Heavenly Creatures
CHAPTER 31: The Desert

Avalokitesvara had not always been a dragon. She had transformed into one to protect her brother, whom she had sworn to protect until he achieved enlightenment. She knew that she, too, was on the path to enlightenment, but she knew not when or how she would achieve it.

She had incarnated as Arthur to bring peace to a crumbling civilization and equality among men. But as Arthur lay on his deathbed, he seemed to see the mirage of an endless desert before him.

One must remember that in Eastern tradition, dragons require water to ascend to heaven. This desert, however, had none.

Parched and delirious, Arthur roamed the desert in his dreams and visions.

“Where is Lancelot?” he would ask his physicians, his sickness making him forget that Lancelot was gone. “My brother, where is he?”

Some days, he would rail against Lancelot, cursing him for his betrayal. On other days, he would beg to see him.

“Bring him to me,” Arthur would say. “Let me see him one more time before I die.”

As time went on, he became more and more delirious.

“My brother,” he would weep. “My brother, my brother, I’m sorry.” He had the sense that he had failed in both his worldly and spiritual mission. Camelot had fallen into ruin. England had fallen into chaos, and Lancelot was lost to dark paths.

The desert stretched out endlessly before him.