The battle of Skull Canyon did not go the way anyone anticipated. Being faced with such challenges forced both sides to change their strategies on a whim in a desperate grasp for victory. In the end it was Shinji who with the help of an unlikely ally managed to announce the defeat of another legendary hero.

The conflicted dwarven armies gathered at the exit where the Black Flame bandits made their escape while the soldiers of Shinji's army met across from them. There was much that had to be discussed with such a crucial moment in history made between the overlord and the de facto leader of the dwarves. All would be present to hear what sort of agreement they would come to.

A few details would remain more private however as Shinji would discuss the nature of how things occurred with a few of the most prominent leaders of the assault. Yersia and Jewel were just two of the individuals he needed to hear from in order to get the full picture of what brought them to this moment. Jewel provided much of what happened at the top of the canyon cliffs, but it quickly became Yersia's turn to explain her actions.

She began by apologizing, "Our initial intent was to wear down their numbers before arriving. After we discovered Golding's escape we found ourselves trying to use the situation to our advantage. It seemed right to protect them trying to keep Goldo's attention to the area between the cliffs. The only way to solidify it was for all of us to rush in after Golding's soldiers."

Jewel recognized the potential for this scenario adding, "He may desire gold more than ever before, but he is still capable of thinking through scenarios that would deny him his desires."

Shinji revealed what concerned him the most, "I was worried Yersia might have died out there. I guess it shouldn't be something I have to worry about by now shouldn't I?"

Jewel jumped at the chance to remind, "You are supposed to be able to bring those who serve under you back to life right? That's a benefit I could sure see myself signing up for."

It had been a short while since Shinji managed to enlist Jewel under his command but only now began to see just how eager she was to be under his command. Her response came from a place of fear for her own life and what he would do to the other heroes along with her. The biggest change he recognized was her approach was more casual now that she had proven her worth on some level.

He tried to keep himself from sounding like he doubted her as he agreed, "That's true. I'll have to get to that when we head back to the castle. Everyone else is probably going to hope I stay there more often."

Using this as the opportunity she had been waiting for, Jewel suggested, "Well I sure won't try to plant doubts in your mind. I'm sure I could assist you if you ever need anyone special at your side. In my case of course you probably want to make sure I don't betray your armies at the most crucial points."

Yersia reminded them of a crucial moment waiting for them outside the tent, "The decision does fall to him. As will the judgement I must face."

It did not take any effort on Shinji's part to recognize how responsible Yersia felt. In spite of her initial intent, she still felt she was responsible for nearly upending everything. Everyone who fell today would agree with this in some way along with coming to their own judgement. The most important of which being from Shinji himself.

He realized his responsibility to give an immediate answer as he told Yersia, "You did what you thought was best in the moment. I can't fault you for what you did."

She was thankful not to have any punishment to endure but Yersia remembered what sort of multitude she would have to address, "That is kind of you to say Shinji. But I believe there will be those who do not see losses being acceptable in any way."

Her reputation as a thief did not paint a picture of Jewel being a caring person. She was able to pick up on the idea that her overlord Shinji was every bit an opposite to her in this respect. Over time she might find herself becoming want he wanted her to be by nature but was determined to work with an act for now.

These conditions in mind made Jewel take a chance to assure Yersia, "Anyone who thinks they can gamble and not take any losses are not the kind of people you want to get involved with. It just means they think they can rely on you to make up for them without any strings."

Yersia did not see the assurance behind the allegory as she reminded, "That is what a union is supposed to agree to isn't it?"

Being faced with this point made Jewel turn her attention to Shinji as he corrected, "We're going to support each other. Anyone who fights these heroes is going to agree to that."

Anxious to recover whatever ground she might have lost, Jewel agreed, "Yeah, this isn't something I had a chance to do in a long time. Maybe it is time I be more worried about how everyone else is doing around me."

Thinking back to the chaos in the battle that caused Jewel to find her way to him to assist Golding, Shinji admitted, "I really thought you were going to use me to try and get the statue. This really does make you look better."

Careful not to sound desperate, Jewel leaned in her chair explaining, "Believe me, it was all about me just wanting something everybody else wanted. I don't know if I could say I would be jealous anymore though. The idea of having you as my overlord? That is honestly just a tantalizing idea."

The behavior Jewel displayed was familiar to Shinji by now. He was able to tell what sort of hopes she was hinting at just from being around him. She did come a long way towards proving herself by assisting in the recent battle but still felt uncertainty at playing along with her calls. Jealousy was no longer a factor among the women he continued to claim but uncertainty of allowing someone so shady near him still left him concerned.

Anxious to dismiss whatever doubts he had about the current matter, Shinji determined, "Well, whatever the case is, it sounds like everything played out the way it should have. We won and that should be all that matters."

Yersia could not say she was displeased not to receive punishment but found herself guilty with how Shinji accepted things turning out. He had much to make sense of now that the battle was over that kept him from eagerly accepting this victory. She also knew she could not rely on this moment as a chance to further demonstrate her capabilities as a crucial soldier or even a source of assurance.

She nodded to accept her overlord's judgement before reminding, "I don't know if there is anything I can do to put Shinji's mind at ease, but I believe we can at least tackle one problem at a time. I'm sure the prince will want to find some way to reconcile with him."

Shinji stood up from his chair realizing this crucial moment was at hand accepting, "I didn't think I would have to do diplomacy, but I'll have to do my best now."

Shinji stepped out of his tent before finding what remained of the dwarven army standing across from him. Most of the soldiers that once served under King Goldo Golderson stood looking from one side to the other in a state of unease. There was no consensus of how they were supposed to accept negotiating with the overlord was supposed to be possible, let alone be handled. Centuries of a traditional view of light facing darkness was being challenged this very day just from the possibility of two crucial leaders accepting the opportunity to face one another as individuals.

The new heir to the dwarven throne was the one who accepted the responsibility of accepting such a responsibility. Golding Golderson was not any less conflicted with his feelings than he was before as he remembered everything that led him to consider making the choices he made. There were no promises of ultimate power, his heart's desires being granted, or even the guarantee he would inherit the throne in the aftermath. Only the opportunity to finally make sense of the life he inherited and the mess of a kingdom he would have to try and bring back to some semblance of nobility.

Everything he wanted to achieve would only occur if he was able to remind everyone what he was here to achieve. He struggled to imagine mustering any sense of support among his men as he struggled to conceive how meeting with the overlord on even ground could be considered acceptable. Every step he made past one of his men gave him a clearer vision of Shinji past his army of Rei clones keeping track of the army they once fought. A clear view of the new overlord made him realize this meeting of leaders was a first time experience they were both unsure how they would handle.

Shinji stood across from Golding as he introduced, "I'm glad you decided to allow the chance for us to speak to one another."

Golding dismissed the thanks while attempting to give a firm sense of resolve by warning, "I have soldiers here who anticipate this is only the beginning of a duel between us both. The last few hours have been a struggle for me to convince them that this is the better choice for everyone."

Shinji admitted this was the case recalling, "I've been able to talk to some of the other heroes but not on terms like these. I just couldn't accept living with their side of the story. All of them really are taken by their own obsessions. They can't understand what their actions are doing to the world around them."

There was a consistency to the story that Golding could not debate while reminding, "So I recall hearing. Other than Jewel of course."

It was a legitimate point and a concern Shinji was still trying to comprehend that made him ask, "You know about her?"

Close observation made Golding recognize he touched some sort of nerve when it came to Shinji before he recalled, "I have only seen her a few times in person before. My father would recall stories of making her having an envious streak when others came across riches she wished for her own. Perhaps that is how you were able to sway her to your side in the end but that is not the current concern of course."

What hope Shinji had of learning more about Jewel was lost as he accepted he would have to move on to the matter at hand accepting, "You're right. This should be about you and your people. How this should be your chance to be free from your father's greed."

It was Golding's turn to accept his own inner conflict as he admitted, "You were right about his desire after all. The man I looked up to really was determined to have all the gold in the world as his to claim. I cannot comprehend how it is someone would be so demanding but there is no use trying to comprehend how we handle him."

He could tell there were others who would say he was trying too hard to appeal to him, but Shinji still resorted to what he knew by appealing, "I really would have tried to make him see reason if I had a way to do it."

The appeal made Golding sour his face before remembering everything that came before today. He could stand contemplating for hours about how he did not want to see imperfections overtake the image of his father and it would not change where he was now. All of the previous encounters he had against Shinji were warnings that he should have been prepared for this day. The guilt he now bore was the consequence of neglecting to accept such possibilities.

Golding was reluctant to accept this was what set him in place but ultimately admitted, "I suppose there is a reason for me to believe you on that front."

Shinji could see the resignation in Golding's eyes as he got to the point he knew he was most anxious to hear by asking, "Now you just want to know my demands right?"

The question caught Golding's attention as he looked back up warning, "If you believe you can lay claim to anything, I am ready to hear and challenge it if necessary."

It was here that Shinji knew he would have to face the more uncertain side of Golding as soon as he answered, "That's why I don't have any. I want you and your people to be free."

Golding kept himself hardened by the words countering, "I hear you proclaiming such noble things but I can only believe you in your own actions."

Shinji admitted there was nothing he could do to change the mind of the dwarven prince as he suggested, "I guess I don't know how I can demonstrate that other than just letting you know I won't try and attack your people."

A silence hung over the two as they considered what they would have to make sense of. Both rulers had to find a way to make sense of what they were trying to pave the way for while establishing what their new era would be. Achieving such a time would require participation on both their parts and time that had not yet passed.

The two were left at an impasse at how to proceed but Golding voiced his observation of the situation, "You may be right. You hope to proclaim this as the beginning of a new era but that can only take place once we have seen everything play out. And we allow generations afterwards to maintain that aspiration."

It was only a little to hold on to but Shinji held on to his hope by asking, "Does that mean you're willing to accept what I suggested?"

Golding hoped exploiting Shinji's eagerness would serve to his advantage as he laid out his conditions, "If you are so insistent to pursue this age of cooperation, then the responsibility to realize it will fall to me. I will not challenge you to battle overlord. Just remember that any desire you have for us to ally with you will fall upon careful ears."

It was not a simple confirmation but Shinji accepted what he was given, "I was hoping you would say that. Maybe one day we can live together as equals as I hope."

This suggestion eased Golding's mind before he agreed, "I will accept your word today overlord. Whatever you plan on ruling, I shall have to live to see."

Hopeful the fragile alliance that was formed would have a way to last, Shinji asked another question on his mind, "You won't attack the elves as they rebuild their lives right?"

Golding knew this would be a crucial part of Shinji's terms considering his alliance with the elves. All traces of caring for others was on display just as it had been in the battle before. The dwarven prince could still not decide if it was a strength or a weakness.

He did not think about it long as he revealed his own matter he wanted resolved, "As long as they don't attack us first. I suppose there will be the matter of what to do with the Mother Goddess statue though."

Shinji recalled what this previous series of battles was being fought for agreeing, "It is important to both your kind and all elves as well. There has to be a way it can be appreciated by everyone."

Golding knew onlookers could easily see Shinji's appeal as desperate. The tales of his arrival he heard from some of the Rei clones made him determine this was from a place of ignorance. Being in the center of a matter like this one and conceiving a solution off the fly this way came to be expected.

Accepting he would have to work towards this future, Golding corrected, "There is much for you to learn about our ways but your willingness to learn can be a great benefit to all of us."

The deals to the end of the conflict had been established by the two leaders. With Goldo Golderson no longer the reigning king, the possibilities both Shinji and Golding could begin were laid bare. The two new rulers now had a sense of relief with the end of the recent conflict if only as a chance to rest from what demanded so much of them.

So many heroes had met their end but were giving way to a new future for the newly liberated people. It was a reality that Shinji knew affected Golding more than anyone this day. Neither of them saw Goldo after his demise but saw the tragedy that came over the dwarven people. Even as corrupted as he was, no one would have taken the demise of a king in battle lightly.

Attempting to determine what this new era would be like made Shinji reveal to his army what was agreed to. Golding would ascend the throne as assigned and Shinji would be allowed to rule so long as one did not attack the other. They both knew there might come a time where this truce would not be upheld for one reason or another, but that day would be faced in the future.

The most important matter to capture Yersia's attention made her ask, "So you need assistance on where we can take the statue?"

Shinji confirmed, "That's one way of putting it. I knew it was important, but I didn't know who was going to want it more."

Jewel revealed, "Even a lot of humans still follow the ways of that faith. It sure will look good for you to just give it to everyone. It's an object of worship that everyone will enjoy being able to see again."

The elf knows as Corym entered the conversation to add, "The priests among the new dwarven king sound as if they will cooperate in this new desire. We could easily work with them."

Yersia took it upon herself to suggest, "The old shrine may have been too central to my people for the others. But the dwarven people can assist in finding a new place of worship. There are no leaders of authority determined. I will take it upon myself to lead in that search."

"You aren't still feeling guilt for what you did are you?"

Jewel reminded, "We need someone to represent us. I can't imagine we could ask for a better opportunity."

"Okay, you can head out there. But you are going to have assistance out there with you. I'm sending Asuka and Mari to search the area and make sure we remain secure."

Yersia accepted the condition, "I'm pleased you are willing to let me fulfill this mission my overlord."

Shinji denied the honorific, "I don't need to be addressed that way."

Jewel asked, "You really don't plan on taking advantage of your place as an overlord, do you?"

Shinji confirmed, "There's supposed to be one hero left and then we have the empire to worry about. I have to start showing everyone who I am now."

Jewel sat back observing, "He takes on the mantle of overlord but has the heart of a hero. We live in incredible times."

Corym asked, "So our scouting party has been determined?"

Yersia confirmed, "I shall assist whoever the dwarves decide should represent them."

Shinji added, "I have to go back to the castle. I have to help everyone who fell in battle."

All of the duties that had been agreed to were solidified as Shinji's army established the aftermath of its victory. Most of the army would be making its way back to the castle while Yersia would fulfill the responsibility of assisting the dwarves in finding the new grounds for the Mother Goddess statue. Without the Wizard making his appearance, peace was currently in store for the land and its people.

One individual humiliated by the recent battle was not willing to concede what had happened. It was not just a defeat he endured, it was the loss of his reign as the leader of an entire army. This day should have marked his time as a fighter was done and he would have nothing else to fight for. Goldo Golderson had one particular desire he needed to see his again.

Entering the halls of his personal cavern greeted him with the sight of several dwarves guarding a mighty door. One of them stepped forward with his axe in hand prepared to defend his station. Realizing his king was making his way towards him made him relinquish his initial hostility.

Stepping back he asked, "My lord, is that you?"

Goldo threw a piece of armor to the side confirming, "So you have maintained your sense of sight. Nice of my soldiers to not be completely useless."

Another guard stepped forward asking, "What is it that brought you here my lord? We knew you were leading the charge at Skull Canyon."

Goldo made his way to the towering doors answering, "The overlord is more resourceful than I anticipated. He will require more than I thought he deserved."

The guard nearest to Goldo asked, "He demands the use of your pet and mightiest weapon my lord? The Terror of Evernight has not tasted blood since the battle against the elves. Its presence could tear more land beyond use or recognition if used."

The warning only served to solidify Goldo's decision as he warned, "And if we do not use him, the land will not be ours to use in the end. The threat of this overlord must be met with the greatest strength dwarven steel can muster."

A silence hung over the guards as they realized what they were facing. The judgement of their king was too important to dismiss with the threat of such a devastating enemy. This new overlord was already strong enough to overpower him in combat and needed a stronger response to remain free.

Four of the guards took hold of their individual locks before sliding them to the side. The door in front of Goldo was unlocked as it swung towards him. Behind the mighty stone constructions would be the key to challenging his newest nemesis.

One of the guards turned to Goldo promising, "We shall follow you into battle my king. This overlord cannot be taken lightly. Not even if he demands the lives of our entire kind."

Goldo grinned at the vow praising, "Very good soldier. I will need that and more if this is going to end with us taking the overlord's head."

Stepping forward into the room lit by bellowing forges, Goldo saw the object he was looking for. A mighty steam engine stood at the ready with many dwarves filling its gas chambers and adjusting its gears. Goldo looked on eagerly as he saw the spiked roller establishing its presence among the faint light in the darkness.

Grinning at the sight of his vehicle, Goldo asked it, "Hello there Rollie old friend. Did you miss me?"

As if to answer in response, the flamethrower at the nose of the vehicle let out a bellow of fire. On or the dwarves fell from the nose letting out a series of yells as he found himself on fire. The apparent injury to one of his men did not catch Goldo off guard as he continued to grin with anticipation at what his vehicle would be sent to destroy.

Preparing for what would be a decisive battle, Goldo announced, "Rally the troops. This will be the last struggle of the overlord."

Regathering the members of his forces was a messy task for Shinji. Casualties would have to be accounted for after the victory along with ensuring the Black Flame bandits would not attempt vengeance right away. The battle for Skull Canyon would be sure to keep armies away for a while after such a devastating loss of life.

Shinji in the meantime was more interested in trying to account for what his newest recruits had been tasked with. He knew Maya and Ritsuko would struggle to survive once thrown into the heat of battle. There was also the possibility they would take the first opportunity they could to make their escape. Just the fact the two of them were willing to sit in front of him was a sign he was making progress towards being what he told others he tried to be.

The most important moment came as he listened to Maya and Ritsuko's side of the conflict. Their struggles were not as demanding as his but not any less important. Even more pressing was the approach of how they handled the situation they were given.

He gave his full attention as soon as he heard their conclusion asking, "You're both going to fight for me anyway?"

Ritsuko nodded in confirmation at the decision, "We do not have a choice when everything is considered."

Maya elaborated on their decision, "Ritsuko probably put it best. We have an opportunity to make up for what we did to you in the old world. If only so we don't have to live the rest of our lives conflicted."

He did not think he would gain their trust so easily. Shinji knew he would have work to make his new warriors give their full confidence and felt guilty at gaining their trust so readily. The guilt he thought back on made him remember what he regretted the most about having them under his command.

It was a short while before Shinji voiced the regret he had, "What I did to you both... It shouldn't be excusable."

Maya hesitated before managing to answer, "You still saw us as reasons your life had become so difficult. We can't tell you what you should do after that "

Ritsuko remembered the moment Shinji was thinking back to as she added, "There are going to be those who will see it that way. I won't say you were justified but I can certainly comprehend what made you go through your episode."

Shinji was far from satisfied with the answers. He knew he should not have expected either of his new succubi to be prepared to give their undying devotion to him. Every individual had something they wanted to recall when it came to the world they came from and how they would process what they were going to one day become. Even with both of them here he could still not conclude it they were living a better life than they were before.

No one was the same person they were before they found themselves in this new world, that much was immediately established. Everyone also had their own personal dilemmas to overcome while being forced to adjust to the totally different land they occupied. No one might be able to tell what caused this but there had to be a common cause.

Shinji tried to get to the root of what caused such a change in them by asking, "I guess there is one thing I wonder about though. Do either of you know how you ended up this way?"

Maya realized the mystery behind what gave her and Ritsuko their new status as she asked, "We've still been trying to understand that haven't we?"

Ritsuko recalled, "Before we left we gave an audience to someone significant in the Empire. A student under the Wizard."

Shinji remembered how all of the fallen heroes had names to be put behind them. This last one continued to not only elude everyone with wherever he was but his name as well. Being told about someone studying under him with just as cryptic or a title made him wonder if this was anything more than just a simple naming convention.

He voiced this observation, "You sound like you're saying he had the same type of name as his master."

Maya confirmed, "We didn't even get to see him that well. He just called himself the Apprentice. He cast a spell on us that was supposed to protect us somehow. I guess it did serve some sort of purpose at least."

Ritsuko added, "I would not be surprised if he took him into battle if he decides to fight us. If he doesn't, then it seems likely he will send the Empire to throw its weight on us all."

A greater conflict seemed inevitable to Shinji as he agreed, "He probably will. We're all going to have to be ready for that. No matter how long it keeps going."

Ritsuko nodded to approve, "Maintain that conviction and you might be able to lead everyone after all."

Maya added, "I really didn't think we would have a choice besides fighting for some place I never even cared about. This just makes me wish I got to know you better sooner."

Shinji revealed his own regret that brought them here, "Maybe if that happened, I would have treated you both better."

Ritsuko found the foundation of her own sorrow recalling, "I made the mistake of placing myself in your father's trust. I really thought I could have been everything my mother wasn't. In the end I was still just lashing out against Rei and hoping I could find a place with someone else."

Shinji knew he would not be able to hear this sort of confession in the world he came from. When this came from a woman who was still desperate to find some sort of connection with anyone while having undertones that came off as manipulative, there were few people anyone could place their entire faith in. Ritsuko was indeed a woman who was sent here to test the resolve he made for his conquest of this world.

He could not call himself confident in his conviction, but Shinji determined, "We all had different ideas of what would make us happy didn't we? I don't know how much better I'll be, but I'm going to try and make sure I'm not my father."

She was still careful not to give too much praise, but Ritsuko assured, "You are showing promise in that regard Shinji. It will be up to me and many others to make sure you fulfill that aspiration."

Maya added, "Just as long as you are going to take responsibility for everyone when this is over."

Shinji realized what Maya was referring to at that reminder. There was no doubt in his mind the other girls under his command were probably carrying his children by now. Out of everyone, she, Ritsuko, and Misato were probably going to give birth first due to their new status. Ruling over the world he was inheriting was already a challenge but struggled to imagine what was about to come after now that he had this to prepare for.

Getting to that day would require him to finally stand tall against the forces that wanted him dead. The Wizard was somewhere waiting to challenge him and would not even be the last one. Having the stage set this way made him accept how serious his survival was going to be in the upcoming conflicts.

Shinji finally accepted Maya's reminder, "I will. And no one is going to suffer as long as I'm leading."

The search for a new hill for the Mother Goddess statue was less eventful than either Mari or Asuka hoped. This point of the conflict brought their enemies down to such small numbers they did not have many to anticipate. It seemed like yesterday she was trying to reconcile what sort of change from her old life she was taking.

Anxious to get back to the castle and prepare for a final encounter with the fallen heroes, she asked, "Is it really that hard to find a place to put a statue?"

Mari strode alongside her casually reminding, "We have to remember princess. This is a very important matter for them."

Asuka shrugged while warning, "Sure it is. They aren't going to have all the time in the world if the Wizard is supposed to be ready to fight us."

This assumption made Mari run her fingers on Asuka's shoulder before suggesting, "We'll just have to be ready in case that happens. I at least know what we can do in the meantime."

Any shame she had of being seen this way in public was long gone as Asuka grinned before countering, "Only if the battle for on top is fair game this time."

Before the discussion between them could go any further, a loud tumbling came from the distance. The sound was not the only thing that caught their attention as the two girls saw a massive bellow of steam shoot into the sky from the object's progression. Both of them realized they would have little time to react as they heard the mighty machine charging right to their location.

Corym made his way up to the two asking, "Are you both aware that a great danger is headed our way?"

Asuka locked her eyes to the distance as she confirmed, "You'd have to be deaf not to notice it. Now what big strong thing thinks it can take us on by itself?"

Within the rampaging machine, Goldo pushed his steam engine Rollie closer to the hill in his sights as he proclaimed, "That statue is mine!"