{Location: Error}

{Time: Sunset, winter}

{Core not found}

{Emergency protocol in effect, Initiating}

{Awaken}

—————

In a dark cave, nestled deep within a mountain range, a small creature scurries through the shadows. The creature is a lizard-like being, its eyes gleaming with a fierce hunger. As it moves with stealthy grace towards a batch of large eggs, it seems almost as if it is a thief, seeking to steal away with a precious prize.

However, before it can reach the eggs, asudden noise echoes throughout the cave, causing the lizard to jump in surprise. In an instant, it freezes, trying to assess the source of the disturbance.

And then, it sees her.

A massive dragon, her scales the color of molten gold, looms before the lizard. Her tail is curled protectively around her first hatchling, a tiny red dragon that is shuffling awkwardly on its unsteady feet. The mother dragon regards the lizard with cold eyes, and for a moment, the creature is sure it will be killed on the spot.

"Damn vermin," the dragon growls, her voice a low rumble that echoes through the cave. "Can't keep their claws to themselves."

With a sudden lunge, the dragon's jaws snap shut around the lizard, killing it instantly. The mother dragon then settles back onto her haunches, her eyes still fixed on the eggs.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

In the moments that follow, two more of the eggs crack open, and two new hatchlings stumble awkwardly out into the open. The first is a white dragon, whose long tail seems to get in the way of its every movement. The second is another red dragon, larger than the first but just as unsteady on its feet.

The mother dragon watches her hatchlings with a mixture of amusement and pride, but her attention is quickly drawn back to the third and final egg. It is the largest of the batch, and the dragoness inside is clearly struggling to free herself from the confines of her shell.

With a final crack, the black dragoness bursts free from her egg, her wings and tail flailing wildly as she stumbles to her feet. Her brothers stare at her with curiosity, but quickly lose interest and return to their clumsy play.

The black dragoness, however, seems to sense something different. A prompt appears before her, and she feels a strange pull within her consciousness.

{Awakening successful, body transfer complete, please wait for full system initiation}

Confused and disoriented, the dragoness tries to shake off the sensation. But before she can fully grasp what is happening, a wave of pain washes over her, and she crumples to the ground.

{Initiation complete, analyzing host…}

{Warning: Host body inefficiency detected, possible efficiency estimated at 100%. Current efficiency at 21%. Removing defects…}

For several moments, the dragoness writhes in agony, her body seemingly tearing itself apart from the inside. Thick gray pus seeps from her scales, hissing against the stone floor.

{Defects removed, strengthening body…}

As the pain begins to subside, the dragoness feels a surge of energy coursing through her body. But it is not a pleasant feeling. Blood flows from her nose and ears, and her muscles contract violently as her scales are torn away and replaced with new, stronger ones.

The mother dragon watches with concern as her hatchling's body is wracked with pain. She approaches cautiously, her massive claw gently prodding the dragoness's still form.

But there is no response.

As the last remnants of the transformation process fade away, the dragoness lies