Assistant to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 25
Overview
Trystan, Evie, Tatianna, and Blade visit the unchained dragon Fluffy in the courtyard, where Trystan feels guilt over the creature's chain-scarred wounds. The discovery of "The Villain Will Fall" engraved inside the removed chains confirms King Benedict is taunting Trystan through his hidden informant. Trystan vows violent retribution against the king who first called him a monster, his fury and dark power surging as the mystery of the traitor deepens.
Summary
The chapter opens from The Villain's perspective as Evie (Sage), Tatianna, and Blade enter the back courtyard to see the dragon named Fluffy. When Tatianna questions the name, Blade covers for Trystan by claiming he chose the ridiculous name himself as revenge for the dragon's troublesome behavior. Evie scolds Blade for naming the creature out of spite, and Trystan feels guilty, knowing he was actually the one who suggested the name.
In the courtyard, they find the dragon unchained and eerily calm. Trystan's dark power instinctively activates, identifying vulnerable kill spots on the dragon's body, but he notices the scarred wounds from the chains around the creature's neck and his power recedes. Evie reaches out a trembling hand toward the dragon despite Trystan's warning. Blade explains that giving the dragon a name and removing its chains calmed it significantly. Trystan positions himself protectively between Evie and the beast, and feels guilt upon realizing the chains had been causing the dragon pain. The dragon gazes at Trystan with deep wisdom, and The Villain nearly bows in respect but restrains himself, turning away because he cannot bear looking at a creature he has harmed.
Blade calls Trystan back to show him something engraved on the inside of the dragon's removed chains: the words "The Villain Will Fall." The group is shocked. Evie crouches beside Trystan, placing a calming hand on his arm, and explains that the chains had been in storage before Blade arrived, part of a weapon shipment originally lifted from King Benedict's trade with the eastern kingdom of Groena during her first week of work. Trystan realizes that Benedict orchestrated the delivery through his traitor inside the manor, taunting him.
Trystan's fury mounts as he acknowledges that King Benedict started their war, though Trystan himself escalated it. He vows to defeat Benedict and kill him, his dark power surging to the edges of the courtyard. As he strides away with murderous resolve, he reflects that Benedict was the first person to call him a monster, and Trystan intends to remind the king exactly what that means.
Who Appears
- Trystan (The Villain)POV character who feels guilt over the dragon's suffering and vows vengeance against King Benedict after finding a taunting engraving.
- Evie SageTrystan's assistant who scolds Blade over the dragon's name and calms Trystan's surging magic with her touch, providing key intel about the chains' origin.
- Blade GushikenDragon trainer who freed the dragon from its painful chains and discovered the threatening engraving inside them.
- TatiannaHealer accompanying the group who questions the dragon's name and cautiously keeps her distance from Fluffy.
- King BenedictThe Villain's enemy, revealed to have orchestrated the threatening engraving and the informant's infiltration; the first person to call Trystan a monster.