When Dead Revive & Lost Are Found

by Final Saph

It seems the return of the Shikon Jewel has done more than bring Kagome to the past; Toga finds himself among the living while a dragon heir finds himself freed from his cursed stone imprisonment as the sole survivor of his people with no memories. The two meet and from there our journey starts.

4. 3:: Scale From A Sleeping Dragon

"He who fights too long against dragons becomes a dragon himself; and if you gaze too long into the abyss, the abyss will gaze into you."

:: CHAPTER 3 [Scale From A Sleeping Dragon] ::

As Toga flew off from Totosai's home he headed south. Many hours passed as day began to end and night slowly set in. The moon glistened above as they flew; once more in dog form for faster travel, using the clouds as a shield. Soon enough the massive dog slammed into the ground, stirring both the trees, grass and rocks, kicking up dirt in the process.

He settled down to let Laviel off, the dragon landing in a crouch before rising to his feet. Toga shook himself from the long flight, letting his body shift back to his humanoid form before he stretched his arms. "Ugh, my back is angry with me."

Laviel chuckled as he scanned the area, red eyes evaluating the area. They'd landed in a somewhat clearer area and it was instantly noted they weren't alone. In the distance they could see the shape of structures.

Toga walked over, scanning as well before gesturing ahead of them, down a path. "Follow my lead. If it comes to a fight-" He turned his head just enough to flash his fangs despite one being broken. "-I can handle them."

The landscape of the area was hilly and forested. Here and there were peaks, but it was only near the sea where some of the higher mountains could be found. The sea was audible, and a salty scent filled the air, along with something else; something draconic, much like that of Laviel but vastly different. The air was drenched in a powerful aura, lazily emanating from a set of structures closer to the sea. They seemed as though they were human-made but it was difficult to tell.

It was as they began to approach the structure, clearly the mostly intact remains of a castle in an archaic style, that a new aura could be felt, one that seemed to sap happiness from the soul. It was slight, but the feeling tugged at the edges of Toga and Laviel's senses, making moving forward more strenuous.

This was no ordinary castle but seemed cursed by some ancient misery. Proceeding forward would be possible, but difficult, and there was no telling what illusions were inside. There was a stench of dark magic.

Toga lifted his nose up, inhaling deeply. "We're getting closer to the source.. or so I hope." There were two reasons why he had wanted Laviel with him. 1. He was a dragon as well, pure blooded, and that made him receptive to dragon magics, trinkets and properties. 2. He was powerful judging by his dragon aura which was similar to a demon's but far different as well.

Laviel felt tense as they walked and he could see a thread of power weaving in the very air. It was faint but noticeable and it was instinctive for him to spot it despite his lack of memories. Like a second sense.

Toga led the way, walking down the path with guarded steps. "Be on your guard. I smell.. something strange." Toga warned in a low voice as they approached.

Laviel seemed to crinkle his nose in distaste, scowling openly as he slowed. Toga glanced back before reaching a hand out, curling his fingers around the wrist of Laviel and pulling him along behind him.

"Stay close to me."

As they approached the castle the aura of despair grew heavier, weighing down on them like a heavy cloud, thicker and thicker with each step. And then, at last, as they reached the castle gate, it seemed to stop. Here, it seemed, there was no resistance to their entrance. But as they made another step forward, there was a distant chime, and at once, the air seemed to change entirely. Toga and Laviel were suddenly separated despite holding hands, and in front of them in the castle courtyard were two very different sights.

In Toga's vision was the castle where Izayoi had been kept, bathed in a morning bloom, brilliantly restored as if built from his own memory. The feeling of nostalgia and romance was almost intoxicating, oppressive, and foreign in origin, as if everything was crying out to Toga to relax and calm himself.

Far away, at the other edge of the courtyard, was a woman with black hair and a beautiful kimono. She was facing away from Toga, and he could not help but feel some affinity, some kind of draw to her. A mystique that pulled him closer.

In Laviel's it was the castle of the Esperica Dragon tribe, but foggy, as if the vision could not materialize from the damaged memory of the Dragon tribe heir. But everywhere Laviel looked, there were figures, faces obscured, who felt profoundly familiar, as if this was family and friends, as if this was home, a bizarre feeling for a man whose entire tribe had perished.

And there, at a garden in the middle of the courtyard, sat a woman with a warm smile, her face shrouded by her hair. She beckoned Laviel over, and he could not help but remember a waft of something, a meal he had once eaten but had forgotten about. A wonderful cooked dish that he had adored as a child but whose name escaped him.

For Laviel it was something he couldn't describe. He had no memories so these visions hit him in a way that was not what should have been. For him it was easier to differentiate between reality and his own mind being played. His dragon aura flared, floating out around him like a mist.

Toga, on the other hand, stood breathless, his hold on Laviel gone now as he took a step forward, reaching out toward the castle. A sense of longing overcame him as he took another step-

Toga, despite being immersed in the vision, was tugged to a stop by a wrist being held. Laviel's grip on his wrist held the yokai in place. Laviel's eyes were locked onto the woman, a scowl on his face.

"You play with feelings you should not tamper with. I might not fully remember this-" Laviel gestured his free hand around, his other keeping Toga from moving forward in his trance. "-but I can see your threads of magic."

The vision was affecting him, clearly, as he could see it.. but being a dragon with no attachment presently to those lost memories granted him some clarity.

"We seek the dragon of the Southern Sky. ShanTil I believe was their name."

There was a rumbling sound as the woman's smile turned into a frown and the castle began to change. The threads of magic were pulled and power channeled into them. With another chime, the scenery changed again for both of them, this time to a castle that appeared to be entirely different construction, closer in approximation to an unruined version of the castle they had entered in the first place. The sky was blue, the grass green and there was a scent of persimmon in the air.

A young boy stood there, staring at them. There was a faint hum of magic but the threads that Laviel had once seen had been obscured and hidden, making it all the harder to see from where they were being pulled. "Are you looking for my father?" He asked indifferently, icy blue eyes staring intently at both gold and red from the pair.

As the scene shifted Laviel remained steadfast, his eyes naturally following the trail of magic thickest of manipulation; the still child. Toga stiffened, his hands tightening into fists. Laviel could feel the muscle of the wrist as he glanced momentarily at Toga to check on him. He could see the grit teeth of the Inu Daiyokai.

Laviel refocused on the magic, his eyes following it before suddenly the boy smiled at them. Laviel eased up, sensing the presence of another dragon standing before him.

"If ShanTil is your father then yes, please."

Toga's head was shaking before he shook his entire body like a dog would to clear rain from it's fur. His eyes focused on the child and he grumbled, "I hate illusionary mind play."

Laviel chuckled before following after the boy as he led them towards the castle.

"We have a request to make of him." Laviel said softly, his red eyes glazed over as he mentally pondered those visions, play-offs of memories he didn't recall. Who were those people.. those places.. those meals.. he definitely wanted answers.

"A request?" The little boy repeated to himself, finger on his chin as he pondered this. "I am Neferet. It is nice to meet you."

"Neferet.." Laviel repeated the name, a soft smile on his face. "A wonderful name."

The child led the two through the castle courtyard; it was immaculately manicured, the very image of an earlier age's desire for zen and peace achieved through architecture and managed gardens. Laviel followed closely behind the child and Toga after him; the dog general was quiet as he trailed along, his senses heightened as he glanced around for signs of traps or more illusions, being overly cautious. Laviel, however, was at ease for some reason he couldn't explain.

A number of faceless courtiers, some demon and some human, watched the duo and the boy silently as they went to the main keep of the castle. Toga tensed upon seeing life and so he stuck close to Laviel.. which was funny because he was supposed to be leading and talking yet this seemed more of the dragons area presently so he remained silent. Laviel paused to study each piece they passed, intrigued by the detail and creation.

Inside of the main keep was a great hall surrounded by wall paintings, all of them different scenes in the courtship of a dragon and a woman. The images were truly mesmerizing, drawing the eye with color and grace. At the far edge of the room, a handsome man sat cross-legged on a luxurious cushion. Beside him, a beautiful human woman in a silk kimono and with short cream colored hair played him a ballad with a stringed instrument.

"Mother.. father." The little boy rushed to what must have been his father's side. The father picked him up, embraced him and then placed him up against his lap. "These men are here to see you."

As the pair arrived at an appropriate distance Laviel released Toga, instinctively bending to one knee to bow respectfully, an arm resting over the raised knee. Toga bowed as well but instead went to both knees, giving a more fluid and full bow of respect. Laviel's bow, in observation of it, was more of a prideful bow as if in the presence of someone of similar rank.. and yet this bow was unknowingly unintentional for he had forgotten the way his people bowed. This was all muscle memory kicking in and telling the body what to do.

The scene was absolutely idyllic, a perfect picture of family life, save for one out of place feature; behind the man, a golden statue of a grotesque being, with a mane, a trunk, two tusks, and a spotted body. It was a Baku; a dream eater.

The father cleared his throat. Draconic power emanated from him easily and profoundly; his power was immense. To lesser yokai it would have been suffocating. And to Toga it might have been but for different reasons; it was almost the same as that of Ryukotsusei.

"I am ShanTil of the Southern Sky. What brings you two travelers to my castle?" He asked nonchalantly, watching the display of respect with reserved politeness, tilting his head to acknowledge the two.

"Perhaps they are here to pay tribute, dear." The woman, presumably the wife, suggested daintily, flashing a perfect smile to the two men.

"We apologize for showing up unannounced but we seek no harm." Toga's calm voice started but it was Laviel's that took over.

"I speak on behalf of us. My name is Laviel and my friend here is called Toga." The dragon spoke up, his voice sure and full, clear as a bell. "We have come asking for a scale of the mighty dragon in which to be used to forge a sword."

Toga was tense at his side Laviel could feel. The Inu Daiyokai's mind bristled at the familiar yet dissimilar aura to that of the dragon he had fought so long ago. The aura to Laviel, however, felt comforting.. yet different from his own. Perhaps there were different types of dragons.. Amusingly enough while Laviel's body could react or his instincts as well it doesn't stop him from being momentarily baffled by titles. He.. didn't know how to address those before him for etiquette was as lost as his memories.

The wife, giving her own greeting with that perpetual smile, went back to strumming at her stringed instrument while the small boy gave a deep frown. "Why do you not bow properly; you are bowing like you are father's equals but you are not! You are not a noble!" He said accusingly.

The father seemed to scowl towards the outburst from his son, leveling his gaze upon the child who frowned even more. "Neferet, mind yourself." He turned his attention back to the pair before him. "This request.. Why would you need such a thing? There is no necessity for such violent power to be given to any one person." He leaned back in his seat. "I thank you for your arrival and your effort to beseech me but I cannot accept your request. To grant you my scale would give you grievous power over others. In such a time of peace I am simply baffled why anyone would need such a thing!"

Something was wrong; it was only for just a moment but Laviel could have sworn that there was a sudden flash of power from behind ShanTil, partly shrouded by ShanTil's own aura. Was it coming from the statue of the dream eater?

"But please come and be treated! I would not have you leave without a meal!" ShanTil said with a deep laugh as two dishes appeared at the long table to the side where servants rushed away from. The meals seemed bizarre and both the dog and dragon knew this. They were a favorite meal of both despite the hosts not having such knowledge.

"Evil lurks in times of peace so make no mistake.. Peace is an illusion. There is evil spreading across the continent and I would feel far better with a sword I can wield than trusting such wishful thinking." Toga said as the pair lifted themselves to sit normally.

Laviel didn't quite acknowledge the child then, his words lost to him aside from one. Noble. It triggered a memory so long ago it seemed..

Among the silver and crimson flowers sat a child, petals fluttering away as the child plucked them from a flower in his hand.

The phantom words: My son, my heir, while we do not have land and titles among others we have something we must protect..

The memory faded just as quickly causing Laviel to blink. He lifted his eyes, a shadow passing through those molten red hues. He rose to his feet, eyes downcast to the seated leaders. Those eyes.. they seemed to glow as his lips pulled back into a snarl. "I am Laviel Esperica, Arch'leva of the Esperica Dragon tribe, heir and sole survivor. I will not be deceived by more trickery." In an instant his gauntlets were secured to his arms and he was in a crouch, teeth bared, a snarl ripping from him as he flexed his claws. "Show yourself, no more games."

Toga, confused but alert, merely stared up at the dragon who seemed to notice things he did not.

ShanTil did not seem to acknowledge the sudden change in mood or the demand. He gave a curt nod to Laviel Esperica and said, "Well met, member of the Esperica Dragon tribe. It is good that there are still those of you left. The tragedy that left your people exterminated almost to the last may yet be undone with time. I can only pray it is so. Is that not right, dear?"

The wife did not respond to him. Her smile was gone and she was glaring at Laviel.

"Dear? Neferet?" ShanTil said, startled by her behavior, only to look down to his son who was glaring as well.

"Get out." His wife said, then louder. "GET OUT!" The child started to repeat it as well. "OUT! OUT! OUT!" There was a rising chorus from the courtyard as well. "OUT! OUT! OUT! OUT! OUT! OUT! OUT!" They repeated as ShanTil stood up, completely uncomprehending the display. As it became louder and louder he fell to his knees, covering his ears, cringing from the pain of the screaming. Behind him, the Baku statue was suddenly animated, emerging as an enormous, grotesque demon. It loomed above ShanTil, growling at Toga and Laviel.

"FOOLS! I WOULD HAVE GIVEN HIM PEACE! HOW DARE YOU INTERRUPT THE DREAM! DIE!"

The Baku Dream Eater charged at the two of them while ShanTil was paralyzed in place from the noise.

That was all it took for the hold over Toga to be broken as his eyes narrowed.

"Toga, care to handle this?" Laviel relaxed as the demon revealed itself before glancing to his new comrade. Toga stood before slowly nodding, giving a disgruntled sigh. Laviel slid beneath the demon, shifting his body to throw his arm over ShanTil as if to shield him.

Toga's hand reached out, stretching as he flexed his claws but he noticed a sword nearby. Just as the Baku attacked he lunged to the side, rolled and grabbed the sword before spinning just as the demon advanced on him; giving three solid strikes of the blade toward the demon. The strikes hit their mark.

ShanTil continued to tremble in agony, as if the discordance of the dream was amplified for him, attacking his senses and destroying his ability to do anything. So much noise, so much pain, all funneled straight at him. Make it stop, make it stop..

Laviel noticed the trembling and thus glanced down, keeping his eyes on ShanTil.

The Baku was completely unprepared for the unrelenting power of the dog demon's attack, and was immediately struck by the three strikes. It seemed almost suspiciously easy. As soon as Baku was struck, the screaming stopped and ShanTil was released from the torment. He pushed Laviel out of the way forcefully and rushed over to what he thought was his son and wife, cradling them both.

The strikes had taken down Baku as Toga held his acquired temporary sword, a shiver of disgust rippling through him. Laviel jumped back as he watched ShanTil cling to the illusions of his family all the while sensing the darkness closing in.

"My love.. my only.. my boy.." He muttered desperately to himself.

The Baku twitched where it had fallen. "Idiots.. you.. you idiots. You have no idea what nightmare you have just unleashed.. I would have.. protected him.." The Baku breathed its last and dissipated into nothingness as the dream began to collapse, flakes of the castle dissipating. But instead of being replaced with reality, there was an encroaching blackness and an immense evil.

ShanTil still cradled his wife and son as he pleaded with them. "My dears.. my dears.."

"ShanTil.." Neferet and his wife said in unison, their faces expressionless.

"Y-yes, my dear..?"

"Why did you let us die?"

"W-what-"

"Why did you.." His wife and son began to literally rot in his arms, turning into dust as the dragon shouted in horror and wept.

"No, no, no, no- please, no, why, no.." Blood, emerging from the ceiling of the castle, dripped down the walls, turning everything into something truly monstrous and macabre. Then the roof was blown away in an immense blast of energy, leaving two sets of glowing red eyes in the blackness. From the shadows emerged the visage of Ryukotsusei.

"Hello, my boy.."

ShanTil gazed up in complete terror. Toga and Laviel were frozen in place, unable to move.

That must have been traumatizing.. but there wasn't much either of them could do. Toga and Laviel shared a look before they felt it arriving, turning back to see the two red eyes.. before the head settled into view.

A deep snarl tore through Toga as anger pumped through his veins. "You..!" The word was all that slipped free before suddenly the very ground trembled as his form began to shimmer as he was about to transform.

Laviel, on his end, stood blinking at the one called Ryukotsusei, now knowing what angered Toga so, why ShanTil was in terror and why this was bad. "Who the hell are you?" Laviel demanded with a sharp snap of his words, icy tone leaving little in the way of avoiding the question without repercussion.

The specter of Ryukotsusei had a draconic energy that was abnormal for it held with it an immense and oppressive evil. There was none of the nobility or the measured ferocity, only unbridled, incredibly viciousness, bellowing forth in every direction, choking those who dared to behold its majesty and power. Power unrestrained, unrefined, blunt and crude.

The mask upon its head smirked at Laviel and Toga. "Pathetic. To keep me at bay, he brings forth an apparition already triumphed over and an imagined relic. They will not save you, my little boy." The power of the specter pressed down on them, preventing even Toga from transforming. The real Ryukotsusei had not held such power, but Toga may have realized that this specter was being magnified in power by something.

Laviel stood tall, his gaze never wavering despite such, as was instilled in him since he was a young brood. Toga, at his side, was shivering from the need to transform but the inability to do so, the mist of smoke merely swirling at his feet, his fists clenched.

"I am Ryukotsusei, razer of the plains of Musashi, killer of the great dog demon Inu no Taisho. I am the greatest dragon that has ever lived or will ever live and I am here to exact the moment of humiliation upon my son, again and again. His moment of weakness. The moment that he spoiled his dragon's blood. Observe and then perish."

"You are not the real one." Laviel inhaled deeply, his tongue flicking out as he tasted the air. "Where is your source coming from.." His gaze lowered as he scanned the room, leveling his eyes upon the statue.

"You? Kill me? Alright you half-egged lizard brain. I'm right here!" Toga snarled.

ShanTil, still terrified, turned to the two of them, straining to speak. "Y-you must.. must not interfere.. his aura is overwhelming in this dream.. he will surely kill you like this..! Let him.. have his way and at the right moment.. strike.. eugh.." He fell back, unable to speak.

Ryukotsusei's enormous form circled around ShanTil like a predator around its prey.

"You did not really think I would not be able to detect her scent, would you, my little boy? The scent of death and childbirth, of a devious birth creating a blighted spawn. You know the laws of our kind. The blood of dragons is sacred. To steal it from another is punishable by death. To spread it by breeding with a human is worse."

All ShanTil could manage was a desperate plea. "Please, father- I-"

"Silence! There is only punishment fit for the crime you have done. A terrible curse, befitting a cursed union. Until the day you or they die, you will not be able to behold your child without smelling the scent of your beloved's bloody end. To even look upon your child will sap you of your strength. Every moment that you are near them without hating them will be agony for you. The only freedom from your torment is to kill them.. or torture them."

"Y-you.. you would do that to your own flesh and blood.."

"I do not recognize dilutions of this mighty line. You will know that in time I will take the ultimate price and leave you with nothing. In the meantime, you will grow to detest your very child, birthed from that human wench you held so close when you thought I was not watching."

"I w-will resist! I will raise my child, even if it pains me, even if it churns my heart…!"

"Then you will die."

Ryukotsusei charged an enormous pellet of draconic energy from his mouth, intent on vaporizing ShanTil. It was in that moment, as the energy was being collected, that the hold on Toga and Laviel loosened enough for them to break free.

"I will handle this." Laviel snarled before taking a step forward, shuddering. It seemed whatever was holding him in place was slowly losing its hold on him. He took another step as a snarl ripped from him. He listened to the dragon's words to its son, anger coursing through the dragon heir. At the moment the hold weakened further he took his chance.

"N-now! Do it now!" ShanTil cried out to them to smite the apparition of his father while it was distracted.

Toga unsheathed his sword, slashing a wave of yoki strikes to the apparition. Laviel took off running then, lifting his gauntlet of the left hand in the intent to smash that damn statue if he could.

The specter of Ryukotsusei's attention was turned towards the two figures. It seemed confused and surprised by their ability to break out of the grip it had held them under and stopped charging its energy pellet for a moment. Toga's strikes hit their mark but were deflected off the steel skin of the apparition, while Laviel was frozen in place by the sudden attention the specter was directing to them.

And then, at that moment, there was a wave of gentle wind and static electricity. In a wave of cherry blossoms, a massive new dragon emerged from where the human form of ShanTil had been standing. Almost as large as Ryukotsusei, the dragon also had a mask above its primary head, one which took on a similar but painted appearance as his human form, with a mustache and beard.

"You should've been paying better attention, old man!" The dragon ShanTil shouted as he dug his claws into the neck of his wild father. The apparition cried out, leaving Toga and Laviel completely free. And there, only partly obscured now, was the statue. The gauntlet smashed into it, shattering it into a thousand pieces, and then at once the very world began to shatter, shards of light breaking through the darkness. Ryukotsusei began to turn to dust with a final cry of triumph from ShanTil. Then nothing.

When Laviel and Toga opened their eyes, they were standing once more in the castle grounds, but in the real world. It was a weathered ruin, littered with ancient toys and abandoned relics. In the midst of the courtyard, there was a blooming cherry blossom tree and a grave below it, signified with the symbol of the moon. In the corner was the decaying corpse of the Baku, its flesh melting and leaving only bones behind.

And there, coiled around the entire back half of the castle, covered in accumulated dirt and moss, was the dragon ShanTil. The dragon was enormous, with golden fur and a light silver body. It had been sleeping for a long time. It opened its glowing blue eyes.

"Ahhhhhh.." ShanTil yawned as he stirred awake, gently shaking the whole castle. "Thank you for breaking me from that restless slumber."

The aura of dark magic and evil had disappeared as the draconic aura had been calmed, subdued, becoming more a warm gust of wind blowing up against the face than anything menacing, like some attractive summer wind.

As the duo observed what happened Laviel felt a smile tug his lips. Toga shook himself once more, shaking off the last inkling of restraint before rolling his shoulder.

Laviel slowly walked back over to him before lifting his head. The pair examined the shifting area, taking note of the details with both guarded and curious eyes. His red eyes fell to the form of ShanTil first, Toga still observing the area distractedly. "I am pleased to see the spell lifted." Laviel said, stepping forth to give a bow again, bending to knee before the mighty dragon. Something about seeing the dragon's true form stirred a warmth in his chest..

The faint image of a massive form of red and white flashed in his mind before he lifted his head, focusing again on the dragon.

"Had I been awake sooner and aware I would have come to set you free." Laviel said softly in a form of apology.

ShanTil sniffed the air and his eyes widened slowly as he recognized the scent of the old dog general. He began to laugh, a deep belly-laugh that shook the castle to its very foundations. His voice was booming but with a soothing tone, like some great buddha. "I see that even my father was not enough to kill the old dog general. That will surely bruise his ego should he wake again."

Toga gave a snort in confirmation, not bothering to disclose that he had indeed been among the dead.. as he was still uncertain of why he was alive once more. He turned back to look up, hands on his hips. "So you're Ryukotsusei's son. I honestly didn't expect the brute to have an offspring."

Laviel shot him a look as if to say be mindful of what you speak. Toga spared him a glance with a soft smile.

The eyes on both his heads turned to Toga when he mentioned Ryukotsusei as a father. "He was not like this when he was younger. He was more like you, in fact, passionate and fierce but still possessing a heart capable of feeling anything other than revelry in destruction. But as his aura grew, he became more and more intoxicated by his own power, until at last the only thing he lived for was gaining more and razing the earth to prove his might."

ShanTil spoke of his father as the dispassionate bitterness of someone long removed from the torment but still unable to let it go. "I like to think I take more after my mother, from the continent."

"Power does seem to entrance those incapable of wielding it for the right reasons." Toga said in musing to those words, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Is he still sealed where I left him?" He tilted his head, a pang of worry entering his body at the thought that this display was more than an apparition but an extension of Ryu's reach. There seemed to be a nod from the dragon. That gave Toga some ease of mind.

ShanTil turned his attention to Laviel. "And you, Esperican. I meant every word I said within the dreamscape that Baku had constructed. I am pleased to find a member of your tribe alive, though in truth I had once thought of your people an exemplary story of foolishness. Since then I have been playing the fool quite handily and can sympathize with my fellows."

Laviel lifted his chin, leveling his gaze to one eye of the beast, a resolve filtering into his own red eyes. "I am grieved to see your loss was used as a weapon against you. I do not have memories in regards to my past so I am only aware of certain aspects to my tribe's history. I only know they were slaughtered and that I have been asleep for many years, the sole survivor it seems." He gave a soft sigh, as if those words pained him and yet he didn't understand why.. as he had no memories of them.

ShanTil growled lightly when Laviel spoke about the loss that ShanTil had suffered. If only the Esperican had known.

"For one-hundred and fifty years I raised my children in defiance of his wishes. I spent every moment in agony but never broke in my resolve to train and teach them, even as it sapped my own strength. I had hoped that in time I may through whatever breaks of cruelty or torment I laid on them for a moment's relief drive them away and free us both, but they refused to leave my side, such was their adoration. At last, to avoid being overtaken by my instincts and consuming them to save myself, I banished my beloved children." He spoke of it with immense shame and disgust.

At this story Laviel's eyes downcast, sorrow flashing among those red orbs as if the pain behind the story was his own. "You did what you had to do, to ensure the survival of your children." His eyes lifted and when they flashed they held understanding. "A lesser being would have eaten his offspring with no regret. But your compassion and connection shows." A soft smile crept upon his face as he rose to his feet.

ShanTil gave a smile as he continued, nodding his head. "When at last I banished them fifty years ago, I flew to my old castle and collapsed in exhaustion. My long slumber was haunted by nightmares and that parasitic Baku must have been attracted. It grew fat and greedy on my memories but spared me from some of the endless nightmare of my father. That thing you saw was a mere projection of my own fears amplified by the Baku's power. He is indeed still sealed away, but beware; it is better that he is sealed than he is killed while asleep. I have reason to believe he has a plan to resurrect himself should he be truly killed."

"Don't worry, I have no intention of killing him. If he does revive I'm sure he'll be dealt with." For some reason at this comment Toga's mind trailed back to his children.. his strong beautiful sons..

The dragon moved the joints of its serpentine body, cracking them and opening and closing its claws as it let the ocean wind flow through its mane. What a joyous feeling, after all this time asleep! But still, his power was weak and his body's constitution was not repaired. He had gained peace of mind, but his slumber was not yet done. First, however, he had to pay his respects to these two.

"We came here to seek a scale." Laviel stated, drawing them back to the topic of their appearance to this castle and their own personal mission. He gestured to Toga. "He is constructing a new fang to wield and the nature of it will require the scale of an electric-based dragon."

The dragon closed his eyes and yawned again. His voice was tired and drowsy. "I remain exhausted, and will soon fall back into sleep, though thankfully one less tormented this time. I will.. be willing to grant you the scale. Yes, you may have it, in thanks for your aid and for your sealing away of my father, which spared me and my children much. But I have one condition for its use."

"I wish you a deep and pure rest, ShanTil." Laviel said in earnest, hoping his words would pass along peace to the mighty dragon who so desperately needed it.

"I am deeply honored." Toga said with a nod of his head. "Name your condition and I will try to fulfill it to the best of my abilities."

Laviel's mind drifted away, his face clouding over. ShanTil had a dragon form.. Did he? And what was that white and red shape he'd seen in his mind?.. The thoughts of it plagued him a little more than he cared to mentally admit..

ShanTil let the wind blow through his mane one last time. He was beginning to succumb to the call of slumber. Yawning, he pried a shining scale from his body with a claw. The scale crackled with draconic electricity as he dropped it in front of them.

Toga moved in a flash, shifting forward to bend his knee to catch the scale. He lifted it to get a better grasp before standing fully, glancing up to the dragon. "Thank you."

"My children seek the shards of the Shikon Jewel, recently shattered into a thousand pieces. Even through the torment and the nightmares I could sense it in their dreams. I fear that on this path lies folly, but I cannot stop them. They are grown and prideful besides, they must follow their own direction. I ask only that you do not impede them on their quest. Should they gather all the shards, they may be powerful enough to break the curse that bonds us. I will be able to tell them of our shared sorrow and destroy my father once and for all. You are both demons of great power, one a relic of a previous age and another the titan of his era. I can only hope you will use what I have given you for good, to protect the weak and lay low evil."

Toga nodded his head to the dragon. "If we come across any of your children we will keep their interests at heart. But the Shikon will corrupt them if they gather them all. I will use the scale you have given to me and use it wisely." Toga bowed his head, thrilled to be one step closer to a new sword.

And with that, he yawned once more and his eyes began to close. He fell back to the ground, resting his head gently on the top of the castle's great keep. "And with that, I say farewell. I will revisit the cherry tree where I and my moon first met once more.." With a final, affectionate, toothy smile, the great dragon returned to a now much more peaceful slumber, the scale left on the ground below him.

The pair turned as the beast laid down to rest as they sought a more open area for Toga. Toga passed the scale to Laviel before his form melted away to once again become a moderately adjusted massive white-furred dog. He leaned down as Laviel climbed up before settling onto his back.

The dragon heir spared a glance down to the sleeping dragon as they took to the sky, flying off to head back to the home of the forger.