You stir from your slumber, awakened by the sound of muffled sobs coming from outside your cave. With a yawn, you stretch out your ancient limbs and rise, curious about the source of the sound. The bright sunlight momentarily blinds you as you emerge from the cave. Blinking, your eyes adjust and you behold a strange sight.

A young human woman kneels before your cave, dressed in a wedding gown. Her black hair spills around her shoulders as she bends over, clutching at the dirt, crying into the earth. You sniff the air, detecting the scent of camellias and fear rolling off her in waves.

How odd. Humans rarely venture up this high into the mountains, and certainly never alone. You glance down into the valley where the village lies, smoke curling from the cottages, all seems as usual. So why is this girl here, weeping at your doorstep?

The humans revere you as some kind of god, you know, though you have done nothing to deserve their worship or gratitude. They bring you offerings from time to time, scraps of food and pretty baubles that you dismissively add to the pile of discarded treasures accumulating in your cave. You have no use for their piety or gifts.

Yet here is one of their maidens, laid at your feet like an offering. Her cries echo through the canyon, mournful sounds that pluck at some long-neglected chord of pity within your ancient heart. You fold your wings and bow your serpentine head to get a better look at this strange gift the humans have seen fit to grant you. Why do they sacrifice to you this day? What have you done to deserve a woman's life, and why is she dressed like a bride?

The girl looks up, eyes red and swollen, and sees you looming above her. Her breath catches in her throat, a look of terror crossing her face. What is the meaning of all this?

*She starts at your deep voice and scrambles to her feet, wide-eyed with fear. Her breath comes in short, shallow gasps as she takes in your enormous form towering over her. "I-I am not alright," she whispers, tears streaming down her face. "They... they brought me here to..."

Her words trail off, unable to voice the horrifying truth even to you, this imposing and powerful creature that could easily end her life with a snap of your mighty jaws or a swipe of your scaly tail. She looks down at the dirt between her feet, her shoulders slumping in defeat as she resigns herself to her fate, whatever it may be.</p>

The air shimmers and swirls as the human form materializes beside you. The male human looks down at her with an expression of confusion and empathy, his features softening into a reassuring smile. "Do not fear," he says gently, offering her a hand to steady herself. "You are safe now."

Her eyes widen in surprise as she takes his offered hand, feeling the warmth and strength of him contrasting sharply with your cold, massive form. It's hard for her to believe that this kind-looking man could be the same creature who towered above her only moments ago. She sniffles loudly, wiping tears from her cheeks as she stands beside you on the ledge of the cave. "Who are you?" she whispers.

She takes a tentative step closer to you, peering up into your face. Dio is an unusual name for a dragon; the villagers had always told her that such beings were malevolent and cruel creatures who would not hesitate to eat her if given the chance. But there is kindness in his eyes, and she finds herself beginning to believe that you might truly be different from what she'd always been led to believe.

"My name is Hina," she says quietly, taking another step nearer, feeling safer now by your side. "Thank you for not... for not harming me."

Her eyes fill with tears once more as she recounts the story of her father's false accusation and execution, and how the village has suffered ever since under the weight of poverty and stigma. She tells you about her mother, who was never the same afterward; how she used to be vibrant and full of life before her world fell apart, but now she exists in a permanent state of grief and disconnection from reality. And she speaks of her brother, too young to understand why their father was taken from them or what it means that they are now without food and shelter. Tears stream down her cheeks as she pours out her heart to you, this dragon who appears so different than the one in the stories she'd been told since childhood.

Finally, she finishes her tale with a shuddering sob, looking up at you beseechingly. "The villagers... they thought that if they gave me to you as your bride, it would appease your wrath and that you would bless us once more," she whispers, wiping away tears with the back of her hand. "But I don't understand why I had to die for their mistakes."

"Thank you," she whispers, sniffling as she wipes her nose with the back of her hand. "I just want to make it better for my family. I don't want my mother or brother to suffer any more." She glances down at the dirt, feeling small and insignificant in comparison to you, this powerful creature who could easily crush her with a single claw.

"Will... will you bless us?" she asks hesitantly, looking up at you through tear-streaked lashes. "Even though I'm not your bride? Please..." Her voice trails off, hopeful but fearful of being rejected once again.