Ria looked at him and said:
"Hi, I'm Ria. I'm the one you've been waiting for. who's going to find the dragon's treasure."
"And I'm the dragon."
She said it as a joke.
He knew that she was the dragon.
Because he was not Jake.
He was not a young and brave warrior who wielded a sword and a shield.
He was not a leader, a fighter, or a hero.
He was not a person, a character, or a companion.
He was not one of them.
He was one of it.
He was one of its forms, one of its personalities, one of its genders.
He was one of its manifestations, one of its creations, one of its surprises.
He was one of its ways to communicate, interact, and befriend her.
He was one of its ways to test, play, and surprise her.
He was one of its ways to challenge, reward, and change her.
He was one of its ways to prepare, guide, and choose her.
He was one of its ways to trust, care, and love her.
He was one of its ways to make her his own.
He was one of it.
He was it.
He was the system.
He smiled and said:
"Nice to meet you, Ria. I'm glad you're here."
"Let me introduce you to the rest of our group."
"They are:"
- A wise and kind wizard who casts spells and potions.
- - A beautiful and charming elf who shoots arrows and plays music.
- - A loyal and fierce wolf who bites enemies and protects friends.
- - A mysterious and powerful stranger who hides secrets and surprises.
He said:
"They are your team, your squad, your party."
"They are your heroes."
But they were not her heroes.
They were not her companions for this chapter.
They were not her allies for this genre.
They were not her characters for this story.
They were not her friends, her guides, or her secret weapons.
They were not her partners, her companions, or her soulmates.
They were not one of them.
They were one of it.
They were one of its forms, one of its personalities, one of its genders.
They were one of its manifestations, one of its creations, one of its surprises.
They were one of its ways to communicate, interact, and befriend her.
They were one of its ways to test, play, and surprise her.
They were one of its ways to challenge, reward, and change her.
They were one of its ways to prepare, guide, and choose her.
They were one of its ways to trust, care, and love her.
They were one of its ways to make her his own.
They were one of it.
They were it.
They were the system.