I exhaled, and was gratified to see a cloud of boiling steam billow out and surround Rylen.
I was less gratified, when it cleared, and he was still standing in the middle, grinning evilly at me.
"A fiery spirit indeed. Oh you will be fun. You can't hurt me, in the game, and you can't actually leave the game, so you may as well stop trying, before I get angry."
I growled at him. I didn't seem to be able to talk as a dragon, but I could manage a pretty menacing growl, at least.
"Stop that. Now, where was I? Oh yes. What you can do for me. As a river dragon, you have three forms, that are particularly suited for the roles I'll be needing you to play: First, Consort and messenger"
He snapped his fingers, and I was back as Misty, pretty girl with a tail.
I glowered at the use of the word "consort". I wondered if he meant what I thought he meant.
He snapped his fingers again, and I was huge, and had wings and a tail.
"...Mount", he continued. "It's important to arrive in style, and occasionally, there will probably be SAGEs and pesky players I'll need you to squish. And you'll find that trick of yours with steam works rather well on everyone in the game who isn't me. I was rather proud of that, by the way. Finding so nice a fit between your name and your abilities. Misty. Heh. Where was I?"
Another growl.
"Oh yes. And the form I expect you'll spend most of your time in, when not performing your other duties:"
Snap.
The world jumped again, but this time, it went the other way? I looked ... up? At him, and realized Rylen was now towering over me.
"... Pet." He concluded, sounding quite satisfied.
I scrambled to my feet, and realized what had happened.
I still had the tail.
I still had the wings.
I was still a dragon.
But now I was a dragon about the size of a large dog. I still had the collar though. And from the feel of it, it now was connected, via a silver chain, to a large, ominous throne in the center of the room. Where did that come from? And wait, where did the lab go? I realized I was now in the middle of a dark, somber throne room. And, chained to the throne, it seemed.
He chuckled. "One must keep up appearances, after all, right Misty?" And with that, Rylen sat down on the throne, and began to work on something on a glowing screen. "I have some business to attend to now, but don't worry. You'll see me again QUITE soon. Meanwhile, think about your situation. Things could be a lot easier if you accept fate, rather than try to fight it. After all, the end will be the same either way." Another chuckle. And then he vanished.
