Cinda describes the Mizu Dragon to us. She says it's at least five meters tall, with a wingspan even bigger. Its scales are the exact color of the water, so we won't be able to see it until it's right on top of us.

I am utterly terrified.

Takashi tries to encourage me by putting his hand on my shoulder. "It'll be fine, Haruko-san," he says. "We'll all fight the Dragon. You don't mind splitting the XP with Cinda, do you?"

Cinda shrugs. "You can keep it all. I just want the Dragon out of my hair."

I nod. "Okay..." I say. "Let's do this."

So we walk to the edge of the lake and draw our swords again. It's all silent, no birds or anything. I can't help but wonder what kind of monster drove all the nature away. And it scares me.

I look at Cinda. "How do we get its attention?" I ask.

"All I did was step in the water," she replies. So I elect to wade in the lake. But as soon as I step in, I notice how hot it is. It must almost be boiling. I step back and scream.

And I hear an ear-splitting roar.