In Guyfast’s giant hall, the rulers of the Terian Kingdom were welcoming a rather unexpected guest. He had blonde hair and was dressed in rags. He and his entire party was so full of bruises and cuts, it was a miracle they could still stand.

“Why have you returned, my son?” asked the king after someone healed their wounds.

“Father, I, Hector, have fought the Great Labyrinth boss and…”

“Lost,” the queen completed. “So, why are you here?”

“I didn't lose!” Hector protested. “I was tricked by a villain. If only you would renew my equipment, I’m sure I’ll…”

Suddenly, the Grand Hall’s doors burst open, and a pixie flew in on top of a beaten up squirrel.

“My love, I have saved the Kingdom! The Spider Queen is no more, and Yuyu the kind now manages her dungeon.”

“That’s him!” shouted Hector. “He’s the vile scourge that…”

“What do you mean ‘my love’?” the king spit. “I am…”

“Shut up!” the queen interrupted by slapping her husband upside the head. “Is there any proof of your words?” she asked.

Immediately, the chrystal ball near her throne shone revealing the face of the guardswoman from the wall.

“My Queen, I bring great news. The labyrinth has been restored to normal. It looks like the Spider Queen was defeated.”

“Ooh, that settles it then,” her majesty shrugged while closing the connection. “Step forward Sir. Seth, his brave steed, and the wise magician. How may I reward you for your bravery?”

“But, mom…”

“Step-mom.” The queen shot Hector daggers. “Make way for the hero,” she said in a low tone. Several guards proceeded to push the prince’s party to the side making room for Seth and company.

“State your wishes, Heroes,” the queen beckoned them to speak.

“I’d like a mage’s tower with a fully equipped experimental lab built to my specifications, with 20 assistants on the crown’s payroll, and a steady stream of weekly samples,” said Alastar while lowering his head as a sign of humility.

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“That’s… a bit much,” said the wide eyed queen. “I’ll tell you what: I’ll have the artisan’s guild build the tower’s foundation, and when you gather more achievements, we’ll go from there.”

‘Stingy wench.’ “You're too kind, my Queen,” was what Alastar actually said.

“I… I would like a skill,” said Momo while wiping away a tear.

“A healing spell, is it? It shall be done right away.”

“No!” the squirrel said a bit louder than expected. His eyes had lost their innocence. Only fury remained. “I want a skill that will bring misfortune and death upon my allies, I mean enemies.” The squirrel was snapping his tail like a whip.

“A bad luck skill?” The queen raised an eyebrow. “That’s unusual, but it will be done. What about you, Sir. Seth?” she turned towards the pixie.

“My love…”

“She is not your…” The queen once again slapped her husband.

“Ahem, a hero does not need rewards or riches,” Seth continued from where he left off. “All this humble knight asks is for your hand in marriage.”

“But, she’s already married,” cry-whispered the king while tilting away from the queen.

“Oh my,” Queen Helena smiled. “I’m afraid…”

“That your request is punishable by death?” asked the king while his son nodded.

“That killing one Labyrinth Boss is not enough to earn my hand.”

“Why, of course,” Seth nodded gravely. “How could I have been so foolish?”

“But,…” began the Queen.

“But?” asked Seth.

“But?” asked the Hector and the king.

‘Why does everybody keep interrupting me?’ wondered Helena. “But,” she continued. “If you could save my daughter, then that’s another story.”

The Queen ordered the guards to bring in the princess. In the meantime, everyone was stunned silent: the king due to the obvious betrayal, Seth and Momo due to being lost in polar opposite fantasies, and Alastar/Hector due to wondering ‘What the f**k is going on?’

“You’re not actually going to marry him, are you?” the king whispered after about a minute.

“Of course not. Not now anyway.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Helena was getting tired of his antics.

“Dear, we both know you won’t live past 50. Wouldn’t you want your wife and daughter to be taken care of after your passing?”

“Not by him!” the king protested. ‘Or anyone,’ he added inside his mind. “And, what about Hector? He’s your son too.”

“Haha, you are funny, my dear. Sir. squirrel, it seems like your skill book has arrived,” she said while pointing at the butler who had just walked in. With glowing eyes and a sadistic grin, Momo grabbed the book and learned it immediately.

“A skill that brings bad luck,” Seth pondered. “Make sure you use well, Moses.”

“Certainly,” the squirrel grinned. “I will only use it on the wicked.”

The moment Momo activated his brand new skill, several guards entered along with a walking blanket. The ghostly figure walked towards the Queen before crossing what was probably its arms.

“What?” it asked in a female voice.

“You’re face, Chloe,” sighed the Queen.

“No.”

“I'll ground you for a month.”

“So?”

“I’ll take away your peeking chrystal and nude painting collection.”

Suddenly, the blanket shuddered. With shaky movements, the covered hands slowly reached towards the top. Revealed was a breathtaking young lady in her twenties with skin so white it made snow look dirty, ears as pointy as her mother’s, and huge dark circles under her eyes.

“This is Chloe Blythe,” Helena introduced her. “My daughter and future Queen of the Terian Kingdom.”