It was painful.
Dark.
Foul.
And cold.
The young dragon child, trapped in the form of a young girl, had already begun preparing herself for the worst.
Or perhaps… the end.
Her small body trembled as the hooded men surrounded her, their hands rough, their laughter cruel.
The way they touched her carried clear intent—intent she didn't fully understand, but instinctively feared.
Her mother had warned her many times.
Humans are dangerous.
Do not approach them.
Do not trust them.
Not until you are strong enough to defend yourself.
She had believed those warnings.
Yet she still left the safety of her mountain.
She had been careful… but not careful enough.
Maybe she had let her guard down.
Maybe she had been too curious about the world beyond her nest.
Either way—
This was the result.
So she closed her eyes.
Waiting.
Waiting for whatever horrible thing would come next.
But then—
Something changed.
The wind shifted.
