Happy New Year everyone. How brilliant to start 2025. I hope you all had a wonderful year of 2024. But now with a new year comes a new chapter. Hope you all enjoy it.

Through the Looking Glass Part Three:

(Present Day)

"Aaravos raised us, gave us primal stones, and groomed us into mages of the six primal sources. Castor, the eldest who once wielded the power of the stars, was taught dark magic, the same magic he used on each of us to extend our lives, allowing us to age slower and live a hundred times longer than any normal human," Caldor looked at his hands and legs, stained with dark magic. "Because he cared for humans and didn't treat them as lesser beings like Sol Regem and many elves and dragons did, we believed in him. That everything he did was for a good cause. But none of us knew of the many atrocities he had committed to cause war and conflict,"

"Caldor," Willow sat beside him and held his hands tenderly. "It's not your fault. You couldn't have known. You were only a child when you first met him,"

"My Sky brother: Callum and I finally realised how his actions had caused more harm than good, that everything he did led to nothing but pain and suffering. So, we defected the order and rebelled against them. Callum, however,…paid the price," his head hung. Skyros chirped. He missed his first owner, and he was the only reminder his new owner had of his younger brother. The trio felt remorse for his loss, especially Soren.

Footsteps approached, and they saw the weeping Carol enter. She embraced Caldor, and he hugged her back tightly. The others joined in. They were his family now, and he was going to do what it took to help them defeat the Cult of Aaravos and prevent his return.

Claudia banged on her pot. "Come on, sleepyheads, it's dawn! And that means it's spell time!". Everyone stood up and stepped outside the cave to glance at the sky, which was a multitude of fire colours.

"The spell needs the sun's first light to open the chrysalis. So, get ready,".

Viren was offered the staff, but to the amusement of the brothers, he shrunk back, unable to take the weapon without hesitation. "Aren't you gonna take it?" his daughter asked.

Carol couldn't sleep at all. She had cried and grieved over losing her beloved Skywing friends, her tutor included. She stared up at the ceiling of her quarters, crying heavily. So much had happened in so little time. First, some Black Riders tried to capture her, going so far as to threaten innocent people. Then Raylan returned after two years, and she felt so overjoyed, heartbroken and angry at the same time, unable to process all the pain she had been through. And worst of all, friends, including a beloved tutor, who had taught her so much about sky magic, had been killed and massacred for a dark staff. It was just the beginning.

She sat up and pulled out her golden dragon clip, rubbing the shiny surface.

(A year ago)

"I am so proud of you, Carol," Ibis praised his star pupil and all her friends and loved ones clapped. "As you become the New High Mage of your kingdom, I present you with this gift,". He held up a golden dragon hair-pin. She turned around and he pinned in into her bunned hair.

"Thank you Ibis," she took his hands. "Thank you for everything you have taught me,".

"You truly are a gifted mage,".

(Present Day)

Carol wiped her tears away and pinned her hair-pin back in. She stood up, walking past all her sleeping friends and loved ones. She returned to the chambers where Zubeia and Zym were sleeping quietly. The Adoraburrs were on his head, snuggled up together. She silently took the mirror away from them. One Adoraburr however had its eyes open and spotted her. It chirped and tried waking Zym up but he mumbled in his sleep to leave him alone. Carol went to another room where rising sunlight stretched from an opening in the walls of stone.

"In Darkness, gaze upon a Fallen Star. Vocare Nimbum," she cast. Storm clouds brewed above the sunlight stretching into the Spire, and all was dark. The mirror glowed bright, and there she saw Aaravos appear again, his back turned. He turned around to face her. And she narrowed her eyes at the sight of his arrogant smirk.

Raylan couldn't sleep either. Rather than stay in the Spire with all the other visitors, he chose to be outside the entrance. He lay against Thasian's warm scales, cradling Stella in his arms and staring up at the silent sky.

"What if I can never make things right with Carol?" he lamented.

Don't say that. Stella begged.

"Maybe things will never be the same between us,".

A sympathetic Thasian curled his head towards him and nuzzled his face, and he hugged him back. He always found comfort in hugging his animal companions.

"You are upset, Raylan," spoke a motherly voice. Galadriel stood before them with her wavy hair locks. She knelt and offered her hands, which the young elf took. "It took great courage for you to return to Katolis,".

"And it's a good thing you told me,".

"I wish I could have done more to help. But tell me, what is troubling you, Son of the Moon?".

"It's Carol. She wants nothing to do with me. I hurt her so much,".

"You know deep down she still cares for you deeply. She has been through so much this very night that her heart is in a hard place. But that mustn't stop you from protecting her now that she needs you most,".

"No. She's got that Crownguard to protect her now,". Raylan could not hold back his jealousy.

"Don't think like that," his Spirit Guide brushed some hair strands behind his ear. "The only thing you can do is give her time,".

"I left her a present and a card for her. I wanted to give it to her in person, but I was too scared to face her. Pretty sure she found it but hasn't opened it,".

"No matter what you or she feels, one thing is for certain. What's to come will intertwine your paths. I will do what I can to help you. And always remember to use the Phial I gave you. But there is one more matter we must discuss. You have not told them of your infection,".

"No. It will only worry them, and this mission has to come first,". Instantly, Raylan collapsed to his knees, crying in agony. His neck was stinging, and the poison within was spreading like a plague. His eyes were burning purple. Quickly, Stella pulled out plants from Thasian's saddle pouch, and he quickly chewed on them before sipping some water. "Two years it's been, and Aaeseris is nowhere to be found,".

"I wish I could have found a way to find her for you. But now you must tell Caroline,".

"No. It is her safety that matters to me. Nothing more. I still have plenty of herbs and medicines to last me for the time being,".

"And when they run out? You cannot keep returning to the Garden. The poison must be cleansed. There is one other clue I have found out that I can give you. 'Follow the horns, and you will find the Star Dragon's Domain'. With time, it will become clear,".

Claudia was becoming impatient with her father. "Dad, we're running out of time. The spell needs the sun's first light. Not second, third, or fourth light. First!"

Still, Viren looked scared to take it. "Don't bother Claudia," Castor swung his arm around her shoulder. "You do it yourself. Show your father how excelled you have become over the years thanks to my teaching,".

"Yes! That's a wonderful idea!" Terry agreed. He hoped his optimism would appeal to Castor, but regrettably, it didn't.

Claudia held up the Staff of Ziard in front of the cave opening, focusing precisely on the cocoon containing the creature that would guide them to where they needed to go.

"I was wondering when I'd see you again," Aaravos's taunting voice curled up Carol's fingers.

"I know what and who you are, Aaravos," she said hatefully, his name acidic to her mouth. "I know you're trapped in a magical prison you were sealed in years ago by the Archdragon,".

"Imprisoned for giving humans magic,".

"No. For causing pain and suffering to all of Xadia by using humans as their pawns. And now your followers have killed innocent elves, especially one who meant a lot to me,".

"I am sorry for your loss, but I am not the enemy here,".

"Yes, you are. Your actions prove otherwise. Zubeia told us everything. And she would never lie to us,".

"Are you really that certain? You and your loved ones may have brought peace, but the truth is you'll always be a human to them. You'll always be less,".

"How dare you say that. Times have changed, and now you are going to answer this question. Why? Why are you doing all of this? What do you gain from causing all this suffering?".

Aaravos was quiet for a moment. He inhaled deeply and closed his eyes. "Justice," was his answer. His voice sounded broken, and it didn't persuade Carol at all. "I do all of this to bring justice for a great wrong that was done. For a great loss I suffered so many centuries ago,".

"You lie!" Carol shouted. "You can't manipulate me, Aaravos. I won't be a puppet to you,".

"Oh, but you will," Aaravos's fingers flashed out, and Carol's hands strangled her throat.

(Ten Years Ago)

Castor and his brothers, with their captive, saw no guards in the courtyard. They saw a sewer lid that would lead to their escape. They made a dash when suddenly loads of soldiers appeared from the castle surrounding them, led by a hefty, short-haired woman.

"Release the princess!" commanded Amaya through Gren.

"Never!" roared Castor. Laius waved his hands, casting a sun symbol, and his primal stone brought up a barrier of lames around them, warning them away.

Harrow rushed outside with Viren. "Do it, Viren. Now!". Viren was reluctant. He saw Castor's dark eyes and frowned. He held up his weapon and cast the spell.

The fire died down, and he sent a blast to knock the men back, giving the soldiers of Katolis a chance to attack them. But with their primal stones, the casters were easily getting the upper hand. Harrow had to act quickly. He made a run for Castor, holding his daughter. He drew his blade. Castor placed her down and drew a spell, but Felix snuck up from behind and bit his foot. He screamed and kicked him away. The king thrust his sword at him, and he was forced away from Castor, whom Amaya managed to pull away to safety.

Viren attacked the intruders with his magic. Their magic was no match for him. "Fall back to me!" Castor shouted. In a blast of purple smoke, they escaped the castle and fled the kingdom.

(Present Day)

"Carol!" Willow cried out loud. She breathed heavily against her pillow, crying deeply.

Ezran, who had already woken up from the light stretching through the holes in the ceilings, crawled to her, Bait beside him. "Sister. It's okay,".

"I saw them again. When they tried to capture Carol,".

"Willow, please calm down. You're making me anxious,".

"I saw the rest of that night in my head, and dad … it just hurt seeing his face again,".

"I know, sis. I miss him too,". Ezran hugged her. He glanced over to Carol's sleeping bag; it was empty. "Where's Carol?".

Raylan was still outside with Galadriel and his companions when he heard screaming. "Carol!". With Stella on his shoulder, he fled inside and pulled out his butterfly blades. Carol! I'm coming!". He entered the room where the sources of the screams were coming from.

At the very back, he saw the looking glass Pyrrah was carrying earlier. He saw the glowing Startouch elf whose hand was elevating. And as it did, so did Caroline, who spun around, and Raylan saw glowing white. "Carol?".

Carol's outstretched hand lifted him into the air. "Woah! Woah! Carol! Where you doing?!". Stella made a portal and tried to leap at her from another one, but the possessed mage swiped her hand and the primate was thrown against the stone wall. "Stella! Carol, snap out of it,".

"She can't,". It wasn't her voice. It was the elf in the mirror.

"Carol!" shouted more voices. Ezran, Willow, Soren, Caldor, Benji, Yonas and Caelus entered the room, and they saw Carol being controlled. The moment she saw them, she elevated her other hand, and they were all elevated by magic. Felix, Ghost, Bait, Pliph and Serena fled the room.

"What is wrong with her?" Soren strained.

"It's Aaravos! He's controlling her!" Caldor yelled.

"The Looking Glass!" Willow shouted.

Aaravos spoke through Carol. "And now let us talk in the presence of the Queen,". The five animals hid in a corner, watching the controlled mage taking their captive friends towards the queen's chambers. Before they could follow, Felix caught another scent. He followed it back into the room and saw Stella on the floor. He bounded over and sniffed her.

Stella's purple eyes saw him, and she screeched. 'Don't come any closer'. She warned.

Ghost teleported before. 'It's alright. We won't hurt you. We're friends.

Bait and Serena came over. 'What's your name?'. The Glowtoad croaked.

My name is Stella'.

'That's a lovely name'. Pliph complimented.

'I'm Serena'. The swan honked. 'And this is Bait, Ghost, Pliph and Felix. We're creatures of magic, same as you. And I'm connected to the Star Arcanum like you,'.

'You're with Raylan, aren't you?'. Felix approached her gently.

'Yes. He found me in his search and adopted me. And he rescued a moon dragon named Thaisan from captivity'.

'At least he wasn't alone,'. Ghost said. Stella could tell by the bitterness in his and Felix's eyes that they were so mad at Raylan.

'I know he left Carol and hurt her terribly, but he thought about her every day. And right now, she is being controlled by that creepy Startouch elf in the mirror'.

'We have to do something'. Bait croaked, already leaping out of the room, Serena and Pliph flying after him.

'Would you like to ride on my back?' Felix offered.

'Yes, please', Stella climbed on, and she rode him out of the room with Ghost teleporting out of sight.

Zubeia was trying to sleep when Zym's zappy bite jolted her. "Zym! What the …,"

"I can't feel Carol anymore. It's like something's taken hold of her,".

Before Zubeia could question, they saw Carol marching into the room, their friends being dragged behind them in mid-air along with the looking glass. The animals were close by, hiding behind some rocks. Adorily, Adorabelle and Adorpy jumped off Zym's head and hid with them; Felix engulfing the petrified little fluffballs with his tail.

"Carol! What is wrong with you?" Zym begged. He saw the purple elf in the floating mirror. "He's controlling her. Like a puppet,".

Zubeia was about to fire, but he stopped her. "Mum! You can't!" he begged.

"You should listen to him," Aaravos's cold voice uttered from Carol's lips, and the dragon backed down. The looking glass landed gently in front of her, and the Startouch elf, through his puppet, cackled at seeing the Queen Archdragon up close again. "Zubeia. You haven't aged a bit. You look as young and ravishing as the day you betrayed me,". The Queen growled but held herself back from firing lighting lest she hurt Caroline. "So sorry to hear of your mate's untimely and tragic passing. Are these the best champions you've gathered to try and stop me? They're nothing but pathetic children,". He glared at Ezran. "The whining child king. In over his head, and he knows it. The crazy girl who cannot foretell even the most tragic of futures,". Willow's eyes prickled with tears. "The Moonshadow assassin who... Can this be right? Isn't capable of killing,".

Raylan tried to reach for his blades but couldn't. "Let her go, Aaravos," he begged. "Just let her go,".

"How sweet. Now, who am I on now?" Carol stood in front of Soren, and her glowing eyes made him tingle. "The failed son, whose father wishes he had never been born. Ouch!" Aaravos's mocks made Soren turn his head away. Benji managed to grab his hand to comfort him. And he appreciated it.

"And who is this?". Benji was pulled closer to Carol's glowing purple eyes. "There is something about you, child. I sense something in you,".

"You leave him be!". Zym yapped protectively.

Carol's glowing eyes stared back at the mirror. "And my favourite, the human mage, already tainted by darkness and destined to play right into my hands,". He made Carol's body turn around and face everyone.

"Let her go, Aaravos!" Caldor shouted. He was brought closer to the mirror so Aaravos could look deeper into his eyes. Anger painted his face. "You. The no-good moon mage who betrayed his family. You have no idea how much it broke my heart when Castor told me of your betrayal. And Callum's too,".

"It was you who betrayed us," sneered Caldor. "All you ever did was use us, manipulate us to cause pain and suffering like you did behind our backs. You made us believe that everything you did was for a good purpose when all you wanted was to make humans become just like the people you hate so much. And worst of all, you placed my brothers on a path of no return. At least Callum was smart enough to see through that and persuaded me too,".

The first light shone bright, and Claudia's eyes glowed bright purple like the colours of an early sunrise. The gem in Ziard's Staff glowed so bright it nearly blinded the men behind her. The beam of powerful dark energy went streaming into the cave, engulfing the cocoon and enlarging the creature it contained.

Carol's true self was stuck in a void of darkness, and Aaravos was standing by. "Let me go!" she begged, losing her courage. "Please don't make me hurt my friends. They've done nothing to deserve this!".

"This is your destiny, Carol. You are meant to master the power of the six primal sources, as I do. You have no idea who you truly are. But you won't have to worry. The longer my hold lingers over you, the more connected we become. And now, watch as I use you to kill my treacherous son,".

"No!" she screamed.

"Oh no, you don't,". In a flash of red, Murtagh and his dragon appeared before them. "You shall not use this mage as your vessel,".

"And who are you?" Aaravos demanded, pausing between each word with a dark temper.

"I am her Protector. And by the oath of the Archdragon Aeesias, you will not use this girl as neither a vessel nor a weapon,".

Before Aaravos could react, Murtagh cast an ancient spell in a language the Startouch elf had never heard before. Carol scrunched her eyes, and her head was exploding as Aaravos fought against her protector to hold control over her mind.

The chrysalis cracked, and the green goo dropped out. The creature inside it emerged from the cave towards the group, sprouting out purple-pinkish, butterfly wings.

Carol fell to the floor, cradling her agonising head whilst her loved ones were still hanging helpless in the air. "Carol!" Raylan cried out.

"Aaravos's control over her is weakening!" Yonas could see the Startouch elf scrunching his fist harder and harder to regain control.

Carol's eyes glowed red now. She stood up and lowered her hands, and everyone landed down gently. She then turned towards the mirror and shot her palm forward. Aaravos, in his prison, was knocked back and pinned to the wall. "Let the girl go,". This time, it was Murtagh's voice who spoke from Carol's lips, but nobody else other than Zubeia, her son and Benji could recognise whose it was.

Aaravos growled and strained as he waved his palm. The glow left Carol's eyes, and she fell. Soren managed to catch her. He laid her gently down. The animals came out of hiding, and Ghost, Felix and the Adoraburrs bounded to their person, nuzzling her face. Pliph flew into Benji's arms and the scared boy cuddled him protectively. Stella leapt into Raylan's arms, and Felix eyed him with an unforgiving expression.

Everyone glared at the mirror darkly. Aaravos growled and tried to hold out his arm again, but Raylan quickly pulled out a powerful vial, and its bright glow warded it off the mirror prisoner.

Everyone beside him scrunched their eyes. He covered the light again, and still Aaravos was there. "Don't make me use this again," he warned, blocking his view from the girl he loved.

Aaravos's just smirked. "I will have her. My return to this world is inevitable. And to be sure, you can't spy on me ….,". He fell into his seat, blowing a kiss.

Crack!

The mirror shattered.

And that's another episode of Season 4 done. I hope you all enjoyed it. Please let me know what you all thought. See you all either this week or next week. Bye for now. What a big adventure 2025 has to lie in wait for all of us.

And one more thing: Did you all want the Being to be a dragon-like creature or as it is in the series? Please let me know. Enjoy New Year's Day.