Ruth’s FOV

I sat, leaning against the wall wearing my nightgown. Right now I found myself occupied reading a book. One written by none other than high master Doghead himself, titled ‘The Doghead’s Guide to Abominations.’

It demonstrated and theorized about the art of mutations and taught how to create obedient chimeras perfectly loyal to their master.

Really Master Doghead is an unprecedented genius in this field. Perhaps one of the most talented being to have existed throughout history, not like many of these fools who would call themselves ‘Masters’ and think themselves the same as him, really the gull! Putting yourself in the same pedestal as such a person and at the same time being as useless as a solar powered torch!

That bitch Maria… I could rant about her for hours! Arghh.

Still… I wish Master Doghead was more approachable, lately he has been so busy with the monastery’s finances and keeping everything running that he won’t even give classes or take any more apprentices.

I made the request to father… But he just waved me off telling me I was wasting his time.

How long has it been… I wondered. I checked my body, the burns had already faded thanks to healing spells even thought it still felt a little sensitive to the touch. As for my head… what he has done to me…

Hah! it has healed quite nicely too… I’m good now I think. I placed my hands on these injuries, there was nothing now; everything perfectly normal. Master Coleman did an wonderful job putting me back together, like he always did.

So why?

Why can’t I bring myself to go out of the room? I am so hungry… yet I can’t bring myself to eat nor have the desire to.

Adam.

I killed him… It was a reaction! Why was he acting like that? I gutted him… he wanted to kill me. I even did not know why, so… I just defended myself… so why I feel so guilty? I loved him… he was my brother, my twin. My life companion… and now he is dead.

What happened to him? He wasn’t the same person anymore… clearly, something took his place didn’t it? What replaced my kind and unassuming brother? If…if it really is him, why has he done those things to me? Why did he made me hurt him? Why…

He apologised… I can forgive him. No! What he did… was unforgivable! I can’t be so soft! But now he is dead…

He was everything to me!… we always were so close— But it wasn’t him! But what if it was!? This nagging feeling is taking away my sanity. I don’t know what to do… or what to think.

I came back to myself. I had already flipped three pages of the book and I wasn’t' even reading it… Just looking… but actually not paying any attention. Where was I again… I flipped the pages back.

One, two, three… four…

I don’t remember reading any of this! Why am I already that far ahead? Darn it… I can’t even read properly. My dead brother… is really getting into me.

I placed the book back in my shelf and walked towards the door. I should go— go… and find myself something to eat. I moved my hand towards the handle.

And… I just couldn’t… Why…? why can I not leave from here? Am I afraid? It’s been three whole days I think, maybe more.

I’m getting signs of malnourishment… I need to go and get something. But every time I walk towards the door I get this feeling… And just rush back and cower under the bed sheets.

What is wrong with me?

*THUNK*THUNK*THUNK*

As I was staring a the door, suddenly I heard pounding at it. Someone…

“Ruth, it’s me Adam. We need to chat.” I heard him through the door…

I quickly rushed back to bed and hid under the covers. Go away I wanted to say… After what you did to me… I want to, but I can’t forgive you!

Wait! It is his voice! He is alive! No, it’s a ghost! It must be!

*THUNK*THUNK*THUNK*

*THUNK*THUNK*THUNK*

He kept at it. And I gave him no answer… strange, why am I shivering? I noticed that...

*BOOOM*

Suddenly I heard a loud bang… and the door fell down.

And he just entered my room. Hands in his pockets like nothing had happened; the only thing lighting the place was my candle and what came from the crevice where the door was supposed to be.

He walked towards me… his face pale and his hands black. He looked… different. Frighteningly different. My only instinct was to rush to the corner clutching my blanket. And shiver…

Is this a nightmare? Am i… going to die?

He kept casually moving through the room… was he… he came kill me… —End what he had started? He wanted to win… Maybe he still does. Will he take his victory from me? Why can’t I move?

I’m still shivering…

I can’t think.

He moved towards the window and opened it… they rays of light invading the room and immediately blinding me. I guess… I had spent a little too much time in the darkness.

The sun wasn’t too strong over here in the monastery… but still.

“There you are!” He said.

His pale face revealed by the light.

He move towards me and sat in the bed. Placing a hand in my knee, even through the blanket I could feel it… cold… like he was dead.

He is dead! It’s a ghost!

He came to end me!

“Haaa…“ I could only shriek, and with all my might I got up and stumbled down the bed rushing for the exit.

He grabbed my wrist in my attempt. And… pulled me towards him. So strong…! I could not resist. Like some rag doll he pulled me into him and held me in his arms against his cold chest and… embraced me. This was the coldest embrace I ever felt… and all the ones I ever had were his.

And now it’s so cold… Death’s embrace.

I just shivered. Fine… Let it be so. I don’t… I don’t think I can go on without you either way… so just take me.

Take me to the other side… with you. Whatever I have done, I must deserve it.

—--—--——--——-

“There, there. Good girl” He said.

Why… why is the ghost of the dead comforting me? Why is this… why does it feel good?

Adam’s FOV

This girl… is clearly going a little crazy after a some isolation with… well whatever is going on in her head. And I can’t help but think that it is my fault. I just… well had a reaction. Not something I’m proud off put it was what it was…

Anyway, I’m making up to her.

I held her in my arms as she shivered. The mute girl who would naturally not say a word calmed down in time as her shivering started to recede. Eventually staying still, she fell asleep. I held her for an whole twenty minutes, then gave her a gentle nudge making her wake.

She inhaled deeply as she saw my face. What? I’m not that ugly!

“C’mon we have much to do get dressed and let’s get you something to eat— I have some crazy news for you.” I said casually, as I let her go.

She pinched my cheek. What? did she think I was dead or something? Wait… is this why she is having this whole reaction?

“I’m not dead if that’s what you are asking. And about the fight… well I got a bit emotional. Please forgive me for that. Look at me! Everything is fine… I keep being the regular old handsome me that I always been.” I said as walked on front of the little girl who was just sitting in the the bed in disbelief.

“Thanks for mourning me… And come on. I’m alive, remember the opera? we will have more adventures like that one, so quit your sobbing and get off your arse!” I reached for her hand pulling her over out of the bed.

“Let’s go, get dressed… we have a long day ahead!” I looked into her purple eyes. And she nodded, it seems she did get out of it.

I’m such a good psychiatrist! Curing trauma has I cause it. Truly a wonder for society!

She started moving, even thought she was still shaky she possessed some newfound vigour as she dressed up.

I leaned by the door looking away. Girls don’t like being watched as they dress I found out recently.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Once she was done, she called me over with a little knock. Close to the bed.

I was curious so I went.

“Doghead’s Guide to Abominations, that’s a fak… haaaa” The girl took a pillow from the bed and smashed it against my head relentlessly.

She decided… —To beat me down into submission.

*POOF*

“ahhh, STOP HAAAA.” I shouted in panic.

*POOF*

And *POOW*

After what felt like an eternity of being pillowed till my head hurt the thing was ruined, feathers bloody everywhere.

She hyperventilated as she grinned at me.

“I deserved that I think.” I said as I laughed awkwardly.

She nodded with a wry smile. I guess It made her feel better?

What is it, with girls wanting to murder me with darn bloody pillows? At least do it properly—!

After we laughed a little together and got our breath back. We got out of the door-less room and went off. Duty called, and Ruth was in to hear some news.

She looked back at the door and tugged at me pointing at it. Then she took her pen and wrote on a notebook she had.

*You are going to pay for that door.*

“Of course.” We walked our way towards the cantina.

Nothing much happened in our way there. Maria seemed to have gone underground to take care of a chore or another, just the casual master showing his face on the surface and trying to butter up with the new apparent heir.

I wondered if Maria went through this…

Other acolytes, the ones that have the same rank as me in this den of stupidity of society; well they used to look at me with fear and respect. Now seeing respected masters casually going out of their way and coming out of their dens to greet me, gave them new things to think about. Like…

More fear and respect.

I even caught a glimpse of the brothers who I casually nearly brutally murdered. They both did a great job avoiding me. So far…

Having these masters going out of their way to talk to me was actually a big deal… after all these were some of the most powerful, wisest, long lived and dangerous beings in the whole wide world. Even someone who lived cloistered in this little society would be aware of that.

We took in the familiar place of the cantina where Ruth simply ordered a lot of food and ate… not holding back anything. She really did work out an appetite. The girl looked like a starved hound… even with me remarking that eating that fast and especially after a long time without eating anything could make her sick.

She didn’t care.

I made use of my time and read the letter that other strumpet handed to me. It was just a bunch of fancy writing… The only thing it said was that I was assigned new quarters in something they called the ‘Underdimension’ It seems the monastery’s basement had a magical nature to it. Some kind of pocket realm? It was not that advanced magic. But to this world’s standards it must be.

I was waited there to receive some kind of garment and prepare for the appointment ceremony.

I waited nearly twenty minutes, eventually Ruth announced that she had finished her meal with a loud *burp*. I motioned her to come and as we walked I handed her the letter, so she would not be so out of the loop.

She read it it wide eyes and pulled at me, pointing at the paper. Clearly asking if wasn’t joking.

“Of course I’m not joking. I do am that great, you always knew that.” I gave her a wink.

She just gave me a thumbs up. She seemed actually quite excited for this news, I just wondered what she was plotting now.

And threw my mind back to my own plots.

We went together, the same path I had walked with that other boy. Funny… his name was quite forgettable.

The porter did not dare to stand in my way this time. Somehow he had anticipated that I was coming over and arranged for everything to be to my liking, like… the door being open and him grovelling out of the way.

Truly being an overlord of a evil organization had its perks.

After many masters had seen me casually talking to the Doghead they quickly assumed what was going on. It seems that freak rarely came out of isolation, but they all knew that he was in charge of the order’s finances. And why he would go out of his way to talk to anyone directly.

It seemed he only did talk to Daryle and his own apprentices.

Out of that he was an aloof recluse. A quite feared one.

I walked a while alongside Ruth. This pocket dimension was quite big, of course I had seen much better, anyway this one would do. Perhaps I will make a few adjustments to it in the future like… phasing. That would be useful.

My new quarters were created quite close to the library, near Daryle’s own chambers. I found myself face with a pair of big double door made of dark oak, this is meant to show off status? It looks like the entrance to Daryle’s chambers too. How considerate.

Ruth just motioned me to push them.

So I did. And they opened with ease, like they had no weight at all. They recognized me and let me through. Ruth too as she was with me.

These were living quarters, and ones immensely grand at that, it seemed whoever arranged this for me was truly tempting my good graces. I paced around along with Ruth, taking in the place.

She just gasped and pointed around in wonder.

These had high ceilings and massive stone columns that supported the structure.. The walls are covered in a deep purple velvet material, and the flooring was made of intricately-layered stone mosaic tiles. The room filled with a variety of furniture, including plush armchairs, divan couches, ornate tables, and a central area devoted entirely to magical practice. An immense fireplace lines one wall, radiating heat through the room and filling the air with a strange magical fragrance.

To conjure such a space inside a pocket realm… I wonder how many willing masters gave up space from their own quarters to add to these chambers. That also helps explaining why they were so keen in buttering me up up there… Well how quaint.

I tried one of these chairs and… Truly remarkable! These cushions, gods! Now I am truly starting to wonder why was so keen in making everything in my original palace made of stone… I will have to revise that once I get back there.

I looked around from where I sat, Plush armchairs…, divan couches… Ample space for both relaxation and contemplation. Shame I had no time for any of that.

I examined the centre of the room. A workspace.

This workplace’s area was adorned with a large workbench, surrounded by the tools of the trade, some high quality stuff too. Numerous alchemical flask, spell books filled with arcane runes, and various arcane symbols adorned it.

Ruth lost no time to rush over to the place and start messing around with everything. She immediately became lost in some tome that had caught her eye.

It truly created a setting of a dark magical wonder and arcane power. Candles burnt constantly in a white hue blending in with the purple decor on the walls casting an ethereal light upon the area, as if the very flames themselves served as conduits to the place’s magics.

Maybe they did. I would certainly take some time off to test this place out thoroughly.

I went over to Ruth’s side who was engrossed on a spell tome, sitting by the fireplace. She noticed me and quickly wrote a note.

*It’s official, I’m moving in!* It read.

I did really not mind the girl. She was silent, unlike the other sister.

“Suit yourself.” I gave her a nod and turned around to examine the alchemy station. This used to be an hobby of mine at some point in my life… Qhavelia was truly a master in this field and taught me much. It was her passion, both alchemy and herbalism. She kept the most dreamy gardens back in our little home.

Long before I became ‘The overlord’ and did many, many things that would make her not too proud. Still...

It feels like a thousand years ago that… maybe it was. I hadn’t been counting. After all it’s something I can never get back, I knew of that. For so much I wanted to. It won’t.

I truly treasured the memories and often dreamed of them. But it only brought me pain, to really wish to have something that you once cherished and truly loved back… but at the same time knowing that it is impossible. Well that is painful.

*Thunk* *Thunk*

Someone knocked on the door. There was that meeting…

I moved to the door and casually willed it to open.

The freak with a dog for a head entered along with another fellow in black robes. Another master. Behind them a couple of young girls walked shyly.

Ruth also came over to watch who it was. Strangely enough she fixated on the dog. I wonder what she wanted with the wretched creature.

“The Doghead salutes the… acting grandmaster. I hope that your new quarters are to your… satisfaction.” The dog let out a growl… clearly unintentional by his following reaction. He was quite the character and due to his uniqueness. Well, hard to read… also almost two and a half meters tall. Truly a freak.

He looked down on us and then at the master beside him.

“This great master Mace. He specializes in dimensional magic and he created this room for you. He also is in charge of the whole ‘Underdimension’, to make it work as it is intended and maintain it.” The Doghead introduced and explained. He seemed… really out of his element, yet he spoke with an eloquence quite odd to ones such as him.

The other master looked at me and at Ruth and quickly spoke. “There is no need to introduction my friend! Adam and …Ruth! These little one are Daryle’s kids, I pretty much raised them both.” Ruth just winked with both eyes to his statement.

“Adam dear boy! I remember when you hardly could cast a fire bolt! …It feels like it was last week even! I taught you many things remember? When you were this little” He made a motion with his hand reaching for his knee. “We were inseparable!” He quickly added.— “Ruth there, always tagged along too! You both are like son and a daughter to me!”

He whipped a tear off his eye “Truly to see the lil ones surpassing us… —a wonder… even a miracle!” And then he finally stopped talking.

I don’t know what to make to this kind of bootlicking, he was even being rude with it… but keeping someone good with space magic around could be useful; so I decided to just play along with it.

These two… well they aren’t something the current me can easily bully. So It’s best if I act accordingly.

“Great master Mace… it truly has been a long time! You built this room for me did you? Truly an work of art! I will cherish this gift! And remember it!” I responded to this new acquaintance with the most jubilate tone I could muster.

I looked at this fellow… He seemed to be in mid forties. Blonde balding hair, average height. What stood the most out were the amount of piercings he had. His ear had those fancy things too… flesh tunnels I think they are called. Anyway, I will make use of him now that he serves me.

“And greetings to great master Doghead too…” I motioned to four nearby seats. “Let’s take a seat and get down to business.

“Ruth, join us.” I motioned the mute girl to come too.

So we all sat. The Doghead looked at the seat that was clearly too small for him and made a resemblance of a frown.

The great and kind person that I am, I did him the favour and cast a morphing jinx on the seat making it bigger, fitting for the giant. He could be called a giant to this world’s standards… but well.

Back at Eralenir where I lived with Qhavelia before becoming the overlord, also the realm akin to heaven. Everyone with divine favour naturally grew up to four meters tall. It was the standard; not bulky and fat muscle creatures either. Elegant and slender ones, perfect both in mind and body; aloof from a mortals’s worries on looks, diseases and such. The perfect race. A god, would be close to the right term.

I married into that family. And they bestowed me with their lineage, something that gave me much trouble later on…

Beings of such power could freely chose what and how big, what they looked like at will. Of course… holding to one’s identity was an important thing.

So this was a little feller for my standards.

He nodded in thanks, was he impressed? Surely not… such a little jinx required absolutely nothing.

The four of us sat, then I noticed two other figures, looking at the ground. They had followed the masters inside. Two girls in black and white dresses. Maids it seemed.

“And who are they?” I asked casually.

The Doghead quickly replied. “No one. They are servants, enslaved since a tender age and trained to serve the masters in this dimension. And maintain it.” He threw a look at them. Which they quickly responded with a fearful bow. “These too are newly trained. I have chosen to appoint them to you…”

“To serve the acting grandmaster. For as long as you serve at this station.” He added at the end.

I raised an eyebrow towards him. “Very well. They may attend to me.” And spy on me… keep the dog in track with all my moves. Truly? Did he think I would not see it? Still… clever, even if I sent them way, it would be rude from me to refuse him. That would work in his favour too, in this wonderful game that is power and politics such tricks were very effective.

“I have arranged for your new garments to be created.” Master Mace spoke. And clapped his hands. One of the serving girls approached me with shy steps handing be a box with both hands an in a bow.

I casually took it and opened it.

A Purple robe.

And a pin.

“This robe is enchanted to be extremely durable and protect you against elemental hazards. The pin is a treasure from our order; it amplifies the power of most spells and reduces their expenditure to a degree.” Master Mace took no time to explain these as he clasped his hands.

“It would be unbecoming for the new grandmaster to walk around in such an unbecoming garments and nothing to represent his exalted status.” He added as he looked at what I was currently wearing.

A cheap black suit that I had bought back at town… and if it wasn’t this it would be the old Adam’s smelly grey robe.