The Rat and the Dragon (1)
The world had finally settled into peace. The gods who used to rampage around attacking others just to boost their faith had been tamed, like beasts with their fangs and claws pulled out. Thanks to that, most gods were now tending to their believers, nurturing their faith in a shift from a hunter-gatherer economy... well, could you even call it an economy? Anyway. It felt like society among the gods was evolving from pillaging raids to settled agriculture.
Sure, power dynamics among the gods shifted a bit in the process, but it was minor stuff—let's skip it. Baal was still king of the gods, after all. Anyway, gods listening to their followers' voices through GodTalk and using their powers to help them. Yeah. This was how gods were supposed to be. Way healthier than the ones causing chaos everywhere.
So the gods of the Pantheon started growing by steadily building human faith... Yeah... Now, couldn't I finally get some rest? I'd delegated all my tasks to the spirits, splitting them up so they could handle things on their own. Unless the continent suddenly shattered or Erebos's fragments deep underground merged and burst out, I wouldn't need to step in.
So.
"I'm gonna hibernate for a while."
"Pardon?"
Shamash, who had come complaining about trials among the gods, widened her eyes in disbelief.
"Wait, hibernation out of nowhere?"
"I need a little break."
"Mom taking a rest...?"
She stared at me like it was unbelievable. What does she think I am?} Sure, my body didn't tire physically, but mentally? Exhausted. I needed a proper hibernation to browse other worlds' internets or whatever. Honestly, I'd worked way too much. Time for a vacation. And Baal whining for help every chance he got? Getting old.
I'd set everything up so routine stuff ran itself. Unless the world was ending, no need to wake me.
So.
"Tell the kids and Baal I'll be hibernating for a bit."
"Uh... You sure? They're gonna freak out."
"Of course. Who'd stop me from resting?"
Staying active without hibernation builds up serious mental fatigue. Can't sleep deeply, so it feels like I'm always half-awake. Like a human pulling all-nighters for days... Ahem. Anyway, I'm resting! Deep sleep! A few centuries worth! Humans and other races would be fine under the gods' care, inter-god wars were banned so no chaos, and I'd automated all my jobs. Perfect setup for my nap!
"Got it. If that's what you want, Mom. Who am I to argue?"
"Thanks for understanding."
Not that it mattered if she did. I could just cut off all contact, dig a cave deep underground, seal the entrance, and crash.
"So... how long?"
"Hmm. Around 500 years?"
"Five hundred... That's quite the snooze."
"I've cut it way down."
I could sleep millennia without a care. "Got it. I'll let everyone know."
"Thanks."
The world is full of unfairness. Idiots born to good parents get fat and happy, while a smart kid like me starves because I'm an orphan rat beastkin who can't even find decent work.
At least the temple took in orphans like me, so I didn't go hungry... But still, unfair is unfair.
"Hey! Rat!"
See? Another dummy picking on me.
"Rat! Why're you ignoring me?!"
"No point responding."
I spat curtly and kept pulling weeds in the garden. The priest was kind, but stuck strictly to "He who does not work, neither shall he eat." Slack off, and dinner shrinks. I already ate more than most and got side-eye for it. No work? Disaster.
"Why do such a boring chore?"
"Skip it, no dinner. So don't bug me—go play with your dummy friends."
Those two were watching from over there right now.
"Hmm... So if you get dinner, no weeding?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
But dinner doesn't fall from the sky. Last whole loaf was months ago. Tough without a big festival like the Great Sky Lord's holy day. Even for a poor mountain village, this place was broke.
Why'd Mom drop me in a dump like this?} A rich town, I'd scrape by somehow. Here? Kids only did worthless errands. No pay.
Ugh... Should've begged a merchant caravan to take me to the city. I'd manage there.
"Okay! I'll get you dinner. Play with me instead."
"Quit the nonsense. How would you get me dinner?"
"Give you mine. I can skip a meal."
His dinner? Hmm... I calculated mentally, then nodded. Play with a kid for a full belly? Beats weeding.
"C'mon, rat! Let's go! Found a new cave in the back hills!"
"What? Back hills? Monsters lurk deep in there!"
"Just at the entrance—no monsters. C'mon, it'll be fun!"
He grabbed my hand and dragged me. When will this idiot grow up?}
"I keep saying, I'm older. Just small 'cause I'm rat beastkin."
One more year, adult. Then I'd bolt from this village. So I let the dummy lead me to the back hills.
Long ago. Or whenever—don't remember well. Heard a story from an adult: Somewhere in these mountains, a dragon sleeps. Drunk ramblings, probably... Who'd believe that? Dragons? Legendary monsters from hero tales.
But...
Grrr...}
Why was one right in front of me?!
A massive silver dragon, eyes closed, breathing evenly in sleep. Even its peaceful breaths boomed like thunder. I backed away silently, holding my breath.
Shouldn't have listened to that idiot. What cave? Fell for his "maybe treasure inside" BS—I was the fool!} A promising crevice inside; small as I am, he shoved me in. Ground gave way, slid on my butt to this chamber. Faint light suggested exit... but nope. Mountain-sized silver dragon!
Gotta go back.} That maw! Could swallow me whole, no trace. Whole house easy. Terrifying... Adults wouldn't believe even if I told. Yeah. After escaping, anyway.
I crept backward carefully. One step. Another.
Then—something tripped me.
Thud!
"Ow!"
Voice slipped out; I clamped my mouth. Not that loud... Dragon didn't wake, right? It'll be fine. Its breaths are huge; won't hear my peep...
So I peeked toward it cautiously.
"Eek!"
Golden eyes met mine.
"Eeeeek! Eek!!!"
I scrambled on all fours, fleeing! Gonna get eaten! Dragons in hero stories are vicious—fire-breathing, scales harder than metal! Dead meat!}
Crawled to a rocky nook, huddled behind. Please ignore me. Go back to sleep.} Mouth covered, breath held. Still.
Time passed. Dragon sounds faded. I peeked out cautiously. Should be asleep now...}
But.
"A tiny beastkin, are you?"}
The massive head loomed before me. Then darkness.