The dragon tried yet again... nothing happened. It had to be possible. He was one of the most powerful creatures on the planet, both physically and magically. He was able to revert to the form he wore many centuries ago, so what he attempted must be possible... it had to be. Time passed and he continued to try.
He was closer, he felt it. The dragon weaved the magic into a tapestry only he could see... close close. Yet when finished his form remained the same. But it would not be long. He could see the way. Soon...
This was it, after months... he felt it. The spell was unleashed and he was momentarily blinded. When he could see again he was no longer a black dragon. He looked down at a body that was strangely different. Two arms, two legs... each lacking the great claws he had. Skin which lacked any sort of protection. He turned, a tail, covered with black fur.
"Wait... that's not right," he who was the black dragon frowned... humans do not have tails. But it didn't matter, it was close enough, and ever second he wasted Zir was loose... destroying more people's hopes and dreams... more people's lives.
He walked unsteadily towards a opening from his lair. This would take some getting used to, but he had something to see to first. He walked into a large cavern, and floating in the middle... a large crystal. He paused for a second in front and considered. Is this truly the path he wanted? Yes. He would not sit idle in his cave as Zir took over the planet. He reached out and touched the crystal. Circles radiated from where he touched it, moving across the entire face of the crystal. There was a flash, and where the crystal was lay armor. HIS armor. He watched over the armor for all this time, in case it was needed. But until recently he never thought that he would ever wear it. Times were desperate... and he would not be idle any longer.
Lyle yawned and stretched. Another day, nothing new. There had been rumors that an army of those creatures created by that wizard, what's-his-name, had been skulking around to the west of Reza... but they wouldn't dare attack while HE was here. He was the best swordsman of his time, if he said so himself (which he did... frequently). He leaned back in his chair and squinted at the sun. In fact... he wouldn't mind a little action. Lyle turned as he heard someone approaching. He raised an eyebrow as he looked at the stranger. He wore a cloak which almost entirely covered his body, however it was parted in the front to show some ornate looking armor. The man had the blackest hair he had ever seen and piercing dark green eyes.
"Can I help you?"
"I have heard that you are pretty good with a sword."
"Pretty good? I'm the best."
"Teach me."
"Why should I?" Lyle asked. He was a warrior, not a teacher... Who was this guy anyway?
In answer the stranger pulled something out of a small pouch on his belt. Now why would he care about some rock? Then, he held it out. It glittered brightly in the sun. Lyle stuttered a few times trying to find his voice. It was no rock... it was the largest black diamond he had ever seen.
"When I am as good or better than you... this will be your's."
"Aren't you a little young to be worrying about swinging a sword?"
The dark haired one smirked.
"I'm older than you think, will you teach me?"
"You've got a teacher, when do you want to start?"
"No time like the present," he said, taking off his cloak.
Lyle looked at him questioningly.
"You... have a tail."
"Yes... I do, is that a problem?"
"Heck, for that diamond it wouldn't matter to me if you had horns and wings."
For some reason... the young man looked amused.
Lyle thought he had his work cut out for him. Why, the guy didn't even have a sword... and for some reason he wouldn't tell him his name (Lyle started calling him "Hey you"). However, once he lent him a sword, the mysterious young man seemed to take to it like a fish to water. After a few weeks he could hold his own again Lyle. After a few months he could beat anyone else in the town. After a little more time, he was able to beat Lyle half the time. Finally, one day...
"I have to go."
"So soon?" To tell the truth, Lyle would miss him.
"I have things that need to be done, but you've earned this."
He held the diamond out to Lyle.
"No... I have enjoyed teaching you... keep it."
"I insist."
"Very well... but only if you keep the sword."
He smiled. "Gladly, thank you."
They said their goodbyes and Lyle watched the young man walk off. He seemed to have something he wanted to get done. Lyle hoped that whatever it was... he would accomplish it.
If he was to defeat Zir, he would have to know how to handle a sword. So these months had been necessary. But now, at last, he could continue his journey. But first he needed help from the other dragons. Assuming his true form (out of sight of Reza, no need to panic the populace) he spread his wings and took flight. It wasn't a long trip before he saw his destination... Caldor island. He landed outside of the cave of the white dragon. It was a short trip to find him.
"Brother, this is an unexpected visit," said the white.
"It is necessary... you have heard what goes on in the human world?"
"Yes... I have."
"Does it not distress you?"
"Of course, but nothing can be done... we must wait."
"No! I wait no more, I have come to ask for the wings."
"The wings... but surely..."
"I have learned to take human form... if no human will arise... I will fight Zir. But the goddess said my power is not enough."
"Is it truly such a dark time that no human will arise?"
"I will not wait anymore! While we wait for some human, more of their kind die!"
The white dragon shook his head.
"You shouldn't be so impetuous..."
"Please brother... I ask..."
"Very well... you may take the wings... and I pray that this is the right choice..."
"Thank you..."
"and... good luck"
The visits to the blue and red dragons went the same. They were distressed that a dragon would directly involve himself in this situation, but they gave their acceptance... and their pieces of armor. Finally, once again he felt his talons sinking into the rocks are the base of Althena's tower. This time he couldn't just call her out... he had to prove himself. He turned to his human form and stepped boldly into the tower.
He had depended on his magic, the magic of the other dragons, and his sword, but he finally reached the top of the tower. He stood before the goddess, and for the first time his resolve faltered. He kneeled.
"My lady... I am sorry I did not have faith when you said one would come... but I could not wait and let the wizard continue to threaten the land and the people any longer."
And then Althena... smiled.
"Do not apologize for caring about the land. I said one would come, and he has."
He blinked. "Me?"
"Yes... with your new skills, the power of the other dragons, and my power, you will have a chance against the evil of Zir... take the blade, with my blessings, and with it, take the hopes and dreams out the people of Lunar."
The man who is also a dragon stepped forward and grasped the ornate hilt of the blade, and slowly pulled it from the stone it was standing in.
"Now," Althena said, "you are not only dragon... but dragonmaster."