I return to my cave with enough levels for my next evolution. I attempt to land but I bump into an invisible lump. I open my jaw to spray it with fire, then it becomes visible. It’s Emerald. “Anon, you’ve gotten bigger.”

“Yeah, and I’m about to get even bigger. You just want to crest yourself to me now?”

Her eyes look confused. “I thought you only used cresting as a last resort.”

“I did, until a dragon betrayed me. At this pivotal point in the history of the world I can not take any chances. If I give people freedom then they will betray me. I give you the freedom to lose your freedoms or to leave.”

Emerald shakes her head. “Anon you need to calm down”

“I’m perfectly calm.”

“I mean calm down with the destruction.” She looks worried.

“Where you see destruction. I see creation. It is common to burn a forest so that new plantlife may grow from the soil.”

“Where does it stop?”

“It doesn’t. Not even you. You were born out of my control. Your entire life is out of my control. I barely know you. Therefore I can not trust you. Even if you crested yourself, the crest isn’t 100% I’m sure there are thousands of clever work arounds for it, plus it can not change what you think. For me to allow someone to be free I will need to have molded them from birth. Can’t you see Emerald? I am giving birth to a brave new world.”

“You’re a tyrant.”

“Actually I’m not. My people were killed. Though I wish I did rule over something then I could say “That is what they will call me while I am a king, but what will they call me when I’m a god?” That’s a line that would be really cool. By the way. I’m going to be god soon.”

She looks on the verge of tears. She barely knows me, this is what? our sixth conversation? Why is she crying over me? “You need help. You’re not making sense.”

“It’s simple. My next evolution is to that of a dragon god. I will walk into the astral plane and get the other gods away from this world. Then I will come back here and burn the whole world so that I may start it anew. Not a hard concept. I’ve repeated myself three times. You should understand it by now Emerald.”

“What happened to you? The Anon I know wasn’t like this. You are a perversion of everything he held dear. He wished for every living being to be free and equal. You redefined how I saw kobolds. You redefined how I saw the entire world! You were on your way to making a peaceful revolution.”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“Killing someone's friends tends to do that.'' I give a grave laugh. “Anyways… Crest yourself or get out. I don’t know which one guarantees you’ll live longer.” My voice was casual. I wasn’t threatening her, I was just stating the facts. If she fled she could live until I became god, but if she became under my control then I would keep her until I was ready to create a new world. Then I would order her to off herself.

She begins to draw the crest on her chest. It begins to glow and I poke it with my claw. She is now sealed to obey my orders. “Guard my body while I evolve.” She nods. Her face is sad.

I press the final evolution option

[Dragon god-take your first steps into the astral plane. Decide what level of god you will be, decide what you’ll be the god of. Battle for dominance of that domain.]

I select it and the egg engulfs me. I open my eyes. I’m in pitch black of the egg. A doorway appears in front of me. I walk towards it and fall forward. I catch myself with my arms. I try to walk forwards on all fours but my butt sticks way too high in the air. I stand back up on two feet. This feel so odd now, but I’m back to being human. Mostly back to being human. Once I step through the door I’m in a white room. I look at my hands. They aren’t hands they are black scaled claws. Black scales coat all of my skin but my face. My head is lines with sharp spikes and horns. My wings are much smaller in this form, and my tail more slim. In front of me in the white room is a receptionist's desk. I approach it. She looks up at me. “Name and potential domain.”

“I’m Anon.”

“What domain do you want? Make sure it’s relevant to your personality.”

My personality? I’m the hero of this story, a fighter for freedom….oh wait. I’m Alfred Huxley, esc dystopian dictator. “Can I try for freedom?” She shrugs and pulls up a file. I peek over. It’s a record of my actions in life. Main points provided in a bulleted list.

“Can’t do. You don’t believe anyone can be trusted if they are free.”

“How about control. If I’m not a fighter for freedom then I can be a control god.”

She shakes her head again. “Says here you believe freedom is the greatest virtue.”

“That is true. Though.” I feel so conflicted. This whole situation feels weird. I’m in a new body. It’s a mix between my human and my dragon body leaving me looking like some horrific demon. I’m a mix of who I was and who I never wanted to be. I sigh. “Give me some time to think.”

“Take your time sonny, I’m literally the god of waiting.”

“The god of waiting is a receptionist?”

“Not like anyone prays to have to wait longer. I need a day job.”

From around the corner comes a blonde woman in a black toga. “Eris!”

“Anon, how do you do?”

“Good what are you --” The receptionist cuts me off. “Oh no, what are you doing with this young god? You're going to corrupt him aren’t you. What plot do you have going on?”

“None none, me and him go way back. Just give him one of my domains. He should be compatible with absurdity.”

The receptionist checks my record. “Yeah, his whole track record on this planet is pretty absurd. Guess he fits.” she turns to me. “Hey kid, is that fine with you? It’s a good deal. You won’t have to fight for your first domain and risk dying forever.”

I shrug. “Sure.”

Absurdity isn’t that bad. It’s not something many pray to or for, well except the american political climate. Those people probably sacrifice children to the deity of absurdity.