Chapter 275 The Clash of Clocks
The tension in the chamber escalated as Galliadra's anger flared, her human form quivering with the intensity of her emotions. I maintained my composure, refusing to be swayed by her outburst. Octavia's calming presence in my mind offered support, a silent reminder that I had to tread carefully if I wanted to bring about any change in Galliadra's perspective.
"Galliadra, I don't mean to compare you to Calishora in a negative light. I only seek to understand your individuality, beyond the influence of Tiamat," I said, attempting to diffuse the rising hostility.
She shot me a venomous glare, her golden eyes burning with resentment. "You seek to undermine the legacy of our great mother. I won't allow it!"
Suddenly, I was flung across the room to slam into the door I had entered from. I looked up at Galliadra, but her massive dragon form hadn't moved, or that was what it looked like.
'I am tired of this talk. I only entertained you because of how weak my sister was, and I was curious to know what kind of tactics you used,' Galliadra spoke in my mind as I dropped back to my feet.
"Tactics? Well, I guess I could try the same thing, but I assumed that each of you would be different," I chuckled, but internally, I was still trying to figure out what just hit me.
For some reason, this seemed to surprise Galliadra, and her massive dragon's head tipped at me. 'What do you mean?'
Good, we were back to talking, but I knew this would last for long. "Yeah, I did try to sweet talk her, but in the end, it wasn't because of my words that Cali betrayed your mother. Your mother is the one that betrayed Calishora, and was trying to kill her," I explained, but Galliadra started to laugh, and it was a strange sound coming out of a creature as big as she was.
"Do you truly believe your words have any impact on us? We are beings of immense power, molded by Tiamat herself. Your attempts at manipulation are futile," Galliadra scoffed, her laughter echoing through the chamber.
I took a deep breath, knowing that I needed to try a different approach. "Galliadra, I'm not here to manipulate you. I'm here to offer you a choice, a chance at true freedom. Your loyalty to Tiamat doesn't have to define your existence. You can break free from her control and live a life of your own."
Her laughter ceased, and she regarded me with a mixture of scorn and curiosity. "You speak of freedom as if it's a concept I can comprehend. I am a creation of Tiamat, bound to her will. To defy her is to defy my very essence."
And that was the problem. Truthfully, I had tricked Calishora and made Tiamat try to take back what she had given. It was only because I was able to draw both Calishora and Tiamat into my head. I didn't really think the same thing would work with these sisters.
Calishora had already been a glass house of cards, but I was sure that these sisters were built of stronger stuff. Tiamat would also not be tricked the same way twice, meaning that I needed a new way to deal with these women. Unfortunately, I didn't think that was going to happen without a fight.
As the realization sank in that words alone might not be enough to sway Galliadra, I prepared for the inevitable confrontation. The room's atmosphere crackled with an impending clash, and the air seemed to vibrate with the tension between us.
"I had hoped we could find a resolution without resorting to violence, Galliadra. But if that's the path you choose, then so be it," I declared, my tone firm and resolute.
Galliadra's eyes flared with draconic power, and her imposing figure began to shift back into her fearsome dragon form. The ground beneath me trembled as she roared, signaling the beginning of our battle.
I moved to dash forward, but I was suddenly flying out of the loading bay, and into space. Not only that, but it felt like I had been hit by a truck... no, I had experience with that, and this was clearly worse.
'Daniel! She controls time! I analyzed the first hit, and it was from her tail only tapping you, according to the data. I still haven't figured out the information for the last attack, but if her powers are anything like Calishora's, you are going to have to get some distance from her,' Octavia relayed to me, and I shot back.
"So, she can slow down time? If it is like Calishora, then there is a limit to its range of effect, but that limit is pretty crazy," I said, remembering how Calishora had mentioned the area of influence was like a sphere, but it could be stretched into a line to dramatically increase its range.
Before I could continue that thought, I put up my hands just before a massive beam of energy sent me flying out into the storm that surrounded us. I hadn't felt it till the very last second, but I had felt something, whatever that meant. The cosmic storm raged around me as I struggled to regain control of my trajectory. Octavia's analysis proved crucial, and I focused on putting distance between Galliadra and myself.
The fact that she could manipulate time was not unknown to me. Calishora had explained each of the girl's powers as best she could during our training. The issue was that no amount of explaining could have prepared me for the real thing.
"Is there any way to counter her ability?" I asked, weaving through the cosmic storm.
'I need more information,' Octavia replied, and I groaned.
"So I need to "Experience" her abilities more, so you can understand them?" I asked, but I suddenly started to slow down.
'She is here!'
I turned my head, but I felt like I was going in slow motion, to face the massive dragon that had just appeared behind me. I wasn't sure if dragons could smile, but this one was.
"You think that you can get away from me? Time is on my side!" Galliadra laughed as my body started to age at a rapid pace.
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