I wake up and immediately notice that my copies have finished reviewing the elves' documents. There were a few irredeemable criminals, but they were able to sort it all out pretty easily.

Of course, they immediately ate said criminals.

I was originally worried that others' memories might taint my mind. Yet the spatial black creature that I am is entirely incapable of becoming permanently dirty. Hence why I try to only eat the most vile of criminals and monsters. There's nothing they can do to harm myself, but they may harm many others. I deal with it so my people won't be forced into a bad situation.

Todrian is unique among his peers. He held the prideful disdain of his god, like almost every other elf. Yet he's manifested it by never interacting with anyone whom he felt was beneath him. At least, that's what these documents clearly show in his interactions. I haven't looked into his memories, aside from the spells he wanted me to learn.

He isn't a dragon, so I won't grant myself such pervasive access. Even that I only allow because all dragons are expected to represent my species. If not? I wouldn't bother their minds either.

Todrian didn't oppress his 'inferiors,' nor disparage, nor hate them. He wasn't indifferent to their suffering. He just chose to not interact. At all. Others could take care of whatever he saw they might need. He demanded as much from those who worked beneath him. It was simply never he himself who did the interacting.

Which means he almost certainly was honestly inspired by my sermon. He, first of all, bothered to show himself at the Chronometric Temple. He then pointed out my inscriptions to his attendants. But most importantly?

He listened to what I had to say.

Just the fact he visited was a great breach of behavior for him. It meant he didn't think I was his inferior. He at least viewed me as an equal. Acknowledging my works, too, means he respects my knowledge.

And then, to listen?

Listening is hard. It's hard even if you respect someone; even if you trust their every word. There's always going to be a bit of doubt, a bit of confusion, a bit of misinterpretation. One person can never know exactly what another meant. Never know if, in the moment they were seemingly preaching honestly, if that was how they themselves... Truly felt.

Even when we trust others implicitly— they can always deceive us. Isn't that right, Aitos?

Hragh.

Speaking of trust.

"Dracosect, I see you've informed my copy regarding where your token is located. Would you like to go there now?"

"The faster I can add to your hoard, my god, the better."

I feel my instincts surge again, but strangely it's not as overbearing as earlier. I look around and notice the room is literally full of my, reum. Whatever this clear goop is, anyway.

I decide to stand in it and see what happens.

To my surprise, the moment I sit up in bed and touch it with my clawed foot, it flits right back into my body. All the sticky clear slime that was filling the whole room is suddenly gone.

What the—

You know what? I don't even care. Whatever's going on doesn't seem to harm me, nor has it harmed anyone else.

Regh.

No, I can't think that way.

Except I don't understand what's causing this so I can't fix it. The end result is still that I'll do nothing.

I transfer myself and Dracosect, scaling myself to 50 meters again during the instant I transfer. This is a neat spatial trick one of my copies came up with to alter my size between two locations in one step. As a bonus, it also saves Mana.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

I look up at Dracosect, who seems to have grown slightly yet again. We're at his former home, which he hasn't yet moved. He was 'going to get around to it' he said, but was 'too busy displaying his competence.'

Reah, I'm not really sure what that means, but that sounds like him alright. That's probably why he's grown so much without my direct intervention. Temp probably decided to reward him.

That's the same reason I feel he's such a perfect dragon. He doesn't want to fit in. He is in. He is a dragon. It's his true identity. He doesn't need to accept me, nor his new form, because both represent his most key reasons for existing. I'm his dragon god— and he's a dragon.

His body hasn't forgotten where he came from. Unlike me, who cast aside my human shell both in body and mind. But, I don't expect quite that much.

I bend down and pick up a familiar rock.

"I guess this is your token?"

"Yes, my god."

I feel its smooth surface and jagged edges. Yep, it's stirring something inside me again. Same as the previous token. It looks slightly different but the effect is the same. I'm very curious how it can still stir my lineage when I've already become a god.

I want to consume it right now, except that wouldn't be proper. I should get permission from Dracosect.

"My god, if it pleases you, then I beg of you. Please me as well by adding it to your hoard."

Ahmyghad, this one knows how to speak. I didn't even get to ask.

"How did you obtain this token?"

"My beloved god, that token fell from the heavens and landed here, on this continent. Much farther to the north, though, as I had to fly quite a distance to get it. Especially since back then I was only a weak insect. I risked my life, but I felt owning this token was my destiny."

By 'heavens,' I think he means space? I wonder if there's more out there.

"Then, such destiny I cannot unduly sever."

"My destiny was to add everything I own to your divine hoard, my god. When I witnessed your transformation, yesterday? I suddenly knew. All those years of dreams. I dreamed of you, my god. I've long dreamed of walking alongside you, but was unsure where to find such a dragon. Then. By god; by you! I— was found."

Roah. Rawh. That's one hell of a story.

...

No, bad instincts. Go away. Let me hear him out properly.

They barely subside, but it's enough.

"Since before the Dragon God died? You've been dreaming of being a dragon for so many years?"

He shakes his head.

"My god, I've forever dreamed of being like you."

This sappy dragon! Jeez!

My whole body locks up.

My draconic instincts go far beyond what I've yet experienced. I feel immense pride that I'm his chosen one. I feel unstoppable gratification from his veneration. I feel an unparalleled desire to conquer more, entirely so I can see him fight in my name. My body damn near demands that I roar.

But this time, I'm ready. I'll fight with all my mettle to push them back down. Why? Because for whatever reason, they're not helping me be a proper dragon. They're interfering with who I am. And I'm under no obligation from my instincts; I wish to be a proper dragon. My OWN MIND shall submit to my draconic Will. I shall conquer MYSELF.

I DO NOT allow further interruption.

My instincts seem confused for a moment, then try to push even harder, as if to acknowledge—

NO. I REFUSE.

My mind struggles back and forth, and then?

It submits.

...

I feel refreshed, like I've defeated my worst nemesis. How strange.

Luckily, this all happened in the timeframe of a normal conversation. I didn't make any odd moves and it seems only a few milliseconds have passed outside.

I continue chatting with Dracosect.

"In that case, I accept your contribution to my hoard. Perhaps you know not, but this token is extremely valuable. What I have granted you thus far is nowhere near enough to make me feel I have grown your hoard in return. Even if I gave you ten times; no, a hundred times, it would still not be enough."

He looks a little unsure, so I continue.

"However. If you're certain of your identity, then I'll personally help you build your hoard. For as long as I live, at least until the value of this debt can be repaid. Even after— I want you to remain by my side. Not solely for glory, but to be my confidant. And, if you can become strong enough, my partner in conquest."

*THOOM*

he kneels on his two huge legs.

"Thank you, my god! I promise everything of me! If I can, I'd adore being the brightest jewel in your hoard! Indeed, I already pray for solely thus!"

I nod.

Though my instincts return, I decide to treat them as insignificant. Beneath my own notice. Too base and crass for this venerable dragon to bother.

I quickly shove the token into my maw. I swallow it and feel the same reaction as last time.

*glurk*

I don't know why I like putting these in my 'stomach.' I don't have one. It's just, reh. Floating inside my torso.

Sigh. What am I?

I recall the clear goo from earlier, which reminds me: those horror plants digest their prey with a ridiculous amount of clear goop. Mine didn't damage anything, so how could it be plant drool? It's not, right?

I then recall my Origin Threads. Are those... My roots? No. I can't possibly be one of those freaks, right?

image [https://timjames.net/data/acd/images/106.png]

...

Mreh. I'mma dragon.

"Rawr!"

Dracosect looks at me with excitement.

He returns my happy roar.

"Rawwr!"