The Ballad Of A Semi-Benevolent Dragon

Fractal Reign was not a muse dragon – but her mother had been. The Dreaming Lands did not welcome her the way they welcomed Dreamsong, but they were not barred to her either. She might not be able to delve as deeply as the other dragon, but she could still sense their impact on the threads of fate.

And something had changed.

She had awakened from her slumber, and she had known that something was different. It went beyond instinct. It was an itch that started deep within her and settled behind her kaleidoscopic eyes. And when she used those eyes to peer into the future, she made a sound that was somewhere between a sob and a laugh.

The myriad threads of fate, the countless possible futures, the endless sea of possibilities… all of it had narrowed, and the meagre handful of fates that remained were all bound to a single event. It did not take a genius to guess what that event might be. She had seen similar things before – six times before. Each time, however, she had glimpsed hints of future disasters, of further inflection points that had to be addressed. This time there were none. Seven Gods and Seven Catastrophes. There was a cruel symmetry to it, a terrible rhyme and reason that felt right in a way few things ever had.

Her son awakened not long after her, and he responded in much the same way she had. She waited patiently as he sought to break down the barriers that obscured the future from his gaze. In the end, he sank back onto his haunches, exhausted and weary, a look of shock upon his features.

"What did you see?" she asked. She would not tell him what she'd seen. That risked influencing him. Instead, they would act like two independent observers. "My son, what did you see?"

"Another Catastrophe," he breathed. "But this one will be different… there… there will not be another." He swallowed thickly. "Mother, what does that mean?"

"It means that if we win, then we will have attained strength great enough to repel any other Catastrophe with ease. But if we lose, there will be no need for another Catastrophe, for there will be none of us alive to face it." Fractal Reign chuckled. "No wonder my dreams last night were so strange. I dreamed of Mother Tree and of a horn shining in the darkness."

"I beheld a crown of blue and red," her son added. "Shining like the sun in the sky, but it was not alone. There was another crown beside it, more terrible than anything I have ever seen."

"Dreamsong is the master interpreter of dreams, but I do not think this requires her aid." Fractal Reign rose. "Speak of this to no one. I must consult with Doomwing and Dreamsong on this matter." Her eyes itched again. That was an ill omen. There was an important decision to be made here, yet she could not tell what it was.

"You are leaving now?" he asked.

"I am." She left the lair they had been given and took wing. "I fear this matter cannot wait."

She arrived at the lair Doomwing had been given to find a pair of visitors there before her. Dreamsong had arrived, as had Regal Flame, and the latter was scowling at the former.

"It is quite early to be visiting," Regal Flame growled. "What business brings you to Doomwing's lair so early in the morning?"

Dreamsong's hesitance to did not help her cause. "It is a private matter."

That was not the right thing to say. Regal Flame bristled, but Fractal Reign cut in before the crimson-scaled dragon's ire could grow any further.

"Cease," Fractal Reign said. "I too have come to meet Doomwing." She met Regal Flame's gaze evenly. "I am here for the same reason as Dreamsong, I think."

"And what reason would that be?" Regal Flame asked.

"It is about the future peril that awaits us," Fractal Reign replied.

At once, Regal Flame's ire vanished. In its place, the nobility she was known for asserted itself. Whatever her personal feelings, on matters such as these, Regal Flame's judgement was usually impeccable.

"Speak," Regal Flame said. "What peril?" Her eyes narrowed. "What have you two seen?"

There was movement from within the great cavern before them, and Doomwing emerged, scales gleaming in the early morning light. His bearing was stern, yet a hint of fondness crept into his gaze when he glanced at Regal Flame. However, it vanished swiftly when he laid eyes on Fractal Reign.

"I was going to seek you out," Doomwing rumbled. "But it seems you have come to me instead."

"I need to know what happened last night," Fractal Reign said. "What happened in the Dreaming Lands?"

Doomwing's expression grew guarded immediately. "That is not an easy matter to discuss."

It took Fractal Reign a moment to realise that he was not hesitant to tell her – he was hesitant to tell her with Regal Flame around. That meant that whatever they'd seen in the Dreaming Lands must be of tremendous importance. She felt surer that her premonition was accurate, for only the revelation of a final Catastrophe could put Doomwing on such an edge. Yet to keep it concealed from even Regal Flame? She could understand the logic, but –

No.

This was important. This was one of those moments were fate could be changed. But she knew Doomwing. He was often stubborn. If he wanted to keep something secret, then…

"You are not alone," the words left her lips without thinking. She'd heard them, barely more than a whisper, in her dreams the night before, but they felt right to say now.

Both Doomwing and Dreamsong recoiled, almost as if struck. Regal Flame stared at the pair. For the longest moment, Fractal Reign feared that Doomwing would continue to insist upon secrecy, but then something within him relaxed.

"No," he said quietly. "I am not." He sighed. "But not here."

He took to the air, and they followed him out over the desert. There, away from prying eyes, he used magic to hide them and their conversation from others. Fractal Reign added her own magic, ensuring that whatever was said here would remain between them.

"You saw something," Doomwing said. "With those eyes of yours."

Fractal Reign nodded. "I did."

"Then tell me," he said. "Will it be the last? In the Dreaming Lands, I was told that it would, but I will not raise the hopes of the others based on just that."

Fractal Reign bared her teeth. "It will be."

"How certain are you?" he asked.

"My son saw the same thing. I would be my life on it." She paused, realising that the itch behind her eyes had faded sharply. "I am betting my life on it."

"I see." Doomwing glanced at Regal Flame. "Then we should tell her – and then the others."

And then he and Dreamsong began to speak. By the time they were finished, Regal Flame had gone completely still and silent. In that stillness and silence, Fractal Reign added her own words. Only when she was finished did Regal Flame speak again.

"This… this is grave news indeed," she murmured. "And I can see why you might wish to keep it secret. But if you were to keep it secret and the others found out, I do not think all of them would take it well."

Doomwing's expression did not change, but his form tensed. "You may well be right about that." He shook himself. "In any case, now that Fractal Reign has provided confirmation, I believe we should bring the matter before the others today. I had already planned on bringing forward plans for greater cooperation and advancement, but this news only hardens my resolve to see those proposals through." His eyes blazed gold. "This world has withstood six Catastrophes. Together, we can ensure it withstands a seventh. And then…" he paused, and for a moment, Fractal Reign could almost picture a crown of blue and red above his head. "And then we shall see what the future brings."

Stormbringer settled onto her haunches upon the plateau. The meeting would soon begin, and the others had begun to take their places. Most noticeable was the open space beside Quakeclaw. That place had belonged to Chasmfang before his fall in the Fifth Age. It would have been more practical for them to alter their positions, but so far none had moved to close the gap. Nor would they. Unlike Soulseeker who had been a wretched traitor or Dawnscale who had fled, Chasmfang had died defending their world. That was worthy of respect, and leaving a space for him was the least they could do to honour him.

To be sure, he was not the only primordial dragon to perish at the hands of a Catastrophe. Many of them had fallen against Mother Tree and the Lord of the Tides, but by the Fourth Catastrophe, they had become far more adept at working together. None of them had perished against the Mad Vampire, and perhaps that had made them arrogant. She and the others had known Chasmfang far better than the dragons who had fallen to the earlier Catastrophes, so his loss was more keenly felt.

Quakeclaw had looked as though he was willing to fight to preserve his brother's position, but when none had move to close the gap, he visibly relaxed. The monument to the Fifth Catastrophe likely had something to do with that. He had come earlier than the others, and she had seen him viewing it over and over again, as if to burn the heroic image of his brother into his mind. In the end, he had turned away from it, grumbling to himself that Doomwing had not quite gotten his brother's likeness right. However, his words lacked their earlier heat and venom, and some of the grief that clung to him like a shroud seemed to have fallen away.

"Doomwing is going to be late," Quakeclaw rumbled.

Stormbringer could have chosen to ignore the comment, but she had seen something during her flight earlier in the morning. It was a habit of hers, rising early to fly, and she encouraged her followers to do the same – and to play a sort of aerial tag that was both enjoyable and ideal for honing their abilities. It was during that morning flight that she had seen Doomwing heading off into the desert, accompanied by Regal Flame, Fractal Reign, and Dreamsong. Oh, they had used magic to conceal themselves, but she had noticed them through the air they displaced as they flew. As a tempest dragon, the winds were hers to command, so piecing together someone's identity through the air they displaced was not hard. Normally, Doomwing would have taken measures to avoid such detection, so he must have been in quite a hurry.

"I saw him earlier," Stormbringer drawled. "With Regal Flame, Fractal Reign, and Dreamsong."

That comment brought the conversations amongst the others to a halt. Even Quakeclaw was taken aback.

"Hah!" Ashheart gave a deep, booming laugh. Baleful orange light shone from between his scales, and the ground shook. "It would seem that my friend is making up for lost time." He puffed out his chest. "When there are hatchlings, I intend to be their favourite uncle."

"I hardly think Doomwing is doing what you're thinking," Frostfang replied. The winter dragon was, as usual, the voice of reason. "He has been something close to a monk for most of his existence. Besides, even if he wished for it, do you really think Regal Flame would be willing to share, or that Fractal Reign is interested in him in that manner?"

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"Ah." Ashheart's mirth subsided, and he inclined his head toward Oblivioncaller. "I might have misspoken."

Stormbringer bit back a cackle and ignored the warning looks that Oblivioncaller and Fathombinder shot her.

"Although…" Ashheart said. "If Regal Flame were to have hatchlings, would their names be like hers or like ours?"

"Like hers," Oblivioncaller replied quietly. "That is why Enigma Flare has the name he does."

"I see." Ashheart nodded. "Look, here they are."

Doomwing had arrived, along with Regal Flame, Fractal Reign, and Dreamsong. He landed and took his customary position upon the plateau, the one that aligned with true north. It was his right as their leader. Regal Flame chose to take the spot to his right – the position that had once been occupied by Dawnscale. If Doomwing thought anything of it, he chose to keep it to himself.

"Greetings," Doomwing began. "You all have my thanks for attending this meeting. There are many important matters for us to discuss, and you can rest assured that you will all have a chance to speak. However, there is something we must address first." He leaned forward. "In time you may choose to share it with your followers, but for now, it should be kept between us."

Like the others, Stormbringer had chosen to bring a handful of her followers with her. They were stationed behind her. Rather than speaking, they were here to listen and learn. Normally, she might have needled Doomwing and complained about having to send them away. However, she could tell from his bearing and expression that this was no joking matter.

"Leave us," she said, not bothering to turn as the others also dismissed their own followers.

Once their followers were gone, Doomwing and Fractal Reign began to layer magic over the area, preventing anyone from observing them.

"What is this grave matter?" Quakeclaw said. "You act as though another Catastrophe is upon us."

Doomwing laughed grimly. "I was going to approach the matter more tactfully, but now that you mention it…"

What followed was equal parts exciting, enlightening, and terrifying.

One more Catastrophe. Just one more. If they could defeat that Catastrophe, then they would be free. But if they failed…

By the time Doomwing, Fractal Reign, and Dreamsong had finished speaking, Stormbringer no longer wore her usual teasing grin, for this was no joking matter.

"As you can see, we stand at a crossroads," Doomwing said. "Where victory shall usher in a future brighter than any we can imagine and defeat will bring about our deaths and the destruction of this world."

"I am glad to be awake for this," Ashheart said, eyes shining. "The thought of sleeping through the greatest battle our world will ever see… I would not have been able to bear the shame of missing it."

"What do you suggest?" Fathombinder asked. "You must have plans."

"Yes," Stormbringer said. "Speak, Doomwing. You have led us this far… and though your lead has not perfect, you have not failed us yet."

Doomwing took a moment to compose his thoughts, and Stormbringer took that time to marshal her own thoughts. The prospect of being free of any further Catastrophes was tantalising, yet she knew better than to put the cart before the horse. If they wished to seize that bright future, then they needed to contend with the grim foe before them.

"And can you tell us anything more about the foe that awaits us?" Fathombinder asked. "Forewarned is forearmed."

"Unfortunately, I cannot," Dreamsong said. "Although I will continue to monitor the Dreaming Lands. I will notify you all if I learn anything else."

"I cannot tell you more either," Fractal Reign added. "I cannot even give you an exact time and place, but based on what I saw… I do not think this Age will be longer than the one before it."

"Ah." Fathombinder sighed. "That helps, albeit only a little. Still, at least we won't be waiting too long." He scowled. "It is the wait before battle that irks me most."

"Indeed." Paragonmirror smiled thinly. "Once the battle has begun, there is no more time for fear, worry, or doubt. But in the lead up to a battle, there is plenty of time – too much time – for such things."

"We must cooperate more closely," Doomwing said. "The First Catastrophe was a foe so mighty that only the gods could have triumphed, and even they needed the aid of almost every living dragon to win. Against Mother Tree, it was our cooperation and coordination that allowed us to win the day. The same was true against the Lord of the Tides. And against the Mad Vampire, it was his ability to perfectly control massive numbers of troops across a wide area that put us on the backfoot initially. Yet once we were able to gather our strength, we were able to defeat him. However, against the Exiled Star and the Sixth Catastrophe…"

"The Exiled Star caught us off guard," Quakeclaw's voice was ice. "And we paid in blood for that. By the time we could coordinate properly…"

"And the Sixth Catastrophe almost triumphed by isolating each of us and preventing us from working together," Doomwing said. "A treacherous strategy, but a highly effective one. Save for the First Catastrophe, each time we have been able to gather our full strength and coordinate, we have been able to triumph. If we are to face one last Catastrophe, we must act as though it will be mightier than any we have faced thus far. Accordingly, we must ensure our coordination and cooperation is better than ever before."

"What did you have in mind?" Paragonmirror asked.

Doomwing did not mince words. He laid out his plans. In essence, they were simple, but their impact was potentially enormous. Rather than irregular meetings in which they and their followers exchanged news, he wanted regular communication between each of them and their followers. There had been signs before each of the Catastrophes, portents and warnings that they had either missed or had not been able to communicate in time. Never again. If something was happening in one of their domains that could potentially herald the arrival of a Catastrophe, then they all needed to know.

And speaking of their domains, he wanted them to expand their coverage. Even if they didn't directly seize territory, they needed to form pacts to share information with the other great powers of the world. It was their blindness to the goings on in the deeps that had allowed the Lord of the Tides to rise so high. Likewise, their inattention to the vampire homelands had almost cost them dearly, and their ignorance of the ways of the beast-people had led to the Exiled Star's arrival. Those mistakes could not be repeated. They could not be caught off guard again.

But information was only good if it could be acted upon. In that regard, he laid out his suggestions for increasing not only their own strengths but also the strengths of their followers. Against the Catastrophes, anyone below the Fourth Awakening was unlikely to achieve anything except a swift death. They needed to help as many of their followers advance to that level as they could while still maintaining the quality of their Awakenings. To that end, they needed to seriously consider deploying more of their most treasured resources, items they had hoarded for Ages, never knowing if they might be needed later. Well, now was the time to use those items, to help their followers achieve their Fourth Awakenings, so they could contribute to the battle against this last Catastrophe.

But that did not mean they could neglect their other followers. For the Catastrophes in the past had often had followers of their own. To avoid being swarmed, they would needed the younger, lesser dragons to hold their own, which meant promoting their advancement too. They would have to push them in a way they had not been pushed before. Given the conditions required for dragons to advance to the First, Second, and Third Awakenings, this might mean sharing resources with each other's followers or allowing those followers to move between their domains to take advantage of ideal training grounds and other resources.

She instinctively bristled at that – her territory was hers – but she forced herself to calm, as did the others. Doomwing was not the most eloquent speaker, but he spoke plainly, laying the facts out and providing his reasoning for each proposal. And his reasoning, as always, was impeccable.

Arguing about spoils was something all dragons loved to do, but it would only be possible after victory had been secured.

Doomwing even proposed formal alliances with the other great powers. Dryads, for instance, were adept at many of the things dragons were not good at. Forming an alliance with them would shore up many of the gaps in their skillsets and allow their followers to advance even more swiftly. After all, Mother Tree had been incredibly adept at helping dragons and other creatures progress, and there was good reason to believe her daughters would be the same. Some had expressed doubts about that since they had killed Mother Tree, but Doomwing had merely glanced at Stormbringer and asked a simple question.

"In this whole world, Stormbringer, who do you trust the most?"

She had not needed to think before replying. "Tyche."

"I doubt any of us will ever form a bond with a dryad like the one between Stormbringer and Tyche, but the mere existence of that bond is proof. Friendship can exist between dryads and dragons."

Others, like the leviathans and krakens would be even more aggravating to deal with, but they were no less essential. The oceans and seas were their domain, and they could not afford to ignore such large areas of the world. Others, though, like the qilin might be more receptive, and Doomwing spoke of others like the phoenixes and unicorns that might be approached as well. Allies by necessity perhaps, but still allies of a sort.

Regal Flame offered proposals of her own. Since she had the largest territory and the most followers, she had implemented a range of ideas, like more standardised education for young dragons, that she felt would help. She was willing to share the results of those reforms, as well as offer help in implementing them, so all of them could reap the benefits in their own domains. It was not easy for a dragon to willingly give up such a large potential advantage, but Regal Flame lived up to her name. She would put dragons as a whole first, rather than greedily hoarding that power for herself.

As the meeting to continued, Stormbringer couldn't help but sigh. There would be a great deal of work for her to do in the future. Yet, as busy as she would be, it would all be worth it in the end if they could win. She had seen so many friends and followers fall to the Catastrophes over the years. If they could truly win, if they could truly free themselves of the Catastrophes, then she would gladly work herself to the bone for centuries.

And perhaps when this Final Catastrophe was defeated and the world was at peace, she could take some time to herself. Surely, defeating the Final Catastrophe would improve her luck.