[Suzerain of Sheol]

This from Steven Erikson's Memories of Ice, and from one of my favorite scenes in any book I've ever read.

To set it up, three Elder Gods have come to the mortal realm to depose a tyrannical king named Kallor. They arrive in his kingdom to find everything burned to dust, the entire continent laid to waste, and they find Kallor himself sitting on a golden throne atop a massive heap of bones. This is part of the conversation they have with him.

'Very well,' the High King sighed. He leaned forward. 'You've come to liberate my people from my tyrannical rule. Alas, I am not one to relinquish such things. Not to you, not to anyone.' He settled back, waved a languid hand. 'Thus, what you would refuse me, I now refuse you.'

Though the truth was before K'rul's eyes, he could not believe it. 'What have--'

'Are you blind?' Kallor shrieked, clutching at the arms of his throne. 'It is gone! They are gone! Break the chains, will you? Go ahead -- no, I surrender them! Here, all about you, is now free! Dust! Bones! All free!'