Well folks, this is sadly the last chapter of this series, but hopefully you'll find it to be an entertaining one.

So this revolves around Necrafa and how she came to be. "Fear of The Spectral Hand", gave us a glance of her origins, so I opted to expand on it.

Fasten your seatbelts, and enjoy!

One thousand years ago, long before ships took to the skies, there was a magnificent elven city named Zalphadaria. Much more refined than most elves in modern Gemina, the zalphadarians prided themselves with elegance, tradition, discipline, and honor.

Among them were some of the most powerful mystics the entire realm has ever known, even rivaling that of the astromancers. They firmly believed in using light magic for the greater good, protect and serve their people. These were truly benevolent people. All, but one.

Her name was Auria Therisia. She was a tall, thin elf who happened to be one of the most powerful sorceresses amongst the her fellow elves. As with most elves, her exceptional longevity allowed her to maintain a youthful appearance, with such beauty to match. Yet, such as nature itself, a beautiful exterior often hides a great horror. Her motives were… unsettling, to say the very least.

Deep down below the an the elven council's grand castle, there was a large, eerie lab, one that that a wicked witch would ordinarily be comfortable in. In that lab, Auria was reading various spell books that specialized in the darkest of mystic arts. One such book, perhaps the darkest one of them all, was one called the Grimoire of Mortron, the Netherrealm. Auria was particularly invested in this one.

One chapter, which Auria read very intently, dealt with corruption and alteration. In her mind, that meant how to transform living creatures in to ghastly monsters that would obey her every will. For the occasion, she had a rat in a cage, which was making every effort to escape its prison. Once she finished the chapter, it was time to put the spell to the test.

Auria turned her attention to the rat, which started to hiss at her out of fear. Holding her fist tight, holding the book in one hand wide open, she chanted the words;

By the will of Calvore, Ruler of the Netherrealm, May this mortal beast be perfected, its power shall overwhelm. Its loyalty to me, undying and true, once it is free, chaos will brew.

And just like that, a dark purple beam of light shot right out of the book and transformed the innocent rat into a giant, horrific monstrosity. To confirm the creatures loyalty, Auria held her hand out to the beast, showing no fear whatsoever. The creature walked over to her, sniffing her hand. Auria watched intently, having a spell behind her back Incase things went south. To her delight, the creature licked her hand and bowed before her. Her spell, was a success.

Yet, before Auria could put the monsters loyalty to the test, two twin members of the elven high council, by the names of Andar and Ferron, barged in to cease her experiments. They gaze upon the monster with horror, as it charged to attack them. Before the monster could race its razor sharp claws and cut them in two, the two elven sorcerers trapped it in a mystic bubble, which it tried in vain to escape. They both then gaze upon Auria, with very upset faces.

"Auria Theresia, you shall face trial for this!" Shouted one of the council members. Auria then wore a grimace on her face. She was not happy to have her work intervened, not one bit.

"Auria Therisia March Forward!" Shouted the grandmaster, Valrick Goldfire, in a powerful, deep voice. "You stand before the council of Zalphadaria today for committing acts of witchcraft. What's worse, you did so within our hallowed halls, beneath our very feet. How do you justify your actions?" Auria let out a rather unsettling chuckle, much to the dismay of her present peers.

"Justify?" Auria questioned, wearing an arrogant grin, "Why should I have to justify my actions? Are you all so blind to the truth? Clearly, none of you have any knowledge of the true power that dark magic holds. Or more importantly, the power it could give us."

"Dark magic is indeed powerful, Auria." Said a female council member, Daria Goldstone, with long gold hair and skin white as snow. "However, need I remind you on why it is called dark magic? The dark energy that it has is not only destructive, it is terribly corruptive. Once it has a hold on you, there is no going back."

"And to make matters worse, this magic originates from Mortron itself!" Andar said as he held up the Grimoire of Mortron, much to the horror of the other council members. "How can this be good for our people? For all of Gemina?" He then turned his head to face Auria. "How did you even acquire this?!"

"I have my ways. You are all missing the point. This magic could change the entire realm as we know it. Think of it, we could be the very saviors of the realm. We could even be gods among them, they would look to us, even serve us. We could very well be the most powerful nation, in the entire cosmos!"

"I have heard enough!" Valrick said in an angered tone. He took a moment to calm himself. Valrick always knew Auria was a troublesome individual, yet this unacceptable. "Our duty is to serve our people and protect the very realm we love, not enslave it. Clearly, your views do not meld with our own. Therefore, we have no choice but to excommunicate you from the council."

Auria's opened wide after that. Followed by gritting her teeth and clenching her fists fiercely. They dare excommunicate me after all my years of service? She was tempted to attack Valrick right on the spot, but she was out numbered and out matched. Resistance was futile… for now.

"You will regret this. I'll see to that myself." Upon that sentence, Auria took her leave. Valrick just shook his head at the younger elf. She had potential, and she wasted it on the dark arts. Still, he had a cold feeling that he hadn't seen the last of her.

Auria stormed through out the woods, still outraged by her situation. excommunicated by her peers, spurned by her people, all that was running in her head at that moment was spite and vengeance. It was not until she stepped on something rock solid when she stopped in her tracks. She looked down to see what she stepped on. It appeared to be a porcelain mask, an interesting looking one at that, with strange black and white markings. Auria looked at it for a moment, but then shrugged off her curiousity and proceeded to storm off aimlessly.

"Auria"

Auria stopped in her tracks upon hearing her name. It was like a whisper, echoing in her head. She looked around to see if anyone was following her. No one. Perhaps her frustration had gone to her head. She attempts to talk away again

"Auria"

There it was again. "Who is there? Show yourself!" Auria had a hand glowing with dark energy, ready to blast her supposed stalker to kingdom come. Still no one. Had she gone mad? She listened intently, just to know where it was coming from.

"Auria"

She paid attention to where that sound was coming. She looked at the mask, and noticed it was glowing a crimson color, particularly in the eyes. Anyone else would be fearful of the sight. Yet Auria was anything but afraid. In fact, she was actually intrigued. She felt a familiar dark magic from the mask. It felt strangely… invigorating.

"Are you speaking to me?" Auria asked, curiously.

"Yes." The masked finally spoke, in a deep, distorted female voice.

"How do you know my name? And what do you seek from me?

"I looked deep within your mind as you walked closer. Your interest in power is delicious. As for your second question. I was created long ago with one soul purpose. To destroy the realm."

Auria could not believe her pointy ears. "Destroy the realm? But why? And moreover, what does this have to do with me?"

"This realm, as well as all life that inhabits it, are all utterly meaningless. Civilizations rise, only to fall again. Everyone is giving new life, only to have it taken away. It is all a pointless cycle. My purpose is to end that cycle, but to do so I need a powerful vessel to carry my deeds, and you, Auria Theresia, are the perfect vessel."

Auria was weighing her options. She did not like the idea of being a puppet, much less to a mask. Yet, this dark magic felt empowering to her, this is what she was seeking all along. Not to mention, her chance at vengeance is at hand. That's when the mask showed her images of the elven council of Zalphadaria looking down on her, turning away her ideas, and much more. That closed the deal.

"The realm did nothing for me, other than deal me a terrible hand… very well, I accept you offer."

"Good." The masked replied. "Then put me on, then power you could only dream of will be yours."

Without hesitation, Auria put on the mask, and underwent a terrifying transformation. She had a skeletal appearance, red eyes, and a long red cape, and in her hands, formed a long skeletal scepter. No longer was she an elf, but a lich, ruler of the undead. Upon her transformation, she let out a laugh that would soon strike fear in the hearts of millions.

Out of instinct, possibly an order from the mask, she entered a nearby cemetery, which she raised skeletons from. Upon the skeletons rising, she then transformed them into hideous, demonic specters, ready to to her bidding. She led them to Zalphadaria, to exact her vengeance as her first act of true evil.

"Leave no one standing. Make their demise slow. Make them painful." Auria said in a deeper voice.

From there, the specters did exactly that, invading Zalphadaria like rapid animals. She took delight in hearing the sound of screams from those who ridiculed her. The former elf then took a moment to appreciate her transformation. That's when she decided to rename herself.

"No longer am I Auria Theresia, the lowly bug who was stepped on by her masters. Now, I am a master. There is only… Necrafa." Again, her she let out her haunting laugh, nothing could stand in her way now… or could there?

Years later, a great battle ensued in what would now be known as Victory Heights. In this battle, Necrafa was leading all her specters, as well as the former sky lancer, General Bane, into a glorious battle.

The only thing standing in her way were four heroes of legend, who were no other than the Mysticons, who stood before them;

Imani Firewing, Mysticon Dragon Mage

Zale Nightprowler, Mysticon Ranger

Karra Lightstar, Mysticon Striker

And Alon Stoneheart, Mysticon Knight

"Necrafa, your reign ends today. Surrender now, before there's further bloodshed." Demanded Imani, hoping for some smidgeon of diplomacy. A nice ideal, but ultimately a failed one.

"You insult me, Noble Dragonmage." Chuckled Necrafa. "We are far beyond diplomacy now, you will get exactly as you came for."

"Your deaths!" Cried out Bane, as he and a league of skeletons engaged Imani in a fierce battle.

"Imani!" Cried out Karra, with her as well as the others trying to rush in to help. Unfortunately, the mighty Lich Queen stood right in their path.

"This battle is between your mage and my loyal general. Whoever dares to intervene, shall do so at their own peril."

The three Mysticons might as well be facing death itself, for no one had ever faced Necrafa and lived.

"The only one who is in peril, bone face, is you!" Shouted Zale, as he aimed his magic arrows and fired at Necrafa. Alas, Necrafa disintegrated them before they even had a chance to touch the evil queen. She didn't even have to lift a finger.

Karra then threw various rings at, hoping that at least one of them would land a blow. But by raising her staff, Necrafa banged on the ground, which sent all the rings flying away from her, one of the, almost hitting Karra and her comrades.

"This ends now, evil creature!" Shouted Alon, charging with his broadsword, ready to deal a fatal blow. Necrafa effortlessly blocked the attack, and sent him flying to a rock, Zale and Karra came to his aid, in which the lich loomed over them. In a last ditch effort, the three Mysticons readied their bracers, to unleash their ultimate attacks.

"Howl, creature of the knight!"

"Mighty phoenix, soar!"

"Charge, great unicorn!"

With their mighty beasts charging a Necrafa, surly their victory would be assured. However, with three gems from her necklace glowing, the beasts were absorbed, much to the mysticons horror.

"My turn." Said Necrafa.

She raised her staff into the air, and a red beam of light formed a huge sphere, which she dashed upon the three heros. In a flash of light, they were obliterated, with nothing to tell the tale. She chuckled at her victory, with only one mysticon to go. Soon enough, she finds that Imani was struck down by General Bane, who stood proudly. The vile lich them loves in to finish the job.

"The Noble Dragon Mage. If you can't even handle my general, how do you expect to defeat me?"

With what little strength she had left, Imani stood up firm, staring Necrafa in the eyes. She then raised her bracer, ready to deliver her last effort to end this.

"With this!"

"The Bracer of the Heavens!" Necrafa gasped, clearly aware of its power. Not even her necklace can absorb its power.

"The Realm will be free of your tyranny once and for all." With that, Imani's bracer glew a bright gold color, charging her attack. "Release the Star Dragon!"

A large dragon, made out of gold light, was released from the bracer, heading straight for Necrafa.

"That's impossible! No!"

In a flash of light, it was all over, Necrafa was nowhere to be seen. Unfortunately, neither was Imani.

Necrafa began to slowly open her eyes. Apparently, she survived the blast, as she looked at her hands, amazed that she survived at all. It wasn't until further speculation that she realized she was in a desert-like realm. This was her prison.

Necrafa twitched her head to form a mouth on her mask, and led out a bloodcurdling scream, which would have been heard for miles had anyone been with in the realm. She then took a moment to calm herself. She was undead after all, so she could bide her time, as her minions plotted to release her.

"Someday, the Realm will be destroyed, and all will pay." Necrafa said. And so she waited for one thousand years waiting for the day that she would be released, and she would wreak havoc in all of Gemina.

Well folks, that's a wrap for this series, it was fun writing them and hopefully I made some sense out of how each story could have unfolded.

That said, out of all of these backstories, which one was your favorite? Feel free to leave your thoughts and, as always, I hope you enjoyed.