The night sky split open above the ocean. Waves rose and fell as if pulled by an unseen force. Lightning struck from above, tearing through the storm clouds.
The city was growing empty as people scampered into their homes to escape the coming storm.
The clouds held secrets—dark secrets that spoke only of danger. Shockwaves cracked the ground by the beach where a legion stood in wait.
The entire Senate of Sunville, accompanied by the highest military generals of the country. All had gathered in anticipation of his arrival. The coming of the Overlord.
A pillar of white light plunged from the heavens. From it stepped a man—no, something greater.
He walked on the ocean as though it were solid stone. Each step left a burning print of fire atop the tide. His eyes glowed white—blinding, divine.
Generals trembled. Senators bowed their heads. His presence pressed against their chests like the weight of another world.
They all fell to their knees in unison.
"Lord Dragon," they chanted. "Your presence has been greatly anticipated. Let your humble servants serve you this day."
The Overlord stood tall, shoulders broad, body like bronze, skin like rock.
"I have nothing for you all right now," he said. His deep masculine voice echoed with the waves.
"Lord Dragon," a senator called with his head still bent.
"Speak," the Overlord commanded.
"My lord, I implore you to take national power immediately. The Prime Minister has been preparing against your coming. I'm afraid to say this, but… you have an enemy sitting on the throne of this country."
The Overlord laughed. His laughter rose like an earthquake given voice—a violent rumble that cracked the ground and sent dust spiraling into the storming sky.
"This Prime Minister of yours is nothing before me," he said. "I'll deal with her when the time comes. But for now, I must go home and meet my lovely wife. She must have waited for me day and night."
All the ministers looked up, eyes widening in confusion.
"My lord… you have a wife here on Earth?" one asked, unable to mask the shock on his face.
"Marianne Roy. That's her name."
The Overlord's expression softened with sincere happiness. His voice carried unmistakable joy.
"I was born on Earth. I lived on Earth. Now that I've returned, I must look after my beloved. For she is the reason I have come back."
One soldier looked up, then quickly met the gaze of the Senate leader.
"Sir…" he whispered fearfully.
"The Overlord mentioned Marianne Roy. Isn't she the actress engaged to that crooked mafia boss, Hades Buckley?"
The Senate leader murmured.
"You better watch what you say," another snapped. "Are you implying the Overlord's wife would run off with another man like a whore?"
"You all must return to your duties," the Overlord commanded. "I have other business to take care of. When the time comes, I will find you."
They all bowed, pressing their faces into the sand—but a senator hesitated, trembling in distress. Confusion hit him hard.
"My lord… your wife… I think—"
Before he could finish, the Senate leader covered his mouth.
"It's nothing, Lord Dragon. Please, allow me to organize things here while you're gone."
The Overlord didn't respond. He didn't stop. In complete silence, he walked away while they all watched his back in awe.
"What are you doing? We have to tell the Overlord—it's the wife, I know it!" a soldier shouted as chaos stirred.
"And then what?" the Senate leader hissed back. "You walk up to a being as powerful as that and say, 'My lord, the woman you traveled between realms to see has betrayed you'?"
No response.
"You know the disappearance of that actress's husband, Demian Kael, four years ago? His last known location was the very spot we're standing on today."
Silence fell over the night. The soldiers, the senators, the ministers—they all froze, listening.
"So… if he disappeared and has returned as the Overlord, then the last place we w
ant to be is in the middle of whatever trouble is about to begin. Obey the Overlord's command. Let's go!"