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I thought dying would be more painful. I woke up in some grassy field, in a circle. It seemed to stretch on for miles. My eyes focused, and I saw the group of people(?) standing in a huddle behind me, hushed murmurs passing around. I sat, confused. Finally, someone approached me, their leader I assume. They held out their hand to help me up. “Chosen one, are you alright?” I took their hand. I seemed to have wound up in some cartoon world. I was never really into anime myself, but my best friend, Henry, loved it. Perhaps this world was created for him? The more I looked around, the more my theory confirmed itself. Unnatural proportions were fitted onto the women of the village, and they wore very little compared to the males of the village. I was pretty sure the world wanted me to find a love interest amongst these girls. Only problem, I'm a gay male.
“Chosen one?” The leader's voice startled me. “Oh uh, yes?” I stammered out, caught off guard. “You’re here to save us from the cruel tyrant, Doctor Pearson, yes?” I paused for a moment. That name was oddly… normal? I shook my head. “Of course. Where can I find the supplies needed?” “Please, follow me this way.” She led me to a luxurious dressing room, suits of armor lined the walls, glittering in the warm sunset. A glittering gold suit caught my eye. It was beautiful, lined with blue, and when I felt it it felt comfortable enough for what I assumed would be a long journey. “Have you taken a liking to that suit?” The leader snuck up behind me, and I jumped accordingly. “Yes, I have” I responded. “Good. I’ll leave you here to change. If you need any help, my name is Marianne.” She departed before I could say thank you.
I pulled the last of the metal armor on. For how bulky it was, it felt rather lightweight. I sheathed the sword they lent to me, and started off on my journey after saying my final goodbyes and thank yous. It seemed the castle wasn’t too far from the small village where they resided, and within 15 minutes I found myself outside the gates. I exhaled, and pushed the gates open. I was met with these little… goblin things? That was the only word I could use to describe them. I asked one of them, “Excuse me, where can I find the king?” It responded in perfect English, which surprised me a little, “Oh! Follow me!” The little cyan goblin led me through the twisting halls, and we arrived in a large, extravagant throne room. I swallowed, nervous. I hated confrontation, and what’s worse is that they’re expecting me to kill him… The throne creaked as it spun around. “How may I help you?” Oh shit. He was hot.
He reminded me of a deer, antlers jutting out of his head, a beautiful pattern. I traced them lightly with my eyes. His skin, a perfect light brown, broken up by splotches of vitiligo, complimented his green eyes. THIS IS A TYRANT MADISON STOP HE’S NOT HOT HE’S NOT HOT HE’S NOT HOT-
“Are you just here to waste my time?” His voice, strong and demanding, cut through me like butter, and I melted accordingly. “No.. No sir. Uhh… I was sent here from the village to like, kill you or something like that but, uh, I’m second guessing it?” Yeah, real smooth Madison, I thought as I tripped over my words. The tyrant sighed, seemingly annoyed. “Sounds about right. Wouldn’t be the first time some tried to kill the great king Ollie Pearson. Listen, they’re cowards. They just want someone to do their dirty work for them.” My smile faded. I was an optimist though, and I kept listening for anything positive. “They convince you you’re special so you’ll feel you can do anything, when in reality you’re just another grain of sand on this earth, another leaf in the wind.” My smile was completely gone now, the harsh reality of his words seeping into my skin. “...So I’m not special..?” My voice pitched up at the end, a question. “I never said that, did I?” My head perked up, intrigued. “You’re not special to them, but they wouldn't treat you right anyway. You can be special to me.” He held out his hand, an offer I accepted.