That was—A DRAGON. Two-headed. Massive. "HOLLLY FUCK! MY GIANT BABY RAYA IS NOT A BABY ANYMORE!" Scales like forged obsidian veined with molten gold. Wings unfurled wide enough to blot out half the storm-darkened sky. Each breath she took boiled rain into steam, heat rippling outward in visible waves.
She roared. The sound shook the sea. My mouth fell open so wide I probably swallowed a bug. "…RAYA!? IS THAT YOU!?" I screamed. Both heads turned toward me. And she smiled. Not a cute wyvern smile. A dragon smile. "Yes, Master!" she chirped brightly, eyes glowing. One head even winked.
I stared. "…Why are you not a baby anymore?" I demanded weakly. "You look terrifying!"
"This is because you made me eat the heartstones," she said proudly. "I evolved."
I blinked.
Once. Twice. "My treasures," I whispered hollowly. "My entire retirement plan." Devoured. Every last shiny. I sighed, defeated. "Okay. Fine. Fight the Kraken."
