The cavern trembled as Lucien stood before the colossal beast, smoke curling around the jagged edges of treasure piles. A single glowing eye narrowed, locked on the demon lord below.
The dragon's voice thundered, ancient and commanding.
"I am Valgereth, First Flame of the Thirteen Hollow Peaks, Eternal Custodian of the Obsidian Vault, Last of the Ashborn, Devourer of Kings, Wyrm of the Seventh Spiral, and Keeper of the Crimson Contract. I—"
"Valgereth is fine," Lucien interrupted, raising a hand casually.
A long pause, then a puff of smoke.
The dragon snorted. "Very well… "
Lucien bowed with a respectful flourish, ash curling around his boots. "Thank you, great Valgereth, for trusting me with your treasure and your time."
Valgereth's eye narrowed further. "I don't trust you. Not yet."
Lucien shrugged, lips quirking into a grin. "As expected. I look forward to earning it. And building something better. Maybe even a lasting friendship."
Valgereth didn't reply, but the curl of smoke from his nostrils thickened with mild amusement.
Lucien clasped his hands behind his back. "Now, with your permission, I'd like to bring in my team to begin mining operations. We'll need to move the hoard out—"
"There's no need," the dragon rumbled.
Lucien blinked. "No?"
Valgereth's wings spread wide. "I go nowhere without my hoard."
The cavern dimmed as shadow magic poured from the dragon's chest. It burst outward like a cyclone, enveloping the treasure in a whirlpool of black energy. Lucien barely had time to scream and leap backward as the mountain of riches buckled and twisted.
A tidal wave of shadow surged up, wrapping itself around every coin, every gem, every enchanted trinket and weapon.
"Sweet flaming fucks—!" Lucien squealed, scrambling off the pile as it began to vanish.
Then, in one terrifying moment, Valgereth opened his maw wide and the entire hoard, bound in shadow, vanished into him with a thunderous inhalation.
Silence.
Lucien coughed and looked around, then up at the dragon's enormous form. "Okay, that was... terrifyingly efficient."
He adjusted his collar. "Also, very convenient. Mobile banking. Love it."
He eyed the dragon. "That said… dragging a giant wyrm around the kingdom might be a bit much. If you're open to it, I'd be happy to hold the hoard somewhere safe—"
"Try it," Valgereth growled, "and you'll lose more than just a hand."
Lucien chuckled nervously, tucking his hands behind his back. "Understood."
Valgereth tilted his head. "But… I did see something in your mind. Something I liked."
Lucien blinked. "Was it my charisma? My pecs? The emotional resilience I mask with sarcasm?"
The dragon didn't answer. Instead, shadow surged from his body once more, swirling around his colossal frame like a tornado. Lucien backed up instinctively as the form began to shrink, collapse, and transform.
Massive claws narrowed into fingers. Wings folded into a sharp coat. Horns curled tighter, and the swirling magic faded to reveal—
A man.
A devastatingly handsome man.
He stood tall, with flawless features, glimmering crimson eyes, and hair slicked back with infernal elegance. Two horns curled from his brow, and a he wore a flawlessly tailored three-piece suit, dark grey with crimson accents. Pocket square. Cufflinks. Black dress shoes so polished they reflected magic.
"This should make travelling a a little more convenient."
Lucien gasped. "You look… amazing!"
The dragon raised an eyebrow.
Lucien threw up his hands. "That's exactly the type of suits I used to wear. Honestly? You're pulling it off."
The dragon turned and posed, flicking the tail of his suit.
Lucien gave a low whistle. "Man, I miss proper suits." He eyed his own demon-gothic-themed attire. "I should get one made."
"No," the dragon snapped. "This is my look now. Nobody copies me."
Lucien's lip twitched. "Oh. Great. He's that kind of dragon."
Before the argument could escalate, golden light shimmered as Serenith floated down beside them, wings out, arms crossed.
Valgereth turned and gave a bow that managed to be both elegant and archaic. "A pleasure to meet one of the divine. "
"Well, well," she said. "A stylish dragon who knows how to bow. A rare thing."
Valgareth nodded softly. "I trust your reputation precedes you. You grace this realm with your presence."
Serenith smiled smugly. "Finally. Someone with some taste in the Ashlands."
Veyra, trailing behind, approached cautiously and dropped to one knee. "O' Great dragon... I offer you my service."
Valgareth chuckled. "I like this one."
Lucien stepped in. "No. Mine. Hands off."
Valgereth scoffs. "You'll learn… I take what I want. "
Veyra shivered behind Lucien.
Serenith drifted forward, leaned toward Valgareth, and whispered something into his ear. The dragon's gaze shot to Lucien. A slow grin spread across his face, then he burst into hearty laughter.
"The gods entrusted the world's future to him?!"
"They've got a backup plan," Serenith said, brushing her hair back. "But it's... kind of extreme. He's their last shot before divine intervention."
Valgareth exhaled smoke and gave Lucien a long look. "Interesting. Very well. I'll play your game."
He stepped forward and extended his hand.
Lucien hesitated.
"Shake," Valgareth said. "This seals our pact. Break it… and I claim your kingdom. And your soul."
Lucien stared at the offered handshake. Flames licked around the edges. The sheer heat radiating from it stung.
Still, he took it.
As soon as their palms met, shadow tendrils coiled around their arms, binding them in a web of burning magic.
He gasped, "Cool. Great. This is fine."
"This seals the pact," Valgereth intoned.
Lucien's eye twitched. "Neat."
They broke the shake. Lucien immediately cradled his scorched hand behind his back and smiled through gritted teeth.
He forced a smile through the agony. "Well then… better get to work."
-------------
The sun beat down on the dusty plateau outside the mine. Lucien's high council had set up a semi-organized camp. Paperwork, tents, and succubi ran wild.
As Lucien emerged, the first to spot him were Vex and Vile. The twins sprinted across the camp, launching themselves onto him.
"LORD LUUUUUUUU!"
"YOU'RE ALIVE!"
They kissed his cheeks, clung to him, and nearly knocked him over. "We thought you got roasted!"
Lucien laughed, spinning them in a circle. "Roasted, maybe. But still delicious."
Behind him, Serenith floated gracefully into the sunlight. Veyra stumbled up beside her, smiling shyly and still adjusting to fresh air without her armor.
X'zelle and Ignara turned.
Noticed.
Both grinned.
"Oh ho ho," X'zelle purred.
"Finally," Ignara muttered. "Lord Lucidius' doing?"
Veyra flushed and nodded. The two women immediately enveloped her in knowing, approving hugs.
Then the temperature dropped.
Or maybe it rose.
Valgereth stepped into the sunlight.
He tilted his head back and basked for a long moment, taking in the sun as though it had been centuries since he'd seen it.
X'zelle's spider arms snapped out, six blades gleaming. "Who is that?"
Ignara's aura exploded, flames licking up her arms and smoke hissing from her lips. "He smells like dragon."
In a flash of smoke, Valgareth vanished.
Then reappeared between them.
His hands clasped their faces.
Shadow tendrils coiled around their necks.
"I am your boss's boss," he whispered. "You will show me respect."
Their eyes rolled and limbs went limp.
"No!" Lucien snapped as he stormed forward and slapped a hand to Valgareth's shoulder. "These are my people. They're partners, not property. Knock it off."
Valgareth didn't look at him.
Lucien's smile faded.
His magic surged.
A wave of magical pressure exploded outward. Golden-black flames licking the edges of reality. The shockwave rippled across the camp, knocking over crates, tents, and at least two unsuspecting succubi.
Valgareth's suit flapped in the wind. His hair ruffled.
He slowly turned and smiled as he met Lucien's burning gaze. "That's more like the Dark Lords I remember."
He released the women gently and they slumped into Lucien's arms, blinking woozily.
Valgareth bowed his head then straightened his lapel. "Apologies. I've been in a cave too long. Clearly, I need to adjust my… manners."
Lucien smirked, flexing his smoking hand. "Yeah... we've all got things to work on, I guess." Then he leaned in close to Valgereth and his face turned serious. "But touch them again, and we will have a problem."
Valgereth answered with a smile and curt nod.
"Speaking of problems…" Lucien said, his signature smirk now back on his face. "We're bleeding gold, Val. Construction. Payroll. Ignara's down to her last barrel of royal coffee."
"Tragedy," Valgereth said dryly.
Lucien sighed. "A small injection of capital would go a long way."
Valgereth tilted his head. "Very well."
Then, he raised one hand.
Shadows surged upward from the ground between them like a black tower. It collapsed, and with a roar, burst into a massive pile of gold.
Coins spilled across the camp like a waterfall.
The council stared in stunned silence.
Lucien jumped. "By the abyss—!"
Valgareth clasped his hands behind his back. "Two hundred and fifty thousand, three hundred and forty-six coins. I will be tracking every single one. With interest."
Lucien grinned. "Of course you will."
He turned to the stunned camp and clapped. "Alright, people! Looks like payday came early! Get those shovels moving. We've got a kingdom to build!"
Everyone erupted in cheers.
Valgereth stood tall, eyes gleaming.
"I look forward to seeing if you're truly worthy, Dark One."
Lucien smirked. "Don't worry. I've got tricks up my sleeve you haven't even dreamed of yet."