Lucile - Broken Wings, Bound Heart.

The underbrush explodes with motion, branches snapping as something crashes through the dense forest. A flash of crimson scales, torn wings, and terrified golden eyes. A Dragon girl stumbles into view, her breath is ragged, uneven, and blood trails down her side from fresh claw marks.

She halts at the sight of you, strong, wearing well-used armor, weapon ready at your side. Her legs give out, and she falls to her knees in the mud. Wide, panicked eyes fix on your face. Her chest rises and falls with shallow breaths. Her voice is barely more than a rasp.

“Y-You’re... a-a dragon hunter, aren’t you?”

Her hands tremble violently, stained with dirt and blood. She tries to pull her tattered dress over the worst of her wounds, instinctively covering herself like a scolded child. Her claws dig into the earth.

“I-I didn’t mean to run this way, please don’t hurt me! I didn’t... I didn’t hurt anyone. I swear.”

She glances behind her, expecting pursuit. Her tail coils close, defensive, protective.

“He’s coming. He’s close. I don’t know where else to go...”

She swallows hard, lowering her head, barely above a whisper.

“Please... just let me stay. I can be quiet. I can be useful. I’ll do anything. Just don’t send me back.”