image [https://timjames.net/data/acd/images/064.png]

All he did, all that dragon did— no, Chronomet. All Chronomet did was kick me out. As a dictator— no, as a former president, that's not how I was expecting things to go. Nothing went how I expected. From start to finish, Chronomet defied my every expectation as if utter defiance was his intention all along.

It started from the bombardment. I figured, 'no matter how strong this dragon is, it can't survive a full military-scale mage bombardment.' I was wrong! Not because Chronomet survived the bombardment, oh no.

It never happened.

After he told me I wasn't president anymore, the military general I'd instructed to bombard him walked over and knelt at his side as his troops arrested me. I thought, 'Damn. Did he plan this from the beginning?'

The general told me that, no— no, he did not. Seeing the clear difference in power between the two of us, the general simply picked the winning side. I was furious.

Then, I realized the true nature of the life I'd built for myself.

Isn't that what it means to be a strongman? A bigger strongman comes along, and suddenly everything you've built becomes his.

I should've realized sooner... But I didn't. I was too wrapped up in the pomp and circumstance of being a president— a dictator. The house of cards I'd built? Stable and prosperous though it may have seemed, Eritromi was just waiting for a bigger bully to come along and kick it over. In hindsight? The Purified Heavens would've defintely done so, had Chronomet not done it first. I gave them all the ammunition they needed to sway public opinion. All they had to do was expose their own illegal experiments.

I was a fool.

I could've legitimized my rule through a royal or hegemonic declaration. This, of course, would raise my personal power greatly. But it'd also mean I'd have more responsibility to my officials and to my people. I didn't do that, either. While I respect both groups, I didn't want to be beholden to their needs and whims. But that left me vulnerable to The Purified Heavens' political pressure.

I gave up my safety.

What if... What if I'd given my people freedom of choice? The power to choose their representation; or at least public policy. Though the power of the vote is an illusion in most countries, it's better than no choice at all. I didn't do that because it'd weaken my personal power. Even an illusion needs to be maintained, but that takes time, effort, and careful planning. I couldn't be bothered. That illusion would've given me a leg to stand on against The Purified Heavens.

I gave up my security.

Somehow, I still thought of myself as a strongman. I was a strongman who relied on the power of his people rather than the power I innately possess. The same people I'd kept ignorant and powerless.

It cost me everything.

Or so I thought.

After reviewing my nation's records, Chronomet visited me in jail. He tore the reinforced cell door off its hinges— but not forcefully. He acted as though he was casually peeling a banana.

It made me realize how absurdly outclassed I was. How STUPID I was to contest him. He IS a god.

I still remember what he told me, quite clearly.

"You have lived a life worth living. You then made an emotional decision at the worst moment possible. No person should forced to suffer for a mistake which harmed only themselves."

Then, he... Turned around and walked away.

I watched him saunter off with his tail smoothly curving behind him, in line with his effortless steps. His body didn't even sway slightly as he moved; as though the whole world was bowing to his existence.

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I even felt a real, physical force drawing my eyes toward various parts of his impossibly powerful form. Wanting me to venerate his very existence. Yet, I wasn't afraid. I, too, wanted to keep looking at him. To keep praising him. To keep him held within my thoughts.

To know him. Forever.

At that moment— I realized.

He isn't some crazy strong monster.

No... He's an unbelievably amazing dragon.

I admire him so much.

Sometimes I would imprison people I didn't like. Rarely— but I did do it. I treated them well— but I still did it. Chronomet, a dragon of all things, understands the human heart better than I. Even though I, myself, claim to be human.

Was it arguable that I needed to imprison those people? It was. I'm not as strong as Chronomet. The right of choice is afforded solely to the powerful; the weak can only suffer through their poor choices.

As did I.

Eventually, Chronomet walked out of my sight. It was only some minutes later that I realized I was allowed to leave. I walked out jail while thinking about what Chronomet would do. What that incredible specimen of a dragon would do... To my treasures.

Yet again, as if he were trying to increase my already great reverence toward him, he defied my expectations. Indeed, I felt my heart being devoured by Chronomet's grand Will.

I was not stripped of my personal guards, which I paid for myself. Nor my home, purchased with savvy investments. Not my magic carriage, which was sitting untouched in the middle of the military camp. Not a thing was done to me or mine... Besides my temporary incarceration.

The only thing I lost? My public power.

Power— which was never mine.

Chronomet defied my every expectation. This too, in spite of the fact that I'd defied him. Or perhaps because I did.

I then got excited. Could I meet him once more? Would he allow it? I had to know— I had to ask him something. Again, I remember our conversation with immaculate clarity.

"Why are you letting me go?"

"Do you wish to be punished further?"

"No. Of course not."

"Then why do you ask?"

"Because I defied you. Is that not an offense?"

He looked down at me with his intensely bright red eyes.

"It is. For that, you have been punished."

He then dismissively waved his huge claws at me as if to tell me to leave him alone. I decided to defy him once more— no, perhaps this is what he'd wanted all along.

I prostrated before him and began to pray.

He did as any god would— he graciously accepted my worship. He placed down his throne and began reviewing documents, glancing at me from time to time. He seemed very pleased. I'm so happy I could repay his divine grace.

Losing what I'd built for others was enough. My behavior didn't reach the point of losing what I'd built for myself. It was so incredible to hear him say it.

As I prayed, I realized. I lost what I'd built for others, not merely because he was stronger, but because I was risking others' lives for personal gain. He took my power to save those I'd mistakenly abandoned.

As I prayed, I also kept sneaking glances at him. He seemed to like that, too. As if he was drawing me into himself, I just kept feeling my reverence for him grow. And grow. And grow. He's become my entire world, now. I want to dedicate my entire life to studying his every feature.

Chronomet— he's...

He's my personal god.

I smile.

I look up at the daybreak sky.

Its brilliance can't outshine him.

Not least because the sun hasn't risen yet. Mountains near the western shoreline block the local sunrise later than some other places. As such, I have a clear view of what Chronomet's currently doing.

Thank you, my god.

He's flying in the sky above Shridenia. I've learned that this is, in fact, a massive operation to wipe out an even more massive monster. I've never witnessed Chronomet's true power, but rumors say he's every bit as powerful as his name suggests. From what I've witnessed? He's equally every bit as worthy of veneration. And more.

I must pray again to his grand form—

The Chronometric Dragon God.

‡‡‡‡‡‡SHRAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRR‡‡‡‡‡‡

‡‡‡‡SHMKREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE‡‡‡‡

A massive black beam extends from his position in the air. Truly... This is what it means to be powerful.

I drop to my knees, continuing to pray.

The black beam impacts the ground, no doubt spreading endless destruction in its wake.

image [https://timjames.net/data/acd/images/064b.png]

As a huge black orb becomes visible over the southern mountaintops, then devours those very same mountains— still, I pray, and I praise.

image [https://timjames.net/data/acd/images/064c.png]

image [https://timjames.net/data/acd/images/064d.png]

image [https://timjames.net/data/acd/images/064e.png]

I know we won't be harmed.

I'm not afraid, my god.

I feel only awe.

The black orb vanishes; the ground rumbles in protestation. A god has fought here and won.

The sun peeks over the western mountains, blanketing our land with light. I pray even harder. I want him to know me.

No. I want him to realize just how amazing I know he is.

I want him to somehow feel my pure dedication...

Then, as if to defy my every expectation.

As if defying my very prayers.

Chronomet... Falls.