A Chronometric Defect

"Oh gods. Oh, dear gods."

*uuuuuahph*

"Haah. Haaah. Hah."

*ugh*

I hear my vice-captain.

"Captain, are you okay?"

"Haaah. Ysa, just hold—"

I push my head back into the bucket.

*uuuuuahph*

"Haa. Haah. Hah."

*urghp*

*uuuahph*

"Huh. Huuu. Huhh."

"Should we get a healer? Did you get cursed?"

"No, no. Just. No. Just. Get the mayor and the mercenary coordinator. Right now."

"Are we going to fight it?"

I whip around. Despite my body being sweaty and pale, I clamp Maro's armored shoulders in a death grip.

"NO! For the love of all that is good and holy, DO NOT allow anyone to so much as SUGGEST that— if you value your life in the slightest."

"I'm sorry captain, but I don't understand. I'll carry out your orders, but I'd appreciate further instruction, ma'am?"

I shiver just thinking about it.

I feel the blood drain away from my face.

"That... That thing. That's not a dragon. Maybe it was, at some point, but it's not anymore. It's been possessed by something. You should've seen that thing's eyes. And its teeth. Oh gods, the teeth."

I pause, breathing heavily, trying to forget the teeth.

Then, I swallow.

*ghlup*

I need to explain myself.

"I've seen dragons before. They look ferocious. Like they want to eat you where you stand. Their bright gold eyes staring at your body like it's a sack of meat. Their teeth sharp and predatory. They're scary, but... Whatever THAT thing is? Its metallic red eyes saw through me like an ant it could toy with. It smiled— like its teeth might shred me to bits for fun and then keep going."

I take several deep breaths.

"Huuuu. Huuuu. Huuu."

Okay, calm down.

...

I continue.

"It wants to leave. It just... Wants to leave. Thank the gods. Because, if it didn't, I'm afraid death would be the best outcome for us all. The best, POSSIBLE, outcome. I don't even want to contemplate the worst."

Maro takes a step back.

*tak*

I release my grip on his shoulders.

"Ma'am, are you sure you're okay?"

I breathe in deeply, then exhale.

"Huuuuuh. Hhhhhuuuuuuu."

I continue.

"I'm fine, vice-captain. This isn't a physical sickness. I'm just... I'm so utterly terrified."

He stands shocked for a moment.

...

"I'll relay your orders."

"Thank you. Remember— DO NOT let people start jockeying to attack it out of ignorance. I don't want Achiton to become the latest city wiped from existence by a dragon. I'm sure you don't either."

He slowly nods, then turns and walks away silently.

Hah. I've always wondered how he walks so quietly in full guard armor.

I shake my head and turn back around.

I look down at the city map.

...

Why am I looking at this map?

Achiton will be gone if we bother that thing.

I realize.

Earlier, I was looking at this map to plan containment of an unknown threat. Now?

I shiver again.

It seems, now I'm looking for...

Looking for escape routes.

I quickly scan the map.

Nope.

There aren't any.

My fear rises.

Dear gods.

Help us.