Arimal, running toward me with tears in her eyes, shouted:
— "The king has returned!"
I hesitated, but the villagers surrounded me, preventing me from leaving.
They said firmly:
— "We won't let you go. Your place is here… among us. You must come to the royal castle!"
Amid cheers and songs, they led me quickly, and I couldn't refuse.
Inside the grand hall, Arimal sat upon the throne—regal and proud, her eyes filled with the strength of a woman who had led an entire people in my absence.
I bowed before her respectfully, but suddenly she rose, seized my hand tightly, and pushed me toward the throne.
Tears streamed down her face, overflowing with longing.
I hesitated—should I embrace her? Wipe her tears?
But she embraced me first. I held her briefly, then gently wiped her tears.
I took the crown from her hands and whispered softly:
— "I don't wish to be king… You are the princess of this land."
Yet she refused. She placed the crown upon my head herself, crowning me before everyone.
Then she knelt and presented a white book she had kept hidden:
— "Your Majesty… this belongs to you. I return it today."
I took the book in shock, torn between my desire to flee and my duty to lead.
That night, I ordered the people to gather in the kingdom's square at ten o'clock.
It was time for my first speech after a year of absence.
The Speech of Osamiphos
When the crowd gathered, silence fell. All eyes turned to me.
I began steadily:
— "My people… I have been gone for a whole year. Today I return to find that the Desolate Land has changed. You have performed a miracle. I thank you all."
Then my tone grew firm:
— "But I bring grave news. I have met with the ten kingdoms, among them our old enemy — Iskour, the second strongest in military and trade. In time, they may become our rivals or our foes. I chose to keep my distance, but if they stand in our way… I will erase them from existence."
Gasps spread through the villagers — especially when I spoke another name:
Nazgoth.
Whispers of fear filled the square — the name of the Demon Kingdom itself.
I raised my hand to calm them:
— "I have allied with Nazgoth. They requested something — a cooler that works without magic. In exchange, they will support us with warriors, scholars, and alchemists."
Then I turned to my people:
— "Can you build such a device?"
They answered firmly:
— "We have the materials… We just need your design."
I smiled faintly, knowing this was only the beginning… and that greater things were yet to come.
Chapter Two: The Earthquake of Shadows
After the speech, I sat alone in the resting chamber, searching for a way to escape this heavy burden… when Arimal entered, smiling softly.
She came closer, trying to flirt, but I calmly refused.
— "I seek neither marriage nor concubines… All I need is your trust, and your words are enough."
Tears welled up, yet she smiled through them:
— "I'll always be your support — even if it costs me my life."
She left, and I sank deep into thought.
But then a dark feeling crawled into my chest — something evil was watching.
Suddenly, the ground shook violently.
A terrifying roar tore through the skies, and the earthquake rattled the whole kingdom.
I rushed outside with Arimal following, until we reached the distant mountains.
There… a dark cave exhaled pure malice.
I placed a barrier around Arimal and stepped inside.
From the depths emerged a black dragon, colossal and ancient.
One eye crimson, the other golden.
Its tail stretched for tens of meters, its scales harder than any metal, its horns glowing with unholy power.
It roared, shaking the mountains:
— "Human… leave my land, or I'll tear you apart!"
I stood tall:
— "I am the king of this land… You are the intruder."
Fury consumed the dragon, and it lunged.
Chapter Three: The Battle in the Sky
We clashed with earth-shattering force — half the mountain collapsed, and the shockwaves echoed across distant kingdoms.
We ascended into the sky, our auras colliding, splitting clouds and stirring the seas.
I used only a quarter of my power, yet forced the dragon back.
He looked at me in disbelief:
— "You… you're not human!"
I smirked coldly:
— "Perhaps… but playtime is over."
I charged my hand with energy and struck him, sending him crashing to the ground, nearly unconscious.
I approached and asked:
— "What are you guarding in this mountain?"
He stayed silent… but his eyes shifted inward.
I understood — a secret lay within.
I summoned a meteor from the sky, aiming it at the mountain.
The dragon screamed in desperation, leaping to block it.
Suddenly…
A girl's voice echoed in my mind:
— "Stop! There are small lives within the mountain… four young dragons — descendants of those who once served the gods!"
I hesitated, then halted the meteor.
The dragon fell exhausted, and from the darkness, a young woman stepped forward…
Chapter Four: Necrosia
She was breathtaking — yet not human.
A mix of majesty and power, her eyes radiating darkness and fire.
She whispered weakly:
— "Who are you?"
I smiled:
— "I am Osamiphos… King of the Desolate Land."
She stared in surprise:
— "A king… human?"
I laughed:
— "Human, yes… but no monster."
She looked confused, a tear shimmering in her eye.
I asked her name.
— "My name… is Necrosia."
Her trembling hand reached out; I gently took it.
I healed her wounds, and she told me she'd been protecting the eggs of dragons descended from gods.
I asked her to bring them to my kingdom, where they could hatch safely.
Her face lit with shock — then gratitude — and she smiled for the first time.
But within me, the voice of my Guide whispered:
— "Do you know who Necrosia truly is? She's the mightiest of dragons — Lady of Darkness and the Dead. Born in the underworld, a thousand years old… her past will consume you if you're not careful."
I smiled inwardly:
— "Then perhaps it's fate that I met her."
Chapter Five: The Birth of a Bond
Necrosia sat before me, eyes lowered, her voice trembling:
— "I was angry… I hated the world that rejected me. I was filled with rage and hatred.
I found five dragon eggs. I was starving… I couldn't control myself… I ate one."
She paused, tears forming.
— "But when I felt life stirring within it, I realized — it was my child… my own flesh. I killed it with my own hands. Since then, I've lived in endless hell."
Then she whispered:
— "I kept the remaining eggs, guarding them… until I met you. When we clashed, I felt a strange link between us, as if we share the same life, though from different worlds."
I spoke sincerely:
— "I won't lie to you, Necrosia. My life mirrors yours — filled with pain, hatred, betrayal. But when I looked into your eyes, I felt your pain as if it were my own. I felt your soul within me."
Tears streamed down her face, yet she smiled:
— "Osamiphos… I'm truly glad to have met you. Before you, I was alone… Now, your words have pierced my heart and soul."
I placed a hand on her shoulder:
— "And I'm glad too. For the first time, I've found someone I can truly talk to — someone who's walked the same darkness. Let's forget the past… and start anew, together."
She gripped my hand tightly:
— "Yes… I want that."
I smiled darkly:
— "Then let's stand together and face the world. We'll destroy those who stand in our way… and protect the innocent. This time… I'll be good.
Will you join me?"
She shouted with passion:
— "Yes! I'll always be by your side!"
I looked at her seriously:
— "But you must know my secret… Can you accept it?"
— "Yes, tell me."
— "I am not from this world. I was reincarnated here after my death in another. I lived in endless torment until a goddess appeared, gave me power, and sent me here — to this parallel world."
Her eyes widened:
— "You're from another world?"
— "Yes, Necrosia."
She wiped her tears and said confidently:
— "I don't care which goddess or world you came from. You're here, with me — that's all that matters."
I smiled, eyes glistening.
She suddenly embraced me tightly, sat down, and placed my head in her lap.
Tears dripped softly onto my cheek — cool as rain.
She whispered:
— "Sleep… I'm here."
I closed my eyes, and we drifted into slumber beneath the silent stars.
At dawn, I awoke in panic — Necrosia was gone!
I feared she'd left after hearing my truth.
But then… a delicious scent filled the air.
She appeared, smiling, carrying a tray.
— "Good morning, Osamiphos… breakfast is ready."
I laughed with relief:
— "Good morning indeed!"
The meal was heavenly — roasted chicken breast, sardine stew with tomatoes, lettuce, and aromatic herbs.
I devoured it with joy.
— "This is the best breakfast I've ever had!"
She blushed, smiling warmly.
In that moment, I knew fate had bound us together by an unbreakable thread.
Chapter Six: The Birth of a Family
After breakfast, we returned to the castle.
Villagers worked and trained in the great courtyard.
I called Arimal and asked her to bring the dragon eggs — it was time.
Necrosia and I sat around them. Her eyes sparkled with awe.
Suddenly, cracks echoed — the first shell broke.
I shouted:
— "Everyone, come! Bring food, clothes — tonight we witness the birth of dragons!"
The people hurried with gifts and supplies.
Then, miraculously, all four eggs hatched at once.
Four young dragons emerged, radiating power unimaginable for newborns.
The greatest surprise — they looked at me and cried:
— "Father!"
Then turned to Necrosia:
— "Mother!"
Her tears froze, then burst into joyous sobs.
She embraced them, laughing and crying:
— "We've become a family… Half our dreams have come true, Osamiphos!"
She added with resolve:
— "We'll protect them — they'll never suffer as we did. They'll be our greatest treasure."
I smiled, gazing at the hatchlings — all four female, radiant and strong.
Then the Guide's voice echoed again:
— "Ding… ding… They are not ordinary dragons. Their power surpasses gods and cosmic beings alike!"
I gasped:
— "You evaluated them?"
— "Yes, from the moment they were born."
— "Then tell me — their class and powers?"
She began:
Aquantia — blue scales, silver eyes.
Power: To create stars and control planetary motion.
Erythria — white scales, yellow eyes.
Power: To create life and command nature.
Kyronia — golden scales, one silver eye, one black.
Power: To control time and space — travel through time and alter destiny.
Vidia — glowing yellow scales.
Power: To create knowledge and govern wisdom itself.
I gasped:
— "By the gods… I'm a father to the most powerful beings in existence!"
The Guide laughed teasingly:
— "Haha… prepare yourself, poor father."
Necrosia beamed:
— "I'll take them to my room! I'll prepare beds for all of them!"
I chuckled:
— "Of course."
I called the carpenters and taught them designs from my old world to build a nursery fit for divine dragons.
Hours later, everything was ready.
I entered Necrosia's room — she was asleep, holding the babies in her arms.
I smiled and quietly set up the beds so she'd wake to the surprise.
Then I turned off the lights and went to my chamber.
Sitting alone, I summoned my Guide.
— "It's been long since we first met… and I still don't know your name."
She smirked:
— "Why should I tell you?"
— "Because I know you're in the Omega form — the strongest being in this world."
She laughed:
— "Foolish mortal… You're only now curious? Very well."
Then proudly:
— "My name is Kairos Universa. My power is absolute — I control all elements, magic, and matter. I possess infinite knowledge and perfection itself."
I smiled:
— "It's an honor, Kairos. I'll still call you… my Guide."
She lifted her chin arrogantly:
— "As you wish, stubborn fool."
Osamiphos:
"But I didn't know then… that the birth of this family would mark the beginning of an eternal war with the cosmos itself."