As I stood there, surveying the situation with the dying cargo plane, my mind raced with thoughts of what to do next. The kerosene was running dangerously low, and the plane was in no condition to fly much farther. Plus, we were a glaring blip on the radar, a target for countless eyes. I had to think fast.
My Thoughts: Maybe if I save the soldiers, I'll be seen as a hero by the USA. After all, I was sold out by Germany, and the USA is allied with Saudi Arabia, right?
Hud Alert: I spot an armada on my radar. The situation is becoming dire, and time is of the essence.
I quickly rush to the hatch of the cargo plane, my claws slicing through the damaged metal. I grab a parachute bundle where the soldiers, Heater, and McGyvor are attached and leap from the aircraft.
We plummet to the desert below, landing in a wild game reserve. I immediately use my abilities to blend in, camouflaging us with sand and providing shelter beneath my wings.
From our concealed vantage point, we watch as an armada of fighter planes, including F16s, F35s, and various Russian aircraft, swarm the remains of the cargo plane.
Intercepted Communications: "Prince, welcome back with us. You fought well to survive this devil. You'll be a national hero now. We've lost track of it. Our ground forces are on high alert, and we'll search every inch of this realm for that monster. Imagine the carnage if it had unleashed hell on the population. Millions could have perished."
Radio Announcement: "Allah Akbar! TO ALL OUR PEOPLE, THE DEVIL HIDES IN THE NORTH OF OUR GOD'S REALM. FIND HIM AND DESTROY HIM!"
I realize I'm now the hunted one.
My Thoughts: I managed to heal McGyvor, but he's lost too much blood. I've closed the wound, but the bullet still remains, and there isn't enough blood to keep him alive.
With no way to communicate except through writing in the sand, I turn to the soldiers for ideas on our next move.
Soldier 1: "We have nothing with us, no rations, no medical kits. Everything was in the plane, but we thought it was too heavy for you. We're in your debt now. How can we repay you? You're incredibly powerful, and we fear you."
Me: "Stay alive, and all I need is your testimony. I may be a wyrm, a reptile, a monster, or whatever you want to call me, but I still have a human heart, not the heart of a devil."
Soldiers: "But you obliterated those planes in an instant!"
Me: "I was a human like you just a month ago. I was a scientist, and I'm still myself, unlike the Hulk in the movies, where his intellect deteriorates. I haven't."
Soldiers: "You were human?"
Me: "Yes, I was, and I still am on the inside. I have a wife and children. They fear me, believing I killed their father, but I am their father. They're afraid of a creature a thousand times smaller. I understand them. I'm bigger and more lethal than a white shark."
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Soldier: "But you have those lightning powers!"
Me: "I'm a blood and thunder dragon. I have an affinity for electricity, like an electric eel. But for dragons like us, electricity is sustenance. We prefer roasted meat to raw, just like you."
As I contemplate our next move, I detect planes approaching. I motion for everyone to stay still, holding our breath as they pass by.
My Thoughts: The situation is dire, and we desperately need water. If I take flight now, we'll be detected. An entire country, and maybe even all of Islam, seems to be against me, and I've done nothing but defend myself.
Our only chance is to reach Jebel Shar and then head to Egypt, where you can blend in with tourists.
Heater: "McGyvor is dying!"
Me (whispering to myself): "If I access other powers like darkness, his soul will be destroyed, like plunging into a black hole. Father John would kill me... but perhaps if I ask him to kill me, he'll understand. Maybe I can escape with a few kicks in the process. McGyvor's life is worth a few kicks in the rear, I suppose."
Me (to the group): "Alright, everyone, join hands. We're going to pray sincerely from the heart. If it works, we'll have water."
So, we form a circle, six soldiers, McGyvor, Heater, and me, and we begin to pray fervently, begging for mercy. I suggest that we consider ourselves less than worms in the eyes of God.
I attempt to cast Water Creation. A light appears on me and then circulates within our circle. A source of water emerges from the rocks.
All: "Miracle!"
We all drink, and it helps McGyvor hold on a little longer, although his condition is still critical.
HUD Alert: "Octahedron??"
--- OCTAHEDRON ACTIVE ---
--- ALL SEALS REMOVED -----
--- SOUL HAS EVOLVED ---- NEXT PHASE OF GROWTH ACTIVE ---
Me: No, not now.
My Thoughts: The only way to save McGyvor is to find an external source of help or undergo dragonification – through vore, venom, or an attack on a blood transfusion center or hospital.
Yes, that's it. We need to raid a medical center, and there's one in Moelh.
Me: "Stay here. You have water and caves to protect you. I'll rush to the medical center with McGyvor in my claws."
The area is mostly deserted, and I decide to fly low to the ground under the cover of night. There's a frenzy of activity in the village as men mobilize to hunt the dragon. Trucks are loaded with weapons, and white Toyota pickups, armed with RPGs, Kalashnikovs, and even M16s, fill the streets.
I switch to UV vision and spot the medical center, ready for an influx of injured people. Four individuals are inside, and the clinic is surrounded by a concrete wall.
I decide to disable all mobile phones within the clinic to prevent communication.
Me: (whispering to myself) "Okay, that's done. All SIM cards are locked. Phone lines... zap. No more phones."
I notice a guard in the vicinity, distracted by a television monitor.
I stealthily leap over the wall, landing in the guard's office while McGyvor remains on the roof, hidden from view.
With a surprise attack, I knock out the guard before he can react.
Now, I approach the clinic. But there's a problem; I'm too large to fit inside, perhaps just the entry hall.
Me: (to myself) "I know what to do."
I take McGyvor and gently lower him into the clinic's main entryway, placing the unconscious guard beside him. Then, I return to the roof.
I simultaneously call the four smartphones inside the clinic.
Me (as Saudi Prince, imitating a radio voice): "Hello, thank you for saving this man. As you may expect, please check the parking area in front of the entrance. Can you see me?" (I wave and give a big, toothy smile.) "Let's make a deal. I'll take a nap here while the German guy rests a bit. You can stay here, use the toilet, watch TV, but DO NOT leave the premises. If you're kind enough to obey, I'll let you go in peace. If not..."
Me: (continuing the voice) "Also, tell the others that I'm a dragon, not the evil of the Quran. If I were evil, the German guy would be in my stomach, and your country would be in ruins. Just a month ago, I was a human like you. I fought an evil being, and the price is this body. Your prince bought me to make himself a hero and secure his throne. Nice prince, huh? No? Okay, now, I'll take a nap. Oh, and please give me a bag of drinks and canned food from your reserves. Innocent people are hungry."
HUD Alert: Watch for intruders or escape.
With that, I lay down on the roof and close my eyes, hoping that the occupants of the clinic will heed my warning.