(A/N): Here is the next chapter, as promised. Enjoy. Thanks for all the feedback guys!
Also, I will no longer reply to reviews via PM. Instead, I will write your name at the beginning of the next chapter and reply that way.
Disclaimer: My characters blablabla me. Overlord blablabla Triumph.
Chapter XX: A walk in the woods
The Overlord stood in the armory as browns assembled his armor around him and buckled on the Overlord's sword and sheath. At last, the minions lowered Hanson's helmet on his head and the Overlord flexed his shoulders, testing the tightness of the straps, Satisfied, he strode up the stairs, his next goal in sight.
"Morning, sire," Gnarl said with a bow. "I trust everything went well last night?" Hanson smiled under his helmet "you should know, you were there, sneaking around behind us the entire time."
Gnarl was surprised that his master could remain so attentive even in the face of certain red-headed "distractions," but gave no sign. "It was just another test sire," Gnarl said. "I have extracted sufficient information from our prisoner to pinpoint the location of the first Overlord's tomb," he said, changing the subject swiftly.
"Well then, I should get going as swiftly as possible, wouldn't want to keep the elven ambushers waiting."
"I suggest a full compliment of greens sire. Their skills are invaluable in forests," Gnarl said as the Overlord moved towards the Tower Portal. "I'll keep that in mind," the armored behemoth said as he stepped into the portal and vanished in a flash or red light.
The elves that were assigned to guard the tomb of the First Overlord snapped to attention as their new commander arrived to inspect their positions.
Vesc was young by elven standards, but was given command of an entire ranger company owing to his extraordinary tactical and strategic ability. He had received commendations from Oberon and several of the highest-ranking members of the elven court for his service in repelling brigands from Evernight's borders while being outnumbered ten to one.
Vesc kept his face expressionless as he rode in on his white stallion, a gift from King William, and observed the camp.
"Sir, we've been waiting for your arrival," a sergeant said with a salute as soon as Vesc got off of his horse. "My men are ready for inspection." Vesc smiled humorlessly "I did not come here to inspect you men sergeant, I came here to make sure that no one gets access to this tomb until we find what it is. I intend to just that."
The sergeant nodded and pulled a map of the area out of the bag around his neck. "This is our position in front of the entrance, we have set up ambushes here, here, and here," he said as he pointed to each zone. "We rotate the men on the hour so they remain fresh and alert."
Vesc looked at the map, his expression unreadable "it seems that you have done a fine job of blocking off the area, but are there any alternate ways to get to the tomb? An underground passage perhaps?"
"There is nothing on the map, but we have heard rumors of such a passage. However, all rumors say that the passage collapsed long ago and is overrun with giant spiders. It would be suicide to try to get to the tomb that way."
"Suicide indeed," Vesc agreed. "I want you to send out a squad to find where that passageway ends. I wouldn't depend entirely on nature to hold the line," he said in response to the sergeant's confusion.
In the underground passage, Hanson was shouldering fallen columns out of the way as a train of thirty greens followed behind. The Shadow granted him increased physical strength as the Overlord tapped into his dark powers. The mystical being had explained that it did not supplement his powers, only increase his access to them. The entire passageway was lit with strange crystals that seemed to be everywhere. As the Overlord pressed steadily onwards, a chamber opened up in front of him. By the light of the crystals, Hanson gazed around the chamber.
Hanson froze as he saw that every column had a spider web, complete with a fat spider, on it. The spiders were the size of the average troll, and twice as deadly as they had developed the ability to spit corrosive poison.
"Ah, the spiders your prisoner warned us about," Gnarl said. "I would suggest that you use the greens to combat them sire, as the greens are immune to all poisons. Hanson mentally laid out a plan, and then strode confidently into the chamber, sweeping his greens around one of the columns, putting them into the perfect spot for an ambush.
The spiders caught sight of Hanson and dropped to the earthy floor of the chamber and began to scuttle towards him. The Overlord smiled grimly as the spiders' advance reached the columns. They, as well as the webs that the spiders had woven, funneled the creatures into a thin gap between two columns.
As they inched forwards, the greens attacked, leaping on the spiders and delivering quick thrusts with their blades, toppling spider after spider. After a few spiders had died, the rest pulled back into the center of the chamber, clicking in frustration.
"It seems are primitive friends are smarter then I thought," Gnarl said. "I do distinctly remember something about spider webs being flammable."
The Overlord funneled power into his left arm and let out a stream of fire. The webs caught fire instantly, and the flames spread to the other webs. The spiders, caught between fire and the Overlord, charged at Hanson. The Overlord, who knew desperation when he saw it, drew his sword and motioned his minions to attack.
Hanson split the head of the first spider in half, the minions swiftly killing the rest. "Well done sire!" Gnarl exclaimed as the Overlord cleaned the gore off of his sword and placed it in the sheath on his back.
The fire had burned the spiders' webs away, leaving only their bodies as any sign that the chamber was ever a spider lair. The Overlord pressed on, cautious despite his success. Whatever those spiders hunt must be at least as big as a man, he thought. His concerns were proven to be unfounded as he discovered a gaping hole in the side of the next tunnel where sunlight streamed in.
"It seems as though those spiders have been quite busy hunting elves. Pity you had to kill them sire, they might have been useful," the minion master said with a hint of regret. The Overlord gave a noncommittal shrug and continued along the passageway as Gnarl gave directions.
Straleem and his rangers moved silently through the forest, on the lookout for possible entrances to the tunnel that they had been told of by Vesc.
"Sir! There," Arad, one of the junior rangers, pointed to dark spot on a hill that was almost impossible to spot because of the shrubbery that grew almost everywhere in Evernight. The rangers slowly approached the hill, indistinguishable from their surroundings because of their green cloaks, and making as much noise as the wind.
The Overlord sensed the dark nexus which he had sensed upon his arrival into Evernight getting closer. Excitement caused him to increase his pace steadily as the passage ahead of him began to brighten, even though the amount of crystals lighting the passage remained the same.
Hanson walked into the next chamber and instantly knew that he had arrived in the right place. Evil was strong here, almost as if another Overlord was here. In the center of the vast room, built in same style as the spiders' chamber, hung a suit of armor that seemed to radiate heat and malice.
The armor was jet black, except it reflected no light; rather it seemed to absorb it. It did not cover everything as Hanson's Durium armor did, but looked as if it had been built for mobility. There was no chain mail, which left gaps that had been filled with black leather. The plates of the armor were angled for maximum protection and mobility, allowing the wearer swift movement. Several of the plates, notably those on the forearms and knees, had spikes that, Hanson assumed, could be used as a nasty surprise in combat.
"It looks as though a part is missing," Gnarl said, shaking the Overlord out of his trance. "Now that I think of it, the previous Overlord did have a blade very similar to this armor in color."
"Where is it?" Hanson asked impatiently. "King William has it locked away in the Paladins' vault if my sources are correct." The Overlord exhaled slowly, controlling his rage, then strode over to the armor.
"Are you sure this is the armor of the First Overlord?" Hanson asked Gnarl. "It fits the description completely," the minion master replied. The Overlord nodded and stretched out his hand to touch the armor.
As he touched the armor, the world shimmered before his eyes and Hanson felt himself falling. The strange sensation stopped as swiftly as it had come and Hanson sat up from where he had fallen over. He reached up to grip the side of the nearest column and noticed that something felt wrong. The armor he was wearing felt much to light. The Overlord looked up where he had found the First Overlord's armor hanging, and noticed that his own hung there now.
Hanson became aware of someone watching him and swiftly stood up reaching for his sword, which he was thankful to note, still hung on his back. A ghostly figure approached him wearing the same armor the Overlord wore now.
"I assume you are the First Overlord," Hanson said. "Yes," the figure replied. "Or rather, what's left of me in this world. Most of me is in the Infernal Abyss, but I decided to leave a guardian for my tomb, until one worthy of wearing my armor appears. My armor has chosen you, and will grant you substantial powers once you complete it.
"Complete it?" Hanson asked the shade. "The sword that belongs with this armor is in the hands of your mortal enemy. Find it, and your powers will be greater than any who came before, even me. Trust the Shadow; it has your best interests at heart, if it has a heart of course. Trust Gnarl, as he is much wiser than he lets on to be, and lean on you mistress, as she isn't a pretty object to be admired, but your right hand in ruling your dominion."
"Do all Overlords get this sentimental after they die?" Hanson asked the figure before him, slightly annoyed at being treated like a child. "Most do. Now, one last thing. You'll notice that your new armor doesn't have a helmet. It is a failsafe in case someone other than a worthy heir claims the armor."
Hanson nodded, waiting for the shade to make his point. The First Overlord removed his helmet, a simple and efficient design, Hanson noted, just like the armor. The helmet seemed to peel off the ghostly layers and become substantial in the shade's hands. The first Overlord handed a shocked Hanson the helmet and smiled grimly as the young man noticed the striking similarities between them.
In fact, the shade's face was identical to Hanson's. Both had sharp cheekbones and short black hair. Their eyes were grey with hints of green, and radiated focused heat. "History repeats itself quite often," the shade said. "I'm sure we'll speak in the Infernal Abyss in time." With that, the shade disappeared, leaving Hanson and his greens alone.
The Overlord slipped the new helmet on and Gnarl's voice reached him at once. "There you are sire! We were worried that we had lost you." "We?" Hanson inquired, still attentive, despite the strange occurrences that had happened a few seconds ago. "Your young friend has decided to join us." "Hello Hanson," Assira's cheery voice emanated through the Overlord's helmet. He smiled to himself and prepared to leave.
"Halt stranger!" Hanson turned to face the voice, and found himself faced with a dozen elven rangers in a semicircle, bows drawn and ready. The one who had hailed the Overlord said "you are not allowed in here without permission from King Oberon human. Now we will have to search and imprison you until the King gives you permission to leave.
The Overlord's eyes flashed a dangerous red within his helmet. "Do you presume to stop me from leaving?" "We will detain you until the King sees fit to release you."
"I think your new armor needs a test run sire," Gnarl said with a dark snigger. "It appears these elves have volunteered to be its first victims."
Assira sat next to Gnarl in the Throne Room looking into the Tower Portal. The waters showed Hanson and his minions being confronted by elves. Then, the Overlord drew his word and slid forward, dodging all twelve arrows. Before the elves had time to react, Hanson had reduced four to corpses in various states of dismemberment. The rest were set upon by greens and swiftly killed.
"It looks like someone found the spider tunnel," Gnarl said. I recommend you use the front door sire."
(A/N): Well… I think I'm out of witty comments for now. I tried to employ all the criticism I received to improve this story. Review please. ~RussianOverlord~