I'm actually a dragon. And the reward I got for my first victory? I know I'm not a god, yet, but... Going from mortal human to immortal dragon within a few short hours— it makes me FEEL like a god!
I can't wait to show myself off to my friends and family back on Earth. As we dragons do. After I carry out my god's tasks, I'll go have fun with them for a while. I doubt they'll be too understanding, considering I'd never shared my desires, but who cares! That's half the fun of being a dragon. If they don't accept me? Fine! Cower, tiny humans!
Muahaha!
...
Nahhh.
In all seriousness, I hope they at least accept my new self. While I'm relatively sure my mother and brother won't get upset, I've got no idea how my friends will react.
It's true what I was told about becoming a dragon. I don't have that emotional attachment to human society anymore. It's like all the connections were stripped out. My mind weirdly struggles to understand why I should want to meet up, eat out, go to a theme park, or see a movie. I intellectually KNOW why— it's the social aspect of human bonding. We could get some excitement from random activities; those activities were often better together.
Now I feel at home amongst Chronovoid's dragons. We dragons simply have different priorities. Perhaps dragons could share humans' love of sunbathing, but sleeping in the sun isn't exactly a social activity. Otherwise, what else do our species have in common? Not much.
Instead of dragons eating out, we might consume a rare treasure, but...
We definitely wouldn't share it.
Maybe we could meet for entertainment. Instead of a theme park, I've learned dodgeball using actual stars is something the largest dragons enjoy. I'm weirdly excited to try it out, but I don't think humans would survive said activity.
As for movies— who needs those? I can LIVE a high-fantasy magic war any time I want. Better yet? I'm the main character. I'm the dragon who ultimately wins the war, through my great wit and mighty power. How could my movie end in sadness?! My god is the god of fate. Knowing I'm destined to win doesn't make me feel it's too easy. Knowing I'll win is different from knowing WHEN I'll win. It could be thousands of years if I screw up. Which makes it all the more exciting. There's no bad ending; just a long training arc. Dragons have ridiculous lifespans even before becoming immortal, and hey, now I'm immortal. What's a thousand years?
On Earth... On Earth, winning wasn't a given. Even if you had the winning formula, perhaps some random human would tear you down simply to be obnoxious. Not for any other reason; solely to be a spiteful, hateful person.
No dragon would do that. Not least because Chronovoid has made our fate penalize anti-social behaviors. This applies to how we treat our fellow dragons and all other species. We're more or less constrained to good behavior at all times.
Which doesn't feel like a restriction. Not to me, anyway. With my blatantly beefed-up intellect, it's simple enough to figure out why I'm fine with it.
If I've got no reason to destroy something, well, why should I? Hm, why?
Not so hard, is it?
It just.
It feels so comfortable being a dragon. All my life I knew who I was inside. Yet, now that I've become a dragon, it's still better than I ever imagined. Both in terms of who I am, and who my fellow dragons are, too.
Deep down, I don't emotionally need the other dragons. Yet, I know they'll all swarm in the thousands to help me if I somehow get in trouble. Or, heck. Chronovoid himself might change reality to fix my problem. It's such an amazingly comforting feeling. I'm entirely sure that I have this vast family unit standing behind me, all of them supporting my entire life. Not because they need to be supportive, nor because they must, but because they all WANT to help.
I'm sure because I feel it too: a draconic urge to elevate my family ever more grand and admirable heights.
It's just who we are. No reasons needed. What other species can say that?
I know, I know. I'm being unfair to my former species. Humans don't possess the ability to alter reality to get other humans out of a pickle. It's not like the entirety of human society was awful, either.
Plus, to be absolutely fair: if our leader wasn't Chronovoid, it's likely our society wouldn't differ much from a human's military dictatorship. I've read a bit about Shridenia's history from the archives kept at Chronomet's Nest. I've also seen quite a few less-than-equitable dragon clans while conquering planets. I know living amongst that type of dragon wouldn't make me feel nearly as safe nor cherished.
That may change as Chronovoid's many improvements to our species start to affect those dragon clans' social structures. It'll probably happen eventually, but it's only been a few days.
Regardless, this shows that Chronovoid himself is what makes my new family feel so incredibly warm and welcoming. He detailed his most important changes and left them with Temp so we could review what he's done. Putting aside the amazing perks he's granted to us already-powerful dragons— I was stunned when I read that he made us eight times more greedy and prideful.
Then, I thought about it.
No wonder so few dragons in his hoard want to be spiteful or hateful. It's not just the benefits we receive, nor the penalties we suffer. Our own minds are telling us; even demanding we listen:
It's distasteful if we lessen our pride with negative behavior.
It's our loss if we allow someone else's wealth to get destroyed.
Given our intellect and four new virtues countering these sins, it becomes obvious what he's doing. He's balancing our positive and negative instincts so we don't fall into either. Yet, because they're so powerful, we literally CANNOT become lazy or misguided as a human might.
I can barely sit still because my instincts constantly tell me there's endless valuables somewhere on some planet I haven't yet found. Such an absurd level of greed entirely eliminates laziness. To say nothing of pride, which can be stoked by our greedy gains. It's... Oh, it's a feedback loop.
Hraw. He really knows what he's doing.
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Our intellect holds that feedback loop in check by giving us a strong mental basis for introspection. He's made us all maniacally driven to succeed, overwhelmingly powerful, nigh impossible to kill, and then? Then he gives us the exact tools we need to keep ourselves both competent and sane.
So that's what it is. I'm not just stunned. I'm awed.
He's creating the perfect species of gods.
I was already happy to become a dragon, but now I'm ecstatic after realizing his intentions. I've always known I was a dragon. Did I always want to be a literal god? No, of course not. The thought never even crossed my mind. Of course, given the choice, isn't the only valid answer: 'duh, yes?'
I'm so incredibly proud to be a dragon that I can't fully express my emotions in words. It feels like my brain might explode if I tried to explain. Further exploring the reasons for my already immense pride might push my equally immense positive emotions up another enormous notch.
If it was possible to die from pride and greed-induced happiness, I might! But, since we dragons are so mentally resilient, I can't. How wonderful.
Chronovoid's helped us with that, too. Our mental resilience, I mean. It wasn't just physical power, instincts, and intellect. He's clearly made other changes he hasn't seen any need to announce. I know, because I've felt them. They feel like someone is secretly elevating my entire existence. Every single time.
Whenever I think, 'that's gotta be the last one; he can't possibly keep making us more powerful' he just goes and does it again. And so, my awe toward him keeps rising in lockstep. How is it possible that I adore my god so much after only meeting him yesterday? I'm aware my species traits are fueling said adoration, but... With the sheer number of reasons he's given us to love him; with the amount of love he's given us, it's so easy to accept and return his love.
Speaking of easy to accept, Chronovoid said he'd personally conquer Earth today. His portals should soon connect with our home planet. I'm so excited to see my human friends and family! He doesn't allow his dragons to roam around on unconquered planets, unless we're formally tasked with doing the conquering.
Naturally, I'm going to help him conquer Earth!
I'm not worried. I know what he means by 'conquer.' He's going to unite the entire world's governments under his rule. Stop all wars, root out criminality, and strip power from those who don't deserve it. Hardly the human version of conquest. But, he'll surely display his overwhelming presence. That's what it means to be a dragon!
Still, I wonder...
"My god, would you fight me in the arena?"
"Roh, you want a fight, hra? Are you wondering whether I can measure up to my Paragon?"
"I am curious! Pride said he lasted a few seconds against you, while Dracosect can defeat Pride almost instantly."
"Ahra. Let's disabuse that notion, shall we?"
Disabuse? Eh? What's that mean?
He instantly moves into the arena like someone cut two halves of a film together. I feel so much more power than Dracosect's flooding into my body.
"Err. I'm regretting."
"Are you? Still want to continue?"
"Of course."
No dragon would give up so easily! Least of all, me.
He stands tall, arms behind his back.
"I'll give you the first hit. I won't dodge. So, go whenever you're ready. Oh, and do note that the arena shares my talent instead of sealing it. This talent cannot be used because it's ridiculous. If you use it, everyone here but myself may die instantly. Including you."
Uhm. Whelp, there's the reason he's our god.
"Not exactly, but close enough."
I don't know what that means.
Scanning his mostly white body, I feel like he's more reflective than I am. I'd better not use the laser cannon.
I run up to him, then jump into the air.
Dragon roundhouse! The moment it reaches him, I'll...
I hit nothing.
I spin around uncontrolled and fly completely through him.
Ah? I'm so confused?!
I land gracefully on the arena floor using my tail sections. I stand up and reassess our situation.
No, this won't do.
I may adore my god, but he should not trick me like this.
"My god! I thought you wouldn't dodge!"
He's standing still with his back to me.
His tail tip flips to one side slightly as though he's pleased by my response.
"I didn't."
"Then, what—"
"You get the first hit. You've not hit me."
"But, how?"
"I don't know, how DO you hit me?"
I tilt my dragon head sideways.
Okay, if physical won't work.
I lean over and jut out my laser cannons. I charge a dragon breath for good measure.
####ROOOOOOAAAARRRR####
All three are way more powerful due to Chronovoid's high stats. They fire, and... Go right through?
What?
I stand up and look. His tail tip flips the other way.
"This doesn't make any sense. What are you doing?"
"I decided you can't hit me. So, you can't."
"Wait, but... Did you use your talent?"
"I didn't— I'm just that strong."
What the...
"Are you invulnerable?"
"Yes and no. Inviolability is my weakest physical attribute, so a step above that. I have several attributes which are stronger than inviolability."
His WEAKEST is inviolability?!
"Uham, Pride lied?"
"Nope! I was weaker back then."
"The hell? My god makes other gods look like pansies."
He flips his tail tip back and forth twice.
"Why, thank you!"
"You deserve the praise, my god. I concede."
"OVER. Chronovoid 1-0, Geritel 1-10. Congratulations, Chronovoid!"
I was his first arena battle? I'm so honored!
I bow.
"Thank you for letting me be your first."
"Hraw, Pride said the same thing."
He vanishes somehow. Sheesh, he wasn't joking when he said he could teleport.
[...]
"Actually, I'm stronger than that now, too. I decide where I want to exist. Or not exist. I'm kinda overpowered."
"No kidding."
"I opened this chat to see how you're doing. I notice you have great combat skills with your tail despite evolving into a dragon earlier today. How'd you manage that?"
"I'm a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and Jujitsu. I also did gymnastics on the side. I've wanted to be a dragon forever, so I've been doing mental exercises for as many years. Somehow, what I practiced in my head usually works in reality. Whatever doesn't, I can compensate with my martial arts skills."
"Mind if I ask why you wanted to be male? Or a dragon for that matter?"
"Not at all. I was simply born the wrong species, my god. That's why I like fighting so much."
"That's it?"
"Yep."
"I've heard of gender dysphoria before, also body dysmorphia, never species... Dysforma?"
"Humans see what they want to see. It's why they're such a dominant species. They can easily re-make reality in their imagination before directing their every effort toward that future goal. We dragons aren't close-minded by any stretch, but our species' tendencies do get in the way of such wholehearted dedication to a single goal. We want everything, so we aim for everything. Somewhat ironically, I notice that's made us dragons more accepting. No, I should say we tend to praise uniqueness since possessing a unique trait is a valuable asset."
"That's very perceptive, Geritel. Thank you. I'll grant you a reward for your insightful answer to a personal question."
I feel power flow into my body.
It feels so darn good every time. It's not just my instincts, either. Must be a dragon thing!
"One more question. Why'd you yell 'Tomorrow!' at Dracosect before the match?"
"Oh, I said I'd be big enough to come out to the arena unattended by tomorrow. It's afternoon now, but with this reward? Perhaps I can make it by midnight."
"I'll grant you another reward if you can enter the Chronovoid Temple through the portal before midnight. That'd make you a Rank one god, so, you'd be the fastest in my whole hoard to go from mortal to god. Faster than me, even, and I only took five days."
I jump out of the ring. I shrink down to a tiny speck in comparison now that I'm not being supported by Temp.
image [https://timjames.net/data/acd/images/176.png]
"Then I'd better start conquering planets by myself."
"You know what I mean by conquer, right?"
Dracosect brings me back to the Chronometric Temple. I fly to the custom destination portal, which is currently outside. The wall portals are activated, but empty, since my home planet isn't conquered. My god said he'd modify these wall portals to work with all planets soon enough.
"Yup! It's not easy— but if I can't manage that, then I don't deserve a bonus nor Paragon status. I was born a dragon in spirit and now fate himself has guided me to my true form. I can't take a step back now! We're dragons; we never retreat."
I enter Eltharial's portal.
"Oh, where'd you hear that from? That wasn't in my sermon or speech."
"Not retreating? I'm a dragon. I just know."
I'm greeted by my clawed foot trampling a forest.
Dang, I'm HUGE! I felt tiny in my god's temple, but—
"Interesting. Fate is wildly in your favor, young dragon. And I don't mean me— though I do count, hrah. Go get 'em."
"YES, MY GOD!"
[...]