Re-Estize fortress city

A red mote of light flashed through the city, going unnoticed by the untrained eye it traversed unperturbed. Intent on reaching its goal it flashed across great distances with haste, before finally disappearing through a window of the highest tower in the city.

Jircniv was waiting impatiently, pacing back and forth in his royal chamber he had a serious look plastered onto his face that only hardened further when the guest arrived.

The small figure could be misinterpreted as a sign of weakness, but Jircniv knew better. The one before him, a girl obscured by a white mask and red cape was more than capable. An existence that was as old if not older than Fluder himself, yet still regained the vitality of her youth.

It didn’t take long for Jircniv to figure out her identity, he had his resources after all, and he knew how to best utilize them. Landfall, The Vampire Lord who supposedly rose above the famed Demon Gods in the chaotic age and destroyed a whole empire with her own two hands. A truly formidable threat, that if left unchecked could topple or at the very least disrupt his absolute authority.

But, Jircniv had a better idea. While assassinating the vampire lord with a few elites had crossed his mind, it’d be a waste of potential that could be spent elsewhere. She could serve the empire, and in doing so she will perish sooner or later. She was strong, and experienced, but she lacked the subtleties of a ruler, and thus it wasn’t hard for Jircniv to mislead her and use for his own agendas.

“What a pleasant night we have, Evileye of the Fallen.” He greeted, “Would you care for a drink?” Jircniv gestured to the liquor on the table, red wine, indeed he would serve normal guests that, but he was aware of her condition, and thus decided on a more enticing liquid.

“Ever thoughtful of you Jircniv,” Evileye said as she made her way over to the simple wooden table and picked up a glassful and raised it to her mouth, tasting the beverage. “I heard you have a proposition for me, so let’s hear it.”

“Ah, down to business right off the bat, I like it.” Jircniv commented, “So here is what you’ll have to do… should you accomplish your mission without fail I will provide the missing piece you’ve been searching for all this time.” He said ominously as he handed her a folded piece of paper detailing her assignment. The crimson orbs flashed behind the pristine white mask, and the shape of the small girl melded into the shadows of the room, leaving Jircniv to his thoughts.

Kingdom of Darkness

A land separate from the rest of the world, a land of undeath where the intelligent undead gathered and built. A land covered in thick miasma, a land where only the dead ruled.

The ever-present nightfall obscured vision, making it all but impossible to see if one were not in possession of dark vision. A trait undead possessed without a shadow of a doubt.

The hierarchy within the realm was simple enough, the more powerful you are, the higher your standing within the domain. The only exception from under this rule where those elder liches who time immemorial had the rare chance to witness their God in action, those select few that saw him in real life, and now led the faith of the Undead God.

Dominus Mortem looked down on the mortal before him, an old magic caster that was capable of sixth tier magic, a commendable feat even among Night Liches. The triad magic caster came with a proposition, one that appealed to the Lord of Death.

The idea to join forces with the so-called great human empire was an appealing proposition, after all if enough death and decay followed the fighting, then it would only empower him and his necromancer forces. It would also weaken the other realms, thus ripe for conquest. A win-win situation really…

An enticing proposition that he was close to accepting but then the triad magic caster went on a rampage of nonsense, stating he had personally met the Great One, the Supreme One, the Undisputed Lord of Death.

It enraged Dominus, for clearly there could be no other more worthy to the title; The Lord of Death than himself, he might have entertained the fable of Ainz Ooal Gown, but that was it. A fable, a myth spread in the night church, nothing more and nothing less.

It was ridiculous how deep the delusions of this old man ran, but with age comes the degeneration of the mind, at least in humans… and that could explain Fluder’s weird antics, nevertheless the zest in the old man’s voice sparked doubt in his decaying heart, and thus he ordered an investigation in the matter.

As for the support, he shall lend it, if nothing more, then for the bodies this war would surely result in. The time has come for the undead to conquer the lands and devour the souls of the living. The empire of undeath would ascend, and his name would be immortalized as one who led undead to supremacy, or so has Mortem, the Lord of Death foreseen.

…

The Great Tomb of Nazarick

The Guardian Overseer walked back and forth within the personal office of the Supreme One, craze in her eyes, she vexed her vast intellect, devising ways to separate the Six, and have them suffer unfortunate accidents.

Having Ellee around was already taking her to the edge, now with six others, not to mention three females it was absolutely maddening.

‘What did Ainz see in those pathetic lower life forms anyways?!’

‘They are weak! They are stupid! They cannot stand as his equal! No one can!’

‘I’ll do him a favor and rid him of these anchors! Obstacles of his greatness! When he returns, he will praise me! He will reward me!’

Albedo increased her pace, ‘Should I just outright kill them? It’s not like they can do anything about it… It’s not like the others would object. Then… then we can just make up whatever story we like… no… no that wouldn’t do… Lord Ainz would instantly see through our lies.’

Knock resounded in the room, followed by Demiurge’s smoothing voice. “Albedo, you’ve called for me. Something important to discuss, as I recall.”

“Yes, come in Demiurge.” Albedo said, halting her frantic steps. “We have much to discuss.”

…

Elven capital

The capital was in uproar, news of the Queen’s disappearance has spread, and the return of the injured Sacred Flames only fueled the fire.

People gathered on the streets and sieged the castle walls. Demanding to see the Queen, and an explanation for the injuries sustained by the Sacred Flames. There were times when they retuned injured after vanquishing great abyss beasts, but never were they so exhausted after the battle to not even announce their victory.

Today the demonstrations were extremely heated, a crowd of twenty thousand gathering around the castle walls. However, to Rachel and the rest of the Sacred Flames this meant little, with their recovery on the way they could only hold short speeches, and with it they could not explain everything, after all the queen’s absence had to be kept in secret, even if the cat was out of the bag, they could not admit to it. As for the battle that took place, Rachel could not voice her thoughts, and the others kept silent in response.

…

A huge shadow passed over the crowd. A massive, winged beasts blocked out the Sun, behind the Dragon Lord an army of wyverns numbering in the hundreds.

The Dragon Lord in the lead was grotesque, characterized by white scales and a long neck Cure Elim, the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord flapped his wings confidently in the sky. It wasn’t much his skin and disproportionate body, but the myriad of undead covering his body that resulted in his grotesque appearance.

“Citizens of this wretched empire!” The voice of Elder Coffin boomed over the masses, “I have come to deliver you from evil, be grateful! For even in death, your souls and bodies shall be of use to me!”

It didn’t take long for the masses to panic and turn to flee. There was chaos, everyone running in every direction, trampling those unfortunate enough to fall into smashed meat sacks. Usually, such an occurrence would be unthinkable, but with their guardians injured, out of commission, and their leader out of reach there was none to lead them, there was none to protect them.

One of the crystal palace windows burst out, shattering the colorful glass Rachel flew up to the heavens, meeting the Dragon Lord head on. The potions of Lord Ainz really worked miracles, she didn’t want to waste it, but the moment she felt the encroaching presence of Dragon Lord, she used it without hesitation.

“What is the meaning of this?! Cure Elim!”

Rachel was well learned, the notes of Ainz kept tabs on every known Dragon Lords, and thus from the descriptions she knew who she was facing. Any other time this would be a walk in the park, but now… exhausted after the great battle that took place, it was a whole other matter entirely.

Lord Ainz’s potion might have been miraculous in that aspect that it healed her injuries, that said it didn’t replenish her energies, mana, soul, or stamina wise.

An ugly scowl formed on her face, and she silently resolved herself, to go into battle once more.

…

The standoff between the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord and the First of the Sacred Flames stretched for a painfully long time, the wyvern armies simply waited for their leader's command, while the fleeing citizens down below halted and gazed up at the skies, with relief and admiration in their eyes.

“Look Mama! That’s Rachel! She is sooo shiny!” A child, barely of age cried out in the arms of her mother. And indeed, she was right. Rachel was as brilliant as the Sun, her equipment reflected the Sun rays, blocking the way of the Dragons she fearlessly stepped forward to protect the people.

Elves were a long-lived species, as such a few centuries were nothing to them. Many in the city were people who followed her majesty Queen Ellee ever since she was a child, they also knew how much faith she put in Rachel, one of her adopted children.

As such, they were certain that so long as she was here, everything would be alright. That said, it wouldn't be hurt to be vigilant... after all dragons loomed over the city, it was only right they protected their children; and so gradually the squares emptied.

Rachel let out a loud sigh, one that she heard Ainz express even though he was undead. It seemed that his habit had rubbed off on her.

She sighed, “tell me what do you want here Cure Elim? Can't you tell this isn't the time? You are frightening the citizens..." She said that, but she knew that mere words wouldn’t be enough to sway the Dragon Lord, not after he had brought an army.

"Impudent child I sense Platinum's blood flowing through your veins, but you are much too naive to be his spawn! Step aside, your Emperor commands you!"

A nasty smirk crossed Rachel's features. "You better leave while you still can, Cure Elim. You have overstayed your welcome." Rachel stated plainly, noise rising in the background, footsteps, an army, the guard has been mobilized.

"As if! Know your place before the One and Only Dragon Emperor! I am the True Lord of the Skies, and you will pay for your insolence!" Cure Elim roared and unleashed a wall of undead, zombies that covered his body flew straight for her.

Rachel responded to the challenge and let out an infernal dragon breath. The atmosphere sizzled, and the breath of primordial flames consumed the horde of zombies.

""Charge!"" Roared Cure Elim and Rachel alike, as guard met wyvern, and magic arrows clashed with drake flames and claws.

....

Nazarick

"Lady Ellee, I have received troubling news." Demiurge said with a slight bow. "It seems that the capital is under attack; an army of wyverns lead by a Dragon Lord sieged it."

Ellee placed down her cup of tea onto the table. "I see.” She said calmly, “I presume you’ve already made the preparations?"

"Ah, my lady is as insightful as ever. I have sent a subjugation squad, they will eliminate the threat, and in doing so they'll save your ladyship's people."

"Right, I take it you do not mind if I take to the scene myself, do you? Demiurge?" Ellee asked, making eye contact with the archfiend. A curious glint passed through the crystal orbs.

"No, not at all my lady! But I must insist on an escort."

"Do as you wish, we depart now." She stated and stood up; her green mantle lined with silver billowing in the pleasant atmosphere of the Sixth Floor of the Great Underground Tomb.

"What about our guests?”

"They are to remain inside the Great Tomb till my beloved returns."

"As you wish." Demiurge said, and showed her the way, out of courtesy.

...

Meanwhile at an impossible point in space where gravity has torn a hole into the delicate fabric of space-time a crimson orb glint in the emptiness, outside of creation.

Creatures of unspeakable horror floated about in the nothingness, passing the tiny orb, unsuspecting of the terror it held, one that would claim each of their primordial eldritch lives.

One that would snuff out the light, one that would devour darkness itself, one that bent time to its whims, one that was an undisputed Supreme Being.