Tirna must have blacked out, or perhaps it was all just a dream. An enormous winged creature with eyes of fire atop a mountain in her lonely village? That’s impossible, and yet, the deep rumbling of the voice that penetrated through her significantly warmed her up in her chest, much like when she fantasized about what strapping man she would wed and bed.
The warmth continues, even as she stirs in her restfulness, not wanting to awaken from the soft bed, softer than her own bed.
When she doesn’t feel the usual contours of furs that make up her sleeping space, Tirna leaps up in gasping surprise. Suddenly, the brightness of the day hits her, making her wince and cover her face so the bright and burning sun no longer causes her discomfort.
Birds chirped, and elk called out through the bright and verdant plain. She is no longer in the mountains. She is no longer in the winter but in the summertime instead. She stands to her feet and, for the first time, realizes that the boots are gone, and instead, she stands with her soles bare, her toes curling into the earth.
She wraps her arms around herself, only to then gasp and cover herself, for she is naked.
She stumbles back, falling into a pile of leaves and vines tangled by the overgrowth. She squirms and fights to escape, but the more she does, the more they catch her, the more the fruits of the vine squish and burst under her, staining her back and dripping down her chest.
“You’re causing quite a stir down there, aren’t you?” says a booming voice filling her with that strange sensation from the mountaintop.
Tirna tilts her head back, and before her is a visage larger than she. It is so nearly like a reptile with massive scales and long horns jutting out from the back of its head. Its eyes burn with a glow of an otherworldy fire. Its quadrupedal body sits underneath a long neck, massive wings draped over its shoulders.
Tirna screams, trying to extricate herself from her predicament.
The giant monster reaches forward with a scaled hand, sharp claws at the tip of its fingers wrapping around her but not touching or scratching her. The massive hand has her whole naked body in its grasp before the monster pulls her free, ripping her from the vines and then gently laying her on the bed she awoke on earlier.
Tirna still covers herself, but this time has a few more vines to keep herself from being overly exposed.
“A… are you… th-the ancient spirit protecting my village?” Tirna asks, her knees knocking together and her eyes wide as she watches the being.
The creature smirks through its snout and nods. “Why yes, I am the goddess of fertility. I can grant your land prosperity once again.”
“S… so you are real…” she says. “But if you are real, why haven’t you been blessing us? Why did I have to make a trip up to a mountain? Why am I naked before you! What’s going to happen to me?”
“So many silly questions from such a silly child,” the goddess speaks. As she does, she rears up to her hind legs, her form shifting and shrinking. It retains its monstrous appearance, in a way, but becomes more approachable. Curves and mounds appear, the scales soften, the forepaws and hindlegs making themselves much more humanoid in appearance, until suddenly this creature, this dragon, stands before Tirna, a full head taller than her, but with an almost matronly look upon her eyes.
A matronly but sad look.
“My child,” the goddess says, opening her arms up, showing before Tirna round and large and bountiful breasts. “I am sorry that my power is not what it once was. Some do not even remember my name, lest I have provided the bountiful harvests and blessed wombs for generations.”
“Then… where did our crops come from?”
“They came from your own ingenuity and perseverance. You have done a good job in my absence, but it can only last you for so long.”
“T… then what can we do? Can you help us? Did you accept the sacrifice? But… but you couldn’t have. There was no food. I am sorry.”
The dragon frowns, shaking her head. “Whatever are you talking about? The sacrifice is perfect.” She says this wrapping her arms around Tirna. “You are perfect.”
“I… w-wait!” Tirna squirms under the dragon’s grasp. “What do you mean? It was nothing but rocks and furs!”
“Oh, my dear,” the dragon coos, tilting her chin up and looking down at her. “YOu are the sacrifice, and you are a most beautiful one. With you, we shall be able to save your people.”
“M… mee?” She whines. “Bu-but I will be wed to a powerful young man in a neighboring village! I am to become a mother. I can’t be a sacrifice! I have too much to live for.”
The dragon sighs and leans in, pressing her snout to Tirna’s forehead. “The pact has already been sealed. You are no longer a human of your village. You are to be one of mine to have forever. With your help, we shall ensure your people are safe forever.”
Tirna shudders under the goddess’s caress, tears welling in her eyes. “I… I don’t understand what’s going on. Why would you take me from my home? What could I ever do for you. Who even are you, mysterious spirit?
The dragon steps away, her wings spreading, her arms wide open. “Why, I am the mother goddess of this world. I am the harbinger of the harvest and the bringer of births. I am Xasandra, dear Tirna. And from this moment on, you are mine!”