Something felt off. Alex stared at his hands, they were gray, familiar. He lifted one to run through his hair, but paused when it found a pair of thick, curving horns. 'This is Azzymoth. I've become my Abyssal Reigns avatar!'

For a confused moment, he wondered if he was still in game. But no, everything was a shade too real; the smell of the forest around him, the weight of his armour, the lack of headset or haptic suit. 'This is reality. I really am in another world!'

His excited thoughts were interrupted by a whisper that passed like wind through the crowd. "Dread Lord"

The words were reverent, almost like a prayer. The expectation and hope in their voices made Alex re-evaluate the situation.

The Kobold priest's white robe hung loosely from an emaciated frame. Orcs bore scars, and Goblins twitched nervously. Their eyes held stories of hardships, wars, and a longing for salvation. Salvation they hoped he could provide.

'This isn't a game… This is their reality,' he thought, his initial excitement now tempered by sobering understanding. 'I have to tell them…'

the realization pained him. This was his chance for a fresh start… but he wouldn't let it be at their expense. He would tell them the truth.

"Sorry," he began, "there's been a mistake. I'm not—"

His words trailed off as the Kobold adjusted its head, exposing rows of knife-like teeth in its short snout. 'That mouth… kind of resembles an alligator's…and those teeth…'

Behind the priest, an old Orc's biceps rippled, barely contained by its tanned, weather-beaten hide. A Naga clutched a wand, crackling with ominous red lightning, and Goblin fingers twitched toward concealed daggers.

Taking in the new set of details, Alex's determination wavered. Pitiable though the group seemed, there was real danger here.

He looked back to the Kobold, and met its cat-like yellow eyes. They held a cunning and intelligence he hadn't registered before.

Balling both fists, Alex made his decision. 'Even so… better to tell the truth. The longer I delay, the more upset they'll be when they find out.'

Alex straightened, mustered his courage, and began again, "I'm not—"

'Ting' the familiar chime of a message spell interrupted him.

[Bubbles] AZZY! AZZY ARE YOU THERE? I CAN'T SEE.

Surprise. Disbelief. Relief. 'Bubbles. That's Bubbles. But how…'

[Alex] Bubbles? How are you here? Where are you?

He focused on sending his thoughts at her, and felt the

[Message] spell fire off.

[Bubbles] I THINK I'VE BEEN EATEN. IT'S REALLY DARK, AND SMELLS REALLY, REALLY BAD.

He felt movement against his chest and jerked in surprise. Then he came to the obvious conclusion.

[Bubbles] IF THIS IS THE END…TELL MY FAMILY… TELL THEM I WAS BRAVE.

[Alex] What family? And… you're in my armour, Bubbles. Stop squirming.

"Mmmrmphf?" An indistinct muffle came from his breastplate.

[Alex] Shh. Don't move. Just stay put. Things are… weird out here.

"Lord…?" the Kobold trailed off uncertainly.

The crowd grew silent, all waiting to hear what he would say. Alex knew he should address the mistake as soon as possible, but there was so much about the situation he didn't understand.

"You, who are you, and why have you summoned me here?" he asked, trying to inject confidence into his voice.

"Yes, my lord. This one's humble name is Krelnar. Blessed-thanks for answering our call. Long have my people awaited the return of the Dread Lords…we wish only to serve you, great one. Under your guidance, we will once again unite the races against our oppressive enemy."

[Bubbles] OMG. Azzy! New Minions! I CALL DIBS ON NAMING THEM!

Alex's voice turned somber, "Which enemy do you speak of, Krelnar?"

"The humans, my Lord. Their cruelty knows no bounds. This unworthy one begs your aid!"

"I see… And what would you have me do?"

The Kobold's gaze flicked to the crowd before continuing, "My lord, if it pleases you, perhaps a more… private location? We have prepared gifts, as well as food and refreshments to celebrate your arrival."

Alex felt another layer of guilt settle over him at the mention of gifts. Already, he felt the misunderstanding tangling around him. He knew from painful experience that the longer he let this deception persist, the harder it would be to free himself of it.

His eyes fixated on one goblin in the crowd as it licked its tongue along a rusted dirk.

'...Perhaps it would be better to come clean in private? It's not my fault I was summoned, after all. Isn't this Priest the one who cast the spell? He might have as much to lose as us. Who knows how this crowd will react to a mix-up.'

The goblin extracted something twitching from its teeth using the dagger and gulped it back down.

Alex looked away. 'Yeah... definitely better to discuss this in private. You don't start the boss battle in front of a mob, after all.'

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

[Bubbles] DID HE SAY FOOD? ASK IF THEY HAVE FAIRY CAKES.

[Alex] Not now, Bubbles.

[Bubbles] JUST ASK.

[Alex] Not now.

At his reply, Bubbles began wriggling beneath his armour. She was rapidly worming her way up towards his collar.

He reached up to grab at her, but was powerless to stop the fairy as she burst from the top of his breastplate. She zipped up and came to hover above the crowd.

"Alright, PEASANTS! Bow before the one true Fairy Dread Queen! And, like, fetch me those cakes!"

Krelnar, the Kobold priest, cast a wide-eyed look between them. "Two... Dread Lords?" he questioned.

"That's right! and I'm the important one." Bubbles said, tiny hands planted on tiny hips.

The Kobold's mouth drew back, the grin exposing those dagger-like teeth again. "The gods have truly blessed us. Please, this way."

---

The old Orc and the Naga joined their group as they made their way through the settlement. Bubbles seemed fascinated by the Naga, and began peppering her with a mix of fashion critiques and personal questions, each less appropriate than the last.

With the emergence of Bubbles, Alex felt the situation rapidly spiraling out of his control. With every new word, she was committing them to playing the role of Dread Lords.

This wasn't her fault. Her truth differed from his. She clearly believed the world of Abyssal Reign to be real, and when she told them he was a powerful Dread Lord, it was because, in her mind, he was.

"Grunt is the leader of this hollow-trunk tribe." Krelnar continued at Alex's side, "His tribe has been gracious to shelter us after we were attacked on our pilgrimage"

The Kobold walked with a slight limp. His staff clacked along beside him, serving double duty as a cane.

Alex wondered if the injury was recent. 'Perhaps a result of said attack?'

"Krelnar is too modest. His people give tribe many gifts." Grunt replied amicably. Despite the Orc leader's fierce exterior, his voice held a velvety warmth that Alex thought hinted at a gentle soul.

As they walked, they passed a hodgepodge of mud huts and ramshackle wooden shelters. It was clear that the former belonged to the Orcs, and the latter were a recent addition made to shelter Krelnar's group.

"How is it you all speak the same language?" Alex asked.

"We have varied languages, Lord. It is one of Seressha's many talents that allows us to converse in this way. Seressha?" Krelnar prompted, inviting the Naga to continue.

"Transslation sspell. It allows-s all to unders-stand one-another, s-so long as I s-speak the language.'"

[Bubbles] Hey! She like, didn't call you Lord. Totally sus!

[Azzymoth] Weren't you just getting along with her? And you don't call me Lord either, Bubbles.

[Bubbles] UH. THAT'S BECAUSE WE'RE BESTIES. Like, how could you even compare us. Rude.

"...I see. A useful bit of magic."

"You honor us, Lord. I am sure your spells far outstrip our own...?" probed Krelnar.

"Of course! Azzymoth is-"

"You mentioned you were attacked? What happened?" Alex cut Bubbles off before she could say anything else to further damn them.

"Humans, my lord. They ambushed us.'" Krelnar replied.

Alex felt uneasy every time humans were mentioned. A small knot formed between his brows.

"Why would they attack you?"

[Bubbles] AZZY!

[Azzymoth] What?

[Bubbles] That's like, totally Victim Blaming. Not cool.

"Forgive this one for saying so, but do humans need a reason to attack? They see us as less than animals." a spark of fury flashed in Krelnar's eyes, before quickly shifting to sadness "More than 100 faithful set out on this journey, but now..."

"I see..." Alex said softly, trying to convey his condolences.

"Oh, you poor thing! I agree. Humans are the worst! We will totally help you, right, Azzy?"

"Mmm." He hummed non-committedly. It was becoming more and more apparent that sharing his real identity, even with Bubbles, was not a safe move. Then, what should he do?

[Alex] There are usually two sides to a conflict, Bubbles.

[Bubbles] Uh, duh. There's us, and the baddies. Like, what are you even talking about, Azzy? You always complain about how evil humans are! Remember those poor elf girls we saved? And didn't you say humans were trying to destroy a whole PLANET with... what was it again? Micra-Plastiques?

[Alex] Yeah... I remember.

---

They arrived at a mud hut larger than the rest. Krelnar stood to the side, allowing Grunt to lift the animal hide covering the entrance.

"Lord Azzymoth, Come in. Welcome." the Orc leader said simply.

The warm flickering light of torches lit a simple, long wooden table. Low benches ran along either side, crafted from crude thick logs and covered with fur and hide for cushioning.

Warm air greeted him as Alex stepped inside, carrying a scent like that of roast lamb and rosemary. Alex paused, stunned momentarily by the nostalgic scent. It reminded him of childhood Christmas dinners. Four more Orcs were gathered around the table, including one smaller one that Alex suspected was a child. Grunt introduced them as his first wife, son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. Krelnar reached the table, already set with a mixture of soup, roast meat, and root vegetables. He bowed low.

"If it pleases you, my lords, please sit," he gestured eagerly at the food.

Whatever difficulties these people were going through, they'd gone all out to prepare this. They prepared it for a Dread Lord... one they expect to lead their armies to fight humans...

[Bubbles] THEY'RE NOT EATING PORK, ARE THEY?

[Alex] I think it's goat.

[Bubbles] Good. Because that would be cannibalism. And you know how I feel about the minions eating each other.

They're not our minions, Bubbles. Alex left the thought unspoken.

As Alex sat, a sharp pinch from his armour caused him to wince. One of the buckles from his breastplate was digging painfully into his side. The feeling only worsened as the meal progressed. He wished he could take the burdensome stuff off, but as uncomfortable as it felt, the thought of being without it made him feel naked. Bubbles, with a wide grin, darted around, sampling every dish, laughing and telling grand stories of their adventures together in Abyssal Reign. Watching her, Alex shifted in his chair. The armour felt tight, hot, and itchy. He could see sweat marks on the table where his arms rested.

After some time, the Orc child approached, eyes wide. "Are you really Dread Lords?" she asked, clutching a wilted flower.

Alex glanced at the child's hopeful face, then at the flower. He felt a pinch in his chest. He tugged at his armour's collar, trying to get some air.

"We like, totally are!" Bubbles answered.

"For you," the child offered them the flower.

Bubbles grinned, taking it and tucking it behind Alex's ear. The child giggled and ran back around the table to her mother, whispering something to the female orc, who smiled kindly over at them. Bubbles buzzed off again, picking up a drumstick that rivaled her in height and taking a massive chomp out of it.

[Bubbles] Isn't this great!?

Suddenly, it was all too much. The armour, the flower, the deception.

Alex stood up abruptly, causing a stir. All eyes were on him. He reached for the clasp of his armour, hesitating. The room fell silent.

He couldn't bear it anymore. Neither the armour, nor the lie. Besides, his new companions had been perfect hosts thus far. What was there to be worried about?

[Bubbles] Azzy...?

'No... They've been perfect hosts for two Dread Lords. How would they–how would she–treat me, knowing I was human?' Alex took a deep breath, and instead of removing the armour, he adjusted it, making it sit slightly better on his shoulders. He sat back down.

The armour was uncomfortable, but like the lie, it protected him. In that moment, Alex realized he'd made his decision: he resolved to bear the weight of both, at least for now. They were already so deep in the lie, the only way out was to make it a reality. He would be their Dread Lord.