A Chronometric Defect

"Dracosect, how long have I been standing here?"

"About a minute, my god."

Reh?

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, my god. Is something wrong?"

Something is very wrong: the god of time lost track of time.

I shake my dragon head.

This is nonsense. I bet if I check my status, it'll also be nonsense.

Status, Lineage.

Lineage: Origin

Type: Void

You are the origin of Void.

Predictive Inscription:

Your next origin will likely be: Nihil.

Wait. Nothing changed? Is my lineage not equivalent to my Will? I am my own lineage, the Origin of my lineage, the Origin of Void. Whatever that means.

As expected, nothing makes sense. Maybe I if add, rhem, a Will measurement. What is that, a sanity meter?

Rugh. No thank you.

Buuuuut.

I'mma dragon. Dragons do as they damn please.

I add it anyway!

Status, Lineage.

Lineage: Origin

Type: Void

You are the origin of Void.

Sanity Meter: 100%

Total: 7.27 (87)/1.88(32)

(Absorbing)

Predictive Inscription:

Your next origin will likely be: Nihil.

Raha. Just like the god, I can't absorb all of it in one shot. Wait. Does that have an exponent of eighty seven? I don't even know what that represents in numerical terms.

Until it pops into my mind.

Duodecoctillion, silly. Duo dec, twenty. Oct, eight.

No, that's not obvious. Stop being dumb. Where did that come from, anyway?

I check. It's from the human god's memories.

Wait— it says here 'octovigintillion?'

Hraw! Why would the number system not stack onto itself in a logical pattern? Where did this 'vigin' come from? It must be Duodecoctillion.

As the self-declared god of time. And dragons.

I deem it so.

Hrr, let's forget about that.

...

...

I can't forget, but I must move on.

...

...

Damnit humans, fix your shit!

There's no purpose in changing smaller number prefixes like 'million' because they're so commonly used, but AT LEAST make large number prefixes CONSISTENT!

'Octo-' in 'octovigintillion' sounds like it should be referencing the '8' in '87,' correct?

NO!

It refers to the eight in the ones place of the exponent minus three divided by three.

Roh, did that make no sense?!

My point exactly.

(87-3)/3 = 28.

'Octo-' refers to the '8' in this magical '28.' Fine, cool, that's how we separate numbers. Into groups of three.

But wait!

For some inexplicable reason, 'octo-' sits at the FRONT of the number, where the largest value usually goes.

Nope! It's the smallest! Gotcha!

And I guess we'll just ignore the fact that 'vigin' popped out of freaking nowhere to represent '2.'

I mean, what does it matter when your whole numbering system is already bass ackwards?

I don't care if 'vi' and 'duo' mean the same thing in latin or whatever crazy logic was used!

THAT'S NOT THE POINT!

Graaaaah.

And humans wonder why so many of their kind hate math.

...

Regh, am I unstable? First I lose track of time, now I'm mentally ranting about math.

Worse, I'm not even sure anything I said was correct. It's all based on someone else's memories.

The memories of a crazy guy.

But my sanity meter said 100%?

Reh.

Anyway.

"Dracosect, I ask because I lost track of time."

"That doesn't seem too worrisome, my god? You feel much lighter and freer than before. Like a great burden was lifted from your being. Your existence has become inspiring, my god."

I notice that I don't feel a compulsive instinct at his praise like before. Was it those blobs? Were they doing that?

"Rawr! Thank you for your kind words, Dracosect. However, the first part of my name, 'Chronometric,' means to 'measure time.' If a god of time can't keep track of time, something has gone very wrong."

"My god, I do not see any reason for concern. As I said, it was less than a minute. Unless the time you experienced was shorter, which might suggest you lost time."

"I felt as though I were experiencing an unknown timespan. Days, months, years. I couldn't keep track. It was all very strange."

"May I suggest, my god, that you ask someone else? Someone less related to this incident? I am, after all, standing right above you."

Hrem.

"Speaking of which, didn't you get the size-altering inscription? Do you not use it?"

"I did not use it, my god! My body is a representation of your immense glory and prestige. It must be visible to as many as possible!"

Fair. I also enjoy hearing you say as much. Still, there's a reason I asked.

"You do realize it would be harder to carry out some parts of my Will while being that large, correct? That's why I stayed as a twenty meter dragon until ascending to godhood. Now, the things I deal with are sometimes far beyond this planet. That doesn't mean I need to exist at a size which dwarfs the planet, does it?"

He thinks for a moment.

"No, my god. I have no intention of doing anything other than carrying out your Will. I would absolutely be smaller if it assists your needs, and I shall be smaller if you don't desire me being large by your side. However, I seek to be large to display a tiny fraction of what you have chosen— reasonably so— to hide. I am your flag and pole; your standard, if you'll allow it."

Raaawh. This guy talks way too well. I can't even argue. Yes, why does he need to be small while staying by my side? There's no difference between small or large so long as he doesn't damage anything or hurt anyone.

From what I know, he's been a strong monster for an exceptionally long time. Strong enough to possibly fight the Dragon God to a standstill, and that was before he evolved. Using his talent, maybe he could kill the Dragon God. He's got much better self-control than I did two or three days ago— when I was closer to his level.

He looks down at me with a questioning expression.

"I'll allow it. Just remember, my glory does not involve stepping on smaller sapient creatures simply because they've slipped underfoot."

He looks both surprised and pleased by my words.

"Absolutely not, my god! It's so wonderful you possess such great concern for both myself and others. This is precisely why I believe so fully in both you and your draconic ideal."

I nod my dragon head.

Again, my instincts haven't so much as budged from the recesses of my mind. Those damn blobs; let's call them 'Will leeches.' They screwed with the wrong dragon.

"Thank you, Dracosect. Let's return to the Chronometric Temple. I have a gift for you."

And a gift for all those Will leeches.

You all were trying to eat me?

I look up at Dracosect.

I'mma dragon.

"Rawr."