Overlord Rising - Chapter 31 Uprising

The battle drew to an end. Warriors of the Carnus Clan snarled, unable to accept their defeat. They still had many warriors standing, but they knew better than to prolong a fight against the Allosaur. With much reluctance and frustration, the Carnus swallowed their pride, and turned to retreat. They fled from the scene, while also planning their next assault.

Bodies lay across the field. Once again, the Allosaur clan stood victorious. Despite their triumph, not a single warrior found it in themselves to cheer or celebrate. They each panted heavily, trying their hardest to remain on their feet. Battles naturally exhausted one of their strength and energy. This, however, was a little different.

Word had spread like a wildfire throughout the lands. Before long, almost every clan had learned of the battle between the Five Greater Clans and united Ovoo and Chamael. News quickly spread that the chieftains of the Triceran, Pachy, and the Raptus had also been killed. Many grieved from this news. Others, on the other hand, saw this as an opportunity.

With the five Greater Clans in shambles, many lesser clans took up arms, and begun attacking one another, hoping to assert themselves as a new dominant figure. The Carnus was the sixth lesser clan that attempted to overthrow the Allosaur Clan.

Skirmishes had become painfully frequent. Despite their strength and raw instincts for fighting, the Allosaur were neither invincible nor unstoppable. Each encounter cost them warriors. They had already lost a great number against the Overlord. Fighting different clans only made their situation worse.

At the edge of the village, Keshrak stood with a heavy frown on his face. He stared at the field before him, and quickly counted the clan’s losses. Five warriors had died that morning. It may not have sounded like a large number, but considering the clan’s status and condition, it was not something to simply ignore.

Keshrak muttered. He would need to perform the death rituals again. As the clan’s head shaman, it was among his duties to do so. He had done it many times before. He did not like performing it so frequently and so often, however.

As he stood, Keshrak noticed Gargos approach from the field. Fresh new scars covered his body. His once attractive and lined scales now appeared to be ruined from the damage and injuries he had sustained from recent clashes. One eye also seemed to have been patched.

“Another battle well fought, chieftain,” Keshrak remarked, trying his hardest to sound supportive.

“If this keeps up, we won’t be fighting battles any longer,” Gargos snarled, unable to find anything positive to say. “All these useless clans distracting us from our fight against the Ovoo and Chamael.”

Keshrak grimaced for a brief moment, but quickly hid it, before it could noticed. He may have manipulated the chieftain into fighting the Chamael, but he had no actual control over him.

Ironically, Keshrak did not make the decision to make the Ovoo the Allosaur’s enemy. He had only manipulated Gargos to make demands from the Chamael, but Gargos himself made the brash decision to turn the Ovoo into an enemy, for not siding with them.

“It is a most difficult time,” Keshrak admitted. “However, we must remain strong, if we are to unite and defeat the Overlord.”

Gargos growled in agreement. “Keshrak,” he then grunted. “Speak with the ancestors. Seek for their wisdom and guidance about our predicament.”

“I will do so, chieftain,” Keshrak replied, giving a bow.

The chieftain did not spare Keshrak another glance. He retreated back into the village to treat his wounds and regain his strength. The once proud chieftain of the Allosaur trudged through the village, looking years older than he should have. This entire conflict had practically drained him of his youth.

As soon as Gargos had left his sight, Keshrak let out a low grumble. He cursed under his breath, and walked towards his hut. The entire situation had begun testing the shaman’s patience as well. He expected some complications, but nothing of this degree.

Inside his hut, Keshrak lit a fire. He began gathering a few fragrant herbs and powders, to help him meditate and commune with the spirits. As soon as he had gotten all that he needed, he grabbed a handful of powder and readied to toss it into the flames.

Just as he was about to dash the powder into the fire, Keshrak stopped. He paused for a moment and began thinking to himself. Why am I doing this? The shaman pondered to himself.

Before even beginning to meditate, Keshrak already guessed the ancestors’ advice. They would have told him not to go through with all this, and that it was their fault to begin with, for attacking both the Ovoo and Chamael.

It made sense, but Keshrak did not like it. Or rather, he did not want to accept it. With an aggravated hiss, he threw the powder to the ground. He held his head down, and then grumbled some more.

“Why did this all happen?” he muttered aloud. “Why are we fighting each other? Why are the other clans attacking us? Can they not see the true enemy they need to defeat?”

Although he sat by himself in his hut, his words did not go unanswered. The sapphire around his neck began to faintly shine. A deep and unheard voice reached him.

“I know,” Keshrak grunted. “These clans are all fools. All of them are too absorbed with their clan’s status that they fail to realize that there are threats that loom in the distance.”

Again, the sapphire shined. A cold and twisted sensation emanated from the jewel, like a weak breath from a dying body.

“Yes, none of them can truly be depended on,” Keshrak hissed, staring at the fire. “The only ones that can truly be entrusted with this matter is ourselves. However, we still need warriors to aid us. That demon called the Overlord is too powerful and still has her treacherous army. If Vork had not distracted her, I would not have been able to deal a blow.”

The sapphire blinked a few times. Keshrak responded with a slight frown.

“But we are now too few and more and more enemies keep attacking us,” he hissed. “How will we be able to fight her with what little we have?”

The gem around his neck answered. Its light faintly shined for a few counts. Keshrak could not help but look with wider eyes.

“You can do that?” he asked, holding the sapphire up. “Why haven’t you done it before then? It would have made things much easier!”

The sapphire answered. The sent off a somewhat bleaker light. Keshrak muttered. His expression and tone hinted some shame.

“We would have been able to get the tome,” Keshrak grumbled. “But the Ovoo brought the Overlord into the matter and-.”

A faint light from the sapphire immediately cut Keshrak’s words. The shaman sighed in defeat. He showed no anger or frustration, but mere acceptance and surrender.

“No I understand. I cannot give any excuses,” Keshrak mumbled. “Then what must I do to obtain this power? What must I give?”

The sapphire beamed a little brighter. The tone of its light went deeper. Keshrak soon found himself looking with concern. A heaviness fell upon his chest, as he looked about, feeling strong amounts of doubt.

“I-I don’t know,” Keshrak responded. “I can sacrifice a piece of my mind, as well as my chieftain’s, but to my clan and the clans of others? Is there no other way?”

Although the sapphire did not speak aloud, Keshrak began to hear the voice much more clearly. It sounded so great and strong. Despite holding the sapphire in his hands, Keshrak suddenly felt like ant being overshadowed by a mountain. Never before did he feel so small and insignificant.

The shaman gritted his teeth and winced. His heart raced, while his chest tightened. For several counts, he did not let a bit of air in or out of his lungs. A storm raged inside him. Keshrak fought with himself, trying to come up with the best choice.

Moments passed. Eventually, he reached a decision. Swallowing any qualms that he still had, he settled his nerves and stared with the utmost conviction in his eyes.

“I will do it,” Keshrak answered. “You are right. The needs of many outweigh the needs of the few. If we are to defeat monsters, then the Allosaur and other clans must be monsters themselves. Let it be done.”

The sapphire beamed brightly. Light radiated right out of it glossy surface, like rays from the sun. Its shine became so bright and apparent that it began peeking through the gaps of his hut, catching the attention of a few Allosaur, who chose not to inspect.

Standing up, Keshrak pulled the sapphire from his necklace. The string snapped. The decorative beads and small bones fell and scattered across the floor.

The Allosaur shaman gazed straight into the sapphire, gazing into the wisps of power the spiraled behind its shimmering case. The stone may have been small, but within it lay a power that could have bent the elements, and even the darkness itself, to the will of the wearer.

Both fear and excitement began to churn within Keshrak’s chest. He wanted this, but he did not immediately accept it. For a brief moment, lingering thoughts of concern and caution scratched at the back of his skull, telling him to reconsider his decision. If he did this, neither he nor the other clans would be able to turn back.

I should ask the others? This was one of the questions that reached him. Perhaps I ought to consult them about this first?

Despite these questions, the voice from the sapphire called out to ward off any argument that Keshrak still had.

“No,” the shaman hissed, with a deep frown. “These clans do not know what is best for them. I have to make the choice for them.”

Casting aside these final traces of doubt, Keshrak plunged the gem straight into his chest. Suddenly, the shaman felt a searing pain within him. It felt as if piece of heated metal were burning through his scales and branding his chest.

Lines of smoke lifted from his body, as he tightly gritted his teeth, in a desperate attempt to tolerate the pain. He let out furious growls and snarls, as he continued to press the sapphire into his chest, refusing to let it part from his body for a moment.

Power coursed around his body with speed and force, quite literally tearing through his veins, and changing his body to some degree.

Markings of navy colors ran across his body, stripping a few lines of crimson off his scales. His horns and spikes grew a bit longer, as more mass developed around his body. The golden tone around his eyes slowly faded and turned into a burning shade of blue.

Keshrak dropped to his knees, panting and drooling. His claws dug deep into the ground, as he let out a deep and desperate wheeze. His very innards scorched, as if he were being cooked from the inside.

Moments passed. Eventually, the heat within his body cooled. Keshrak returned to his feet. He wobbled at first, but he managed to stand straight. Such intense power flowed within him. Never before had he felt such might. The shaman felt capable of plucking the very life from others with a mere tug of his fingers. Perhaps he could? He would have to find out later. For now, he had a chieftain to meet.

Having quickly grown accustom to the sensation of his new body, Keshrak stepped out of the hut, and travelled to meet with the chieftain. Without an ounce of shame or nervousness, he passed through the village with his head held high.

The Allosaur could not help but gaze at him with both shock and awe. At first, none of them quite recognized him. How could they? The once scrawny and slim shaman named Keshrak had become taller, broader, and far more intimidating.

Soon, Keshrak reached the chieftain’s hut. There, he found Gargos resting, while smoking a pipe. His mate had only begun treating his wounds and bandaging him. The shaman’s suddenly entrance, caused Gargos’ mate to jump, dropping her bowl of water and ointment.

Despite his new appearance, Gargos recognized him. Rather than staring at awe and shock, like the rest of the Allosaur around the village, Gargos frowned and sneered.

“Keshrak, what is the meaning of this?” he asked, then gazing at him from head to toe. “What have you done to yourself?”

“I have found a way to fix our problem,” Keshrak responded. Something changed in Keshrak’s voice. It sounded as if another person spoke simultaneously with him. A sleeker and smoother voice echoed his words.

“Well, I am pleased you have done so,” Gargos growled. “However, do you not find it quite rude to suddenly enter your chieftain’s abode, without even asking permission?”

“I no longer need your permission for anything,” Keshrak responded. “From this day forward, I will decide how the Allosaur handles matters.”

Gargos frowned. “Is that so?” he snarled, his hand slowly reaching for his club on the side. “Since when has the silent shaman grown a spine?”

“Ever since I learned that none of you make the right decisions,” Keshrak sneered.

A moment of silence passed, as the two stared fiercely at one another. Gargos’ mate could not help but watch worriedly at the two, unsure what would happen. Others had noticed the commotion, but none of them dared to intervene, both afraid and curious to see what would come.

“Are those your final words?” Gargos sneered.

“No,” Keshrak answered, shaking his head. “I have plenty more words to spare, but not for you.”

“Well, you better say them all quickly!” Gargos roared.

At that moment, the chieftain leapt from the spot. He sprang forward, with his fingers tightly wrapped around the grip of his weapon. Gargos let out a furious roar, as he attempted to swing his club. He would have succeeded, if not for Keshrak’s new tricks.

Raising his hand, a long arm of darkness from the shadows reached out and grabbed Gargos’ tail. With one pull, the arm threw Gargos back on the ground. Several more dark arms emerged from the shadows and entangled the Allosaur chieftain, restraining him.

“My powers of control only did so much,” Keshrak hissed, then raising both hands towards the chieftain. “But with this newfound power, I WILL be able to do what I should have done at the very beginning.”

Bolts of electricity sparked from Keshrak’s fingertips. It struck Gargos, zapping him everywhere, causing the once proud and mighty chieftain to roar and screech in pain.

“Do not bother resisting,” Keshrak snarled. “In the end, your mind will submit to me.”

The shaman was not wrong. Before long, blue markings also appeared across Gargos’ scales. His body twisted and grew, as so did his horns and spikes. His pupils shrank into dots, while his eyes retained their golden shade. Soon, the transformation ended.

Keshrak lowered his hands. The dark arms released the chieftain and sank back into the shadows. “Come forth,” Keshrak then commanded.

Gargos took to his feet. He huffed and panted, with a dull and savage expression on his face. He approached in a lumbering manner. His long and thick arms dangled from his shoulders.

Keshrak smiled. “Now, bow,” he commanded next.

Gargos made no effort to argue or resist. The once proud Allosaur chieftain dropped to his knees, and bowed his head down obediently and respectfully. He listened and did as he commanded, but Keshrak was not yet content.

“Bow lower,” Keshrak ordered.

Again, no resistance. Gargos placed his hands on the ground and planted his forehead into the dirt. He showed no frustration, reluctance, or anything resembling aggravation. The chieftain kept the same static expression, while he bowed submissively; a shameful and disgraceful act for any chieftain.

Gargos’ wife stared with utter disbelief at her mate’s actions. Despite the apparent fear on her face, she still mustered enough courage to speak. “What have you done to him?!” she cried out, baring her claws and teeth.

“Don’t worry,” Keshrak grinned, his eyes beadily locked on her. “You’re next.” He then turned his attention to the rest of the Allosaur watching from outside the hut. “You’ll all be next!”

The Allosaur felt their hearts gripped with dread, upon hearing those words. Realizing the great threat that Keshrak posed, several Allosaur warriors charged right into the hut to attack, only for themselves to be restrained and transformed by the same power that Keshrak had used against their chieftain.

Chaos and panic consumed the entire village. Warriors tried to fight, while others tried to flee. All attempts proved futile. Screams of terror and anguish reached high into the heavens, and far into the distance. This continued on throughout the day, until the sun had begun to set, and the shadows of evening encroached.

Soon, the moon and stars filled the sky. Large bonfires burned brightly within the Allosaur village, piercing through the thick darkness. A hoarse wind passed by, sending a chill to all who felt it.

At the center of the village, the Allosaur clan stood. Its members growled and grunted like savage beasts on a leash. Their eyes craved for battle and blood, as their fingers twitched eagerly for something to tear apart. Not a single one of them had been spared from Keshrak’s newfound magic. Even the younglings and elders had transformed into ferocious creatures.

Keshrak smiled, as he proudly examined what he had done. Not a shred of remorse left him. The shaman stood excited at this new fighting force that he had created. Despite his excitement and pride, he still found himself somewhat unsatisfied. He needed a few more warriors, before he could begin another attack.

Suddenly, a thought came to mind. The Allosaur shaman turned his attention to the east, where the village of the Carnus Clan lay. A dark and twisted smirk appeared on Keshrak’s face.

“I do believe it is time we paid our attackers a little visit,” Keshrak announced. The shaman raised his arm and pointed forward.

With that one gesture, the corrupted Allosaur let out a loud and hostile howl. One by one, they marched out the village, armed and ready to spill blood. Nothing else mattered to them; not their lives, not their future, not even their honor.

All that did matter were any and every order that Keshrak had for them. This is what they lived for now, to obey and serve their master, the former shaman of the Allosaur, Keshrak.