The cavern trembles as Lucien stands before the colossal beast, smoke curling around the jagged edges of the treasure piles surrounding him.
A single glowing eye narrows, locked on the demon lord below before the dragon’s voice thunders, 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 interrupts, raising a hand casually.
A long pause, then a puff of smoke and the dragon snorts. "Very well."
"Thank you, great Valgereth," Lucien bows with a respectful flourish, ash curling around his boots, "for trusting me with your treasure and your time."
Valgereth’s eye narrows further. "I don’t trust you. Not yet."
Lucien shrugs, lips curling into a grin. "As expected. I look forward to earning it. And building something better. Maybe even a lasting friendship."
Valgereth doesn’t reply, but the curl of smoke from his nostrils thickens with mild amusement and Lucien clasps his hands behind his back, satisfied with the negotiations’ outcome.
"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 rumbles.
"No?" Lucien blinks. " Well, we can’t really—"
"I go nowhere without my hoard." Vakgreth snarls, wings spread wide.
The cavern dims as shadow magic pours from the dragon’s chest, bursting outward like a cyclone, enveloping the treasure in a whirlpool of black energy.
Lucien barely has time to yelp and leap backward as the mountain of riches buckles and twists beneath him and a tidal wave of shadow surges up, wrapping itself around every coin, every gem, every enchanted trinket and weapon.
"Sweet flaming fucks—!" Lucien squeals, scrambling off the pile as it begins to vanish.
Then, in one terrifying moment, Valgereth opens his maw wide and the entire hoard, bound in shadow, vanishes into it with a thunderous inhalation.
A defeating silence follows.
Lucien coughs and looks around, then up at the dragon’s enormous form. "Okay, that was... terrifyingly efficient." He adjusts his collar. "Also, very convenient. Mobile banking. Love it." He eyes 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 growls, "and you’ll lose more than just a hand."
Lucien chuckles nervously, tucking his hands behind his back. "Understood."
Valgereth tilts his head. "But... I did see something in your mind. Something I liked."
Lucien blinks. "Was it my charisma? My pecs? The emotional resilience I mask with sarcasm?"
The dragon doesn’t answer. Instead, shadow surges from his body once more, swirling around his colossal frame like a tornado as Lucien backs up instinctively.
Valgereth’s massive form begins to shrink, collapse, and transform.
Colossal claws narrow into fingers. Wings fold into a sharp coat. Horns curl in, smaller and tighter, and the swirling magic fades to reveal...
A man.
A devastatingly handsome man.
He stands tall, with flawlessly matured features, gleaming crimson eyes, a thick head of silver-grey hair, slicked back with infernal elegance. Two horns curl from his brow, and he wears a flawlessly tailored obsidian, three-piece suit, dark grey with ruby-red accents. Pocket square. Cufflinks. Black dress shoes so polished they reflect magic.
"This should make travelling a little more convenient." he smirks, pulling on his sleeves.
"You look... amazing!" Lucien gasps, soaking in the suit as the dragon raises an eyebrow. "That’s exactly the type of suits I used to wear. Honestly? You’re pulling it off."
"I know." Valegreth says flatly as turns and poses for himself, flicking the tail of his suit.
Lucien gives a low whistle. "Man, I miss proper suits." He eyes his own demon-gothic-themed attire. "I should get one made."
"Absolutely not," the dragon snaps. "This is my look now. Nobody imitates me."
Lucien’s lip twitches. "Oh. Great. You’re that kind of dragon."
Before the argument can escalate, golden light shimmers as Serenith floats down beside them, wings out, arms crossed.
Valgereth turns, takes one look at the angel, and gives a bow that manages to be both elegant and archaic.
"A pleasure to meet one of the divine."
"Well, well," she says. "A stylish dragon who knows manners. A rare thing."
Valgereth nods softly. "I trust your reputation precedes you. You honor this realm with your presence."
"Finally." Serenith smiles smugly. "Someone with some taste in the Ashlands."
Veyra, trailing behind, approaches cautiously and drops to one knee. "O’ Great dragon... I offer you my service."
"I like this one." Valgereth chuckles.
"No!" Lucien steps beside Veyra, on hand on her waist. "She’s mine! Hands off!"
"You’ll learn..." Valgereth scoffs. "I take what I want."
Veyra squeaks, shivering beside Lucien.
But the Demon Lord takes a deep breath, flexes a fist, and steps toward Valgereth. He stops inches from the elder dragon, face to face, their chests almost touching.
"One more thing." Lucien smiles, warm and friendly before all emotion drops from his face and presses one erect finger into the centre of Valgereth’s chest. "Don’t. Ever. Touch my women."
"Oh," Valgereth grins, eyes flicking with flames as Lucien stares him down, "You’re serious?"
"Deadly." Lucien utters as his jaw tightens and ash magic curls around his fist, his crimson eyes glowing brighter as something hot and violent builds with him.
"Fine." Valgereth’s scoffs. "Not my type anyway."
Then Serenith drifts forward, shuffling herself in between them, and leans toward Valgereth, whispering something into his ear.
The dragon’s gaze shoots to Lucien. A slow smirk spreads across his face before he bursts into hearty laughter.
"The gods entrusted the world’s future... to him?"
"They’ve got a backup plan," Serenith replies, brushing her hair back. "But it’s... rather extreme. He’s their last shot before major divine intervention."
Valgereth exhales smoke and gives Lucien a long look. "Interesting. Very well. I’ll play along."
He steps forward and extends his hand.
"Shake," Valgereth says. "This seals our pact. Break it, and I claim your kingdom. Then your soul."
Lucien stares at the offered handshake. Flames lick around the edges. The sheer heat radiating from it stinging his flesh.
Still, he takes it anyway.
As soon as their palms meet, shadow tendrils coil around their arms, binding them in a web of burning magic.
"This seals the pact." Valgereth pronounces.
Lucien’s eye twitches. "Of course. Great stuff. Can I get my hand back, or—"
They break the shake and Lucien immediately cradles his scorched hand behind his back and smiles through gritted teeth.
"Well then," He mutters through the pain, "time to get to work."
The sun beats down on the dusty plateau outside the mine where Lucien’s high council has set up a semi-organized camp.
Paperwork, tents, and succubi run wild.
As Lucien emerges, the first to spot him are Vex and Vile. The twins sprint across the camp, launching themselves onto him the moment sunlight hits his face.
"LORD LUUUUUUUU!"
"YOU’RE ALIVE!?"
They kiss his cheeks, cling to him, and nearly knock him over with affection. "We thought you got roasted!"
"Roasted, maybe." Lucien laughs, spinning them in a circle. "But still delicious."
Behind him, Serenith floats gracefully into the sunlight while Veyra stumbles up beside her, smiling shyly and still adjusting to the Ashlands without her armor.
X’zelle and Ignara turn. Notice. Then grin.
"Oh ho ho," X’zelle purrs. " Look who decided to join us. Properly."
"Finally," Ignara mutters. "I can only assume this is Lord Lucidius’ doing?"
Veyra flushes and nods before the two women immediately envelop her in knowing, approving hugs.
Then the temperature drops. Or maybe it rises.
Valgereth steps out of the cave behind them, sunlight hitting his face as he squints and winces before he tilts his head back and basks for a long moment, taking the Ashland air as though it had been centuries since he’d tasted it.
"Who is that?" X’zelle’s snaps, spider arms flicking out as six blades gleam, pointed at the well-dressed dragon.
"He smells like dragon." Ignara snarls as her magical aura explodes, flames licking up her arms and smoke hissing from her lips.
In a flash of smoke, Valgereth vanishes before he reappears between them, hands clasped around their faces while shadow tendrils coil around their necks.
"I am your boss’s boss," he whispers. "You will show me respect."
Their eyes roll and limbs go limp.
"No!" Lucien snaps as he storms forward and slaps a hand to Valgereth’s shoulder. "Hands off!"
Valgereth doesn’t look at him.
Lucien’s smile fades as his magic surges beneath his skin, until a wave of magical pressure explodes outward. Golden-black flames licking the edges of reality. The shockwave ripples across the camp, knocking over crates, tents, and at least two unsuspecting ogres.
Valgereth’s suit flaps in the wind. His silver hair ruffling under the presence of Lucien’s magical pressure. He slowly turns and smiles as he meets Lucien’s burning gaze. "Oh... right. These your women too?"
Valgereth releases the women gently and they slump into Lucien’s arms, blinking woozily.
Valgereth bows his head then straightens his lapel. "Apologies. I’ve been in a cave too long. Clearly, I need to adjust my manners."
Lucien smirks, flexing his smoking hand. "Yeah... we’ve all got things to work on, I guess." Then he leans in close to Valgereth and his face turns serious. "But touch them again, and we will have a problem."
Valgereth answers with a smile and curt nod.
"Speaking of problems..." Lucien says, his signature smirk now back on his face. "We’re bleeding gold, Val. Construction. Payroll. My poor Lexy is down to his last barrel of coffee."
"Tragedy," Valgereth says dryly. "And not my problem."
"Well, actually, it is." Lucien sighs. "A small injection of capital would go a long way to ensuring our business deal remains profitable."
"Very well." Valgereth sighs with a tilt of his head.
Then, he raises one hand, and shadows surge upward from the ground between them like a black tower before it quickly collapses with a roar, revealing a massive pile of gold.
Coins spill before Lucien like a glittery waterfall while his council stares in stunned silence.
"By the abyss—!" Lucien yelps before his eyes go wide.
Valgereth clasps 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."
"Of course you will." Lucien grins, patting Val’s shoulder before he turns to the stunned camp and claps. "Alright, people! Looks like payday came early! Get those shovels moving. We’ve got an empire to build!"
Everyone erupts in cheers.
"I look forward to seeing if you’re truly worthy, Dark One." Valgereth mutters standing tall, eyes gleaming.
Lucien smirks at him, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Don’t worry. I’ve got tricks up my sleeve you haven’t even dreamed of."