The next day, Koyote stirred his cereal with a spoon shaped like a trident. Flin watched him, equal parts tired and traumatized.
"So, Flin," Koyote began between chews, "I've been wondering… Since I'm technically a god now—"
"A dumb one," Flin interrupted, deadpan.
Koyote held his spoon up like a divine relic. "So if people worship me… do I become stronger?"
Flin blinked. "Do I look like I read theology textbooks in my free time?"
"Understandable," Koyote nodded solemnly, as if Flin had given the most profound answer in history.
He vanished with a pop, only to reappear outside a modest magic academy nearby. With the grace of a suspicious traveling merchant, Koyote strolled up to a wrinkled old teacher grading scrolls.
"Hypothetically," Koyote said, "if a person—not me—was, like, a god or something, and people started worshipping them... would that boost their power?"
The old teacher adjusted his monocle. "In some mythologies, yes. Belief fuels divinity. Why?"
"Oh no reason." Koyote grinned. "Thank you, random wise man."
Back at their inn, Flin was halfway through a nap when Koyote burst in, eyes glowing with mischief.
"Flin, behold... the true magic of marketing!"
He clapped. "I dream of a domain!"
Suddenly, the floor vanished beneath them, and they both dropped into a blindingly white void.
Flin scrambled upright. "Koyote?! Where the hell are we?!"
Koyote spread his arms like a cult leader at a TED talk. "Welcome to my divine domain!"
Chairs assembled from clouds popped into formation. Banners that read Praise Be the Dreamweaver appeared, flashing tacky sparkles. Koyote donned a dramatically oversized robe that looked like someone's curtain set.
With another signal, he summoned all those who once worshipped the previous God of Dreams.
In moments, a crowd of robed believers shimmered into view, looking around in awe.
"I am the Dreamweaver!" Koyote announced from a floating podium. "Your new god!"
Someone in the crowd pointed at Flin. "Who's that guy?"
Flin blinked. "Uh. Assistant?"
"Yes!" Koyote shouted. "He takes my notes and tells me when I'm being stupid. It's very important work."
He clapped again. "Anyway, I just came to tell you all that I'm real. I exist. You can now go back to your mortal routines and dream juicy dreams."
The followers bowed low.
"See you later, peasants! I'm a very busy guy! Or rather—" he winked— "a very busy god."
As the crowd dispersed and the domain faded, Flin just sighed. "You're going to start a cult by accident. I can feel it."
Koyote handed him a robe. "Matching outfits?"
Flin threw it off the edge of the domain.
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