Amber

Penacony was neither fun or relaxing. Except for like the first thirty minutes, but it had only gotten worse from there. Luckily, however, Welt and Himeko exempted you from helping save the world, so you mainly sat back and watched everything unfold. Then there was the mess with Hoolay on the Luofu during some festival while also learning that Dan Heng came from there – mannn, you had missed so much while you were gone. But thankfully everything started to settle down as you all had made it back to the express in one piece while also gaining a new passenger. Sunday. A man who had been one of the main villains in Penacony.

“Amphoreus, huh,” you wondered aloud as you all had gathered in the main car. Black Swan was also there, a lady who you all had met up with in Penacony and who had helped Stelle out a lot in the dreamscape.

“Something wrong, y/n?”

You looked to Himeko, “don’t know… but that place sounds familiar.”

You closed your eyes for a moment before turning to both Himeko and Welt, “if’s it not too much to ask, once we get to Amphoreus I would like to be apart of the Trailblaze mission.”

Welt and Himeko looked at one another before looking back at you, “are you sure,” Welt asked. You nodded, “I feel like I’ve been there before.”

Black Swan tapped a finger to her chin, “I don’t see how that is possible though considering what Amphoreus is like.”

You shrugged, “I know it sounds stupid and everything, but I’m being serious here.”

Himeko smiled at you, “as long as you feel alright, then I don’t see why not.”

Getting to Amphoreus was another thing entirely, but when you all did find it, it was decided that you, Dan Heng, and Stelle would be going since March (for some reason) couldn’t wake up as ice started to form around her. If you were being honest, ever since you came back everything has been going wrong. But maybe by going to Amphoreus everything will become clear. You would get your lost memories back, March will wake up, and the Astral Express can keep moving forward.

However, getting blown from the sky was not apart of your bucket list as three of you in a single train car went in for a crash landing…

“…Dan Heng…Stelle?”

You blinked a few times as you sat up. Everything hurt. Your back, your legs, your arms. You were sure you cracked a few ribs too. And as you went to stand, you felt a giant pang erupt through your heart as it sent you back to your knees with you clutching your chest. Welt and Himeko did warn you back in Penacony that you would still feel the affects of getting your heart ripped in half.

Coughing a little, you looked around. There was only a half of the train car next to you and no friends in sight. Were they in the other half of the train car? If they were, then that means they landed elsewhere.

You shakily stood back up and bunched a handful of fabric in your hands right over where your heart was as you tried to still yourself and will the throbbing pain to go away. It took about ten seconds for the pain to dull into a light pang in your chest – though your other injuries were still very prominent, but … you’ll have to worry about that later. For now, you need to find Stelle and Dan Heng.

Stumbling a bit before getting your footing, you made your way out of the wreckage while also summoning your weapon, a simple sword.

“Now, if I were the other half of the train car, where would I land?”

In the distance, you could hear a few people screaming which made you falter for a moment. Find your friends or… You closed your eyes and lightly cursed to yourself before going to where the screams were coming from. Dan Heng and Stelle can handle themselves in a fight – you saw that for yourself in Penacony. The people who were screaming, however, not so much you imagine.

“Please- Please help us!”

When you got to the scene, someone had grabbed you. Their face was bloody as they pleaded for your help. You looked to where they were pointing.

“Shi-!”

You wrapped an arm around their waist and pulled the woman close before jumping away. Your sword coming up to block a strike coming down on you both. The enemy was decked out in black armor, it’s attacks were fast and calculated. It’s appearance – though different, reminded you a lot of the legion.

“Get behind me!”

You let go of the woman’s waist as she was quick to do as she was told and scrambled to get behind you as you blocked another attack. The weight of the hit sending you to your knees as your heart erupted in pain again making you wince as you tried to hold your blade steady. The enemy pulled back, readying another strike making you tsk. How annoying. You definitely had warmer welcomes.

Before it could make a move, however, another blade had beat the monster to it as a sharp, almost blinding edge, cutting it right down the middle. The enemy didn’t even have time to flail about before it disappeared.

You blinked a few times, somewhat dumbfounded before a hand came into your line of view. Grabbing the hand without thinking, you let this person pull you up.

“Thank you…,” your voice trailed off as you looked up.

“Phainon,” the man said while still holding your hand, his grip tightening ever so slightly, “my name is Phainon, and you?”

You were at a loss of words for a moment, his pretty boy visage knocking the wind out of you for a moment before clearing your throat, “o- oh, uhh,” you gave him your name, “thank you for saving us, Phainon. I wouldn’t know what we would of done if you hadn’t shown up,” you laughed a bit sheepishly. The warmth of his hand in your own becoming all to present as he still didn’t let you go.

“More like what you would have done… looking at you I can tell that you’re injured as well…, and what do you mean by we?”

“Huh?”

You frowned as you looked behind you, the woman from before nowhere in sight, but her footprints in the dirt were still present, “it seems the lady I was protecting made a run for it,” you said.

“Tch, of course she did, worthless ingrate,” Phainon muttered.

“Hmm,” you looked back at him, “what did you say? I didn’t hear you.”

“Nothing,” Phainon said as a smile crossed his lips, “she probably ran to somewhere safer.”

“Yeah,” you said as you scratched the back of your head with your free hand, “you’re probably right about that.”

You wondered briefly why it was so easy to talk to him. Then again, he seemed like the type to have that sort of charm and charisma. You looked down to your still connected hands which he finally let go of, “sorry,” he said while the tips of his ears started to turn a faint pink.

“Don’t worry about it…, hey, uhm. I know this is a lot to ask since we just met and you had to trouble yourself with saving me and all, but can you-“

“Sure thing!”

“Huh? But I didn’t even say-“

“You want me to escort you to Okhema, right?”

You shook your head, “where? Nevermind, I was actually going to ask if you could help me find my friends. One of them has grey hair and likes trashcans for some reason and the other looks tired of everyone.”

“You mean Stelle and Dan Heng?”

You immediately brightened at his words, “you know them?!”

He nodded, “I actually escorted them to a nearby camp. They said their friend was still missing, so I offered to look for them. I didn’t know it would be you though,” he muttered that last part where you couldn’t hear him.

“Can you take me to them?”

He nodded, “of course, follow me.”

When he turned to walk away, you went to follow after him, but the pain in your heart refused to subside as it sent another electrifying pain through your chest making you wince and fall to your knees again.

“Y/n!”

Phainon, despite having just met you, was knelt by your side in an instant.

“Where are you hurt? I don’t have any medical supplies on me, but I know first aid-“

You shook your head, “thanks for your worry, but…,” you rested a hand over your heart, “awhile ago I had woken up in an infirmary with my friends explaining to me that I was floating through space with my heart cut into two. So, I’m afraid if I want this pain to go away, then I’ll need a miracle.”

Phainon immediately thought of Hyacine. She couldn’t heal you because you were already dead then, but now that you’re alive and your wound has mostly healed, then she should be able to fix the pain in your chest.

“Luckily, we have a really good healer,” Phainon said.

“Good to know,” you said with a smile before taking a deep breath and exhaling, “please give me a moment… I’ll get up once this pain- h- hey!”

Before you could stop him, he was already pulling you close and lifting you into his arms in a bridal carry. One arm was hooked under your knees while the other supported your back.

“You're injured, I’m not forcing you to walk anywhere.”

You looked up at him to find him already looking down at you. He was so close, you decided not to argue and shut your eyes tight while you decided to just rest your aching head against his chest.

He seemed like the stubborn type anyway, so fighting with him seemed like a pointless endeavor. You just hoped he would set you down before Dan Heng or Stelle saw. Mainly Stelle cause throughout Penacony she was relentless when she saw Aventurine flirt with you. You had to explain to her that he was not flirting with you and was just trying to get information out of you. (Aventurine was, in fact, flirting with you. You were just too oblivious to notice. But that was a story for another time.)

Phainon, all the while, was trying his best not to squeeze you too hard while also gushing over the fact that he has found you again. You not being from his world and not being a part of the other cycles made so much more sense, and now that you were back again (albeit with missing memories it seems) he was determined to keep you. Gods he wanted to kiss you right now, but he can wait. Even though it was already pretty far into the current cycle – he was sure he can still win you over.

"Thank you again, Phainon."

He was brought out of his thoughts as you finally managed to say what was on your mind despite the stutter in your voice that almost made your words seem small as you looked back up at him. Your lips almost forming a small pout as you felt incredibly helpless in his arms. If only you weren't so injured, you wouldn't have to burden your new friend like this.

Phainon, on the other hand, was completely and utterly awestruck as he looked back down at you. You were as beautiful as the day he lost you. His lips were slightly parted as, his breath caught in his throat, and his heart hammered loudly against his ribcage - he was sure you could feel it since you still had your cheek pressed against his chest. He could already feel his face start to heat up.

And he intended to blurt out what he wanted to be a "no problem" or "anytime" or even a "I'm just glad I made it time."

Instead, he said something completely different. His knees wobbled, his legs felt like jello, and his whole body broke out into a heated sweat.

"Please marry me."

The red moon shone beautifully over Hell, while applause could be heard at the Opera Epiclese. It was a normal night like any other in that Opera House, with its Overlord's show about to end.

“Thank you all for coming here!” You and the other “actors” bow to the audience with a smile and the curtain closes in front of you. You can still hear the applause and the voices of the demons as you and the actors head to the dressing room.

With every step you take, every actor following you disperses into the shadows, leaving you alone with your thoughts.

The door closes behind you, completely silencing the voices of the inhabitants and making your smile disappear completely, leaving in its place a tired expression. You sit in front of the mirror, leaving your hat on the table as you look at your reflection, you feel your cheeks hurt and your eyes heavy.

“How much longer will I have to do this...?” is a question that was never answered, your hands instinctively going to your neck, feeling the extra joint around it and the cold invisible blue collar. You flinch at the sensation beneath your fingertips. You run your hands through your long hair, feeling the tears fall onto the table.

80 years. 80 years have passed since this whole Overlord facade started. 80 years since you made the deal with that Overlord because you didn't know any better.

You really didn't know any better. It was clearly a trap that your 18 year old self didn't see or sense.

“You will take my position as an Overlord, or rather, pretend to be "me." Act how people feel an Overlord acts, be what they want to see. And in return, I'll help you when the time comes. An equivalent exchange of sorts, does that sound good to you?”

You really didn't know any better when you took their hand.

If people realized that you were not an Overlord, that you were a simple sinner pretending to be one, everything would go down the drain, everything you have worked for, the life you have sacrificed to make this work.

You, the Overlord of the Theatre and “Owner” of the Opera Epiclese, your performances reaching everywhere in the Pride Ring. People pay thousands just to see you perform. Or rather, the perfect mask they created for you.

The perfect mask that took you 80 years to perfect to fit on your face. The perfect mask that you were forced to wear.

Before your mind continues to torment you with gloomy thoughts, a knock on your door snaps you out of them. “Oh? Come on in!” you say, as you put on your hat at the speed of light.

“Maistel (Name)?” Your employee's voice entering the dressing room made you put your mask back on.

“Tell me, dear employee, to what do I owe the honor of being interrupted here?” you say in your best passive aggressive tone, wincing internally at your employee's discomfort.

“Uhm, it's about the Exterminations, Maistel (Name).” Your employee looks to the side, avoiding your gaze, and thank Lucifer they did, because if they hadn't they would have seen the nervousness on your face for a moment.

You look at him carefully, putting one of your legs on top of the other and crossing your arms. “What is it?”

“They have moved up the Extermination. According to 666 News, it will be in 6 months, Maistel (Name).” You can feel the nervousness in his voice, making your grip on your arm tighten.

The deer ears protruding from your head flicker for a moment, moving backwards. You shake your head, shaking your ears in the process. You look at your employee with a smile, forced, but it's a smile.

“Oh, what an unexpected turn of events! Who would have expected it...?” Certainly not you. The Extermination ended a few hours before your performance, why would they want to advance it? What happened? “You can go home, dear employee. Enjoy.”

“Thank you, Maistel (Name).” When your employee leaves the dressing room, you let out a big sigh and look in the mirror again. Your hands go to your head, gripping it tightly, your forehead hits the table and your hat falls to the floor.

“Why is all this happening...? Why?” You feel like screaming, yelling to someone about all this, but when you feel the cold of the invisible collar on your neck, you are left speechless. As if your vocal cords were clogged and burned under the cold of the collar.

You don't know what to do. You never did.

During the Exterminations, you always stayed in the comfort of the Opera Epiclese, knowing that you couldn't do anything. Knowing that you were just a simple sinner, nothing more.

You sigh in frustration as you stand up, walking towards the exit of the dressing room and on your way to your own bedroom, wanting nothing more than to sleep and rest from your thoughts.

Just outside the Opera Epiclese, a couple were walking towards the building, one more lively than the other.

“Are you sure it's a good idea? We are in an Overlord’s territory!” one of the voices said, worried about her companion, while the girl next to her smiled happily. The blonde clutches her papers tightly.

“Don't worry, Vaggie! I'm sure someone like Maistel (Name) would be interested in the hotel, I feel it in my soul!” The blonde smiles confidently, and her partner, Vaggie, sighs, smiling slightly.

The truth is that they had been trying to talk to some sinners for a while to get them to join the Hotel, without having any luck. Of course, until the blonde saw that Opera House in the distance, her spirits rose rapidly.

“Just be careful, okay? They’re still an Overlord, no matter how much you admire them.” The blonde nodded confidently, and opened the large doors of the Opera House. Blue and black walls were elegantly seen in that reception, some Demons were emerging from what seems to be a recent performance. Charlie smiled at seeing an atmosphere so... calm, for hell.

They both walked towards the reception, where the receptionist was looking at some papers a little nervously, her gaze rising from the white mountain in front of her to look at the new faces. “Oh, uh, welcome to the Opera Epiclese.” The receptionist searched through her papers. “Names? What are you here for?” she said, pen in hand.

“Oh, Charlie Morningstar! And she’s my partner, Vaggie!” Charlie could see how the imp immediately fell silent. The blonde looked curiously at the demon, seeing her better. She’s an Imp. Her clothes are elegant and blue, her hat adorned with black ribbons. A strange color palette for Hell, where everything was red.

“C-Charlie Morningstar? As in… Lucifer’s daughter?” The imp quickly looked at her papers, feeling like she was going to faint. “Why does this happen to me...? And it's my first day... I should have gone home when I could...” the receptionist was muttering to herself as she searched through a large book with golden details. Charlie looked at her worriedly while Vaggie raised an eyebrow.

“Are… you okay?” Charlie asked and the Imp flinched at her voice.

“Y-Yes, Your Majesty! Just… searching, give me a moment, please!” The imp continued muttering to herself, something about 'wanting to go home'. “Uhm... okay, it looks like you're not on the recent guest list, Miss Charlotte…”

“Charlie is fine! And no, we’re not here for one of Maistel (Name)’s performances, we’re here to talk to them!” Charlie explains with a smile, and the imp smiles nervously.

“I-I see… Gimme one second, Miss Charlie…” The imp turns around in her chair, heading towards one of the phones. Charlie looks at Vaggie excitedly.

“Maybe we have a chance, Vaggie! How exciting to meet Maistel (Name) in person!” Vaggie could only smile softly at her partner's enthusiasm. Any normal person would say that it should be the other way around, you know, meeting the Princess of Hell.

The imp turns around in her chair again, looking at the pair. “Uhm, Maistel (Name) should be available in a few minutes. If you want, you can wait in their office.” The receptionist smiled nervously, and Charlie, grabbing her hands and shaking them up and down.

“Thank you so much! Let's go, Vaggie!” Charlie released the imp's hands and walked towards the door on the left. Vaggie let out a soft laugh and approached the imp, who was bewildered.

“Where’s Maistel (Name)’s office?” she asks, and the imp mutters.

“It's in the door on the right…”

heres also this random gif that I transparent-ified + added gradient map that i didnt end up using - anyone can use !! ( no credit needed )