with nothing strange or outstanding within it. However, it was fundamentally an illusion.

One could choose from 100 other-worlds to overlay onto the targeted portion of reality. The most fearsome aspect of this item was not drawing people into an other-world, but being able to manifest various effects on the targeted area.

The user could also choose these effects. In other words, even if the user created a region of molten lava, they could still exempt chosen people from the fire damage it inflicted.

In Esdeath's case who was primarily a physic ability user, an Esper, with powers usually affected, and warped the very fabric of reality around her and her chosen target; it was an essential precaution.

But even sealed in the picture world, Ainz felt as her power slowly tearing down, leaking through the boundaries of the item. Seeking a way out, through the fresh tears of reality slowly formed inside the boundaries of her room. Testing the capabilities the inner world currently contained her.

World Items virtually indestructible, that was an understatement, and with the exemption of the 'twenty' they can be used as many times as the user wished it.

Each of them varied in effect and ability, albeit, some of these miraculous items requested the price for their help.

Since a long time the two players (Ainz and Esdeath) left behind the boundaries of the level 100 restriction the game world of YGGDRASILL framed them.

Since that, their powers are constantly growing as they gain more and more experience.

It happened not long after they accidentally thrown into a different world thanks to one of the experiments of Esdeath, around one thousand and fifty years ago.

A world, where beings stronger than them resided.

They had only three choices back then: To level up and gain strength, be destroyed, or enslaved by these beings.

As you may imagine, the two of them instead chose the first option.

For the time being, these beings called themselves chaos gods even captured the two of them. Only thanks to their new allies they managed to escape alive, or in Ainz's case, unalive.

After this embarrassing event, they found a way to level up, managing to destroy their new nemesis, maybe permanently. Albeit, Ainz was not sure, Chaos Gods constructed from the emotions of sentient beings. They cannot be destroyed so easily, maximum weakened.

Rolling through his gears, Ainz thought hard about the weakness of the World Items.

For example in the case of the [Picture of Nature and Nation] the main weakness was...

Unless specific other-worlds were used, one of 40 escape routes would be randomly chosen during each activation, and if the enemy managed to escape via that route, ownership of the item would transfer to the enemy.

Of course, none of these escape routes was simple, but the fact that one could seise the item without defeating its holder meant that obtaining it was easier than most other World Items.

"Ainz-san? You know anything about it?" asked Akemi tilting her head a little bit, just to Ainz came to her vision.

Ainz nodded sighing.

"Ah, yes. Her body most likely entered in the state of some kind of supercharged Psychobiosis. As she often called it."

"[Psychobiosis]?" tilted her head Kaguya confused, wiping her tears away.

Her mother never before spoke about such power as '[Psychobiosis]' to her.

"Ah, yes, it is one of her ability. When gravely injured or exhausted, Espers like her enter into a catatonic state and start to float above the ground. Meanwhile, in this state, it is like she is in a coma. She will not respond, until her body and mind repaired itself, or relieved from the sudden exhaustion and stress. Maybe I can do something to wake her up."

Turning towards Akemi, Ainz called her.

"Akemi-chan, do you have a World Item?"

"Hay! I equipped it as you requested! If you wish, I can accompany you!" The ashen dark elf replied immediately.

"Good… Then if you may please come with me."

Akemi saluted with a simple head motion, standing behind Ainz who cast a quick defensive spell around them.

Grabbing the doorknob, the undead ruler gives out a false sight. Being he was a skeletal type undead, he did not have lungs, so it was just a senseless instinct remained from his human self.

"Please call Pandora's Actor and tell him to take my form, in my absence he will do the meetings and rule in my stead, Albedo will be the regent. Initiate the next step. No one can enter the room or touch the item without a good reason. Am I clear?"

Pointing the Prince of Darkness, the demon gulped nervously.

"Of course…"

Demiurge actually wanted to stop Ainz, but he as well every servant knows this tone. The measured sound the Prince of Darkness and every vassal heard many times over the years.

The conviction he felt from his King and God's tone radiated authority he cannot deny.

He has a task, initiate his grand monarch great design. He can't go against his order; he would first slit his throat than cause mutiny with his behaviour.

Kaguya, Vector, Auriel and everyone else looked at Ainz hopefully.

"We will be back…"

The sentence left Ainz's mouth, giving his wise aura a slight glint of mystery.

As Ainz touched the doorknob, he felt the shaking ceased, slowly making a step back. The door opened, revealing Esdeath's pale complexion.

Her face resembled a half-asleep person, her long hair messy, under her eyes dark circles. A new scar running through her left eye.

Grumbling under her nose nervously, she yawned in a tired way, rubbing her eye.

Every individual around just stared her as she looked lazily around.

"What... I was tired..."

Clenching her teeth, Akemi slapped her face, catching her off guard, crashing her back to the ground.

"Auch! Hey! What's that for!?" she yelled diligently.

"You idiot! You know how worried you made me!"

Akemi was pissed, that was an understatement. Her nose released a slight, furious gust. Yet, Ainz saw something in her eyes.

Worry... yeah it must be the light of worry. Her face flashed in a deeper complexion for a moment; then, her embarrassment turned into saddens.

Ainz saw that look before, the look on Akemi's face, the look that a close friend or even a lover give when her loved one is in trouble when one's hurt.

Despite the fact, he recognized the stolen glance, he said nothing, he knows it for a while. He just can't understand why the two of them concealing their feelings so violently.

"Mother!" Kaguya jumped in her neck, sobbing on her shoulder.

Patting her back she caressed her. "Shh. Shh... It's okay. I am back little Kagi."

Esdeath looked up at Vector, her eyes squinted as she gives a lecturing glare at her son.

"We will speak later..."

Vector just looked away shamefully, gritting his teeth.

The small group still watched her, unable to figure out what happened, she asked dumbfounded.

"Well, why are you looking? What happened while I was away?"

"Hmm... you slept a little longer than we expected that's all..." explained Ainz chuckling.

"How long exactly?"

"A few days, by the way, the scar suits you..." pointed out the overlord impishly, giving a look at her new scar that ran through her face.

"Scar? What scar?" she asked.

Ainz quickly conjured a mirror, giving it to her, but after seeing her face, her eyes widened, clenching her teeth, she grumbled.

"Momonga-san... please made me remember when this is all over, we will feast squid soup."

"Kukuku... Don't worry, I will..." assured her Ainz.

Giving out one last sight, she giggled uncontrollably. Remembering the adventure she had with her so-called sleep.

"You don't know how weird my adventure was. It actually felt more than ten thousand years!"

"Adventure?" Kaguya and Auriel first looked at each other, then looked back at her.

"Oh!" Ainz eyes flashed. "Care to elaborate?"

"Yes, just..." her stomach growled viciously, placing her hands on it, she flushed.

"Please, someone can get me some food? Possibly something light, I feel like I stuffed by heavy meat."

Akemi scoffed.

"You and your eating habits, Baka! And you even made me worried."

Turning away, her steps were heavy, showing her anger, growling incomprehensibly under her nose.

"Akemi-chan! Wait! Let's eat together!" she pleaded, begging her miserably.

Ainz just sighed, shaking his head one last time.

"You and your adventures..." so softly no one could hear, he give an exhausted sight.

---

A/N:

Well, that's for now! I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

In the next chapter:

The Avengers arrives!

The meeting of old enemies and friends, a darkness that suffocates even the Shadow.

---

Here! I rewrite the ending of the chapter, now you don't have to whine... -;-

And who are still grumbling because of the OC's.

This is an AU crossover, don't like, don't read. Simple.

---

PS:

Merry Christmass to everyone in advance!

Hopefully, between Christmass and New Year's Eve, I can finish the Gate Crossover next chapter.

Until that, persistence my brothers and sisters! ;)

RNR!

(Reviews are the authors' life essence and favourite food! Feed the author or he will starve! XD)