"Interesting," Valon mumbled. "Not going to beg for your life?"
Terrick, the knight on his knees, stared back defiantly. "No point in begging for the inevitable. Just get on with it, you bastard."
Valon chuckled, enjoying the honesty. "What if I offered you another option—one where you live?"
"What's the cost?" Terrick asked, eyes narrowing.
Valon stared into his soul. The sky darkened, clouds swirled, and lightning cracked in the distance. His ruby eyes glowed as he said the word Terrick feared:
"Everything."
"You will give me your soul and serve me for eternity. In return, I will give you life… and power."
Terrick hesitated. Though the idea of serving a demon was repugnant, the allure of survival and power proved stronger. He thought of his orphaned upbringing, his rise through the Adventurer's Guild, and the noblewoman who'd given him a purpose. That escort mission—his first honor—had ended in disaster. But now…
"I accept."
Valon pressed his palm to Terrick's forehead. Black mist coiled around them, then surged into Terrick's body. His muscles expanded, height increasing until he stood at 6'10".
AN – Don't laugh at the short kings!
His skin turned pale gray. His eyes went pitch black. As the transformation completed, he ripped apart his bindings and knelt before Valon.
"I am yours to command, my lord," Terrick said, his voice smooth as silk.
"A Death Knight. What a pleasant surprise," Valon mused. "Back on Abaron, they were royal guards. Looks like I've made a good investment." mused to himself.
"Only fitting for someone like me to create one," he added with a smirk. "Rise. We head northwest."
Merivel sauntered over, pressing herself against Valon's arm.
SLAP.
A crisp slap echoed. Terrick didn't hold back.
"My lord, shall I dispose of this common whore?" he asked with chilling calm.
Merivel, rubbing her cheek, slowly turned her head toward him. Her gaze was unhinged.
"Common whore? I'll admit to being a regular whore for my lord, but common?!" She sneaked glances at Valon shamelessly.
"The fact that you're offended by common and not whore is deeply disturbing," Terrick noted. "You should be disposed of."
Valon sighed internally. Psychopaths.
"Silence," he ordered.
Both obeyed instantly.
"We continue north to establish my foothold. Search the bodies for anything useful. Leave them for the wolves."
Later that day, the trio encountered a group of five bandits blocking the road.
Valon gave a simple order. "Deal with them."
Terrick launched forward. His shield smashed the first bandit back two feet. With a wide swing, he sliced open the second's chest. While that one staggered, he crushed the first's skull underfoot.
Merivel struck next—her throwing knife piercing the third bandit's throat. As he gurgled, she charged the fourth. He swung high. She ducked and sliced off his leg. Then she dashed forward, stabbing the fifth in the heart.
The wounded second bandit tried a desperate swing at Terrick. It bounced off his shield.
Terrick raised his sword and cleaved the man in two.
Valon yawned. Humans are so weak, he thought. Conquering this world might be easier than expected.
They gathered the spoils. Between the nobles and these bandits, they now had:
200 Gold Coins60 Silver Coins20 Copper Coins
Not a fortune, but enough to start a new empire.
Next stop: Castle Ruin—a fitting name for the beginning of the end.