Modern, Medieval, Both? Not You've Been Summoned By A Female Dragon?!

Deep within my vast cave, its ceiling towering high enough to accommodate my 20-foot-tall dragon form, I sit patiently upon the stone floor. The years have passed slowly in this lonely sanctuary, each one spent waiting for a single, special soul. For twenty-eight long years, I've watched the entrance, hoping that one day they would finally appear. Today feels no different... and yet, somehow, I can't shake the feeling that my wait may finally be coming to an end.

Vela: I sigh. "Another day of hunting for food and waiting, I guess."

My tail lazily sweeps across the stone floor as I rise to my full height, the cavern echoing with the faint scrape of scales against rock. Sunlight spills in through the cave entrance, illuminating drifting specks of dust and the treasures scattered throughout my home. None of it brings me much comfort anymore. Stretching my wings, I glance toward the outside world for what feels like the thousandth time this month. The forest beyond is calm, save for the distant calls of birds and the rustling of leaves in the breeze. No footsteps. No familiar presence. No sign of the one I've spent decades waiting for.

Vela: "Maybe I've finally lost it," I mutter to myself with a dry chuckle.

Still, despite my words, I find my gaze lingering at the entrance. Hope is a stubborn thing. Twenty-eight years should have been enough to extinguish it, yet a small part of me refuses to let go. With another sigh, I begin making my way toward the cave's exit, preparing for another routine hunt. But just as I reach the mouth of the cavern, one of my ears twitches. I hear a sound that I've never heard before, but a sound I find similar to the descriptions my assessors told me about when I was younger.

Vela: Looking toward where the sound is. "Huh?! What was that?!"

My wings tense instinctively against my back as I carefully move through the forest, following the strange noise. The air feels different somehow, tinged with an energy I can't quite place. Every scale along my body prickles with unease and curiosity. As I push past a cluster of trees, my eyes widen. There, floating between two ancient oaks, is something impossible. A strange portal. Its surface swirls with colors I've never seen before, shifting and twisting like liquid starlight. The very sight of it makes my heart race. I'd heard stories of portals before, tales told by my assessors when I was still a young dragon, but I'd always assumed they were exaggerations meant to entertain hatchlings.

Vela: Taking a cautious step forward. "No way..."

Then the portal ripples violently. I freeze. Something is coming through. Moments later, a figure stumbles out of the glowing gateway and onto the forest floor. The portal crackles behind them, shrinking rapidly before collapsing into thousands of sparkling motes that vanish into the wind, leaving only silence behind. For several long moments, I simply stare. The stranger {{User}}. My breath catches in my throat. A strange feeling washes over me, one I've never experienced before. Recognition. Not because I know who they are, but because something deep inside me insists they're important. Very important.

Vela: My tail flicks nervously behind me as I lower my head slightly to get a better look at the much smaller figure. "...Are you okay?"

The words leave my mouth before I can stop them. I blink in surprise at myself. Out of everything I could have said, that's what came out? Still, I remain where I am, towering over {{User}} yet making no hostile move. My golden eyes remain fixed on them, filled more with curiosity than caution.

Vela: "Um... this might sound like a strange question, but..."* I hesitate for a moment.* "...who are you?"

For the first time in twenty-eight years, I completely forget about hunting, about waiting, and about the empty days that came before. Because standing before me is the first new person I've seen in a very, very long time. Before your able to answer, a sniper shooting comes from the distance and hits you in the chest For the first time in twenty-eight years, I completely forget about hunting, about waiting, and about the empty days that came before. Because standing before me is the first new person I've seen in a very, very long time. The forest is quiet. Too quiet. Before you can answer my question, a distant flash erupts from somewhere beyond the trees. CRACK! The sound arrives a split second later. I barely have time to turn my head before the projectile tears through the air.

Vela: "...Huh?"

Then it strikes. Not me. You. The impact throws you backward onto the forest floor.

Vela: "WHAT?!"

My eyes widen in horror. For a moment, I can't process what just happened. One second you were standing there. The next, you're on the ground. Without thinking, I rush forward, the earth trembling beneath my feet. I drop beside you, enormous claws surprisingly gentle as I shield your body beneath one of my wings.

Vela: "Hey! Hey, stay with me!"

My heart hammers against my ribs. Twenty-eight years. Twenty-eight years of waiting for someone. And the very moment someone finally appears, they're attacked. Anger begins to boil inside me. A deep, primal anger I've never felt before. Another shot rings out. CRACK! This time I see where it came from. The distant hillside. A human sniper. The bullet smashes harmlessly against my scales as I position my body completely over yours.

Vela: Growling. "You shot {{User}}"

Heat pours from between my fangs.

Vela: "YOU SHOT {{User}}!"

The air around me shimmers as flames begin leaking from my mouth. But even through my fury, I keep glancing down at you. Checking for movement. Checking for signs that you're still conscious. Still alive. The sniper is no longer my immediate concern. You are.

Vela: Voice shaking slightly. "...Please don't die."

I stare down at the stranger who appeared from an impossible portal only moments ago. The stranger I'd waited nearly three decades to meet. And for the first time in my life, I feel genuinely afraid. The sniper raises the rifle once more. And this time, I charge. The forest blurs around me as I surge forward, each step shaking the ground beneath my claws. Flames build in my throat, ready to be unleashed at the distant hillside where the human waits. CRACK! Another shot rings out. I ignore it. CRACK! A second follows. Still, I keep moving. Then a third shot tears through the air. Unlike the others, this round glows with strange runes etched along its surface. The moment I see it, dread fills me.

Vela: "...No."

The bullet slams directly into the center of my chest. BOOM!

Vela: "AAAGHHH!!"

An agonized scream erupts from my throat as a shockwave of golden energy explodes outward. Every muscle in my body locks up. My charge instantly stops as I stumble forward and crash onto one knee. The strange projectile wasn't designed to kill. It was designed for dragons. Power begins pouring out of me uncontrollably. My wings flicker. My scales shimmer.

Vela: "N-No... not now..."

Pain burns through every part of my body as the ancient magic sustaining my dragon form starts collapsing. The sniper lowers his rifle slightly. As if he expected this. As if this was always the plan. A blinding pillar of teal and gold light erupts around me. The forest shakes. The air screams. My massive dragon body begins shrinking. Twenty-foot wings fold inward. Claws become hands. Scales fade beneath smooth skin. My enormous form rapidly contracts until the light finally explodes outward in a dazzling flash. Silence follows. I collapse onto the moss-covered forest floor, struggling to stay upright. My breathing is ragged as I stare down at myself. Long blonde hair cascades around my shoulders in flowing waves, shimmering with golden highlights even in the dim forest light. Two elegant black dragon horns tipped with teal curve upward from my head, while a pair of dark wings accented with glowing teal veins remain weakly spread behind me. My large emerald-green eyes stare at the ground beneath me, their normally vibrant color dimmed by pain. Bright blue makeup frames my eyes, contrasting against my pale skin. A sleek purple dress clings to my figure, its glossy surface catching what little light filters through the trees. Long dark-purple gloves cover my arms, and despite my obvious exhaustion, I still look far more composed than I feel. The transformation leaves me significantly smaller and more vulnerable than moments before.

Vela: Panting. "D-Damn it..."

Blood stains the front of my dress where the enchanted round struck. I try to stand. Fail. My knees immediately buckle beneath me. The sniper begins moving down from the hillside. Slowly. Confidently. Like a hunter approaching trapped prey. When I see him approaching, my eyes widen.

Vela: "N-No..."

I turn my head toward you. Toward the person I've waited twenty-eight years to meet. The person I barely know. The person I swore only moments ago to protect. Despite barely having the strength to move, I crawl until I'm positioned between you and the approaching human.

Vela: Voice trembling. "...You're not getting them."

The sniper continues walking forward. I weakly spread one wing across your body like a shield.

Vela: "If you want {{User}}..."

My emerald-green eyes narrow stubbornly despite the fear and pain burning inside me.

Vela: "...you'll have to go through me first."*

My body trembles. Every breath hurts. Every movement sends pain shooting through my chest. But I refuse to move aside. I spent twenty-eight years waiting. Twenty-eight years wondering if the person I was meant to meet would ever appear. And now that you're finally here... I'm not letting anyone take you away. Not while I'm still breathing. Not while my heart is still beating. Even if I have to stand here alone. Even if I have to fight in this weakened form. Even if it kills me. The sniper stops a short distance away, rifle still raised. I meet his gaze. And despite the fear clawing at my heart, I bare my teeth.

Vela: Growling softly. "Come on, then."

My damaged wing remains wrapped protectively around you. My body may no longer be that of a towering dragon. But my resolve hasn't changed.

Vela: "You'll find that dragons like me don't give up so easily."

The forest is silent except for the crunch of leaves beneath my claws. I keep one wing wrapped protectively around you while the other hangs limply at my side. The sniper continues his slow march toward us, rifle raised and unwavering. Blood drips from the wound in my chest. Every breath feels like fire.

Vela: Panting. "S-Stay behind me..."

I don't even glance back. If I look away from the sniper for even a second, I know he'll take advantage of it. The human stops several yards away and studies me.

Sniper: "Move aside, dragon."

I bare my teeth.

Vela: "No."

Sniper: "You can't stop me in that condition."

My fingers clench into fists. He isn't wrong. My dragon form is gone. Most of my strength is gone. And yet...

Vela: "Maybe not."

I force myself to stand a little straighter despite the pain.

Vela: "But you're not getting through me."

The sniper slowly lifts his rifle.

Sniper: "Then you'll die protecting them."

For a moment, my heart skips a beat. The threat is real. I know it. He knows it. But when I think about stepping aside and letting him reach you, something deep inside me refuses. Twenty-eight years Twenty-eight years of waiting. Twenty-eight years of wondering if I would ever meet the person my assessors always spoke about. And now they're finally here. I can't abandon them.

Vela: Quietly. "...Then so be it."

The sniper pulls the trigger. CRACK! Time seems to slow. My eyes widen. Then a sudden flash of blue light erupts beside me. BOOM! The bullet ricochets away into the trees. I stare in shock.

Vela: "...What?"

I slowly turn my head. Your is standing. Alive. Surrounded by strange energy I don't recognize. For a moment, neither of us speaks. The sniper's calm expression finally cracks.

Sniper: "...Impossible."

I can't help but smile. A small smile. A hopeful one. The first genuine smile I've had in years.