In the countless years of Bratley’s existence, only three days he could recall as truly terrible. The first was the day of his birth when he found himself alone in a giant void waiting for the planet he would later inhabit to take shape. The second was the day he met the hero and had to prostrate for his life for the very first time.

As for the third, well, getting beaten senseless for the first time in his life was definitely worthy of a mention. The black dragon would sometimes wonder what his victims felt when he crushed them. Now that it happened to him, he was almost regretful.

“Is this ok?” asked David after cracking the last of Bratley’s ribs. At least he was kind enough to not rip out his scales. Although, his internal organs, muscles, and bones were not so fortunate.

“Yes,” Seth nodded profusely. “I think I can now have closure. Although…” He flew around the dragon searching for the most vulnerable spot. Finally, near one of his front legs, he found a half cracked scale.

Seth summoned all of his mana, placed it inside of his fist, and punched.

“Argh,” the dragon moaned as the scale broke completely. After taking the fallen piece as a souvenir, Seth smiled in satisfaction.

“Victory,” he whispered so no one would hear. “If it’s not too much trouble, could you also send him to the Great Labyrinth near Guyfast? His beloved daughter misses him dearly... despite the abuse.”

“The what!?” Bratley, Joe, and David asked in unison.

“Oy oy,” said the rock monster. “Even I can tell that’s a bit of a stretch…”

“You!” the hero interrupted before gallons of rage filled mana poured out of his body. “To think I actually spared you bastard!”

“But…”

“No buts!” Remembering his daughter from earth, David’s heart filled with sorrow. He clapped his palms summoning all of his power.

Immediately, a collar of light manifested around the dragon’s neck. It materialized into a pink iron circle from which a cute leather leash sprung out which could be lengthened or shortened at will. As for whose will…

“Black dragon Bratley!” the hero roared. “I hereby seal your body and fate into the servitude of your daughter…”

“Yuki,” Seth completed.

“Your daughter Yuki. From this day forth, you shall obey her every whims and commands. You will protect her and cherish her until your last breath.” David wiped away a tear before continuing in a slightly shaking voice. “Now go! And pray I never see your face again.”

After summoning another slightly larger portal, the hero kicked the dragon through.

“Quest complete,” Seth smiled.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

He, David, and Joe spent the rest of the day reminiscing about Earth. They laughed and cried and drank themselves silly. When it was finally time to part, they swore like brothers to one day meet again.

“Where would you like me to send you?” asked David.

“Guyfast, please.”

“To the queen? You have fine tastes, brother, but I must warn you: That woman’s preferences aren’t exactly normal.”

“Huh?” Seth raised an eyebrow.

“Why do you think she married that human? She’s a weird kind of pervert that only goes for other weirdoes, the overly ugly, overly tall, or overly…”

David gave the tiny pixie a second look.

“Damn,” he muttered. “Guess I’ve lost this one.”

“Are you sure?” asked Seth.

“Yes,” sighed the hero. “I’m not so low of a bastard as to force someone to marry me. If she falls for you, then so be it.”

“Thank you,” the pixie bowed politely. ‘Victory 2,’ he noted inside his mind.

The portal summoned by David sent him and his vassals straight into the grand hall. There, the Queen and Chloe were waiting for them while the king was crying on his throne. Not only had his son been killed when the fortress fell on top of him, but his wife had just declared a divorce.

“What kind of a monster are you?” whispered Momo while they bowed.

“Was this the plan all along?” asked Alastar.

“Of course not,” Seth shrugged. “I thought the clueless hero role would be more than enough to conquer such a silly world. If Chloe hadn’t given me a way to change characters, I would've been screwed.”

While his vassals remained frozen with only their jaws touching the floor, Momo’s ring began glowing before turning into a dull grey. When the squirrel tried to move it, the ring popped off his neck without a hitch.

"After going back and forth between his pixie and human selves, the hero's personalities have merged into one. A new and improved Seth has emerged that will take the world by storm. Sounds like a good plot, doesn't it?" he said while giving his vassals a wink.

The royal wedding was held a month later. It was a gigantic celebration with guests arriving from all corners of the world. When the new King and Queen walked up to their balcony, the crowd below covered not just the plaza, but the entire city as well.

There was the Lich King and his concubines sitting in a giant sofa he had summoned on top of a house. Yuki and her new pet dragon were chatting with him from on top of a neighboring building.

Nijaz and the Nightwalker were exchanging tea with Chloe and a dressed up Beelzebub in a nearby coffee shop. Alastar and Joe were comparing notes for his soon to be built largest mage’s tower in history. Since he no longer fit in with the other squirrels, Momo had joined them in their endeavor.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” the royal butler announced. “I give you the King and Queen: Seth and Helena Blythe!”

The crowd burst into applause for the unusual couple. While Helena wondered how her wedding night would go, Seth stepped forward and began his coronation speech:

“Dear citizens!” he shouted with gusto. “I, Seth, conqueror of Blueberry Grove and ruler of the Terian Kingdom, am honored to be in your presence. You are all excellent examples of unity and culture. Every last one of you is a beautiful person, a kind and caring individual with values that transcend time.”

The King moved his eyes throughout the crowd making many of his subjects blush uncontrollably. From on top of a building, David gave him a thumbs up while Bratley and his descendant were cringing at the scene.

“What’s he planning now?” asked Momo with worry.

“Isn’t it obvious?” shrugged Alastar.

“However,” Seth continued. “Is it truly fair to keep our beautiful culture away from the rest of the world? Is it right to deprive them of our knowledge and wisdom, to keep them away from the truth?”

Momo felt a shiver run down his spine.

“Why do you think he’s funding my tower?” the mage asked.

“It’s not!” Seth bellowed. “We mustn't abandon our neighbors and let them fend for themselves! Together, we can help this world one nation at a time. I promise you, dear citizens, by the time this decade is over, not only the Terian kingdom, but the entire world will be mine free!”