A Chronometric Defect

Frankly, I thought we were under attack by an enemy nation. No way could another nearby city have that level of magic weapon. Through sound alone, it blew out the eardrums of nearly every person living in Haitos. Some of the weak or unlucky ones died. Some of the few who were strong enough to hear it; they've turned rambling mad.

*thud*

One of those who didn't go deaf or crazy, he told me through writing that the weapon sounded akin to a dragon's roar.

'Preposterous!' I'd exclaimed, not able to hear my own protestations. 'It's simply that the enemy's magic weapon focuses sound like a roar to make it seem more terrifying!'

*thud*

As if specifically to prove me wrong, moments later I was shown an inscription. It was an image of the thing. The thing my Sound Magic Team determined emitted said roar.

Yes, roar.

*thud*

It looks like a dragon, but it's not. That CAN'T be a dragon. It's ridiculously enormous even by dragon standards. But sheer scale wasn't the only feature setting it apart. Its coloration, its unusually huge wings, and its face.

Oh, gods. Those eyes.

*thud*

Every time I think about it. Every time, I want to tear out a chunk of my hair. I haven't even seen it up close, and yet already my mind wants to crumble. As if to blithely defy yet another accepted convention of the dragon species, it's marching right up to our Haitos city hall.

*thud*

What I learned, though, wasn't only its heading.

Maybe it was coming here to decapitate the city's leadership before going on a rampage— I couldn't know. Why would it bother with its raw power? That was beyond my understanding. All I thought, was... I must greet it.

I must.

*thud*

Then, my Vision Mage Team caught it clearing the streets with its wings. It was even seen stepping around the few citizens who were too terrified or injured to move out of its way. It also seems to be examining its mass destruction.

But.

It's not baring its teeth in that typical, twisted, draconic smile. It's not finding joy in the chaos it caused.

*thud*

Which means this dragon? No. This one-of-a-kind horror? It's not indifferent to life. It's not a dumb beast.

It CAN'T be a dragon.

I'm relieved, in a sense, because that means my death is no longer guaranteed. However, where did this monster of intellect come from, what does it want, and why does it think we have it?

*thud*

Much as I hate to admit? I'm nothing compared to that thing. If it stepped on me, that would be my end. The same is probably true for every young warrior and old hand alike; at least the ones living in Haitos. None of us stand a chance against whatever... THAT is.

*kra-chrnh*

I suppose our excellent team of mages may stand a chance. Against one of its feet, I mean. Anything more would be impossible. I do take great pride in my city's specialty: inscriptions.

But as a leader? I must be realistic.

*THUD*

I look again into the visual inscription. Its spatially black patterns, its neon orange scales, and its blazing red eyes.

This thing cannot be fought. Never mind defeating it; we cannot fight it. Chances are, swords would break against its hide. Punching it would mean losing an arm. Even if it stood and took our attacks. Even if it didn't fight back, we'd lose.

*THUD*

Magic? That might do something, but this hypothesis is impossible to test. One spell could be the difference between Haitos being known as a city or a canyon.

If that thing's roar crippled and killed so many, what might happen if we made it angry?

*THUD*

I shudder.

My body agrees.

That CANNOT happen.

*thock-thock*

Did...

Did it just use its finger to knock on the wall? It didn't break anything?

Why do I feel more scared rather than less?

Haah. No matter. I must do this properly.

I walk up to the destroyed window of my town hall's second floor. I still find myself looking at some part of its lower body: its full height is well over two floors.

I stop before reaching the opening; I can't bear to get any closer. It crouches down.

I'm met with a very close-up view of its huge head.

Which, it uses to... Speak. For a given definition of speaking.

It feels like it's eroding my sanity.

"Hello, I'm here to meet with your chief inscriptionist. Would you afford me some of their time? I'll do my best to compensate for my damages and for your inscriptionist's unavailability. Causing such destruction wasn't my intention. My goal was merely to announce my arrival. Sadly, I've found your human cities are far too flimsy to bear my full prestige."

What a terrifying voice. What terrifying words. That wasn't an attack? That was a greeting?

What does it consider an attack?

I don't need to guess whether it's bluffing. This thing has no need to bluff. And, moreover...

It wants to compensate us? I almost want to ask why. But I don't dare to question its motives.

No, I bow.

"Greetings, your majesty! Thank you for gracing us with your presence!"

"Pure Evil."

Err... Is it cursing me? Gods, I hope not. Maybe I should've groveled instead of bowing. Did I piss it off already? I feel terrified— more terrified.

I manage to look up at it with confusion.

It rolls its eyes. A surprising gesture for one of its stature. It's disarming when done by a human, but it doesn't diminish the creature's intense presence. It's demeaning to many, but in its shadow I'm... Already insignificant.

"That's my name. Pure Evil. I'm not 'your majesty.' My majesty can't be understood by humans; you must admire me quietly."

Wh— what? Um. Okay, then.

"My apologies, Pure Evil. I'd be glad to discuss your compensation, and of course, your requirements will be met posthaste."

I signal to one of my attendants. Oh, not that one, he's fainted. The other one... No. Ah.

Finally! That one.

I signal to her; she quickly signals in return. A blue inscription appears above her hand. I turn back to the creature.

"If you don't mind me asking, Pure Evil, what else should I know? So we can conduct our transaction smoothly."

Its large eyes look up for a moment. It again looks down at me and smiles a little. I grip the inscription slab I'm holding SO much tighter. I remember my thoughts about a dragon's smile.

Ah, shit. Don't piss your pants; you're the mayor. Speaking of shit— don't do that either.

"Regardless of whatever misguided notions you may have? I am, in fact, a dragon."

My jaw drops.

I know it looks like a dragon, but this... This is too much. I want to point at this so-called 'dragon' and yell 'imposter!' Except, I cherish my life. I have zero desire to discard my life at random.

It continues speaking.

"Make sure you inform all others of my stated nature. I don't like repeating myself."

Aha! If I don't die today, I'll age by twenty.

"Certainly, certainly."

I signal to my attendant again. She gives me a weird look, but I drag my finger across my neck. She nods her head vigorously, then her blue inscription appears again.

I turn back to the... Dragon. Or so it claims.

Agh, curiosity kills. I must ask.

"So, are you a pure-blooded dragon or a greater lineage we mere mortals aren't aware exists?"

"Ahra, a delightfully-worded question, human. I am the lineal inheritor of the most powerful being to ever grace existence. For what little that's worth."

Holy hell! This thing is terrifying in every way! Even its parental lineage is terrifying.

"Oh! Oh. That... Makes perfect sense, Pure Evil. Then I presume you inherited your name from your progenitor? I will say, it's a tad—"

I am an IMBECILE! I almost insulted the thing! What was I THINKING?! I can only pray it's too full of itself to recognize my blunder.

"Yes, being named by ones' forebears is quite normal. I will agree, however, that ones' forebears possessing a poor naming sense is also not uncommon."

Oh, wonderful! Ha! Wonderful indeed.

It's smart enough to pick up little inferences. I think most people can't do that. My earlier estimate of aging twenty years was a very low estimate! My remaining lifespan might already be measured by a clock.

"I see. My name is—" *krffh-tssh*

I look over... A wall collapsed.

I look back at the 'dragon.'

I can't tell it my name now, or it might get annoyed that I'm focusing on myself. I've had that happen with royalty.

"I am this city's current republican mayor. I'm not a lord mayor or baron— ah. And, I know I'm far beneath you. Thus, our esteemed guest, Pure Evil. Would you like to pick a location to relax, so we can discuss your needs and intentions further?"

"Sure, I'll sit over there."

It points at Haitos city's nearest mineshaft.

"Why there?"

It completely ignores my question.

"Bring your head inscriptionist. I'm aware such a distance may take you some time to traverse, unlike myself, but please do not keep me waiting. I may get bored."

"Of course. I'll also bring many other officials to ensure we have enough information to slake your interests. In that vein, may I ask what you enjoy doing when you get bored?"

"Last time I got bored— what was the city to your south? I don't know its name. Hrr. You may know of it soon, so I'll share what I can about the happenings down there."

Well, it's nice that the... 'Dragon,' is outgoing, I suppose? It flew here from Achiton. We only get their news two weeks after the fact. I mean, not only the capital can afford those powerful communication arrays, but... Uhm...

Never mind that guy! Focus on what matters.

"That city is Achiton, the anti-monster bastion. You are currently within the inscription city of Haitos! Average travel time, two weeks and one day— twenty-three days."

I've said that SO many times. Ooooh... It came out invitingly. Please, don't decide to stay.

It nods, then responds.

"I may have instigated things in Achiton, but I promise, it wasn't my fault. I also handpicked one person to be left alive. Moreover, the citizens were nearly untouched. However... Excepting my selection? The leadership, officials, military, and guard— all were completely and systematically eradicated."

My brain can't process what I just heard.

The common people are mostly fine.

However. Everyone else?!

IN EVERY POSITION?!

"Sys—"

I dare not finish my words, but I must.

"Systematically, eradicated?"

It quickly fires back.

"I allowed a little revolt."

How do even I respond to that?

"May we talk about this later?"

"Certainly. I'll be... Waiting."

It stands, gracing me with a full view of its torso once more. I feel a strong wind as it does; its huge body sucks the air out from this entire room with just a simple action.

I'm stunned, even though I'm merely seeing the same thing I saw earlier.

This is the second floor of my city hall, isn't it?

How does a 'dragon' grow this large?

It turns and walks away.

*THUD*

*THUD*

*THUD*

*thud*

*thud*

Oh, that slow pace wasn't its normal walking speed. Not like I would know; I've never seen such a huge creature.

It spreads its wings and takes flight in an unnatural way: without flapping.

Is everything it does...

Ominous?