The ashlands, a land once belonging the elves now corrupt with dark magic that flow through the land the sky blocking out the sun with black clouds allowing only corrupted light to shine upon the land. The large mountainous island is littered with the ruins of the elves fallen kingdom and the ashes of all who perished, upon the unmarked mass grave lay a great obsidian fortress where the tyrants dwell.

The morning light shines through the dark cloud shining upon the dark fortress with a unnatural green. Upon one of the turrets at the top of fortress the light shines through the balcony archway and into the bed chambers of the two Dragons daughter, the princess Syra.

Syra stirred in her sleep, the green light disturbing her rest. She tried to bury her face in her pillow to block it out, but to no avail till finally she opened her eyes and looked around her chambers. It was a massive round room giving her more than enough personal space for herself, including a private bathroom all to herself. Syra rubbed her eyes as she got to her feet, not bothering to make her bed.

She walked over to her dresser which was a mess before looking in the mirror at herself. She had the body of a human, though with a few features that showcase what she truly is. Her eyes were unusual having a black sclera instead of the normal white, with irises the color of cyan that glowed and illuminated in the dark as well as almost cat like slit pupils. Pointed horns grew on her head, pointing backwards and arching upwards, looking almost like a crown of sorts. A tail adorns her rear adorned with black scales and ending half a foot above the floor.

As she examined herself she held out her right right which transformed into a dragon paw with sharp claws along the ends where her fingers were and she began to brush her hair, untangling it from her horns and trying to make herself presentable. After that she looked at her transformed hand before it turned back to normal, a stressing thought came to her mind, she's only been able to take on a partial transformation, never a full transformation into her dragon form. All these years and she hasn't been able to take on a full transformation,'Will I ever be able to?' She wondered.

Suddenly another thought came to her mind, 'All these years and I can only transform my arms and legs... wait, all these years...' then in place of despair, excitement welled up inside her and exploded, "It's my birthday!" she let out excitedly, "I'm eighteen now, I'm an adult! Yes!" she said excitedly and she ran out to her balcony overlooking the massive fortress that spanned for miles, a sight she wouldn't have to bare anymore, "I'll have land of my own to rule over, and how I want."

Syra took a moment to take in the sight of her homeland, wondering to herself how different her kingdom would be from the ashlands she grew up in, wondering what it'll be like to actually see the sun, if she will find life beyond these ruins and ashes. She shook her head shaking such thoughts away, it was her big day and she had to get herself ready. She ran back to her room looking towards her private bathroom, she walked towards her bathtub taking a deep breath and unleashing cyan fire from her mouth to the water heating it up. After testing it's warmth she stripped down from her small clothes and got a quick bath utilizing her best soap, gifted as tribute from the elves her family rules over.

After a few minutes of bathing she slipped back on some fresh small clothes and put on her black dress adorned in various colored gems, she took one last look in her wardrobe mirror with a smile, she was ready. She opened her chamber doors ready to leave and greet her family only to meet someone in the outside hall.

An indigo skinned elf with white eyes and black sclera who was a head shorter than Syra adorned in ragged clothes was outside cleaning the hallway outside her chambers. The elf turned around to Syra and started panicking, she got on her knees before Syra had a chance to say a word.

"P-princess Syra! I hope I didn't wake you up! I was ordered to take care of this area, I was told it's been neglected and if it wasn't taken care of my family would be bur-" the shadow elf said in panic before being interrupted by Syra, who simply put a hand on her shoulder and gave a reassuring smile.

"Mithra." Syra said calmly, "You don't have to worry about upsetting me, I'm not easy to anger like my parents." she looked over Mithra grimacing slightly as she noticed small burn marks on her arms and legs. Without another word Syra brought up her right hand turning into a dragon paw and she held out her left hand. 

"Let me take care of this for you."

Mithra blinked at Syra, "Oh you don't have to worry yourself about me I-"

She couldn't finish her sentence before Syra laid a claw on the palm of her left hand and sliced, her blood pouring out from her palm, using her transformed hand she began a spell that made her blood float to the air and coalesce into an orb, the orb changed to a teal green color and with that Syra held out her right hand and the orb floated towards Mithra. The orb floated to her chest and then absorbed into her, in an instant her burns healed away to nothing. Mithra looked down at her arms and legs as the burns and pain were gone. Syra smiled, her left hand started to glow with the same teal light, her deep cut healing in an instant leaving a black mark that started to fade. 

"There you go, no need for you to suffer like that."

The elf looked at her and gave her a quick hug without another word, Syra hugged her in return before looking down at Mithra, noticing the worn out look in her eyes.

"How long have you been up Mithra?"

"...since... long before the morning light..." Mithra said nervously, a wave of nervousness washing over her.

Hearing that Syra looked around the hall then back to her room. "No wonder you look so exhausted." she said quietly, "Mithra, why don't you take a nap in my chambers while I do my family stuff, it's my eighteenth name day afterall."

Mithra blinked, a wave of anxiety washing over her, "Y-your chambers? But if I got caught I would be-"

Syra put a finger over Mithra's mouth quieting her, "Don't worry, I'll lock the door and balcony so no one walks in, but I'll need you to play along, make it convincing, got it?" she said winking.

Mithra looked at her blinking before smiling, "I'm forever grateful for you princess..."

Syra nodded walking inside her chambers, Mithra following behind her. Syra closed the balcony doors and holding out her hand does a quick incantation as a golden rune appears on the doors magically locking it. Mithra climbed into Syra's bed immediately relaxing as she laid down. Syra walked out of her chambers starting to shut the doors before looking inside smiling before shutting the door and locking it with magic.

After doing so, Syra took a deep breath and shouted "Once I return my chambers better be spotless, along with everything picked up, including the wardrobe and everything inside it, got it!?"

"Y-yes princess, it'll be done!" Mithra shouted, playing along.

After that Syra brushed her hair once more with her transformed hand before changing it back to normal. She takes a deep breath relaxing herself. It was her name day, and it was time she met with her family. She strode down the hallway making her way through the stairs, leading to another hallway, passing by other various chambers of her family's great fortress. After minutes of traveling through the labyrinthine halls she opened the large door which led her to the back of the throne room.

"I'm here!" she called out as she opened the door, but no one answered, after which she walked inside the large chamber.

The throne room was wide and open roughly three times larger than a cathedral's interior. There were statues that aligned the walls, depicting different dragons of the family and their conquests each adorned with gems matching their eye colors. Statues depicting acts done by her uncle and cousins were located far back towards the main entrance to the throne room, near the thrones themselves were statues adorned with green and red gems in their eyes, statues of her parents Kargha and Ashna, depicted conquering the elf lands and raising the capital to the ground. Next to their statue was another one with purple gems in the eyes, her brother Garlath depicted surrounded by dwarves kneeling to him after his conquest of their lands. Above the thrones themselves was a massive banner depicting the first two dragons of the world, her grandparents. Abyssar with silvery eyes, father of Ashna, Xyrak with golden eyes, father of Kargha and his brother Malroth.

She looked around the chamber lost in her own thoughts as she looked around. She walked along the middle of throne room in silence walking over the granite floor, it was smooth and cleaned recently giving it a reflective shine to it. 

As Syra walked she felt a wave of anxiety washing over her as she looked at all the statues and decorations depicting her family's brutal conquest. She was not like the rest of her family, she had a strange sense of compassion and empathy for others, most unlike a dragon. Her thoughts are interrupted when she notices next to the statue of Garlath a large empty obsidian pedestal where a statue would be. 

She approached the pedestal curiously examining it, it wasn't here before last time she was in this chamber, given it was her birthday maybe this was set up to be her's when she achieved her own domain.

As she looked over it she felt a presence behind her, and a warm breath behind her. She froze in place slowly turning around only to see a large dragon adorned in black scales behind her, it's face right in front of her, it's purple eyes with black sclera glowing with an aura of flames matching the eyes. It hard scars all over it's body and it's wings spanned out blocking out the rest of the throne room from Syra's view.

Syra simply crossed her arms and couldn't help but grin, "How are you doing Garlath?"

The dragon gave a toothy grin before it's body began to shimmer and spark, then there was a flash and the dragon before her turned into a humanoid form, that of a man with long hair and large white horns adorning it's head, wearing fine armor with the exception of anything covering his chest, showing off his various battle scars, and on his back was a cloak matching his eyes.

"Thought I'd surprise you, happy birthday sis!" Garlath exclaimed before pulling Syra into a strong hug which Syra returned before breaking the hug. Syra couldn't help but smile seeing her brother though she tilted her head at his half dressed attire.

"I appreciate it, brother... though why aren't you wearing your full armor, or a full set of clothes?"

Garlath let out a chuckle, "One of my underlings decided to challenge me for leadership of my isles." he pointed to a scar that ran deep into his chest over his heart with a prideful grin, "Got me in the right spot, but it wasn't enough." he stretched his arms out, "Also I'm always happy to show off the efforts of my conquest, old and new." 

Syra giggled, "Fair enough, have you seen our parents around? Or uncle, or Cousins?"

"No actually," he said shrugging, "Mom and Dad are probably getting things ready for you, and I doubt uncle Malroth or our cousins Ashrak, Nalcarr, and Ulroth would be ones to miss this. They didn't miss my eighteenth name day and ceremony at the least." Garlath gave her a reassuring smile.

Syra blinked hearing mention of their uncle and cousins, a look of discomfort washing over her. She had issues with all her members of her family for one reason or another, even Garlath, but Malroth, Ashrak, Nalcarr, and Ulroth... they left her uncomfortable, knowing only whispers of what they do to those under their rule is enough to make her sick.

Garlath's smile faded to a look of worry after what her said, even he knew of her discomfort with them, "I'm sorry Syra... if it makes you feel any better I'll be with you through it all, and if they have you do anything you don't like I'll back you up."

She looked back at her brother and smiled at him, of all the members of her family he was the one she felt closest to all her life. Shaking her head she changed the subject, "This pedestal here, I'm assuming it's where my statue will go?"

Garlath nodded,"Same thing happened for me when I came of age, set it up the night before." he brushed his hand along the smoothed out stone of the pedestal, his hand turning back into a dragon paw, his claws gently dragging against the stone. He turned his head back to Syra, "But it's been a long time since I've seen you Syra, I'd imagine you improved your transformation, show me!"

She blinked at the mention of that.

"Go ahead, show me!"

Syra took a deep breath as she focused, she felt a surge of power whirl inside which flowed through her arms and legs, she closed her eyes as she let it build and build, along with the power within thoughts of malice came to her mind, a desire to harm those beneath her took shape in her mind and with that her arms and legs start to transform, her hands and feet became paws, her arms and legs grew larger and her skin turned into black scales, her tail grew larger sharp spikes and an extra pair of horns grew from her forehead pointing forwards with a slight curve and then... it stopped, the surge of power and the hateful thoughts within vanished.

After that she opened her eyes before looking down at herself, only managing to take on a partial transformation, she looked back up at her brother who had a hand on his chin with a puzzled look.

"Well, you've improved on it, the spikes are now and what you could change took seconds where as before it almost took minutes, but the lack of being able to take on your true form is troubling little sister..."

Syra sighed in frustration, "I don't know what I'm doing wrong! I've done all I could think of to improve my transformation, I feel the power within me awakening, I'm letting thoughts to do harm come to the forefront, I've tried all you've taught me..."

Garlath gave her a pat on the head smiling, "I'm sure it'll come to you sooner than later. I feel you have malicious thoughts when you start off, but you never truly embrace it, it's not enough to just simply think of doing harm to those under us, you gotta be willing to act on it by all means and with full intent."

Syra tried her best to hide her discomfort at what he said.

"I'm sure you'll get it down once you go out to claim your domain." 

Syra looked back at him and smiled back, appreciating his attempt at reassurance.

"Well, isn't this nostalgic." a deep voice called out, catching both Syra and Garlath off guard, standing behind them where two large dragons, one with green eyes and black sclera. The other having the same black sclera with red eye, Kargha and Ashna.

"D-dad!" Syra called out, still spooked at the sudden appearance, quickly bowing before the two.

"Mom." Garlath said, not as startled as he bowed as well, "Wanted to give the birthday girl a surprise too?" he grinned at them standing back upright.

The two grinned before standing on their two hind legs, as they allowed themselves to transform back into their mortal forms. Kargha taking the form of a tall human with a short black beard, adorned in dark armor crafted by dwarves with various rune stones brimming with magic and golden trim adding decoration, spikes protrude from the gauntlets and gloves for both fear factor and a mean to harm. Ashna was a woman the same height as her husband looking still in a mortals twenties despite her actual age, wearing dress robes that matched her eye color with gold decorative threads, with the ensemble we're silky gloves with magic elven runes on the palms that enhanced her spell casting.

The two turned their heads to Syra, causing a wave of nervousness to wash over her before being hugged by both her parents.

"Today is your big day Syra." Ashna said before breaking the hug, "We still have a few things to prepare for before we can have the ceremony, but don't worry once it's ready you'll get to claim a part of this world as your domain, and expand our empire!" sparks of red fire shot through the palms of Ashna's hand, getting too excited in the moment.

Kargha broke the hug with Syra, "With that in mind daughter, we decided with how long it'll be to give you our gift now." Him and Ashna moved out of the way, a tan skinned high elf walking with an ornate box of wood and platinum with glass on the top of it. The elf kneeled down holding up the box to Syra.

She walked forward looking through the glass her eyes widening at what she saw, an ensemble of black elvish robes neatly folded before her, with a pair of gloves and slippers on the side of the same color adorned with spikes in the shape of dragon claws at the ends of the fingers on the gloves and tips of the slippers, as well as bladed spikes on the sides.

"We know you've had a fascination with these people," Ashna said giving the servant a side glance, "So we had them make you a dress of their own design fit for a future ruler."

Syra was in at what she's been gifted as she slowly lifted open the lid of the box, as she does so the clothes started to glow with cyan runes matching her eyes. "This is crafted with magically enchanted threads!" she said excitedly before pulling the pieces out of the box to get a look at it further. The dress came in three pieces a top that covered the chest shoulders and arms then cuts off at the midriff, the bottoms had long silky leggings that went to her ankles and a long skirt specially crafted to be flowing and not restrictive with movement. After examining the dress she looked at the slippers and gloves, both where soft and light, but felt tough from the elven fabrics. She dragged her finger along the spikes and blades feeling how sharp they are, accidentally leaving a cut on her finger, which healed in a matter of seconds.

"I... mom, dad... thank you." she said quietly and gave them a hug, genuinely appreciating the gift. 

Both her parents gave her a hug in return, "Anything for our daughter." Kargha said gently.

Syra looked over at the elf holding the box, seeing how tired she was in her position. She broke the hug putting each of the pieces of the ensemble back in the box and closing it then taking the box. "I'll try it on right now!" she gave her parents each a kiss on the cheek and Garlath a quick hug before running back to the doorway in the back of the throne room. "Bye mom! Bye Dad! Bye Garlath!" she called back.

"Don't forget about the ceremony later tonight!" Ashna called to her.

Syra nodded back, opening the door and dashing up the stairs, going through the halls and pathways she took back to her chambers, passing by a few servants causing them to suddenly turn and bow to her.

She makes it to the chamber door, laying a hand on the door the golden rune of the magical lock appears before vanishing with a snapping sound and opening the door. She looked over to her bed seeing Mithra fast asleep on it, Syra kept quiet gently closing the door casting the locking spell on the doors behind her before approaching the bed. She saw Mithra was laying on top of the bed sheets and covers, Syra smiled warmly and carefully pulled the sheets out from under her and laying the blanket on top of Mithra, wanting her to rest comfortably, no one else has to know.

After that she goes back to her bathroom putting up a large ornate cover to block any outside view before undoing her dress and stripping down to her small clothes, then opening the box she pulled out the leggings and skirt, pulling them on, they felt soft and silky on her body, the leggings clung to her legs but felt comfortable. The skirt felt loose and flowing allowing for ease of movement of her legs. After getting that on she pulled out the top and slipped it on, it covered her chest, shoulders and arms but left her midriff exposed, much like the leggings it felt just as silky and clung where it covered. She walked out of her bathroom with the box after being mostly covered and pulled out the gloves and the slippers, after fitting her fingers in the gloves she clenched her fist the material felt unrestrictive much like the rest of the set. She slipped her feet in the slippers gently curling her feet, the claws on the feet curling with them.

Once she was dressed she moved to her wardrobe looking in the mirror, blinking then grinning at herself admiring how she looked, she dress was partly showy but also reinforced her draconic aspects, the claws and spikes giving her an odd mixture of alluring and threatening. She held up the gloves, the claws and spikes shimmering in the light that shined in her chambers. Still looking in the mirror, she held her hand out, sparks of cyan fire forming in the palm of her hand and she puts her other hand on her hip posing in front of her mirror. 

Time passes as Syra waited for the ceremony to begin, the green light in the sky had shifted to a dark purple as she stood outside her balcony, occasionally she would take a deep breath and let out a breath of cyan fire in the sky, using magic to make the flames dance in the sky, occasionally taking on various shapes. Turning her hands the flames took on the shape of two figures, a humanoid woman with horns and a large flaming dragon behind her, thoughts of managing to take on her true form were coming to mind.

There was a soft yawn coming from inside her chambers. Syra turned her head seeing Mithra starting to wake up, already from Mithra's tone of voice she sounded refreshed compared to before, until she started looking around panicking looking around before turning to Syra.

"Ah! How long was I asleep!?"

"Just a few hours," Syra said calmly, "Don't worry I got your back."

Mithra relaxed herself upon hearing that, taking a deep breath before looking back at Syra, blinking as she saw her new attire, blushing lightly at the sight of her.

"What do you think Mithra?" Syra put a hand on her hip smiling, "Do you like it?"

"You look... great, beautiful actually." Mithra paused looking down slightly.

"What's wrong Mithra?"

"It's nothing, my princess."

Syra walked over to her bed and sat down, "I can tell something is on your mind, you can talk to me you know." she reassured her.

Mithra was quiet for a moment before looking up at her, "All this time, all these years, why are you kind to me? Your not like your parents at all, but I know your a dragon just by looking at you, but your so different, I don't understand."

Syra blinked a bit caught off guard by the question before taking a deep breath and gathering her words, "Honestly Mithra, I've questioned that myself." She scooted herself on the bed sitting next to Mithra, "It's not that I don't feel my inner nature, it's always been there, but... every time I see one of the many servants of this castle, or the elves in the lands beyond the ashlands, I just can't bring myself to treat anyone the same way the rest of my family does." she laid down on her back turning her head to Mithra, "I mean... how can anyone do such things to others for not being one of us? It... it doesn't feel right."

Mithra sat down silently as she listened to Syra's words, blinking at her explanation.

"In spite of it all, I've had compassion for those under us, and I've tried to my best to treat you all with kindness wherever possible, especially you given what you've been through."

Mithra couldn't help but smile at that, lying down next to her on the bed, turning her head towards her.

"I... I don't know how I could but..."

Syra smiled at her, "Go on, you can speak your mind with me."

"I've... always appreciated you, ever since I lost my family to your parents fire you've treated me like family in your own way, I had... nothing, but you treated me just as well... and... I'm afraid of you leaving."

Syra blinked at her comment, "You're worried about after the ceremony?"

Mithra nodded.

"I... I understand, but trust me, once I have my own land I will rule it how I want." her eyes locked with Mithra's, "And how I want is to treat all my subjects with compassion, unlike the rest of my family... and when it's all done you are going to join me."

Mithra's eyes went wide at that before Syra pulled her into a strong hug. Mithra couldn't help but smile and she hugged Syra back and the two embraced each other for a minute, "Thank you, princess... thank you."

The two held the hug for a minute appreciating the moment between friends, before a knocking came to the door startling the two.

"Syra! Oh Syra! You better not have fallen asleep on your big day!" her brother called through the door, "Well if your napping I need you to wake up now, I've got a gift for you!"

Syra and Mithra sat up looking at each other, "Hold still, can't have you looking too fresh, could get in trouble for slacking." Syra whispered, Mithra nodded holding out her arms. Syra took a soft breath and let out sparks of cyan flames close to Mithra, leaving behind dark marks on her arms and face.

There was another knock, "You good in there sis?"

Syra quickly remade her bed before going to the door, pressing a hand against it and a gold spark flashed unlocking it before opening the door to see her brother, this time wearing chainmail of a dark near pitch black grey and red. Syra instantly knew the material his mail was made from, Isvarlite, the strongest metal in the world mined miles beneath the world.

"There you are!" Garlath exclaimed grinning, he noticed Mithra.

"Had her cleaning up my bedroom, had to discipline her for her slacking off."

Garlath nodded watching as Mithra walked out of the room.

"S-sorry princess, won't happen again!"

Syra nodded sharply at Mithra. 

Garlath gestured towards the hallway to the right of Syra's chambers, "All the portraits are covered in dust and misaligned, you'd better know what's best for you, elf."

Mithra bowed to Garlath, "Right, it'll be done!" she shouted as she ran off in the direction Garlath had mentioned.

Syra waited till Mithra was out of sight before turning back to her brother, "Tell me, that wasn't you who made a mess in there."

"Gotta keep these servants on their toes."

Syra let out a slight sigh of frustration before looking back at the armor that adorned him, "I see you've decided to cover yourself up some."

"Haha, well I've had my fill of showing off what I survived, that and our parents insisted on putting something on." Garlath looked at the outfit she was in, "Looking like a queen ready to rule!" he complimented.

Syra couldn't help but grin at that comment, "So what brought you up here, brother?"

"Our parents got you a gift, well so did I, but I felt it best to bring you to it." he then turned to the halls Mithra had went down to clean and started walking down that way.

Syra nodded locking the door behind her with magic and she followed her brother through the various halls and chambers, passing by Mithra who had begun working on fixing the family portraits.