I'm sure at this point at least someone is thinking
"Well now this is DEFINITELY not a dream, I mean you WOKE up!"
But I would like to remind you that I have VERY realistic dreams. Waking up and still being in a dream is not a first for me.
That aside, waking up in a dreary damp cave is certainly a first.
I had woken up laying face down on solid rock flooring and my body was sore everywhere. It wasn't as bad as the searing pain from earlier no doubt, but the lingering sting wasn't all that pleasant either. I laid there for about thirty minutes before I eventually peeled myself off of the floor.
It was hard to see so I closed my eyes to adjust to the darkness of the dimly lit cave. With my eyes closed, I could hear running water coming from somewhere behind me, and the drip-drop sounds of water droplets from the cave ceilings hitting a pool around me. I turned to face the sound and opened my eyes, having adjusted to the darkness, which oddly wasn't actually as dark as it had previously been.
I took a hesitant step back as I looked at the shrine and what lay behind it.
The shrine itself was quite large, similar to the kind one would see in a grand cathedral. It was worn down and looked unattended for some time. Despite that, there were torches lit at the center with a small offering of fish and colorful shells. The fish looked fairly fresh, so it must not have been that long since someone was here.
Now to address the elephant- er dead dragon in the room. I have to admit I was trying to avoid looking at him but it's fairly impossible when the body of a shiny dragon takes up most of the room. I can only assume that the lights reflecting off his scales are what keeps everything lit up.
Despite being a corpse it gave off a very holy light kind of feel. Actually, if not for the fact that I already knew that his soul wasn't in that body I would have assumed that he was just sleeping rather than being…. Well, not alive.
Bringing my attention back to the shrine, I noticed that there were more than just offerings of fish and shells left here. Just from a visual observation, I could see chests full of gold and jewels, swords, spears, and all kinds of various weaponry. Oddly enough the thing that really caught my eye was a white cloth that had been used as a table cover for the shrine offerings.
I want to express that it was around this time that I realized that I was in fact, as naked as a newborn baby. So like any normal human, I desperately tried to clothe myself to not be exposed to the elements. In the treasure pile, I found many large pieces of armor plating, heavy boots, and basically nothing that I could actually wear.
Then I remembered the white cloth.
"Well, you did say I could use your stuff…." I mumble to myself carefully pulling the cloth off the shrine table. The fabric had the same feel and shine as a high quality silken garment. I thought to cut it into a smaller piece using one of the various sharp weapons I found, but interestingly it was actually quite durable.
I tried slicing the fabric and when that didn't work I tried to just stab into it. I know silk can be durable but usually after this much abuse it at least has a mark. Eventually I gave up trying to cut it and just wrapped it around myself like a robe, or rather draping it over myself and tying a belt around that. It was the best I could do on short notice.
Rummaging around the treasure trove I found a large shield that I could use to serve as a mirror of sorts. I hadn't gotten a good look at myself since I woke up and I need to make sure that old dragon kept his word.
Let's see….. I still have my tan olive skin, no scales to be seen. I'm still fairly heavy set, I didn't suddenly become the picture of modern physical fitness where I'm thin and muscular, and I'm still short.
I also still have my hips and ass (thank god-Bahamut) and I still have my boobs. That's cool I guess, I could really take or leave that part.
It's probably too late to mention that I was born a girl. You know that whole package, uterus, vagina, boobs, ect. I'm sure whoever is reading this, either already knew or is beyond surprised. Not that it really matters. We're not here to talk about my identity.
The real problem here is that there are some … added features that I didn't mention about my current body.
First, my hair is no longer black and a short bob cut, it's now silvery white and goes passed my hips.
Second, my eyes are no longer a dark brown, they are a light blue and are glowing in the dim light. Also possibly reptilian? I'm not sure, they look pretty dilated right now in this darkness. This somewhat explains why it was so easy for me to see in the dark, and also why I didn't need glasses to see anything.
Did I mention I had glasses? Well I had glasses, but I guess you don't need glasses when you have dragon eyes.
Finally, the biggest problem, I have two horns sticking out from the sides of my head and a tail.
I repeat.
I have a F***ing TAIL.
How the hell am I supposed to hide that I'm a dragon, or at least not human, when I have HORNS and a TAIL?
Excuse me I'd like to talk to the manager of reincarnation because I have some concerns over my contract!
I spent way longer looking at my tail and horns than I want to admit, but you have to understand that as pissed as I was, it was actually pretty cool, although it did make wearing a robe particularly hard to do.
I remember now, Bahamut should have given me some shape changing powers!
But, how do I use them?
I looked in the shield mirror again and tried to imagine my horns and tail gone. Closing my eyes and just thinking, "No tail, no tail", over and over again.
After about ten seconds of not feeling any changes I opened my eyes and was disappointed to find that I still had the tail.
Sh**, there has to be a way to do this and I'm not going to risk anything drastic like pulling it off.
So I spent the next hour trying to use my abilities. I did everything from verbal commands, elaborate hand gestures, summoning a system layout, and finally, yelling.
"AAAAGHHH! You stupid dragon god!" I screamed out letting my voice reverbarate in the cave. "What happened to the cool powers you promised?!"
I ran up to the snout of the dead dragons body. Charging it, I planned to kick it full force. So what if I disrespect the dead? He should have held up the rest of the contract! Why am I here if I can't use any powers to survive? What happened to all the remaining god power he had? I've had better powers in my dreams!
In the midst of my charge I had forgotten that I was in a very wet cave. And caves like this, tend to have a very slippery surface. To give it to you plainly, in my enraged attempt to punch a corpse, I tripped and went flying head first into it, and boy, was it harder than concrete.
The impact knocked me out and as I was sliding into unconsciousness I couldn't help but think, "Am I seriously going to get a concussion again?"
It wasn't a response to my question, but I heard a voice in my head speak.
[Divine Fragment Detected]
[ Analyzing ]
[ Fragment contains 1000 Divine Power]
[System will attempt to extract a portion for absorption]
[... ERROR...]
[System cannot extract fraction, the fragment can only be absorbed whole]
[Calculating success of complete fragment absorption...]
[...]
[ WARNING!!! ]
[Divine Power exceeds current body capacity! Body may not adjust if the Host Soul is not compatible! ]
[Proceed anyway, Yes/No?]
Eh....What's worst that could happen?
[ Answer: Current body can absorb up to 100 Divine Power Max at the current level. Attempting to absorb more than the level limit could result in forced level up.]
Well that doesn't sound too bad.
[Additionally high probability of Host Soul shattering due to excess Divinity]
And what does it mean for ... my soul to shatter?
[Answer: To shatter means to break]
Ok smart ass, but what does that mean will happen to my soul after?
[Answer: The Host Soul will be too damaged to return to the reincarnation cycle and therefore be lost forever along with the Divine Soul hibernating within.]
Ah. Well, that's a bit more intense than I thought. So if I'm not compatible with Bahamuts Divine Power, then everything blows up.
[ Affirmative ]
I see, well Bahamut wouldn't have picked me if I wasn't compatible in the first place. I mean he was going to just HAND me everything to begin with right?
[ Acknowledged. System will now begin procedure…]
Well, that's not ominous or forboding at all.