Prologue
She stared into the tube tank in which her experiment is growing in. A small fetus barely at three months floated in the liquid tank. She peered carefully at the floating fetus with the umbilical cord connecting to it. A small smile found its way on her face, a certain madness in her eyes. Soon I'll be human, soon I'll be whole again, She thought. A chuckle escaped her lips as she stepped closer to the glass tank, peering at the fetus growing steadily and slowly. You will be my greatest creation. The most perfect vessel for me.
She placed a hand on the glass tube, her smile grew more mad as she stared at the fetus. You won't be a faliure like your older sister was, she was too weak to handle my power her little body couldn't take it. She licked her lips in anticipation. To be human again would be the greatest joy in her life, a life in which she would't have to fear in turning into a dragon once again. Oh how Irene dreamed of the day she get to be human once more, to be able to walk and talk amonst the people. Yet those dreams died once she saw her skin crack and a dragon scale showed itself. Her magic flared, her anger flared across her face as she grinded her teeth together.
Never, I'll never be those damned dragons again! Not now, not ever! Irenes thoughts were interrupted at the sound of a rapping against her door. She calmed herself and focused, straightening out her clothes and hair. She turned towards the wooden door being supported by iron plates.
Be unbreakable agaisnt your foes, never waver before death. Those were the words her father once told her before he died on his death bed. The next day she was crowned as Queen. But that kingdom is gone and so is its people, but those words will stand by her. And she spoke.
"Enter." The door swung widely and four Kingsguard entered her room. Each of them wore pitch black armor with yellow coats, all of their faces are hidden behind helms. However, with one of the Kingsguard Irene was able to deduce the kinght in being a woman. When her quick gaze turned back to the door a single young man entered. His hair being black as night framed his face, his black empty eyes bore unter her caramel ones. A shiver went down Irene's spine as he closed the door behind him. This boy is dangerous, she thought. Very dangerous.
Irene ought wondered if she should have killed the boy once he reversed her dragon apperance to a human. She did not believe the boy had the power to do so, and she was proven right when she saw the skin on her hands crack and dragon scales showed. But she did made a promise to him, a promise made in magic in which it will have dire consequnces if she should break it. So Irene kept her word and helped the boy.
She, however, had the feeling he was more older than he makes himself out to be. Irene chewed on her tongue thinking on what this Emperor is or might be.
"It seems you have setteled quite comfortably here Ms. Belserion." The voice of the Emperor was cool. Irene narrowed her eyes at the young boy but held her anger back.
"It appears so," she began. "But I find the lack of freedom to be quite . . . suffocating." She gave him a small smile as she leaned forward for a small bow. She needs to keep formalities after all. "My work will be better suited to you if I am allowed certain liberites around the castle and Empire." She pushed forward her proposal. The Emperor shook his slowly ans closed his eyes, Irene could see the way his brows move thinking of her proposal carefully.
He brought his arm up to have it rest against his white gar that was wraped around his body and pinned together by a golden brooch on his left breast. A low hum was heard from the Emperor for a smile while until he looked back at Irene.
"I believe a certain compromise can be reached. Giving you freedom to go around my Empire would be a foolish idea, I still don't trust you Ms. Belserion." An amused smile appeared on his face. Irene gave a scowl to the young Emperor, she started to click her teeth together.
Before she had the chance to speak the Emperor continued. "But you are allowed to move around the castle grounds and if you need any materials you need only ask and I'll send someone to fetch it for you." Irene puffed up her chest, standing a bit more straighter.
"Still not outside the castle grounds? How may I pro-"
"You still have not provided me anything Ms. Belserion that proves your worth or trust." The Emperor's eyes flickered to the floating fetus for a split second but found its attention back to Irene. "But with your recent experiment that may change how I see you." The corner of his lip curled up into a smirk. Irene still held her scowl, glaring daggers into the young Emperor.
Just what is he playing at? She stood defensivly before the Emperor and her fetus in the tank. A deep grow eminated from her throat as her magic started to build up around her. Each of the Kingsguard reacted the same with their magic building up. One of the taller Kingsguard unsheathed his sword followed by the rest. Irene was ready to explode her magic to higher heights until she heard a dreadful sound.
Crack
She ceased her magic, spun around and franticly started to place a hand the crack in which the liquid began to leak.
"No, no, no, no, no!" She ran to a cabniet and started looking for her magic took to fix the glass. How can I be so foolish! She ripped out clothes, beakers, and boxes. Desperately looking for her magic tool. "It has to be here! Somewhere!" Once the cabinet was empty she ran across the room throwing a table out her way to reach another cabinet.
She disregarded the chemicals and mixtures she has made in favor for her growing experiment. This was her last chance at being humn, she will have little to none chance after it. Crack-crack-crack.
The glass tank started to lose its strength as more liquid began leaking out.
"No!" Her voice wailed as she abandoned reason and desperately began to stop the liquid with her hands. Tears began to flow from her eyes as he she began to plead to the Gods above to stop it, to stop all of it. Just before it shattered into a thousand tiny pieces, it froze. The liquid and glass froze in place.
Irene crawled back surprised to see it, she spun her head around to see a tall elderly man standing at the door. His hair is gray and long reaching just past his shoulders. His beard is thick and long with the end reaching his stomach. His robes where befitting of his status as the wizard of his Emperor's court. In his right hand held a wooden staff like the mages of old, with that staff it was slightly raised and aimed toward the tank. With a little twirl the glass and liquid began to go back into its place as it was once before.
Once it was done Irene stood up and straightened herself up and wiped away her tears. She faced the new stranger and gave a low bow.
"I thank you kind str-"
"There is no need to thank me Ms. Belserion. I am willing to help a mother in their time of need." The man spoke with a voice of commanders. Hard, cold, and with authority. Whatever this mans life was before being the courts Wizard must have been of military background. Her gaze flickered to the Kingsguard to see them with their swords still drawn out but have them placed in resting position.
When her eyes locked on the Emperor her anger returned. I almost lost my chance! She thought. I almost lost my chance in being human again! Her right arm twitched in anger but she clenched her fist and focused.
"Forgive me my liege, I didn't mean to explode in anger back there I-"
"All is forgiven Ms. Belserion, it is expected for a mother who will not be able to bore another child to react." The Emperor's smile was so sweet but laqured in poision Irene could almost taste it. But she kept her facade up, she bent her knee and bowed her head.
"Thank you Your Grace. Your kindness knows no bounds." Her outside demeanor was one of gratitude and respect. With the look of relief painted across her face. However, on the inside, she was a raging strom of laughter and madness. Irene heard the Emperor hum and walk out the door. Before he left, she heard him speak: "I expect good results from your . . . experiment Ms. Belserion. Until next time."
Irene still kept he head bowed low as the Emperor, his kingsguard and the Wizard left her lab. When the door closed with a resounding boom her body became limp and she fell flat on her butt.
That damn boy! He will soon be begging me! She stood up straight and turned towards the tank holding the growing fetus. Irene took a deep breath and puffed her chest out in pride.
"You are my greatest creation," she said. "I carefully altered your blood to be the best, for you to have the best magic in all of the world-the perfect vessel for me." She gave a hearty laugh, a laugh that grew more sick and twisted. Her eyes went wide as she placed a hand on the glass. When she looked at her reflection she saw her eyes having a wild look, the look of a cornered wild animal. Her eyes focused and saw past her reflection to see her growing fetus. She controlled her laugh to speak.
"My Greatest Creation." Her laugh was one of madness, the madness of wanting to be human again.
