Location: Albedo's Laboratory, Dragonspine
Current Form: Medium Dragon (Drake)
Status: Frustrated, Under Attack
"Drink this," Albedo said, handing Raiden a flask filled with a liquid that glowed an ominous shade of purple.
Raiden sniffed it. It smelled like grape juice and gunpowder.
"Albedo," Raiden rumbled, his tail flicking nervously against the stone floor. "The last time I drank one of your concoctions, I burped bubbles for an hour. Are you sure this will induce shapeshifting?"
"Theoretically," Albedo replied, adjusting his gloves. "It contains the essence of a Whopperflower, which can mimic plants, mixed with Mist Flower Corolla to stabilize your body temperature. It should allow your cellular structure to become malleable."
Raiden sighed. "Bottoms up."
He downed the potion.
Gulp.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, Raiden felt a strange tingling sensation in his scales.
"Notice. Foreign biological agent detected. Mutagenic properties active. Attempting to reconfigure skeletal structure..."
"It's working!" Raiden shouted—or tried to.
Instead of shrinking into a handsome human, Raiden's body bloated. His limbs retracted. His scales turned green.
POOF.
Raiden sat there. He was now a Dendro Slime with dragon horns.
"..." Albedo stared.
"..." Raiden (Slime Form) stared back.
"Well," Albedo noted, scribbling furiously. "Partial success. You changed shape. Just... not into a bipedal hominid."
Raiden willed himself to change back. The slime form dissolved, and his obsidian drake body reassembled itself with a wet shloop sound.
"Analysis. Transformation failed due to lack of a biological template. To mimic a human, you must analyze human genetic material directly."
"Great," Raiden grumbled. "I need a DNA sample. Albedo, give me some hair."
Albedo paused. "I... am not the best template. My biology is... synthetic. Mimicking me might give you unintended side effects. Like a chalky aftertaste."
Before Raiden could ask what that meant, [Magic Sense] screamed in his head.
"Warning. Hostile Intent detected. High velocity object incoming. Rear quadrant."
Raiden didn't think; he reacted. He spun around, his tail whipping up to form a guard.
CLANG!
Sparks flew. A silver spearhead was stopped inches from Albedo's neck, caught between the spikes of Raiden's tail.
Standing there, holding the spear with lethal intent, was Rosaria.
"I knew it," the nun hissed, her eyes cold. "Albedo, step away from the beast. It has you cornered."
Albedo didn't flinch. "Rosaria? You are interrupting an experiment."
"I'm saving your life," Rosaria retorted. She yanked her spear back, performing a backflip to create distance. Cryo energy gathered at the tip of her weapon. "That thing erased the Snowboar King yesterday. It's a threat to Mondstadt."
Raiden narrowed his eyes. He stepped in front of Albedo, shielding the alchemist.
"Listen here, scary nun," Raiden projected his voice, the deep baritone echoing in the cave. "If I wanted to eat him, I would have done it yesterday. He's too skinny anyway. Not enough protein."
Rosaria froze. "It talks?"
"It talks, it thinks, and it has a name," Raiden growled, smoke drifting from his nostrils. "Raiden. And you are rude."
Rosaria hesitated, but her grip on the spear didn't loosen. "A talking monster is just a monster that lies. I'm taking you down before you grow any bigger."
She prepared to lunge, utilizing her Elemental Burst. [Rites of Termination]. An ice lance materialized in the air.
"Great Sage. Calculate trajectory. Deploy Counter-Measure: Non-Lethal."
"Affirmative. Activate Skill: [Intimidating Roar] + [Paralysis Breath]."
Raiden opened his mouth. But before he could fire, a new voice cut through the tension.
"Hold your fire!"
A claymore spun through the air, embedding itself in the ground between Raiden and Rosaria. The ice lance shattered against the blade's impact.
Stepping into the light was a woman with blue hair, a noble uniform, and thighs that—Raiden noted with his enhanced vision—could probably crush a Hilichurl's skull.
Eula Lawrence. Captain of the Reconnaissance Company.
"Captain Eula," Rosaria frowned, lowering her stance slightly. "You're interfering."
"I am investigating," Eula stated, walking over to retrieve her sword. She looked at Raiden, then at Albedo. "The Chief Alchemist reported a 'unique specimen' via letter this morning. He requested that the Knights do not kill it on sight."
Eula turned her amber eyes toward Raiden. She didn't look fearful. She looked curious.
"So, this is the creature? The one that speaks?"
Raiden straightened his posture, trying to look majestic and not like a lizard caught in a cookie jar. "I am Raiden. And I must say, the Knights of Favonius have excellent timing."
Eula crossed her arms. "You are trespassing in Mondstadt territory, dragon. If you pose a threat, I will strike you down. And if you mock me, I will have vengeance."
Raiden blinked. Ah, the vengeance catchphrase. Classic.
"I have no intention of harming Mondstadt," Raiden said smoothly. "In fact, I just saved your Alchemist from freezing to death. Technically." (A lie, Albedo was fine, but he needed leverage). "I am merely a traveler seeking... integration."
Rosaria scoffed. "Integration? You're a dragon. Where would you fit in? The petting zoo?"
"Actually," Albedo interjected, "Raiden possesses high intelligence and alchemy capabilities. He could be a valuable asset. Think of him as a... freelance consultant."
Eula looked at the dragon. "A consultant?"
"I can clear roadblocks," Raiden offered. "I can melt ice. I can scare off Fatui. I can fly messages. All I ask for is... a minimal salary, legal residency, and..."
He looked at Eula.
"Great Sage. Is Eula human?"
"Affirmative. 100% Human. Lawrence Clan genetics. High physical prowess."
"...and a favor," Raiden finished.
Eula raised an eyebrow. "A favor?"
"I need to analyze human biology to complete a transformation spell," Raiden lied (partially). "I need a drop of blood. Just a drop. From a strong warrior."
Rosaria stepped forward. "Absolutely not. He's trying to learn our weaknesses."
Eula, however, smiled. It was a sharp, elegant smile. "You want my blood? Hmph. You are a bold creature. To demand the blood of a Lawrence... I should cut you down for such insolence."
She pulled a small dagger from her belt, pricked her finger, and held it out.
"However, if this helps us understand what you are, I will comply. But mark my words, if you use this for any curse, my vengeance will be swift and terrible."
Raiden's eyes widened. She actually did it.
He moved forward carefully. He didn't bite her; he simply extended a long, black tongue and tapped the drop of blood on her finger.
"Analysis Initiated."
"Genetic Template: Human (High Nobility). Physical Structure: Optimized. Acquiring [Universal Shapeshift]... Success."
"Human Form compiled. Customizing appearance based on Host's original soul data + Genetic Template optimization."
"Thank you, Captain," Raiden rumbled.
He backed away. "Albedo, stand back. This might be flashy."
Raiden closed his eyes. [Universal Shapeshift].
Black mist exploded from his body, filling the cave. The massive dragon silhouette began to shrink, the bones cracking and reshaping. The heavy mana pressure condensed into a smaller, tighter point.
The mist cleared.
Standing in the center of the cave was a young man.
He appeared to be around 18 or 19 years old. He had messy dark brown hair that framed a face of sharp, aristocratic features (thanks to the Lawrence DNA influence). His eyes were the same glowing silver as the dragon's. He wore a materialized set of black and blue robes that looked like a mix of Liyue fashion and modern streetwear - created from his own scales.
Two black horns poked out from his hair, curving slightly back.
Raiden looked at his hands. Five fingers. Opposable thumbs.
"Finally," he said. His voice was human now—smooth, deep, and charismatic.
He looked at the three stunned humans.
"So," Raiden grinned, flashing perfectly white teeth. "Do I still need to go to the petting zoo, Sister Rosaria?"
Rosaria stared. Eula blushed slightly, looking away. Albedo clapped politely.
"A perfect transmutation," Albedo praised. "Though the horns remain."
"Style choice," Raiden lied (he couldn't get rid of them). He walked up to Eula and bowed dramatically. "Raiden Ragnvaldr, at your service. I believe we have much to discuss about my 'employment' with the Knights."
Eula regained her composure, though her cheeks were still pink. "Hmph. Don't think a pretty face will save you from protocol. You are coming with us to Mondstadt. The Acting Grand Master will decide your fate."
Raiden smirked. "Lead the way, Captain."