[Two Days Later]


    The passage of time seemed interminable as I anxiously awaited ze''s emergence. Restlessness gnawed at my core, my mind gued with worries about his well-being in the depths below.


    "Perhaps he has already met his demise, drained of all vitality without the infusion of my mana," I murmured, the tendrils of unease coiling tighter within me.


    These past few days have unfolded like a surreal odyssey. Nourishment had been sustained by partaking in the meat of monstrous creatures, their primal essence fueling my existence. The elixir of the Bloodwell, with its obsidian hue, had be my sole means of quenching thirst, though its taste evoked a visceral repulsion that challenged my fortitude.


    Curiously, my voracious appetite had transformed into a mere whisper, an echo of its former insatiable roar. Once driven by an insatiable hunger, I now found sce in savoring meager sustenance. It was as if my very being had recalibrated to operate on a mode of energy conservation.


    Yet, amidst this backdrop of metamorphosis, I dared to plunge into the fathomless depths of the Bloodwell, a quest to unravel its enigmatic secrets. However, to my surprise, the abyss no longer heeded my presence. There was no tumultuous undertow or forceful current vying to drag me into oblivion. It became apparent that the DNA sample, the catalyst of primal power, was the elusive key to unlocking its depths. But for now, my foray into its murky depths would remain restrained by purpose.


    *Budubudu*


    "!!"Suddenly, a disruption broke the silence, stirring the waters above. Eyes widened, I conjured a flickering me, casting its luminous dance upon the scene. Illuminated by its ephemeral glow, a spectacle unveiled itself—a diminutive creature, battling against the encroaching water, its desperate struggle an embodiment of survival.


    ''Hey! Princess, save me!!!!!!'' A resounding voice reverberated within the recesses of my mind, bearing a familiarity that could not be denied.


    "ze!?" I eximed, my thoughts racing to make sense of the inexplicable. Was this not the same being, once towering and formidable? But now was not the time to dwell upon such bewildering revtions.


    ·?θm Dip*


    Without a moment''s hesitation, I plunged into the depths, propelled by a surge of unwavering determination to rescue this enigma in the throes of metamorphosis. Lingering doubts concerning ze''s inherent irritations were superseded by the urgency of the situation. I could not forsake him in this dire moment.


    With every stroke, I propelled myself towards the struggling figure, each thrust bringing us closer. And what I beheld upon arrival left me stupefied, a befuddlement that defied exnation.


    "What the fuck?" A wave of bewilderment washed over me, threatening to consume reason itself.


    "Nya!!" A diminutive feline fought valiantly against the relentless deluge, its minuscule form defying the overwhelming weight of the water.


    ''Don''t just stand there! Save me, you insolent son of a bitch!''A transmission crackled within my mind, confirming that this unfathomable spectacle was, without a doubt, ze.


    I slightly propelled myself towards the struggling creature, my strokes purposeful and unwavering. With every movement, the distance between us diminished until, at longst, I reached ze—or rather, the bewildering embodiment that he had be.


    Guided by an instinctual drive, I made my way to the water''s edge, a mixture of relief and amusement intertwining within me. The irony of the situation was not lost on me—ze, once an awe-inspiring dragon named shier, reduced to a hapless feline on the brink of drowning. Life possessed a peculiar penchant for turning the tables.


    Gently cing the sodden cat—ze—upon the ground, I observed as he shook off the excess water, his movements echoing the grace of an ordinary feline. Droplets scattered in a chaotic symphony, while an indignant re etched itself upon his feline countenance. I couldn''t help but find amusement in the sheer absurdity of it all.


    ''And you find this humorous, do you?'' ze''s voice, tinged with irritation, resonated within the depths of my mind. He had seized upon my thoughts, cursing my amusement.


    With levity dissipating, my attention turned to the immediate task at hand. I regarded ze''s new form, captivated by the intricate transformation that had taken ce. He had be a sleek ck cat, his coat exuding an ethereal luster. His eyes, a vivid yellow punctuated by inky retinas, held an enigmatic intensity. And upon his back, a pair of diminutive wings emerged, spanning a mere three to four inches in length.


    It was a sight to behold—the fusion of feline grace and mythical potency. In this new manifestation, ze seemed to radiate an aura of mystery.


    "Purr*"As ze fastidiously groomed himself, emting the meticulous and rhythmic movements that define felinity, I found myself captivated by the meticulous details of his metamorphosis. The wings, though diminutive, possessed an elegant allure, their obsidian plumage appearing almost otherworldly against the backdrop of his glossy fur.


    Step*


    Stepping back, I allowed ze to dry himself thoroughly, observing the intery of light and shadow upon his transformed physique. This altered appearance, a testament to his essence as the Winged Pardus, was as captivating as it was perplexing—an embodiment of the profound mysteries concealed within the realms of magic and metamorphosis.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Thepletion of ze''s grooming ritual, recognizing within this spectacle the extraordinary and unpredictable nature of existence. The mighty dragon, who was supposed to be a winged ck cat, had found his way back to me.


    "Umm... So, how did you end up as a mini version of Winged Pardus?" I inquired, observing the distinct features that set him apart from an ordinary street cat, albeit with a slightly different aura.


    ze fixed his gaze upon me, his eyes filled with a mix of seriousness and calmness, and he said, "nya!!"


    To my surprise, he let out a soft, that echoed through the air, leaving a lingering sense of intrigue.


    .... Silence....


    "Huh?" My expression quickly shifted from bewilderment to a wide grin, followed by uncontrobleughter. "Pffttt hahaha, nya? What on earth, Smokeball!" I chuckled, finding his meowing quite amusing.


    ze wore a perplexed expression, attempting to articte himself but only producing more meows.


    After a few minutes of unabatedughter, I gradually regained myposure.


    ''It seems like you''ve lost your ability to speak due to this transformation,'' I transmitted my thoughts through our mental connection, realizing that I couldmunicate with him in this manner, given his intelligence and our existing contract.


    It made sense. His current form would naturally hinder his ability to articte words.


    ''It''s not funny!'' ze retorted, his frustration palpable. ''I... I... Ugh, I don''t want to talk in this form anymore now!'' He growled, clearly exasperated by the embarrassing "nya" sound that had reced his oncemanding voice.


    ''Hey, Princess!'' ze called out to me, his voiceced with a sense of urgency. ''Step back a little more,'' hemanded, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. Intrigued and slightly apprehensive, Iplied with his request, taking a few cautious steps backward.


    Confusion swirled within me as I tried to fathom his intentions. What was he up to now? I wondered, my mind abuzz with curiosity.


    ze closed his eyes, his feline gaze hidden beneath the delicate veil of his lids. A hush fell over the surroundings, as if the very air held its breath in anticipation. And then, with a radiant burst of energy, a golden diamond-like symbol materialized on his forehead, gleaming with an otherworldly luminescence.


    *Shinsh*


    As the symbol shimmered upon his brow, a surge of ck and purple lightning-like aura enveloped ze, crackling with power and untamed magic. The air around him seemed to pulsate with a potent energy, as his transformation began, inch by inch, leaving me awestruck at the unfolding spectacle.


    "Oh?"I watched in wonder as his form underwent a magnificent metamorphosis, each subtle change radiating with an air of majestic grandeur. The once unassuming street cat now assumed the form of a regal and fearsome Winged Pardus, a mythical creature of awe-inspiring might and grace.


    *Grrr*


    The body of a sleek and muscr ck panther emerged, exuding an aura of untamed power. From his broad shoulders sproutedrge, formidable wings, reminiscent of those belonging to a bat, with a leathery texture and an impressive span. The wings, with theirmanding presence, promised flight and freedom, a testament to the untethered nature of this extraordinary being.


    (Illustration.)


    ''Whatcha think?''ze, now in his majestic form, stood before me, his amber eyes gleaming with an intense luminosity that pierced through the darkness. He embodied the essence of elegance and power, a predator navigating the vast expanse of the night sky with seamless agility.


    I stood there, captivated by the sheer magnificence of the Winged Pardus, humbled by the immense power that emanated from his very being. It was a sight that would forever be etched in my memory, a testament to the wondrous depths of magic and the limitless possibilities that lie hidden within us all.


    "You still can''tmunicate with me in a normal manner," I finally uttered, unable to suppress the curiosity that tugged at my mind.