My journey has taken 12 long years, 10 years longer than expected. I’m really feeling better about this. I’m glad Duane finished my training. It was a lot harder, but I feel I’ve got this a lot better now. Through these doors lies the Dark lord’s throne room. 10 years ago those guards might have proven more difficult but I’m not even breathing hard. Ok. It’s time! Let’s do this. I push open the doors. More guards. Just standing at attention, not even looking at me. I walk in. Quite majestic. Red rug, tall marble pillars, huge throne in the distance, a white tiger, classic evil guy pet. I’m getting very evil vibes from like everything in hear. Finally my journey can be over!

I hear a voice call out, he greets me by name. Weird. “Fear not, the guards won’t intervene. Very strict orders. You need not fear them”. How does he know my name? His voice sounds familiar. Heh, overly large horns on his helmet, it’s like he has read all the “evil villain tropes” out of a book. Well he’s drawing his sword. Time for talk is over!

It was a long and drawn out fight. I won. But something isn’t right. He’s mortally wounded. Taking off his helmet. IT’S Duane! I kneel next to him. He smiles kindly. “My time is done, you did well, I knew I trained you correctly”

“But why?” I ask. “I don’t understand. Had you killed me at our first meeting… I wouldn’t have won now. Did I really win are you…?” He interrupts me. “Don’t go doubting yourself now. I wanted to see your true strength. And I found it. You are the right one to rule on this throne.” A guard approaches. He kneels before me, he’s holding up a helmet, long horns. Longer than the dark lords. “Take it, and rule my friend. I would want nothing less for you”. Duane is coughing up blood.

“I’m not right for ruling anything” I say, Duane responds “Do what you want, kill those who oppose, delegate the rest. My people are very good at running things”. I pick up the helmet. It looks the perfect size. Duane coughs up more blood. He doesn’t have much time. He looks like he is in so much pain. I put on the helmet, the guards kneel. I pick up Duane’s sword, and plunge it into his chest. Peace is on his face. No more pain. As if practiced I hear “The Dark Lord is dead, Long live the Dark Lord!” I rise and ascend to the throne. I look at Duane. “Call a taxidermist, I want him to watch over this room to see what I will do” a guard runs off. 12 years I was the Hero. 10 years I knew the dark lord. Taught me everything. Those who sent me will be happy to know he’s dead, but their problems are just beginning.

Revenge will be sweet and regret will be upon their lips, nothing but sorrow will they find. The Dark Lord has past, but a new terror is coming, and isn’t afraid of the light. I didn’t want this, but I can see who the true evil is now. We will ride forth, and cleanse the scourge that has soured the lands. Rivers will flow with their blood, night is ending, the blood red sunrise is coming.