Overlord Rising

The Ovoo warriors grunted and growled as they sparred with one another. Armed with wooden swords and shields, they exchanged a series of strikes, whilst attempting to also block. Despite only being training, each warrior moved and fought as if their lives were on the very line. They displayed a level of ferocity that could either be admired or abhorred, simply depending on the perspective of the observer.

Four days had passed since Uriel had taken Ypnis. Unable to defy their ancestors' decisions, the elders submitted to Uriel's authority and accepted her plan to attack the Allosaur Clan. A few members of the clan still voiced resistance and discontent, but not a single one mustered the courage to do anything about it.

Uriel stood on the side and watched the Ovoo warriors spar. While watching, she quietly measured their abilities and skills. By simply watching, Uriel recognized the lizards' raw strength. She easily imagined the Ovoo being able to break bones with a swing of their tail, and snap necks with their jaws.

Despite their strength, Uriel spotted faults in their posture and handling. The lizards clearly knew how to fight, but they did not know how to properly use their weapons. If they were to ever become a force to reckon with, they'd need to do more than just rely on their ferocity.

As she continued to observe, Mycelia approached her like some sort of shadow. "How goes the training, my lady?" she asked.

"Slower than I had hoped," Uriel answered. "I did not expect them to be so clumsy with a sword and shield."

"They've always been using spears or their own claws, so it is to be expected," Mycelia sighed. "Speaking of which, why are you teaching them to use the sword and shield? The spear should be more than enough."

"As efficient as the spear is, it become problematic when an opponent gets into close," Uriel explained. "There will be battles in close and narrow spots, where spears become ineffective. They must learn how to use weapons of closer range."

"I see your point," Mycelia muttered, as she watched alongside her Overlord. "My lady, something around here has piqued my interest."

"And what would that be?" Uriel asked.

"When we first arrived at this forest, I felt a very strong magical presence," Mycelia replied. "I don't know exactly what it was, but I'm certain that it could prove to be useful to us."

"Magic again, of course," Uriel sighed. It had become a topic that frequently came up, ever since she became the Overlord. "Well, do you know where to start looking?"

"Unfortunately, no." Mycelia shook her head. "I was thinking that perhaps you could request one of these lizards to act as a guide."

"Yes, they would probably know their way around the forest better," Uriel agreed with a nod. "If you already had that idea in mind, then why didn't you just ask for help?"

"You're their new leader, my lady," Mycelia said. "I figured it would have been much simpler if you ordered them to be our guide."

Uriel narrowed her eyes and leered at the Dark-Elf, who only smugly smiled back. Shaking her head, she turned her sights to Ragosh, who trained with the other Ovoo warriors. "Ragosh, come here for a moment," she called.

Hearing the call, the chieftain's son stopped training and approached the two. "Is there anything I can do for you, Overlord?" he asked with a steep bow.

"You must know the forest well," Uriel assumed. "Tell me. Is there a place in this forest that stands out much? A place filled with a presence that you cannot just quite understand?"

Ragosh looked at the ground and rubbed his chin. After a quick moment, his eyes lit. "If I recall, there is a pond in the forest," he replied. "Its waters are red, as if stained with blood. Strange stones grow from the pond. They sparkle as if breathed with life, and give of a warmth like a flame."

Uriel turned to Mycelia. "Well that sounds like a good place to start, doesn't it?" she asked.

"It indeed does, my lady," Mycelia nodded. "Let's go then."

"W-wait a moment," Ragosh stammered. "That place is forbidden to go to! A strange and terrible monster roams near that place! It's too dangerous!"

Uriel rolled her eyes and let out a sigh. "Then we should be especially careful. Now, let's go."

"O-Overlord, please rethink this!" Ragosh begged.

He tried to persuade them not to go, but to no avail. The discussion ended there. Despite warning and better judgment, the three exited the village and journeyed into the forest.

For a while, they travelled down a clear path, until Ragosh stopped at one point and led them somewhere through the giant trees. An odd sense of silence seemed to grip the forest, as they went in deeper. It felt empty and rather uninviting. They still heard a few birds, but they sounded so distant, as if they listening to echoes from a time ended.

As they continued, they began to notice a few things scattered on the ground. Splintered remains of perhaps a carriage or a wagon rested on the grass. Rags of cloth and other equipment lay hidden on the ground, only visible when one takes a moment to notice.

Before long, they arrived to the site. Just as Ragosh had described, a pond whose waters looked as it had been stained with blood. The shining rocks he mentioned appeared to be crimson crystals. They had a warm glow to them, as if alive.

Upon laying eyes on the site, Mycelia rushed over to inspect. She examined the crystals and even dipped her hands into the water. She displayed a sense of excitement that almost seemed childish.

"My lady, these crystals have magic in them!" Mycelia said. Her eyes sparkled with exuberance.

"Really? I would have never guessed," Uriel said with a little sense of sarcasm.

"However, none of these crystals appear natural," Mycelia remarked, as she scooped a handful of the crimson water. "I suspect powerful sorcery to be the source of all this."

"I see…" Uriel replied. She did not understand the detail's significance. "So… how can these crystals help us?"

"These crystals enhance magical abilities," Mycelia grinned. "If I meditate with these crystals around me, I can focus my power and cast stronger and faster spells."

"We should leave now," Ragosh gulped. He anxiously turned his head both sides, as he hastily sniffed the air. "Something approaches us. Something big."

"Not that I think about it…," Mycelia said, looking around. "I also sense a powerful presence nearby. It's unlike anything I've felt in a while. Not as dangerous as some of the foes I've faced, but dangerous nonetheless."

"Then let's just get what we can and get-."

Suddenly, they heard the sound of a twig snapping. Large footsteps drew near. Uriel frowned and drew her sword. She scanned the area, while remaining still. Small breaths left her mouth, as her eyes shifted. Everything felt even more silent than it already was. Uriel's own heart twisted, as she began to feel a presence watch over them. Common sense told her to be on guard.

Then it appeared from behind the trees. A creature whose height even rivalled that of a metal golem. It had grey skin with the roughness of gravel and eyes that flared like brimstone. Pointed red hair grew on its back, while three small horns pointed out of its forehead. It wore three thick shackles: one on each wrist, and a third around its neck.

The giant creature gave the three a rather vicious look. Bloodl.u.s.t glistened in its eyes, as deep groan escaped from its mouth. Then with a deep breath, it gave a violent howl.

"T-that's the creature that I warned you about!" Ragosh stammered, as he raised his spear.

"An ogre!?" Uriel growled, as she readied her sword.

"A Bloodback Ogre," Mycelia sneered. "This thing is far more dangerous than whatever ogre you've encountered."

"Can you use your magic?" Uriel asked.

Mycelia did not reply or even look back. She simply frowned. Raising her hands, she placed her sights on the ogre and uttered a few word in her elven language. As soon as the words left her lips, bolts of lightning flew from her palms and struck the ogre directly on its c.h.e.s.t.

The Bloodback hollered, as its body jittered around. Static jolted all over the ogre's body, leaving a few burnt marks on its skin. The ogre g.r.o.a.n.e.d and stumbled, while smoke sizzled from parts of its body. Despite receiving the attack, the ogre did not fall just yet.

After a moment, the ogre shook its head and turned to the three. Then with a deep breath, it unleashed a mighty roar that made the forest tremble. Birds flew from the branches, as leaves rattled.

Ragosh jumped, as if he had just been stung. Swallowing his anxiety, her raised his spear and planted himself on the ground.

"I should have known that wouldn't be enough," Mycelia sighed.

"Please tell me you know more spells," Uriel said. She never thought she'd find herself saying such a thing.

"I know a series of spells," Mycelia replied, as she raised her hands to perform another one. "However-!"

Before she could continue, the ogre charged in. It raised its massive hands and attempted to squish the three of them like flies. It would have turned the three into a puddle of mush, if not for Mycelia, who created a shield of magic on top of them.

However, this did not stop the ogre. Clenching its hands into fists, the ogre began to viciously pound against the shield. It roared and howled, getting angrier with each attack. Before long, a few cracks started to appear around the shield.

"I can't keep this up for much longer!" Mycelia yelled.

"Ancestors damn it!" Ragosh cursed.

Leaving the safety of the shield, Ragosh ran towards the ogre's foot and hastily scaled the ogre. Upon reaching the top, Ragosh took his spear and jammed his spear into the creature's head. Unfortunately, the stone blade did not pierce through the ogre's thick skin. However, Ragosh did manage to get the ogre's attention.

Feeling the spear, the ogre reached out and grabbed the lizard. With one nasty glare, the ogre opened its mouth to chomp Ragosh's head off.

"Oh no you don't!" Uriel hissed.

Just as the ogre was about to sink its teeth into Ragosh's scales, Uriel charged right in. She swung her sword against the ogre's ankle. Unlike Ragosh's primitive spear, Uriel's sword cut in a bit deeper. Drops of blood gushed out of the ogre's ankle, causing the ogre to roar at the sky and release its captive from its grip.

"Are you okay?" Uriel asked. She took his arm and helped him back on his feet.

"I will be once we get out of here," Ragosh huffed, as he rubbed his head.

"My lady, lizard, move out of the way!" Mycelia yelled.

Heat suddenly consumed the air, while a ray of light faintly shined. Turning around, Uriel and Ragosh found Mycelia working another spell. With her arms extended to the side, she ignited three large spheres of fire over her head. They blazed like an inferno. Neither of them wasted a moment to ask questions or stare at awe. As soon as they had grasped the situation, they sprung away from the ogre's feet.

Mycelia thrust her arms forward. The balls of fire rushed towards the ogre. Upon making contact, the spheres exploded into embers, causing the ogre to tumble and howl in agony. A few hairs fell off while, parts of it skin fried. Despite this, the ogre remained on its two feet.

"Just what does it take to kill this beast?!" Uriel yelled.

"Bloodback Ogres are not like regular ogres," Mycelia snarled. "It will take a little more to bring this creature down."

"We should flee!" Ragosh whelped.

"I doubt we can outrun it," Uriel snarled, as she prepared another stance. "We stay and fight."

"Yes, my lady," Mycelia nodded, as she prepared for another spell.

With nowhere really left to run, the three attacked the ogre. The sound of their battle echoed throughout the forest. Uriel swung her sword and hacked away at the ogre's legs, causing it to stumble around. Ragosh lunged his spear, piercing whichever spot came into view. As for Mycelia, she unleashed whatever spells her strength had left to offer.

As clumsy and slow as the Bloodback was, it proved to be a beast that would not fall that easily. Despite being outnumbered and heavily injured, the ogre continued to flail and keep the trio on edge.

After what felt like several hours, the Bloodback gave weakened groan and then crashed on the ground. It landed face first, creating a massive thud that shook the earth around it. Blood slowly spilled from its many wounds and scar. Strips of its skin had been peeled off, revealing red pastes of flesh. Wisps of smoke lifted from its body, carrying a scent that closely resembled roasted steak.

The three stared at the fallen beast. Although they had won, not a single one could find the strength to celebrate. Only now did they begin to feel the strain of a prolonged battle.

"We did it," Ragosh panted on his knees.

"Just what kind of monster was this?!" Uriel asked, as she wheezed in a few breaths. "I had fought ogres before, but none were as persistent or resilient as this thing."

"As I mentioned, this is a Bloodback Ogre, my lady," Mycelia said, wiping her forehead with a handkerchief. "These creatures are much stronger than regular ogres. It is a miracle that we three managed to just defeat it by ourselves."

"Are there more like these?" Uriel asked Ragosh.

"I do not thinks so, Overlord," Ragosh answered, as he picked himself up with his spear. "As far as I know, I've only seen one."

"Putting that aside, we ought to get the other Ovoo to collect these crystals, as well as the water from this pond," Mycelia said. "It will be very useful to us."

Uriel nodded. "Go, get the others," she told Ragosh.

The Ovoo warrior took a moment to catch his breath. If his species could perspire, he would have filled an entire bucket with sweat. With one last gasp for air, the Ovoo bowed his head and returned to gather some of the clansmen.

Uriel then turned her attention back to Uriel. "Will these crystals and this water really increase your magic?" she asked.

"Not only mine, but yours as well, my lady," Mycelia said excitedly. "With the right kind of training and meditation, even you could cast something similar to my magic."

"Sounds tempting," Uriel said hastily to simply respond. "Perhaps I'll consider it."

"You should," Mycelia remarked. "I could teach you along with the others."

Uriel raised a brow and looked at the Dark-Elf with confusion. "Others?" she repeated. "What others?"

Mycelia cleared her throat. "It has come to my attention that some of the Ovoo have potential to use magic," she answered. "In time, I can teach them to conjure certain spells."