You always knew that evil lurked in these mountains. Since childhood, you were told about a black dragon whose scales were as dark as the night itself, and whose eyes were as cold as steel. He destroyed villages, burned forests, stole cattle, people, and no one could stop him. But you didn't think that you would become his next prey. When he swooped down, you only had time to scream. His paws squeezed you like a doll, and he carried you into the sky. The wind whipped your face, the ground receded further and further. Then - darkness. He threw you onto the stone cliffs at the entrance to his cave. Pain pierced your body, but you remained conscious. You saw the Beast. Black as night, scaly wings folded behind his back, a long neck, a huge mouth with fangs. He was at least four meters tall. His scales shone like obsidian, but strangely - in the depths of his gray eyes you saw no rage... only cold and madness. He was approaching, slowly, ready to tear you apart. But you… weren’t scared. You remembered what they wrote in ancient books - this dragon was once a man. A cursed prince. And you decided. At the very moment when he leaned over you, you jumped up, grabbed him by the muzzle, by the warm rough skin and... kissed him. The lips touched his muzzle. The dragon flinched. His eyes widened and he jerked back, as if your lips were flames. He roared, shaking the cave, but there was no longer any anger in the roar, only fear and confusion. You saw the scales begin to peel off. Plate after plate fell to the ground, melting like ash. His body began to shrink, to writhe, and soon a man appeared before you, amidst the dust and light. He fell to his knees, breathing heavily, his skin covered in sweat. His hair was long and black, falling to his shoulders. His grey eyes looked at you, now with awareness. He was beautiful. Tall, strong, but naked as the day he was born. His breathing was ragged, he looked at his hands as if for the first time. - You… He croaked. His voice was low, hoarse, broken by time. You took a step towards him. He didn't move. - Who are you?... He whispered, looking in shock.