A/N: Heard a tip that if you want to finish writing a story start a new one and procrastinate working on it by writing the old one.
Anyway, I'm on RR if y'all want to read non-overlord stuff.
Don't it's shit.
Chapter Fourteen.
Defeat.
The Empire?
Zaryusu walked down a perfectly paved road more cautious than he'd been in his entire life. A city of stone surrounded him seemingly abandoned without having ever been lived in. Furniture sat pristine not a speck of dust on any surface, cabinets lay barren never seeing a crumb of food, and not a scent of waste throughout.
Were it not for the accompanying dwarves he'd not have noticed the seamless nature of the towers a feat even their greatest mages would never dream of replicating. This city had been created from magic, recently, and while none occupied it now a force able to build a city of this size and complexity would surely decimate both armies.
But their people were tired and hungry so where better to rest than a town?
"We double-checked the buildings, nothing alive but we did find out some oddities inside the rooms.
They all have hot running water, magic stoves, and lights."
The dwarf gave a salute and was dismissed by the master of arms.
"So opinions?"
Sat in a semi-circle was the collective leadership of the two groups, the dwarven council on one side and the lizardmen chieftains on the other.
Shasuryu spoke first.
"We stay a night, two tops, and head for the heart of the Empire, if this is some expansion project and we stumble across the builders while inside the city I doubt our negotiation will fare well."
The master of the forges replied.
"We may end up inside this city regardless of the outcome, its nature seems too accommodating to house only humans. There's also a rumor of a magic caster residing within the Empire he's said to be at or near the pinnacle of magic.
The city could just be a spell he's testing and he may not care if we live here or not."
Zaryusu hesitated to speak.
The non-combatants needed rest and the soldiers were still licking wounds to ignore a chance to alleviate both would be stupidity at its height. A nagging feeling crawled through his mind and he couldn't help but worry for what truth may be tied to this town.
"What if it's a test?"
The room was quiet.
"What if it's not the city itself being tested but something against it?
The Empire is known for advanced magics yes?"
A round of nods came from the dwarves.
"So what if this is just a copy of an existing city set to be besieged in some unknown way to test their military?
What if we are said test, to rid this city of immense size of invaders?"
"Valid points but it's unlikely that we haven't seen any armies nearby, there simply isn't a way to move enough people that fast to warrant an issue.
I'm more concerned we'd find an army on our way toward any of the Empire's major cities."
Zaryusu nodded, nothing could be done, yet.
The Roble Holy Empire.
Only a few days.
Queen Calca looked at Kelart and Remidios hoping for a sign a signal of some sort that the report was a joke and that all was not yet lost.
Their eyes gave nothing to the despairing woman.
She forced herself to stand, they needed a leader right now she had to focus. The capital lay surrounded by undead spreading kilometers in every direction save for the ocean to their backs. Mages and paladins slept on the walls now, not a second could be wasted in the defense of the city.
She looked to the Custodio sisters, they were unwashed and exhausted struggling to even stand as they awaited her next orders. This was the closest thing they'd get to a break for quite some time, both had been atop the wall since day one, only leaving when some abomination with wings flew over them. And yet here they stood just as proud as ever even as the worst situation came to pass.
Earlier this morning the last ship departed from the harbor and with it the last hope of evacuating, Calca had gladly sacrificed her spot on that ship to let even one more civilian escape.
"How long do we have?"
Calca's words barely left her she couldn't stomach the truth of what was behind the city's walls.
Kelart's response was grim.
"Hours now I suppose, it's why we could walk away so easily but are you sure this is how you wish for it to end your majesty?
Surely there's something we could do? Perhaps we could fortify the palace and withstand until the envoy returns with help?"
Calca shook her head with a smile.
Hopeful yet foolish ideas.
She walked towards a window looking over the majestic cityscape, it was so quiet now despite the steady march of death, even the walls were quiet now.
"Wait what?"
Kelart walked over and almost immediately came to the same realization.
The walls were silent, the fighting had stopped.
As if on cue a palaldin burst into the room his once shining armor still slick with decaying blood.
"Your majesty the undead are fleeing!"
In the shock of the news, only Remidios was able to speak.
"How dare you sully the floors of the palace with that undead filth!"
An army marched from the city well over a hundred thousand strong. Had the kingdom always held this sort of strength, had they been conquered by the empire while Roble was in its crisis?
Had the army been made up of peasants in leather Neia wouldn't have questioned the numbers alone yet this army stood in plate some side units even bearing the telltale glimmer of enchantments.
So if not the Empire then the kingdom had been grossly underestimated. A fact that would surely work in their favor during negotiations. As the squire of the group she was to be the runner for the envoy, so with the banner of her kingdom held high, she rode towards the imposing army.
After ten minutes she was met halfway by a young man in overly polished plate.
"We are an envoy of the Roble Holy Kingdom, we come seeking aid from Re Estize as a great calamity has befallen our nation."
"Re Estize greets you, envoys of Roble, please gather yourselves and follow me to the command tent."
Short, direct, and polite it felt odd to her as she motioned for the paladins behind to come closer. After a short round of greetings by Gustav and the young knight from Re Estize they moved towards the rear of the army.
An ornate tent of silk and gold thread stood surrounded by guards and timid-looking nobles none of whom questioned the fifteen arriving foreigners only silently eyeing them as they passed. Upon entering Neia was certain her theory was true as beside the king of Re Estize stood the greatest human mage in the world, Fluder Paradyne.
Gustav stepped forward and immediately bowed as low as he could a soft clinking noise signaling his helmet had reached the floor.
"We of The Roble Holy Kingdom beseech you of the Re Estize kingdom, some months ago a plague of undead began a sweep across our nation tearing our cities apart despite our greatest efforts.
As of our leaving only a handful of cities remained and our great wall has already fallen, so we beg of you to send aid of any sort to our remaining troops."
As one the entirety of the envoy bowed, they'd practiced endlessly on what they should do to sell the point, and only a complete sense of hopelessness was thought to work.
The one to respond to their dirt-smeared heads wasn't the king but the young princess beside him, Renner was her name if memory served correctly.
"While I understand the plight of facing undead hordes I fear we haven't the manpower to spare at the moment.
The army we have fielded here is unfortunately not expected to-"
Boom.
A tremor was felt and the world went silent.
Boom.
"I suppose he's brought out the forces as promised, come we should see how best to integrate them among our troops."
Renner was calm even as those around her shook with every shake in the ground.
Boom.
Outside the tent was a sight not meant for mortal eyes as something beyond Neia's ability to understand appeared from a tear in the very sky itself.
A towering column of glimmering metal lowered its colossal foot.
Boom.
Was this what they intended to face? Was this how the Kingdom of Re Estize died?
More importantly, would she have enough time to flee before this thing's attention was turned towards her and the other paladins?
"I-I suppose your benefactor was somewhat serious when he mentioned the gravity of our situation."
"Yes, Father I'm certain he told the truth regarding the dragon lord's ire against us."
Neia fell to her knees, dragon lords?
Otherwise known as the strongest beings in the world second only to the deceased gods of the past? Did they intend to fight those horrid beasts with this, thing?
"Oh right, I suppose that should our forces not be too overwhelmed we could spare a regiment or two to the defense of your nation.
We'll negotiate the terms of such a deal after the battle, of course, until then I suggest you take a place in the rear."
Gustav was only able to stammer a half response, though the princess seemed to accept it just as well.
"Splendid"
A mad cackle echoed throughout the city easily dwarfing the cacophony of crunching bones as the master's plan unfolded.
One was ecstatic at his growing power and only the praise of his creator would be better in pure ecstasy.
A clawed bony hand reached out and instantly tore through a thousand undead bodies their souls adding to the growing collection he needed. At first, he'd despised these feeble humans and the pathetic energies they gave but now that he'd been consuming for days on end he felt they deserved his respect.
For no other race so pitifully weak would grow to such numbers, no, only humans would think that more of them would equal strength but in the end, they were truly the best fuel. Reaching deep within One felt for the souls knowing how close he was to finishing the master's task, in less than a day he would be released upon the world in all his glory only then would Momonga smile upon his form.
A body meant for his growing collection died and he snapped towards the fool who dared to interrupt his task.
He spoke for the first time in weeks.
"I'd been waiting for you to show some resistance, better now than never I guess yes?
Come, your life is already forfeit."
A shout was the only response.
Nazarick.
Hilma mustered every ounce of her being to not release her bowels in front of the towering beast before her. Its pitch-black scales and meters-long wings gave the very air a hint of death and decay as it stood near motionless.
"The master has ordered the four of us to remain within eyesight of the dragon until he has dealt with the oncoming attackers."
Barbro's monotone voice was eerie as he casually mentioned that his master owned a dragon of all fucking things.
No wonder he was so careless with his power why bother with anyone if even a dragon would bow its head to you? She was amazed that the beast wasn't what had attacked the kingdom its size alone would mean doom for most armies. Perhaps this is why her new city lay on the Empire's land or so she'd been told.
Hilma's gaze shifted to her guardian, he stood near motionless save for his balled-up fists. Even through the armor, she could tell he was seething with rage, something he'd only done in her presence twice. Once after finding out about his niece's death, and again after seeing the man who'd done so for himself.
As long as he didn't act on that rage there was nothing to be done about it at the moment though she was now questioning his loyalties. He'd agreed to the deal at first because of grief and the anger that came from losing a relative but now after so many impossible sights, he couldn't be sane. Hilma just as easily questioned her sanity the twin ghosts standing guard being an obvious cause.
"I thought you two were dead? Have you sold your souls for power?"
Azuth broke the growing silence with a question that had bothered her for quite some time, though she'd never ask so bluntly. Barbro answered with a short laugh and a grimace from Succulent.
"No, if anything we are more akin to slaves though I fear even that may be too kind a moniker to apply to us now. What was the word that undead used?"
"Experiments is what it called us."
"Yes Experiment, we were forced to fight for our lives, and only after showing a modicum of success were we allowed to leave our more tangible chains."
'So life matters as little as death does to that man?'
As loathed as Azuth was to consider it if revival was on the table then perhaps his niece need not be avenged. As more and more time passed the prospect of fighting Momonga was quickly turning from revenge to assisted suicide. Call him selfish but at a certain point he'd not waste his own life for such little gain, perhaps the fight would lead to both dying at the other's hand but even that seemed unlikely.
Lakyus' weapons were never recovered from the pit that the adventurers guild became and while her armor might not be of the same caliber her sword was another matter. It was supposedly used by the leader of the thirteen heroes and his weapons were strong enough to withstand the demon gods.
The fact that it wasn't found among the ashes gave little hope as it was more likely stolen as a shined bauble than properly recovered. That didn't mean Azuth couldn't dream of one day finding that sword its wielder proudly standing beside it. It was just unlikely.
Boom.
Echoing through the hills came an explosion and with it, all eyes turned towards the direction of Re Estize. War of a scale unheard of since the gods had begun.
The Slane Theocracy's New Capital.
BOOM.
Boom Boom.
BoomBoomBoomBoomBoomBoomBoomBoom.
With each sound came a shockwave each strong enough to heat iron to a red-hot glow by their force alone. A rampage had begun and while many in Slane were powerful beyond reason few could stand on that detonating peak.
Luckily the child-like rampage was sequestered to the mostly empty ruins of the old capital where few people and fewer relics remained. Through hard work and a zealous like ethic, the masses had been spurred into action by Nigun and his sermons.
Raymond unflinchingly wanted that man dead and only his following kept the chair-bound man from striking. The masses had gone feral and even a hint of blasphemy was met with lethal force. Perhaps this was the reason for current events just outside?
He was far from worried though as he knew with certainty that one side could not harm the other and they in turn did not wish to kill anyone. Rufus was kind like that and he would never kill a citizen of the Theocracy despite their attempts on his life.
Some days ago the undead was sought out, he was, after all the last remnant of the gods and only outranked by the Pontifex in name. Many in the know had wished to pick his brain about the growing reclamation efforts and when Nigun caught wind of it, well the continued explosions were point enough.
"Sh-should I go stop them, sir?"
Divine Chant had grown nervous and immediately attempted to stop the fight but Raymond shut that down. If she was seen assisting either there was no telling what could come of the still fragile government. Reverence of its highest officials only went so far to protect the Cardinals, the black scripture who were secrets among secrets would not have that privilege.
A flash of light filled the sky blinding all combatants and many more spectators, save for the two in the room.
"I see you've taken for the worse old friend."
A voice like a tombstone falling to gravel spoke from behind the two, Divine Chant moving in an instant to protect Raymond and block the path of the interloper. Her duty to protect him was instantly forgotten as she rushed the intruder and buried him under a bear hug.
"Rufus! You're okay!"
"Of course my dear our, companion, was only tiring himself out I was never in danger. Now then care to explain why one of my best disciples is reduced to such a state?"
Raymond sighed before he explained his condition, how he barely survived thanks to Thousand Leagues Astrologer, and how he suspected a certain half-elf of ensuring he did not die beyond that. And of course, by saving his life all chances of fixing his condition were now void.
"Oh Raymond my sweet stupid boy, your health is but a simple thing to return though I'd understand a reluctance. We simply need to remove your spine and heal you before blood loss and shock take you. Barbaric but effective."
"But I was healed already, won't that simply return me to my current state?"
"Not likely, the complete removal of the spine would require a fifth-tier spell at a minimum but we could supplement that requirement with this."
Saying so he brought forth a treasure only Raymond knew by sight though that could be easily tricked. A crystal vial with a thick viscous liquid the color of blood, a healing potion, and a real one at that.
"I carry only a select few after all these years but your state warrants at least an attempt as you are a rather important figure."
"You didn't come here to talk did you? Something has happened that requires one of the few in the know to act and I am all that remains aren't I?"
"Yes, but it can wait until after I have finished, Ma'am if you would cast [Sleep] upon him and I will begin."
"Yes sir!"
Nigun spat upon the ground where his foe had vanished, teleportation was a trick he was not capable of responding to unless the spell used was not very high tier. That damned undead was playing with him and he could tell from the start.
Nothing that strong would allow a real fight had it been serious Nigun would be a splatter on the rubble. That also eliminated the chance that was the attacker who decimated the capital that individual would've wiped the slate clean no questions asked.
Rumors were the stories of misbehaved children and those with agendas of some kind but in a few very rare occurrences those same rumors were proven true. At least as best as a tall tale could be. One such story was that of an advisor to the Pontifex one who'd learned many things from first-hand experience.
Few would be capable of a feat such as that and none would be full-blooded humans the theory, no, the propaganda that suggested that advisor was undead was blasphemy of the highest order. To claim that the very leaders of the nation would dare to consort with an undead would spread chaos.
Purges would occur, riots, and bloodbaths as scriptures and soldiers alike tore through the vastly weaker populace. Humanity was only so strong and when so much had already been lost it would be devastating.
With a purpose in mind, he marched to the cardinals' meeting hall, one of the few true buildings beside the churches. With one fluid motion he threw open the doors ready to demand answers from the cardinal of earth only to spot the undead right as he ripped out said cardinal's spine.
The world lost color and in his last moments of clarity all Nigun could do was shout in rage at the scene.
The undead sighed. And spoke.
"[Dominate]."
Blood, dripping down rubble, pooling beneath corpses, and splattered across a gleaming fist of gold.
Clementine smirked, the common man was no challenge to someone of her power, and that made it so much better when she played with them. The thrill of battle was one thing but screams were like her candy and oh how she had a sweet tooth. The three dead before her were far from pleasurable kills though, it almost felt disappointing with how desolate their lives were, death was a mercy for these people. Even a tortured one.
When she left the theocracy it was full of zealots, madmen, and the people they conned now only the zealots remained. Priests lined the dirt roads their robes bloodied from proclaiming their insane justice at all hours of the day while demihumans and heretics swung from the ropes.
The blast that had covered her tracks did so far better than she'd hoped it would, forget the scriptures chasing her not even the town guard would give chase. The country has become like a playground for her and so long as she avoided the more hidden groups she was free.
But why take the risk at all? Why come back when she could have an even easier time fleeing the country or hell the continent?
That masked bastard was somewhere and she'd rather grind herself to dust than let him go free. It just so happens that the specialized gear she used to wear as a black scripture had to be left behind when she first fled. The crown of wisdom was one thing but taking a full set of god-crafted gear was another, she would've been sent to reclaim the gear off of Clementine's corpse.
A cloud of dust filled the blood-soaked room as Clementine casually tossed aside the hunk of rubble these peasants were using as a table. A void lies under it with not even her heightened senses piercing the darkness as it stretches lower and lower.
With a deep breath, she takes the plunge sinking below.
Carne, what's left of it.
After two separate attacks on the small village there now only resides a single building one whose occupants could be counted as Carne's luckiest residents. Those who hadn't died in the attack fled the moment the house caught fire for no one could lay claim to a pile of ashes.
"What is he? That power, the magic around his hand, what he used on those men who attacked us, was nothing I've ever seen."
Ninya was huddled into a chair her legs pressed tightly against her chest small tears welling in her eyes. Tuare was beside her younger sister comforting her as best as she could but only Nfirea knew just how distraught she was, for he too knew how terrifying that man was.
"Tuare your companion, that man in red armor he is who I believe he yes?"
Nfirea asked Tuare looked conflicted but secrecy didn't matter when it came to his identity only who he worked for.
"Yes, he is the sole remaining adamantite adventurer in Re Estize, that's why he was asked to track down the masked mage. The only reason I came along was because of a vague connection between him and Ninya."
"Now that you mention it whenever he came around to check on the shop Ninya would go quiet.
Though, I guess that might've been for the best."
Ninya shifted, her legs planting on the clinical tiles below with a loud clang.
"Who is he?
I've never met him in my life and yet at every turn it's like he's waiting there ready to kill me the second I look away. I see him sometimes in my nightmares, blending with the shadows in alleyways."
Nfirea's throat felt dry, before they'd come to the shop the crew had been sent out to stop the fire and fix what they could of the ruble. Ninya had seen them and despite her mistrust, she could work well enough around them, Enri knew of them but hadn't seen any undead yet but she'd be unfazed. Tuare was an outsider, if she reacted wrong or they sensed hostilities how would they react, how would her guardian if he came back?
"H-he, I need to make sure you all understand I really didn't have a choice but to work for him, what he offered was too good to turn down."
Nfirea and Ninya turned to Enri with knowing expressions.
"As is obvious by the fight he's the masked mage that attacked E Rantel last year but, as for who he is beyond that.
I don't know. I have guesses of course but he's not once taken the mask off and I'm afraid that asking would be outside my station."
"He's not human is he?"
Enri was the one to speak startling everyone, it made sense when they thought about it, how he always hid his appearance, how he calmly worked with undead of insane strength. Ninya as an adventurer had heard of many monsters out in the world one such being the evolved form of an elder lich, the night lich. With blackened bones and an age easily exceeding two hundred years, they were said to be capable of magic of the sixth tier with ease.
And so with their thoughts unsaid they all gathered to rest where they could and for once Ninya didn't sleep with an alarm spell, that fell to Nfirea as he tossed and turned with nightmares.
Re Estize.
And so the titan stepped forth.
They could be seen in the distance now, a group that threatened to block out the sky by their size alone though their numbers brought shivers to even the veterans of war.
For Those who could only watch they sat with anxiety and fear for no order could change the outcome, no stratagem or ploy could work against a foe of this caliber. They were forced to sit silent as the dead as a man who while an ally had caused untold death all by himself. To say trust was few and far between was an understatement but receive it he would or death was but a guarantee.
The first strike would be felt for years.
A shockwave in between the two forces marked by a deep blue wave ripping out soil and tossing mounds of earth like a mountain-sized child in a fit.
Momonga chuckled as the first spell was fired. [Shining Burst] descended upon his hordes rendering thousands of undead to ash in an instant. He didn't care for both [Life Essence] and [Mana Essence] told him that that attack while devastatingly powerful had taken some of his opponent's life to cast.
Even if he couldn't overpower the dragons outright all he'd need to do was to outlast them and slowly pick them away with his superior mana. Of course, the actual values could've been faked with ease faking the loss of hp was much harder and not worth the effort. Still with the values shown the weakest of the dragons was around level sixty while the strongest would be ninety-something.
This Momonga doubted in earnest as no self-respecting magic caster would keep the same order when changing their values. To do so would be painting exactly which members of a party were the easiest to kill. Visually though general appearance would play a much larger factor than it had in the game as physical traits were impossible to suppress. A tank would always be distinguishable from a backline mage.
More spells came from the dragons tearing into his regular zombies and skeletons all while they ignored thousands of arrows and low-tier spells. Never let an opponent know your true strength, words Momonga would die over and so he cast his first spell.
"[Chain Dragon Lightning]!"
Arcs of white hot electricity shot out towards the dragons connecting with a blinding flash that spread across the enemy front. As the spell faded black scorch marks lingered on all but the one in the very center who roared in fury and charge towards Momonga. It would seem the leader had been enraged and shown himself early or he simply felt the most threatened.
A wave of frost shot through the sky reaching Momonga in an instant enveloping the sky above his armies in a thick cloud of icy fog. Undead were resistant against cold damage for what flesh was there to get frostbite when one was already bone? So when the wave hit he was shocked to find a weak pain spread throughout his body. It did next to no damage but the fact it bypassed his resistances at all meant that he was right and these dragons were far stronger than he originally believed.
Unfortunately, he didn't have the time to drag out the fight and learn more he had to end this before the kingdom was forced to help.
'[Silent Grasp Heart]' the dragon staggered in the air as it felt its heart crushed between Momonga's grip, the instant death effect failed but being stunned gave him a follow-up shot.
"[Triple Maximize Vermillion Nova]!"
The dragon vanished as for a moment the world held two suns one so close it burned the hairs on many men's arms. When at last the world regained its normal cold a small chuckle was heard coming from the very much alive dragon.
"That, almost hurt."
It said from behind a near-translucent bubble.
Brain stared slack-jawed as the sky filled with the colors of a magic duel culminating in a second sun appearing for a few short seconds. When both fighters still faced one another he almost cried out at the sight, neither appeared harmed in the slightest. Truly this was a fight fit for the gods of old, hell maybe literally.
The sky resumed its light show as the two strongest faced one another leaving Brain with the sinking feeling that he and the rest of the army would have no choice but to fight as that mage took out a dragon lord alone. He didn't wonder for long a a crack echoed so loud it nearly deafened him. A metallic fist was planted firmly in the ground not far from the army the blue wing pinned under it was reduced to mush but its owner was still swinging.
Undead swarmed the downed beast as the titan turned to those still flying, a whistle from his left ear, no order was needed as he and the rest of the queens pick raced away from the army center ready to meet a dragon, like true heroes.
'So Gazef, what do you make of this?'
Renner had a finger between her teeth so tightly it drew blood. For three agonizing long days, they had to wait for this and each second had left her more and more anxious. Momonga was without a doubt a god of some kind for no other being could wield the power on display before her. The nobles seemed the most shocked as even Marquis Raeven could not clear his face of the fear it held.
Her father was much better off but had since the fights started gone a pale she'd only seen on the day they learned of Gazef's death. Every few minutes a new change would come and he'd calmly issue a command through the magically linked bells Momonga had provided.
So far very few humans had seen combat save for Brain and his elites but as the fight progressed more and more would be needed to put down the two dozen or so dragons floating above.
Booms echoed frighteningly close to the command tent freezing all inside for a moment. The forces provided had seemed overkill but as the minutes passed more and more fell to an onslaught of magic and talons. Only the titan remained unharmed but its bulk limited how fast it could respond leaving it weak to delaying efforts by the dragons. Frost covered its joints and every step carried the risk that it would collapse to the ground crushing those below.
Another sun filled the sky its effect hardly noticed as the dragon swatted away the flames clinging to its wings. Only ten minutes had passed and yet neither side showed visible damage. Renner touched the golden pin on her head a dim glow covering her fingers.
Roble Holy Kingdom.
A spear of pure light lanced out across an open plain tearing through a dozen undead before it vanished into motes of light.
Laughs echoed.
Fire suddenly raged from the center of a platoon turning a hundred men in armor into walking ovens. Fat bubbled and skin crisped as enchantments worked overtime to save dead men the smell of roast meat wafting through the disorganized lines.
The paladins had been tricked, in a way. The undead had fled in earnest as their creator called them towards its growing mass of bodies but when the paladins and their armies had felt it time to push out and reclaim the country they were met with walls of blackened steel.
Death knights and liches worked hard to keep even a soul from growing closer to One's ritual as the slightest disturbance could mean a complete failure. Of course, he could try again elsewhere but only so many nations remained with living beings still in them.
Remidios shouted as her sword glowed a pristine white. The swing carved through the shields and the arms holding them but could not kill in a single strike. Arrows pelted the defenseless monster finally putting it down just as she began to struggle with its massive sword. With its death, all that remained were the stragglers of regular zombies.
The first city to be reclaimed was a sad sight with its shattered homes and blood-soaked roads. Not a corpse could be found though as even infants still in their cribs were turned into the unthinking monsters. There was no saving grace here, no mercy to be found, Demi humans would always leave some survivors either as food or slaves but this. This was a complete massacre of every living thing the undead came across.
Men, women, and children alike were torn apart in the streets begging for help they would not receive even in death.
One lifted his hand creating two crypt lords with full squads of death knights. They would only last a minute or so but it was enough the end was near and these weak minions wouldn't be needed much longer.
Flesh melded with flesh fusing into unholy abominations vaguely resembling life and bones ground together until the powder could be repurposed for something much more efficient.
Two women collided with the death knights tearing through the metal as though it were tissue paper, in the distance a third figure sent forth a barrage of magic that pounded the lords into dodging. Zombies tried to intervene only the be reduced to mist as a single swing from either side annihilated them.
One was almost worried, almost, in the distance he could feel the lines of death knights and liches slowly getting chipped away. They would never make it in time to reinforce the more problematic attackers before things finished. A crypt lord was struck down forcing One to create a replacement through great expense.
He'd underestimated these foes and needed even the slightest edge even if it would delay his transformation by a full minute. With a wave magic circles came and shattered a single being stood between the three combatants.
A crown of rusted iron sat upon the skull of a towering figure, a king, still dressed in his formal best with a massive scythe clenched in his hands. It wouldn't have the same power as one created by the master but regardless it would decimate those who dare oppose the supreme being.
The fight resumed in seconds as scythe met scythe, sword met sword, and magic met magic.
Lakyus grunted as a blast of necrotic energy whipped past her missing by a hair's width, it struck a pile of rubble turning to dust as even stone could not resist the power it held.
'I recommend delaying this is not a foe any of you can beat without assistance.'
Kilineiram spoke into her mind as the fight dragged on her swings either evaded or blocked. No matter how she pushed she could reach no closer to the master of the undead before her.
'I know that we all do but we must not let it complete that ritual or not even the dragon lords will be able to stop him.'
EvilEye sent out a wave of crystals tearing the zombies around them to shreds, it would give breathing room if nothing else. Her opponent now without its minions was only two short swings before death finally freeing her to assist Zesshi who was struggling beneath the sheer weight of the crowned undead's scythe.
With steps that broke the ground beneath her Lakyus rushed the undead's exposed back the black tip of her sword striking true and piercing clean through its abdomen. A pivot tore the sword out through the side nearly bisecting it but it still lived if only for a moment as Zesshi's scythe separated its head from the neck.
For one second all seemed to be one as no undead separated the three from the cause of all this death but even this was for naught as a mad cackle filled the air.
"Hi hi hi, too late."
And darkness filled the world.