In the center of the great hall, sat a large empty cauldron. It's many years of disuse were evident on it's rusting, sharp edges; dried blood visible in on it's feet.

"What does the Dark one require?"

"We need information on a certain Blood Elf named Nevaria."

"The High Elven Ranger?"

"Ah, you know of her. Yes, we need to know everything about this woman."

The sickly half-elf slowly made her way towards the cauldron. Taking her scared hand, she tore it across the the jagged edges, causing blood to pour into the cauldron. As her blood mixed with the black, thick liquid it began to boil. Soon her eyes began to glow a deep red, and as she spoke, the same red light burst forth from the cauldron, filling the room with an eerie glow.

"The High Ranger General, false daughter of a Silverstream...truth hidden in flesh, a true power lies below..."

Nexrya's voice faded away as visions began to form in the red mist that hung above the cauldron.

"That's her." Ayran whispered, staring at the Azure haired elf.

The visions went slowly at first, then started to speed by faster and faster. Most of the visions were of Nevaria with the Rangers, of the War, of Kalec.

"What is this elf's weakness? There must be something!"

Suddenly the visions stopped on Nevaria kneeling next to a small, golden haired boy. Soon, a broken sound started to come from the mist as well.

"No...Now..Now you listen to me Calanon. Yo..You're my little broth..brother, and as long as I'm around...Noth...Nothing will ever hurt you."

Ayran laughed darkly, gripping the chain harder, pulling Nexrya to the floor.

"She will rise to complete the circle, a new birth of the Azure Flight. The Dark One will fall..." Nexrya's ragged voice rang through the hall.

"That's enough!" a dark voice blasted through the hall, a voice that caused Nexrya to wraith in pain on the floor. "Do what you will with this creature Aryan, but kill this Nevaria."

"My Lord..."

"Find this boy and bring him to me. He will be the elf's undoing."

"Yes, of course My lord."

"And Ayran...Do not disappoint me again." Rhovarian hissed as he again vanished into the dark corridors that lead deeper into the mountain. He went down, down, deeper than any other dared go. Here, the earth cried of it's pain, it's betrayal, it's torment. Years ago, this pain was not there, years ago he would have cared. He was Rhovarian. The earth's protector, it's guardian, but no longer.

He chuckled as he twirled a black stone pendant between his discolored fingers. Slowly, he turned from his sickly, broken human form into a nightmarish, black, soul chilling, Dragon. He was Rhovarian...Aspect of the Earth.

The sky above Goldwynn begun to darken, it's bright sunshine blocked out with dark black storm clouds.

"Calanon! Come on! We need to get home. I don't want to get stuck out in this storm!" called Saphrina over the wind that began to blow furiously across the meadow.

"Just a few more minutes Rina! I'm almost done. I just have to find one more and it'll be perfect!"

"What are you doing over there anyway?" she said, pushing her wind blown hair out of her face.

"I've got to find one more stone."

"Stone? What on earth for?"

"For Ria's wedding present. Been working on it all night."

As if she wasn't annoyed enough about Ria and Kalec's wedding, now she was going to be stuck out in a storm waiting for some stupid rock for their wedding present. Her face flushed hot as her anger grew.

"Come on! If you don't hurry up, you'll just get left here and you can find your own way home. I am not getting sick because of you." she yelled as she stood up and began heading back towards the cover of the forest.

"Rina, wait! I found it!" Calanon called, grabbing a shining stone from the stream.

"Whatever, Let's just go!" she shouted back as she reached the tree line of the forest. Faintly behind her, she could hear Cal running through the field, trying to catch up with her. Suddenly, she stopped. She no longer heard Cal, and the meadow began still. As the hairs on the back of her neck began to stand up, her ears were filled with Calanon's screams.

She turned and ran back towards the meadow. "Cal!" she screaming, running back to the stream. She froze, stunned by what she saw. In the center of the meadow was a giant winged creature with burning red eyes, and was darker than the now blackened sky. In it's claw, was some bright red.

"No!" she screamed as she realized the ball of red was her brother's limp body. "Calanon! No!"

Saphrina began throwing whatever she could find at the beast, one large rock striking it in the muzzle. Turning it's huge head, she caught it's terrifying gaze. It growled something she couldn't understand and seconds later felt her feet leave the ground. She fought with all her strength to loosen the beasts grip when she saw Goldwynn City become smaller and smaller, before finally disappearing behind the black skies.

She screamed as another creature joined them in the sky, but this one wasn't the same dark, ominous color. Instead it was a bright, shining blue. When she met his gaze, her head swam and she finally felt everything fade away behind her closed eyes.

When Saphrina was finally able to open her eyes, there was nothing but darkness. Lifting her hand to her pounding head, it found her arms were much heavier and each time she moved, something clanged loudly on the cold stone floor. Groaning, she tried to move, but she aching head made her dizzy.

"Rina?"

"Cal? Is that you?" she whispered into the darkness.

"Rina, I'm scared. Where are we?"

"I don't know, Cal..."

She jumped as the door flew open with a loud bang as it crashed against the wall. She shielded her eyes from the light now pouring into the room as a tall figure stood in the door way, a hooded robe covering all his features.

'Good to see you've awakened. My master is in need of you and is not one for waiting."

"What do you want with us?" Rina demanded.

"We don't need you. Just the boy."

"My family will come looking for us. My big sister is the Ranger General of Goldwynn City and she'll kill you if you hurt us!"

"I hope she does come looking for you. I cannot wait to meet her." the man chuckled.

"Where have you been?" Krasus asked, crossing his arms as he leaned in her doorway.

"Just around. Exploring the kingdom..or whatever you call it."

"So, have you made a decision?"

"Not, exactly. I need to speak with Kalec."

"He's been called to a meeting with the other Aspects."

"Where are they?"

"In the Golden Realm. Durion said it was urgent."

"Can you take me there?"

"I'm afraid, I cannot. The meeting was strictly between Aspects."

"When will he be back?"

"I don't know. I don't even know what's so important. The Aspect's mate were not allowed to attend either, so it must be pretty major."

"Oh."

Suddenly, before Krasus could respond he was nearly pierced by a shower of ice.

"Ayran! What are you doing here!? You were forbidden from entering this place!" shouted Krasus who now was in his Draconian form.

"I've come to deliver a message for the she-elf. A gift from the Dark One." he said, sneering. Before jumping into the air, he dropped a linen wrapped package on the ice and vanished. Nevaria ran to grab the package, but Krasus stopped her.

"Wait. Don't touch it Nevaria. It could be some sort of trap."

"A trap?"

"Yes, Ayran works for the Black Flight now and Rhovarian's flight will do anything to keep the Azure flight from a chance to become whole again. They are too much of a threat to Rhovarian's plans."

Krasus quickly turned back into his half-elven form and carefully picked up the object. As he turned it around in his hands, Nevaria's stomach leaped into her throat as the strong scent of familiar blood hit her nose.

"Are you alright?" asked Krasus, noticing the sick look on her face.

"Yeah I just...That smell." she said, slowly reaching out with a careful hand to touch the package's wrappings. As she did, the wrappings fell away, revealing a swirling purple orb. Tears began to form in her eyes as she recognized the orb. "Cal..."

"Cal? Who's Cal?"

"He's my younger brother. He was training to be a mage with the elders in our city. That orb...that's his, and so's that blood."

Suddenly visions began to blur her sight as she felt Calanon's pain, and rage began to fill her whole being. Her cry of pain echoed in the icy halls, but they soon changed. The echoes were no longer of an elf's, but a deep, sorrowful roar.

Krasus couldn't believe his eyes as he stepped back against the nearest wall.

"You've...You've transformed!" Krasus gasped excitedly.

Nevaria opened her eyes at Krasus' outburst. She was shocked to see him looking much smaller and felt the wind dancing on her skin differently...or what should have been her skin. Taking a deep breath in, she felt every scale move and every muscle stretch. She felt her great wings open and felt the wind fill them. With a great leap, she took to the skies just outside the cave's entrance.

Kalec shuttered unexpectedly, causing the other Aspects to look at him oddly.

"Kalec?" questioned a concerned sounding Yura, "What's the matter?"

"Something's wrong with Ria."

At this, the other Aspects faces filled with concern as well.

"What do you mean, Kalec?" asked Durion.

"Something...Something has angered her, and hurt her deeply. She's filled with horrible pain and suffering, and she's being lead her by Krasus."

"Anurion, tell the guard to let the elf through." shouted Yura.

Just then, two large, Gold dragonkin came running into the Golden Caverns in a panic.

"Lord Durion, other Aspects..There are two here who wish to see you. They say it is of utmost importance. One is Lord Krasus."

"Is the other an Elf?"

The larger of the two Dragonkin looked confused at what Durion had asked.

"No, my Lord. Krasus is accomplished by a female Blue."

Veerya's golden eyes shot open for the first time in many years.

"The circle has been completed." her strong voice called. "Your Queen has arrived, Kalec."

A draconic smile spread across Kalec's face at the thought, but was quickly replaced again with concern about Ria.

"Bring them." Durion said to the Dragonkin Captain, who bowed and exited the Caverns.

They all listened carefully as the entrance tunnel filled with the sound of beating wings and moments later they laid their eyes upon a larger and elegant blue dragon, radiating with anger. Kalec could not believe his eyes. In all his years, he had not seen a dragon he found more beautiful.

"Ria...What happened?"

"That blue...Ayran came into the Sanctum and gave me this!" she screamed, showing Kalec the small orb in her claw. "It belonged to my brother. Ayran said it was a gift from the Dark One. My brother's orb...covered in his own blood."

Kalec was shocked. He couldn't believe that Ayran had been able to sneak past the defenses he himself had set up to protect the Azure Sanctum.

"What do you think the Dark One would want with a Blood elf mage?"

"He must have figured out that the Azure Queen has returned to us and the Blue flight is yet again a possible threat."

"What does that have to do with this?"

"Durion, this young elf is Nevaria's little brother. Anyone who knows Ria, knows she would do anything to protect him, even if it meant putting herself in danger. Rhovarian must have found this out somehow and is now using him to lure Ria out. He's using him as bait."

Yura flapped her red wings, focusing all the attention on her.

"Now, my kin. We must proceed lightly. If Rhovarian has stooped to targeting those close to the Azure Queen, we must do all we can to avoid an escalation. Now, he won't kill the boy until he's certain he can kill Nevaria."

Again, Ria roared in pain and sunk her great head.

"Ria, we will get him back." Kalec whispered in a dire attempt to sooth his distraught love.

"Where is she?!" Rhovarian roared loudly enough the earth seemed to quake with fear.

"I don't know my Lord. I personally gave her your gift, and she swore she would come for the boy." Ayran said, cowering in the Dark One's shadow, glancing over at Calanon.

"What do you want with my sister?" yelled Calanon, defiantly.

"Ria's nothing special. She doesn't have anything you can't find easily in any Elven city." Rina spat, a dark energy radiating off of her like a mad heat wave.

This energy had held Rhovarian's attention since her arrival. It intrigued his greatly and was pleasant to his senses. It smell like magic...earthly, dragon magic. A slight smile crept on the Dark One's paled face.

"You are more right than you know young she-elf. Seems you've been hiding a secret from me." he hissed.

"What are you talking about?" she growled.

"You and your sister: Ria...It seems you have much in common, her being the Azure Queen and all."

"Azure Queen? What the hell does that mean?"

"This Nevaria is not the elf she appears to be. She is much like myself and Ayran over there. She is a dragon, a blue dragon to be more precise. Mate to Kalecgos, Aspect of the Blue Flight."

Rina and Calanon sat in a stunned silence as his words filled the hall.

"Ria...Ria's a dragon? How is that possible?" Rina finally stammered.

"Not just any dragon. She is the Queen of the Blue Dragons, a very powerful being."

As Rhovarian continued, Saphrina couldn't keep her blood from boiling in anger.

"Don't get too upset now my dear she-elf. You also have a hidden gift. It seems, you too are a dragon trapped in a mortal flesh prison. Done by Yura or Veerya no doubt. They have a knack for doing such ridiculous things."

"But...how could that be possible? Our parents are both elves."

"A few hundred years ago, the Life-Binder, Yura took a number from each of the great dragon Flights and foolishly gifted them to the younger races to raise and protect. They put spells on the eggs so that the dragon young would be raised as disgusting mortals, to save them from corruption they said. At first, I was strongly against this, but it seems their foolish plan to save their own flights has in the end saved my own. You are one of the few remaining royal descendants of the Dark Flight."

"She's one of you, my lord?" gasped Ayran, his eyes now glued to Saphrina who still sat in shock, her back against the wall.

"I'm a black dragon?" she said under her breath, her eyes unable to focus.

"Your hatred for your sister will help you escape your flesh prison and help you take up your true form that stands above the lower mortal races!"

Rhovarian's words ran through her mind as her entire life began to flash before her. The days when she sat, writhing in pain from arcane magic withdrawals while Nevaria ran around unaffected. The day she received her rejection letter from the Rangers, and that same day Ria was accepted. All the times Ria rubbed it in her face that she was better at something. And finally...the day her Father picked Ria over her to marry Kalec...

Suddenly a searing pain flooded her head and ripped through her body. She tried to scream but the pain was too much, as if she was being burned alive and torn apart slowly. The room seemed to explode around her, as she heard Calanon's frightened screams. But suddenly the pain faded to a dull ache, and she felt...free. Freer than she had ever felt before.

As she opened her eyes, Calanon was staring at her; a fear in his eyes that she had never seen before. She felt an evil smile spread across her face, and her lips graze against razor sharp teeth. She looked down and began to feel everything new. She could smell the fear pouring off of Calanon, and the rich, sweet smell of magic that seeped from Rhovarian's every scale.

She turned to face Rhovarian and the still cowering Ayran, who looked as scared as Calanon. Just behind Ayran was a a wall of polished glass. She was amazed at what she saw. Before, where she saw a weak elf who was made to believe she was second best, now stood a dark and beautiful creature. She was now powerful and would no longer be second best. She was her true self, in all her dark and deadly glory.

"My Lord...She is..."

"The Dark Queen."

"What?" Rina hissed behind her new rows of sharp teeth.

"You are the last daughter of Nexoyia, the only heir to the Dark Crown. The only dragon worthy of being my Queen."

Pride burned through her. Finally she could prove she was better than Nevaria, and no one would stand in her way.

"Now my flight will be stronger and we can destroy the Blue Flight and make Kalec watch as I kill her new Queen and the last hope for his flight."

"Rina, please! Ria loves you! Please don't do this! You can't hurt her, she's your sister!" cried Calanon at her feet.

"Silence! I am nothing but better than Ria. For far too long I've stood in her shadow, but no more!" she roared. "Let her come to save your worthless skin. For when she does, I'll be waiting. When she stands, distraught over your lifeless body will I finally get the satisfaction of ripping the beating heart out of her chest!"