I walked into the prison and Guinevere came with me. I looked at the cells and crossed my arms.
Eleanor, Maria, and Empyrean were all on the floor, asleep. They already looked pretty drained, meaning Aponshe was torturing them on the side while we were away.
I noticed that Maria was wearing a succubi costume and had whip lashes on her body. Eleanor was wearing a pitch black blindfold that made her feel like she was the only one left in the world. Empyrean looked genuinely drained and worn out. It seemed like Empyrean took a visit to the tentacle monster that I know most are afraid of.
[Eleanor's Mental Endurance: 70]
[Maria's Mental Endurance: 10]
[Empyrean's Mental Endurance: 90]
I walked toward the cells and knocked on them. They all woke up and sensed my presence. I walked into Eleanor's cell and took off her blindfold. She looked up at me and stared at me. I gently grabbed her arm and helped her up. I brought her over to Guinevere and went over to Maria's cell. I walked inside and looked at Maria.
"Please...just let us go.." Maria said.
"It will all be over soon.." I said and held her up. I led her out of the cell and walked her over to Guinevere.
I walked over to Empyrean's cell and walked inside. I grabbed her arm and made her stand up. She resisted a bit, but only because it was a reflex at this point in time.
"Don't worry...Your suffering will all end shortly." I said and walked her over to the Corruption Chambers.
Guinevere followed with Maria and Eleanor. It was a sad sight to see, but it was beneficial for us and Astarfall. Having powerful heroes of this caliber only made our army stronger.
The first to go in was Maria. I activated the chambers and the Corruption Process began. As she was being corrupted, her appearance changed. She stepped out and her hair was now fiery orange, she had two red horns protruding from her head, she wore a black blindfold over her eyes and her nun attire was extremely revealing, turning her from a Reverend Mother to a Woman of Lust. The Sigil of Lust formed just below her waist.
[Maria has become a Dark Reverend.]
The next to go in was Eleanor. The Corruption Process started for her and her appearance also changed. She walked out and her hair was now white, her scleras were black and her eye color was red. Her attire changed from blue to a tattered red battle dress and cracked black armor.
[Eleanor has become a Fallen Lancer.]
The last to go in was Empyrean. She resisted a bit, but we managed to get her inside. I started the process and crossed my arms.
"She's a real fighter, but it's over now. We have our own version of Ashliel, and a more powerful version." Guinevere said and giggled.
I nodded. "We can not settle for failure. Although we get stronger via Resurrection, we will lose our progress if we die now...however I am glad you all are allied. You all could save my army if I so happen to die."
"Yeah but why risk it? We do get stronger with each death, but we can't make any risky plays anymore." Guinevere said.
"I know. Anyway it looks like she's done." I said.
Empyrean walked out of the chamber and she underwent a few changes of her own. Her hair was now white, her scleras were black and her eyes shined a pale gold color. Her nun attire was more tattered and revealing. It also changed from white to black. The veil she wore on her head was also tattered.
[Empyrean has become a Devilspeaker.]
"It is done. Guin, would you mind taking them to see Crux?" I asked.
"I don't mind at all..~" Guinevere said and kissed my cheek then walked off with the three new Fallen Heroes.
[Next on the agenda is to report to Takemi and tell him the news.]
I nodded and sighed softly. "This is going to hurt him, but...at least he's going to know the truth."
I warped to the waypoint near Takemi's workshop. I walked into the shop and heard crashing in the back. I walked behind the counter and the crashing only got louder. As I walked into the back, I noticed Takemi destroying everything that Ashliel owned and gave him.
"Takemi!" I called out.
Takemi stopped as he heard my voice. "Milord..."
"I'm sorry...I couldn't avenge you as they escaped. I know how hard you're taking this as this is years down the drain.." I said and walked toward him.
"It meant nothing to her...I poured my life and soul into that marriage. I was so happy then she threw it all away!" Takemi yelled and picked up the vase and threw it at the wall. He fell onto one knee and covered his eyes.
I didn't know what to say as I saw him on the ground. I walked toward him and crouched down, placing my hand on his back. I tried to comfort him.
"Did you know we had a child? A five year old son...I won't even be able to see my little one anymore. He's going to grow up to hate me. As a father I can't bare to see my own son resent me because of his mother's lies. I would do anything to get him back and tell him the truth...about everything." Takemi said softly and held back his tears.
I stood up slowly and helped Takemi up. I held his shoulder and he looked at me. "Stop holding it inside. Let out your sorrows. Let it out..."
Takemi watched me walk off and gripped his chest. He felt that lump in his throat and hunched over. He closed his eyes tightly and let out a yell.
I left the shop and closed my eyes as I could hear Takemi's yell. "Let's give him a few days...He needs to recover."
[Agreed..]
I covered the entrance of Takemi's shop with red energy which didn't let anyone inside the shop for a few days. I walked off and sighed softly.
"The Heroes have messed up our lives since the beginning huh..?" I asked.
[Basically. The First Overlord had his family killed because of rumors. No one knew what an Overlord was, but they knew he had dark energy. After they slaughtered his family, he went on a rampage, killing anyone and everyone who stood in his way. He started the first Dawn Ages because his rampage was enough to gain the Goddesses attention.]
"What happened after?" I asked.
[The first Overlord killed everyone in that world including the Goddesses. He was too strong so The Oegirs, the Gods of the Divine Domain, killed him. A new set of Goddesses were born, but the Leader of the Underworld needed new Overlords thus Crux and his wives were born. From there...that's how the Total War started.]
"Everything after Crux is our generation huh? Guinevere killing Crimson, Desdemona and Meliae being Demigods, my creation?" I asked and crossed my arms.
[Basically yes. It's time for a change though. It's time we put an end to these Dawn Ages for good and the only way to do that is by destroying the Heavenly Order, drawing out the Oegirs and killing them as well, thus destroying the universe and we move on.]
"Right.." I nodded.
....
"Master, I have word that a new pathway has opened. A domain called Aegirheim and the sister Domain called Hridheim. They are ruled by Overlords who happen to be sisters. The ruler of Aegirheim is the older sister while the ruler of Hridheim is the younger sister." Aponshe reported.
"Hm. It would seem we have new Overlords to meet. Let's go take a visit." I said.
"Alright." Aponshe nodded. "Would you like to set up a party just in case things get a little silly?"
"Yeah. I'll bring Spring and Viropheir with me. I'll leave Kuragari here just in case heroes attack while I'm gone." I said. "Oh and bring Dahlia as well. She's gonna need more experience."
"On it~" Aponshe said and hurried out of the Strategy Room.
[Event: The Dark Seas]
As I waited for Aponshe to return, I noticed Spring walk into th strategy room.
Spring is a red-headed fairy girl dressed in light green clothes and wraparound sandals. She has red butterfly wings patterned similar to the wings of Meliae from her back. She holds a green cane made from a massive plant shoot larger than her wingspan.
"M-Master, I came here as requested..!" Spring said and smiled shyly at me.
"I'm glad you did, with your abilities we shouldn't have to worry Meliae as much. She needs a well deserved break." I said and smiled at Spring.
Viropheir roared and flew toward the Strategy Room and slid inside then smirked at Dahlia. "You'll never be faster than me, so stop trying!"
Dahlia panted as she jogged into the room. "Fuck..you..."
"Everyone is here, Master~ Shall we get going?" Aponshe asked.
"Yes. Dahlia, you have Rebelliaton with you right?" I asked.
"Of course! This weapon has allowed me to slay heroes like they are nothing! The Null Element is so cool! Honestly Overlords are cooler than Heroes. Yeah we have our niche abilities, but you guys have abilities that are nearly UNBEATABLE! Null Zone?! Who knew that just outright cancels abilities?!" Dahlia said and smiled.
"I told you..~ You're protected by me and my allies..~ You have nothing to fear anymore.." I said and gently held Dahlia's chin.
Dahlia blushed and smiled. She nodded and looked happy. "I know, Milord.."
[Dahlia's Bond Meter rose to 30%]
"Alright, enough flirting Master. We gotta go gain the trust of this Overlord!" Aponshe said.
"Alright, alright. Let's go." I chuckled.
The portal opened and we all went through the portal. We appeared in front of the entrance to the City of Aegirheim. I walked forward and the Sirens let us pass through as we were not Heroes.
"Whoa! Okay, this is a new level of cool!" Dahlia said and looked around.
The city was build around beautiful waterfalls and other bodies of water. There was an Overlord Statue in the central part of the city where there were many water elemental monsters interacting with one another and a few other mosnters and units from other Domains visiting.
It was rather peaceful here, and even a few locals gave us a map to explore a few sights. I was more focused on getting to the citadel, but I decided to explore around with the girls for a bit. Dahlia was like a curious child wanting to explore every corner of the city, and I couldn't necessarily blame her. This was also my first time in a new domain and it made my domain look...gloomy.
After exploring for a while and buying souvenirs, we headed to the citadel. One of the Aegir Knights led us to the castle and showed us to the throne room.
I walked into the throne room and looked at the woman sitting on her throne that resembled a clam shell. She opened her eyes and looked at us.
The woman had beautiful skin with a few visible scales, long wavy blue hair, ocean blue eyes, and a curvaceous body with large breasts and her lower body was that of a cetacean. She wore blue seashells as a bra and a headdress that was gold and resembled mermaid fin ears.
"An Overlord, and not just any Overlord...The most famous one since Master Crux. What brings you here today, Raiyu..?" The woman asked and stared at me.
"I have come here to make an alliance as the Dawn Ages has started. I am looking to recruit you and your sister to my army and join Domains." I said.
The woman stayed silent. Aponshe noticed and whispered in my ear.
"Ah, your name is Lady Delta correct?" I asked and looked at her.
"Yes, but my question is what makes you think you're worthy enough for my alliance?" Delta asked.
I looked at Aponshe and she shrugged. I sighed and rubbed the back of my head. "Uhm the fact that I went toe to toe with not only the True Hero of this era, but also managed to go against the Maiden of Heaven and an Otherworld Hero, so said to be the strongest hero of all time? Are my feats not worthy enough?"
"I too have my notorious feats and successful battles, Raiyu. You honestly expect me to rejoice and give you a standing ovation for such childish feats." Delta said.
"Childish..?" I asked.
"Yes, any Overlord who grows strong enough can do what you did. You aren't—" She grunted as she dodged an invisible attack.
I smirked and chuckled then my eyes shined. "Allow me to show you why I am feared then."
Delta looked at me and tapped her trident on the ground and summoned her Ace Monster. "Hmph...I have been looking for a challenge. Leviathan!"
Leviathan roared and circled around the air then rested at Delta's side. Leviathan looked at me and her eyes shined brightly.
I chuckled and Viropheir stood at my side. She twirled her scythe and got into her stance.
"Let us dance...Overlord." I said and my eyes shined.
{To Be Continued.}