Chapter 40: Loss

The upbeat atmosphere was filled with the sounds of laughter and cheerful discussion. The bathes turned more into a mixed setting after a fierce 'skirmish'. With calming of the situation, Atlas rested on the side of the bath, enjoying the warmth of the gentle slimes. A small amount of steam slowly accumulated, forming a comfortable cloud over the resting skeleton.

"Ainz-sama! The bathes are amazing, but you are more amazing!" Albedo announced cheerfully.

"Thank you for your praise, but this would not be possible without the guardians." Ainz spoke.

"AINZ-SAMA IS ALWAYS AMAZING!"

Atlas started to feel his consciousness retreat into a steady haze as he began to relax fully. The gentle touch of the slimes had such an effect on the skeleton after his many tasks, giving him a shelter from the storm of his stress and anxieties.

"Atlas-dono, stay awake just a while longer, we must pridefully participate in this bath ritual." Cocytus spoke as he tapped Atlas on the collar bone.

"Do not worry, I can stay conscious."

Atlas kept himself awake with the power of his will, pulling through the rest of the bath activities.

After a long day of activities and general socialising, the Guardians were allowed to leave and spend the rest of the day doing whatever they desired. As this was now free time, Atlas left towards his room to attend to his duties.

KNOCK KNOCK

"Come in."

Atlas entered the room, seeing that it was filled with incense that gave off a seductive aroma. The room seemed darker than usual, with the walls a dark purple and the bed frame being patterned in black flowers. The atmosphere of the room felt very sensual and inviting. In his flesh form, Atlas' body had succumbed to the inviting environment, feeling calm yet restless. The contradictionswere clear, but his body went beyond them.

"Lady... I mean Narberal...I am sorry for keeping you waiting for so long."

Atlas walked forward to find a purple curtain in his path that wasn't there earlier. As he opened the curtain he saw Narberal wearing a revealing set of black underwear, lying on the again visible bed. She seemed rather confident in this manner, not showing a sliver of shame in her demeanour.

"Atlas, I hope you still have enough energy to engage in more interactive activities." Narberal whispered.

"I do. But I need to ask something of you." Atlas responded.

"What may that be?"

"Do you care if we are unable to produce a child?" Atlas asked.

"So you are already thinking ahead, I see..."

"I don not care about that matter very much. If we are able, I would desire to, but I know that is not possible." Narberal spoke as she looked down with slight expression of disappointment.

"So knowing this, you still wish to pursue this relationship with me?"

Narberal got up from the warm bed and walked slowly towards Atlas. As she reached him she placed her dominant hand on his neck very gently.

SLAP

Narberal slapped Atlas hard on his left cheek, knocking him to the ground. She followed him to the ground and delivered a gentle kiss on the afflicted cheek, curing it of pain.

"This is my answer." She whispered.

The scene was yet again filled with pleasure that was uninterrupted by the tasks of Nazarick. The bed was left empty as the two had decided to have their will on the ground. The carpet was worn in by the pushing and pulling of the night as the two succumbed to the nature of flesh, becoming one. But as most things go, it ended, with the climax that had been built from hours of activities.

"Atlas...That was a fine performance." Narberal commented as the two slouched on the bed.

"Thank you for your praise." Atlas responded.

But as all things go, they end with sorrow.

"By the way, Atlas, I have very important-"

SLASH

A thin blade ripped through the curtains and directly hitting Atlas' neck, slicing his head clean off of his body. A blade that was aimed for the fair lady had missed by a mere inch, ending the night with blood of another.

"ATLAS!!!"

The tomb had been raided, the guardians were fending off an army of armed attackers, leaving no time for their forces to consolidate their strength. The unexpected attack was born out of their moment of laziness, costing them dearly. The night ended with the complete evacuation of Nazarick, but no items were left behind. Anything that could not be taken was destroyed.

Nazarick had fallen through unknown means. Although they were not able to destroy many of Nazarick's forces, the invasion had cost them their base. Although it may only seems like a simple relocation, it was not that simple.

District Guardian Atlas was lost before the battle had begun, along with most of the elder guarders. With the loss of the Leader of the Necropolis, the skeleton forces grew restless, blaming the New World for the loss of their leader. With that one fatal attack, the forces of Nazarick declared war on the world.

As there was currently no way to revive Atlas, the NPCs held a funeral for him along with a 7 day mourning period. Unknown to him, he was held as one of the most devoted to Nazarick, being posthumously Granted the title of Area Guardian. But without his life, everything had ended for him.

His love had not come to terms with the sudden and unfair death he had suffered, turning sour towards all humans from the New World. The very utterance of the word 'human' seemed to become much more taboo as of late. Even the NPCs that had favoured humans such as Yuri Alpha, had already turned to scorning them. Through the simple siblinghood that Atlas had shared with the Pleiades, she too felt the pain of his death.

Cocytus volunteered to lead the Necropolis forces which had been renamed the 'Brothers Of Atlas' against the nearby human nations as a way to avenge his comrade.

Even with the killing and wars, it was not enough. Nazarick had never truely lost someone before. The new world was safe, but they were wrong. They had to make sure everything was purged.

"Atlas, I promise that the humans will suffer endless pain. They made you leave a day before our wedding. I wanted to tell you...but you were murdered too soon."

"They took you away from me...but do not worry our son will not be exposed to this."

[Atlas, I see it did not take long for you to die.] Stavros spoke.

[Do not tempt me.] Atlas responded.

[it has been a year, I see it did not go well...]

[well you are in luck! The Abyss has a task for you, if you complete it, you may be able to go back to Nazarick again.]

[What is the task?]

[You will see...]