Doomwing's gaze swept over the dragons assembled before him. This would be the first of several lectures he would give, in accordance with the promises he had made to lure his fellow primordial dragons to the meeting. Rather than speak upon the plateau, he had opted to give his lecture in the vast expanse of the desert. There was more space available, and the plateau was hallowed ground. It felt wrong to deliver something as mundane as a lecture in the place where the most important decisions of his people had been made for Seven Ages.
Even so, there was not enough space to fit all the dragons who wished to hear him speak. Instead, he had opted to use magic to share his words in several other locations. There, the dragons not fortunate enough to attend in person would still be able to learn. He was also using magic to record his words, and he made no effort to stop the others who wished to do the same. In their place, he would have acted similarly. Indeed, he was of the opinion that some of the most important spells a young dragon could learn were those that recorded their surroundings. True, the fidelity of such recordings was limited by the dragon's own perceptual acuity, but it was generally better than trying to remember every detail. There was memory magic, but such magic was far more delicate, and mistakes could prove costly when they concerned the mind.
"You wear a frown upon your face, but I can tell you are pleased by the opportunity to teach." The words belonged to Regal Flame, and they were conveyed to him through magic that ensured only the two of them could hear them.
He replied in a similar manner. "In another life, perhaps, I might have been a scholar or a teacher. Certainly, it was a path I considered when I was young. Both Dion and Mother Tree thought it would suit me."
Whatever dreams Doomwing might have had of becoming a scholar or a teacher had died when the Broken God awakened and brought an end to the gods and the glories of the First Age. And whatever last, lingering hopes he'd held had perished alongside Mother Tree amidst the horrific final moments of the Second Age. From that moment onward, he had known what his path would be. Fire and blood, claw and fang. By the Third Age, he'd learned that only through battle and bloodshed could the world be made safe, that only through toil and sacrifice could he endure.
Satisfied that those in attendance had been given ample opportunity to situate themselves, either upon the ground or in the sky, Doomwing loosened his hold over his magic. Immediately, an ominous weight descended over the area. Had he wished, he could have torn the younger, lesser dragons from the sky with the force of his presence alone. Instead, he applied just enough pressure to momentarily startle them although a handful were so badly rattled he was forced to use his telekinesis to support them until they steadied.
Ashheart gave a low, rumbling chuckle, and Stormbringer chortled. His fellow primordial dragons were also present although what he was about to say was doubtless already known to them. Still, he was the foremost amongst them when it came to knowledge of the topic at hand, so they would not turn down a chance to listen, on the off chance that they might learn something new. Besides, their reclining forms also gave the youngest and smallest of their fellows a place to sit, with Ashheart's broad back hosting dozens of hatchlings and Unawakened dragons.
"I shall speak now of Awakenings," Doomwing began, his voice cutting through the still desert air. "Doubtless, you have already heard of Awakenings. Such knowledge is passed down from parent to child and from leader to follower. However, there is much that is mere hearsay or myth. After all, how can a dragon of the Third Awakening speak accurately of the Fourth Awakening? I am not the oldest of our kind, but I am amongst the oldest, and none have spent more time and effort studying this area than me. I have no intention of sharing hearsay or myth with you today. Instead, I intend to share with you some of the knowledge and wisdom I have obtained over the Ages - the truth of which I have seen with my own eyes."
Doomwing's eyes gleamed. "All dragons begin their lives Unawakened. So what then is Awakening? You may think of each Awakening as bringing you closer and closer to your ideal form. The strength of your body, the power of your magic, the might of your soul, all improve with each Awakening. The difference is not simply one of quantity but also of quality. Yet Awakening is no easy thing. Awakening requires not only hard work and talent but also adequate resources and good fortune. Indeed, there are many worthy dragons who, for reasons beyond their control, struggle to achieve a Fourth Awakening. Whether it is mere bad luck, a lack of resources, or old injuries, there are those who never achieve a Fourth Awakening who are, in most respects, outstanding."
He let his words linger for a moment as several dragons at the Third Awakening shifted restlessly. The Fourth Awakening would free them from the shackles of time, which was what every dragon desired. Yet they understood that despite their best efforts, it was still possible for them to fail, and failure could mean a swift death or a slow, lingering decline after being crippled.
"Should a dragon prove fortunate, their life will pass through five stages. They will begin as Unawakened before experiencing their First, Second, Third, and then Fourth Awakenings." His lips curled. "Are there more Awakenings beyond the Fourth? Perhaps. But that is not a matter to be discussed today. Today, I will focus on the basics of each Awakening, knowledge that all should have, so they may properly prepare themselves."
With the Final Catastrophe approaching, the more dragons Awakened, the better, especially since experience had shown that only dragons of the Fourth Awakening could hope to face a Catastrophe and live. Those below could still be useful, but they would only be going to their deaths against a Catastrophe in direct combat.
"The First Awakening is something that any dragon should be able to achieve with adequate resources and preparation, regardless of how much or how little talent they possess," Doomwing said. "There are those who advocate achieving the First Awakening swiftly. I believe such thoughts to be foolish. Each Awakening is built upon the ones before. And to build properly, you need a solid foundation. To rush an Awakening, to lower its quality, is to invite disaster in the future. It is far better to take your time and ensure that your Awakening is as solid and stable as possible. This is particularly true for the First Awakening, the Awakening that all others rely upon."
Doomwing studied the crowd. There were many young dragons present, amongst them hatchlings and Unawakened. They were listening most keenly of all, along with the dragons who were parents to such dragons. "The First Awakening focuses primarily on physical attributes. It is about honing and refining the body. As such, diet is of critical importance. It is not enough to simply consume sufficient food. You must consume the right kind of food. The flesh of monsters whose magic aligns with yours, along with various minerals, is essential. If you cannot obtain such things in your domain, then you must find another way to secure them, whether it is through trade or by exploring other lands. Yet we are not creatures of flesh and blood alone. Magic flows through us, and it is magic that serves as a catalyst, allowing the bodies of the Unawakened to transform and incorporate all of the materials they consume. The easiest way to obtain the magic required is to find a domain rich in it. However, Unawakened dragons, especially hatchlings, will struggle to process and refine magic on their own, at least in comparison to older dragons."
Doomwing lifted one claw, and he spun a gleaming crystal into existence with his alchemy.
"Crystal such as these may help. They absorb magic of all kinds and transform it into magic of a particular kind." He nodded at the crystal he held. "This crystal absorbs ambient magic and then releases it as fire magic that even a hatchling can easily absorb. It would be ideal for a dragon of the fire dragon lineage." He floated the crystal to Regal Flame who accepted it with a nod of her own. "Such crystals can be made using fairly basic alchemy although the more skilled one is, the higher their quality will be. For those lacking skill in alchemy, a simpler approach may also suffice." Doomwing chuckled. "Older dragons of the same lineage will naturally process ambient magic and then release it into their surroundings. This is why young dragons may benefit greatly from sleeping in the same lair as their parents or older siblings." He gestured, and his telekinesis carved a formation into the ground. "Formations made using magical script may also be useful. In this regard, the work of the elves and dwarves is not lacking in merit. They too need magic of a specific kind to prosper, so we can take advantage of their work after making only minimal modifications." He saw the greed in the eyes of those around him. "Fear not. I will share the alchemical techniques and formations later, and I will provide the details to your leaders, so they may teach you if you cannot learn while I am present." He bared his teeth. Dragons were reluctant to accept gifts, lest they turn into debts that shackled them, so he would have to couch his words carefully. "I am Doomwing. This knowledge is but a pittance to me. If you must repay me, then learn it properly it when you have the chance. To do otherwise would be an insult."
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"A proper First Awakening should result in a body that is far stronger and far more capable of interacting with magic," Doomwing continued. "The Second Awakening focuses on magic. Nevertheless, you must continue to fuel your body appropriately with the right food and materials. However, the key to the Second Awakening is to hone the magic within yourself, transforming your body into an adequate vessel for the growing magical power within you. It is only at the Second Awakening that you will become capable of interacting more freely with the ambient magic around you. In particular, instead of simply absorbing it, you will be able to influence it in more significant ways, even altering the ambient magic in your surroundings to naturally match your own. To achieve your Second Awakening, it is vital that you commit to working with your magic. Magic is like a muscle. If you neglect it, it will become stunted and weak. You must exercise it thoroughly, and not merely in a single way but in myriad ways. There are exercises and training techniques I recommend, and these may be obtained either from your leaders or from me, should you prove suitable for them." His eyes narrowed. "I have seen many young dragons become obsessed with magic at this stage, to their detriment and the detriment of others. As I said, magic is like a muscle. Care must be taken not to overuse it or damage it through foolishness."
Doomwing watched the expressions of his audience carefully. "You may also derive great benefit from consuming certain things. For example, for those of the fire dragon lineage, consuming the hearts of creatures like lava serpents or wildfire boars can prove helpful. Properly digesting these things requires the mastery of certain magical processes, which will in turn push you toward a better Second Awakening." He paused. "I said before that any dragon with adequate resources and preparation should be able to achieve a First Awakening. I believe the same is true for the Second Awakening. However, that is as far as some of you will get."
His gaze hardened. "To achieve your Third Awakening requires strengthening your soul, and that... that is not something that mere hard work and resources can achieve. More than talent, it requires the ability to endure hardship, to push yourself to the limits, to stare death in the face and roar your defiance. If you wish to achieve your Third Awakening, you cannot be afraid to risk your life, nor can you be afraid to venture far and wide to accumulate the experiences and resources you need. But there is something else you must work on. Runes. Runes are a gift, perhaps the last gift we have from the gods. They are born from our very souls. The more runes you can learn, the more runes you can perceive, the more runes you can endure, the stronger your soul will become. This is why many dragons wander prior to their Third Awakening. Yes, they require great quantities of the right food and magic, but even more, they require ways to temper their souls. Such opportunities are rarely found in positions of safety."
Doomwing paused again. "And now... the Fourth Awakening. It is something that all dragons long for, for it frees us from the shackles of time. I will not lie to you. Every dragon's Fourth Awakening is different. The conditions required, the resources needed, the experiences sought after, all will vary markedly between dragons. But the result is the same." He lifted one claw. "Our flesh is weak and flawed. Although the First, Second, and Third Awakenings do much to improve our bodies, they are still lacking. The Fourth Awakening changes that. Our bodies are vessels for magic, and in your Fourth Awakening, the vessel will be destroyed utterly... and then remade, forged anew without any of its previous flaws." He bared his teeth in a grin. "That is why Fourth Awakening dragons look so impressive. We have burned away our frailties. But it is also why the key to a Fourth Awakening is as solid and stable a Third Awakening as possible. How else do you think you shall survive? While your body is being destroyed and remade, only your soul will remain... if it is lacking, you will perish."
There were shudders from many of the Third Awakening dragons present.
"Do not attempt a Fourth Awakening until you are absolutely sure that your Third Awakening has stabilised and that all of the problems, impurities, or flaws in the foundation it lays have been addressed. Even the smallest flaw may prove fatal during your attempt at a Fourth Awakening, and any major flaw will make any attempt impossible to begin with. Apart from the more idiosyncratic requirements, the most important thing for a good Fourth Awakening is to have access to a colossal amount of the right kind of magic." Doomwing's gaze burned into the Third Awakening dragons nearby. "To destroy the vessel that is your body will require tremendous power... and to remake it will require even more. If you run out during your Fourth Awakening, you will die, and it will not be pleasant." His gaze sharpened. "Few Third Awakening dragons have domains ideal for an attempt at a Fourth Awakening. Instead, the most ideal locations are already in the hands of primordial dragons like myself or other Fourth Awakening dragons. Do not be foolish! Whether it is through service, trade, or favours, try to secure the use of such locations for your attempt at a Fourth Awakening. Should you succeed, you shall have ample time and opportunity to repay those involved, and it is better to have a debt and succeed than to die debt free."
Doomwing gesture, and another formation appeared, this time in the sky. It was gigantic, spanning miles and miles. "There are formations that can help if you absolutely cannot secure an ideal location, but they must be studied thoroughly and prepared with absolute precision. Indeed, should you require them, I believe it is better to acquire the services of someone with suitable expertise." He growled. "If you do not know who to ask, then ask me! For if you fear treachery or theft in your moments of vulnerability, then you have nothing to fear from me! What could you possibly have that I do not already possess? And why would I strike you down when your power could not possibly compare to mine? Barring me, there are those your leaders will vouch for, those who have proven their expertise and trustworthiness. Call upon them if necessary. But, as I said, if you can secure access to a suitable location, then that is your best option."
He allowed them a few moments to consider his words before continuing. "Having provided an overview of the Four Awakenings, I will now go into each of them in greater detail..."