Further up the path, and out of sight from the dragon, Bodhi opens his eyes in a dream world. He stands to gaze at his surroundings and get his bearings. Then his new world comes into focus. Bodhi pleads: 

this mountain 

of mortality 

am i dreaming

or divided in reality 

i entered the abyss

so perhaps i’m insane

has the void taken hold

of my hourglass’s last grain

He looks up the Mountain toward the dark and jagged Ridge of Revelation, and then down a long path toward the distant glow of the Sea of Sunyata. Bodhi reflects: 

this cannot be heaven

yet neither hell

perhaps i’m in between

where lost meanings dwell

whatever this reality

downward i shall go

journey to the water

and its distant glow

my family and career

what of my other life

i do not know this path

yet cannot remain in strife

After descending the path, Bodhi encounters the dragon standing over the lamb, sword in hand. Bodhi shouts, instinctively:

stop at once

leave it alone

lamb is innocent

what sin has it known

The dragon, startled, drops his sword, spins around, and hisses at the stranger:

who goes there

what gives you just cause

to disturb god’s prophecy

carried out through my claws

Bodhi responds, confidently: 

bodhi is my name

and not sure why i’m here

but why are you killing

innocence with fear

The dragon steadies himself and answers: 

hello dear yak

thou shalt is my name

i am a prophet of god 

keeper of the sacred flame

Puzzled, Bodhi looks at Thou Shalt and responds: 

what kind of god

demands a life to kill

you must so fear him

its blood to spill

Bodhi stands for a moment in reflection and then quickly passes the stunned dragon and sets the lamb free. The lamb pauses, looks at Bodhi with old, knowing eyes, and then turns and walks quietly toward the distant Hills of Hope. Bodhi continues to Thou Shalt: 

if god demands blood

to prove he is right

then god is simply fear

disguised as sacred light

Thou Shalt responds angrily: 

how dare you question 

god’s power and throne

defy him and he will avenge

in hell’s pit you will groan

each of my golden scales

holds values he has sent

morals dictated by god

without earthly consent 

god tested my faith

to kill my son, his decree

although i was sickened

i did not beg for mercy

my son’s death was stayed

the blade did not slip

he promised me land and army

in return for his worship

when we arrived in canaan

in our kingdom grand

we honored god the father

and cleansed the promised land

Bodhi retorts:

how could god demand

each other to be killed

because of what we believe

innocent lives not fulfilled

Thou Shalt scolds Bodhi:

don’t be so dramatic

they were to blame

they worshiped false gods

they profaned his name

god proved this true

plagues he did send

locusts and rivers of blood

light brought to an end

to honor god’s gift

i sacrifice a lamb each day

come here to collect

it’s a small price to pay

Bodhi shifts his stance and then nervously responds:

sorry but time to depart

down i will go

to the sea’s calling

it’s truth i must know

Thou Shalt blocks his path and directs:

you must stay here

in honor of god’s creation

head up, not down the path

to the ridge of revelation

Thou Shalt points to the Sea and continues, raising his voice and brandishing his sword:

be warned young one

do not journey to the sea

damnation greets you

if you try to flee

god rules all animals 

destroys who don’t believe

go up the path young one

or i will make you grieve

Bodhi shudders and runs up the path.