Hello, everybody! I'm really excited so I decided to post early! As promised, Trials and Tribulations starts now! I am aware that all the short stories aren't finished. I tried, I really did, but it's okay because I will finish them, so expect updates after this book pertaining to Praise Amaterasu and Zodiac. It'll all go smoothly because this book, Power of Aura, will not leave any plot holes caused by not knowing what happened during Praise Amaterasu and Zodiac. All you guys need to be aware of is a closer bond between the couples due to their reconciliation and alterations done to the appearances of the Kunoichi, nothing much else. I will post the final chapter to Careful Planning at the end of this week! YAY!

This introductory chapter serves as both a refresher from Beyond the Flames and a foreshadowing for the upcoming events of this new series. I've decided that after each chapter I would write a brief synopsis to explain key plot points and such, so no one gets lost. Please don't take my little endeavor as an offense to your intelligence. It's only there if you need it.

Please read and enjoy!

Prologue

Rapture swam at a hurried pace through the River of Styx. The mystifying glyphs atop the length of his muscled white body glowed purposely to keep the foul beasts that inhabited the poisoned river at bay. The Nyoka had been swimming for quite some time, all in an effort to reach the City of Lost Souls and report back to his master.

A black-forked tongue tasted the air in displeasure. The bleak and desolate environment of the Underworld was a place for neither his kind nor his master's and yet the Agamemnon remained trapped here, caged and quarantined like a devastating disease. Rapture snorted. The sulfuric fumes from the grotesque river was getting weaker, signaling the upcoming end to his harrowing journey.

Exiting the toxic stream, he slithered hastily onto the blackened ground and used a small portion of his magic to rid himself of the stench that clung to his scales. He then gave a single yearning glance back the way he came. Though it had not been long, he already missed the company of his master's kin. The time he had spent with her was indeed brief, however within that timeframe he had learned much. Despite being a half-breed, her power was indubitably substantial. He could sense as well as taste the Darkness that flowed from her like a thick screen of miasma and what's even more noteworthy was that her Aga blood was beginning to awaken.

Yes…

Rapture refocused his gaze ahead and continued on his way. But, what of the male human that was with her? He was shrouded in a scent of volcanic magma and wildfire. They expressed great concern for each other's safety and had even shared a passionate kiss in front of him. Consequently, leading to the creation of the Black Fire which burned with the same exact intensity of his master's White Fire.

Hmm, were they mates then? The only way to know for sure is for the princess to experience her first heat.

An excitable hiss escaped Rapture as he quickened his pace.

Oh yes…there was just so much to report to King Grimfeld.

(The City of Lost Souls, Castle Dycedarg)

In a world consumed by everlasting nightfall, a vast city of stone beset by the eerie emerald specks of deceased mortals stood forlornly amongst the desolation. Across the lightning streaked sky the Agamemnon soared on silent wings in deadly formations, vigilant and devoted.

"Where our purest of kin fly, their wings beat a wayward sky.

Their search must be for naught, to find an unruly lot.

For our King's law is absolute, and will receive no dispute.

All to remove a thorn from our side, and purify our once glorious hide."

A slender figure pranced and danced with bewitching elegance, her voice a haunting chime that echoed through the candlelit hall of the audience chambers inside Castle Dycedarg. Multitudes of white flames glimmered and illuminated her beautiful azure body and casted an ethereal glow to smooth stone walls.

With each practiced step her elongated shimmering black skirt would swish around slender digitigrade legs and provoke a hum of content to sound from her lips. Her talons clicked rhythmically against polished marble as she moved, each of her three arched toes ending in a powerful claw. The dark enchantress twirled and continued to sing.

"None must go astray, from the path of vengeance lay.

Within a claw's reach freedom beckons, in which Lord Alastor will release his Armageddon.

None shall impede the Agamemnon's advance, for death be to thee plagued and entranced."

Long blond hair both loose and braided cascaded down betwixt her leathery pterodactyl-like wings as she curved her body backward in a magnificent arc. White fangs gleamed within the shadows when she smiled gleefully, her arms slowly and masterfully rotating like stalks of bamboo in the wind. She instantly stood upright when her maneuver finished and began to spin her body rapidly. All the while, her song of prediction erupted strongly from her throat.

"Humans must be purged to rid Ninjago of sin, and a new Dagra Sai will be reborn within.

A phoenix of dark, a phoenix of light must band together and take flight.

A dragon of green, a dragon of black must battle and hold nothing back.

May the royal children be united, and an oath of familial love recited."

The female Aga halted her twirl and peered up, raising a clawed hand adorned with white rings to the heavens. A threatening vein of white power flashed above and was plain to see beyond the fluorescent stained glass overhead. A glare of poison stared in challenge skyward and a long prehensile-bladed tail swayed in anticipation. With poise, her claw descended and landed on her sternum where her birthmark lied. A delicate design of splintered lightning surrounded by wisps of clouds emblazoned the soft flesh between her barely concealed breasts and glowed with great power.

"The game's afoot," she purred, her piercing glare unwavering, "and I, Xela'tath the Lady of Incantations, shall see our kind's return to glory and our conquest completed. Everything is as I forseen."

Her strong wings lighted down and folded across her shoulders and her gaze lowered to stare ahead to the grand double doors leading to the throne room. Pouty lips curved to form a devious grin, a subtle peek of fangs appearing to grace over her bottom lip.

"My king, liberation is almost at hand."

Okay, you guys remember Rapture, right? The snake-like creature from Dagra Sai who belongs to Grimfeld? Well, he is one of the links the Agamemnon have with Ninjago, kind of like a spy if you will. (The other link won't be revealed until later!) This moment happened in the past, obviously. When Kai, Ebony, and Rapture of course teleported to the Underworld from Yggdrasil's Citadel. Rapture took a different route than Kai and Ebony and made his way back to Grimfeld who resided in the City of Lost Souls where most of the Aga dwelled…with much to report.

I sincerely doubt I need to translate Xela'tath's song. You guys are smart, after all! The main purpose of her song and dance besides the obvious foreshadowing was to really offer a description to the anatomical structure of the Agamemnon body. I modeled the Aga significantly from Disney's Gargoyles with my own variations thrown in such as the Aga having five fingers instead of four and they have blades on their tails while Gargoyles' are without. Simply look up the wonderful 90's cartoon show to get a visual aid. They are creatively gorgeous in my opinion!

The official first chapter will be released soon!

Please read and review!