4 Of Dreams and Reality pt.2

"In your world, I am known as Bahamut"

~~~

Bahamut…. The name seemed familiar. The only mythical creature in human mythos with that name stemmed from Arabic and Hebrew writings.

But, from my memory, the descriptions used to describe that Bahamut, were completely off the mark from the dragon that now sat in front of me with an inquisitive look of fascination. In human mythos, Bahamut was described as either an impossibly gigantic fish, or an impossibly gigantic … other type of animal?

Clearly, the only part that applies was the word "BIG" when I think about the original size of the dragon. So big, with platinum scales, and spoke with a tone of authority that made me think of a tired old man. What else had that sort of description?

Then it hit me, the dragon wasn't part of human mythology or religion at all, but it was a mythological creature from the fiction of humans.

Let me explain, Bahamut is known in fictional media as the "God of good dragons."

Most commonly known in fantasy themed rpg and tabletop games. He's a MASSIVE dragon that shimmers in the light with his platinum scales. As a patron god of all that is good and just, he stands as the standard choice for a player who wants to be a righteous warrior of justice.

Long story short, he isn't a real god. This only solidified my earlier conclusion that this was a dream, as a game designer I would often take inspiration from other works. I wasn't sure when I would wake up next, so I thought to play along with this fictional god.

"Ah right! Bahamut. Sure." I nod enthusiastically.

~~

"You are….. Unconvinced" He looks upset.

Tch … damn, of course he would pick that up.

I try to hold a smile and bow my head.

"No, I am merely in disbelief that you, the Great lord of dragons Bahamut, would visit someone as insignificant as I."

I'm not lying, why would a dragon god, fictional or not, visit me? Some random person who didn't do anything particularly righteous in life and who also unapologetically stole from the expensive art stores as a rebellious teenager?

"Perhaps because you are not as insignificant as you perceive yourself."

I'm not sure how to respond to that. His eyes bore into me so I looked away.

"Then tell me, what is it that you need from me."

I can still feel his eyes on me as he lets out a tired sigh.

" I am dying, and I need you to take my place."

~~~

Excuse me? EX-F****ING-CUSE ME?

What kind of heavy handed demand is that??

In what part of my resume as a human does it say that I am qualified to be a deity?!

"You seem distressed."

OH you think? A plus job there Mr. Dragon GOD.

I thought this was going to be a call to action. Something on the lines of ' This world needs a hero with powers to fight some demon king', not some sort of haphazard last minute shift change in which the CEO of a company is chosen from a list of janitors!

"You can't be serious!" And yet, he was... completely.

"It is unfortunate that I have to request this of you, there is little time to explain, even in this timeless space that I created. All will be understood once I pass my essence onto you, should you accept it of course." He brought his claw out to me; facing the palm upwards, a small ball of light the size of my fist, manifested from thin air. The ball of light held a warm glow to it. It pulsed weakly, like a heartbeat.

"What is that?"

"It is what little remains of my divine power, my entire being, my soul."

"Why is it so small? Why does it …. Feel so weak." I instinctively reached my hand out, but pulled it back to my chest. I know he said he was dying, but how does a powerful god's soul become so dim? Like a flickering flashlight.

"Do you know what gives a god their power Mar?"

I had an idea based on concepts written in books of fiction; from the look in Bahamut's eyes, I was right on the mark.

Worshippers. Followers. Believers.

As the saying goes, "What is a god to a non-believer?"

Whatever you call them, they are the lifeblood of a deity. If a god receives power from the followers it has, then the same can be said for the opposite.

But what does that have to do with me? I'm not a believer of Bahamut, he's just a fictional dragon to me. The growing anxiety in me is telling me to outright refuse this request. It's not my problem. I'm not good enough to take on something like this even if it is a dream.

I look up to tell him that I decline, but the words won't come out. His eyes looked like it held the burdens of thousands of years. He was on his last strand of hope and that was dimming as fast as the ball of light in his claws.

The worst part was the look of understanding he had as I held his gaze. He already knew what I was going to say, and simply accepted fate as it was. He began to retract his claw to his side. I hold up my hand, a gesture to stop him.

"Wait… how about a compromise?" I state stiffly. "Maybe you don't have to die."

Will I ever stop trying to help people?

Probably not.