I remember fire. I remember steel. I remember glory.
Where did it all go? One moment I was clashing with a line of Minotaurs, the next, blackness. There was that strange contraption they had pointed at me. I thought it exploded, but, but…
I tried to open my eyes but found that they were already open. I waved my claws around, but they found nothing to grasp. My wings beat uselessly as I felt no wind from their motion.
Where am I? Why am I here? What is “here?”
Questions ran through my mind, but I got no answers. I couldn’t hear my own breathing. I couldn’t feel my heartbeat.
There was nothing.
Nothing.
I remained like that for a time, but without any point of reference, I couldn’t know for how long. Time ticked by at an agonizing pace as I felt my mind slip into sleep.
I awoke in that blackness again. Nothing greeted me. I tried to say something, if for no other reason than to hear my own voice.
Silence.
I fell asleep once more.
More time passed as I slept, but this time I was pulled awake by a bright light.
A strange creature stood before me. It had the parts of all sorts of animals: a lion's paw, a goat hoof, and a dragon’s foot. It’s mismatched shoulders coiled in unnatural ways as it’s uneven head tilted. It scratched at its chin, and to my shock, spoke.
“Why are you here, little dragon? Are you lost?”
‘I died, I think.’ I tried to say, but nothing left my throat.
The strange creature nodded its head as if it heard my thoughts.
“Well, I do suppose that is the only way to end up here. But you should be in your afterlife. Akatosh is very possessive of his paladins, and I can’t see a lick of corruption on you.” It scratched its head before continuing, “It just doesn’t make any sense.”
“Then again, what fun is there in making sense, eh?” His thoughtful expression sprung into a smirk at the joke.
I didn’t know what to make of it. This thing knew the name of my god. Our order kept that secret for thousands of years! By the Stars, how did—
“Oh hush you, Ak and I are drinking buddies. Nobody in your precious little order squealed.”
Its smile seemed menacing, yet warm at the same time. This creature seemed—
“My name is Typhon, thank you very much. So I’d appreciate it if you would refer to me like a person, not an animal.”
The—Typhon, not creature, Typhon. Typhon raised an eyebrow at me as he crossed his arms. I had nothing to say. What was there to say? I am dead and apparently abandoned.
But why? I fought so many times and dedicated so many achievements to my lord’s name. I. I followed the tenants: ‘protect the weak,’ ‘help those who need it,’ ‘never give up,’ and all the rest. I never stopped caring, I never killed the innocent on purpose. I. I…
I was crying. I could feel the tears on my face. I couldn’t feel my heart, but I’m sure it burned all the same. I’d done everything he asked me to.
Why am I alone?
I felt a pair of arms hug my ethereal form. A paw patted me on the back as Typhon spoke.
“Shush little paladin. It’s all alright. I’m sure Akatosh wants you, Oblivion just snatches some souls occasionally. It’s why I walk out here through the nothingness. To make sure none of the good people remain.”
It didn’t help.
Typhon frowned as he pulled away. “I’m sorry that you ended up here.”
It wasn’t your fault.
He nodded before continuing, “Maybe not, but I can make things a little better.”
He began walking away, pulling me with him. His scowl bled into a smile as we got further from where I was. Eventually, a light came into view in the distance.
At first, Typhon walked alone, but my body flared into being as we got closer to the light. At first, I was barely an outline. Then my bones and muscles solidified, providing me with a grotesque exterior. And joy flooded my mind when cobalt blue scales began popping into existence to cover my fleshy bits.
I was whole once more! I was a dragon again! I wanted to shout in excitement, but Typhon spoke up.
“I know you probably want to hurry on to your afterlife, but I’d like to ask a big favor.”
I tilted my head. “Go on.”
We came to a stop, and Typhon took a deep breath before saying, “I need someone to guard the gate ahead.”
I raised an eye ridge before squinting into the light. I couldn’t make anything out; all the light just… coalesced into a miniature sun.
Typhon continued.
“It will be a long and boring post, but I have to guard the outer rim of our world. Things beyond what many can imagine sleep there, and I must drive them off if they awaken.”
He gave me a sad smile as the light suddenly expanded into a doorway. Beyond the glistening portal lay a stone bridge lined with street lamps, and a gate that seemed to go up forever. A massive padlock hung from the gate’s door.
“Please, little dragon. Can you stand guard here and keep out the things I’ve banished from reality?”
I clenched my jaw at the request. I’d done so much already. I’ve fought for so long. I wanted to rest, to celebrate with my brothers in the afterlife.
We stood in front of that portal for a minute or two. Both waiting for something. I wanted to decline, I had every reason to retire but….
I sighed, “Show me my post, then I’ll decide.”
Typhon’s grin went from ear to ear as he laughed. “You won’t be disappointed my scaly friend!”
He dove through the portal before I could answer, and it took me a moment to follow. He was only out of sight for an eyeblink, but he’d somehow produced a war hammer from thin air. It was like he yanked it from a sheath made of bare space.
I marveled at the craftsmanship: the fact it was a single solid piece, the intricate designs on the padded metal shaft, the words stamped on the sides of its head. Typhon offered it with a grin, and I took it gingerly. The metal felt chill to the touch, and when I squeezed it didn’t give way like even the finest of steel would.
“What is this? Why are you—“
“It’s a simple matter to create little relics like this. I call it Mjolnir, a weapon of myth from my home. In the stories, it was wielded by a mighty warrior god.”
He stepped closer, clasping his hand over mine. His grin was malicious yet merciful, angry yet joyful, caring and hateful, all at once.
“But this one shall be wielded against gods. Gods that I cast into Oblivion.”
My eyes widened at that. “Wait, you intend to have me fight gods?! I am mighty compared to mortals and even amongst the draconic, but gods? Like Akatosh? I stand no chance!”
Typhon chuckled once more before pointing back the way we came.
“Oblivion is a magic sink. No matter how powerful one becomes, it will wear you away in time. My power is specifically geared towards affecting change, so I can slow the process while saving those like you.” He shook his head as he continued, “So you will fight no gods at their peak, just the husks that Oblivion leaves behind.”
I thought about it. Thought real hard. I might lose. I might end up with a mangled soul. And I was getting tired. I could stand and fight for a time, but for how long? How much will this matter in the end?
He asked, “Well? Will you do it?”
As Typhon pulled back, I thumbed the message on the side of Mjolnir’s head. The words on the hammer, I recognized them. They were a creed, a creed that my order followed.
“Who will we help?”
No… no….
“All that need it.”
But he’s a god, or claims to be an equal to such!
“How many times?”
I’ve done enough! More than enough!
“However many are necessary.”
But how many more? How many more…
I thumbed the creed again and again, letting the words pass over my scales repeatedly. I wanted to give in, to simple rest. I wanted to bend before the weight of time.
But I made an oath, and my word shall remain stiff as iron. I set my jaw and looked Typhon in the eyes.
“Yes.”