Return of the Dark Lord

**Return of the Dark Lord** is the second episode of Rivers and Waters in The Forgotten Tale of Ogaji.

This episode, and all other episodes of this Series, are based off of Legends of Ogaji, but are only canon to Newjago.

## Synopsis

*Milo takes a plane to the location of Link's secret Team base, Auqra's Lake, but is met with the Dark Lord himself along the way and must fend through the Delta Forest Temple to finish his journey.*

## Previously on TFTOO

“Milo, you’re part of a bigger story, one that has yet to be told. You didn't just get good with the sword! It’s in your blood!”

Link steps to the bow, and jumps off, his sword raised above his head, and he jabs it right into the Heart. He jumps down, landing on the cursed Valley, and dies, as the Heart explodes.

“*Take the plane to Auqra's Lake. My associate there will tell you more. In this bag is also armor and a ticket. Use it wisely*.”

"What a fool, the curse can't be lifted."

## Return of the Dark Lord

After boarding the plane for Link's secret base, Milo is skeptical of what he will find there. What was Link's reasoning for sending him on this mission? Can he trust Link's associates? Or an even better question, can he trust Link?

These thoughts roamed his mind as he tried to fall asleep on the plane when there was a sudden turbulence. The pilot came over the intercom to tell the passengers that everything was ok, but Milo felt in his gut that things were not as they seemed.

Milo begins to stand up when the plane suddenly points headfirst towards the ground and crash lands...

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Milo is knocked unconscious and wakes up soon after to find himself thrown amongst the rubble. The plane landed on a hill in the middle of a dense forest. He knew this place to be the Earthron Woods, just east of his home town. It seems that he is the only survivor still at the crash site and the others must have left hours ago, as night had fallen.

Milo exits the ruined plane to figure out his next plan of action. According to the map that Link had given him, his team base was located near a place called Auqra's Lake, and it was in the far southeast of Ogaji. On foot, it would take three or four months at the most.

While Milo was deep in thought, a man appeared out of the shadows behind him. He had no face and seemed to be camouflaged with the night sky. He drew a dark blade from thin air and struck Milo from behind.

"I should have known that you survived our attack. You Masters are quick on your feet." the man said.

"W-who are you?" Milo said stumbling on the ground trying to reach his sword.

The dark man stepped closer to him and ignored his question, "It seems two of my best men could not even handle you, so I came to do it myself. Once you're out of the picture, I'm home free... Pfft, just look at you, cowering on the ground. You're nothing compared to your father."

"... My father? How do you know my father?" Milo regained his footing, holding his sword in his hand, now facing his enemy.

"It would be a waste of my time explaining myself to a foolish child. I'm better off ending this right now," the dark man raises his blade to deliver a fatal blow to Milo when suddenly a creature appears out of the brush and blocks his attack.

"Up to your old tricks again, Bamos?" the creature said. It resembled a large penguin with a sprout on it's back.

"Attendant of the Goddess!" The Dark Lord yelled in anger, "I'll have my way with you! Nobody calls me by my real name and gets away with it!" he attempted to stab the creature, but it sped away, taking Milo by the arm. "I hope the curse gets you all!"

"Wh-where are we going?! Who are you?!" Milo gasped as he was dragged through the dense forest.

"The Temple just up ahead. I know a shortcut." The penguin turned to look at Milo as he dragged him behind him and smiled, "I'm a friend of Link's."

The creature ran with Milo in tow at a surprisingly fast speed. However, The Dark Lord was not too far behind. As the three grew closer to the Temple in the forest, Milo could see The Dark Lord more clearly. He was a man made of complete darkness with no face and no clothes. Empty blackness emanated from his surface, and an aura of evil filled the air when he was near. The man scared Milo. Something else bugged him, there seemed to be two other men following closely behind the dark one, and a low rumbling sound followed them.

"This is it." the creature said as they finally arrived at the Temple, "The Delta Forest Temple. Built a long time ago by ancient forest folk to pray to the Goddess of Life. It's got a shortcut to Auqra's Lake, as well as the third Shrine of the Goddess. Shall we go in?"

Milo turned back to see The Dark Lord charging forward not too far away, and said, "let's go right now!'

The two entered the ruined temple and closed the door behind them. The creature informed Milo that the door won't hold him for long, though, so they should get out fast.

The two ran through the temple as fast as they could, with Milo too out of breath to ask any more questions. The Dark Lord was not too far behind.

As they finally reached the end, The Dark Lord had caught up. There was no running away now.

"Be gone forest rat!" The Dark Lord used dark magic to knock the creature away. He noticed a small bit of his power return to him.

"Stop! Don't hurt him!" Milo yelled to him, showing his blade.

The Dark Lord laughed, "Do you really think you can even begin to match me in battle? You've yet to even realize your true abilities. It's about time I disposed of you once and for all." The Dark Lord made his move, but Milo dodged it just in time.

"Stay still, you fool!" The Dark Lord lunged at Milo with the intent to kill, but his attack was blocked with Milo's sword.

Milo knocked the man of darkness back and swung several times. The Dark Lord scoffed and attempted another attack, but Milo was quick and slid under his legs, slicing him open from the bottom.

"Aughhhh!!!!" The Dark Lord screamed in agony and fell to the ground.

"You are quite lucky that I am in my weakened state. It will not be long before I am at my full power." The Dark Lord stood up, "We'll call it a draw for now. The worst is yet to come, remember that, Rivers." He said and disappeared in a cloud of black smoke...

Milo was out of breath and tried to help up the creature that helped him here. He carried him outside into the morning daylight. A cool lakeside breeze brushed against Milo's face as he gazed upon the glorious blue waters of Auqra's Lake. Here stood a white temple with high windows and carvings tracing the sides of it. This was where Link lived.

The creature in Milo's arms opened its eyes and shone them on Milo with gratitude. "Welcome, I'm Machi the spirit of Auqra's Lake."

## Cast

* Milo Rivers
* Link (mentioned)
* Machi (first appearance)
* The Dark Lord
* Auqra (mentioned)
* Earthra (mentioned)
* Fira (mentioned)

## Locations Visited

* Earthron Woods
	+ Delta Forest Temple
* Auqra's Lake

## Notes

* This episode is based off of Legends of Ogaji's, To Paradise.
* This is the second appearance of the Dark Lord, but it's the first episode when the characters acknowledge him.
	+ At the time of this episode's concept creation, the Dark Lord's backstory was still in development.
	+ The Dark Lord goes by three names, and two of them are used in this episode.