After commanding Eramus to steal the Manafont from Yggdramor's Mountain Queen, Quora hurried to Riverton to see Cyrus. She was convinced there was more to the Visions than was presented in each volume - and Cyrus, having admitted to being a good friend to Fafnir, likely knew more about them than he was letting on. If this venture was to continue, Quora needed answers, and she needed them now.

It seemed to be business as usual at Cyrus's house; Quora and the old scholar were sitting at the kitchen table, Amelia had water on for tea, and the Visions of Fafnir: Volume V was on the table, waiting to be opened. Cyrus reached for the little writing bound by leather, but Quora slid it away. He seemed nonplussed.

"All you have done is sit here and wait for my successes. " Quora menaced, her eyes flashing orange, "Why do I bother coming here, if you will not contribute?"

Cyrus looked Quora in the eye, his aged features holding steadfast, "Bring functionally immortal, I can imagine the concept of age being...difficult for you. I am very old, Quora. I am tired, and I can't move like I used to. What do you propose I do?"

In the back of her mind, Quora was impressed to see Cyrus stare her down like this, "Give me more context. There has to be something to go with these writings - and I think you have it or are capable of getting it."

A brief moment passed where Quora and Cyrus stared at each other silently. Cyrus smiled, "Could you come upstairs with me? My office might have what you're looking for."

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Cyrus's office was neater than Quora had expected. The walls were lined with shelves pulled to burst with books and tomes. A great window overlooked the office, draped shut by burgundy shades. Two tables with charts and open books flanked a quaint writing desk with a flickering lamp like those in Dreamford, except this one glowed golden yellow. On the desk sat a single book, a burgundy book with a gilded dragon rampant on the cover.

Fafnarok's banner...

Cyrus went to a far corner of the bookshelves and struggled to get on his knees. He pulled out a few books on the bottom, reached inside the gap he had made, and pulled out a discreet black box. Quora could hear his joints crackle as he stood back up. Cyrus blew the dust off the box and presented it to Quora, "Go ahead."

She slipped the box lid off, and inside was a brooch. Another dragon rampant, like the one on Fafnir's banner, wrought from gold. The long pin at the back of it was worn. Quora looked at Cyrus expectantly.

"You'd recognize this symbol anywhere, I'd bet," Cyrus said. He cleared his throat, "I told you I was a friend of Fafnir, but that's not the whole truth. I am a Scion of Fafnir, one of his most trusted scholars and keepers of his deepest knowledge. He made us aware of his true nature as a dragon. And, as far as I know, I am the last living Scion. I did not come to Riverton to live comfortably, Quora - I'm here because I'm hiding."

Quora was speechless. Now, it made sense to her as to how Cyrus would know where to find the Visions.

"I'm sorry I could not be honest with you," said Cyrus, "But, the fact is, I really don't know where your intentions lie. For all I know, you could take this to King Dreamford and expose my location; I imagine the bounty on my brooch has only grown fatter."

Quora pushed the lid back on the box, "No. I do this for my sister - and in doing so, I serve myself. I've no use for Dreamford's gold."

"Heh." Cyrus grinned, "What, your hoard too big already?"

"...What?"

"Sorry, that's a human adage," Cyrus chuckled, "We like to think you dragons each have massive hoards of gold. Us Scions soon learned Fafnir had a much different hoard."

"Oh," Quora rolled her eyes. She pointed to the book on the writing desk, "So, what is that supposed to be?"

Cyrus put the black box aside and fetched the book, "I started working on this after your first visit. I've been correlating notes with the Visions and extrapolating my theories. It's not finished, of course, but...I have to say, the results are disturbing."

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Quora was intrigued, "Go on."

Cyrus was visibly perturbed, "These truly describe the end of days, Quora. From the events that occur beforehand to those that see its climax," Cyrus's voice began to shake, "...The outcome is horrible."

Quora eyed the book. Suddenly, she wondered if she even wanted to learn its secrets, "What can we do?"

Cyrus sighed, "I don't know, Quora. I'm starting to believe these are not mere predictions. Aveldan will burn, and only two humans will be left."

She was aghast, "Two humans?"

"That's what I gather," said Cyrus, "Who they are, where they're from, who knows? I sincerely hope I die before we have to find out."

A well of obsession grew in Quora's chest. All she wanted now was for that little book of Cyrus's to be completed. She wanted to know more about the two humans left at the end - though she was unsure what to do with that information.

"Cyrus." said Quora, "Where should I go next?"

The old scholar rubbed his chin, "Yggdramor to the north would be a safe bet. I know Fafnir and Lord Orion mac Cumhaill were on good terms. I could imagine these things being entrusted to the fairy king."

"Then that is where I go next." said Quora, turning to leave, "Continue working on that book, Cyrus."

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After he had copied the Visions Quora had brought, Cyrus watched her from a window after she left the house. He saw her turn into her bird of prey form and take flight. When he was sure she was gone, he called Amelia.

"Amelia," said Cyrus, "Please make travel preparations."

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The Mountains of Moon were somewhat close to Yggdramor, and it felt to Quora like an age since she last saw Moonfang. She flew to the dragon's cave and found Moonfang still curled around her clutch of eggs. Quora was glad to visit Moonfang, especially when she told her about her misadventure with King Dreamford at Campbellton Gate.

"Oh, ho!" Moonfang's laughter rumbled throughout the cavern, "Tied together and forced to work with him...Quite ironic. And you say this 'Stragor' wants war with Dremfrrdon?"

Quora nodded, "He seemed hellbent on getting through Dremfrrdon's shield and destroying his city, and I don't know why. Stragor wants to work with me...he knows who I am."

Moonfang turned her head, "Oh, dear. You're not going to help him, are you?"

"I have little interest in Dremfrrdon's works." Quora dismissed, "Besides, Stragor has demonstrated he and his minions are useless. No amount of aid from me can assure his victory."

Moonfang nestled her eggs, "It sounds like he isn't the brightest. Still, consider intervening for Dremfrrdon should Stragor prove the better - I daresay your quality of human life would be at stake, should his kingdom fall."

Quora thought about those cinnamon rolls she had in Dreamford. Losing the city would mean...

"I'll consider it."

"Thank you, Qorrametz." Moonfang softly said. She had a moment of pause before she spoke again, "I had another visitor."

Quora went wide-eyed, "What?!"

"A human, a rather big one at that. Fully dressed in metal with a red cape." Moonfang replied, "Had-trane, I believe his name was. Ever heard of him? He told me he was famous."

The mercenary from Myrellia...The man I used to enter Dreamford...

Quora remembered the saw-like blade he carried and the way he ran toward the chimera, which she lured toward Myrellia. She recalled hearing whispers of his handiwork...and how the people referred to him as Hadtrane the Beastkiller. There could only be one reason he was in Moonfang's cave. Quora's knuckles went white, and she could feel her nails digging into her hands. She looked up at Moonfang, her eyes burning orange.

"He didn't stay long," said Moonfang, "I think I scared him when I looked at him. Not sure what he wanted, but-"

"Muunfareng!!!" Quora thundered, her human voice nearly gone, "You're naïve! That man kills beasts to make his living! He was here for you!"

Moonfang was taken aback.

"This is the third human you've allowed near the eggs recently!" Quora shouted, "What is wrong with you? Did you forget this is our future, too?!"

Moonfang bared her teeth, "Do not speak to me like that!"

"Why must you play party with these creatures?!" Quora spat, "Do you not realize they only come when they have something to gain for themselves? Think, Muunfareng! Think of what they did to our race out of vanity, and what they'll do to you if you're not aggressive with protecting the eggs!"

"And become the very thing humans fear? You and Dremfrrdon are the same." Moonfang growled, "You act as if these eggs are your own. These are mine, and when they hatch, they will be my children to be raised with knowledge and understanding - and none of the brutality of Qorrametz and Dremfrrdon!"

Quora was shaking with rage.

"Do you not trust me to continue our race?" Moonfang raised her head, "Cast off your hatred of Dremfrrdon and lay his clutch, then. He has demonstrated his willingness to handle your vile scheming, your pettiness, and lack of respect."

Quora pulled out the Visions and threw it to the floor. She turned her back on Moonfang and said, "Perhaps so, Muunfareng."

Moonfang said nothing as she watched Quora flee her lair. She solemnly curled around her eggs and closed her eyes.

She could hear Quora crying.