A Chronometric Defect

I can't sleep. I keep going over it in my head.

Over, and over, and over.

Did my daughter really betray my Shridenia? Betray my love for her, even? I wasn't sure. I didn't want to admit it. She's my beloved daughter.

Then, she contacted me via inscription. Spilled the entire story right then and there. Told me the names of the traitors and where to find evidence. Everything.

EVERYTHING!

I roll over in bed. I keep going over it.

Over, and over, and over.

I'm a king. I can't break. I must be strong. But I want to break, so, so badly. I feel the tears coming once again. They wet my wrinkled face.

Why...

I roll over again. Above my bed, I see two red orbs punctuated by black slits. Ah, did you do this to my daughter? Is it finally my turn to die?

"Apologies, king. We need to talk. Now."

The darkness is speaking to me? Do your worst.

I roll over in bed and ignore it.

The darkness seems annoyed. It grabs my torso with its huge claws and pulls me out from my royal bed.

Oh, just kill me, why don't you? I have nothing left.

Nothing left.

It pushes open my large bedroom doors. The guards outside are startled, but when they look, they see its bulky legs and thick tail instead of myself. I note its form is almost solid black with a few scant highlights of orange. It ducks under the doorway, then walks down the hallway with my torso still held in its inviolable grasp.

My guards try to attack it.

*thok*

*tik*

*klang-ching-ting-tssssh*

But the creature completely ignores them. I silently signal for them to stop, seeing that one of their swords has already broken. The creature hasn't sustained a scratch.

They see my gesture and halt their advances.

We trained them so well. We trained them so well— so why, Yenim? Why?

It reaches my royal throne room and then ducks under the large ornate doorframe. Next, it releases its grasp and I mysteriously float over to my royal throne. I'm placed sitting neatly. It forms a throne out of nothing, facing mine, and elegantly sits, its tail fitting neatly into its throne's construction. Said throne is far more grand and majestic than my gold and gem-encrusted throne.

Am I facing a creature or a king?

"I am the Chronometric Dragon God. You may also call me Chronomet."

It calls itself god, rather than king. Considering its grand power and size— roughly 12 meters tall— I won't argue. Its voice, though? Its voice sells its claim perfectly.

It continues speaking.

"Your daughter, Yenim, has informed one of my subordinates of her actions."

Ah, Yenim. Yenim! My dear daughter. As I look at this 'Chronomet' in anguish, I begin silently crying once more. For what reason could it possibly care about her?

"I've checked her situation. I believe she was under mind control. Not the spell, however. And not mine."

Mind control again?

"What proof do you possess, lord... Chronomet?"

I want it to be true. I feel my mind grasping at this explanation with every fiber of my being. But I am a king. I cannot accept mere supposition over fact.

It slowly nods. Then, a white object appears in midair and floats over to me. The object has a clear spell around it.

"I found this inside a large insect monster I killed recently. I believe it was manipulating that monster's particularly small brain. I tested my hypothesis by placing it near a snake monster. The snake ate it, then swiftly became murderous."

Another white object appears and floats over. It's also covered by a spell. They're identical.

"When I heard of your daughter's confession, I checked her brain. This is what I found."

Then, does that mean...

"I see. Why show me this, lord Chronomet? What purpose does it serve you?"

The dragon tilts its head slightly.

"I thought you'd be more relieved. Your daughter is innocent."

"Kings are not unfamiliar with intrigue."

Its overbuilt body straightens into a prideful pose.

"I crush my every opposition, fully and completely, with my immense power. I have no need for lies and treachery."

I find myself momentarily awed. Is this truly a dragon? Perhaps, but it also claims to be a god.

"Then, you can naturally answer my challenge."

"I want to know anything and everything your daughter has done before she fled to Achiton. This thing may become a disaster if left alive."

"You want to kill it?"

"I do."

"Again, how does this benefit you?"

It seems a bit frustrated.

"Does a ruler need a reason to protect his people? No, thus is the mandate of a ruler. But, I'll admit I also want to exploit it for myself."

"You seek to use it for your ends? I thought you didn't need deception, lord Chronomet."

Its body straightens further. I start feeling an unknown pressure; like the divine force of a deific being.

"What I seek is to make its entire power: mine. Using that specific power, however, is beneath me. I'mma dragon! Rawr! Thus, I desire to possess ALL of value."

It wants to become stronger just for the sake of hoarding power? What an absolute monster. Though, it interjected a random roar for no reason. That... Completely broke the flow of its well-formed speech. Why did it do that?

After making its declaration, its red eyes focus back onto— into me. They feel so sharp.

"I understand, lord Chronomet. I will instruct my butler to provide what you request."

It again subtly nods its head as we royals do.

"I shall wait in your reception area."

Its throne slides somewhere and vanishes. Then, I watch it stably and elegantly walk out of my royal throne room, ducking under the ornate doorway. Its footfalls are strangely quiet.

...

...

Does this mean my daughter; my dear Yenim. Was she really manipulated?

I call for my butler, who soon appears while looking pale and shaken. Yes, I can absolutely understand why. The Chronometric Dragon God forced itself into my royal chambers in the middle of the night, then held an impromptu meeting.

Anyone would be surprised and confused.

"Give our guest all documents pertaining to Yenim, both before and after she fled to Achiton. It appears... My daughter is truly innocent."

My butler kneels on both knees.

"Oh, your highness! I am so relieved! Please, later share with this lowly one the details of what you've discussed. I raised Yenim for many years— I was heartbroken by such dire news. Now, I feel as though an immense burden has been lifted from my shoulders."

"Indeed. Imperious and imposing as lord Chronomet may appear, he does not act evilly, especially bringing us such good tidings. Late at night though it may be."

"Your highness, you refer to him as 'lord?'"

"I am a king. He is a god. We are not equals."

My butler looks stunned.

"Y— yes, your highness. As you wish."

He swiftly exits the room, running at a fast clip.

*thk*

*thk*

*thk*

{*thk*}

{*thk*}

{*thk*}

He wants to clear Yenim once and for all. Perhaps more than I did.

I shift in my royal throne, then stand. I'd best get myself back to bed. I begin walking down my royal throne room's long hall, all alone.

...

I exit my throne room and turn toward my bedchambers. As I do, I think back to Chronomet's grand appearance and majestic aura. I feel my mind subtly accepting that he can solve problems I cannot comprehend. It somehow makes sense that he's able to sort out Yenim's issue so easily.

It's a ruler's job to find reason amongst the chaos.

My two bedchamber guards come into my view. Previously, one of these guards was an assassin. Had my daughter not told— no, perhaps she'd just learned the truth herself. Had she not, it's likely I would've been next.

Sooner. Or later.

That assassin simply couldn't easily defeat the other guard, who was far too strong and vigilant.

I eye the guard on my left; the one who likely saved my life. He lowers his head as is customary when receiving acknowledgement from the king. I stop in front of my door, glancing over them both.

"Tonight shall not be spread by either of you. I do not say this for my own prestige, but in appreciation of your service. That dragon, Chronomet— is a god. You both would do well to treat him as such. He shall receive more of your respect than even myself. Understood?"

"YES, YOUR HIGHNESS!"

They both exclaim in unison. I take another look at the guard who saved my life.

He deserves a grand reward.

I look at the other guard, to my right. He too shows the customary deference. He learns fast— he must like being a guard.

"Guard Barnet, I'm impressed you would dare to advance on this dragon, despite your prior experience with that other dragon at Haitos. The one called 'Pure Evil.'"

"Your highness, that dragon's—"

Correct address, but why the pause?

He seems consternated, but he continues.

"— yes, that's the same dragon I faced. I'd recognize him anywhere. He's already become countless times stronger than yesterday. My body feels no fear, because he's grown too far beyond my comprehension. Nothing I do is capable of bothering him. So, it no longer matters if I try."

Oh.

"Then your supposition was correct; he did come for our Shridenian capital. I wonder if he had this in mind when he rescued Yenim."

"May I speak freely, your highness?"

"You may."

"Your highness. He's no longer a dragon, a creature with which we may contend. He's a god. We've lost our right to question him."

I nod my head regally.

"It doesn't matter. What we should do is continue to act with propriety. He'll do as he pleases regardless of our actions."

I hear Chronomet's voice behind myself.

"You, are a wise king. I like to reward people who make sensible decisions. I know your time on the throne is short, so I'll reward your daughter when the time comes."

I turn around and kneel on one knee. The same pose my subjects must show me.

"Thank you, my lord."

"Get some rest, King Shridenia. I have a feeling tomorrow will be a busy day."

"I eagerly await you growing stronger, my lord."

He stands so proudly, to the point I feel he MUST be radiating an aura of pride... He probably is.

"You know how to make a dragon happy. This too, shall not be forgotten."

He vanishes, and so I stand. I turn, then walk into my royal chambers, passing by my two guards. As I do, I talk to myself.

"Well, he did order me to go to bed."

His orders are surprisingly easy.

I get into bed and doze off.

...

I dream of Yenim, but.

She's holding me.

In her claws.