"Why do we have a squad of soldiers escorting us into the Amazon rainforest for our research expedition?" asked one of the students from Stanford University as they prepped their gear for the journey into the jungle.
There were five of them in total. Professor Johnson, who appeared to be in his fifties, was still robust and active at the forefront of scientific research. Accompanying him were four students, three males and one female, and it was the young woman who couldn't help but voice her concerns to the professor.
"I'm not sure why they're with us either. The university called today, mentioning a message from the United States Department of Defense, instructing us to venture into the Amazon with these soldiers," Professor Johnson admitted, his tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction. As an esteemed biology professor at Stanford, he had connections across various strata of society in America. However, due to the urgency of the matter, he hadn't the time to inquire about the details.
"Let's just think of them as bodyguards, Lucy. The Amazon is teeming with dangers. As long as they don't interfere with our research, their presence could be useful in handling potential emergencies," Professor Johnson finally conceded.
"Exactly, Lucy! The Amazon is perilous, one of the few places seldom touched by humans. With all the venomous creatures and predators out there, having these soldiers guard us allows me to be at ease about your safety. Oh, if it weren't for your passion for biology, I would never have let you come here," another student, a young man, chimed in, trying to comfort Lucy.
"Cut the flattery, Dylan. The professor is right here," Lucy chided him.
The other two male students chuckled while packing their equipment. Dylan had been pursuing Lucy for some time. Coming from a wealthy family and being quite handsome, he matched Lucy's beauty, making them an attractive pair. Though they hadn't officially acknowledged their relationship, those who knew them were well aware they were practically a couple.
Professor Johnson watched his students' playful banter with a smile, reminiscing about the joys of youth. He noticed the approaching commander and clapped his hands to gather his students' attention. "Alright, kids! Continue packing as I instructed. I'm going to speak with the sergeant about our situation."
After instructing his students, Professor Johnson approached the waiting commander.
The sergeant saluted the professor and then unfolded a map. "I apologize for the inconvenience, Professor. It's an order from the top, and we have no choice."
The commander did not wish to offend the scholars.
"I understand. As a citizen of the United States, I have a duty to cooperate with the government," Professor Johnson said, though not without complaint.
The commander offered an apologetic grin and handed over the map. "This area here is our destination. I can't disclose the specifics of our mission, but do you happen to be familiar with this region?"
Professor Johnson studied the map, frowning. "This is deep within the Amazon, a treacherous place. I can guide you there, as it's within my research area, but let me be clear: the Amazon is one of the most dangerous places on Earth. I know you're all experienced soldiers, but some survival techniques are unique to the jungle, and I expect you to heed my advice."
"No problem, Professor. I'll make sure those knuckleheads listen to you."
"Then let's have the helicopter drop us here. I remember a large clearing suitable for landing, and it's close to your intended area. Just so you know, my students and I are not trained for combat drops. I'm too old for such stunts, and they're just kids."
Professor Johnson circled a spot on the map.
"Understood, Professor. That was my plan as well."
After discussing a few more details and ensuring everything was in order, they went their separate ways to prepare. Unbeknownst to them, their expedition would bring momentous changes to human civilization and this planet.
...
Deep in the Amazon rainforest, Drake lay beside a pool of water. His golden scales seemed to have a special function that repelled most muck, like mud. Whenever his body came in contact with such filth, his lustrous scales would dull, which irritated Drake. He decided he needed servants to polish his scales meticulously.
The pool's edge should have been a hunting battleground, where apex predators awaited their prey coming to drink. But due to Drake's presence, not a single creature could be found for hundreds of meters around.
He had been in the forest for days, pondering how to acquire enough food to sustain a hundred thousand people. All his deep thinking had yet to yield a solution.
In the meantime, the tribespeople had been treating him to the best of their food and drink, pleasing him greatly. However, Drake had no desire to stay in the primitive village all the time. He would wander the Amazon most days, returning to the tribe only for their tributes.
Drake noticed something peculiar: he could only sense the slow restoration of his divine energy when he was in the tribe's presence, worshiped by the villagers. But away from their sight, even as they continued to pray and kneel, his divine energy remained static.
Troubled by this enigma, Drake stumbled upon the secret to the worshippers' prayers through a casual act. His enormous appetite had exhausted the tribe's food supply in two days, but the villagers still hunted for him, regardless of their own hunger. Moved by their naive devotion, Drake decided he couldn't let them starve as their perceived deity.
Unable to grant divine powers or hunt for them—such actions would devalue his godly status—Drake sought a solution that upheld his divine distance. His answer was to shed one of his scales. This scale, imbued with a faint dragon's might, could be used by the tribespeople to weaken the resistance of wild animals, effectively boosting their hunting prowess.
By resolving the tribe's survival crisis, the tribespeople worshipped the 'divine relic' Drake had bestowed upon them, enshrining the dragon scale. Consequently, Drake felt a constant fluctuation in his divine energy, even out of the tribe's sight.
Drake had his epiphany then: gods needed idols as their 'spokesentities' to gather faith. Though not a true god, with his divine essence, the prayers directed at his dragon scale—a part of his body—transmitted the subtle energy of worship back to him.
The devotion of seventy or eighty believers might not seem like much, but to Drake, the 'pseudo-god,' it was a treasure trove of faith.
He now considered the tribe his wealth.
As Drake pondered the enigma of divinity and sustenance, his keen senses picked up a new sound.
"Hmm? Human footsteps? And not just one person—a group of them..."
With heightened alertness, Drake prepared for what was approaching.