After I wrote the first few chapters of 200 Years, A Long Wait for Friends as well as Sniezyca, I found myself dissatisfied with both. For the former, I felt the characterisation was about as flat as Imina's bust, and it wasn't going anywhere. For the latter, I felt that it wasn't quite working out, and I felt it would be better served by Ciri meeting Harry in her own world, during her misadventures prior to the main game, and courtesy of a certain Master Mirror.

Both revised stories are well on their way, but 200 Years, A Long Wait for Friends is coming along particularly well. I'm 9 chapters in, and while I intend to write more prior to publishing it as a standalone story, I feel far better about this version than I do about later versions. When it will be published, I dunno, but certainly within the next few months, or even the next few weeks.

As for the crossover with The Witcher, that's trickier. I'm still on the fourth chapter of the new chapter, and while you guys will get preview chapters here soon, I'm not sure when that will be ready. But I have some interesting surprises in store for that story.

Anyway, I'm posting both initial chapters of 200 Years, A Long Wait for Friends now. Hope you enjoy...

200 YEARS, A LONG WAIT FOR FRIENDS (REVISED)

CHAPTER 1:

REUNION

The room was filled with shadows, shadows so thick, they seemed almost tangible. Yet it appeared to be a room made of stone, like a room in a medieval castle. Innocuously, however, there was a strange cube, each of its faces divided into nine coloured panels, sitting on a shelf. Someone from a different world may very well have recognised the contrivance as a Rubik's Cube.

Into this room moved an armoured figure. The metal of the armour seemed vaguely blue-tinged, while dragon-like decorations were embossed on it. Blue eyes seemed to glow from the visor of the helmet. The armoured figure picked up the Rubik's Cube up. Eventually, a voice only the figure could hear spoke up. Where…where am I?

"Where you belong, Player." The deep, tenebrous voice coming from the armour was laced with venom and contempt.

After a brief pause, the voice from the Rubik's Cube began anew. You…you treacherous monster! I helped you save the world from those damned NPCs, and you not only manipulated the others into killing each other, but now you've done this?!

"I did what was needed to do to ensure the world isn't tainted by your ilk. Your inability to die was most irksome, but thankfully, Rigrit needed little persuasion to find a way to seal you into this…toy. I will be sending you to the Theocracy, to their quaint little vault. There, you will remain for the rest of eternity. The Players are too dangerous to allow to run amok. It pains me to have to lie to the others, especially Keno. She became quite fond of you. But I cannot take the risk."

Wow, the Rubik's Cube snarked. You make Mad-Eye Moody look sane by comparison. Know this, Platinum Dragon Lord. One day, I will be free. And you will rue the day you betrayed me.

"I will not. You will never be free. You never deserve to be. I would say fare thee well, but a Player does not deserve such a courtesy…"

Emerald eyes, glowing with an inner fire, opened in the dark, and a gasp escaped his lips. It took him a moment to remember where he was. He'd fallen asleep at the couch, waiting for his adoptive daughter to come back. On the floor was the book he had been reading, while sitting in front of him, smirking like a cat…

…Was said daughter, her mismatched eyes glinting at him in the lamplight of the luxurious room.

"Hey, you're awake. I was wondering if I had to haul you to bed, old man," she said. But then, she looked at him in concern. "You okay? Looked like a nightmare or something."

"Just…memories of what that monster did to me," he said. "It's nothing major. So, how was the mission?"

She snickered. "We were only late because we took our time with the target. That, and we needed to deliver his head to Jircniv. Stupid brat's up too damn late, working on paperwork. I swear, he's going to go bald and get stomach ulcers at this rate from stress." She then scowled. "But…that monster…he was like that bastard in charge of Tenmu. He had a basement, filled with slaves, to be used only for his amusement. Some of them were Elves…or half-Elves, like me."

"So, that's why you took your time with him?"

"Yeah. Believe me, he deserved longer. I can't believe he was going to be Leinas' father-in-law. She's taking a bath, by the way. Trying to wash the blood and grime off."

As if on cue, a blonde-haired woman, dressed in a tunic and shorts, entered, part of her fringe combed over her face. She no longer needed such an affectation, thanks to the man, but she kept it there as a reminder. Her body was muscular, albeit in a way that did not detract from her beauty. "That can wait. I just needed to get my armour off and into something less constricting. Besides, as I recall, you were the one covered in blood, brat, until you used that spell your father taught you to clean it off."

"Brat? I'm several decades older than you, Rockbruise!" his adoptive daughter exclaimed in semi-mock indignation. "And more powerful than you!"

"You look like a kid, and still act like one," Leinas retorted, albeit with a smirk on her face. "Besides, it riles you up. Who would've thought that the Slane Theocracy's trump card looked and acted the way you did."

As the girl fumed, the man cleared his throat. "How bad was the target?"

"I would have killed the bastard on principle, and not just because the Emperor willed it. Anyone who has a sex dungeon filled with actual torture instruments to harm people with should be slain on general principle. There's kinks, and then there's stuff the Eight Fingers would blanch at."

As Leinas scowled, the girl placed a finger on her lips. "I dunno. I read some intelligence reports about the Eight Fingers once. There's more than a few brothels in Re-Estize that specialise in that kind of thing. Expensive, but you can do whatever the hell you like with the prostitutes."

"Yeah, well, Keno says that Princess Renner has been hiring the Blue Roses to strike back at the Eight Fingers. Little stuff most of the time, but Renner sent them to destroy a Black Flour farm. That's why I went and did one myself," the man said.

Leinas whistled. "Damn. Don't get me wrong, anything that gets rid of that brain-rotting shit is fine by me, but the Eight Fingers probably have enough influence that even royalty isn't beyond their grasp. Then again, the Golden Princess isn't as naïve as many people think she is. Still, taking on the Eight Fingers…if the Emperor allows it, I want in on that."

"Me too," the girl said. "I want to see if the Six Arms are all they're cracked up to be. I mean, until the next Player or NPCs show themselves." Her demeanour became solemn. "It's about that time, isn't it? Every century or so, there's either more Players or their NPCs that come to this world from Yggdrasil, like you did, like the so-called Six Gods did, like the Greed Kings did. You're hoping for more allies against him."

The man nodded. "…Don't get me wrong, by the standards of this world, you're both strong and talented. But…"

"Players, if they've levelled up, are on a whole other level," Leinas said. "I can believe that, having sparred with the brat."

"Rockbruise, if you call me a brat again, I swear to the Six Gods…" the girl snarled.

The man intervened. "Yeah, you're right. And we need Players and their NPCs to stand any chance against that monster."

"And we're not enough?" the girl asked.

"Probably not. I have a few ideas, true, but I don't want to make a suicidal attack and drag anyone else down with me. And I certainly don't want to get sealed away again. Then again, if my old friend from Yggdrasil hasn't come by now, I'm not sure if he ever will."

As if putting the lie to his words, he suddenly felt a familiar sensation. That of a Message spell connecting. And then, a deep, tenebrous voice, not that of his hated foe, but as if Death itself was speaking, spoke. Well, albeit uncertainly. "…It connected? Please, let this be him…"

The man didn't need to speak out loud for a Message spell, but he did so regardless, signing to his housemates what he was doing. "A Message spell? Who is this?"

"Enzo? Is that you? That sounds like you. It's me, Momonga!"

The young man, thus named Enzo, scowled. "Nice try. How do I know it's you?"

"Umm…what? Why are you…? Ugh, well, ask me a question only I would know."

Enzo frowned, before he hit upon something. "Who saved you from the PKers and invited you into Nine's Own Goal?"

"Touch Me, of course."

"Who created Shalltear Bloodfallen?"

"Peroroncino, naturally."

"…And why did you give your NPC, Pandora's Actor, a Spetsnaz uniform?"

"What? No, I gave him a uniform based on the neo-Nazis who took over that arcology when I was young!"

At this, Enzo laughed in relief. Leaving aside that Momonga had answered the questions correctly, including the deliberately-tampered one, he sounded flustered briefly while answering, and the cadence had been Momonga's, even if the voice was not. Instead of the nasal, whiny tones Momonga had, this voice was very deep. "…Sorry, Momonga. But…it's a long story. Before I get into it…let me guess, you've been incarnated in your Overlord body, and the NPCs have come to life?"

"Yes. How did you know? The last I remember of you, you left the throne room a few minutes before shutdown, saying you were going to watch the fireworks with Albedo after I changed her settings, and then, you sent her back shortly before the shutdown. Enzo, where are you?"

Enzo cringed at the reminder of what Momonga did to Albedo, and what Harry did afterwards. God, he didn't know the NPCs would come to life. And yet, he had said things to the NPC that might have affected her. "Momonga…before I answer that…Albedo, is she…?"

"…She's been holding back tears. Whatever you said to her, not to mention your absence…it affected her. But she's been helping me organise the Floor Guardians. Honestly, if I knew this was going to happen, I wouldn't have changed her settings, or at least like that. Enzo, I'm sorry."

"…There's no use crying over spilt milk," Enzo said solemnly. "But as to where I am, well, I don't know where I am in relation to the Tomb of Nazarick, but Yggdrasil hasn't come to life. I'm currently in a mansion in Arwintar, the capital city of the Baharuth Empire. I've been living here more or less incognito for the last few years, ever since breaking free of imprisonment."

"…Imprisonment?"

Enzo nodded solemnly. "Momonga…I've been here for two centuries. Admittedly, for most of that time, I was sealed away, by someone who despises and fears the Players who ended up in this world. We weren't the first to end up here. It's a very long story, and we don't have time to tell it over Message. If you want, I can head over to Nazarick. I can backtrace the Message."

"Come to the entrance, don't go directly inside, Enzo," Momonga said after a moment's pause. "I sent Sebas out with one of the Pleiades to scout out the area. I've also put the Tomb on high alert, just in case."

"Hopefully, you won't need it. That bastard won't notice you for some time, I hope, but he knows Players and NPCs come to this world once every century. I'll be bringing a couple of guests. Ensure the NPCs treat them as honoured guests of Ainz Ooal Gown. Give us a few minutes to get dressed, okay?"

"Got it. And Enzo…I'm glad you're here…"

Despite being an animated skeleton now, and thus lacking lungs, Momonga, known IRL as Satoru Suzuki, sighed in relief. With all the weird shit that happened, it was good to hear a familiar voice. True, Enzo's words were foreboding, but it still meant that Momonga wasn't fumbling in the dark for information. He had a reliable source of intel on this new world the Tomb of Nazarick had ended up in.

Well, assuming what he said was true. Two centuries on a new world…Sebas reported back shortly after the Message from Enzo, and the Tomb of Nazarick had certainly shifted away from the poisonous swamps it had been situated in back in Yggdrasil. It already sounded unbelievable, like one of those old isekai stories he and Peroroncino used to discuss.

He hoped he hadn't made a mistake. It sounded like his old friend. More weary, yes, and definitely more paranoid, but it sounded like him. But had Momonga been overly elated and invited in an enemy without due caution? Then again, he knew things that few outsiders would know.

Momonga reflected on his friend, even as he warned Sebas to be ready to escort Enzo and his guests to the Tomb. Enzo had chosen a Fallen Angel as his race. He did so not because of the build he wanted, but because it would be fun to fly. That summed up his attitude to his character in Yggdrasil. Despite sharing the name with a famous video game character from the Assassin's Creed franchise, he actually stated he chose the name as it was Italian for his old one.

Enzo's life had been a sad one. His parents had been murdered by a terrorist, and he had been, effectively, forced to fight said terrorists as a child soldier, only to end up in a medically-induced coma by his handlers, as they deemed him too dangerous. In a fit of mercy, they hooked him up to Yggdrasil. In effect, he was in the game 24/7.

Enzo had knocked back the role of guildmaster of Ainz Ooal Gown, citing that he detested being in a position of leadership. Instead, he had proved a capable helper to Momonga, remaining there even when the other players drifted away, or left. He'd also helped a few of the others craft their NPCs. Enzo had helped tweak elements of Pandora's Actor, even if he expressed disdain towards the neo-Nazi uniform, citing bad experiences with the like. He'd also helped BubblingTeapot craft Aura and Mare. Notably, the two Dark Elf children had wondered where Enzo had gone, and once they had beaten the Primal Fire Elemental, Momonga gave them the news while they were drinking the glasses of water. He swore them to secrecy, intending for it to be a surprise for the others.

Still, Momonga wondered how Albedo would take the news. Momonga had changed Albedo's settings in a fit of pique after reading them. Tabula Smaragdina was a fan of gap-moe, but a Succubus being a slut didn't sound like a contrast he'd normally do, so Momonga figured that this was down to Tabula's brain almost frying while formulating the extensive background. He decided to change the last sentence. Originally, he had thought to change her to being in love with him, but he decided against it. Firstly, it was tacky as fuck. And secondly, he didn't have the equipment to…ahem, bone her, an irony considering he was nothing but bones in this body. He felt that Enzo seemed too damned sad, and so, in a fit of self-sacrifice, changed the settings so that Albedo was in love with Enzo.

When Enzo realised this, he wasn't happy…but eventually, he took Albedo outside to watch the fireworks. A hopelessly romantic gesture, Momonga thought. About twenty seconds until the countdown, Albedo was returned, still in her serene pose, holding the World Item Tabula gave to her. But when she came to life…well, Momonga thanked every deity that was out there that he was able to have her hold onto her sense of duty.

Momonga was broken out of his reverie by the arrival of the other Floor Guardians, aside from Gargantua and Victim. And then, they knelt and swore fealty to him. After acknowledging that fealty, Momonga decided now was the best time to make the announcement, especially as Sebas had discreetly used Message to signal that he was on his way. This might help the morale, solidify their loyalty to him, and to Enzo.

"But that is far from all, my loyal servants," he said. "As you are aware, my good friend and loyal comrade Enzo was not present in the Tomb of Nazarick when we made our transition to a new world. He too made the transition…but for various reasons, he ended up in this new world two centuries prior." He decided not to bring up the imprisonment yet. He wanted to find out the details from Enzo first, and he was already angry enough, even though the emotional suppression of his new body caused it to merely simmer below the surface. He wanted to discuss it with Enzo first before he discussed it with the newly-alive NPCs.

He noticed Aura and Mare's faces in particular light up. In a way, he guessed Enzo was like a father to them. Shalltear looked elated too.

But most telling of the reactions was Albedo's. She looked up, her golden, slit-pupiled eyes glimmering with hope, her dark wings quivering.

"In addition, Enzo will be bringing guests here," Momonga said. "Sebas has just notified me, and Enzo has arrived with two others in tow, both of Elvish extraction. They are to be treated as honoured guests of Enzo's."

"Understood, Lord Momonga," Albedo said, her voice thick with emotion. "Your will be done."

Ugh, enough of the worship already. I'm not a god, just a worn-down salaryman at some shitty company! Yeah, I'm now in the immortal body of an Overlord, but still… Momonga sighed inwardly. Well, hopefully, things would work out.

Soon, Sebas entered, the dignified if grizzled butler being followed by a trio of forms. Momonga smiled (well, his skull was always in a sort of grotesque smile, but he actually felt like smiling if he could) at seeing his old friend. True, he looked more weary, but there was no mistaking that messy thatch of black hair, or the emerald eyes. He wore a trench-coat and fairly basic clothes, nothing enchanted or smithed. Confident that he was amongst friends. The wings that signified him as a Fallen Angel were hidden, though.

The others were curious too. One of them was a blonde woman in armour, beautiful but clearly strong and confident as a warrior, though her posture was understandably wary. Her hair was combed over the left side of her face, though.

The other appeared to be an Elf, or at least part-Elf. She appeared to be in her early teens, dressed in a thick white sweater and a leather skirt. Her eyes were, like the Dark-Elf twins, mismatched and heterochromic, but one was a silvery lavender, the other was dark. Her hair was similarly mismatched, albeit on opposite sides. And her pointed ears were showing beneath her hair. Her cute face nonetheless had a lazy smirk, vaguely feline, but her movements were very much those of a fighter, even more than the other one.

Before anyone else could say anything, the younger of the two actually squeed. Squeed! "Oh gods, they really are adorable!" she said, clapping her hands together as she looked at a bemused Aura, Mare and Shalltear. "Oh, I can't wait to meet Shizu and Entoma!"

As everyone looked to her in shock, Enzo cleared his throat with an amused smile. "Forgive her, I've regaled her with tales of Nazarick and the NPCs for a few years now. She wanted to know how cute some were."

"It's fine," Momonga said with a wave of a hand, sensing a very long story. "It's good to see you, Enzo."

"Likewise, Momonga." Momonga felt relief at hearing those words. "Can I speak to them?" Enzo asked, indicating the Floor Guardians. Momonga nodded, hoping that Enzo wouldn't mess things up.

Enzo turned to them, and said, "Greetings, Floor Guardians. I'm sorry if I made you worry with my absence. I didn't realise what was going to happen. I have spent the past two centuries on this world. I have many tales to tell, but for now, I just wanted you to meet my daughter, Antilene Heran Fouche, and my sworn sword, Leinas Rockbruise."

SWORN SWORD? DAUGHTER?! Momonga screamed in his head, before the emotional suppression kicked in. Out loud, even as the NPCs looked at each other, with Aura and Mare in particular looking anxious, and Albedo looking like a yandere about to snap.

Enzo, sensing the mood, walked forward, over to Albedo, who was still kneeling, and helped her up. And then, he gave her a hug. "…I'm sorry for making you worry," he said gently.

She stiffened, before relaxing. "…Forgive my lack of faith, Lord Enzo."

"…I told you, you could call me Harry."

Ah, Enzo had trusted her enough with his real name? Momonga and Enzo eventually exchanged their real names some time ago. Apparently Enzo's real name was Harry Potter. Still, it seemed that had much to discuss. Momonga hoped that his friend hadn't changed too much…

CHAPTER 1 ANNOTATIONS:

Wait, what's this? Harry was once part of Ainz Ooal Gown? Then he was part of the inaccurately-numbered Thirteen Heroes? And now, he has Zesshi Zetsumei as an adopted daughter? What the actual fuck?

No numbered annotations this time.