(Future past timeline)

"You don't have to accompany me, Damascus. I can handle an army of mindless wizards by myself." Erno said to the flying, four-winged Skywrath by his side. "And this is a personal quest. Shouldn't you be with your kind, 'help' them in their situation?"

"That is true. But I think I will let them 'adopt' first before I extend my help." Damascus replied. "And I want them to feel the scorn and pity from the land dwellers first. Feel the consequences for betraying mother and exiling father."

Erno smirked. "Such savageness coming from you."

"Tis the Skywrath trait. I cannot change that."

"Ha ha. Obviously... Thanks for coming with me, though."

"I thought you would like to go by yourself."

"I do. Then I realized that after accomplishing this mission, I have nowhere else to go. Maybe the first thing I'm going to do is visit you before the others... Then, I'll probably choose a place to reside. If you're thinking to invite me to stay with the Skywraths, I'll pass."

Damascus laughed. "Yes. You will never fit in, especially when they think you are scum."

They laughed. After that, there was silence between them as they continued traveling.

"... Erno, have you ever thought of living in that mansion?" Damascus asked to avoid the awkward silence.

"... It would be nice. But I'll be the only resident there, surrounded by living husks that wanted to eat your flesh. Heh, I'd rather live with the Skywraths than be alone... Listen, I know you're stalling time. How about telling me about your parents?"

"Eh!? You have heard father's struggles just to win mother's trust many times, and you wish to hear it again?"

"Better yours than mine. What can I even share with you since my own mother never told me how she and father got together? Literally nothing... Yours however, I really like how your parents became a couple."

"You actually liked the drama."

"Yes, I do!"

Damascus cringed when Erno didn't deny the accusation. "Fine. As you know, it goes like this..."

...

(Current timeline)

Dragonus is so desperate. After trying, and failing miserably to win Shendelzare's trust, he has decided to visit the great archive of Ultymir University. He had hoped that the answer to restore her wings and form can be found there. That way, he can also earn her trust again.

'And maybe she'll love him...'

Dragonus shook his head and sighed. He was daydreaming again.

'Focus on the task at hand!' He silently scolded himself as he flew towards the steps of the University's stairs. As his talons touched the stone floor, the doors of the archives opened and came out Demnok Lannik the Warlock.

"I have seen your arrival through the window. What brings you here, Skywrath Mage?" Warlock asked after greeting each other.

"I have come here to seek answers." Dragonus replied. He won't elaborate what it is, wanting the Warlock to understand that this quest is personal.

Warlock arched his eyebrows and smiled. "I see. Come. Let me show you the archives."

Flying low with his talons barely touching the floor, Dragonus followed Warlock behind.

Within the library, Dragonus was impressed to see tall and wide bookshelves. He even noted books of new covers and ancient texts, some have strange languages and symbols, others are book-bind or rolled-up scrolls.

"Ultymir University prided itself for having the largest library of this mad world." Warlock boasted as he led Dragonus. "Most knowledge or answer you seek can be found here."

"Do you allow your book to be borrowed?"

"Unfortunately, no. Many books were borrowed from the past and never returned. We have to send forth paid retrievers, even put bounties on those who borrowed the book and failed to return it. Those who were caught smuggling books from this place were fined or punished, and they were banned to enter this place again. You are only allowed to read the book here, and even take notes, but borrowing, no."

"I understand."

"So, is there a specific spell or passage you wish to find? Or an image that eludes your mind?"

"Uh... I believe, regarding transformations..."

"Transformations?... Like the Lycan?"

"Yes."

Warlock smiled knowingly, already guessed what Dragonus was the personal quest. "We do have a section about that. Follow me, I shall lead you there."

As they passed rows of shelves and tables where a few readers are seen, Dragonus stopped. He was startled to see someone he knew. At a corner of a wall is a table with stacks of opened ancient books. One of the chairs was a draped cape of raven black, and emerald green and gold accents, curled outward from the hem. A battle mask of ivory white with black and gold accents lay atop the draped chair. A staff of swirling green magic leaned against the table. And occupying another chair is a man very serious in scanning the pages of an ancient scroll.

"Do my eyes deceive me? Or is that truly Rubick the Grand Magus?" An astonished Dragonus asked.

Warlock chuckled. "You are seeing correct."

"How... How unusual." Dragonus was skeptically looking at Rubick. "Tis not like him."

"Yes, I agree. Never I have seen him so serious. He has been visiting this place for three months now."

Dragonus whipped his head to face Warlock wearing a shocked expression. "Three months!?" He looked back at Rubick, who remained focused on reading, before going back to Warlock. "Do you know what particular he was searching for?"

"He was searching about the Hidden Ones."

Dragonus have heard about that. He was searching his memory and remembered. "Those were the elusive sages that the Templar Assassin is tasked to protect."

"Correct."

"... I remember him asking the assassin once if she could share some secrets, on which what he received are threats. And what was his reaction to it? It was just nothing to him! He actually found it funny, like a jest! As far as I know of him, he is a jolly and curious fellow!"

"And... ?"

"Seeing him that serious, I think something is wrong!"

"Hmm... Is that so?" Warlock arched his brows when Dragonus turned towards Rubick's direction. "Skywrath, will you not follow through on what you came for?"

Dragonus paused and looked back at Warlock. He was just reminded about his purpose of coming to the library. Yet, looking at the unusual actions of Rubick today and hearing about the time he spent searching for clues regarding the Hidden Ones, Dragonus thought that he, too, will likely take him a very long time to search for the answers of his quest.

More likely, only the goddess Skree'auk is the only one capable to restore Shendelzare...

"... Maybe next time." Dragonus said. "I thank you for your help, Warlock. Forgive me for wasting your time." He bowed and left to talk with Rubick.

As Dragonus neared, he saw Rubick making notes. "Greetings, friend! I have hoped you have not forgotten about me, eh?"

Startled, Rubick stopped what he was doing to face the intruder. Recognition hits him and he smiled. "Ah, Dragonus. What brings you here?"

"Same as you are." Dragons avoided. "I have heard from Warlock about your search here. I confess, I am really surprised and worried about you, my friend."

"Is that so? Understandable. But I must continue my research. Every time I thought I've found the answer, it resulted as a misleading clue... Ah, such a boring task that I must endure!"

Unthinkingly, Dragonus answered. "Ah. And here I thought you would rather choose to investigate things by going to a place rather read books like what you are doing right now."

Rubick looked at him owlishly, making Dragonus uneasy. "Eh? Is there something I said?"

Rubick then smiled widely, back to his old self. "How silly of me. Of course! It is better to search by going to a suspected area than searching the exact location of the Hidden Temple through these books!" He exclaimed and stood from his chair. "Dragonus! I thank you for opening my eyes! If it wasn't for your timely arrival, I could have keep reading and reading!"

"Uhh... You're... Welcome...?" Dragonus answered unsurely as he watched Rubick don the battle mask and cape.

After grabbing his staff, Rubick started to chuckle. "But what I have taken note, I shall use it as a guide to where I go and search... If you would excuse me..."

Rubick could have left a confused Dragonus behind if he didn't suddenly stop. He turned to face Dragonus.

"I have a sudden thought." Rubick said. "Do you have other arrangements to attend to?"

"Currently? Well, none I believe." Dragonus said. "Exce- "

"Oh ho ho! Good! Because I would like you to become my companion in this journey!"

"Eh?"

"A companion! You and I travel to deserts and wastelands in search for the Hidden Temple. I could do it myself, but I do want a trusted acquaintance to ease the loneliness. T'would be fun, wouldn't you agree?"

"Erm... I think so."

"Splendid! Then we leave now! Oh ho ho! No time to waste then. Let us proceed to our first destination."

Dragonus exasperatedly sighed as he followed behind Rubick. His priorities changed drastically today.