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Crispin had been reading when Shaiming suddenly perked up. He is here, the dragon had breathed, softly. We must go to him. Swiftly make ready, Crispin, as we have planned...

And so it was, that after a brief flurry of activity on the part of Crispin and the Aoidei, he was heading down the stairs towards the throne room. Shaiming had had Toki make some new clothes for Crispin for the occasion, something more formal than his usual. So the young host was respendent in an outfit that was simple, but cut well and elegantly, with a cloak as the highlight to Crispin's mind - more suited to his status as host to a Dragon King. The b*****d sword hung at his side, pommel shining from Nebula's polish.

Be not afraid, Shaiming soothed, sending waves of calm outward.

"I'm not afraid... I'm just nervous," Crispin whispered back, then fell silent as he stepped from the last stair to the floor.

With grace, now...

Crispin took a deep breath, and stepped forward into the throne room, seeking Destruction.

My lord... Shaiming breathed, and Crispin took a step forward.

"My lord Destruction," he said, in a firm and clear voice that surprised him even as he spoke. Crispin then bowed low, coming to one knee. "The Dragon King Shaiming and I have come to you..."

Crispin felt Shaiming's conciousness surge forward, and prepared to fall into slumber as usual - but instead the dragon caught him up, and breathlessly Crispin found his mind mingling closely with that of his dragon king. "I have come to you, my Lord, with my host... to renew my fealty to you once again, and profess my undying loyalty." Crispin could not tell which of them was speaking; it seemed to be both himself and Shaiming, at once.

"Together we have grown, my Lord... this host was well-chosen. We are close. Crispin's hidden strength has become my own." Again, Crispin couldn't quite tell who was talking - the words, the tone, was Shaiming, but he was aware that he, too, was behind the words in a way he couldn't explain. A breathless rush. Is this what it's like, to be a god?

Silly child, Shaiming thought at him swiftly, a bolt of affection, before refocusing wholly on Destruction. The dragon was exultant, as he had been when demonstrating the art of the sword. "I pray that the Starscale's power will ascend soon, and again my power will go to work on your behalf. We shall not be gods of dust and ashes... we shall be gods of a world that has known the power of the divine, beyond a doubt!"

Crispin/Shaiming drew the sword, and lay it at Harmodius' feet. "If there is anything we can do to speed this, let it so be done... we swear to you, Shaiming and Crispin both. Dragon and Host together, we both swear; god and human."

You swear for me as well? Crispin asked Shaiming, forcing the thought through the reverie, the rush of emotions and swift thought that was Shaiming's mind, suddenly grown so much more vivid and vital than his own.

I heard you speak of Destruction kindly to Morgan. I know you, child - I know.

Yes...The loyalty and love radiating from Shaiming's bright mind was effusing Crispin's own, and he realized with a start that, at that moment, he would be willing to die for the figure on the dais before him. It was a bizzare feeling, but somehow... not as alien as he might have expected.

The entire exchange took place lightning-fast, within a blink or two, and Crispin/Shaiming spoke on when it was done.

"I have indeed conversed with Shenlei, my Lord - he spoke to me of the need to gather the dragons, and of Futs Lung... how his host was not suitable, and failed." Crispin felt a dizzy sense of accomplishment at that - he hadn't known you could fail, but someone had, and he hadn't - he must be doing something right... "Using my magics to soothe the mortals has been foremost in my mind these many months, Lord. But until such time as that becomes possible again, what may I do to assist you? Though I rest still within my host, I would serve you, as would Crispin - human though he is, he is kin to my every thought. Whoever is in command, will follow."

Consort? This wasn't something Crispin was familiar with, but though he sent a wave of confusion at Shaiming, the dragon shrugged it away without a second glance. "I have spoken to him as well, before my joining with my host," Shaiming said, with regret, and Crispin felt the deep rapport begin to crumble, unconciousness beckoning to him as the dragon moved to speak about things that were not shared.

There was a slight shift in posture as Shaiming took over the body fully; a new stiffness as the dragon's lower degree of control required less movement. "Yes... Lucius. Universe," the dragon said, softly. "I have spoken to him. I have seen his wounds, his marks - I know of his treachery. It pains me deeply... as does that other pain. That he cannot recall the times we were flung through the stars side by side..." Shaiming closed his eyes, and looked down. The lack of recognition had hit hard.

"As you say, my Lord." Shaiming looked up at Destruction again, then nodded, slightly. "It will take time to ascend so high, but once dragon form is mine once more there will be no limits to my flight. If it is within my power, I will be the force behind this redemption... for while he is as all things second to You, he was... also dear to me, once. I would have that again." But there was a wash of sadness and resignation underneath it all.

"I thank you for your kindness, my Lord. I will seek you in earnest once more, when the ascension is complete. Where shall I place my shields once Tien Lung has awakened? I will make that my first act of power, before all else. I had thought to shield this area closest to this place, to bring back mortal men to walk near the gods, but if you will it, they will be placed elsewhere."

"The host of Xuan Yi has spoken to me of the Empress. It is fair that she walks among the gods reborn, though I have not yet laid eyes on her. I will seek her out as well, fear not." Shaiming bowed his head.

"It is... good to see you again, my Lord. Someday again soon we shall roar at the sky together, you and your Dragons flanked in glory." The dragon then fell silent, merely soaking in Harmodius' presence - out of balance as it was, that did not matter. He was home.

"You are most gracious, Lord. I thank you." Shaiming looked surprised, then pleased, at the sudden overflow of gifts. "Forgive me if I do not remove them to my chambers at once - this body will not hold them all, and my Aoidei are... skittish, still." Crispin's body was trembling now, from Shaiming's effort to hold on to control despite his waning strength. "I fear I do not have much time left before you."