The hero has a chat.

“I feel obligated to apologize for the way I spoke to you in the throne room,” the woman began, “I was being needlessly harsh. This is an emotional moment for both of us. Though it may not seem like it, given the outcome, you still did a very good thing. The curse bestows upon the Dark King all of the anger and hatred of each previous incarnation, but it appears that whatever holy power was contained within your sword is keeping that anger at bay. The former Dark King was not quite so lucky, and eventually the anger drove him insane.”

Fate looked down to the strange white orb embedded into his chest, and touched it with a hand, feeling its slight warmth.

“So, it is good that you killed him, he has done and would continue to do incredibly terrible things to this world had you not stopped him. And the fact that the curse will not harden your heart means that you will likely be far better for the job.”

Fate clutched his head, it was still a lot to take in, “I… I don’t know if I want this.”

The woman looked to him sharply, “Then you can leave. You can take the Dark King’s power and walk out of this castle and go wherever you think will be better. But know that you will leave behind a power vacuum, and who knows what will happen then? Doing so may not only doom this entire kingdom, but possibly the known world itself if someone like the former king or worse ends up on this throne.”

He turned his gaze to the vaulted ceiling above him, thoughtfully. The title corrupted whoever bore it. Fate had heard the phrase “absolute power corrupts absolutely” before, but he never expected it to take such a literal meaning here. The title of Dark King actually twisted the mind of the bearer with countless generations of hatred. But not him. He could be better; he could make sure the world was truly safe from the tyranny of the Dark King if the Dark king was him.

But was it truly what he wanted? He was a knight of the kingdom of Syldon, he was not from the Dark Kingdoms, he had no true obligation to make sure this empire survived.

The woman stood up from the bed, but immediately made eye contact, her red eyes piercing him like daggers. Despite the way she was—or rather wasn’t—dressed, something about her was very intimidating to Fate. She was quite the imposing figure, and even the fact that she was standing proudly before him nearly nude with confidence was adding to that aura.

“The throne should be taken willingly after careful consideration. I do not want to give you the impression that I am pressuring you. I would not blame you for turning around and walking out of this castle. I’ve considered doing that very same thing myself many times.”

Fate narrowed his eyes at her slightly, “You seem really cynical of this place, who exactly are you?”

“I am Silquintis Ral’Azurah. And if I seem cynical it is because I am—… was the princess of the Dark Kingdoms.”

Fate was struck by the sudden tension in the air. The situation had certainly been made considerably more awkward, if she was the princess that meant he murdered her father. “I’m sorry,” he said, hesitantly.

She shook her head resolutely, “Do not be. I can barely remember the time in my life that I would look to my father with compassion; and I have never felt even a shred of love for that thing he had become.” The amount of disdain she had in her voice when she said “thing” made Fate think she had nearly spat the word onto the ground. “I mourned the **** of my father the day the madness of his curse took hold. He was not my father after that. No, do not think I am upset with you for what you have done, quite the contrary…”

She took a step forward suddenly leaned down making her breasts hang and wobble below her, thereby exposing her large pink nipples, grabbed Fate’s chin and forcibly pulled him in to connect his lips with hers in a fierce and passionate kiss. His mind was racing, this was the first time a woman had kissed him. He did not even experience this sensation from a familial perspective, as his mother had died during childbirth. He had no idea what to make of her incredibly soft and plump lips pressed against his.

When they separated, she gave a slight half-smile and said, “I am indebted to you, you have given me a gift on this day.”

“I, uh, well,” Fate stammered, trying to desperately grasp onto any idea that he could turn into words while very aware of his burning cheeks.

“You needn’t say anything,” she replied, standing up straight again, “Not yet. I will be in the throne room. What you do from here is your decision to make, meet me there when you know what you will do. I’m aware that you don’t know the way, but that’s the point. You will have to talk to the servants, to the guards, to the other inhabitants of this castle. Get to know them and understand them. They will point you in the right direction. Once you arrive in the throne room, we can discuss what you intend to do with me, this kingdom, and its people.”

Fate swallowed hard.

“And don’t worry, none of the servants will treat you as the king yet. I have sent word and made it clear that until you willingly accept the title, you are instead to be treated as an honored guest. I’ll see you when you are ready.” With a snap of her fingers, Silquintis vanished in a black, shadowy mist that quickly faded away.

For a few moments he just sat there contemplating everything that had happened. His whole life had just been turned upside down and inside out. He had a lot to think about, it was a good thing he had to take a walk.