The Prophet Knew - 4 #CreativeAward2024 #FantasyNovelCategory

If you would like to read from the beginning, please click here.

“Zega”

Jonah woke up and sat up.

The surroundings were dim and slightly chilly. When he stood up, his hands reached the ceiling. The floor he had been lying on just moments ago was warm, slimy, and elastic. And periodically, a lukewarm breeze moved quietly back and forth. Occasionally, small lights twinkled as they crossed the walls.

Whether it was a lingering hangover or seasickness, his head ached, and his memories were unclear. Seasickness... That's right! I jumped off the ship to calm the storm. My body kept sinking, the light disappeared, seaweed wrapped around my limbs... I don't remember anything after that. Anyway, I couldn't breathe and it was painful. I thought it was all over. Was I saved? Am I alive, or am I dead? Where am I?

As he turned these thoughts over in his mind, a familiar voice said, “Jonah, Jonah.”
“Yes. My Lord, I am here. Where is this place?” Jonah prostrated himself on the spot.
“Jonah. Lift your head. You are alive. This is the belly of a fish called ‘Zega.’ Lift your head.”
“You saved me. Thank you.” Jonah looked up at the Lord.
“I was happy. That you remembered me. You will go to Nineveh, won't you?”
“Yes. A man does not go back on his word. You forgave me for defying you and saved my life. I will follow your command. I will go to Nineveh. Please show me your miracle.”
The Lord said to Jonah, pleased.
“I knew it. That you would say that, Jonah.
It is not something easily done, to jump into the sea, thinking of the safety of the ship before your own life. And I certainly heard the words you prayed while sinking into the sea.
You are my beloved prophet. Will you talk with me casually like before?”
“I am truly sorry. Is it really okay, even though I said so many terrible things? Well... let's get along again.” Jonah's way of speaking wasn't quite back to normal yet, but the stiffness seemed to have faded significantly.
“Yes, that's good. I like this feeling.” The Lord continued happily. “It's been a while since I could talk slowly with Jonah. You have questions, don't you? I will answer them.”

The Lord answered Jonah's questions.

First, what happened to the storm after that? The storm stopped instantly the moment Jonah sank into the sea. The sailors peered into the water where Jonah had jumped in, each praying for Jonah's safety to the god they believed in. They did not resent him for the storm he had caused; rather, they were grateful that their lives were saved because he had jumped into the sea. They were good people. They returned to port, used the gold and silver Jonah had left behind to buy back the cargo they had thrown into the sea during the storm, and were waiting to set sail. It seemed they were doing well, which was good.

And then, what happened after he parted ways with the boy in Samaria? The boy returned to Gath-Hepher and apparently explained things well to his mother and Mary. The Lord's explanation of this part was vague, but regardless, his mother was happy for Jonah's safety and decided to wait patiently for his return along with Mary. The boy was also continuing his stay as if it were natural. It was reassuring to have him there.

After answering Jonah's questions, the Lord told him about “Zega.” This was also one of the things Jonah wanted to know.

The size is like a mountain, the length is like a dragon—the Lord's explanation was vague, but in any case, it was that big and long. Usually, it lives at the bottom of the deep sea, but it is said that it sometimes surfaces to breathe. Its body color changes, acting as camouflage, making it inconspicuous. However, when viewed from inside the body, it is transparent, allowing one to see outside; even now, the fish swimming in the sea looked like they were sparkling. It was just like an underwater sightseeing boat. It has large, wing-like fins, and its swimming speed is faster than any ship, swimming all over the world's oceans. On the surface, it can slap those fins against the water to leap high into the air. Its temperament is gentle, and it swallows schools of small fish like sardines all at once to fill its belly. The fish swallowed through its large mouth are stored in a place separate from the digestive organs and are sent to the stomach to be digested when needed. The place where Jonah is now is this food storage room.

“It will leap soon, so watch outside,” the Lord said, so Jonah focused on the outside. He knew from the vibrations that “Zega” was swimming at quite a speed, but it seemed to have increased even further. Seaweed and fish were disappearing downward with incredible force. “Zega” was rapidly gaining speed and surfacing. He could tell it was thrashing the water with its fins. It was gradually getting brighter. The surface seemed close. The speed increased even more. “Now, lift-off!” In time with the Lord's voice, “Zega” flapped its fins widely. At the same moment the color outside changed, “Zega” slapped its fins violently against the water surface. The giant body leaped into the air. The sky was clear. He could see the sea at his feet and the sun overhead. The sea quickly became land. The coastline became a city, crossing fields and deserts. The Lord spoke to Jonah, who was standing with his mouth agape at the sight for the first time. “How is it? Your thoughts on flying for the first time...” “It's the best feeling. Did Elijah, who ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire while still alive, see a view like this?” Jonah imagined the scene of the great prophet's final moments that he had heard from Elisha.

“Zega” flew high and covered a considerable distance. Eventually, when the sea came into view again, it descended and landed on the water. With a great impact, a massive amount of spray rose, and when it settled, “Zega” began to sink again, eventually reaching the seabed. “I will show you one more interesting thing. Can you tell what that is visible on the seabed?” As the Lord said that, he looked and saw the remains of something among the swaying seaweed. “What is that? It looks like a carriage. There are also things like armor, spears, and shields. Could that be... the Egyptian soldiers who chased after Israel when they escaped from Egypt...” Jonah recalled a scene from the miracles of the Lord that he had heard about in the past. Over 400 years ago. Moses, the leader of Israel, led the enslaved people of Israel out of Egypt. When the Egyptian army closed in on the fleeing Israelites, Moses followed the Lord's command, raised his hand, parted the sea to create a path, and all the people crossed the path that appeared in the sea. The Egyptian soldiers followed them onto the path where the sea had parted. Before they could finish crossing, the path returned to the sea, and they were swallowed up. What Jonah saw was a line of ancient Egyptian chariots and soldiers lying on the seabed. Of course, since a considerable amount of time had passed since they sank to the bottom of the sea, the corpses of the people and horses were nowhere to be seen, likely washed away by the tide. The state of the seabed Jonah was looking at showed that the miracle had actually occurred.

“Zega” continued to swim through the sea at high speed after that. Although it occasionally surfaced, it mostly traveled as if flying underwater. Jonah spent his time talking with the Lord and watching the sea.

Jonah suddenly remembered. “The sea voyage is very fun, but have you forgotten about going to Nineveh? Or have you decided not to go? I'm fine with that, though...” “It's fine. We are almost at the destination. Can you tell that the waterway “Zega” is traveling through has become narrow?” “Now that you mention it, the water depth has also become shallower.” “This giant will somehow take you to the destination. You will be spat out onto land. I will explain what happens after that later.” Jonah decided to look forward to the unimaginable miracle experience that was about to happen.

Eventually, “Zega” began to swim while staying on the surface, its belly began to scrape the bottom of the water, and soon it stopped swimming, as if shrinking its body in a cramped manner. “Zega” sucked in a massive amount of water all at once, filling the room where Jonah was with water. Jonah was swallowed by the water and, along with a large volume of water, was spat out onto the shore through the same path he had taken when he was sucked into this room.

This was the third day since Jonah had jumped into the sea, prepared for death, and was swallowed by the great fish.

(To be continued)