The climb had been brutal endless corridors of twisted stone, traps designed to cripple, and beasts that seemed to claw out of nightmares. I'd lost count of how many times I had been forced to retreat, only to return stronger and more determined. Each victory pushed me closer to this moment, the final room, the throne room of the infamous Dragon Lord. The kingdom had poured everything into summoning me for this task, and now, I would finally end this war.

I gripped my sword tightly, my boots pressing firm against the heavy double doors. My breathing was ragged, my armor scratched and dented, but I refused to falter now. This was it. The kingdom’s greatest threat, the supposed malevolent tyrant, was just beyond this door. Some said the Dragon Lord was a monster in human form, others claimed he was a towering beast wrapped in armor. It didn’t matter. I had come too far to care.

With a deep breath, I kicked the doors open, letting them slam against the walls.

“Dragon Lord!” I roared, stepping inside. “Your reign of terror ends he—”

I froze.

The room wasn’t the grim, bloodstained lair I expected. Lavish crimson banners lined the walls, torches flickered warmly, and the air smelled faintly of incense. The Dragon Lord...no, she lounged on an ornate throne of obsidian and gold. She was beautiful, long, white hair spilling over her shoulders, her crimson eyes sharp yet calm. Her outfit, if you could even call it that, barely covered enough to be decent.

I blinked, my grip on my sword loosening. “…The Dragon Lord… was a woman?”

I shook my head, stepping forward. I gritted my teeth and tried to steady myself. “I don’t care what you are,” I spat. “You’ve terrorized the kingdom long enough. I’ve fought through everything you’ve thrown at me, your monsters, your generals and now I’m ending this.”