MEMORIES OF AN OVERLORD
by Victar (vctr113062 [at] aol [dot] com)
Victar's Archive: https://www.vicfanfic.com
"All I wanted were two things: 'block out the pain', and 'don't hurt anyone'.
"That's not enough anymore. Even if it means I don't get to block out the pain."
Chapter Twenty-five
Memories of a Savior: Desires of a Savior
%IF THE SAVIOR DOES NOT CONFRONT ORZAND TOMORROW, A CITY WILL DIE THAT NIGHT. EVERY NIGHT THEREAFTER, ANOTHER CITY WILL DIE.%
On the morning of the second to last day in the life of Kreisia's most unlikely Savior, he learned that monsters across the land were spreading terror by repeating the same, sinister message to any who would listen. With a sick feeling in his stomach, he realized that he and his companions had failed to find an alternative to Kreisia's merciless cycle.
If only we had more time-! Yusis thought, bitterly.
There had been precious little time to begin with. Yusis and his friends had spent several days using the Holy Brand Aldea's power of teleportation to travel the world, speak with people, and search for any possible clues. Their efforts had yielded little, other than a handful of legends that had been handed down for generations.
Aldea had informed them of where the Overlord's castle was, and warned them that the Overlord's growing power would force them to act soon. They had worried that delaying for too long could provoke the Overlord into sending a miasma flood or a monster siege. Yet they also knew what the cycle's grim history indicated for the future. The cycle most likely would not destroy all life in its next turn, or the turn after that, but should it continue unchanged...
At least Cedric will have ten more years to look for a better way. But he's been doing research for twenty years, and all he could come up with was...
Yusis consciously resisted the impulse to reach into his pocket for Cedric's gift, a miasma-resistant crystal that functioned as a sound recorder.
Yusis took a deep breath. He tried to hide his rising inner turmoil, as he addressed his companions in the Royal Castle.
"Everyone, it looks like we have to do this. I wanted to find a better way, but..."
Yusis closed his eyes and shook his head. "So, yeah, here's the deal. We won't teleport directly to the Overlord's castle; I don't want to risk an ambush. We'll use the airship to get there. I've talked to the lead Royal Artificer; he says the airship can make the trip in a couple hours, with a four-person crew. Cynthia, Anemos - I'll need you to help me channel Aldea's power, to protect all of us and the crew from miasma poisoning. Aldea doesn't think I'll have enough strength to teleport the crew out after the airship lands; they'll need a teleportation bead. Laminah, you still have some, right?"
Before Laminah could answer, Anemos calmly said, "Allow me to give them one of mine."
Laminah inclined her head in a slight nod to the bard. "I thank you for your generous provision. My beads shall be returned to the Royal Treasury."
Yusis' gaze drifted to the ground. "Okay. Tomorrow, we need to get an early morning start, to make sure we reach the Overlord well before night falls. We'll take the airship to his castle, and... we'll do it."
Cynthia reached for Yusis' hands and held them in her own. He looked back up, with a slightly startled expression.
"We're going to do more than just continue the cycle," the priestess whispered, giving his hands a light squeeze. "We'll find a way. Because you're with us."
"Yeah, well, that's tomorrow," he sighed, as she let go of his hands. "Today, we should all split up and do, uh, anything that needs doing. See anyone we want to see, family, friends, stuff like that. Cynthia, you... might want to visit your parents and your village? Laminah, I know you have people close to you here, in the Royal Capital. Anemos, do you want a teleport to Ascendance City?"
"I settled my affairs in Ascendance City when we researched legends about Yumarac," the bard gently replied. "I have bequeathed my share of our travel funds to an associate there; in exchange, he graciously agreed to preserve and distribute the songs I have composed. I will remain in the Royal Capital, today."
"I'm going to hang out in the Royal Castle because, uh, reasons. I... I'll donate my share of our travel funds to the Royal Treasury; that's one reason. And I wanted to ask all of you, as a favor..."
Fluttering unease crept into Yusis' throat, threatening to destabilize his voice. He swallowed hard, pushing the unsteadiness back. "Could we get together after dark, and make camp at a traveler's stop one last time? I know I'm being selfish-"
Laminah interrupted, "No, you are not 'being selfish'. You are doubting yourself. I look forward to tonight's camp."
"As do I," Anemos agreed, smiling at him.
Cynthia hugged Yusis.
"Too tight," he gasped. He turned his face away and kept his arms by his sides.
I still wish I could bring myself to hug you back.
"Are you sure you don't want to come to my village, Yusis? Or see my parents again?" Cynthia trilled, easing the pressure of her hug.
"Cynthia, I..."
What would I say to them? 'Hey, remember me? The Savior your beloved daughter summoned? I'm going to be her undead Overlord and send her back to kill you in ten years! Unless you destroy her first? That's what she's counting on.'
"I understand," she affirmed, releasing him. "I'll use the airship to visit my village and return."
"The airship is fast, but you'd still lose time traveling. Time is precious, right now. I'll teleport us to your village's entrance and come back to pick you up after the sun sets, okay?"
After Yusis drew upon the Holy Brand Aldea's power to transport Cynthia to her village, he teleported back to the Royal Castle, awkwardly sheathed the Holy Brand, and raced to catch up with Laminah before the warrior could depart the premises.
Laminah raised a white eyebrow. "You did not need to sprint."
"I just wanted to ask you for something," he replied, panting a little. "Away from the others, that is."
You truly are capable of moving fast, Savior, she silently observed. Your warrior training has drawn out your natural talent.
Laminah pointed out, "You could have asked the Holy Brand to communicate your request."
"Huh?" Yusis glanced at the sentient weapon in the sheath on his hip. "Oh, yeah. I guess I could have done that."
"What do you desire?"
"I have to think about a lot of stuff today. That's the real reason why I'm staying in the Royal Castle. It's a good place to..."
He trailed off, then took a deep breath and asked, "After the others go to sleep tonight, could I talk to you for a while? Just the two of us. So you can help me sort through anything I come up with. Okay?"
"As you wish."
"Thanks, Laminah." Yusis did not run as he departed, but his pace was moderately swift.
Laminah proceeded through the Royal Castle's front gate, paying no heed to the Varg Royal Guard and Lunarl Royal Mage who steadfastly avoided eye contact with her, and set out to visit her family.
When Laminah arrived at the Royal Capital's best-known supply shop, her uncle Lamton and her mother Lamtia were both present. Lamton temporarily closed the shop, so that he could speak privately with his niece.
There was no change in Lamtia. She remained as she had been ever since the horrifying day ten years ago, when she lost her husband to the curse of the miasma. She swayed back and forth in a rocking chair, tenderly petting a small, heavily worn stuffed animal that she held close.
"What do you mean, this is the last time you will see me?" the older woman grumbled, turning her face away. "You will come back. You always do."
"Not for ten years," Laminah quietly replied. "When I do come back, I will not see you. Uncle will ensure that I do not."
"Fine. I do not care. Go away," Lamtia muttered, tightly clutching her toy.
Lamton was as stern and dour as always. He listened intently while Laminah summarized her journey with the Savior.
"I am grateful that you have taken care of my mother for all this time," Laminah concluded. "And that you will continue to do so. I cannot truly express how much that means to me. There is one more thing I would ask of you."
Laminah produced a recently cleaned, neatly folded undershirt, a handful of rainbow-colored beads, and a quantity of Kreisian currency. "This is the Royal Treasury's greatest ward against Altean chants. These teleportation beads are also from the Treasury. Please return them for me, and use my share of the Savior's travel funds in whatever manner will best serve you and my mother."
Lamton accepted the bestowal with a firm nod. "I may use these funds to test my limits again, and create another weapon as powerful as the halberd I made for you."
"Is this truly sufficient to pay for the materials?"
"Not by itself, but I intended to accept a great financial loss when I forged a weapon for the Savior. The Priestess of Salvation devised a plan to transform great loss into great profit. I can now afford what was beyond my reach."
"I could leave my halberd and armor with you, as well."
"No. You must use them to vanquish Orzand."
"If history repeats itself, then both armaments will be destroyed when I become a Lesser Seal."
"If Orzand is not vanquished, then history will not repeat; it will end."
"That is true."
Lamton regarded the chant ward and the teleportation beads. "These are too valuable to hold overnight. I must return them to the Royal Treasury before sundown."
"I will also depart before sundown. The Savior should not be kept waiting."
"Have you bid Cedric farewell?"
"That would not do either of us any good. I need to focus upon the war against Orzand, and he needs to focus upon preparing for the next cycle."
"This should not be your burden," sighed the older Varg, shaking his head. "I should be the one sacrificing my life and more, not you."
"Uncle, I need you to look after my mother. Ten years from now, I need you to look after both my mother and the Royal Capital, when I return."
"I have always been better at business than battles. I am more skilled at making weapons than using them."
"You have not neglected your combat ability. I have faith in you, and in the Royal Guards. You will work with them to stop me."
"Perhaps, but perhaps not in the way you are thinking. I am going into politics."
"This is a surprise."
"Cedric says he sees potential in me. I have had success negotiating with merchants and trade guilds, and he seems to think that can translate into deal-making on a broader scale."
"If my king says you have the ability, then you do."
"We will find out. I expect Cedric will need someone level-headed to support him, in the years to come." Lamton's voice dropped to a low tone. "You are breaking his heart."
"The cycle breaks many hearts."
"Yes. It does."
"I will attempt to keep my own mind, as a Lesser Seal."
"Has such a thing ever happened before?"
"There is no known record of it happening. I do not care. If it can be done, then it could change the course of the war against Orzand."
"If any warrior can do such a thing, it will be you, but I will not trust you when you return."
"I would expect no less from you."
After saying her farewells to the friends and neighbors she had grown up with, Cynthia visited her adoptive parents, Siwell and Oreanna. She hugged each of them tightly, and gave them her share of the Savior's travel funds.
Cynthia and her parents shared a special meal together. She told them all about her adventures with the Savior, and that her suppressed memories had returned.
"It feels so good to call you Mom and Dad, even if it's only for one day," she trilled.
Siwell and Oreanna did their best to make her feel at home, but a gulf of emotional distance remained. It affected how they acted and spoke to one another, even how they looked at one another.
I spent most of my life in an illusion that disguised who my parents really were, Cynthia reflected. Even though I know the truth now, the effects of that can't vanish in a day.
It doesn't matter. I love them, and they love me. That's what really matters.
Shortly before sunset, Cynthia said farewell to her adoptive parents, and paid a final visit to the gravestone honoring her birth parents.
"Hello, Mom and Dad.
"So much has happened. I don't have a lot of time to talk right now; Yusis will come to pick me up soon.
"That's okay though, isn't it? I don't have to be here when I talk to you. I can talk to you from anywhere.
"We're all going to stop Overlord Clize Orzand and bring ten years of peace. Clize deserves peace, too. Do you know, he saved King Cedric Welkin's life? I didn't know that, until a short time ago. If Clize hadn't saved Cedric, if Cedric hadn't rallied everyone to work together, then I'm not sure anyone would have survived long enough for me to summon Yusis.
"After we stop Overlord Clize...
"I used to think I didn't have to worry about anything, after that. I'd become a Lesser Seal, and my second parents would destroy me before I hurt anyone, and that would be the end.
"That's not how I feel anymore.
"We all want to end Kreisia's awful cycle. Yusis doesn't like talking about it, but I know he wants to keep his own mind, as the next Overlord. I saw Cedric give him a crystal that records sound, to help him stay himself.
"I'm going to try staying myself, too.
"I won't have a crystal. Cedric said the Royal Mages could make only one of those. They'll spend years making another for the next Savior, during the time of peace. I guess it takes a lot of magic to create a nearly indestructible sound recorder with unlimited use?
"I couldn't listen to a crystal anyway. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be in a crystal for ten years.
"I'll still try to keep my own mind. I'll think of you, I'll think of my second parents, and I'll think of Yusis.
"I think I might love him.
"I'm not sure. I've never felt this way about someone before, and he can't... he can't act on his feelings for me. He says it hurts. I understand.
"So, I haven't said the word 'love' to him, not in that way. I haven't, and I won't. I don't want to hurt him more.
"It will be our secret, Mom and Dad."
In the early afternoon of his life's penultimate day, Kreisia's most unlikely Savior demanded, "Anemos, what are you doing!?"
The bard showed a wry smile. "When I offered to remove my modifications to your 'Savior gift', I believe your response was a denial, with the questionable justification of 'works fine as is'."
"Uh, the improved swordfighting ability really does help a lot. I don't want to risk becoming weaker when we're about to battle the Overlord. So, what are you doing!?"
"I am using the chant to summon you. Intentionally, this time."
"Quit it! It feels weird."
"As you wish. I wondered whether you would choose to answer, or not."
"What do you mean by 'intentionally', anyway? The only times you've summoned me were the night we first met, and now."
"Is that truly so?"
"Yeah. I'd remember that weird feeling for sure."
"Did you simply enjoy my music that much?"
"Yeah. Still do."
"Would you like to hear more? That is why I summoned you. The Holy Brand prefers that I not call out to it, barring an emergency situation. I could have tried to intercept you personally, but you have been briskly roaming all about the Royal Castle, and as you mentioned earlier, time is precious. I look forward to spending the afternoon with a certain person, who plans to meet me here."
"Yeah, okay. Yeah, I'd like to listen to your music, if you've got time to play it. Thanks. You don't mind if I keep pacing back and forth? I think better when I'm moving."
"It is an honor to play for you. I would humbly offer the best of my repertoire, so that you may determine whether there is a song worthy of being recorded on your crystal."
Anemos played the nocturne that had enraptured the off-worlder on previous occasions.
"That one really is beautiful," Yusis wistfully remarked, "but it feels like a lullaby. That's not what I want for the crystal."
"Is it a little too quiescent?"
"Yeah. I want to keep my own mind as the Overlord, not put my mind to sleep."
"I cannot dispute that rationale."
Anemos continued to play a selection of songs. Yusis did not speak for some time; he paced back and forth with his eyes half-closed, listening to each.
Eventually he opened his eyes and said, "Hey, Anemos. What about that song you were working on? Did you ever finish it?"
"Ah, I suppose I have, essentially. It is not as polished as the others."
"Could you play it now?"
"As you wish."
Yusis listened to the somber music.
"Yeah. That one," Yusis affirmed with a nod. "Let's put that one on the crystal. It feels right."
I never told you the song is a threnody, did I? the bard contemplated. Perhaps there is no need to mention that now, but there is one thing I should say.
"I never would have completed this song, save for you," Anemos reflected. "I could not put my heart into it until after my people's liberation from 'Lesser Overlord' Begiad Laatsch."
Yusis' expression darkened. "I don't like that Begiad is still out there."
"He is an undead monster now. No living person will choose to support him."
"I still don't like it."
"Many do not like it, but none have been able to find him. Perhaps the Overlord will summon him into battle against us?"
"I have a feeling that won't happen. It would be too convenient."
"Your intuition may be correct, or not. Laminah and I have discussed both possibilities. She conferred with the Holy Brand, and concluded that her heirloom chant ward should be returned to the Royal Treasury. Another warrior may need the ward; we will not, since the Holy Brand is immune to Altean chants. The Holy Brand has declared that it will 'neutralize' Begiad, should he appear."
"Good to know, I guess."
"I shall bolster our resistance to harmful chants tomorrow, as well."
"Yeah, you should do that for yourself and the others. I don't want you to increase my resistance, though; it would mess with my 'Savior gift'. Maybe I should give up my float gossamers again."
"I expect that will not be necessary, this time. The Holy Brand has assured us that it can prevent you from causing any harm. It is capable of immobilizing the Savior in a state of complete paralysis, far more severe than that of an ordinary binding spell; float gossamers cannot dispel the effect."
"Wait, what?"
"Ah, has the Holy Brand not told you about this?"
"It hardly talks to me anymore. Which is fine. Better than fine."
"Then I should mention that the Holy Brand's ability is ineffective against the undead. You cannot invoke it against Begiad or the Overlord."
"Seriously?"
"Yes. The Holy Brand can restrain an undead monster with an ordinary binding spell, if the monster is neither too large nor warded against bindings, but the ability to induce complete paralysis can only be enacted upon the living."
"Why does Aldea have such a weird power, anyway?"
"Yumarac's teachings say that the Holy Brand's paralysis suspends the Savior's vital functions, including breathing and blood circulation, while holy magic forcibly keeps the Savior alive. This can preserve the Savior's life in the event of calamities such as suffocation or extreme blood loss. Legends recount a scant few instances when the Holy Brand has immobilized the Savior during the course of his journey; however, it is also written that-"
"Wait," Yusis interrupted, shaking his head and briefly holding one hand palm out. "That's enough. More than I want to know; my fault for asking."
"I understand that this is not an especially pleasant topic."
"No kidding. Binding spells are weird and creepy."
"Yusis, are you quite certain I should not tell you the rest?"
"Yeah. I don't want to think about this anymore."
"The knowledge could help you prepare for tomorrow."
"What do you think I've been trying to do, ever since I decided I'm not going to run away? If it can't be used to break the cycle then it's not worth thinking about."
"Duly noted." It is also written that the Holy Brand will immobilize the Savior during his final sacrifice. No explanation is given for why. Perhaps it is to facilitate the Savior's transformation into the Greater Seal.
"Aldea won't do anything weird to me unless it absolutely has to, anyway," Yusis sighed. "It doesn't hate me that much."
*The first statement is true. The second is conditional. I will hate you as much as needed.* The Holy Brand's scornful reproach manifested harshly in both of their minds.
Anemos raised a light green eyebrow.
The off-worlder let out his breath in an exasperated huff. "Don't even ask. Just don't."
"As you wish."
Yusis glanced disdainfully at the Holy Brand, in the sheath on his hip. "You should have done your weird binding thing to Begiad, instead of letting him get away."
*Savior, that was not possible. The bard speaks of an ability that costs an enormous amount of power, and I was depleted at the time. I must draw upon the strength of my wielder to unleash my full potential.*
"Yeah, well, you didn't do anything to stop Begiad. You didn't even try."
*That is untrue. I kept the 'Lesser Overlord' confined within his headquarters, while I awaited you and your allies. I also prevented him from communicating any commands, warnings, or calls for reinforcements to his followers. He was warded against binding spells, and I can only barricade the teleportation of living beings; when he ingested miasma, I could no longer hold him.*
"You could have helped us shut Begiad down before he drank his own poison."
*I observed that your allies were winning without any casualties, and chose to conserve my power. The 'Lesser Overlord' had a closed-in mind that was difficult to read; I never expected he would embrace the very fate he once ran away from, just as I never expected him to abandon his duty forty years ago. My expectations of you are somewhat higher. You are not completely the same as him.*
An irritated grimace crossed Yusis' face. He glowered at the contemptuous weapon.
This antagonism between you and the Holy Brand is troubling, yet confronting either of you about it would mostly likely aggravate the situation.
Anemos ventured, "When the cycle turns, the miasma will be at a low ebb and Begiad will be weakened. Perhaps during the ten years of peace, a monster hunter will strike him down."
"I hope so," Yusis muttered, wrenching his gaze away from the sheathed sword.
"Or perhaps you will take control of him, when you are the Overlord."
"Anemos, that's beyond weird and creepy. Don't say it again; I'll freak out if I think about it too much."
Yusis withdrew a colorless crystal from his pocket and said, "Let's just focus on recording your song. I'll turn the crystal on... now."
The bard played his somber threnody. When the song was complete, Yusis suspended the recording function.
Anemos questioned, "There is capacity remaining on the crystal, is there not?"
"I want to think some more about what else to put on it." Yusis stowed away the item. "Maybe I'll record another of your songs tomorrow, I don't know."
"Very well."
"Hey, Anemos."
"Yes?"
"I have this dumb idea I want to run by you."
"I am listening."
"What if I could become an Overlord who... does nothing?"
"Nothing?" mused the bard. "Nothing at all?"
"We've found nothing to break the cycle. So, what if 'nothing' is the key to breaking the cycle?
"I've been a slacker for nearly all my life. What if I could keep slacking off? Maybe I could stay in the Overlord's castle for more than ten years. Stay, and do nothing.
"That would break the cycle in a way, wouldn't it? Cedric would have more time to do research. Kreisia would have more time to recover. No one else would have to become a Seal. Maybe someday, someone would find a better solution to the curse of the miasma. If I could just do nothing, for as long as it takes."
"An eternity of undeath?" the bard softly asked.
"It's the only real idea I've got, so far. I mean, I've wondered if the power of the Overlord could break the cycle, but the Overlord wields dark magic, and dark magic is just... hateful. Whenever I'm near miasma, I feel its evil pressure smothering my mind. All it wants is to spread terror and suffering, to destroy life and trap souls in its void."
I thought you possessed no sensitivity to magic at all?
It seems I was mistaken. Dark magic is your affinity. Given the strength of your feelings, I suspect the only reason you cannot wield miasma is because you are among the living.
A situation that will soon change...
A fearful, yet also slightly heartened tremor affected Yusis' voice. "Can I accomplish something no Overlord has ever done before? Can I be the first to use the Overlord's power for nothing?"
"If anyone can, then I am certain it will be you, Yusis."
"It really is a dumb idea, isn't it."
"Perhaps when I awaken, I will come to your castle, and do nothing with you."
"Really?"
"I expect Laminah and Cynthia will be pleased to join you for nothing as well. Especially Cynthia."
"Don't Lesser Seals have to return to their homes?"
"If you can keep your own mind, then perhaps we can as well. Perhaps we Lesser Seals will only need to glance upon our former homes and kindred, before the four of us reunite, and we all do nothing together."
"That sounds way more fun than it should." Yusis spared a single, rueful chuckle.
Then, an Altean woman approached.
Yusis turned his head and said, "Oh, hey, Melinda."
"Greetings, Savior," she replied.
Melinda proffered a blooming red rose to Anemos.
"For me?" the bard asked, with an inviting smile.
She nodded, and returned his warm expression. "It's enchanted with holy magic. It doesn't need water, and it will resist miasma vapors far more than an ordinary flower would. I requested a favor from one of the Royal Mages."
"Royal Mages can rarely spare the stamina to enchant items during a reign of terror. Dare I ask which one made an exception?"
"The Varg, if you are truly that curious. I believed in him when very few others did, before the king made him a Royal Mage. Vargs tend to remember such things."
"My darling, your gift is indeed a treasure. I shall wear it to my final performance, tomorrow."
End of Chapter Twenty-five: Desires of a Savior