Terrible wait for this one, and for all the other ones as well. I'm stretched pretty thin, but I can manage to do this.

"Saphira?" Mecrac called, touching his sister on the shoulder gently. She didn't respond, turning another page in a massive book that was filled with strange runes. "Sister, are you listening?"

"I hear you, Mec, but I'm a little occupied. I can assist with whatever I can, but do not expect much." She said, turning around. The room was dim, as most of the town hall was, but this sort of library still had no lamps in it. Saphira held up her hand. "Vivilos!" White light appeared in her hand, floating up and circling around them. "What is it?"

"I had a sort of strange question for you…"

"I see…would this question be a sort of hypothetical question, or a real question."

"Umm…hypothetical." Mecrac said, wincing as the ball of light zoomed close to him, buzzing violently.

"I understand…proceed." Mecrac cleared his throat.

"Well, I was wondering. Since a human and a dragon create a drake, and an elf and a dragon create a draconian, a non-magical version of the drake…what would a drake and an elf make?" Saphira raised an eyebrow, and Mecrac suspected she knew why he was asking. If she did, she gave no sign of it.

"Well, since drakes are created by the magic in the dragon, and since draconians have no magic thanks to the magic of both races canceling out, I would think that two magical beings would create a non-magical hybrid." Mecrac nodded. "However…as Feleans and elves create werecats, and Sumarics and elves create Shiverlings, I can only assume that a hybrid such as a drake or draconian, despite magic, would create a sort of weredragon or weredrake. It is only logical."

"Sounds like it."

"Or, if it was a drake and a human, it would be something else…this is where it gets really complicated, even for my vast intellect. A drake and a human would create a sort of hybrid, with no shapeshifting abilities, just as a Felean and a human create a sort of hybrid called a Felix. I would have to find a name for those, as none have ever existed before. Does that help your curiosity?"

"Umm…yes, a little. Thank you, Saphira." He paused. "What exactly are you doing?"

"I am studying how to create magical beings using Altonian magic. It is very complicated, and Feleans are most adept, but I am the most attuned to magic out of this entire village."

"Well…good luck, and thanks you." Mecrac tuned to leave and the ball of light vanished, the text on the book glowing soft blue.

"Oh…Mecrac?"

"Yes?"

"The child has my blessing…"

"You…" Mecrac smiled; so she did know what he was talking about. "Thank you."

Galbatorix

The fall had been short, but the sun had still vanished from sight, swallowed by the darkness around them. Sverdar tried glowing to light their way, but he found that he could not reach his magic, and he couldn't even float in the air.

Magic does nothing in this place. Galbatorix said. It had been a long time since he had been here. Don't worry; we aren't going too deep into the Abyss…we only need one thing. There it is…

A faint glow seemed to come from before them, and Galbatorix saw a black pedestal in the center of the walkway. Eyes watched from all sides, mostly from the opposite side of the room, deeper in the darkness. On the pedestal was an orb of glass, the size of a dragon egg, but clear and flawless. It was like a crystal ball, but much more power resided in it.

What is it?

I think…wait, you're the one that gave me it, don't you know?

I gave you nothing like it, Galbatorix…

Strange… Galbatorix reached out with one black claw, touching the surface of the orb. It turned black as pitch, humming loudly and floating into the air. It used to be white…

I think we should just leave. Sverdar said, but Galbatorix grabbed the orb.

This is what I came for. We must return to Alagaesia, but the egg comes first. We will find my child…

As you wish, Lord Galbatorix…I'm only a sword, how am I going to stop you?

Be quiet, Sverdar…you annoy me.

Seviss

Seviss opened his eyes, looking up at the roof of a wooden home. There were traces of artwork etched into the wood, but it was very worn and nearly indiscernible. Seviss blinked to clear his eyes of grit, trying to sit up, but again found his legs unable to move, and unable to feel.

"Specter?" Seviss called aloud, looking around. A tall man came into view, looking over him suspiciously.

"You recover very quickly for a human." He said. "How do you feel?"

"Where's Specter?" Seviss asked quickly, brushing the question away.

"Who is this 'Specter'?" The man said, raising an eyebrow.

"The dragon…the black dragon that I was with."

"You were with no such creature…"

"I was, and he isn't a creature, he is a person!" Seviss coughed, holding his chest. "Ahh…"

"You have some broken ribs…you fell nearly a hundred feet. How did you get into Ellesmera and up that tree anyway?"

"I told you, I had Specter with me. I can't walk without him."

"What is your name, human?"

"Seviss." The man seemed a little surprised. "What?"

"Seviss means 'Dark Rider' in an old tongue used far to the north. Perhaps you were named that for a reason?"

"Just tell me where Specter is." Seviss growled. The man sighed and turned to leave. "Hey…what's your name?"

"…Vanir. Believe me, if I knew where your dragon was, I would tell you. I personally saw you fall from the trees…there was no dragon, or any creature of any kind, falling with you."

Huh? So where did Specter go?! Weird…

--

EDIT:

This story is NOT over! This is NOT the last chapter! I posted 'From the Ashes' as an OFFSHOOT; it is NOT a sequel! A story is NOT complete until I say in the AN that it is, and when I post a Epilogue chapter to thank people and such.

Thanks for understanding...NOW, at least.