The cavern was alive with a radiant, golden glow. The molten veins of the earth pulsed like a heartbeat, lighting the jagged walls in an eerie, rhythmic dance. Reinhard stood in the center of the chamber, battered and bloody but unbroken, gripping his sword so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Across from him, the massive form of Tiamora, the Dragon Queen, loomed like a mountain of scales and fury.
"Well, well," Tiamora purred, her voice echoing through the cavern. "You've made it farther than most. I'll give you that, little hero." Her golden eyes sparkled with amusement. "But honestly, did you think your puny sword could defeat me?"
Reinhard gritted his teeth. "I've taken down demons, warlords, and monsters. I'll do the same to you."
Tiamora smirked, a puff of smoke escaping her nostrils. "Brave words for someone whose armor is hanging on by a thread." She leaned in closer, her enormous maw just inches away from him. "But I'm feeling… generous today. Surrender now, and I might let you walk out of here alive. Well, mostly alive."
"I'd rather die than kneel to you!" Reinhard roared, lunging forward with all his remaining strength.
His blade struck true, piercing the Dragon Queen's chest. For a moment, silence fell over the chamber, save for the faint sound of Reinhard's labored breathing. Then Tiamora laughed.
"Cute," she said, plucking the sword from her chest as though it were a splinter. "But you've failed, little hero. Now it's my turn."
Before Reinhard could react, Tiamora's claw lashed out, knocking him to the ground. His sword clattered uselessly out of reach. He tried to rise, but the Queen's massive tail pinned him in place.
"You're strong," Tiamora mused, tilting her head. "Strong enough to be interesting. I could crush you here and now, but where's the fun in that?"
Reinhard spat at her, the gesture as defiant as it was futile. "Do your worst."
Tiamora grinned, her razor-sharp teeth glinting. "Oh, I intend to." She raised a claw to her own chest, slicing a shallow cut just above her heart. Thick, glowing golden blood oozed from the wound, its light illuminating the entire cavern. The smell was intoxicating—sweet, metallic, and overwhelming.
Reinhard's eyes widened in horror. "What are you doing?"
"Something much worse than killing you," Tiamora said with a wicked grin. She scooped up a drop of her blood on a claw and leaned down to him. "Drink."
"Never!" Reinhard snarled, thrashing against her tail.
Tiamora's laughter was rich and melodic. "Oh, don't be so dramatic. You heroes are all the same. So quick to accept a holy potion, yet you balk at a little dragon blood." She forced the claw to his lips. "Drink, or I'll flood your throat with it myself."
Reinhard clamped his mouth shut, but Tiamora's strength was absolute. She pinched his jaw, forcing it open, and let the drop of blood fall. The moment it touched his tongue, it burned like liquid fire. He tried to spit it out, but the blood spread, coursing through his veins like molten lava.
"Good," Tiamora said, watching him writhe. "The transformation will take a moment. You'll thank me later."
Reinhard gasped for air as the fire consumed him, his body convulsing. His vision blurred, and he felt his limbs elongating, his skin hardening. Wings sprouted from his back with a sickening crunch, and scales rippled across his body. His voice, once deep and commanding, softened into a melodic, feminine tone as he screamed.
"What… what have you done to me?!" Reinhard—or what was left of him—stammered.
Tiamora leaned down, her massive head level with his now much smaller form. "Welcome to the family, my dear daughter. I think I'll call you… Rynhara."
Rynhara stared at her reflection in a pool of molten gold, her once rugged features replaced by delicate, draconic beauty. Her hands—no, claws—trembled as she touched her horns.
"You… you can't be serious," she whispered.
"Oh, but I am," Tiamora said, clearly delighted with herself. "You'll make a wonderful addition to my legacy. And don't worry, sweetie. Mommy will take good care of you."
Rynhara's scream of frustration echoed through the cavern as Tiamora burst into uncontrollable laughter.