I lay in my bed and look up at the beige colored ceiling, setting my phone beside me after scrolling through internet forums aimlessly. I am so fucking bored.

That pretty much sums up how most of my days are. Wake up, go on my computer, work my minimum wage graveyard shift job, then sleep. My days off simply forgo the work part. Perhaps it’s undiagnosed depression that I’m too lazy to get checked out, or maybe I’m just apathetic by nature, but I’m stuck in this cycle of sloth. Making my days pass by with the bare minimum cash needed and getting very mild enjoyment out of the internet.

I want to break out of it, but how to do it terrifies me. Get a hobby? Anything worthwhile is expensive. Make friends? Way too socially anxious to make that happen. Get a better job? Can’t afford college so chances of that are slim.

I want to be important, to change the world in some way. But that’s equally as terrifying for different reasons. Becoming an influencer would be hellish from lack of privacy, I’m nowhere near smart enough for the sciences, and do I even need to express my lack of desire to go into politics. The world just feels like… there isn’t a place for me. But then again, I’m not really attempting to be a part of it either.

My eyes drift closed and I make a promise to myself for the millionth time. “It will be better tomorrow.”

^***^

I wake up, and for the first time in a long while I feel well rested. I go to stretch my arms… only to feel nothing. I can’t feel my arms. And attempting to control all other parts of my body yields similar results. It’s not even paralysis, it’s more like my body can’t even handle the thought of movement, locking me out of my own body. Even opening my eyes does nothing, as all I can see is the abyss of nothing. A complete wall of darkness in front of me.

Oddly enough I don’t panic. I’ve always been a fairly calm person but even this should send me mentally spiraling. What the hell is happening?

I’m taking stock of myself, attempting to comprehend what’s happening. And then a screen pops up.

Welcome to GAMBRESH New Dragon!

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

You have been selected for the “Wish Dragon” event! Every 1,000 years a random sapient is selected to become a Wish Dragon and is transported to the world of Gambresh. Not only does this create an entirely new draconian species, but the Wish Dragon is granted a special power. To grant the wishes of others! However, these wishes come at a price, which is up to you to make! Previous incarnations have had the prices be the wisher’s souls, dreams, memories, and bodies! Now go forth and make dreams come true!

… What the everliving fuck. The screen in my vision stays put as I am stunned by what is happening. I’m a dragon that grants wishes now? In a new world? I continue to simply stare at the screen for a while. It’s a tad difficult to tell the time in a pitch black void. I spend time processing and eventually come to the conclusion that I should just go with it. My alternatives are I’m delusional and seeing hallucinations or I was kidnapped and put into some weird experimental vr thing. So yeah, let’s just go with dragons.

The screen decided that it was the right time to finally fade, only to be replaced by another.

What is Your Price?

______________

The price for my wishes I assume.

I give it some thought. I have no use for souls, dreams or any of the other stuff that was mentioned. Who the hell wants those anyway? Hmm… the system did say it takes “sapient species”, not necessarily humans. Elves, dwarfs, Demi-humans… demons if I’m right about who wants souls. I wonder if the previous Wish Dragons are still alive. It said it’s a 1,000 year thing but in some media dragons are depicted as immortal.

Anyway, back to the price. What do I want to take? I mean. I just went on a rant about motivation, but… taking that from people seems terrible. It’s not just that these people would become basically zombies who don’t want to do anything, but it’d also deprive the world of amazing adventures. If I’m going to be here, and if I’m going to play a major role in this world, then I want it to be filled with stories and… Legends.

That… that got the gears turning in my head. I don’t know if it’s even possible given that every other dragon before me simply took something as payment. But it’s worth a try.

I type in the box., and I can’t help but smile in doing so.

What is Your Price?

LEGENDS

The screen closes for a split second, before a new one opens.

Explanation Required: _______

I stop for a moment, thinking carefully about my wording, before typing.

Whoever’s wish I grant must complete a Legendary act worthy of their Wish.

The screen closes once more. And a full minute passes before another opens.

The terms are acceptable. Welcome to the new world Wish Dragon.

I smile as the world turns black once again. That smile fades as I am filled with the intense sensation of panic, like I've been dying and I've only now realized.