Emma's first sensation was warmth. It enveloped her like a cozy blanket, easing the tension from her body. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this relaxed. Slowly, she became aware of a rhythmic, pulsing sound—steady and comforting, like a heartbeat. Where was she?
As her mind began to clear, she noticed something strange. She couldn't move. Panic started to bubble up, but she quickly reminded herself to stay calm. She tried to wiggle her fingers, but nothing happened. In fact, she couldn't even feel her fingers. Or her toes. Or anything else for that matter.
Emma tried to open her eyes, but there was only darkness. She was enclosed, trapped in some kind of confined space. Taking a deep breath, or at least imagining she did, she focused on staying calm. Okay, let's think this through, she told herself. What's the last thing I remember?
The strange woman, the blinding light, and the intense pain all came rushing back. Emma felt a shiver run through her—if she still had a spine, that is. Where am I now? Did I die? Is this some kind of weird afterlife?
Suddenly, she felt a strange sensation in her mind, like a gentle nudge. Words began to form, clear and simple.
**Welcome, Emma. You have been reborn as a Baby Dragon.**
Emma blinked—or at least she thought she did. The words hovered in her mind, clear as day. A baby dragon? That's… not possible. This has to be a dream.
**Do not be alarmed. You are currently in your egg. You will hatch soon.**
An egg? She was in an egg? This dream was getting stranger by the second. She tried to wrap her mind around the idea, but it felt too surreal. Then again, so did the blinding light and the woman with the box.
As she pondered her situation, she felt the nudge again.
**I am Draconis, your guide. You can check your status and statistics at any time.**
A guide? Well, that's… helpful, I guess, Emma thought. "Uh, Draconis? Can you hear me?"
**Yes, Emma. I am here to assist you.**
Emma felt a mix of relief and skepticism. "Okay, if I'm really a dragon, what's my status?"
**Emma's Status:
Species: Baby Dragon
Level: 1
Experience: 0/100
Health: 100/100
Mana: 50/50
Strength: 5
Agility: 5
Intelligence: 5
Luck: 5**
Emma stared at the status screen that appeared in her mind. It was simple, almost comically so. No complex stats or endless numbers—just the basics. She had to admit, if she was going to be a dragon, this seemed like a good place to start.
"Well, this is different," she murmured. "So, what now?"
You will hatch soon. Once you do, you can begin to explore and grow stronger. For each creature you defeat, you will gain experience points (EXP).
Emma took a deep breath—metaphorically speaking. "Alright, let's do this."
She felt a sudden urge to push, like an instinct. She focused on that feeling, pushing against the confines of her egg. There was a cracking sound, and light began to filter in. She pushed harder, and with a final effort, the shell broke apart, and she tumbled out into the world.
Blinking in the bright light, Emma looked around. She was in a lush, green forest, surrounded by towering trees and vibrant plant life. The air was fresh and filled with the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves. It was beautiful.
Then she looked down at herself and nearly fell over. She had small, scaly limbs, a long tail, and tiny claws. She was, indeed, a baby dragon. Emma took a few tentative steps, wobbling slightly but managing to stay upright.
"Okay, Draconis, what now?"
**Explore your surroundings, Emma. Learn about your new world.**
Emma took a deep breath, savoring the feeling of the fresh air in her lungs. Or whatever dragons had. She wandered through the forest, marveling at how everything seemed more vibrant and alive. She could feel the ground beneath her claws, the breeze against her scales, and the sun warming her back. It was exhilarating.
As she explored, she stumbled upon a small stream. She peered into the water and saw her reflection—large, curious eyes, a small snout, and tiny horns. She was undeniably cute, in a scaly sort of way. Emma chuckled to herself. If Lila could see me now...
She decided to follow the stream, enjoying the soothing sound of running water. As she walked, she noticed something glinting in the sunlight. Curious, she approached and found a small, glittering stone. She picked it up, marveling at its beauty.
**You have found a Shimmer Stone.**
Emma smiled. "Nice. What do I do with it?"
Shimmer Stones can be used to enhance your abilities. Collect them as you explore.
Emma tucked the stone into a small pouch she found strapped to her side. It seemed her new dragon form came with a few handy accessories.
Continuing her journey, Emma came across a clearing with a variety of small creatures scampering about. They looked like a mix between rabbits and squirrels, with fluffy tails and twitching noses.
**These are Fuzzbits. Defeating them will give you EXP.**
Emma hesitated. She wasn't particularly keen on the idea of attacking cute, fluffy creatures, but she knew she needed to grow stronger. Steeling herself, she approached one of the Fuzzbits.
"Sorry about this," she muttered, then pounced.
The Fuzzbit squeaked and tried to dart away, but Emma's newfound agility helped her catch it. With a quick swipe of her claws, the creature disappeared in a puff of light.
**You have gained 10 EXP.**
Emma felt a strange sensation, like a warm glow spreading through her body. She checked her status.
Emma's Status:
Level: 1
Experience: 10/100
"That wasn't so bad," she said, feeling a bit more confident. She spent the next few hours chasing Fuzzbits and exploring the forest, collecting Shimmer Stones and gaining experience.
By the time the sun began to set, she had defeated enough Fuzzbits to gain quite a bit of experience.
**Emma's Status:
Level: 1
Experience: 90/100**
As she made her way back to her original hatching spot, she felt a sense of satisfaction. This new world was strange and challenging, but also exciting. She looked forward to what tomorrow would bring.
Finding a cozy spot under a large tree, Emma curled up and closed her eyes. She felt a warm, comforting presence, like a gentle hug.
**Goodnight, Emma. You have done well today.**
Emma smiled. "Goodnight, Draconis."
As she drifted off to sleep, she thought about her old life, her ordinary days as a librarian, and how everything had changed so drastically. She missed her friends and her cozy apartment, but she also felt a thrill of excitement for the future.
This new world was filled with possibilities, and she was ready to face whatever came her way. After all, she was a dragon now. A small, weak dragon, perhaps, but a dragon nonetheless.
And with that thought, she drifted into a peaceful, dreamless sleep, ready to embrace her new life.