My world's becoming dark. My life, impossibly important though it no doubt was, has come to a close. I knew it the moment I heard the mayor's reply to that damn monster.

"I'm sorry, Pure Evil. I didn't."

I want to scream at this nincompoop. What kind of absolute incompetent goes on a near-suicide mission without a healer?

Then, our earlier discussion flits through my mind.

He brought as much firepower as possible, and as much knowledge as possible. There wasn't any room for healers. There shouldn't have been any need, either. If the first attack didn't work... There would be nobody left.

I'd thought the monster did something to me, at first. No— I was sure of it. Until I realized this was a heart attack. Could the monster cause a heart attack without even casting a spell? Or maybe it hid its spell from my vision? It did claim to be able to create magic without casting.

Otherwise, why the hell would I have a heart attack from slipping onto my ass? None of this makes sense. I AM old, but I'm also in very good health.

I struggle to look up; my vision swaying as my heart fights to keep beating. It hasn't given up just yet. I can feel it's losing, though. The pain is fading, but that's BAD, because so too is my consciousness.

The monster is doing something else, now. I have no clue what. I can't even understand what I'm seeing. It never seems to do anything that makes sense. You've practiced healing, haven't you? You instantly altered gravity in a huge area. Healing magic should be child's play.

So, what in the gods' names are you doing?

It reaches over my body, its ridiculously huge hand almost enough to entirely cover my curled-up body. I know this is what a healer would do, but it isn't casting a healing spell.

Instead, it flicks the idiotic guard off into the distance with one finger. I want to laugh so very hard, and I would, if I weren't incredibly busy dying. That kiss-up got what was coming to him. Dragon, you just earned major points in my book. Shame I'm still gonna die despite whatever it is you think you're doing.

My vision slops from side to side, then begins to fade entirely. Ah, is it time already? Maybe wanting to laugh so hard was enough stress to push my poor heart over the edge. I can't believe I died because of two ridiculously comical events in short succession.

Such a stain on my unparalleled legacy...

...

...

My mind goes black, blank, and empty. But it feels more like observing eternity than dying or falling unconscious.

What... What is... Happening to me?

Why do I feel so strange?

A sensation hits me like a horse carriage. It feels like something is crawling inside me, eating my body from the inside out. Section by section, I feel my senses go non-responsive for a moment, then spring to life once more. When the feeling reaches my heart, it stops.

No, not the squirming inside my body; it's my heart that stops. It doesn't just stop fibrillating... It stops entirely.

But I'm not dead.

And then.

*BOUM*

image [https://timjames.net/data/acd/images/028.png]

I hear my own heartbeat. Except it's too powerful; like when I was young and agile. I don't feel relieved as one might expect. No, I feel terror.

WHAT is that dragon DOING?

Nobody can turn back the clock. Nobody can take back time. Time marches onward, no matter what magic has to say about the matter. Magic can push time forward, but can't take it back. Time isn't a force; it can't be directly measured.

Time is a composite of all forces acting upon each other. It's the end result of every physical equation. This fact can be clearly witnessed via long-cast transference spells. Move an object from Point A to Point B, and its time seems to slow. Transference magic trades internal velocity vectors for external ones.

Conservation of Mana, right? It's fundamental magic. Mana can neither be created nor destroyed.

Meaning, the object experiences less time because it's moving through space at high speed. But it's not merely because of velocity. It's the object's momentum; its stored vector energy. It's that energy which is making it 'heavy.'

That's what makes an object's time slow down!

So— it's like... It's like pushing a round sled. Push it empty, or push it after filling it with mud. Which one moves slower? The answer is too obvious! The filled sled has more stored energy; it's harder to move AND to stop.

Naturally, the filled sled moves slower. It's too heavy, so the heavy sled travels through time... Slower!

But that isn't all.

No matter which direction I push this round sled, regardless of whether it's filled with mud? I'm always pushing it forward. If I pull the sled?

Still forward! Because it's ROUND!

Time has no observable fronts, backs, or sides. The only 'back' is wherever the sled currently happens to exist. Wherever the sled currently doesn't exist? That's forward.

Time, like a round sled? It can be stopped.

But time CAN'T go backward!

"Oh, why thank you. I was wondering what I was missing in my transference magic."

That didn't feel like someone talking. Even someone who possesses a voice as strange and magical as that dragon. It didn't feel like a voice. It... It's... Inside my head.

"I am. Though, technically... You're inside mine."

What? That doesn't make sense. I keep saying it, but nothing this dragon does makes sense. I want to slap it and tell it to make sense.

I feel mirth from the dragon. It has emotions?

I suppose that adds up. Intellect indeed requires more than bestial intuition. There is no such thing as an intellect without emotion. Anyone who believes otherwise is misunderstanding the basics of the mind and brain. How would we be motivated to do anything without an emotional drive?

But still. Why am I feeling its emotions?

"Wake up."

My body jolts at his command; as if he'd given my body an order over my own mind. No, he ordered my Will itself.

"Arise, and face Pure Evil, Aitos."

That wasn't a command. But I feel like I want to follow his instruction. His design. Also, how do I know he's male?

I feel another emotion. One of amusement.

I open my eyes.

The humans are all crowded around me. They're looking at me with fear, with sadness, but the mayor displays hope. He believes the dragon will create a miracle.

Then I realize— he did.

I'm awake? I'm... Awake.

What the hell happened?

I sit up as though nothing happened. No, something happened. I just can't understand what. I look up at the oversized spell-slinger of a dragon and expect answers. He always has them. Is this how people felt around me?

Pure Evil tilts his head a little. Then, he speaks. Not only to me, but to all of us.

"I'm very sorry, I almost killed yet again. I have no excuse for what I did. That wasn't caused by the innate fragility of a human's body like last time. No, it was caused by my sigil. That would've killed practically anyone."

A friction to mass sigil? How? Did he hide another sigil within? What's going on?

Pure Evil looks at me, then asks a question.

"I presume you've tested this sigil on a wide variety of substances, correct?"

"I have."

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"What happens when you place it on a porous substance and on a liquid substance, then allow them to interact?"

"The fluid easily runs... Through..."

My eyes widen in realization. He nods at me.

"I meant to make you slip on your ass because I thought it'd be funny, but I haven't tested this sigil as you have. You picked one— I don't understand it much at all, actually. I was working almost blind. So, good job picking something unique. Though, it did get you killed via my ignorance."

It WAS funny, even if at my expense. I'm a huge sucker for slapstick comedy. I'm still confused, however; what does he mean?

"The human body is porous?"

"At a very tiny level, yes. Blood has to flit in and out of tissues, but blood is comprised of tiny objects called 'cells' in tandem with actual fluids. So, both of these must pass through your blood vessels' walls. Your human vascular system is riddled with billions, maybe trillions, of tiny holes."

This is not a theory I've heard before. But, it seems to make sense at a surface level.

"Fine, but why didn't you heal me? What did you actually do? That wasn't healing."

The mayor looks at me with surprise. He even backs away for the first time that I've seen. Does he think I've contracted some kind of dragon disease? Pah, simpleton.

"Uh, what you're referencing; a dragon disease? That's not too far off."

Everyone... Backs away from me.

Wait. Wait wait wait. Waaaaait just a damned minute.

HE KNOWS MY THOUGHTS?!

"Truth is, I uh. I ate you. You're a dragon, now. I say 'a dragon' but I really mean myself. You've become akin to my arm."

I burst out in frustration, pointing wildly. At the dragon, at my surroundings, at my... Self.

"WHAT even IS that supposed to mean? You ATE me? I'm still! Right! Here!"

Pure Evil looks a little downcast for the first time I've seen. A surprising sight to witness from such an immensely powerful and impressive dragon.

He seems to hear my mental comment and perks up. I suppose he likes compliments; as any dragon would.

"I don't have particularly good healing skills. I couldn't heal you fast enough. So, yeah. I ate you. Your body and thus part of your mind are gone, technically. I merely haven't forced my Will upon yours. I stopped at the last step, so you could keep living as a part of myself rather than dying due to my sheer stupidity."

Everyone around is backing far away. They're giving me the same berth as the dragon. He continues.

"So, no. You're definitely not human. If that's unacceptable, just say it. I'll kill you entirely. I wanted to at least give you the option to live even if it was in another form— my form."

I understand, I do. But...

"Then, what does this mean for my lifespan? My affinity for Mana? My ability to learn?"

Pure Evil shrugs and kicks his huge foot.

*chrskh*

"Infinite, infinite, and probably infinite."

It suddenly all makes sense. This dragon never makes sense to humans because he operates on a different level of existence. We can't comprehend his abilities, and so, his words and actions are likewise incomprehensible.

Rather than dread, I feel WILD excitement. I can do SO many experiments. Some that would've risked life and limb, some that cost too much Mana, and some that require too much mental calculation.

This isn't a curse! It's the greatest gift I could receive from Pure Evil.

Though, I am starting to understand his name. Most, if not nearly all humans, would be absolutely and utterly terrified. That said—

"One question. Why do I mentally keep referring to everyone else here as 'humans?'"

"As a dragon, I feel an innate desire to impress my power and prestige upon others. Naturally, that means I want to separate myself from all other species, whom I view as beneath my claws. It's crass and self-aggrandizing, I know."

Pure Evil glances up and off to the side, then continues.

"I try to not get too caught up in my dragon tendencies, otherwise I look like a moron. Such as when I was rolling in the sun earlier. Or... When I roared at Haitos. That mistake was more than foolish. I was irresponsible."

His eyes look at me, his head still raised up. He looks down at me imperiously as he continues.

"You might need to deal with that as well."

I think for a moment. No, this won't do.

"Is this some sort of mental corruption? You've already made me surrender everything else. Do you intend to subsume my Will, as well?"

Pure Evil's eyes widen as he lowers his head; he looks almost frightened.

"No! No, that's not it! I was worried about that too, at first, but the explanation is very simple."

He pauses, grins, then adds:

"You're feeling the pride of being a dragon."

I want to drop my jaw, act stunned, something. But after everything else he's said? This makes perfect sense.

Those who feel powerful, demand respect.

Those whose are powerful, command respect.

I've known this all my life. My intellect was my source of power, and so, I'd received the right to demand from others. It didn't mean I had innate and unquestionable power, though. The fact I kept needing to prove my intellectual worth was clear evidence of my innate frailty.

I'd never once considered that one day I'd... I'd go from demanding respect, to commanding it. Simply because I exist.

Or, I suppose, because Pure Evil exists. Though, he's allowed me to live. For now. Hrm.

"Then... What should I do?"

"Siiiigh."

(tshsh)

Pure Evil sighs, in a big dragon sigh that shakes Mana.

Nothing he does is unimportant.

"My original idea was to commission you to educate me and then maybe we'd study together. Now that things have reached this point, my plans seem unnecessary. I've apparently gained access to all of your memories."

"Wha— WHAT? It wasn't just mind-reading?"

"I told you, you're a part of my body. Sorry, again. In any case, you can do whatever you want. You can stay here and study, and that may be the best choice. I can't give you nearly the same accommodations he can."

He points one claw at the mayor. Then, he looks at and speaks to said mayor.

"Not yet, anyway. Speaking of which, compensation. I'll give you whatever material things you desire. In a way, I've stolen your city's best asset. Even if I do allow him to stay here for now. It wouldn't be fair if I were stingy."

The mayor looks both confused and terrified. He's probably thinking about Pure Evil's 'not yet, anyway,' which he said while pointing with one of his claws.

Heh, intimidation tactics? He really knows how to negotiate. Even though he doesn't have any need; not in the slightest.

The mayor keeps looking to me, then back to Pure Evil, then back to me. But, he IS a mayor, after all. His following words give me some newfound respect for his commitment to his job.

"Okay, we need a lot of cheap inscription materials. Please provide whatever you can in lieu of that. We'll pay transport fees if there's a—"

Pure Evil waves his hand. Piles of completed inscription materials appear from thin air, then fall to the ground.

*chk**chp**tok*

*thak**klk*

*thk**tnk**thk**tik*

The mayor asks, confusedly.

"Was that... Transference? Spatial Storage?"

"Neither. I created these from Mana as it's much easier. I wasn't kidding when I said my Mana affinity is infinite. I could crank these out all day and still have full Mana."

Pure Evil looks at me and adds in a chipper tone.

"Now, you can too. Enjoy!"

The mayor ignores this entirely. He's probably not able to process the concept of endless resources.

Though, I don't think Pure Evil realizes I'm not a mage... I wonder why?

"I also want to know what exactly happened in Achiton, but that would take too much of your grand self's time."

I suppress a chuckle. He doesn't want to become the next 'involuntary dragon' because he blathers too long or mistakenly insults Pure Evil.

"I only have one general query. Something we likely won't hear in the news that will reach us in two weeks."

Pure Evil speaks.

"Yes? Just ask, I don't mind."

"Alright. Please, refuse to answer if this question is too personal or is a secret. Who did you pick to save? Why did you only save that one person?"

"Oh, that's no secret. Not at all. I picked the guard captain, mayor. You see, she was the only city leader with half a brain. The only one who dared to submit and earn my favor. The others? They all thought they could defy my Will. Some even attacked me with trifling tricks."

He raises his head a tad pridefully before continuing.

"ALL of their machinations fell so easily, mostly without me so much as lifting a claw. When I was attacked directly? Their meager bows and swords were nothing in front of my raw power. They couldn't even scuff my amazing scales. It didn't matter who they were, or what they sought to accomplish. They all either complied— or perished."

He nods his head to the side a bit; his sharp red eyes still fixated on the mayor. He speaks once more.

"Despite this drastic change to Achiton's leadership, the guard captain remains the sole human whom holds my interest. I have considered Raiz, Achiton's new leader, but so far he's only loosely heeded my instructions. He hasn't approached me for my consideration. Not like the guard captain did. She is... Unique."

Pure Evil seems to realize something as he's talking about Raiz and this 'guard captain.' What it is, I don't know. I sense a bit of frustration from him; like he feels he messed up somehow. I can't understand it.

I abruptly notice that the mayor's originally tan body appears whiter than I've ever seen any human in my entire life.

"Hey, he's not suffering from a heart attack, is he?"

I look questioningly, far up at Pure Evil.

He shakes his huge head. Well, if you say so.

I look back to the mayor. Now he's struggling with something. What else could he possibly want?

He looks at me for a moment, then back at Pure Evil.

"T— Then... One last thing. This... Is big, and so, you can naturally refuse. Compensation for the families whose loved ones, died. Their families will be unlikely to be sated by material means, but I presume you..."

The mayor nervously swallows. Hard.

{*gulut*}

"Ate them also?"

Pure Evil nods, which makes me feel conflicted.

"Yes, but I can't revive them if that's what you're asking. Aitos here is a special case. I had to use a lot more Mana, and even then, he was still alive when I did it. Everyone else I've eaten was extremely dead."

I catch the guard grimacing and tearing up.

Hey, did he actually face Pure Evil in combat? That wasn't a bluff or a farce?

I hear Pure Evil's voice inside my head.

"I think I recognize him. He's literally the only person who didn't so much as cower at my visage while I was... Cleaning the, ah, damage of my overzealous roar."

I mentally respond, a bit angry.

"So, what you did earlier truly was a roar? You honestly didn't cast anything?"

"That's correct. While not in my Parasite form, I could probably destroy this nation in a few weeks. If I went all-out, maybe sooner. I haven't tried doing that for... Obvious reasons."

Holy. Freaking. Gods.

Then, I notice something.

"Wait— what 'Parasite form?'"

"I'm not a pure dragon; I'm part-Parasite. I can't explain it other than to say, in that form? I'd eat the entire nation in a day, maybe a few hours. I haven't tried it, but I might also be able to eat the soil and bedrock. I can likewise do the same without transforming; it'd just take a lot longer."

I stare at him, stunned.

...

...

I shake my head.

Whelp. No wonder his name is 'Pure Evil.' We can only be grateful he hasn't decided to do that.

The mayor continues. Which suggests our mental conversation was much faster than I'd thought. He wasn't kidding about his mental faculties being rather ridiculous.

"Then, would you mind coming back to the city? Apologies would mean a lot. I don't know how my people would feel about—"

He looks Pure Evil's body up and down, cringing the entire time. I... Can't help but feel he's looking at me.

"— one so grand lowering yourself to their stature, but you'll definitely be memorable."

I try to avoid laughing. Good! Excellent save.

Pure Evil responds; his expression shows a bit of gratification from the mayor's pandering.

"Are you sure? I fear I'll turn the memory of their dearly departed into a nightmare."

"I'm glad you said so, because I'm also afraid of that. You're just too... Erm, impressive, for our sensibilities. Except, I can't think of anything else to bring them closure."

Pure Evil grins. Heh. He has a nice smile.

"Well, you're doing an excellent job of buttering me up, mayor. Let's do it."

I watch in awe as a pair of majestic wings grow from his back. They look like two large black scythes, with two smaller black spines between the wing segments holding his thick neon orange membranes in place. He even has perfect Mana conductive materials on his wing frames.

I examine his wings while feeling great envy.

I wonder... If I can do that?

I hear him mentally.

"You can't. Your mind is still your own, so even if you are a part of my body, you can't control my body as I do. I wouldn't allow such anyway."

He flaps. His castoff wind blows down several humans.

*sholp*

*shud**thknk*

*shup*

Then, he flies toward Haitos.

Ah. For some reason I'm saddened. Dragons— to think I once called them mere monsters.

Ha, what's a monster to him?

No— us. We're incredible.

I look at myself. Um.

Am I a dragon?