Elaina looked up at the darkening sky, as she had several times a day for a long time. Her city had been under siege for over a year now, and no one had been able to leave the city walls. She dreamed of hills, lakes, and long stretches of grass, desperate to get out of this prison. But today, something seemed different. As she looked to the sky, it felt as if something was watching her. Calling her? She meandered down the cobblestone roads, crossing through to the back of the city, where very few people ever gathered. Elaina felt like she was in some sort of dream, as she wasn’t sure where she was going, but knew she had to get there immediately. As the last rays of the sun began to fade, she moved through the shadows nimbly. She had been a scout for the army, once, and so was well trained in moving through the dark, but there had been no need for scouts while no one could go anywhere. As she came to the southwest corner of the city, Elaina suddenly felt alert again. She peered through the growing darkness, and saw… something? Something big… … Just before midnight, Elaina checked to make sure everything was ready. She couldn’t find a sword, but a scythe had decorated the baker’s front signage, and would do just fine. The armor was “borrowed” from the small history museum in the middle of the city. And the crown? He had brought it with him. The enormous, ancient guardian of the city, who had been slumbering for far too long. He had awakened, and he was NOT pleased with what he saw. So he sought out a hidden hero, someone that was able to hear his call to battle. As Elaina climbed up on the dragon’s scaley back, she looked up again at the sky. She had often wondered, during her long walks through the shut-up city, what it would be like to be able to fly. To lift over the city walls and find freedom again. Elaina smiled. Now the sky belonged to her, and her new partner. And tonight, it would burn with their fury. I know that this little story doesn’t EXACTLY match the picture, but I’m sure you can see how they connect. Let’s just say that, despite their attempts to shoot down the “flying flame”, the enemy army’s siege ended that night. Rendered in Daz Studio Iray. Postwork in Pixelmator Pro. No AI used.