The towering trees of the ancient forest swayed gently in the wind, their leaves rustling like distant whispers. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled golden patches onto the forest floor. Merle moved through the trees, her immense body careful not to disturb too much of the landscape she called home. Her golden-orange scales shimmered like molten gold in the light, but her demeanor was anything but calm.

Her long wings rustled as she huffed, a deep, guttural sound that sent small animals scurrying from her path. She had been searching for her child for what felt like hours. They were always wandering off, and despite her patience, this time it had gone on long enough. Her annoyance was clear in the heavy snort she gave as she paused, nostrils flaring. A faint scent hit her keen senses. Her child was nearby.

Merle swung her massive head around, golden eyes scanning the towering trunks, searching. She took a slow, purposeful step forward, her claws digging slightly into the earth. The ground trembled beneath her weight, leaves shaking loose from the high branches as she moved through the dense undergrowth.

Then, as she turned the corner of a colossal tree, there they were.

Merle stopped abruptly, her massive form casting a long shadow over the area. Without hesitation, she stepped forward, her enormous body towering protectively over her child. Her tail curled slightly around them as she stood tall, facing outward, her chest rising and falling with deep, controlled breaths.

— “Grr…”

She let out a low, rumbling growl—not of anger, but of warning, a sound that echoed through the trees like distant thunder. It was as if she was letting the forest itself know that her child was under her protection. Nothing, no predator or threat, would dare come near while she stood there.