A black castle on a beach

Malgor looked around him in confusion. He was somewhere he’d never seen before in all of his conquests. He looked down at his hands and body. The dents in his armor had been repaired. He felt his face and his wounds had healed. He would’ve been grateful to have been pulled from the abyss if he wasn’t so apprehensive about what was happening.

He heard footsteps behind him and turned around, ready for a fight. He was a beautiful woman with ashen hair and a black dress who approached him sensually. She gave him a warm smile and a curt bow.

“Welcome, oh dark lord, to Harem Hotel!” she said, “We’ve been expecting you.”

He looked at her with bewilderment before staring behind her to see the large, imposing castle that stood erected among the sands of the beach.

“That’s my castle,” he said, “But we’re not in the land of shadows! Who are you?”

“I am Helga!” she said, “And congratulations! We heard your cries for vengeance. And now, you will have the chance for the retribution of a lifetime as you have been selected as this season’s master on Harem Hotel! Smile for the camera!”

The camera dollied over to Malgor who looked at it with some confusion.

“Camera?” he said, “What sort of magic is this?”

“A little technology from another world,” said Helga, “You’ve seen plays, haven’t you? Think of this as a big play where the audience is sitting inside of that device, watching everything before it!”

“What is this?” said Malgor, “I do not appreciate being toyed with, woman!”

“I know you don’t,” said Helga, “You’re a dark lord! You’re quite unlike any other master we’ve had on this show. That’s why I think this will be quite an interesting season. But make no mistake, all of this will be as much to your benefit as it is to ours.”

“Ours?” said Malgor.

“Allow me to explain,” said Helga, “On this show, several contestants compete for the affection of a master, that being you. All of them will be people you know from your own life! They will go about their days trying to get close to you and please you as well as competing in various challenges, all for the chance to be a part of your illustrious harem! By the end, some of the contestants will be honorary members of your harem, and others will be in… less favorable positions.”

Malgor went to speak but stopped himself, thinking instead while stroking his chin.

“You are trying to build a harem for me?” he said, “Deals like that are always too good to be true. What’s the catch?”

“There’s no catch, truly!” said Helga, “Our viewers love to see one master get pampered and fought over and they equally love to see the suffering and humiliation of the contestants! I told you, this is to both of our benefits. We want what you want.”

He stood in thought for a while longer. He still had little idea of what to make of this. He certainly wanted ****, but he didn’t like to not be the one in control of things. But then he thought back to the abyss. The darkness he assumed he’d be trapped in for centuries. If what Helga was saying was true, he could get his vengeance right now. Not in another era or time but right now! He couldn’t think of a dark lord before him that had such a chance.

“Alright, Helga,” he said, “I’ll allow this ‘show’ of yours to continue. But make so much as a move that I don’t approve of, and I’ll make you regret it!”

Helga giggled to herself.

“Wonderful!” she said, “Well, without further ado, let’s meet our contestants!”