"The Brown hive was forcibly taken by a troll, the Red hive fell into a river, the Green hive was stolen by an unknown force and the Blue hive simply vanished into thin air… Glub," Mortis repeated.
"Yesssss, That'ssss what happened," Pickle says as his head and other bones snap back into the right position with sounds I never want to hear again, thanks to Zap's magic which never ceased to amaze me especially considering that it could bring back Pickle from the state he was in.
My reply to this sight of magical wonder was to lean against the wall, take a few gasping breaths and try to avoid looking at the puddle of sickness that used to be my breakfast at my feet. My gaze falls onto Gnarl, now bound with Blazes' chains, muffled rage emanating from him as he thrashed about in murderous fury. From what I gathered from Gnarl's ranting as he attempted to tear Pickle into bloody pieces and Mortis' clarifications was that these hives allowed an Overlord to spawn a Minion from even the lifeforce of beetles. With enough lifeforce, an Overlord could spawn thousands upon thousands of fully grown Minions all ready to obey their master's every whim. If someone like the Dread Lords got their hands on such artefacts, the devastation they could unleash with an ever-growing swarm of Minions…
"Hehehehe Burn! Buuuuuurn!" shouted the now free Blaze as he spat out some flaming gunk onto the solid and non-flammable black stone in an effort to burn it.
… I don't know if I should be more terrified of the possibility of an ever-growing swarm of Minions or simply the implications of an ever-growing swarm of Minions.
I take a deep breath and turn towards the Minions "l-let's g-go to the b-burrows, P-pickle can you l-lead the way?"
"Yessss, Mistressss." And with a flick of his tail, he scampers down the tunnel with the other Minions in close pursuit beyond the few that lingered around me, Ylva and the still bound Gnarl, who I could reasonably assume was throwing all manner of muffled curses at the other Minions. I spare a glance at Ylva, already exhausted by the Minions, and Ylva lay on her belly allowing me to climb onto the saddle and set off after them.
… After I reminded the lingering Minions to carry Gnarl.
We caught up to the Minions quickly enough and with Ylva's size she could easily keep pace with them, allowing me to take in the stone tunnel, large enough for even Ylva to comfortably walk down it and made of black stone, it was clearly meant to see much use despite the hidden nature of the connecting dock. Carved Minion heads jaws hanging open with the rare illuminating flame in their jaws, watched our path as we descended deeper and deeper into earth, passing through caverns that seemed to be of natural design and across bridges that spanned chasms that glowed an ominous orange and released a great heat from their depths. The air became hotter and more humid, necessitating the removal of layers of clothing that would have served me well on the frigid surface but here became a liability until I had only my shirt. Poor Ylva couldn't remove her fur so I could only imagine how she felt but the Minions…
They seemed to come alive in a way that they didn't on the surface…
It was then I noticed the chill or had I noticed it earlier and ignored it? It wasn't a relief from the heat but it was there like an icy wind flitting in and just as quickly out of my awareness the moment I paid attention to it. I could not tell if it was to push me away or draw me in and Ylva's growl informed me that she noticed it too.
"I-I know I c-can feel it t-too," I say to her as I scratch her behind the ears, "S-something a-about this p-place… it's like the lands of d-darkness but…"
"Mmmph, mmph mmmph!" was the still bound Gnarl's response to our conversation and with a heavy sigh, I waved my hand for the Minions carrying the old Minion to ungag Gnarl.
"Finally! Do you have any idea how irritating it is to watch you two gawk at such magnificent evil architecture and not be properly exposited at!" Gnarl snapped the moment his gag was removed. "Youth these days, so unappreciative of the noble art of exposition…"
"W-will you not try to a-attack the other M-minions?" I ask.
"Eh." was Gnarl's non-committal reply "But that is not important! Look at that magnificent Netherworld architecture! I had a hand in the design you know! A whole network of tunnels to strike at the heart of light where they least expect it!"
"B-but this place, it's like the land of d-darkness but…" I begin to say but struggle to find words.
"Ah, you and the guardian can sense that… That is the Netherworld itself reacting to your light magic and good natures, Bah! Anyway, look around you, that is Netherworld Rock, an extremely useful stone infused with the power of the netherworld and darkness itself! If not for the dormant state of the Netherworld you'd certainly be feeling a lot more than residual dark magic!"
"B-but what is it?"
Gnarl grins an evil grin. "Why the dark and mouldy infected bowels of this world! A place where raw magic, fire and ice water flow in equal abundance! where the physical laws are kicked out to the curb! Welcome Princess, TO THE NETHERWORLD!" And with that declaration, we stepped into a truly massive cavern and I gazed upon the Netherworld for the first time.
I must admit I could not help but feel awe as I beheld the cavern which seemed large enough to contain the capital in its entirety. That thought was helped by the city made of dark stone, tile and black iron that filled the cavern and climbed all the way to the ceiling. Yellow lights emanated from many of the building's windows, from both smouldering candles, torches and gleaming eyes that followed us as we proceeded down a cobbled street. I paid it no mind for I could not stop gaping at the more fantastical parts of this cavern, floating stones the size of houses or larger, some even had buildings built on them, whirled above our head as great waterfalls and rivers of water and liquid fire flowed from the ceiling, walls and flying stones (or up towards it in many cases to my astonishment). It was chaotic and I could feel the raw unfettered power of this place from the very bottom of my heart… I could not tell if it was my own heart or the Tower Heart I carried within that this feeling erupted from.
I did not know if there was a difference anymore.
My eyes then fell upon the heart of the cavern, a great lake of black water lay within it with an island of jagged black Netherworld rock in the very centre. A geyser of blue magical energy that shot up and out of a truly massive hole in the ceiling, crackled at the centre of this island.
If I strained my eyes I could see what appeared to be upside-down buildings protruding from the jagged shoreline of this building but I could not fathom… My eyes shoot towards the hole in the ceiling again, just making out the stream of water trickling down from it as I remember what Gnarl told me what felt like a lifetime ago.
"T-that island… Goddess how large was t-that tower!
"Ah, you see the remains of the once great Netherworld tower, after some Minion… Grubby… flooded the foundation, it fell and pierced one of the great leylines creating that geyser of raw magical energy you see before you. The very same geyser that bubbles up into Helfrost mountain!" Gnarl explains "We will need to take the Tower Heart into that geyser in order to rouse the Netherworld from its long slumber."
Ylva growls in response and while I could not understand her still the message to Gnarl was clear while I gulped in fear. With the Tower Heart inside me, I would have to step into that geyser of raw magic…
"Is t-there not a-another way?"
Gnarl scoffed. "Without a spell stone, we don't have nearly enough magical power to awaken the Netherworld and even then certainly not nearly enough magical power to reawaken the old portal network. No, with our enemies this numerous and powerful we need every advantage we can get and only the Tower Heart has the necessary power to do that!"
I was afraid of that, so with a sigh, I said, "Alright, I-I'll do it."
Ylva whined but I stroked her fur. "It's a-alright, e-everything will be okay," I said, more to myself I must admit.
"You can save the standard heroic reassurances for later, now we need to address the Minions! My word there is certainly a lot of them here." Gnarl said as our band reaches what looks like a town square, a large black stone statue of an armoured figure with a spiked crown-like helm and burning eyes gazed silently but menacingly at us as hundreds upon hundreds of Minions filed into the square, Reds, Greens, Browns and even a smattering of Blues until the square was filled and we were surrounded by the gibbering imps.
I gulped as nervousness overtook me as Gnarl spoke again "Hrrrrmmm, it seems that the Hives were lost fairly quickly if so many Minions returned to the Burrows, usually, they stupid themselves to death to only a few after they wander off with their hives, doesn't explain all the Browns though… Well, no point looking a rotten gift in the pustle, these Minions need to be brought up to speed which I will so graciously do IF YOU UNTIE ME!"
*******
"So to sum up because I know you maggot brains weren't paying attention."
"I was-Ack!"
"No, you weren't you useless bag of pus! Now shut it before I throw something sharper! Ahem, anyway: This is Princess Elenaril Armathain, She's heir to the Empire of Light and also the Chosen of the Mother Goddess. Both Empires are in control of the Sentinels and they're trying to kill the Princess. So due to a series of events I won't bother to repeat, if we want to be rid of the Sentinels and get the Empires under proper management we're stuck working with the Princess to
save… Urgh, her grandfather, the Elf King. Also, she has the gauntlet and absorbed the Tower Heart." Gnarl sums up… poorly as I had my head in both my hands. Why, Mother Goddess, why did I let him explain!
The Minions for their part just stared blankly at us (or multiple directions) for a few moments until one Minion in the back said "Wait… She Hero!?" and they all started bickering amongst themselves and pulling out weapons to use on each other.
The mere fact I am not surprised by this terrifies me more than anything else.
I feel a tugging on my cloak and I lift my head from my hands to see a Brown Minion who had climbed onto Ylva excitedly jumping up and down in excitement, my cloak in its claws "Mistress! Mistress! Let me stop them fighting! Accept Mistress as true Overlord!"
I had spent enough time amongst the Minions to be… hesitant of entrusting them with anything but the simplest of tasks. For the briefest moments I thought if I could just appeal to the Minion's better nature, tell them about all the pain and suffering that the Sentinels are causing, the goodness of my grandfather and how without their help I could not stop any of this. Confidence welled inside me and I was certain that any being with a hint of goodness inside them could be convinced to aid me in this quest.
Then I remembered that these were Minions.
So with a slump of defeat and a lack of ideas I waved at the Minion that they could do whatever it was that they planned to do which it did with an Enthusiastic. "Yaaaaay!"
It strode up onto Ylva's head and bellowed. "OI! EVERYONE SHADDUP!"
The other Minions actually pause in their fight to look at the Minion on Ylva's head to my surprise, with their attention gained the Minion pointed at me and shouted "Princess is Mistress and Mistress is new Overlord! You know why!"
There was a dramatic pause, every Minion leaned forward and even I admit I leaned forward, wondering what the Minion could be planning to say. What they thought could convince these creatures to accept me.
And a moment later I got my answer…
"Because Mistress has huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge…" It trailed off while miming two very large round objects on its chest while wiggling its brow. Even for me, it was obvious what they were referring to.
There was silence for a second after that, broken only by a choking sound of disbelief from my hanging jaw.
That's… That is its speech!? Just stating my… that my… They weren't even that… Well no, even among the court they were… No one had… They just kept… and they gave me a lot problems with my shoulders especially with Gnarl's training… and the dressmakers were often flustered by their… WHAT AM I EVEN THINKING ABOUT!?! THIS WAS INCREDIBLY INAPPROPRIATE! WHY BY THE GODDESS WOULD…
Why are they clapping?
Indeed a few Minions had started clapping, more joining in every second before it became a roaring cacophony of clapping and cheering. Many Minions were openly weeping, even Gnarl was wiping tears from his eyes with a dirty handkerchief saying "Such a beautiful speech about such beautiful things! Oh, I am actually getting teary-eyed, I didn't even know that was possible..."
The Minion on Ylva's head turns to face me with a bring grin on its lizardly face "See Mistress! They accept you as Overlord… Lady… Boss! Didn't even have to bring up your bu… Mistress?"
I had progressed to tea kettle as I buried my face back into my hands as Ylva gave out a confused whine. "T-t-t-this is all so i-i-incredibly i-i-inappropriate! T-t-that is not w-what you s-say in f-front of…" I couldn't even finish that sentence, were these creatures ever taught any form of civility!?
"Just like the blushing elf maiden to turn into an overripe tomato at the slightest provocation." Gnarl sneered as he wandered over to Ylva's annoyed huff "Hah! You think one beautiful speech about two divine objects could change the mind of Gnarl, Minion Master! Hah! I am slightly resistant to it!"
"P-please. S-stop. T-t-talking." I say through my hands.
The other Minions ignored my embarrassment and chanted "HAIL NEW MISTRESS! HAIL! HAIL! HAIL! HAAAAAAAAIL!"
*****
My eyes were screwed shut and my face was burning as we wandered towards the shore of the underground lake with a literal army of Minions trailing behind us, gibbering as they always did and then there was Gnarl…
"Honestly, I shouldn't be surprised you're still a tomato. Hero Princesses always overact to things, why this isn't even the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you in the short time that we've know each other has it…"
My face gets even hotter as I remember what he was referring to and Ylva lets loose a low growl.
Gnarl just scoffs from his position in front of me. "What, I am just enjoying reminiscing on an extremely fond memory from the time we first met. It's not my fault she's the stereotypical easily embarrassed princess!"
"J-j-just t-tell me m-more about the t-tower a-and the geyser!" I yell out, desperate to change the subject to something less humiliating.
I can hear the grin from Gnarl. "Ah, that is a tale that is near and dear to me as it is not every day that you bring down an entire Empire! This, my dear princess, was the lair of the demon lord of Nordberg as the locals called him, he who brought about the end of the Glorious Empire!" I knew very little about the fall of the Glorious Empire as it played little part in my education but I did remember from stories that a barbarian army was the supposed downfall of that Empire, it was still hard to believe that army could have been an Overlord and his Minions or rather I did not want to believe. What Gnarl said next though truly shocked me. "Ah, I remember those days, so much screaming! So much chaos! And the Mistresses! Mistress Kelda, Mistress *sigh* Juno… Oh and Mistress Fay."
My eyes shoot open at that, previous embarrassment vanishing in favour of shock "M-mistress Fay!?" I exclaim at Gnarl, there is no way… The names are the same but they could not be the same…
Gnarl's face was locked into an evil smirk "Oh you're aware of the former fairy queen Fay, I guess I shouldn't be surprised, the Elves still love praising her after all these years and you did have a fairy queen for a mother and grandmother! Pity those stories leave out her becoming an Overlord's mistress!"
I shake my head in disbelief "N-no… M-mother said s-she died in a g-great b-battle with a B-barbarian king w-wielding d-dark magic." I remember the stories mother told me, of how great, wise, beautiful and powerful she was, and how she stood against the unchecked expansion of the Glorious Empire. Queen Fay was a figure of myth who I could scarcely believe was even real with how she was described and Gnarl claims she served an Overlord? Someone who I heard my mother and grandmother compared to was in the service of evil?!
Gnarl's smirk just got even wider "Good always has trouble facing the dark reality of things and they have the gall to accuse us of manipulating the truth! But that dark truth will have to wait for now we arrive at the docks and soon the geyser..."
I look up past him and saw that he was right, we were at a fairly substantial dock of black stone that rivalled the ones on the surface but the only vessel moored was…
"Okay, I admit I'm disappointed too," Gnarl says as we both eye the crudely constructed raft tied to the dock, made of rotting wood and barrels. I couldn't tell how it was even floating, much less how it would support our weight. "Floom, what in the abyss happened to the ships!"
"They sunk glub," replied a blue Minion who scurried up.
Gnarl placed his face in his claw "Why am I even… Alright, Minions! Pile on! We need to get to that island!" And a mixture of different coloured Minions immediately clambered on or jumped into the water (who immediately began flailing uncontrollably and had to be fished out by some blues).
Ylva gave off a whine as she eyed the raft as I slid off of her with Gnarl, who I ask, "H-how will Ylva f-follow us, t-that raft w-would never support her."
"She can swim! I'm not waiting to build a new boat for her! We wasted enough time as it is."
Ylva eyed the dark water with even more apprehension than when she looked at the raft.
I sigh and stroke Ylva's snout "Y-you can stay here, I'll be right back, I p-promise" I say with a smile, mainly to assuage my own fears. I don't know what will happen to me when I step into that geyser but if there was another way to reactivate the Netherworld, Gnarl would likely not share it. I shouldn't even be trusting him with this either but we had no other alternative…
"Well, are you getting on the raft or not?" Gnarl yells from within a crowd of minions on the raft and with another heavy sigh, I step on the crowded raft, trying desperately to not accidentally push a Minion off.
Multiple blues swarmed into the water and began pushing the raft towards the island, I watched the Minions who could not fit on the raft cheer us on as we began our trek, I could even make out Mortis, Grubby and even Giblet in the crowd of Minions. Poor Ylva was pacing back and forth on the dock looking increasingly worried as we were pushed further and further away from her, it hurt my heart to see her so worried.
"Oh can you stop with the wistful looks at that bloody overgrown wolf, you'll be (unfortunately) fine. That geyser, while a significant source of magical energy, will just be absorbed by the Tower Heart leaving you no worse for wear." Gnarl admonishes and I give him a look in return "Oh don't give me that look, like I'm daft enough to risk the Tower Heart and the Chosen of the Mother Goddess over just powering up the Netherworld, especially with that Guardian prowling around! I'm evil, not stupid, Princess!"
"And she Overlord!" A brown helpfully adds to which Gnarl rolls his eyes.
"S-so you say," I say darkly, I still did not trust this imp.
Gnarl picked up on it "Still do not trust me? Because I am not worshipping your goody hero princessness?" He sneers but soon gains a thoughtful and strangely yearning expression and says with an air of longing "Worshipping those divine and bouncy features on the other hand… and those long slender… oh and that wonderful sway with that… hehehehe, Oh by evil there is nothing that isn't utterly divine..." Gnarl disappears into his own world as I glare at him with disgust while the other Minions just scratch their skulls in confusion. I don't know what in his sick mind is so suddenly happy about and I don't wish to know.
I look back out towards the shoreline as we drew ever closer to the island, not wishing to stare at it or the geyser. I could still make out the Minions on the shoreline but instead of waiting in the big crowd like they were in, the Minions were suddenly moving as if in a panic. I could see Giblet and Grubby directing the Minions from a rooftop and groups of Minions carrying all manner of equipment, I could not see Quaver, Blaze, Zap and Stench but I did spy Mortis seemingly frantically shouting at Ylva who began barking frantically at us.
Even at our distance, I could make out the word "Snakey!" but I could not understand why that would send them into a panic.
… At least until I saw the water behind us swell and recede directly behind us.
"GNARL!" I shout with sudden panic and realisation. "SOMETHING'S IN THE WATER!"
"Eh, what?" Gnarl says as he blinks out of his stupor "Oh we're almost at the ruins of the-"
And then we were in the air.
My vision rapidly shifted between floor and ceiling for at least eight times before I landed, hard, on black stone tiles that was followed swiftly by the pained cries of the accompanying Minions landing around me.
"Urrrgh, WHAT IN THE ABYSS WAS THAT!" Gnarl shouts as he picks himself up from being thrown into a collapsed pillar.
"Snakey!" groaned the Minions around us. "Guards old tower, kill whatever go near… oh."
"Snakey?!" Gnarl and myself both shout at the same time before staring back at the lake, just to see the man-sized spines of some colossal creature poke out of the water for a moment.
"A colossal sea serpent…" Gnarl hissed in obvious fear, his scales somehow paling. "A corrupted colossal sea serpent!"
"T-t-those m-monsters t-that eat ships w-whole?" I practically shriek, even with my limited knowledge of the world I heard of the great sea serpents, practically every story I've read and myth I heard about the ocean mentioned them! The admirals would boast about their encounters with such creatures or speak in fearful tones about how they crushed ships, even the elves that visited us who had sailed the seas had stories of such beasts.
Whatever tale they told, whatever legend I heard of battle and triumph against those legendary beasts, they all spoke in dread of the colossal sea serpents, the largest and most mythical of the great sea serpents for few ever survived an encounter with them and the ones that could claim to have slain such a beast could be counted on one hand throughout all of history.
"WHY IS IT HERE?!?" Me and Gnarl both shouted at the Minions.
A brown points to the ceiling. "Came in big ceiling hole one day, sunk boats and stay by island ever since."
"It must have found a tunnel into the Netherworld, having been drawn by the geyser, absorbing the magic from it and the corruption of the Netherworld to make itself stronger!" Gnarl states in horror "I will murder Grubby for this!"
"S-STRONGER!?" I shout before whirling at the Minions "WHY DIDN'T YOU MENTION THIS!"
"Didn't ask," was their response.
"We're going to die because of morons," Gnarl states flatly as I see another flash of spines in the water.
In a panic I quickly scanned the island for some hiding place, seeing plenty of rubble and what appeared to be ruined buildings to hide behind but the size of that beast… Would it even be enough?
One wall next to me looked sturdy, at least until a massive wooden bolt whizzed past me and shattered it, causing me to eep in fear.
"YOU MORONS ALMOST HIT US!" Gnarl yells at the shoreline where I could see what looked like ballistae and catapults on roofs and docks. I am genuinely surprised at how quickly they erected those though… looking at the bolt, their aim could use some… Wait!
I can see the bolt sticking from the shattered remnants of the wall, tied to it was my sword! In a single bound, I leapt to the bolt and pulled my sword free from the ropes tying it! I had a weapon now! A great big Snaga sword!
A great big…
A hot wind blows on my back.
I slowly turn to face the source and I experience terror like nothing I ever experienced before.
Two great big slitted yellow glowing eyes that Ylva could stand on stared down at us on a serpentine face that would haunt my nightmares. Colossal was right, it's slightly ajar mouth could swallow even the largest ships I had seen or at least bite them in half! In its maw, fangs the size of buildings dripped yellow venom, a forked tongue flicked in and out and spikes lined its jaw. A great crest of fins was arranged like a crown on its head as jagged, haphazard spines of varying size ran down it's entire body into the water, sometimes in random clusters. Its great scales were black tinged with green, broken only by the odd scar or blue veins or pustules that pulsed with malevolent energy.
Its eyes narrowed in delight at seeing our terror and I was filled with horrific revelation, this serpent was not some beast guarding its territory but one that was possessed by a cruelty I shudder to consider the depths of.
Its titanic head slowly crept forward, intent on enjoying every bit of our terror. Several of us lost control of bodily functions as we stared into its cruel eyes, inching ever closer, the serpent's delight growing more and more palpable with each passing second.
Eyes that quickly turned to rage as a boulder came out of nowhere and struck it solidly on the crest, for no damage but enough for its head to snap towards the offending direction and open its massive jaws fully. A great jet of water erupted forth from its maw and I could hear the smashing rending sounds of buildings being torn to pieces and the screams of Minions.
I don't know what insanity took hold of me in that brief second. Its attention was diverted but in a flash of utter madness, I suddenly raised my gauntleted hand and let free a bolt of lightning.
There was a crack of thunder, an incomprehensibly loud shriek and like always I was thrown back by the ferocity of the blast with enough force that the jagged rocks of the island would have torn my back apart if not for my cloak as I skidded across the ground, sword still in hand. I still had to bite back the pain as it still really hurt to go over that even with the cloak.
My ears were ringing as I shakily stood to my feet to see the great serpent convulsing as bolts of lightning travelled across its entire body before suddenly diving back down into the water. A great wave of water was the result of this and in a heartbeat, I was knocked back to the ground and soaked but the beast was nowhere to be seen.
As I tried to raise myself again, I felt a claw grab my shoulder and shake it. Gnarl was shaking me and yelling something but I could not make out what it was over the ringing.
With my hand to my head and some healing magic I could hear him yell "-tning! It's weak to Tower Heart lightning!"
"Wuh?" I say groggily, still dazed from what had just occurred.
Gnarl grabbed both my shoulders and yelled "You can kill it!"
I just stared at Gnarl in disbelief and a loud snort drew both of our attention to the water, where two yellow eyes, now filled with murderous hate, stared back but not moving to attack just yet. In an instant, I knew why.
This beast had devoured and tormented hundreds, possibly thousands of beings before today, ever confident that nothing could harm it leaving it free to do whatever dark deed it wanted and with its unimaginable power it could do a great deal many dark deeds. The delight in its eyes as it beheld our terror left no doubt what it was: A monster who preyed on those weaker than itself for its own amusement rather than survival.
But now it faced something that can fight back and it hated that.
My right hand gripped the hilt of the Snaga sword tighter while my left gauntleted hand crackled with energy as I slowly brought myself to my feet, eyes never leaving the massive eyes of the serpent. Gnarl's words were echoing in my head as I stared the evil murderous beast down, my heart filling with a courage I had felt only rarely in my life, the same courage that enabled me to confront Zelris, take the gauntlet and garner the will to try and save my Grandfather. A gong sound echoed from the gauntlet and I could hear the Minions, browns, greens, reds and blues taking position behind me, snarling challenges to the Serpent, all fear gone.
I stood to my full height staring it down, my own glowing blue eyes daring it to make the first move.
It chose to sink back into the water, eyes narrowing in utter hate as it slipped into darkness but in turn revealing the powerful creature's cowardice at facing me of all beings.
And like that, all fear in my heart was burned away by a great fire of courage and as my left hand balled into a fist, energy crackling with a new intensity I shouted with a confidence I never before possessed:
"Minions! To battle!"
And we're back with our first boss battle! Will Elenaril defeat the overgrown sea snake and claim the Netherworld? Find out next time on Overlord: Minions and Magic!
As always, thanks to @MysticKnightJoe for editing
Please comment, discuss and criticize as it is super appreciated.
