My heart shattered watching her fly through the door, her words still milling about in my head.  Fury boiled in my veins, my claws growing from my fingers.  Digging into his claws, he lifted me up to his face.  Cocking his head, his claw tapped the top of my head. 

“This will be your test, fire child!” He thundered, his spit covering my face. “Kill your evil self, and you get the priesthood.  She is trapped in there as a slave and breeder.  Boy did you turn into a dick because you didn’t get what you wanted.  I thought you were cold, but damn this version of you makes you look like a kitten.  Have fun.” Before I could protest, hot air rushed around me as I landed back in the white marble castle. My head throbbing away.  Feeling my side, I had no sword.  Shit, I cursed to myself.  Her holy blade glistened in the cage next to me, the small details catching my eyes.  Smashing the glass, my eager fingers wrapped around it.  Nothing happened, the dragon’s voice booming. 

“She left that for you to use.” He explained coldly, the blade darkening to black with red lines. “She said something about not using it too much, and that you would probably need it.  It was a silent agreement between the two of us. Succeed, and your other sword will be basically useless compared to this one.  Get going.  You only have a day.”  My lips parted in protest, the orange rays of dawn peeking through the window.  Servants scurried past me with frightened looks on their faces, my friends slamming me into the wall.  

“Who the hell are you?” Johnny interrogated fiercely, rags covering his body.  Bruises covered their bodies, blood dripping from fresh cuts.  Guilt ate at me, this is what I would have become if she refused.   

“I am from the real reality that she said yes in.” I whispered quietly, looking around. “If I save her, then this all goes away and you will be safe.”  The two of them nodded silently, shoving me into the closet Alice and I fooled around in.  The image of her laying naked on the towels made me smile a bit, Jimmy snapping his fingers in my face.  His gaunt face frightened me, regret dimming my face once more.  

“We will get you to her, and you must end this reality.” He said numbly, his long brown hair was cut short. “Nobody is happy here.  She was the light we all needed.  I hate to inform you that this version of you killed your father.” Horror widened my eyes, teardrops crashing to the floor.  What the hell would make me do that?  The disease of darkness buried in me had to be the only reason, the moment when the person who possesses the dragon flames went insane with anger.  

“I promise to set you all free.” I stammered numbly, not ready to see what I looked like.  “My wife needs me, your empress needs me.  Let’s go!  I want out of this nightmare.”  Johnny peeked out of the door, his brown hair hanging over his eyes.  He motioned for us to come out, three guards about our height coming by.  Shocked cries tumbled from their lips as we knocked them out, slipping on the black armor. We had just finished dragging into the closet when Erant was rushing by, both of his eyes were black.  His hair was tied into a bun, scars all over his pale skin.  Chasing after him, he swung at me.  Catching his clenched fist mid punch, pain shot through my arm.  If her punch hurt, then his punch had the power to break an arm.   

“I am your friend from the other reality where she said yes, and we need your help killing the other me.” I pleaded desperately, peeling off my helmet. “Please!  Your sister is the future empress in my reality, not a slave.  His black eyes scanned me up and down, his arms falling to his sides.  A warm smile met my nervous grin, his giant hand shaking mine.

“You have my help.” He promised happily, his eyes going back to normal. “I know that she would say yes to you, so this is more of what could have happened.  I can’t believe I am helping you after what the other you did.”  Raw terror clawed inside of me, my ears afraid to hear his next words. 

“You destroyed every single demon out there, leaving only her and me.” He said oddly, rubbing the back of his neck. “She fought you until you enslaved her.  He is a monster.”  Those words hurt more than I thought they would, my heart breaking.  Shaking off the sadness, her screams of pain snapping me out of it.  

“Let’s bring him in.” I suggested oddly, twiddling my thumbs. “That way we have an excuse to see him, or me.  Sorry this is all rather confusing.”  Nodding to each other, we placed cuffs around his wrists.  Marching him towards the throne room, dead bodies littered the floor.  Averting my eyes, I couldn’t bear to look at what I did.  A lump formed in my throat, the horrid images making me sick to my stomach.  

“Come in.” My own voice called, my mind tripping over the sound of it. “You have a trespasser.” Two guards opened the door, Erant bowing his head in shame.  The sight of Alice sitting on the floor next to him, chained to the throne.  Fresh bruises covered her body, blood pouring from a cut on her cheek.  My heart was pounding out of my chest, his black eyes meeting mine.  Large demon horns curled out of his head, his lips black as the night.  Blood dripped from his lips, black dragon scales nearly covering his face.  Cocking his head, he ripped off my helmet.  Metal clanked to the wall, a defiant grin dancing across my determined face.  

“You must be the good version of me.” He mused playfully, running his hands through his slicked back hair. “I am stronger than you will ever be.”  Alice whimpered next to him, her trembling eyes meeting mine.  Shame dimmed her eyes, tears streaming down her cheek.  

“I am here to rescue my vixen.” I growled through gritted teeth, a shock of black electricity jolting her body.  Crying out in pain, she collapsed to the floor.  Her fingers clawed at the marble floor, my fingers wrapping around the simple black handle.  Raising it to the attack position, golden flames devoured my blade.  Raising his curved blade, inky blackness dyed the blade.  Black ice covered the ground, ice covering up his blade.  Charging at him, his blade smashed against mine violently.  Another shock of electricity shocked her, a shrill scream exploding from her lips.  Enough was enough, his mouth was moving but no words were coming out.  A black shard of ice shot from his palm, Erant shoving me to the ground.  Shooting me one last smile, the ice shard smashed into his heart.  Black ice devoured his body, my evil version knocking him to the ground. His body smashed into pieces, his frozen eye staring up at me.   

“Erant!” She yelled out, tears in her voice. “What did you do?”  Turning back towards her, his fist swung towards her face. Her hand caught his fist, the chains rattling as she struggled to her feet.  Spitting in his face, her claws grew out of her fingers.  Sparks fluttered around as her claws scratched his scales.  His fingers wrapped around her neck, her claws digging into his hands.  Howling in pain, he stepped back.  Spinning the blade in my palm, golden flames spun above me.  Her bare foot knocked his blade out of his hands, surprise widening his face.    

“Golden flame of the dragons, help me vanquish this evil.” I chanted confidently, slamming my blade into the ground. “Melt the ice, and bring the warmth.”  Golden flames bathed the ground, the black ice melting.  Ripping it out of the ground, my footfalls echoed in the empty hall as I charged at him.  His black eyes glared at me hatefully, black ice spinning in his palms.  Wonder brightened my eyes as my blade doubled in size.  A battle cry exploded from my lips, the wet sound of the blade sinking into his heart.  

“Final step!” I barked strongly, her newfound strength waking me up. “Devour the evil that stands in front of me.”  Mixed emotions burdened my mind, watching a different version of me getting reduced to ash.  Relief washed over me, my fingers digging through the ash. She leaned against the wall, black bags hollowing out underneath her eyes.  Coughing up blood, her body shivered violently.  A triumphant smile warmed up my face, the black key sitting in my palm.  Running over to her, a sigh of relief tumbled from her lips as the key clicked in the lock.  Her arms wrapped around my neck, her body melting into mine.   

“I love you, Dragon.” She wept happily, nuzzling her head in the nape of my neck. “I need you in my life.”  Salty teardrops crashed on top of her head, her fingers wrapping around mine.  Both of us trembled, the nightmare was finally over.  Slow clapping echoed in the empty hall, the dragon looming over us.  Passing me a golden pill, he got down to our level.

“You passed, much to my surprise.”  He thundered deeply, clapping his hands. “Take the pill and you will be the first Priest of the Dragon Flames.  Do you accept my offer?”  Alice watched in childlike wonder as I took the pill.  The castle faded to the chamber underneath the chapel, a golden glow surrounding me.  Falling back, my insides were burning up.  The sword next to me throbbed with the blood flowing through my veins, a fever burning up my cheeks.  Alice hovered over my face, her white robes shielding me from the bright lights above us.  

“I am so happy you married me.” I wheezed, blood pouring from my nose. “I am so sorry for whatever the evil version of me did to you.”  Taking off her white cloak, the soft wool felt nice against the fire raging inside of me.  Kissing my forehead, a cool wave of energy washed over me as she laid down over me.  Resting her head on my chest, her condition alarmed me.  All of her cuts and bruises remained, her lips pressing against mine sweetly. 

“Now we can win the war with two holy figures, and an army of super knights.” She sighed softly, taking my hands. “I married you because I wanted to.  Sorry for being a creep earlier in school.”  Shame and fright dimmed her eyes, the dragon towering over us.  

“You are one lucky bastard.” He commented sarcastically, an actual smile growing on his face. “You can call me Scaly if you wish.  I will watch over you two, my fire child.  Stay as long as you need.”  Sitting back on his throne, a single white rose drifted onto my chest.  Spinning it around, a loving smile warmed my heart. 

“You can add that to your collection.” She uttered tiredly, exhaustion hanging heavily on her eyelids.  Twirling it around in my hands, a thorn pricked my finger.  Seeing the blood, she took my finger and sucked it.  

“I am actually touched you cared that much. My whole life I thought that my friends were the only ones who cared.” I admitted sheepishly, getting turned on by her sucking my finger. “So thank you.  I wondered who was doing it all for me.  Little did I know that it was you, my vixen.”  Gentle snores echoed in my ears, her chest rising up and down. Yawning, sweet slumber took me to dreamland.