Extreme close-up portrait of Gerald — anthropomorphic hamster, small golden-brown fur, bright black eyes, wearing ornate battle-worn full plate armour silver with faint gold trim perfectly fitted to his tiny frame, photorealistic fur and armour detail — face filling the frame completely, staring directly into camera. Expression: absolute fierce calm. Eyes locked forward, unblinking. A single bead of sweat on his fur near his temple — not fear, effort. Jaw set. The look of something that has already decided. Behind him completely out of focus: faint red glow of the dragon's bioluminescent veins. Mountain peak dawn atmosphere, smoke drifting. Cinematic 16:9, extreme shallow depth of field, hard key light from one side casting deep shadow across half his face, photorealistic, film grain. Motion direction Camera holds completely still. Gerald does not move. Does not blink. Does not flinch. His fur moves once with a single slow breath — barely visible. The red glow behind him pulses very faintly once. His eyes stay locked on camera for the entire clip. Hold to the end.