Dungeons and Dragons
The Die Master
Chapter 1: The Multiverse's First Gamer
It had been a few months since they had arrived in the realm, and it now seemed as if it had all come to full circle. Once again, the six heroes were up against the five headed dragon Tiamet. And once again, unknown to them, it was by Mallacar's hand.
Dungeon Master appeared in Mallacar's castle and demanded, "Why have you sent Tiamet against them? You know very well that they cannot handle such a powerful creature!"
Mallacar didn't bother to turn around from the model of the realm he was looking at. He smiled as the image of Tiamet approached the six children.
"It is time for me to have my challenge," Mallacar said.
"What?" Dungeon Master asked with a shocked expression, "You couldn't possibly mean that they have gained enough experience to face you already? Besides, if they are not strong enough to defeat Tiamet, then how could they be a worthy opponent to defeat you?"
"But I am not Tiamet," Mallacar said, "Trust me, they are ready. I have a different way of fighting that revolves around chance, unlike Tiamet. Plus, with Tiamet it's six against five, while with me it's six against one. Better odds for them, so they are technically ready to face me. Besides. . ." Mallacar's face turned into a snarl and he said, "I am sick of waiting and I am sick of testing them! Too many of my greatest servants have fallen to those children! Dekion slipped from my control because the Ranger and the Magician destroyed the Circle of Power! My Beholder was slain by all of them! Queen Zinn's plots were foiled and her beauty destroyed by them! Her brother Solars who I hate was freed by that Thief! That spellbinder Lukion who I hate was set free by that Magician! My powerful Nightwalker was destroyed because of them! Those pathetic Fairie Dragons have their Queen back because of them! My Giant slave Karrox gained his freedom thanks to that Barbarian. . .and your amulet. . ."
Mallacar treated Dungeon Master to a withering stare, and he continued, "If they keep this up, my amazing Realm will crumble and I'll loose all control! Ready or not, they must be eliminated before they cause any further damage."
Dungeon Master wrung his hands nervously and said, "Why not simply use your amazing power to fix the so called 'damages' they made and give them more time to train so they could be a worthier challenge for you, Oh Mighty Cheater." Dungeon Master's voice was dripping with scorn.
Mallacar snarled again and said, "Your job is not to criticize me! Your job is to do what I tell you! And I am telling you to not interfere with what I am about to do and do nothing until I give the order!"
"Oh, was I being a little too vague before?" Dungeon Master asked casually. Before Mallacar could reply, Dungeon Master said coldly, "I – despise – you. I – loathe – you. You – arrogant – cheating – self-absorbed – megalomaniac – egotistical – monster – of – a – wizard." He put extra strong emphasis on every word as he glared daggers at Mallacar. "This Realm would have been a triumph if it wasn't for you!"
"Wrong. This Realm wouldn't still be in existence if it weren't for me," Mallacar replied calmly, "Do you think that those other six fools would have kept this world running? Ha-ha-ha! No-no-no-no! They would have either disposed of it, along with you, or maybe even just abandoned it to be worn away by the elements. But I preserved this world! I saw it's value! And do you know why? I'll tell you why! It's because I am the Multiverse's first Gamer! That is why I won! Those other wizards were not! That's why they lost! All other Gamers in the Multiverse exist because of my influence. What some people see as worthless wastes of time that have no point or value, the Gamers see as treasures, as adventures, as opportunities for glory! That is why this Realm's current existence is owed to me! Now begone! And do not show yourself to the children until I command you to do so!"
Dungeon Master vanished.
Mallacar hunched over the board and said, "Alright, my six mischief makers, you have messed up my Realm long enough! Today is the day that we see if you all truly are a worthy set of opponents for me."