I woke up in darkness, surrounded by strange warmth and something slimy covering my body. I remembered flashes of someone's face, screams... I think they were mine. And... a flash of light, then pain and nothing else. But how did I end up here? I couldn’t remember. It was terrifying. I tried moving and felt the sticky, slimy substance around me. I also felt something hard around me. It felt both safe and suffocating.

I tried to move, but my limbs were weak and uncoordinated. I pushed against the walls around me, feeling them give slightly.

Am I buried underground?

A crack formed, letting in a sliver of light.

Okay... so I'm not. That's good, I think...

Encouraged, I pushed harder, using all my strength to break free. I think I felt someone on the other side, but I didn't mind. I wanted to be free... and then suddenly it worked. A big crack formed and I fell forward through it, gasping as I took my first breath of fresh air. I blinked against the light, trying to take in my surroundings.

The world outside was bright and noisy. I heard sounds—roars and screeches. After a moment, I could hear a quarrel about food or something. Then I blinked a few times. I was in a cave, and it was very sunny outside. I looked around as it became a little quieter. Everyone was looking at me... my siblings and my mother...

Wait, WHAT?

I blinked a few times. Above me was hovering the big body of a dragon! I used to read fantasy, so I was pretty sure it was a dragon! I blinked again. Behind its paws were two baby dragons looking at me weirdly.

"Mommy, look how funny!"

"Funny? Weird! Disgusting!"

Both little dragons - I think my brother and sister - were laughing at me. I felt pain in my heart. My first time seeing them... our first time together... and they used such hurtful words. Why?!

I looked down at myself, at my body. But... I don't think it was "my" body anymore... at least not the old one. I was small and covered in fur and scales, my paws little, and so was my tail.

Holy... I've got a tail!

But something was wrong. I looked at my siblings, stretching their newly formed wings and still badmouthing me or laughing at me, I'm not sure. I tried to do the same, but there was nothing to stretch. Panic set in as I realized I had no wings.

"Where are my wings?"

These were the first words I said out loud. I think it wasn't English... or any other language I've known... Some squeaks and roars, I guess. I tried looking at my back... but there was nothing to see. Just a tiny little mane that both my siblings and mom had. I was different... I looked up at my mom again.

Her gaze fell on me, and I saw disappointment in her eyes.

No, please no... not again...

She nudged my siblings, guiding them away from me. She took each one of them into her paws as she stood on her hind legs, opened up her wings, and flew out from the cave into the light. It became quiet. I was left alone in the nest, the warmth of my family quickly fading. They had abandoned me. I was abandoned... again. I don't remember well, but... I think it happened before... back then.

The nest became cold and empty. Fear settled in my chest. What was I supposed to do? I stumbled around, trying to find food as I was hungry, but there was little left. Scraps of meat, barely enough to sustain me. The meat looked disgusting... it was raw and flies were around it. But I knew it was something my body needed... so I started chewing. It was even edible. Quite nice but bland. I didn't even try to vomit.

After eating, I sat down. One thing was sure. I was no longer human. I was no longer in my world. And my memories were very hazy.

Days passed in a blur of hunger and loneliness—the small amount of meat quickly vanished. The cave, which once seemed like a safe haven, turned into a terrifying prison. Shadows danced on the walls, and every noise made me jump. I was weak, scared, and utterly alone. But to go outside? The cave was in the mountains. It was quite high, and besides... many strange creatures could be heard, and some shadows flew right outside the nest sometimes.

Many times I've tried to understand what was happening to me. Why was I here? Why was I different? Memories of my past life were fleeting and vague. I knew I had lived before, but the details were lost. All I knew was that I had to survive, somehow.

Hunger gnawed at my insides, pushing me to the edge of desperation. I needed to find food, and the only way was down the steep, rocky path leading from the cave. I peered over the edge, trying to figure out how to climb down without wings. It seemed impossible, but I had to try.

Just as I was about to take my first tentative step, a shadow passed over me. I looked up, but it was too late. Sharp talons clamped around my body, lifting me into the air. I let out a terrified screech as I was yanked from the ground.

A griffin. A massive beast with part of the body of a lion and the wings and forelegs and head of an eagle. Its grip was crushing, and I could feel its claws digging into my scales. Panic set in as I realized it was carrying me away, likely to its nest for a quick meal.

No, I won't be food. I won't die like this!

I thrashed and struggled, trying to free myself from the griffin's deadly grip. The world below became a blur of green as we soared over the forest. The griffin’s screeches mixed with the roaring wind, creating a cacophony of terror in my ears.

I have to get out. I have to survive! I don't wanna die!

I twisted my body, trying to reach one of the talons with my teeth. The griffin’s grip tightened, and pain shot through my sides. I felt one of my ribs crack under the pressure. The agony was almost unbearable, but I knew I had to keep fighting.

I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die!

The trees below rushed past in a green blur. I craned my neck and with all I had, managed to sink my teeth into the griffin’s leg. It screeched in pain, loosening its grip just enough for me to wriggle free. For a brief, heart-stopping moment, I was falling through the sky.

Please... I don't wanna die!

Branches whipped past me, tearing at my scales and fur as I plummeted through the canopy. I hit branch after branch, each impact sending waves of pain through my small body. I could hear my own screams mingling with the rustle of leaves and the snapping of twigs.

I’m going to die. I’m going to die here, alone.

The ground rushed up to meet me, and I hit it hard, the impact knocking the wind out of me. Pain exploded in my side, and I felt something inside me break. I lay there, gasping for breath, my vision fading in and out.

I can't... I can't end like this. I have to survive... I wanna live... I wanna...

But the darkness was too strong. It pulled me under, and I lost consciousness, my last thoughts filled with fear and pain.

-----AUTHOR'S NOTES-------

MC: WTF! Are you a psycho?! Why did you do it to me?

Author: Em... I... I just

MC: Do you enjoy child abuse or something?!

Author: What?! NO! Oh come on... you're not a child...

MC: Tell that to my baby dragon face you psycho!

Author: Omg ok ok I AM SORRY! Is that what you want to hear?!

MC: ... Yeah... And I demand payment...

Author: What? What payment!?

MC: Payment in smut ofc!

Author: ........ I am ceasing this conversation. That is absurd. Get the hell out of here and lemme write in peace.

MC: Oww come on! ... Heyyy!

Author: Goodbye!

And here is a picture of this dragon species with wings, and our main character as an adult dragon so you could see the difference. It is an AI pic based on my old sketch. The front paws are a little like the iguanodon dinosaur - it can walk on its fingers kinda but also use the paws to hold something, and it can run very fast on all four legs or on its hind legs. They eat meat but also fruits etc. Very rare species.

^Our Main Character. As you can see it's a male. Of course, here he's an adult. Imagine him like a little cue pup.