Doomwing fought the urge to snort as the other primordial dragons began to arrive. In the air beside him, Regal Flame made an amused sound. She must have been able to sense his... disdain for the pomp and pageantry that accompanied their fellow primordial dragons.

"You know they have to keep up appearances," Regal Flame drawled. Her scales gleamed in the morning light. For the most part, her scales were a deep crimson, but there were flashes of orange and yellow, akin to the embers of a flame or the last, fleeting rays of the westering sun. "It is not enough to be strong..."

"One must also appear strong," Doomwing rumbled. It was an old saying, one he'd first heard from Mother Tree although the dryad had never claimed to have come up with it. Instead, she'd attributed it to Sovereign Flame. The long-dead dryad and dragon had been close friends, or so Mother Tree had always said. Doomwing had never seen the pair converse, but with their power, it would have been simple enough to communicate with magic. Besides, the care Mother Tree had lavished on Regal Flame had spoken volumes. "I both understand the necessity and deplore it."

Regal Flame chuckled. "The younger dragons also enjoy it. To most of them, our fellows are legends. They hear stories of them and read of their great deeds, but they never lay eyes upon them. To see them is to know they are real, to know that the legends are real. That is not without value." She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "Or have you missed how some of them look upon you."

Doomwing beat his wings. He could easily have held himself aloft using his telekinesis, but the movement helped disperse some of the... tension he would never admit to feeling. It was easy to command others. His overwhelming power, wisdom, and strength made it so. But his fellow primordial dragons were not like the others. They had overwhelming power, wisdom, and strength of their own. He led... but only because they chose to follow. If he wished to see his objectives accomplished, he would have to tread carefully. Some could be won over with straightforward incentives. Others would need to be negotiated with closely. And at least one would be difficult indeed to convince.

"They hear only of my victories," Doomwing replied at last. "But they hear nothing of my failures. I am not infallible, and for them to believe so is... dangerous."

"The older ones understand, or at least, I believe they do. Those of the Third and Fourth Awakening know very well that none of us - not even I - am perfect. As for those below them, they too shall learn of our failings in time. The world shall see to that. But in the meantime, there is little harm in letting the hatchlings believe. We were much the same, after all."

Doomwing nodded his ascent. "There is wisdom to your words."

He could keenly remember the days of his own youth. At the time, he had believed his parents amongst the wisest of all beings in the world. Time had shown him the foolishness of that belief, but his parents had not been without wisdom either. They had understood very well that for a young dragon still trying to find his place in the world, it was important for him to feel that he had others he could rely on. There had been Mother Tree and Dion, of course, as well as Stormtooth, but Mother Tree and Dion had their own responsibilities, and Stormtooth had been of an age with him. If his parents had hidden their own worries and concerns from him, it had not been simply to deceive him. It had been to let him live a better life without carrying their burdens too.

"It would seem that Stormbringer and Fathombinder are arriving together," Regal Flame said.

Doomwing followed her gaze. Black clouds had gathered along the horizon, and the flash of lightning could be seen. The boom of thunder soon reached them, and the winds stirred restlessly. Yet below the storm, the seas were utterly calm.

"She must be plotting something," Doomwing growled.

"Something obnoxious perhaps," Regal Flame said. "And almost certainly troublesome, but not treachery."

"Stormbringer is many things, but she is not treacherous. When she dislikes someone or something, she does not bother to conceal it." Doomwing glanced at Firetail, who was flying alongside them. "You should inform the gawkers to brace themselves. I trust Fathombinder to not make a mess, but I cannot say the same for Stormbringer."

Firetail inclined his head, and Doomwing felt communication magic rustle outward. The three of them were keeping vigil along the coast over the desert. The dragons observing with them should be fine, as should the dryads, but the desert elves could easily find themselves in trouble if they were caught on open ground when Stormbringer arrived. Their dryads would not be pleased, and Regal Flame was a firm believer in being a good neighbour. It was a sensible policy. The dryads of the desert were strong, and there was no point in antagonising them unnecessarily.

Stormbringer and Fathombinder reached them with surprising speed, and Doomwing breathed an inward sigh of relief when he saw the tempest around the other primordial dragons disperse before they made landfall. He wasn't sure if Stormbringer was finally learning to be more judicious with her powers or if Fathombinder had convinced her to be less obnoxious. He was simply pleased she arrived without making a mess.

Of course, her actions upon arrival did little to endear her to him.

"Oh? How kind of you two to greet us... and together as well." Stormbringer grinned and flew around them in a swift, tight circle, rolling and twisting in the air. "Normally, only the ruler of this domain would greet us. Well, that or a consort." She dodged the blast of flame Regal Flame sent her way and then slowed as she took in the sight of Firetail. "Hmm... weren't you basically dead the last time we met?"

Firetail chuckled. Most would have quailed when bearing the full weight of Stormbringer's attention, but he held his ground as best he could. "That is correct, great Stormbringer. However, with the assistance of mighty Doomwing and my noble lady, I have been restored."

"Restored?" Fathombinder leaned forward in the air. "You are the mightiest drake I have seen in some time."

"Thank you," Firetail replied. He nodded respectfully. "Shall I show you two to the lairs we have set aside for you?"

"I wouldn't mind that," Stormbringer replied. She smiled toothily. "I'd love to stay and gossip, but I wouldn't want to make our gracious host mad." Despite her words, she blithely ignored the glare Regal Flame sent her way. "Besides, some of my followers are tired from the journey. I'm sure they could use the rest." She glanced over her shoulder. "Thundertail, stay here. You can introduce yourself to the other guests."

"Remain here as well, Tideweaver," Fathombinder ordered. "Make yourself known to the others as they arrive." He turned his attention back to Doomwing and Regal Flame. "We have much to discuss, but you still have guests to greet. I will await the meeting in my lair although there are also matters I wish to speak of in private."

Doomwing inclined his head. "By all means. There will be ample time to speak of other matters privately." Fathombinder had always been reasonable. If there were things he wanted from Doomwing, then he have things he was willing to offer up in exchange. At the very least, he could count on Fathombinder to hear out his ideas. If he rejected them, it would be because he thought they lacked merit, not out of simple spite.

"Of course," Regal Flame said. "Your lair is a little further than Stormbringer's, but it is next to the largest lake in my territory. I thought you would appreciate it."

"Near a large lake? Yes. I remember that lair. I used it during my last visit. It was... comfortable."

As Firetail departed with the two other primordial dragons and their entourages, Doomwing turned his attention to the two that had remained behind. Thundertail had progressed considerably since the last time he had seen her. Her Fourth Awakening could not be far away. Tideweaver too had progressed, achieving his own Fourth Awakening and quite smoothly, if all Doomwing had heard was correct. He was about to speak when he felt magic reach out to him. It was familiar, and he turned to Regal Flame. She too could feel it. The other two, however, were unaware, perhaps because they had not dealt with the owner of this particular magic as often as he and Regal Flame had.

"Do not be alarmed," Doomwing said before his magic rippled outward. Despite his words, both Tideweaver and Thundertail flinched back as a column of azure light exploded upward from Doomwing. The magic pierced the clouds above and crackled into the ground below. "Be calm. This is simply a beacon."

"A beacon?" Thundertail asked.

"Long-range teleportation magic is considerably easier, both in terms of complexity and cost, when there is a beacon on the other side. It would be rude of me to call for a meeting and then not assist with this." Doomwing paused and then pointed upward. "Look."

The sky above them split, and all colour seemed to bleed out of the world. Time and space warped and twisted, and then the cracks in the sky curved inward to form a vast portal. From the depths of that portal, dragons emerged. Ever cautious, Fractal Reign was not the first to emerge, but there was no mistaking the other primordial dragon's unique appearance. Or perhaps, not so unique, since her son shared her lineage.

"Fractal Reign," Doomwing greeted the other dragon. She met his gaze, but her eerie, kaleidoscopic eyes seemed to look both through him and past him. It was unsettling, but he had long since grown used to it. She could no more help it than Marcus could help his need for blood. "Are you well?"

"I am, Doomwing." Fractal Reign's voice was calm. "And you?"

"Better than I have been in some time," he replied.

"That is good." Fractal Reign turned her attention to Regal Flame. She said nothing, merely stared at her until her silence threatened to grow disrespectful. Then a small smile crossed her lips, and she leaned forward, moving until her forehead brushed against Regal Flame's. Doomwing could detect the use of communication magic, but whatever words they exchanged were for them alone. He could have tried to listen in - he certainly had the skill for it - but he was not so boorish as to intrude on a private conversation between two dragons who had never given him any reason to distrust them. Whatever Fractal Reign said seemed to please Regal Flame because the larger dragon smiled warmly and directed another one of her followers to lead Fractal Reign and her group to their lair. As Fractal Reign departed, Regal Flame gave her a gentle pat on the flank with her tail.

"You seem pleased," Doomwing said.

"She saw something that I might find pleasing," Regal Flame replied.

"Oh?" Doomwing couldn't help but be curious. Fractal Reign saw many things. For her to mention it to Regal Flame was interesting in and of itself.

"Nothing you should be worried about," Regal Flame said, still smiling. "It was a... personal matter."

"She didn't say anything to us..." Thundertail made an unhappy sound. "I was supposed to introduce myself."

Tideweaver looked similarly taken aback. It was not often that a dragon of the Fourth Awakening was ignored.

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"Have no fear," Enigma Flare said. "My mother will speak to you both when the time is right." He chuckled. "In the meantime, you shall have to be satisfied with me."

Doomwing could see the two other younger dragons taking Enigma Flare's measure. Like his mother, he was not the most physically imposing dragon. But like her, he was extremely skilled when it came to magic, and he shared her gift. Doomwing was pleased to see that neither Thundertail nor Tideweaver seemed to take him lightly. Evidently, they had listened when their elders had spoken of Fractal Reign and her followers.

"It must be convenient travelling the way she does," Regal Flame said, looking up at the sky. It had gone back to normal.

"Her domain is the furthest from yours, and she is gifted in teleportation magic. Moreover, not all of her followers are suited to long journeys." Doomwing paused. "She may also enjoy making an entrance."

Their next arrival was a familiar face, and Doomwing almost laughed at the expression on Tideweaver's face as Ashheart and his followers approached. His old friend greeted him with a booming laugh - and a blast of lava that Doomwing batted aside.

"It has been too long," Ashheart said, flying toward Regal Flame. The female dragon nimbly dodged his attempt to hug her, and he promptly turned his attention to the younger dragons waiting alongside them. "Ah, it pleases me greatly to see the children of my fellow primordial dragons looking so well. Hmm... although I suppose that technically, you are Stormbringer's grandchild." He bared his teeth at Tideweaver. "You're looking well."

"I have learned much from our battle," Tideweaver replied. "And I look forward to another."

"Is that so?" Ashheart threw his head back and laughed. "Hah! I shall look forward to it as well." He gestured at his two sons. "My sons. You should get to know each other. Life was not meant to be lived alone. Good friends and good rivals are necessary to fully enjoy it." His gaze turned keen. "You're learning the difference between pride and arrogance. That is good." He grinned at the awe-struck dragon who had come to show him and his followers to their lair. "Lead the way, young one. Hmm... what lineage do you belong to? Your scales say fire dragon, but..."

The young dragon beamed. "My mother was a dragon of your lineage, mighty Ashheart!"

As Ashheart and the others departed, Doomwing bit back a smile. "You dodged his hug."

Regal Flame shuddered. "As happy as I am to see him well again, he does not always know his own strength. His 'hug' is what many would call a crushing vice."

Doomwing laughed. "Indeed. He used to hug me more when we were young... until he realised that the sound my ribs made was not a good thing."

The younger dragons stared, seemingly amazed by the moment of levity. Doomwing fought the urge to chuckle. He and Ashheart were old friends, and there was more to life than death and battle.

"Who do you think will be next?" Regal Flame asked.

"Hmm... I know who will be last, if he comes at all, but as for who will be next... perhaps Dreamsong. She can arrive here easily enough by travelling through the Dreaming Lands."

"True." Regal Flame's brows furrowed. "I will bet on Paragonmirror."

"Then let us see which one of us is right."

In the end, neither of them were right, for the next to arrive was Oblivioncaller.

The black-scaled dragon arrived with his followers, and Doomwing sent a warning look to the younger dragons. He could tell at a glance how uneasy the corruption dragon and his fellows made them, and it was hard to blame them. After all, the mere presence of a corruption dragon of Oblivioncaller's might could easily harm a younger dragon, and those of his lineage were dangerous in their own right as well. However, Oblivioncaller was a dragon that Doomwing held in high regard. He had never hesitated to answer the call to battle, and he had proven himself against each of the Catastrophes. Doomwing would not tolerate any disrespect toward him, especially when he knew how much it grieved the other dragon to see how others reacted, nor could Oblivioncaller help his nature. It made Doomwing wonder what the gods had intended for him and his ilk. It seemed... cruel, but although the gods had not always been kind, they had never acted with purpose.

Thankfully, Oblivioncaller had his power under tight control, as did his followers. He nodded firmly at Doomwing and Regal Flame, but his attention was soon drawn to Enigma Flare.

"My son..."

"Father..."

"Firetail," Regal Flame said, the drake having returned in the meantime. "Why don't you show Oblivioncaller to his lair?" She nodded at Enigma Flare. "Bring Enigma Flare with you. I am sure he would enjoy the view in that area as well."

Oblivioncaller left with hardly a word spoken to him or Regal Flame, but Doomwing did not begrudge him that. He knew very well the story behind Oblivioncaller's parting from his son. Regal Flame was giving the corruption dragon as many excuses as possible to spend time with him, and the corruption dragon was not so petty as to ignore the favour he was being shown.

"I hope they find what happiness they can," Regal Flame murmured.

"That is all any of us can do," Doomwing replied. "His lair?"

"A place in the desert," Regal Flame said. "Chosen to give him peace of mind."

"Ah." Doomwing nodded. "A wise choice."

In the desert, far from others, Oblivioncaller would feel less burdened. Placing him in the heart of Regal Flame's domain might be considered an honour, but to the corruption dragon, it would only be a burden, forcing him to constantly maintain the strictest possible control over his power.

"I shall have to speak to him later," Doomwing said. "I have learned much since I last made charms to help him and his kind contain their power."

"He would appreciate that, I think."

Dreamsong and Paragonmirror arrived one after the other. To Doomwing's relief, Dreamsong and her fellow dream dragons did not make much of a fuss. There was still awkwardness between them, but it was slowly easing. She knew very well that he still needed time and distance, and he appreciated that she was willing to give it. It helped that his wrath had cooled somewhat as well. Dreamsong should have stopped Kagami. That was true. Yet it was also true that Doomwing had been one of Kagami's closest friends as well. He too should have seen the signs of her growing madness. It made him wonder what he would do if Marcus decided to follow in his father's wretched footsteps. Would he be able to strike the vampire down without a second thought? And what of Ashheart? If some darkness found its way into his friend's heart, could he truly attack with the intent to kill?

Dreamsong departed with a promise to speak more to Regal Flame, and Doomwing gave her a firm nod. She understood the gesture for what it was and returned it with a faint smile.

Paragonmirror arrived moments later. Her group was an eclectic mix of dragons of many different lineages. Part of that was simply that her own lineage was so rare that only a handful of other dragons in the entire world shared it, so she was used to the company of other lineages and did not particularly favour one over the other. However, another part was pragmatism. Even now, so many years after meeting her, Doomwing was not entirely sure how her power to copy others worked. Yet there was no denying its potency. Of all primordial dragons, Paragonmirror might have the most flexible set of powers. From what he'd observed, the abilities she copied were never quite as good as the ones she was trying to imitate, but the sheer breadth of abilities she could wield was formidable in the extreme. However, there was a key restriction, something he'd noticed because of Dawnscale's absence.

Paragonmirror could copy the abilities of others... but those copied abilities could be 'used up'. She needed to meet certain conditions to recharge them, and she could not do so if the person whose abilities she was trying to copy was not around. He knew that because he had offered her a reward that even a primordial dragon would have considered enormous to heal Ashheart after the fall of the Exiled Star. She had explained that she could not because the only one with the ability to heal Ashheart's wounds swiftly had been Dawnscale, and she had long since exhausted whatever abilities she'd copied from Dawnscale simply to keep them alive during their battle against the Catastrophe.

"Doomwing." Paragonmirror's appearance remained as remarkable as ever, a dragon-shaped cloud of mirrors that seemed to reflect everything and nothing all at once. "It has been a long time."

"It has." Doomwing peered at her intently. More than once, he had been tempted to use his most powerful scrying and analytical magic to see into the depths of her being to understand how her abilities worked, but he was not so rude as to do that. Besides, Mother Tree had once explained to him that even doing so would be useless. Even she, the oldest and wisest of all dryads, had not been able to fully grasp the abilities of Paragonmirror's lineage. "You seem pleased to see us."

Paragonmirror chuckled. "Of course. I am always happy to see my fellow primordial dragons." For a split-second, the mirrors changed, and she was a dragon with blue and red scales. "Regal Flame." The mirrors turned bloody crimson. "As always, it is good to see you."

Regal Flame snickered at the pun. "Indeed." She gestured at Enigma Flare. "Any luck?"

Paragonmirror made an aggravated sound. "His lineage is the same as his mother's. The last time I tried to use that... ability of hers, I thought my head would explode. I don't know how either of them manage it."

Doomwing sighed. "A pity." Having Paragonmirror copy Fractal Reign's abilities was one of the first things they'd tried. Alas, she could only use a relatively weak version of it, which nevertheless was painful and debilitating to use. Still, even that weak version had proven useful on multiple occasions. It was just that the backlash made it difficult to use frequently, and Paragonmirror had a host of more useful abilities she could call upon.

"Will he be here?" Regal Flame asked quietly, changing the subject.

Paragonmirror settled back into her usual appearance. "Yes," she said at last. "He will." She took on a rugged, rocky appearance. "In fact..."

The ground beneath them began to shake, and the desert sands stirred restlessly. In the distance, but growing closer with each passing moment, was a huge, winged figure. Out of all the dragons in the world, only Ashheart was larger than Quakeclaw, and not by much.

"Quakeclaw..." Doomwing rumbled.

"Be careful," Paragonmirror advised. "You both carry old wounds."

Doomwing's jaw clenched, and flame kindled in his maw. "I will be as reasonable as he is."

Regal Flame and Paragonmirror exchanged a look. Paragonmirror sighed and gestured with her wings.

"We should give them space," she said. "They're going to need it."

Regal Flame frowned. "This is my domain."

"Yes," Doomwing replied. "It is. But I was the one who gave the order. Quakeclaw has wallowed in his grief long enough. If battle is what he needs to stir from it, then so be it." He bared his teeth. "But... if he has forgotten who I am, then I will have to remind him."