Final installment of this short retelling of Dawn of the Aspect.

If you have a piece of your artifact on crooked, you're going to have a bad time!

This bit has a few more parts where a just 'dropped' chunks of speech straight in from DotA. Mostly near the end.

"Varian!" Jaina gasped, shifting around so she could roll him onto his back. The upper right side of his head was sticky with oozing blood. Diagnostic spells told her parts of his skull had shattered when impacting the floor, and his brain was swelling.

Varian was dying.

Pulse pounding in her ears, Jaina sent a silent apology to Kalec before she began casting a teleportation spell. The healers in Dalaran would be able to help him! They had to!

Her teleportation spell failed with a pop of stinging arcane static rippling over her skin.

"What?" Jaina felt a coldness build in the pit of stomach. She immediately tried to open a portal, hoping it was her own shortcomings. Surely she was just low on mana! Jaina had put so much into taking down the wards, she did not have enough left to teleport.

The portal did not open.

"No…" she cast her magical awareness around the Nexus. The wards were back, and they had compensated for her earlier meddling.

They were trapped inside.

"No… no… NO!" Jaina exclaimed as she cupped her hands around Varian's face. If she didn't do something soon, he would die. Tears burned hot down her cheeks, "No… Varian."

There were arcane healing spells. Small ones for minor wounds as well as complex ones for severe injuries. Jaina knew them, had used several of the smaller ones on herself throughout her life. But she'd never needed to use any of the larger ones. They were intense and taxing. If she did not have enough energy to complete the spell, she could leave Varian crippled, or worse. Likewise, if she pressed herself too hard, those same spells could kill her with the effort they required. She knew of several mages who had expired attempting to heal grevious wounds.

But Jaina could not let him die. Whether she loved Varian romantically or not, part of her heart was already inextricably bound to his. The thought of losing him filled her with such anguish it hurt.

Kneeling beside him, Jaina began casting. The spell was fierce, utilizing every bit of magic she had available. Power roarer through her body, sending it vibrating in a way that was similar to standing next to a gnomish jet engine. The air around her shimmered and wavered as the spell reached out to Varian, surrounding him in a protective shroud of arcane energy.

An alarming tugging sensation began to build from the core of Jaina's being as the spell covered the wound, slowly righting bone and flesh. Other mages had spoken of a pulling sensation before, but the source of what caused it was speculative. Popular opinion was the spell required something of its caster to fully complete the healing process.

By the time the spell finished, it had pulled so much energy from Jaina that she had lost the ability to see. She collapsed beside Varian, gasping and shaking. It was as if a vise was bound around her chest. Discipline kept her from panicking. Slowly, Jaina found she could take shallow, even breaths. It was still alarming to be sitting on the precipice of suffocation, but as long as she focused on the sweetness of the oxygen that was coming in, she was able to keep her terror at bay.

Finally, the tension around her chest began to fade, and she was gradually able to take deeper breaths. When her vision returned, Jaina weakly pushed herself up to take stock of her work.

The horrible tears in Varian's scalp were gone. He had not woken at the spell's completion. While Jaina was tempted to rouse him, anxious and impatient, she resisted the urge. Instead, she ran her diagnostic spells over him again. His pulse and breathing had returned to normal, the shards of his skull were fused back together, and the pressure building in his brain had been drained. There was no way for her to replace the blood Varian lost, but she was certain he had not lost enough for it to be fatal.

All she could do now was wait.

Trembling with fatigue, Jaina dragged herself and Varian over to the closest wall and sat against it, his head pillowed in her lap. Breathing still labored, Jaina rested her head back against the wall and took stock of their situation.

It was not good. They were trapped within the Nexus. Kalec was lost in the workings of a haywire artifact. Anduin was badly wounded and, even though Varian assured her he was going to recover, there was an awful voice in her head that told her he was still in danger.

Now she was on the verge of losing Varian too.

Jaina could feel the last bits of sanity in her life begin to slip away. Leaning her head back against the wall, she closed her eyes, feeling tears once again slip down her cheeks. "Please Light," she sobbed, "give me a sign that you haven't forsaken me."

In her lap, Stormwind's king groaned.

"Varian!" She gasped in surprise.

He groaned again as he sat up, shifting just enough to sit beside her against the wall. Bringing his hand up, Varian gingerly touch the spot where he had injured himself. "What happened?"

"You fell and hit your head," Jaina said as she crawled around to face him. Gently, she took his chin in her hands and guided his gaze towards a nearby light. He winced a little, but she saw his eyes dilate in the appropriate fashion when exposed to brightness. "Can you tell me your name?"

"Varian… Wrynn," he rumbled with only a slight slur to his words.

"Do you know my name?" She asked next.

His blue-steel gaze found hers, and a small smile tugged at his lips, "Jaina Proudmoore."

Hope flickered in her chest, "Do you know where we are?"

To his credit, Varian only had to take a cursory glance around before he answered, "A cursed magic dragon pit."

"It does seem like that right now doesn't it?" Jaina found herself chuckling at his feistiness, "But this place has a name, can you tell it to me?"

"The Nexus," he answered.

"Good, and what's your son's name?"

"Anduin."

"Where did you and I first meet?" She asked.

"Theramore Island." A hint of irritation was beginning to color his voice.

"That's right. Last one I promise," Jaina said, feeling herself begin to relax a little, "I told you something very important yesterday. Do you remember what that was?"

The small grin that appeared when she'd asked for her name reappeared, growing to a tender smile as he reached out to caress her cheek, "You're pregnant."

Tears of relief poured down her cheeks as Jaina threw her arms around him, cradling his head against her shoulder, "Light, Varian," she sobbed quietly, "I thought I lost you!"

"You wouldn't've lost me, m'too stubborn," he slurred a little more, sounding much like his Anduin had the day before.

Pulling away, Jaina shook her head slowly.

Varian's eyes widened, "That bad?" She nodded, more tears falling as she clenched her teeth. "Oh," he murmured, suddenly looking much more humble, "Well then, thanks for saving me."

Jaina hugged him again, holding him so tightly it hurt, "I wanted to take you to Dalaran. I wanted to get you away from here. Back where it was safe." She sniffed, "But the wards around the Nexus have been restored. The artifact… it's learning. It compensated when it rebuilt its shield wards. We're trapped in here." Burying her face in the crook of his neck, Jaina inhaled deeply. Varian's scent, still new and alluring, was already remarkably calming. "I wasn't sure I could save you. Arcane healing spells are very difficult. I… so much could've gone wrong." She gave a tremulous sigh and swallowed. Relaxing her grip, Jaina began inspecting the healed wound once more, grimacing at the sticky blood matting his hair. Conjuring a damp cloth, she set to work gently cleaning the area.

"What happened to you?" Varian asked. "The last thing I remember is catching you after the artifact attacked you."

"It didn't attack me, I became linked with it for a short time," Jaina answered as she thought back on the memories. A grin formed at what she'd seen, "I think these are memories of the Aspects before they became Aspects. Varian, they started out as proto-drakes!"

"Proto-drakes?" He peered up at her through his bangs, "I knew the Titans empowered them, but I didn't know they'd changed them so drastically."

"Neither did I," she said. "I think they were fighting Galakrond."

"Wasn't he the 'Father of Dragons?'" Varian asked.

"From what I understand, yes," Jaina said as she finished wiping away the rest of the blood. A minor spell dried the area, then she inspected the healed wound again. "He looked…" she considered her words carefully, "tainted, or at the very least in some form of mutation. Not like Kalec's," she nodded her head in the direction of the unconscious dragon. "He was enormous. Larger than the Aspects combined. He could crawl over mountains like Anduin could crawl over a couch cushion." Jaina ran her thumb over the scar on Varian's scalp. It was ugly and crude, but she didn't feel anything alarming beneath it. She made a mental note to bring him straight to a healer once they got out of there. "Alexstrasza's memories didn't supply as much specific knowledge on his physical state. She seemed… very young."

"Wait, you were Alexstrasza?"

"I think the more accurate description is I was reliving her memories," Jaina said as she sat back on her heels. "It was similar to riding a horse, but without a body. I had no control over anything, just watching through her eyes. Galakrond looked strange. It… almost looked like old god corruption," she said as she rubbed her arms to warm them. "So many extra little eyes and limbs protruded from his body." The cold, which Jaina had been able to ignore with her attention so focused on Varian, was creeping back into her. Shivering, she wrapped her cloak around herself and strengthened her personal barriers.

"You okay?" Varian asked.

"Cold," she answered. "I haven't been able to get warm since Kalec breathed on me."

Making a displeased noise, Varian reached out and pulled her down so she sat between his legs. Unclasping his cloak, he bundled her up in it before wrapping his arms securely around her.

Jaina sighed heavily in relief, "Light you're so warm." She snuggled in closer, tucking her head beneath his chin and basked in the heat he radiated.

Varian chuckled ruefully, "Glad to be somewhat useful."

"You've been wonderfully helpful, Varian," Jaina picked her head up just enough to look at him. "You found out what this artifact was and possibly why it's doing what it's doing!"

He shrugged, "I read a book, nothing special. You are just as capable of doing that without my help. You would've found it eventually, perhaps earlier if I hadn't moved you to your bed to sleep." Leaning his head down over her shoulder, "My point is, you didn't really need me to come with you."

"Maybe," Jaina whispered, "But having you with me has been a wonderful change. Normally I do everything on my own. It's been… nice to have someone else I can rely on."

"Don't ever hesitate about it either," Varian rumbled as his hand dug between the folds of his cloak to rest on her midsection. "If you need anything, I'll do everything within my power to help you."

"I'll do my best to remember that," Jaina said as she snuggled back down with a tiny smile. His statement was both cheering and sobering. It was deeply comforting to know he would be there if she need him, but Jaina also understood there would be limits. Not that Varian wanted those limits, but while their blooming relationship and unborn child remained a secret, they would both be restricted to the lengths they would be able to go for each other.

"Good," Varian said as pulled her a little tighter against his chest and rested his chin on her shoulder.

Jaina smiled a little. This seemed to be Varian's default position, with a few variation, whenever they were sitting together now. "What is this?" She asked coyly, "Does the great King of Stormwind like to cuddle?"

"Shhh, don't tell anyone," Varian murmured in her ear.

"Your secret is safe with me, my king," Jaina chuckled as she brushed her cheek against his, wincing when the stubble from his beard grated against her skin, "Oh, prickly." She looked up with a smirk, but it vanished when she noticed the redness rimming his eyes. Darker coloring was beginning to appear beneath them as well.

He was exhausted.

"Varian, when was the last time you had any sleep?" Jaina asked as she wriggled out of the confines of his cloak.

"Mmm?" He looked at her in confusion, having caught him on the edge of a doze.

"When was the last time you slept?" She asked again, feeling guilty and angry with herself. Varian had been so concerned with make sure she was well cared for, he had neglected himself. And so had she!

"I napped earlier while you slept," he answered in a soothing tone. "Don't fret, love. I can go up to four days without sleep, I'm fine."

"No, you're not," Jaina growled. "You've been so busy caring for me and trying to contain the chaos going on that you haven't had time for yourself. I've been so focused on myself I missed it. I'm sorry, Varian."

"There's nothing to apologize for, Jaina," he said as he reached up to cup her cheek his hand. "You've had a tumultuous last few days."

"That's no excuse. It's been just as turbulent for you as it has for me," Jaina insisted. "And… I have plenty to apologize for. I purposely made you angry in Pandaria after Anduin was hurt. I'm sorry. That was wrong of me. I never should have tried to manipulate you like that." Jaina found she couldn't meet his gaze as the rest of her apology tumbled out before she could stop it. "I… also looked at some of Anduin's medical report while you were away in Stormwind."

"Even after I asked you not to?"

"Yes, I did, I'm sorry," she whispered hoarsely as tears burned her eyes again.

Varian was quiet for a moment before he gave a rough chuckle, "I had a feeling you would."

Heat blazed over her cheeks as Jaina looked at him again, "You did? You knew I'd look?!"

"Of course I knew," he chuckled again as his thumb brushed away a few rogue tears from her cheek. "I also know you did it because you care about what happened to Anduin. You care so much for others, Jaina," he glowered over at Kalec, "it often gets you hurt."

"Varian, I told you, it wasn't Kalec's faul-" she was cut off as the aforementioned dragon let out a painful roar. Fear clutched her heart as Jaina scrambled to her feet and rushed over to Kalec.

"Be careful!" Varian called from behind her as he staggered to his feet as well.

"I will," Jaina said as she warily knelt at Kalec's side. He was breathing faster than any living creature should be able to breath. The artifact in the middle of the room was pulsating rapidly, and, on a hunch, Jaina pressed her fingers to the dragon's carotid artery. His pulse raced in time with the artifact's glow. "That damned relic has attuned itself to Kalec's life force." Whether it was hearing his name, or the machinations of the artifact, Kalec roared again, and both of them watched as his body mutated furthing into that of a proto-drake. "This can't be it was meant to do!"

"Jaina, didn't you say it looked like Galakrond was corrupted by the Old Gods," Varian said as he limped up beside.

"It's a theory, not a confirmed fact," she admitted.

"Regardless, that thing," he pointed at the artifact, "somehow ended up inside Galakrond. That creature died millenia ago, before Night Elves walked Azeroth."

"And sitting inside a rotting corpse afflicted with something like that had to have affected it!" Jaina surged to her feet and kissed him soundly, "Varian that must be it!" She immediately turned her attention to the artifact. Still hopeful, but cautious, Jaina examined it again. As her magic probed it, the same strange violet haze appeared like before.

Instead of continuing to analyze the artifact, Jaina focused on the haze itself. She knew the artifact emitted a golden glow on its own. The hazy energy seemed to be a separate entity from the relic, but it permeated every inch of it nonetheless. With careful trial and error, Jaina found a way to dispel a portion of the haze from the artifact's spellwork. In doing so, she noticed something else.

"This relic isn't one whole piece, it's two fused together." Jaina said, speaking aloud so Varian could follow her train of thought. "Kalec must have found another part and reattached it. I'm not sure you can see it, but the connections are out of alignment."

"Are you saying this thing is misbehaving because it's top is on crooked?" Varian grumbled.

"I don't think it's the main cause of the problem, but it might be exacerbating it," she grinned. With a gentle magical touch, Jaina nudged the domed top of the artifact back into alignment with its base. It snapped into place with a satisfying click.

Following her earlier hunch, Jaina redrew the symbol in the air again.

"Wait a minute," Varian rumbled as he stepped behind her, wrapped his arms around her ribcage, and took a firm stance. "I'm not taking any chances."

"Appreciated," she smiled, then laid the symbol over the relic. It sank into it without any resistance. The top half, now properly in place, made a one quarter turn on itself, realigning the symbol with its inner spell matrix.

A thin white beam of energy jumped from the artifact to Jaina's forehead, then bounced to Varian's.

The scattering of images thrust upon them was organized chaos. Through the artifact, Jaina and Varian watched as five unique proto-dragons struggled against Galakrond, so large that he indeed scrambled over mountains as if they were no more than small bumps on a road. Malygos and Alexstrasza were nearly eaten by the abomination had it not been for Nozdormu blowing gouts of sand in his nose and Ysera breathing noxious gas down his throat. Another flash, Malygos and Neltharion broke off a large chunk of boulder and, through great risk and with a little luck, sent it down Galakronds throat. It lodged precariously at first, but with some death defying manurvers from Malygos and Neltharion, most of which involved flying into and partially down Galakrond's throat, the rock stayed put. What followed was a long, gruesome death by suffocation as the mutated behemoth fled from the five, only to fall to it's final resting place in DragonBlight.

The impact of his body on the ground was so loud the roaring of the earth still echoed in their minds even as they came out of the memory.

Jaina turned in Varian's arms, eyes wide and breath tremulous from the vision. His expression mirrored hers, his grip tightening around her. Before they could speak, Kalec roared again, this time clearly in pain. Both turned to aid him, but were kept away from the ailing dragon by waves of intense heat radiating from him.

Jaina gasped as his body visibly darkened, "I have to break him free of this device. I think I know how, I just hope I have enough time left."

"Anything I can do to help?" Varian asked.

"Another voice that doesn't belong in those memories may help me reach him," Jaina answered, "But… it would require tying both of us to the artifact."

Varian studied their surrounds quickly, "Is there any reason you have to do this standing?"

"No, I can connect us while sitting," Jaina said, following his thoughts. "I just need to have it in sight."

They sat down on the floor as closed as the dared to Kalec, knee to knee, between the pedestal and Kalec. Linking hands, Jaina set straight into casting her spell, binding their consciousnesses to the artifact. Her world fell away, followed shortly by the sense of stomach dropping sensation of falling before finding her balance again. Opening her eyes, Jaina found herself staring at four battered proto-drakes. Four she knew,

An icy Malygos, a grey Neltharion, brown Nozodurmu, and tiny little yellow and green Ysera. They were all looking ahead up them, towards figures that filled the sky and sent their hearts racing in both terror and curiosity.

Are those… those are Titans! Jaina realized, suddenly fascinated. This was the moment! This was when they were changed! They were becoming Aspects!

And while she wanted to see the moment, to watch an act so shrouded in mystery that even the dragon flights themselves didn't truly know what happened, Jaina tore her attention away.

Kalec's life meant far more than memories of the past.

"Kalec," Jaina said through Alexstrasza's mouth.

Malygos looks around in confusion, Kalec's consciousness fused to his predecessor.

"Kalec look at me," she urged.

Try as she might, Malygos's gaze returned to the looming shadows above them.

"Kalecgos, you must awaken," Varian's voice growled through the gray proto-drake standing beside him.

The unfamiliar voice made Malygos flinch and turn his full attention towards Neltharion/Varian.

"Kalec, look at me please," Jaina called again, praying Varian's presence had sufficiently distracted him from the unfolding memories. "Concentrate. The artifact is trying to do what Tyr tasked it with, but the foulness that was Galakrond seeped into it over the millennia and corrupted its function, even as it sought to serve Tyr and the Aspects."

Finally, the reptilian gaze locked with hers and she pulled with every ounce of magical strength she had left, severing his connection to Malygos. With great care, Jaina extricated all of them from the artifacts grasp and released Kalec's mind back to his own body.

They both woke first and watch as Kalec's body returned to its normal half elven shape. He woke with a gasp and looked around in bewilderment. When he spotted Jaina, he calmed somewhat.

"You reached me," he rasped hoarsely.

"You reached me," Jaina said as she crawled over and conjured a glass of water for him, "How could I do anything less?" The dragon accepted the drink, sipping carefully as he looked around, obtaining his barings. His gaze found the artifact and he growled menacingly, lifting his free hand to sling a spell. "No, Kalec!" Jaina grabbed his hand in both of hers, "It means no harm. Remember what I said to you?"

"You said… but… how do you know?" Kalec asked in confusion.

"We were given a key," she told him as she drew the symbol in the air between them. "I'm not sure by whom. It may have been a Keeper, or even a piece of the relic itself, but we're certain she wasn't a taunka." Varian grunted an affirmative from beside her.

"Buniq?"

"So you met her too," Varian rumbled.

"She told you all of this?" Kalec asked.

"No," Jaina shook her head. "With a bit of research, and trial and error, we were able to piece the problem together." She looked over at the artifact, "I think I know what it was meant for now."

"As wonderful as that is," Varian spoke up gruffly, "I would be happy to leave this arcane freezer for a while. We can wait for the rest of your explanations, and," he fixed Kalec with a politely curious look, "what all you saw, until we're somewhere a little more comfortable."

"He's right, we all need some rest," Jaina agreed.

Varian was dismayed when he learned they weren't leaving immediately. First they needed to finish purging the rest of the taint from the artifact. With both Kalec and Jaina working in tandem, the process was swiftly accomplished. Once that task was complete, they piecemealed enough protective wards together to shield the Nexus and its contents for the next few days. Kalec then finally opened a portal back to the Temple of the Seven Stars.

All three of them collapsed on various pieces of furniture when they arrived in their suite in Pandaria. Mara stepped out of Anduin's room at the undignified thudding noises, "Ah, you've returned. The young prince was worried when you were gone overnight."

"The length of our absence was unintentional," Varian said from where he sprawled in one of the large pandaren easy chairs. "How is he?"

"In good spirits considering the severity of his injuries," the healer answered as she leaned on the door jam of the bedroom. "He's asleep right now. His pain is worse today than it was yesterday, so we've adjusted the healing spells and medication we're giving him so he can sleep through the worst of it."

"What happened to Prince Anduin?" Kalec asked.

"Has m'Lord been stuck in a hole for the last few days?" Mara quipped before Varian or Jaina could answer. "Our young prince was nearly crushed to death when Warchief Hellscream shattered the Divine Bell on top of him."

Kalec looked aghast at the old healer's words, "I'm afraid I've been considerably preoccupied, yes." He looked over at the two rulers, "I had not yet been informed of this travesty, although now I understand what you meant about 'policy changes' in Dalaran."

"Yes, it was part of what I wanted to discuss with you," Jaina said with an apologetic look from where she half reclined on the sofa. She immediately turned her gaze to Mara, "Varian suffered a head wound while we were helping Kalec. I healed it to the best of my ability, but… would you please look at it?"

"I'm fine!" Varian griped.

"As you say King Wrynn, but I believe it would be in your best interest, and the interest of others, if you would allow me to look at it," Mara replied tactfully. The king's signature glower was as effective on her as it had been with Modera. With a resigned sigh, Varian nodded and sat up straighter so the healer could examine him.

"Hmm," Mara's healing sight inspected the wound, "Bit amateurish, but it's done the job. All that's left is a mild concussion." Bringing up one glowing hand, she rested it over the area in question, "I'm bringing down the rest of the bruising and swelling. That should take care of your headache. No intense physical activities or alcohol for a few days though. I'd prefer the mandatory two weeks, but I'd sooner get struck by lightning and eaten by a shark all in the same day than get you to sit still that long."

"True," Varian grunted. "I believe the next appropriate business to attend to would be food."

As if on cue, a loud rumbling noise could be heard throughout the room. Kalec turned a bright shade of crimson, "Yes please."

Unlike before, when Jaina lamented the outrageous portion sizes of Pandaren meals, she now gave thanks for it. Kalec politely devoured enough food to feed three or four people all on his own, and drank what had to have been a gallon of tea. As he emibibe, he told them of what he saw in Malygos's memories. Much like what Jaina had come to understand, the relic contained all of the memories of each original Aspect before they were blessed by the Titans. Through those they learned of the corrupting menace Galakrond had become. He started out as the Titan's first attempt for a guardian on Azeroth. His enormity had been one of his greatest strength, and perhaps, part of his downfall. At a some point, Galakrond had run out of food, or at least could no longer find a satisfying meal. In what was probably desperation, the hulking proto-dragon started eating other proto-drakes. This had either spawned his corruption, or it was the corruption from something else that spurned him to commit the act in the first place.

Either way, it was Galakrond's consumption of his own kind that created the first undead plague on Azeroth. It was those undead, and the threat Galakrond posed to the rest of life on Azeroth, that urged the Keeper Tyr to find a way to combat them. In his search, he found five very special proto-drakes, each with a unique presence of mind and a will to protect others. He brought them together, and even with their meager might, they were able to vanquish Galakrond by shoving a boulder down his throat.

Varian and Jaina had witnessed the end of that harrowing event, plus the flash of them right before they became Aspects. Their short exposure to the artifacts contents had been reeling, and Kalec had been trapped within it for days./

"Light Kalec, you must be exhausted," Jaina gaped at him.

"I'll definitely sleep well tonight," the dragon nodded as he sat back in his seat, hunger finally sated. "You said you learned what the artifact was for. It's clearly a receptacle for holding and presenting memories."

"Indeed, but it's even more than that," Jaina grinned. "Tyr, like many of the Keepers, planned ahead. At some point he must have suspected the Aspect would lose faith in themselves and their abilities. I think this artifact was meant to show them those memories, to remind of where they came from, and what they'd been capable of doing before the Titan's empowerment." The smile turned thoughtful, "They really were remarkable, even as proto-drakes. They wanted to protect their home more than themselves. It's no wonder the Titans chose them to be Azeroth's guardians."

"I agree, seeing them succeed with so little does make me feel better about losing my Mantle," Kalec said before looking thoughtful as well, "You have my deepest thanks for pulling me away from the artifact's control. Without your help, and cleansing it afterwards, I believe the memories would have started over again from the beginning. I would have been eternally stuck in a loop until I perished." He looked at Varian specifically, "I was not surprised to see Jaina in the Nexus, but you were quite the opposite, King Wrynn. Both times."

"Both times?" Varian asked, brows raising in alarm. "You knew I was there the first time? How?"

Kalec tapped his nose, "Can't hide from this. Your scent was on Jaina, and nearby. I am glad you were able to help her."

Varian shrugged, "I didn't do much."

"Yes you did," Jaina lightly shoved his shoulder before reaching for a slice of apple that was part of their dessert. "He found the information I'd been looking for after I fell asleep."

"You needed the rest," Varian shrugged again, "and you can't tell me the extra sleep didn't pay off."

"It did," she chuckled as she bit into the apple slice, then immediately stiffened. The skin was like waxy leather, and the flesh mushy and bitter as it coated her tongue. Coughing, Jaina did everything within her power not to gag as she covered her mouth with her napkin, but ended up having to spit out the offensive piece of fruit, "Ugh, that's disgusting!"

Kalec's brow furrowed, "Smells fine to me." Reaching out, he plucked up another piece of apple from the plate and popped it into his mouth before Jaina could react. He chewed thoughtfully for a few seconds before he shrugged, "It tastes fine, little soft from sitting out for a bit."

"Mmm," Varian snagged a piece and dodged as Jaina swatted at his hand.

"Varian! That could get you both sick!" She protested.

"No it won't," he chuckled as he pointed to a ring he wore on his right index finger. "It's spelled to detect poisoned or rotten food." He held the slice of fruit near the ring, "If it was bad, it would glow." The ring remained dull, and the apple slice met the same fate Kalec's had, "Tastes fine." He motioned for the piece she had left from her slice. Jaina hesitantly held it out next to the ring, ready to pull her hand away if either of them attempted to take the nasty thing.

The ring did not glow.

Varian suddenly barked a laugh, "I wonder if it doesn't like apples."

"What doesn't like apples?" Kalec asked curiously.

Jaina felt her face turn red as she scowled at Varian.

"What?" He asked calmly, "You were going to tell him anyways."

"Tell me what?" Kalec asked, waiting with good natured amusement for the mystery to be revealed.

"I… uh… well…" Jaina stuttered. "Um… do you remember what I did during Winter Veil?"

"Yes," Kalec brightened, "and I told you it didn't offend me. Why?" His eyes narrowed skeptically as he looked at Varian, "Do I still need to bite off some limbs?"

"No!" Jaina said quickly.

"Oh, okay," Kalec's eyes sparkled at his little bit of mischief. "You have my thanks, Varian, for being there for Jaina when she was so upset." Varian's only remark was a short nod of his head. Turning his attention back to Jaina, "But this does not explain anything about not liking apples."

"Oh… um… yes I suppose that's true," Jaina felt her face heat up as she searched for a way to tactfully explain her condition.

Varian, however, had no qualms about being blunt, "Jaina's pregnant."

Jaina's face felt like an inferno.

"Pregnant?" Kalec's brow furrowed in concentration, "Where have I heard that before… " he trailed off as he seemed to search his mind for the draconic translation for the Common word. When he finally remembered it, his eyes opened wide in surprise, "Oh! You're having a w- baby!"

"I... " Jaina squeaked, still reeling from Varian's abrupt revelation, "yes… I am."

"Some of the earlier symptoms are nausea and sudden repulsions to certain foods," Varian added.

Kalec grinned, "Sickness sometimes occurs for dragons too. I have heard some females purposefully consume more food to compensate for such ailments. From your demeanors, I take it this was unplanned?"

"Yes," Jaina answered, "Steps were taken to avoid it, but they proved… ineffective."

"And you are content with this development?" Kalec posed the question to both of them.

"Very much so," Varian answered. "Just because it's unexpected does not make it unwanted." Kalec seemed pleased with Varian's answer, but looked to her for confirmation as well. While still feeling a little sheepish, Jaina nodded fervently in agreement.

"That's wonderful, congratulations to you both on your blessing!" Kalec's smile was full and genuine, but it quickly faded to quiet sadness.

"You're upset," Jaina frowned.

Kalec looked up at her with an apologetic expression, "I am. Not with you, but it's for… similar reasons." He pressed his lips together, suddenly looking unsure.

"You don't have to explain if you don't want to," she soothed.

"No… you have been open and honest with me," Kalec shook his head, "While you have not expressed it so, I realize you've just entrusted me with the knowledge of something deeply precious to both of you. You saved my life today on top of that, taking great risk to… all of you." His gaze found Jaina's as the depth of those risks sunk in. "I can only be as forthright in return. All I ask is that you keep what I'm about to say to yourselves."

"Of course," Jaina said, Varian echoing her response with a nod.

Frowning, Kalec spoke, "My people, all dragons, can no longer bear children."

"What? Why?!" Jaina asked, appalled at the news.

"We're not sure," the dragon answered. "We think it has something to do with losing our powers as Aspects. All dragons are linked to their respective flight leader, and it's possible giving up our mantles damaged the rest of them. But, that's all speculative. Whatever happened, very few eggs hatched after the Hour of Twilight, and no new nests have been made since." Kalec looked unbearably sad, "If we cannot procreate, my people are no longer viable as a species."

"No more dragons," Varian frowned.

"But… Azeroth would never be the same without dragons," Jaina lamented, hardly noticing one of her hands rested protectively against her midsection.

"That is kind of you to say," Kalec smiled sadly, "but it is clear our time here is coming to an end. The younger races must care for Azeroth." Sighing deeply, Kalec gave himself a little shake before putting on a happier grin, "Forgive me, this is not the time for such ill news. We should be celebrating your good fortune."

Varian chuckled, "As much as I wish to shout it from the rooftops, we've decided it would be in everyone's best interest to keep this quiet for now." Jaina nodded in agreement.

"Oh, I see," the dragon's blue black brow furrowed again, "this must have something to do with you both being leaders of your people?"

"Yes… what we've done could be considered… quite a scandal," Jaina admitted. "Tying that into the recent and controversial events between the Horde, Dalaran, and Anduin, we believe it would be dangerous to reveal my condition at the present time."

Kalec's expression deepened to great concern as the gravity of the situation sank in, "I understand. Please don't hesitate to come to me for help if you need it." A rumbling sound more fitting of Kalec's dragon form radiated from him. "It is loathsome that you must hide such a happy occasion due to your stations."

Varian nodded with a deep empathetic grunt of agreement.

Resting a penetrating gaze on the king, Kalec's next question was, "And what are your intentions towards Jaina?"

Varian took a moment to consider the sudden inquiry. When he finally answered, he looked over at Jaina, his voice was full of compassion, "To care for and be there in whatever way she needs me, if she lets me." The last was said with a bit of a smirk.

"So you intend to court her?" Kalec asked. At his nod, the dragon growled again, "If you hurt her, I will eat you."

Jaina balked as the king laughed loudly, "Kalec!"

"What?" Varian grinned sharply, "He has every right to threaten me. When it looked like you two may have been starting something after Theramore, I told him if he ever harmed you his head would hang from the gates of Stormwind just like Onyxia's."

"Varian!" Jaina exclaimed, only for him to cackle louder. Looking to Kalec for help, she was surprised to find him watching them with a perplexed expression, "What is it?"

"I've always been fascinated with how humans are able to laugh in the face of fear and adversity," Kalec answered. "The only other race I've seen come close to such behavior is dwarves, but that is usually a precursor to them jumping into the middle of a brawl or other such danger."

"I am also guilty of that," Varian grinned proudly, to which Jaina nodded as she covered her face with her hand.

Kalec opened his mouth to speak, but halted as his eyes went wide. Cocking his head to the side, he seemed to listen patiently to something they could not hear. When he finally looked at them again, he looked both relieved and anxious.

"Is everything all right?" Jaina asked.

"The others have answered my request to reconvene our earlier gathering," he said. "They're willing to meet at Wyrmrest to speak with me."

"Well Kalec? Can you now tell us why you've insisted on calling us back here once more?" Alexstrasza asked as she walked into the Chamber of Aspects in her humanoid form.

Kalec, also in his humanoid form, jumped from where he stood on the raised dais. Stepping back, he transformed back into his natural form, dipping his head respectfully, "I do."

"Very well," Alexstrasza nodded as she took her place atop the dais, transforming as she went. By the time she finished, Ysera and Nozdormu had entered the chamber and were taking their places beside them as well.

"Thank you for returning," Kalec said.

"Just what are we doing?" Ysera interrupted. "Best tell us quickly. You said it had something to do with that thing." She nodded her massive head down to where the relic sat harmlessly on a pedestal in the center of the dais. "Strange… I have seen that somewhere before."

Kalec immediately concentrated on the relic.

Nozdormu hissed, "What do you think you are…?"

The Spark of Tyr glowed.

And they remembered.

Like the relic had done with Kalec, it now did with the other three. They relived their past, from their first meetings of one another, to their epic struggle and victory over Galakrond. However, unlike Kalec, whose vision had been drawn out over several agonizing days, their visions only lasted a few minutes. In that short time though, their faces reflected a gamut of emotions.

Then the artifact's glow faded and they stirred back into consciousness.

"Kalecgos!" Alexstrasza looked put out, "You should not have done that without our permission!"

"Would you have given it?" Kalec's dragonic brow raising at his quiry.

"Certainly not!" Ysera snapped. Then her countenance and tone softened, "But we would have been wrong."

"Explain thisss, and yourssself," Nozdormu commanded.

And he did. Kalec told him everything that had happened over the last several days, except Jaina and Varian's part in it, at their request. When he was finished, even the cranky Nozdormu looked astounded.

"I had wondered for some time after why he had brought forth that device," the former Aspect of Time muttered in regards to the artifact. "Foolish, to think reminding us of this incident could change what has happened to us now."

"It was hardly just an incident though," Alexstrasza pointed out. "Your voice betrays you, Nozdormu. You relived what happened then, just as my sister and I just did. You remember how you felt… how we all felt back then.

"What does it matter?" Ysera sighed.

Kalec spoke up quickly, "Because this is what Tyr needed you to see! When we gave up our mantles as Aspects to save Azeroth, what you three did was a great and noble sacrifice. Even when you were proto-dragons, you proved yourselves worthy of the Titans blessings. You were willing to risk your lives to protect your home and your people.

"We nearly died several times over," grunted Nozdormu.

"No… we did," Alexstrasza exhaled, "Not physically, but in some ways, we did die. We forgot who we were over our millenia of life. Forgot who we started out as. We did exist before we were Aspects! And we fought, thinking not for ourselves, but for the greater good of all of Azeroth. We lived as ourselves before… surely we can do that again?"

Nozdormu looked thoughtful for a moment before addressing Ysera, "You fought well for a runt. I thought you mad at times… but admirable."

"I had to keep up with her," Ysera nodded toward her sibling. "And you were always there to lend your strength at just the right moment, Nozdormu. You know that."

"We all fought well that day. Even…" Alexstrasza looked sad, "... even Malygos and Neltharion." All three ancient beings were silent for a moment, paying their respects to their fallen brethren who had once been so noble and wise. Then they turned their attention to Kalec.

"You should not have done this, Kalec," Alexstrasza admonished.

"Unwise," said Nozdormu.

"Risky," Ysera added.

"But it has reminded us of much," Alexstrasza went on. "Reminded us most of all of who we were and still are." Again she glanced at the other two. "We have far more to think about. Would you not agree?"

"Much," the bronze dragon answered.

Ysera nodded.

"I have one more question to ask," Kalec spoke up. "We all know Galakrond as The Father of Dragons… but."

"It did not begin that way," Alexstrasza murmured. "The first dragons to come after us knew only of the great skeleton already long lying in the Dragonblight. We made certain that the truth about Galakrond would remain secret, for fear that some other might decide to follow his insidious path. Because of his immense size, many could not fathom him as anything else but a true dragon."

"We chose to encourage the misunderstanding," Nozdormu interjected. "And in his perverse way, Galakrond did cause the rise of dragonsss. A 'father' in some sense, if not exactly as we led all othersss to believe."

"And we shall continue to leave it that way," Alexstrasza quietly declared. Then, before a startled Kalec could react, she turned and scooped up the artifact. "I will tend to this. Its work is done. We may not be Aspects anymore, but we are still ourselves. I, for one, think that perhaps there is more I can offer the world after all."

"You're a stubborn one," Ysera directed at Kalec as she and Nozdormu turned and exited the chamber. "I can appreciate that."

Kalec was left with Alexstrasza. She tightened her grip on the relic. "Should I ever find that Tyr lives, I will thank him for reminding us of who we were… who we still are. As I do not know if I will have that chance, I thank you in his place, Kalec."

"There's no need—"

"Yes, there is. You still remembered life before assuming the mantle. You remembered enough to make certain that Tyr's hopes rekindled our own drive after we thought it was all over. So I thank you for that and much else." She left the dais, but before reaching the exit, briefly turned back. "Oh . . . and thank them for us also." Alexstrasza departed before Kalec could regain his composure.

He immediately whirled toward a distant column half in the shadows. "Did you hear her?"

Part of the column separated from the bulk. As it did, it became Jaina Proudmoore and Varian Wrynn. Jaina wore a guilty expression, while Varian was wide eyed and bore a childish grin of excitement at being in the presence of such big and powerful creatures

"I'm sorry! What will she do?" Jaina asked as they stepped towards Kalec.

"Nothing," Kalec shrugged. "Maybe try and thank you herself at a later date. I shouldn't be surprised Alexstrasza noticed your presence." He transformed back into his half elven form and tucked his hands in his pockets. "If you being here had been a problem, she would have spoken up about it."

"Do you think it worked?" Varian asked.

"Will they return to the world?" Jaina clarified, "Azeroth still needs them."

"I think they will," Kalec nodded. "They've always been true to themselves. They'll see that truth now better than they did before. They just… forgot for a little while." He smiled fondly at Jaina as his eyes flicked towards her midsection, "The future of Azeroth will need them, and I believe they will heed its call when the time comes."

Almost done. There's an epilogue on its way. Had this chapter not been so long, I would have included it here.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, and maybe things you might like to see in the future?

Thanks again for stopping by! See you next time!