General Herbison: I apologise for the delay in updates. Due to technical problems it has made it difficult to keep my stories going. But I'm back and I hope you enjoy. Usual stuff, I do not own Overlord but I claim my OCs and storyline.

(EVERLIGHT RESORT)

The sun was just rising as the seven-headed hydra made landfall and lowered its central mouth onto the sand and opened wide, revealing Malek and Paladin Commander William Zakarious sitting inside.

"I'm impressed that you tricked Dunagin." The Overlord remarked as the two stepped out of the mouth, "He had no idea, and presumably still has none, that you work for me."

William snorted, "Those old fools don't bother with my Order as long as I supply enough warriors to fight for them alongside their mages. Pompous and so superior just because they can use magic and my Order cannot."

"My inner circle are adept at magic you are aware." Malek glanced at him suspiciously, "I will not have you standing against them for that reason alone."

The man bowed his head, "Apologies master. I mean no offence to your empire."

"Relax William, when you spend time with my most faithful you'll come to accept that they are nothing like the mages in your homeland."

The two made their way up the beach as the hydra lay with its heads on the sand and its body submerged in the water. They passed Ventrika, Cynthia's massive pet black dragon, who watched them with her yellow eyes until they left the beach and entered into the resort's town hall where, sleeping around the spacious room, was the rest of the empire.

In one corner was Malek's sister Cynthia, her bright red skin stood out clearly against the brown wood. She still wore the black enchanted one piece that did not burn, considering her powers of fire it had been essential rather than have her turn all her clothes to ash. Her long black hair was coiled up under her head like a pillow and her elf-like ears twitched in her sleep.

Sleeping beside Cynthia was her elf lover Gwen. The elf's long purple hair sparkled with magic as sparks ran along it constantly, a clear sign she was happy. One eye was slightly open and the gold iris shone in the milky white eye. She was tucked underneath a silk blanket, but with both arms around Cynthia's waist the fiery hybrid was keeping her lover warm.

In another corner was Malek's other sister Sierra. Her green skin had altered slightly to better blend in to the brown of the wood for camouflage and her short brown hair added to that along with the brown shorts and small brown top that just covered her upper torso and nothing else. Twitching like her sister's were the pointed elfin ears as her yellow eyes opened briefly then closed as she went straight back to sleep.

Lying with her was the Succubus Queen, Laurrcelle had her large wings spread across the two of them and her fanged teeth were bared in a grin to whatever she was dreaming about. One hand was propped under her head; the other was casually playing with her long red hair.

Moving around the room and the third corner held Malek's cousin Amelia. With her fair skin and blonde hair, which reached her ankles, she was the most human of the family except for the enchanted blue eyes that were the source of her healing abilities after being imbued by Blue Minions. Sitting beside her was Gnarl, who had wrapped a section of her long hair around himself as a blanket.

The final corner had the vampire duo of Rachel and Vampira, formerly one being. Both had the same pale skin, fangs, short black hair and soulless black eyes. The differences were that Rachel was the light side and wore a white and gold dress whereas Vampira as the dark side was adorned in a red and black velvet dress that certainly drew attention.

Nesting in the centre of the room was around twenty succubi that were Laurcelle's personal guard and now acted as the only troops left.

"This is all that remains of your empire?" William asked disbelievingly, "Nothing else?"

Malek sighed, "Yes. I will admit our numbers have been steadily dwindling for some time since Edward turned my own subject against me."

"I heard of his actions." William frowned, "He recently departed the homeland, something about a quest before his duel with you."

Their talking had gently roused the others and before long they were rising to their feet in surprise.

"Who is your friend?" Cynthia asked politely, while conjuring a fireball in her hand.

"This is Paladin Commander William," Malek introduced, "He is on our side."

"What makes him trustworthy?" Sierra approached William and watched him suspiciously, "If he is here then obviously he betrayed his own people, why should we be different."

Malek intervened, "Because he wants the magi gone. He is still the leader of the Paladin Order and commands legions of paladin soldiers. With our alliance he gets rid of the magi and we get an army along with the entire country of theirs."

They still didn't look reassured but at least Cynthia extinguished the fireball and the group stepped outside to start preparing breakfast.

(PALADIN HOMELAND CAPITAL/COMMAND TOWER)

Grand Mage Dunagin sat on his ornate throne looking utterly furious with himself, and with good reason. He had led the fleet across the ocean to defeat the Overlord's forces and capture the fiend. Instead the fleet had been sunk and hundreds of lives lost along with the life of the Paladin Commander. Now the military were beginning to grumble against their masters and magi found themselves being questioned by former friends.

The entire homeland was one bad day from a civil war between the paladins and the magi because of this defeat, making it worse was that Dunagin, as a mage, chose to save himself and leave his troops to perish.

"This is most unfortunate." Grand Mage Artegos stroked his long white beard thoughtfully, "We must avoid war with the paladins. It would destroy the peace we have strived so hard to maintain."

Grand Mage Keriss rose to her feet. As the youngest member of the council she was often treated as nothing more than a child, which at the age of twenty-nine she was in comparison to the others who were well over seventy. Her appointment to the council had been as a result of her father's status, a former Grand Mage himself, and her exceptional magical talents.

"Council members," she addressed, "We must accept that our attempts to defeat the Overlord have resulted in substantial losses. For now we must restore the faith and friendship of our lands before seeking revenge."

The others were nodding in agreement, except for Dunagin, "No, we must strike now while he has little forces at his command."

Keriss raised her eyebrows scathingly, "If I recall your plan was a disaster, now we will try mine and wait until we are united again."

"I will not be talked to in that manner." He snapped, "I am your superior on the council and you will address me with the respect as such."

The other Grand Magi looked between the two quarrelling with impatience. It was hardly an inspiration to the people if the council itself was divided.

"I suggest you two resolve your issues in private." Artegos intervened before they continued, "For now we shall wait and keep the people united. This meeting is adjourned."

Once the others left the chamber Keriss sat down on her throne and took a calming breath, but it wasn't enough to stop the tears running down her face. She sobbed helplessly as thoughts of her love filled her mind.

No-one knew of this but a year ago, before her appointment to the Council, she was secretly in a relationship with William. It had remained a secret for several reasons, but it did not stop them cherishing the moments they had together.

Now he was dead as a result of Dunagin's incompetence.

Keriss rose from her throne and strode out of the room. Cold hatred filled her eyes as she gripped her staff tightly.

"Grand Mage?" a paladin stopped in his tracks as she approached, "Is something wrong?"

Without slowing her pace she waved her free hand, "I need to speak to Dunagin."

Moving quickly the paladin rushed to block her path, "I'm sorry Grand Mage, but he has given express orders that none are to enter his chambers at the moment."

"You dare to stand in my way." Keriss snapped, "I am your superior and you will step aside, now."

The paladin drew his gleaming silver sword, "I have my orders. You must leave."

Keriss remained silent as two more paladins stepped out of a side door to stand with their comrade, likewise with their swords drawn, "Please leave madam."

"Fine." She took a few steps back, not trusting they wouldn't attack her, "But I expect to see him soon."

With a filthy look she turned on her heel and strode away. It seemed Dunagin was rightfully paranoid someone would seek his head for the failure.

"Mistress?"

She turned with a smile to greet her two personal paladin bodyguards. They had rather unusual names and as such they didn't speak them aloud for fear of awkward questions. But considering that they never, ever, removed their full armour and helmet it was unusual already. Keriss had never seen their faces but could sense their essence and that was enough to satisfy her of who they were.

"Is everything alright mistress?" the slightly taller one asked.

She beckoned them to follow her and the trio made their way to her personal chambers. Once inside she projected a shield of energy around the door that would prevent anyone getting in, or any sound getting out.

"I want Dunagin dead." She told them, "His failure at the battle cost me the love of my life. I want his head in return."

Her bodyguards nodded slowly, "Understood mistress. What would you have us do?"

"I need you two to lure his guards away. Then I shall deal with him."

They nodded again, "As you wish mistress."

She closed her eyes and stroked the pendant hanging around her neck. It had been a gift from William upon her ascension to the council. It still carried part of his essence that she found gave her strength.

With staff in hand she deactivated the shield and gestured her bodyguards ahead. Time to deal with Dunagin.

(EVERLIGHT RESORT)

"So how exactly are we going to accomplish this plan of yours?" Amelia skewered a chunk of roast fish on her dagger and took a bite, "We don't exactly have the forces to eliminate the Grand Magi."

William cleared his throat, "They will be facing their own crisis. My people will be arguing against the mages over this defeat. The Grand Magi will face a civil war and do their utmost to both restore peace, and maintain their authority over the Paladin Order."

"So your soldiers aren't exactly part of them?" Cynthia asked, "You work for them."

"Yes, we serve as the main army of the homeland while they are the higher authorities and act as advisors and powerful support in combat."

Sierra closed her eyes, deep in thought, "Were you to return, could you lead the paladins against the mages?"

"I could." William admitted, "But I will not, at least not yet."

"Why not?"

The paladin frowned, "Because someone very important to me is a mage. I will not allow her to be in danger."

"Ah," Rachel smiled, "Grand Mage Keriss."

William stared at the vampire, "You know her?"

"No, but I can feel an essence from you."

Malek cleared his throat, "In any matter we must, for now, wait until the paladins and the mages are on the brink of war, then we shall make our move. William shall assume command of the paladin army while Grand Mage Keriss will gather mages to our side. The other Grand Magi will be outnumbered and overwhelmed."

"I should send a message to her," William looked at Malek for confirmation, "Let her know about our plan."

Amelia frowned, "Are you sure she will go along with it?"

"We have spoken of overthrowing the Grand Magi Council to ensure a secured authority with both mages and paladins in power." William assured her, "She will be more than happy to agree."

(PALADIN CAPITAL/ COMMAND TOWER)

Keriss hid around the corner, listening to her bodyguards trying to draw away Dunagin's guards.

"There is an emergency situation, come with us at once."

"We have our orders from Grand Master Dunagin. What is the emergency?"

"There is an intruder in the tower. We need to cover a large area and find them, for that we need all guards possible."

"Fine, you stay here, you come with me."

Keriss peered around the corner to see four paladins run away down the corridor with only one left standing guard.

"Help." She called faintly, "Help me."

As predicted the guard started running down the hall towards her. Just as he reached the corner she slammed her staff into his head which then collided with the wall and he collapsed.

Checking that he was indeed knocked out Keriss rushed to stand outside Dunagin's room and proceeded to blast the door off its hinges with a spell.

The moment the door blew open a fireball caught her in the face and sent her crashing into the wall. Thankfully her personal shield took most of the damage.

"You think I was unaware of your trick?" Dunagin emerged from his room, staff in hand, "I knew you would attempt to kill me soon after the meeting. By yourself you are not a threat to my power, child."

Keriss raised a hand and launched a ball of ice at him. Dunagin swiped his staff through the air and the projectile shattered into shards which rotated in the air and launched themselves at Keriss. She conjured a wall of energy in the way and the shards harmlessly impacted against it.

"You think you stand a chance against someone of my calibre?" Dunagin sneered, "Pathetic."

Clanking footsteps heralded the arrival of a dozen paladins with drawn swords and led by their captain, the difference was the captain's silver armour had a green dragon across the torso.

"Grand Mage Dunagin? Grand Mage Keriss?" the captain was obviously confused, "Is there a problem?"

"This woman tried to kill me." Dunagin pointed at her, "Arrest her at once."

The captain's helmeted head rotated from Dunagin to Keriss, "Is this true?"

"Yes it is." She got to her feet proudly, "I want him dead."

More clanking footsteps announced the arrival of the formerly knocked out paladin that had stood guard, "Master Dunagin, sir. Are you alright?"

"No thanks to you." He snapped, "Take this woman to the dungeons to await trial."

"A moment, Grand Mage." The captain interjected, "I wish to know the reasons for her attempt."

Dunagin looked furious, "Now? You wish to interrogate her right here and now? Have her secured first then question her."

"I will question her now." The captain replied coolly, "Grand Mage Keriss you have been accused of attempted murder and confessed to it. Why?"

Keriss glared at Dunagin, "He left hundreds of paladins and mages to save his own skin and doesn't even care that they died. I promised someone I love that I would not let such an offence stand."

Silence fell for a few seconds before the captain cleared his throat.

"I, Paladin Captain Cedric Zakarious, acting in place of Paladin Commander William Zakarious hereby authorise the execution of Grand Mage Dunagin."

Before Dunagin even finished hearing that sentence his own bodyguard stabbed him through the heart.

"Apologies Grand Master." The paladin shrugged, "I always did hate serving you."

Slowly Dunagin sank to the floor as blood started pooling around him. He looked up at Keriss weakly with loathing in his eyes before the light in them extinguished.

"We shall deal with the body and blood, Grand Master Keriss." Cedric sheathed his sword, "You had best return to your chambers."

She inclined her head at him, "Thank you."

As she left the scene with her staff back in hand she encountered her own bodyguards waiting for her.

"Congratulations mistress." They bowed.

"Thank you, Jagged, Reaper." She acknowledged them, "Now come, we have to prepare for the next phase of the plan."

Maraxus: Wait, what the heck? Jagged and Reaper?

Lilandra: Yeah, weird isn't it. Sierra's two pet Minions have the same names as two paladins.

Maraxus: Who wrote that part in this story? I thought it was supposed to be ending with Keriss finding out William is alive.

Lilandra: She already knows.

Maraxus: How? I haven't created that part.

Lilandra: When you love someone and have magical powers you tend to know these sorts of things. Anyway, please review readers, see you next time.