The First Dragon God

Ryan stood in front of his window if his living room, looking at the cityscape outside, deep in thought. The world outside was a wasteland of broken buildings and twisted streets, the remnants of a once-thriving civilization now reduced to ruin. But Ryan saw opportunity in the chaos. Where others saw despair, he saw a world ripe for control. His mind churned with thoughts. From his point of view, the group was too fractured, too reliant on the whims of a boy and a girl who barely understood the depth of the dangers around them. To him, leadership required more than just survival instincts; it required vision, ruthlessness, and the ability to manipulate, doing what's necessary when necessary. A soft knock at the door drew him from his thoughts. The door creaked open, and Grewishka stepped inside, his broad frame casting a long shadow across the room. His presence was imposing, as someone hardened by the new world's brutality. Yet, there was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes as he took a few cautious steps forward. "You wanted to see me?" Grewishka's voice was low, laced with curiosity and caution. Ryan nodded, gesturing to one of the sofa in the living room. "Sit. We need to talk." Grewishka hesitated for a moment before settling into the chair. He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees, his gaze locked on Ryan. "What's this about?" Ryan moved to a sofa opposite Grewishka's, and took his seat, folding his hands together. "It's about survival, Grewishka. About the future of this group." Grewishka's brows furrowed. "We've survived so far. No one has died. Leo and Ves have kept us alive." Ryan chuckled softly, a sound that held no humor. "Have they? Or have we just been lucky? There's a difference, you know. Luck runs out. Planning, strategy—that's what keeps people alive in the long run. For now, we are safe. But how long will that last under their leadership? You've seen it yourself. Leo is just a boy. Ves? She's barely out of her teens. Do you really believe they can keep us safe in this world?" Grewishka shifted uncomfortably in his seat, the weight of Ryan's words settling heavily on his shoulders. "They've done well so far. Leo saved us, and Ves has proven capable. They've done their best." "Their best isn't good enough," Ryan replied, his tone growing colder. "Leo is just a boy. Ves is young and impulsive. Do you truly believe they can lead us through what's coming? The threats are only growing. Mutant beasts, rogue survivors. Maybe even alien monsters or horrors we can't imagine. Leadership isn't about good intentions. It's about making hard choices." Grewishka's gaze dropped to the table, his thoughts churning. He had seen the dangers firsthand. He had witnessed the fear in his group's eyes with every near encounter. There was truth in Ryan's words, but it felt wrong to dismiss Leo and Ves so easily. Ryan leaned in, his voice softening into a almost a whisper. "You've led people before. You know what it takes. The hard decisions, the sacrifices. Are you willing to trust our survival to a child and a girl who can barely hold the weight of the responsibility on their shoulders?" Grewishka's fists clenched, the muscles in his arms taut with tension. "What are you suggesting? And what are you proposing? That we overthrow them?" Ryan chuckled again, the sound dark and unsettling. "Overthrow? No. That's messy. We need to be smarter than that. We guide them, nudge them in the right direction. Make them see that they're not fit to lead. They'll step down willingly when they realize it's for the best." Ryan's continued, but there was no warmth in his voice. "I'm suggesting that it's time we take control. Not through force. That would be barbaric and messy. We guide them. We show them that stepping down is the best thing for the group." Grewishka's eyes narrowed. "And if they refuse?" Ryan's expression darkened, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Then we make sure they have no choice." The room fell into silence, the weight of Ryan's words hanging heavy in the air. Grewishka stood abruptly, pacing the room, his mind torn between loyalty and pragmatism. He had always believed in doing what was necessary to protect his people, but this.... this felt different. It felt… wrong. Ryan watched him carefully, reading every flicker of emotion that crossed his face. "Think about it, Grewishka. How many will have to die before we take action? We're the ones with experience. We're the ones who can lead." Grewishka stopped by the window, staring out at the ruined city. "I need time to think." "Of course," Ryan said smoothly. "That's all I ask. Think about it." Ryan said in a soft voice, and continued. "Take all the time you need. But remember this—we don't have forever. Every day we wait is another day we risk losing everything." .... In the days that followed, Ryan's influence spread quietly through both groups. He was smart, choosing those he spoke to carefully and subtly planting the seed of doubts in them. He made sure to point out every mistake Leo made, every moment of hesitation from Ves. And with each conversation, even more seeds of doubt were planted. "Do you really trust a boy to make life-and-death decisions for us?" "Ves is too young to handle the pressures of leadership." "We need stronger leaders. People who've faced the worst and come out alive." Each word was carefully chosen. The once-unified group began to fracture, the cracks widening with every whispered word. Ryan knew the power of perception. It wasn't about outright rebellion—it was about nudging people to see what he wanted them to see. The idea of Leo and Ves as unfit leaders had to come from within, from the group itself. Only then would his plan succeed without resistance. ..... One evening, Ryan went to see Grewishka in his room. For a long moment, neither of them spoke as they sat in the living room, the silence stretching between them like a taut wire. "You've been quiet," Ryan finally said, breaking the silence. Grewishka stared into the flames, his expression distant. "I've been thinking." Ryan nodded. "And?" Grewishka sighed, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. "You're right. Leo and Ves… they're not ready. They can't lead us through what's coming." A slow smile spread across Ryan's face, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Then we do what needs to be done." Grewishka glanced at him, a flicker of uncertainty in his expression. "But how far are you willing to go, Ryan? We're talking about turning against people who've helped us." Ryan's smile never wavered. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to keep us alive. Are you?" Grewishka held his gaze, the conflict clear in his eyes. Then, slowly, he nodded. "If it means protecting my people… yes." "Good," Ryan said softly. "We move carefully. We don't need to make enemies out of them. We just ensure they step aside. And if they don't…" Grewishka finished the thought, his voice steady. "Then we make sure they have no choice." Ryan's smile widened. "Exactly." As night fell over the building, the seeds of discord had taken root, and Ryan's dark plan began to unfold. The future of the group hung in the balance, teetering on the edge.