A horrible screech filled my ears, and then it was silenced as the world disappeared entirely. I was unable to see anything but darkness, nor could I feel anything against my skin. I had no body anymore, and simply existed. Silently, inside my head, I screamed in terror.
After what felt like an eternity, the world returned as suddenly as it left. I gasped as reentered my new dragon body, utterly grateful that I was able to do so. Pins and needles filled my flesh, and I realized my vision was fuzzy.
"Ahem," a deep voice coughed above me.
I looked up startled, fully expecting to see Rylen. Instead I saw a great giant made from stone, his eyes burning with orange fire. I glanced around to see I was in an enormous cavern, lit by hundreds of flaming torches.
"I am Deragus, God of Punishment," the giant boomed. "You, Misty, have been found guilty of hacking and the destruction of your MAP. Do you have anything to say?"
"I'm not a hacker," I tried to say, but it just came out as yips and growls.
Deragus lifted one of his massive hands over my head, and at once I changed into my 'normal' form: Misty with tail. "Speak," he commanded.
"I'm not a hacker," I said. "I was attacked by one. He transformed me into his pet. Wrecking the MAP was the only way out."
"Hmm," he growled, closing his eyes in thought. I took the oppertunity to look for a way out, but it appeared that the cave was completely enclosed. I quickly looked back as his eyes opened. "The hacker you say attacked you... What was his name?"
Rylen, I tried to say, but my mouth wouldn't move. "His name is..." Despite all my efforts, I found to my horror that I could not say his name.
"I see..." the god rumbled.
"No, wait," I protested.
"Silence!" Instantly, I was a pet once more. "Your punishment has been decided. You will have your player status removed, your level reduced to 1, and be donated to Salart's Creatures in Epic City. Until you acheive level 40, you will be unable to transform into your humanoid state."
"No!" I tried to cry, but the world went dark.
