The last thing Kade remembered was the spotlight burning down on him. It had been blinding, hotter than it had ever felt before, but for the first time in years, he felt alive. The applause, the roaring crowd, the electricity of nailing the final act. It had all been perfect.
Then everything went dark.
When Kade opened his eyes, the theater was gone. The sticky wooden floor, the creaky chairs, the faint smell of sweat and old curtains. All replaced by cold stone under his feet and towering walls of carved obsidian around him. Torches flickered in iron sconces, casting shadows on red banners draped along the walls. A carpet stretched before him, leading to an enormous throne that seemed carved out of black crystal.
'What in the…'
His voice echoed through the vast room, but before he could process what he was seeing, the sound of heavy footsteps snapped him out of it. He turned toward the noise and saw them. A group of people marching toward him. They were armed and looked furious. A knight in gleaming silver armor led the charge, followed by a woman in a flowing robe clutching a glowing staff. Behind them was a rogue wearing a hood, twin daggers glinting in the torchlight.
'Kaedus, your time is up,' the knight growled, his voice booming in the empty hall.
Kade blinked.
'Kaedus?'
The knight raised his sword, pointing it directly at him.
'You will pay for your crimes, Dark Lord. Prepare yourself.'
"Dark Lord?"
Kade's laugh came out half-hysterical.
'You think I'm some kind of evil overlord? Look, I'm flattered, but I think you've got the wrong…'
'Enough lies.'
The mage interrupted, her staff glowing brighter.
'Your reign of terror ends here.'
'Wait, wait, wait!'
Kade threw up his hands.
'There's been a mistake. I'm just…'
The knight charged.
Kade barely had time to leap aside as the sword came down, sparks flying as it struck the stone floor. His heart was racing, his mind spinning. He scrambled to his feet, backing away as the knight turned to face him again.
'Listen, I don't know who you think I am, but I am not this Kaedus guy,'
Kade said, his voice shaking.
'Save your breath,'
The rogue hissed, circling to cut off his escape.
'We've heard all your tricks before.'
Kade tried to retreat but stumbled as his boot caught on the hem of something. When he looked down, his eyes widened. He wasn't wearing his jeans and jacket anymore. Instead, he was dressed in a long, flowing black coat embroidered with intricate crimson patterns. His hands were gloved, and his boots looked like something out of a high-budget fantasy film.
'What is this?'
He whispered.
Then he caught his reflection in the blade of the knight's sword. The face staring back at him wasn't his. The messy hair, pale skin, and glowing red eyes looked like something straight out of a villain's origin story. His breath hitched as he stumbled back.
'Oh no,'
He muttered.
'This can't be happening.'
The knight lunged again, and Kade ducked just in time to avoid losing his head. He bolted toward the nearest corridor, adrenaline taking over as he sprinted past the towering stone pillars.
'Stop him!'
The mage yelled.
Kade didn't stop. He ran, his boots echoing off the stone as he darted through the hallways of the castle. His mind raced as fast as his feet.
How had this happened? One moment he was in the middle of his greatest performance. The next, he was being hunted by a band of heroes in a body that wasn't his own. This had to be a nightmare. Maybe he'd passed out on stage, and this was his brain's way of punishing him for skipping lunch.
As he rounded a corner, a figure stepped into his path. Kade skidded to a stop, nearly crashing into the tall, pale man dressed in flowing black robes. The man bowed deeply, his crimson eyes gleaming.
'Master Kaedus,'
The man said, his voice smooth.
'Forgive me. I did not expect you to leave the throne room so suddenly. Your loyal servants are prepared to carry out your commands.'
'Servants?'
Kade repeated, his voice cracking.
The man straightened, his expression unreadable.
'Of course, my lord. Your armies stand ready to crush your enemies.'
Kade's mouth opened and closed, no sound coming out. Behind him, the sound of the hero party's footsteps grew louder. He could feel their anger closing in, could feel the weight of their hatred even from a distance.
An idea sparked in his mind.
'Well, yes. Good,'
Kade said, attempting to sound as commanding as possible.
'As you can see, I was in the middle of a tactical maneuver. Lead me to safety. Then we'll... discuss the next steps.'
The man's eyes lit up with admiration.
'As you wish, my lord. Follow me.'
Kade followed, his heart still pounding. If he had learned anything from his years of acting, it was that sometimes the only way out of a mess was to play along.
He didn't know how he had ended up in this situation, but one thing was certain. If they wanted a Dark Lord, he would give them a performance they'd never forget.