>"Finn, put the gun down."
>She is cool, calm, and collected. The quintessential ruler, always in control. Always giving commands.
>Always giving him orders.
>How many times has he followed them without hesitation? Without a single thought?
>It was easy at first. Just delve into some dungeons, slay some monsters, and grab some loot.
>It was good. He was helping people, and she gave him medals...He could even hold out hope for the rare kiss.
>After every celebration of his victory, she would take him aside. She’d have another mission for him.
>But degree by degree, the dungeons turned into castles, and then cities, and then villages.
>The monsters became soldiers, then civilians, then women. Then children.
>The loot was forgotten. He stopped taking anything. These people didn't own anything of value anymore anyway.
>Nothing but land, and that went to her.
>It was all she wanted. All she cared about.
>More kingdoms fell into her hands, given to her on a silver platter.
>He was the one who held the carving knife.
>The medals kept coming. Bigger, fancier, even.
>They covered his chest in gold and silver when he stood next to her in the reviewing stand, watching the banana guard parade through another conquest.
>“Finn.” No fear. No emotion. Just resolve. Just like always.
>No more.
>No more nightmares. No more screams. No more pleading of “Why? Why?”
>“Finn!” There, there it was. The first crack in her voice.
>The gun shook in his hands. It was heavy, weighted down with promises of an end.
>An end to the dreams.
>All he had to do was squeeze.
>“Finn! Listen to m-” She commanded, stepping forward and reaching out.
>She never finished. The gun leapt in his hands.
>He dropped it, frightened and surprised.
>He didn’t even remember pulling the trigger.
>Had he?
>It didn’t matter now.
>It was almost over.
>Just one more monster to slay...
>His temple stung where the hot barrel pressed against it.
