I feel my entire body transform, and I grow taller and taller, until I’m looking down at the castle grounds from a towering height.

I am transformed into a Sihde dragon. I gaze down in delight at my muscular body, knowing only a few Sihde have ever been granted this divine power. Realizing I have wings, I flap them and rise into the air above the castle grounds.

Zalfaqar stares up at me, raising his hands high. The clouds above me darken and lightning strikes my tail. I feel a sharp pain, and I ascend into the stormy clouds until I have escaped to the light of the sun.

I circle the sky for several minutes, flapping my wings and struggling to make my decision — fight or flee. I look down at the dark clouds, and then gaze at the bright light of the sun. Its warmth comforts me, and I somehow understand that my destiny is not yet fulfilled.

As I circle above the dark clouds, I feel a sudden rush of courage and I spread my wings wide. Fueled by the light of Sihde, I descend into the storm clouds.