One week later, late at night…

Snow-laden stone ensnared by icy leaves and blooming white roses. Large antique windows bathed in the golden glow of the morning sun. Black blood streaks each step leading up to the once-mighty clock on the wall – a monument reduced to shattered glass and metal.

I know this place! I know it for all the wrong reasons. But then, how the fuck did I…

“You’ve finally returned, ‘Hero’… at long last. Oh, I’ve missed you so much…”

The voice echoes with unsettling familiarity, so clear and precise it almost sounds like my own. For a moment, I wonder if I uttered those words… if I’m losing my mind.

But no, of course not! The figure speaking sits cross-legged on the blood-stained steps, a shadowy silhouette shaped uncannily like me. Its grin twists maliciously as if it can read my thoughts… and it’s… unsettling.

I know who this is – it’s the Demon Lord! The bastard’s mocking me. But then, how the fuck is this happening!? Why am I here? I thought I was…

“You just had to screw it up, didn’t you? We had everything in our grasp, and now look at us… right back at the start. What a shame…”

Summoning Elizabeth into my grasp, I channel my fury, unleashing a blast of Holy Fire. The flames roar white and blue, engulfing the Demon Lord in a tempest of righteous anger. I pour more energy into the attack, creating a storm of divine fire to obliterate… everything...

“Yes, yes… I know…” the Demon Lord says mockingly, its voice dripping with amusement as the flames subside. “It’s good to see you again, too.”

“For fuck’s sake…”

To my horror, it stands unscathed, still grinning with that infuriating smirk. It remains in the shape of me, a warped shadow of my visage. Why… the nerve of that bastard!

“How the fuck are you still standing?”

“You can’t kill me. That pleasure was already yours once. As it was mine as well, remember?”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Another wave of Holy Fire erupts from my hand, searing the air around us. But when the flames fade once more… the Demon Lord remains, its grin undimmed, its shadowy form unchanged.

“Good grief. You’re pissing me off…”

“If it helps calm you down…” the Demon Lord says, feigning sympathy as it casually shrugs its shadowy shoulders. “I’m sorry about your Paladin. Anna Silvermoon… was it?”

“SILVERLIGHT!”

“Oh, right! Of course. Perhaps I would have known her enough to remember her name… had I the pleasure of killing her slowly… tearing her flesh and soul apart, piece by piece… letting her bleed out as she begs me for the mercy of death…”

“You can try,” I reply coldly. “And when you do… she’ll happily ram Ascalon down your throat. She got you pretty good, I remember…”

“Hmm. We’ll see about that, won’t we?”

“You won’t get the chance, ever!” I growl, white and blue flames flaring up in my hands. “Because I’m gonna kill you right now.”

The flames of my Holy Fire roar to life once more, hotter and brighter than ever, consuming everything around us in an inferno of sacred wrath. My anger fuels me… pushing me to push the fire further… harder… until it feels like nothing can possibly survive. But when the blaze recedes… the Demon Lord still stands, as smug as ever.

“Impossible…”

“We could do this all day if that’s what you want,” the Demon Lord taunts. “Well, you could, anyway. Forever, if need be. Or at least for as long as you slumber.”

“So, I’m dreaming…” I state, narrowing my eyes. “Dreaming of you. Well, shit. That’s just wonderful – I’ve always wanted to spend my nights with someone like you!”

“Hmph! The feeling is mutual.”

“So, what the fuck do you want? You’re the one who dragged me here to face you.”

“Want? Oh, nothing… not yet…” the Demon Lord replies with mock innocence, licking its shadowy lips. “This is merely the first of many… delightful reunions we’ll be having. We are as one now… you and I…”

“Bullshit.”

“You know it to be the truth, deep down.”

“Really? I do? Wow! I guess dreams really do come true, eh?”

“Heh. From how you’re talking… it really seems like you’ve forgotten. Or perhaps you’re just a consummate liar… going so far as to deceive even yourself?”

“Forgotten what?”

“I’d tell you, but where’s the fun in that? You’ll figure it out as you retrace your steps in this new timeline we’ve created together…”

“What!? What the fuck does that even…”

Before I can finish, the scene vanishes. My eyes snap open to the familiar darkness of my room in the Chantry of Eternal Light. The ceiling above looms still and silent, and I’m lying in bed, the blankets wrapped too tightly around me. I’m sweating all over… my breaths are coming in heavy, ragged gasps… my heart’s thundering in my chest… and I feel… awful.

I sit up slowly, staring out of the window into the night. The stars glimmer faintly, their light muted by the storm of thoughts swirling in my head. That dream – if it was a dream – lingers, the Demon Lord’s mocking words echoing in my mind.

Good grief.