The Red Dragon Just Wants To Do As It Pleases

David had once had the fortune to enter the Wanhua Hall within Evil Scale Fortress. There, Tiamat, the Dragon God, watched with her five heads. The 'giant flying fortress,' cloaked in the guise of a Neisser Sky City, receded from the Sixth Hell towards the Shadow Plane. A hint of regret touched Her features as She said,

"It seems you've instilled a deeper foundational education in David Uthos than I have. He would rather have a 'stone shell' commonly seen in the Sixth Hell than become my next subject—an opportunity countless Chromatic Dragons seek in vain."

From among the five-headed dragon shadows projected from behind the Wanhua Throne, the central Red Dragon head suddenly tilted its own head, looking scornfully at Her back as it said,

"Become your subject? What is that, but like holding a lit torch while trying to be a thief?"

The Red Dragon head of the Dragon Queen also turned back, saying,

"Subjective consciousness affects the objective world. Our choices determine the future. Isn't that what you once said? You know the difference between these is vast. This variable, he, is your creation, yet he has already concretely rewritten your destiny. You should realize that under the existing circumstances, you originally had only one path available: to become my Demigod, Pafila."

"You are the divinity of my belief, but he is also my child. I just happened to become his mother in this world. He is an independent entity, a soul unlike mine. He did not come because of me; he came due to his own will and longing for freedom. I love him, but I will never manipulate his dragon life in the name of love, even if that is an edict from You, my god."

Although Tiamat knew this speech might have been seen by Pafila from 'another world,' the seemingly unbridled expression on Her face still showed ripples at this moment.

She knew this was Pafila's indirect accusation and resistance to Her own actions.

After all, She was unlike Pafila, who completely let the child grow freely under her watch, fearing Tiamat might exert even the slightest influence over him. Tiamat, on the other hand, had begun a hundred-year 'calculation' the very first time Pafila established a faith link with Her. This plan led Pafila step by step to become Her subject, a pawn to revive the dragon race.

She wanted to apologize to this child whom She had manipulated for most of her life. But deities can never show weakness, for they have no road to retreat.

Tiamat suppressed the sigh of apology rising from the depths of Her heart and crushed it. With a tone of indignation, She said,

"Since the spark of the Saint Catastrophe ignited, a new round of divine wars has been counting down. Asmodeus is always trying to spread hell's order throughout the Multiverse. The Grim Reaper Ye stripped his divinity a millennium ago and has remained secluded by the Styx River, not emerging since. He appears to perpetually record the beginning and end of life, yet no one knows what He is truly plotting. In this era of great conflict, where is there any true freedom? It's all just self-deception, deceiving dragons! Do you really believe that by placing all choices before him, he will be able to walk the path he desires? Or will it only turn out worse than my arrangements?"

Pafila retorted without mercy,

"All I know is that the essence of a variable lies in its randomness and chaos. Once we begin to observe or even directly intervene, his destiny will collapse into a line and ultimately converge into a point. This is not selfishness but maintaining hope. I have already made this mistake once, and the result bound him and us even tighter. Do not forget, You too are but a participant in this chaotic game. Even You cannot escape the constraints of Your own perspective, yet You presume to challenge the world with just one variable. This is Pride, and Pride is not Your divine role or Authority."

Tiamat knew Pafila would retort. However, She had not expected the one She considered Her 'own daughter,' whom She had raised, to so mercilessly demolish Her arguments regarding Pafila's child. In any other church, such an act would be considered sacrilege!

The rage, like a volcanic eruption, built uncontrollably within Her, yet Pafila, already accustomed to such sacrilege, added another sting,

"Nor is rage entirely it."

Tiamat's five dragon heads almost choked, saying furiously to Pafila,

"Then what about Greed!"

"Indeed so," Pafila said.

Tiamat's five dragon heads simultaneously took a deep breath. They looked towards the stars outside the Divine Realm, which shimmered with uncertainty. Finally, with a solemn expression, She said,

"Pafila, my most beloved child, you must understand, you were originally my only retreat, much as I was yours. If the day comes when it is confirmed that Bahamut is on the Slaying King Star, that will be the start of the second Dragonfall War. At that time, all the responsibilities and missions will then fall solely upon you."

"You actually have so little confidence?" It seemed this was the first time Pafila had witnessed the Chromatic Dragon Queen in such a state.

Tiamat gave a relieved smile. "I once had many faces and names: Tassix, Lady of Darkness, Queen of Chaos, Myriad Colors Return to the Void Dragon. Bahamut, too, had many: Paladin, Fizban, Marduk, King of Good Dragons. We have faced off in countless ways across various planes. Yet, whether it was I or He, we both knew that neither could ever truly and thoroughly defeat the other. Therefore, I have only one choice: to take Him from this world, together, with your aid. Then, when good and evil become one, the Dragon Gods from all eight directions will inevitably clash over this newly birthed throne of the nine-faced high..."