I see the Knight's sword fall to the ground. No sound as it hit the grassy ground. It was over. Faster than I had anticipated. His friends were also no concern. 5 in total, yet not one of them was able to hit me. Was that all? I look around me. The Knight on his knees, heavy breathing. Shield strapped to his arm, resting on the ground. A Ranger, lying a few feet away in the grass, unmoving. Her bow snapped and quiver empty. There Priest, trying to desperately heal the Ranger. She seems to be crying. The Mage is trying his best to stand, but having no more strength to even open his spellbook. Lastly, the Rogue, right by my feet. Groaning and whining. His wound does not look fatal but I am sure it hurts. All five of these "Heroes" have been tasked to put a stop to my plans.
Ren: "Was that everything?"
"I really want to go home now."
A long pause follows my words.
Knight: "NO! This is not how it ends."
He is picking up his sword, and slowly rising to a stand.
Knight: "It ends when you, the evil monster, is defeated!"
His words, full of confidence, linger in my ears. I had to suppress a quick laugh.
Ren: "Are you sure?"
I gesture around. His companions all battered, bleeding and unable to fight any longer. He looks around. Anger swelling in his face. Then resignation.
Knight: "Are they going to die now? If so, please… don't let them suffer."
"What does he think I am going to do to them?"
Ren: "No... I hope you grow stronger from this.
Train, Cheat, Lie, whatever. Just get stronger and entertain me more!
I start turning around. Leaving the battlefield with slow steps. A few feet away I start casting a -Teleport- spell. It takes exactly six seconds before a greenish portal opens up. As I step through I can hear crying, but I don't turn. The portal brings me to a tidy office-like room. A landing pad with a slight elevation in the corner is where I arrive.
"I think that should look quite good. They should be satisfied with this outcome… probably"
I laugh to myself a little. I sit down on my chair, looking over some scrolls lying on the desk. A knock on the door. After a short pause the door opens. A small creature, about three feet tall, walks in. People in this world call them "Kobolds". Lizard-like creatures, with reddish brown scales. Although depending on the environment these can change. Five scrolls in hand.
Scrags: "Welcome home, Sire. I was waiting for your arrival. I hope your trip brought the results you were looking for?
Ren: "Scrags… please tell me these are not more work?
"I really want to go home."
I point to the scrolls in his hands.
Scrags: "I am very sorry, Sire. But yes. These are reports from various construction sites, hiring contracts and expense reports."
I audibly growl, and point to my desk where he should leave them.
Ren: "I will look them over tomorrow."
Scrags nods. Waiting for something else. I gesture at him to leave with a wave of my hand. After the door closes I feel a wave of relief. My shoulders slump down, my head slightly tilted forward, looking directly on my desk. Pulling out a drawer reveals a pyramid shaped object. It glows with a light red shine. I put it on the table and put my hand over it. Closing my eyes and concentrating, my body starts to feel light. I open my eyes, and they immediately get blasted with neon white light from the ceiling lights. I stretch myself and exit a sort of landing zone. I get greeted by a similar looking person like myself. Giving back a nod I walk past to a locker. Opening it with my key, reveals boots and a casual outfit. Slipping in the boots makes me instantly more relaxed. The clothes get thrown over my shoulder and I start walking to the exit. Walking down a long hallway, doors left and right, with no decoration I stop at a seemingly insignificant door to my left. "View Coordination Manager - Annelise Klein" I stare a few seconds at the sign next to the door.
"Come on, last stop before home. I can do this. She is also just an Undead like yourself."
I knock.
Annelise: "Yes, please come in."
Her voice, seemingly pleasant, although I know how rude she can get.
Ren: "Good evening Ms. Klein, I just finished and wanted to submit my logbook for the day.
Annelise: "Ah Ren! I also wanted to talk to you. How is -
She starts looking through a folder on her desk.
"- 'Alura' treating you? Better than the last one I hope?"
Ren: "Ah… yes it is going alright I suppose. The hero troupe started forming and had their first fight with "Renfried - The Unruled One".
Annelise: "Good, good. I am glad. I also can see that the view numbers for your world have peaked today, so good job! I am glad that you could redeem yourself from last time. I knew you had it in you to be a Big Bad Evil Guy.
A pause. Her words mean encouragement but I can hear what she really means. "Glad I did not have to fire you".
Ren: "Yeah, thank you. I was really trying this time, and it seems to work out."
"Please don't dig any deeper!"
Annelise: "So, if there is nothing else, you may go home and enjoy your evening"
I nod, excuse myself and leave. Wandering through the city, I pick up some food items. After a good 20 minute walk I arrive home.
"Finally!"
Opening the door with my keys I step inside. Leaving boots and jacked behind I enter.
Ren: "Chris, I am home!"
No reply.
"I guess she's still out then"
I move myself into the kitchen, setting down the food I brought. I take some of it and sit down to eat. After I finish I clean up and store the food away. Feeling the exhaustion creep up on me, I make my way up the stairs to the bedroom. I half expect Chris to lay there sleeping, only to find a little note.
"I am sorry. This does not work anymore". I stare at the note in my hand. Reading and rereading it over and over again. Finally my head slumps back, looking straight at the ceiling.
Ren: "Damn…"
I lay down on the bed, still holding the note. As my body hits the bed it cracks and crashes to the ground with me on top of it. Laying there for what seems like an eternity, I hear the front door open.
Chris: "Oh Ren, welcome home! Did you find the message I left you? Did you fix it?
Looking at the note in my hand again.
"Ah, i see"
Laughing at myself a little. I perk myself up a little.
Ren: "Hey Chris, you could have made the note a little more clear."
I can hear her walking up the stairs.
Chris: "Why?"
Seeing her walk in, I can't help but smile. Lying in the remnants of what once was a bed. Her face forming a smile, and laughing out loud shortly after.
Chris: "What are you doing exactly?"
Ren: "I am fixing it, can't you see?"
Chris helps me out of the mess and brushes me off with her hands. She takes my face with both hands, and gives me a quick kiss.
Chris: "I guess we are sleeping on the ground then."
She looks back at the broken bed, smiles once again, and leaves the room. I watch her go and start picking up the larger pieces. After cleaning up a bit, we talk about our days, and decide it would be best to sleep early. So we can get "the most amount of sleep from the ground" she said. Laying on the ground, again, I feel at peace for the first time today.