Party Wipe

Authors note

This is an interactive transformation, mind control story where readers decide which paths to take through polls that will be conducted on my Discord. If you want to connect and participate, join my Discord here https://discord.gg/fh4q8kBaPN , and you can follow me on other sites through my linktree https://linktr.ee/airheartwrites .

***

You sigh. Who knew that being the unquestioned ruler of a kingdom could be so boring?

It was centuries ago now since you were awoken by that petulant king. “Radania is a mighty kingdom that deserves the best jewels for its coffers,” he had told you as he brought his armies to raid your hoard and slay you. Empty words from a man with an empty head.

One's head would need to be empty to oppose you. Thalltrax the mighty is what you were called the century before you entered your great hibernation. The humans of that age were smarter than to challenge your might, but during your long nap, clearly, your name had lost its luster. But rust could be shaken off. And shake off your rust you did.

The pitiful kingdom of Radania lay in ruin as you mercilessly cut down its army. The peasants of the kingdom grew to curse their arrogant king's name as you scorched the earth where their crops grew. Soon, with the army in disarray, the people ransacked the castle and tied up their king. As you flew overhead, the crowd of commoners called for you to come down from the sky. Curious, you did as they requested, whereupon you were made a curious offer. The king's life would be yours, and you would take his place. It was a proposal you did not expect. Most peasants you encountered had cursed your name, and your existence was isolated to the caves that held your hoard. Becoming king was a welcome change of pace in the moment. So you adopted a suitable half-human form and accepted.

What a foolish mistake that was. For the first century, it was wonderful. The guidance you provided allowed the kingdom to flourish. The women threw themselves at you with lust in their hearts. Your hoard expanded, and your name outside the kingdom became one to be feared.

Alas, your lifespan is measured in centuries, and your human subjects were measured in decades. Each new generation grew less appreciative than the last; the abundance you provided was lost on a population that grew fat on your works. Greed entered the hearts of your subjects, and the population of your kingdom declined as they left one by one to seek their own foolish fortunes. The kingdom, over the course of centuries, grew desolate, slipping into legend. You were still capable of holding its borders, your name still cursed, but for two decades now, you lacked any companionship or worship. The caves that were your home grew more and more appealing each passing day.

You sat in your empty throne room, hoards of gold and various magical items by your side, glistening in the well-maintained halls, and sighed. At the very least, you could use some excitement. Something in your virile dragon blood demanded new conquests.

*Bang*

Your head turned in the direction of the castle entrance, hearing the large explosion and the sound of splintering wood. Soon, footfalls running along the stone floors of the castle blessed your ears. Finally, some excitement! You stood up and cracked your knuckles, loosening your joints as whoever made the footsteps approached. You gazed into the mirror held up by the piles of gold surrounding it, examining your appearance. You made sure your wings looked regal, your horns shiny, and your human-like body looked fit and presentable. With a snap of your fingers, the flickering flames of the room's torches turned black, filling the room with an eerie purple glow with danced playfully off your dark scales on your appendages. When you were sure the atmosphere was just right, you sat imposingly in your throne, gazing at the large door of the throne room with an evil grin that showed your large fangs. Presentation was everything in the dragon business.

In that instant, the door to your throne room burst open in a haze of smoke, and 7 shadowy figures approached from the smoke.

“You idiot!” cried a female voice from the crowd. “The smoke bombs are meant to cover our escape!”

You grinned as the smoke dissipated, revealing the forms of a roving party with a very unhappy-looking rogue thief among them, dressed in tight black leather armor. Her pale face was hidden in the shadows of a cloak, and she bore a small silver dagger. Leading the group was a shirtless barbarian, wielding a large greatsword, his bare chest baring his substantial musculature he no doubt prided himself on. A paladin stood by his side, morningstar in hand, though their features were not presently attainable through a thick silver armor adorned with the symbol of their deity. A female cleric stood meekly behind the paladin, wearing a simple robe with the same deity symbol stitched into it. She had a nubile body and flowing golden locks in a practical ponytail. An elf ranger was off to the side, her bow at the ready, her curvy form contained in a tunic and cloak. Her silver hair shone bright in the purple light of your flames. A sorcerer of substantial age remained at the rear of the party; his white hair and wrinkled form were unappealing to the eyes, and his book of spells radiated with magical energy. Finally, there was a jolly looking fellow with a lute and sharp-looking clothes, clearly the party's bard.

“Cover our escape?” the barbarian said with a laugh. “My sweet thief, we are here to slay this vile dragon and claim his entire hoard!”

That elicited a booming laugh from you. “Slay me?” you bellowed joyfully. “It's been so long since I have been presented with the foolishness of mortals. Your party leader clearly lacks the brains to lead a successful party of adventurers.

The barbarian gritted his teeth. “Silence, foul beast!” he demanded, puffing his chest out and pointing his sword in your direction.

“Um, Geralt, we did plan a smash-and-grab job for this mission,” the ranger said.

“Yes, it would be quite foolish to face Thalltrax in battle,” the sorcerer said as he went through his spell tome. “His magical prowess is off the charts, to say nothing of his physical strength.”

You gave the party and an evil grin as you addressed the barbarian.”Your party speaks wisdom, barbarian. I may not even give chase if you took a few gold coins and walked away now. Consider it a gift for amusing me. So make like the coward you are and accept my bargain."

“Coward!” the barbarian yelled, becoming enraged.

“Geralt, no!” the thief cried as she ran to the gold on the ground of the throne room and filled a small bag. “We can walk out of here with pockets full of coin and no risk! I have not completed such a valuable heist!”

The barbarian refused to heed the thief's word and held his sword aloft. “Begone, foul dragon," he yelled as he charged at you. You grinned as the anguished cries of the party filled your ears. The barbarian approached at impressive speed and leapt toward you, ready to cleave your head from its neck as he swung.

In an instant, he was swatted aside, landing in a heap, sword clattering behind him. Your wings had the durability of diamonds, something the pathetic mortal before you clearly forgot if he had the brains to know in the first place. With a twist of your fingers, the gold coins of your hoard formed metallic ropes that constricted the barbarian tightly. It was an impressive display, and the rest of the party looked at you in horror.

“Offer is off the table now, my fine adventurers,” you bellowed with an evil laugh, punctuating your statement. With another snap of your fingers, the exits of the castle were coated in an impenetrable purple wall of magic.

“Every man for themselves!” the thief cried as she scampered out of the room with pockets full of gold. The rest of the party followed quickly after her, splitting up in the hallways of the castle as they each searched for their own way out.

You grinned as you looked down at the helpless barbarian left behind. Your day was going to be a fun one. The question was, which party member to pursue first?