Preamble - King's of Time
A warm gust of wind summoned Desmond from his sleep. He was sitting under an old Oak tree, seeing his sheep moving around like little ants. This surprised him since there was no threat to these animals in sight. He hurriedly stood up to check everything was ok, but no harm did befall his animals. Nevertheless, the sheep did not calm down and continued to move in an unorderly fashion.
With nothing else to do, he decided to check if there was anything behind the hill. He expected some kids playing, or maybe some travels on their way to the next inn but the next thing he saw was a sight to behold. Something he would never forget in his lifetime. Under the sunset on top of a giant hill, he saw a dragon that made even the tallest mountains look tiny in comparison. The dragon stood atop of a hill with his majestic gaze seemingly looking through time itself.
Desmond stood there in a daze not knowing what to do and constantly distrusting his own eyes wondering if he was still sitting under the old Oak tree. Was everything just a dream? Just as Desmond wanted to pinch himself, the giant dragon slowly turned his head in his direction. Their gazes met. As Desmond looked into the giant beasts eye's he felt as though he was but a mere speck of dust in the whole story that is the universe. The eyes seem to be completely colorless and yet still contained every color. They seemed to be empty and yet full of life, anger, happiness, sadness, and wisdom. He felt completely naked but a sense of warmth kept him from running away in panic.
Suddenly an ancient voice resounded in his mind. "Hm, you look just like him."
Desmond did not understand.
"Since you met me, we are connected by fate. Say, what is it that you want to accomplish in life?"
"I...I... am not you...you... a are..." before Desmond could stutter some more panic-stricken words the warm wind that woke him up, blew against his face, filling Desmond with an infinite amount of confidence and calm.
"I do not know. I want to live a peaceful life and still be adventurous. I never want to feel sad but have the fear that I will forget what it means to be happy without sadness. I want to have a wife and children but do not want to be bound to one life. But I do know one thing." Desmond met the giant dragon's eyes without fear as his own eyes turned more and more like the dragons. "I do not want to continue watching sheep. Since we are fated to meet take me with you. It does not matter how my life turned out to be for it shall be great if I follow you."
Just as Desmond finished speaking the words, he immediately regretted everything he said. Fear struck him again and he wanted to run, but his feet did not want to move. It felt like he was rooted on the place he was standing on, maybe it was because of fear may be the dragon prevented him to move. He did not know.
"As you wish, but let me warn you, everything has its price." Suddenly a portal opened in front of him. "After you step into this Portal, you agree to follow me until the end of time no matter what happens. If you decide to betray me, you'll live through a billion lives without happiness. This is the last chance to change your mind." The dragon lifted his gaze from Desmond and again started looking into the emptiness of space.
Image from Chromamancer