They arrived at the ocean just as the sun descended. The flaming ball of fire left the earth and surrendered to the Mother of the Night. And she arose beautiful and gleaming into the night sky. And as soon as her rays touched Sean's skin, he began to change…

Lira's eyes widened as Sean's clothes shredded before her. His skin was brightening and changed to a deep luster that glowed to a golden color. She could see the scales beginning to appear and then his wings began to spread from his shoulders. Soon his fingernails turned to claws, and his face began to lengthen into a snout. Finally, he stood before her within his dragon state. He towered far above her and was a little larger than she was in her dragon form. He gleamed before her. Sean cocked an eye at her and swooped his giant face toward Lira's.

Now what was your surprise?

This.

Lira knelt to the ground and inhaled deeply placing her hands against her chest. She then lifted her arms to the moon, and the light began to fill her. Lira spread her arms, and Sean watched as her skin changed to an amethyst color. He grinned knowing what she was about. Her eyes changed to silver, and her scales began to grow. He took in the lovely sight of her as a dragon, and she finally stood next to him locked within her dragon form as well. She had finally learned how to channel her power. Lira approached him and nuzzled her head against his.

You're beautiful, Lira.

You're not so bad yourself. Show me your powers.

A cocky grin spread across his features and he breathed out a puff of smoke and then released a few sparks of red flame. Lira was so far impressed. And then he began to disappear. He could control his invisibility in all states. His tail began to disappear at first. She could faintly see an outline, but if no one were looking closely, Sean would be invisible.

Do you wish to astral us tonight? Sean asked becoming visible again.

Well, it is tiring. And I am already fatigued from our day.

Then come and lay with me in the cove. We can just listen to the ocean together and fall asleep.

Sounds good to me.

However, Lira did not remain in the cave for long. Sean fell asleep quickly, and the night was far to perfect. And the ocean was far too vast for her not to explore it.

The rain beat down hard upon Lira as she sailed across the waves. She felt entirely free. The stars were bright even though some clouds dared to hide them. She loved the thrill of flying and of falling deep within the air. However, she did not realize she was being followed. Without a sound, the black dragon came upon her. Lira increased her flight and began to call to Sean within her mind, but something prevented her. Was it the increasing barrier of the storm or a wall that Mordah was causing on purpose? She zig zagged away from him as he came near. His claws were ready to strike not for a killing stroke but merely to paralyze her. This she feared. He was more mighty than she was in his dragon form. Far more powerful. Lira knew only one thing she had left to do that could buy her some time. She would need to ensure that it would work, however. If she tried and failed, he would take her. Lira looked up at the stars and channeled her power.

I wouldn't do that if I were you…Mordah warned, but she ignored him.

Lira focused on the stars and began to astral. Instantly she took off sailing high into the heavens the stars at her side. Now she was safe or so she thought. She could see the earth far below her and the rains that continued to pour down beneath. The barrier was gone, and she released a faint message. It might be her only chance. And it was…For no sooner had she echoed the words than Mordah appeared in front of her sailing upon a star and making right for her.

As soon as Sean heard the words, he stood up bumping his golden head into the cove. He ridiculed himself for letting Lira leave his side. This was the night of the full moon, and he knew Mordah wanted her in her dragon state. As soon as he felt her brushing a message across his mind, he instantly jerked awake. She was in trouble. And he had no way of getting to her. She had astralled into the heavens. Sean did not have that power, and for the first time in his life, he experienced a feeling of helplessness.

They stopped in mid air and faced each other. Mordah's deep black eyes made contact with her silver ones. She was so beautiful even in dragon form.

It is time to stop playing games now, Lira. You will come with me now.

No. She merely replied.

If you cooperate, it will go pleasantly for you. But I have not the time to win your heart. My master is growing anxious and wishes progress to be made. And there is only one way that can be done. Come now or I will have to hurt you. And you know I can.

I can be fierce as well…

So be it.

Mordah sent a wall of black flame toward Lira. She knew it was nothing like Sean's power. It would not burn her. It would freeze her. She moved quickly and dodged the wall as it came near and followed it with an attack of her own. Mordah watched in fascination as a stream of bright purple sparks issued from her mouth. He quickly ascended, and they floated off into nothingness.

Beautiful and deadly. This is going to be fun.

With a tremendous roar, Mordah unleashed yet another wall except this one was followed by quick streams that zig zagged here and there making it harder for her to dodge them. Lira was not trained with her fire power. She knew she would have to astral herself out of the predicament before it was too late. She only hoped Sean would get to her before she collapsed. She was already growing tired. Mordah fired again, and this time, one stream met its mark upon her outstretched claw. Lira found it instantly impossible to move, and now she knew it was time.

She instantly roared and fell downward. Silver rays gushed before her as she dove back to the earth. Mordah growled and followed her, but knew that she had not planned out her situation.

Lira fell back into the earth and was instantly met by a torrent of rain. She was weak and knew she could not survive much longer. The ocean was beneath her, and the small island was still far off.

Sean, Sean…she begged in distress. Please help me…

I'm coming. Just hang on.

She heard the message, and a ray of hope flooded through her. She could see his golden form approaching from the distance. It shot a surge of strength through her, but it was then shot to pieces. A black shadow quickly crossed the path in front of her, and before she even realized it, the wall was upon her, and she could not move. Lira sunk into the waves powerless to do anything. They crashed over her body, and she found herself undone by the swirling water. She could not breathe, and she found herself sinking further and further. And then her head submerged, and she smiled thinking Sean had dove into the water to retrieve her. But her hopes were dashed when she realized it was not Sean but Mordah.

Sean, no…she merely whimpered.

His golden form approached Mordah. Sean's eyes were filled with anger as he watched him holding onto Lira.

Release her Sean demanded, but Mordah simply gave an evil cackle.

No.

Lira found herself once embraced by the silver waves. Mordah had astralled them again, and Sean was far away and unable to do anything. Weak and exhausted from the night's end, Lira closed her eyes and surrendered into unconsciousness as Mordah carried her away to an unknown destiny she knew she would have to face.