Zero

Zero slowly lifted his aching head from the muddy shore. He blinked several times trying to orient himself, but the throbbing in his head made doing so almost impossible. Not only that, but his body felt badly bruised and battered as well. Not good. He needed to get up.

But something was wrong. Zero attempted to lift up on his front legs but immediately fell chin first back into the mud. He attempted again with the same result. What in the world? What was going on? were his injuries more serious than he'd initially thought? was he paralyzed? A wave of panic washed over the dragon as he quickly whipped his head around to examine his body. However, Zero was not prepared for what he discovered.

His body was not his body. He was not looking at the large, powerful frame of a Guardian dragon. He was looking at something much slenderer and serpentine. He was a completely different species of dragon!

"No, no, no, no, no!" exclaimed Zero, "This can't be right! What is this? What's happ-"

Suddenly, the memories came flooding back to him all at once, threatening to overwhelm his still pounding head. He recalled everything -- The stolen artifact, the enraged rightful owners in hot pursuit, the terrible roars of his dying offspring, and the unbearable wailing of his grief-stricken mate. His selfish lust for that artifact caused all that. He had failed as a Guardian. Neglecting his oath to protect what he deemed most worthy and precious -- his own family. Because of this betrayal, he had been cast out and somehow cursed. Stripped of his very species.

Grief-stricken and ashamed, Zero no longer cared about his surroundings. He could only mourn what he had lost. What a fool he had been to place possessions above his own blood! Had any of his loved ones even survived the attack? He didn't know. Anyway, that life was gone now.

The dragon closed his eyes and lay in silence for a long time. This is who he was now. Fate had decided and punished him harshly. However, it had also spared his life for some reason; perhaps, to atone for his failure. Yes, that was it. He was to make amends with the failures of his past in a new wretched body that he was deserving of.

Zero slowly lifted himself again, this time accounting for his new serpentine form. It was still very awkward, but he did not fall this time. With his thoughts finally settled, he took in the sight of his new home. It was as good a place as any to start fresh, he figured.