Answer to the riddle is earth.

3-4 weeks she said.

Enough time for writing, editing and grammar fixing she said.

'Insert very deep, exhausted sigh here'

Right so this chapter has been at once, both absolutely amazing to write, and also the bane of my existence for the past few months. But here we are, a few rewrites and no small amount of grey hairs later and it's done! (mostly)

I haven't spent as much time polishing and fixing grammar with this one. Irl stuff is taking up a lot of time at the moment but hope it isn't too rough.

Also we just passed 50k words! 55,5k really but still, never imagined I'd get this far xD

Anyhow, enough of my ramblings.

Chapter 12: Precipice

Koraaviik breathed in, steadying himself as his magic hummed around him. The snowflakes slowed and stopped, the white specs stuck in place despite the wind gentle ruffling his hair. Held it for as long as he could, 5, 10, 12 then 15 seconds. He breathed out, relaxing his grip and with it the snowflakes fell at once in a fine layer circling him.

Another breath as he pulled his magic back. Koraaviik flexed his fingers, rolling his shoulders a bit as the heat swelled within him.

Another heavy breath and he opened his eyes, turning his gaze to sky. Soft grey clouds as far as the eye could see. The snowfall was more gentle today, had it not been for the cold temperature it would never have been able to cover the ground as it did.

He could her Midwahgein behind him, observing his progress.

The people in the college seemed content with leaving the courtyard empty for them, there'd only been 3 people quickly rushing past them towards to town.

"Again." Her voice called out behind him. He did not turn to look, he only closed his eyes and prepared to start over. In theory it was a simple spell, levitate an object. Any child with a decent grasp at magic could do it. The challenge came when it wasn't just one object, but rather hundreds of snowflakes. He'd found it was easier with his eyes closed, you could only look at one snowflake at a time - but using his magic to spread out hold them worked wonders.

Or at least it used to.

His magic had gotten... strange, ever since they returned to the temple. Maybe even before that, he wasn't sure if it was because of the resurrection or something else entirely. He was stronger that much he knew, but it seemed more reactive, impatient even. If magic could be called that. It did not make much sense, so here he was, once again training.

He pushed the memories aside, focusing as he opened his hands. It took barely a thought as his magic gleefully obeyed, flooding the courtyard like an invisible breeze. The snowflakes where tiny, light and fragile as he turned his focus on them. Another silent command and they stopped.

He did not need his eyes too know that it had worked. Every snowflake in the courtyard still as if frozen in time. There were so many, with more coming into the area each second, magic stopping their fall as they came within reach.

"Good, now open your eyes."

Expected but inconvenient. Koraaviik made sure his hold on the magic was tight before he let his eyes flicker open.

It was...

It was strangely beautiful.

Surreal to look at, but beautiful all the same. Hundreds if not thousands of them, stopped mid air like time it self had stopped. However it lasted only a moment, his focus quickly slipping as the snow returned on it's path to the ground. Koraaviik breathed out in relief, he'd actually done it, and seen it too even if it had only been for a moment.

He looked to her for judgment and she gave a small, almost invisible nod in response. The silence told him all he needed.

That would be it for now.

Koraaviik looked to his hands as he flexed them a few times, they were warm, very warm. It wasn't uncomfortable per say, but definitely not a normal reaction from magic use. Dismissing the strangeness of it he turned to find Midwahgein was looking at him, a sharp glint in her eyes. "I've been thinking Koraaviik" She began, not letting her eyes of him. "You mentioned that once our minds were connected, and I spoke with one of the natives. The bond translated it for you?"

He looked down for a moment, taken a bit off guard by the question and thinking of how best to explain it. "It's either that or you did it without realizing it." Daring to assume she was not in control of herself was he? He could almost imagine her thoughts, or maybe those were actually hers seeping into his mind. He spared a quick glance and found her eyes slightly narrowed.

There was a loud creaking sound as the great doors to the college were opened, a distraction Koraaviik eagerly grasped.

They both looked over as a tall figure draped in an elegant gold trimmed black robe.

"Ah there youare priest. I must speak with you immediately."

Koraaviik gave the newcomer a quick curious glance. A high elf - an Altmer if he remembered correctly. Sharp narrow features and sand coloured skin with piercing yellows eyes. Koraaviik had not seen him during the tour yesterday. No mention or other indication of him being important, that was aside from his attitude. Koraaviik ended his quick observation with a simple answer.

"No." And with that he turned back to Midwahgein who were still looking at the Altmer with narrowed eyes. Koraaviik hoped the Altmer had some sense and left it at that, but he was once again met with disappointment as he spoke up again.

"No? What doyou mean no?

Unfortunate but not unexpected. Koraaviik had only heard the man utter two sentences and was already bored with his overbearingly arrogant attitude.

"No? What doyou mean no?

Midwahgein let out a short growl making Koraaviik turn his heard to see the Altmer having taken a step closer. He turned to face the Elf fully, an Elf who seemed all but unaffected by the massive dragon staring him down.

"I am loosing my patience with these mortals." She spoke to him in the dragon tongue.

Koraaviik's face twitched into a smile. "And his attitude... he could've given Morokei a real challenge at scowling." Koraaviik was convinced that Morokei had been born in a bad mood and never really bothered to try anything else. A horrible man with an ego the size of Monahven - but with a name like 'Glorious' it was clear subtlety wasn't the goal.

In the end it was Midwahgein who responded to the Altmers question. "No, means no mortal."

A quick twitch of his eye, he did not like her talking down to him. Not one bit. Koraaviik's smile widened - before instantly melting away at the Elf's response. A quick dismissive wave of his hand as he uttered the words, "stay out of this beast." Before turning back to Koraaviik without further ado, as if he hadn't just sealed his fate with those very words.

"Itis imperative that you-"

Koraaviik raised a hand, his magic still active and ready rushed at forth. A sharp scream followed by an explosion was heard as the courtyard lit up for a moment, before again returning to the dim grey morning light. Koraaviik froze at the sound, and a quick look up showed the gate to be burning, bits of liquid fire dripping from the wood as right door was blow in two. The smell of smoke and burning flesh reached him, causing his confusion to be replace by a grimace at the realization of what had happened.

"Oh..." Was all he managed. He spared a quick glance to Midwahgein, but she seemed more bothered with her not having been the one to kill the Altmer.

"Was that a new spell?"

Koraaviik stared a bit at the scene before him, the stones between him and the gate where scorched, the right door of the gate blown in two with the remains on fire. He could see what he guessed to be an arm on the ground not too far away - the rest of the body nowhere to be seen. A bit of burning wood broke off and hit the stones with a dull thud.

"Yeah..."

"Impressive."

He merely nodded in response. In truth he wasn't entirely sure what he'd done, he had barely raised his hand, only the intention clear in his mind. But she was right, the results where rather impressive, far more damaged than a fireball would've done. He took a few steps forward, the dripping fire catching his attention. He'd never seen that before, liquid fire? Molten fire? Whatever term was right it seemed fascinating. It seemed to be a bit more liquid than honey, but thicker than water, a bright orange colour as it softly burned away at the wood.

He started to follow the trail of scorched stones toward the door, but was interrupted as the Archmage stepped out, hands glowing ready with a spell. The sight caused Koraaviik to stop, even hesitate. He did not want a fight with the leader of this place, it was the closest they had come to allies in this world.

Midwahgein's voice rang out calmly behind him. "That would be unwise, Savos."

Koraaviik turned his head halfway to look to his bonded, before returning it to the Archmage only to find him to now be the one hesitating.

"What happened?" His voice was low and serious, but Midwahgein's response didn't do anything to lighten whatever mood he had going.

"What does it look like?"

"I..." The arch mage took a deep breath before spotting the still burning arm in the doorway, while Koraaviik returned to her.

"Who... whois-was that?"

"I don't know. An arrogant Altmer, hardly matters now does it?"

The Archmage cursed under his breath, before sagging a little as he whispered a name. "Ancano youidiot." Koraaviik wouldn't have heard it it wasn't for Midwahgein translating the words for him. But it seems the Archmage wasn't too upset by it, perhaps just a bit shocked at finding the gate broken and burning.

"What happened?" The Archmage asked again this time without his previous energy, like he was almost afraid of the answer.

Midwahgein swung her head around to face the Archmage with an eyeroll. Then proceeded to explain the event in a bored tone.

"He demanded that we talk, we denied his request. He persisted- insulted me... and well." She ended, head tilted ever so slightly towards to blown up door.

"He insulted you?" The Archmage didn't seem too surprised, but yet remained steadfast in his line of questions.

"He was an ignorant fool. Dismissed me and called me a beast." She spat out the last word. It was a vile thing to associated something as mighty as a dragon with a common beast.

The Archmage hesitated, glancing between them. Koraaviik was cleaning out some dirt from his fingernails, waiting for the mage to finish whatever questions he deemed necessary. After a short moment he seemed to reach whatever conclusion he'd been searching for, replying in a tone that was all to close to a challenge.

"Ignorance is no reason for murder".

Midwahgein regarded him coldly.

"No, but disrespect is."

Koraaviik stopped his small nail inspection to observe the Archmage. He did not disagree with Midwahgeins statement, quite the opposite - being disrespectful to a dragon rightfully earned you a quick and simple end. To not show the dragons the proper respect, to throw them aside and dismiss their power and ancient wisdom? There was no use in trying to correct someone who did not recognise and respect power when they saw it.

The Archmage clearly did, but something in his face, the way he hesitated at her response... He did not agree that the rightful punishment was death. Koraaviik tilted his head at the curious revelation, what would the mage have them do instead? The Altmer had died easily to him, he would've stood no chance in an argument with Midwahgein. If someone insults you, or hurts you - it seems only right for you to remove their ability to do so in the future. If that involves their end, then so be it.

"I do not bow down when someone challenges my strength, Savos. Especially not a mortal."

"I understand. I... I would not ask you to do that either, just..." There was a moment of pause, as he glanced between them again. "... If possible call for me. I would much appreciate if I could be there before people are... blown up."

"I'll consider it, but for everyone sake I hope this transgression does not repeat itself."

The Archmage looked over the broken door and burnt stone. "Of cause, on that we agree."

Midwahgein let out a dismissive huff, on that we agree...

Koraaviik almost admired the Archmage for his veiled challenge.

Almost.

And while he had intended to kill the Altmer, he wasn't too fond of how... messy it got. He would have to get himself under control before he accidentally blew up someone they needed.

"Was it a shout?"

"No, Koraaviik was the one who had the honour of blasting the Altmer apart."

"Koraaviik... That's your name?" He spoke a bit low, looking at him for confirmation, as if she would be referring to anyone else.

"Yes" Was his simple reply.

"Does it mean anything?" The Archmage dared to ask, earning him a snap from Midwahgein in return.

"It is Dovahzul, the dragon tongue. Every word holds meaning. Every word holds power."

She turned to look at him briefly, a heavy weight to her gaze made him lower his head slightly, in thanks and respect - she was the one who named him after all.

Midwahgein was silent for a moment before finally answering the Archmages question.

"In your tongue Koraaviik means watcher or seer, a name he carries well."

He deepened his bowed in thanks.

A second voice called out from within the college, a voice he recognised from yesterdays tour. "Savos? Whathappened here? Is...Isthatabody?!"

"The remainsof Ancano I'm afaird."

Savos... so the Archmage had a name as well, and it seemed he was called by that rather than his title. Interesting.

The woman was about the respond but the Archmage - Savos cut her off.

"We needto write letters tothe embassy, coulduse you help with the wording. It isarather... delicate matter."

"I... Yes of cause Savos. Should I send word for the carpenters as well?"

Savos briefly turned to the still smouldering door, before letting out a heavy sigh, much to Midwahgeins amusement. "Yes, yesthat would be good."

Koraaviik raised his head again as they exited a rain cloud. The mask provided a good barrier against the biting cold winds, but it didn't stop him from getting freezing rain in his eyes when flying through a cloud. They had left for Monahven not too long ago, the college was all riled up with the dead elf for some reason. No one seemed to mourn him, whoever he was, but he must have been important to someone with the way Savos spoke about writing letters and something being a 'delicate matter'.

Perhaps he had been a diplomat, a money collector or maybe a bad counsellor? In any case it seemed a decent time for a change of scenery. They had planned to find these greybeards today after all. The flight went mostly in silence, Koraaviik deep in thought and Midwahgein... well he didn't really know. None of her emotions drifted over the bond, but in any case she seemed content with the silence.

Monahven steadily grew in size until it took up most of the horizon. It was getting close to evening he guessed as the skies had grown darker and a light snowfall started.

As they grew closer she let out an angry hiss, making Koraaviik flinch.

Then she spoke a name he'd never thought he'd hear again.

"Paarthurnax." She almost spat it out, like a curse. But considering what the traitorous dragon had done, a curse seemed to be fitting.

"He is here?"

"Indeed."

She circled the mountain before landing at the half point between the big stone building and the top. Midwahgein lowered her neck slightly, gesturing for him he get off.

"I will meet you on the top."

Before he could even consider if he should respond she set off and flew off into the snow storm that raged around the mountain.

Koraaviik nodded once to himself, before turning and... hesitating.

There was a wall of wind, blowing much faster than it should. Tearing at the stones and snow it howled in it's ferocity.

It was magical in nature - no, this was something much more... A shout, this was the work of a dragon, or perhaps the greybeards who were said to be 'masters of the voice'.

He let out a huff at the notion, a mortal being a master of the dragon tongue, what had the world come to? He ventured a few steps towards the wind wall, before whispering a spell a beneath his breath. The wall of wind turned and redirected it's fury, leaving the path open. It could be completely removed, but as Midwahgein had told him time and time again, it is always easier to redirect than to stop. One required a careful touch, but it was better than facing the full force of whatever attack, or wind wall was there.

He rushed through and up the path before being forced to a stop in front of another barrier.

Why would they use the exact same obstacle as before? If someone made it through the first then are the rest not a pointless waste of time?

Koraaviik repeated the spell and crossed through again, only to hiss out a string of curses as a third wall came into sight.

The storm battering him ever step of the way did little to lighten his mood. Slippery stone beneath him that barely qualified as a path, snow and ice on every surface it could reach.

Koraaviik took a deep breath to settle the growing frustration as he pushed through the third wind barrier. He found a bit of calm returning as the path opened up ahead, and with a few careful steps he continued. He was not sure where exactly Paarthurnax would be, or if he even knew they where here, but caution was warranted either way.

He was Alduin's lieutenant during the rebellion, and it was a place he held for a reason. The dragon they had fought on the plains, whoever he had been, was nothing compared to Paarthurnax, the only way they would stand a chance against him was... Oh Midwahgein you clever dragon.

An ambush. He stopped briefly as his mind ran through the plan to it's obvious conclusion.

An ambush, and he was the bait.

Well, let's hope Paarthurnax is in a good mood.

Koraaviik stepped into the open and looked around, quickly finding who he sought. An old dragon peached atop a word wall, eyes closed and steady breath.

He took a few steps forward, but stopped as a strange sensation clawed at the back of his mind. At first he thought it was Midwahgein, but it was different, wrong.

He turned his head to find the source, but saw nothing, at least not at first. There, near the centre of the peak, a strange... orb or vortex. the wind seemed unnaturally slow around it, with the light being warped as by a great fire.

"You... I recognise you"

Koraaviik snapped out of it, quickly moving his attention to the great dragon who was now very aware of his presence.

"Your mask..." he continued in a low tone.

The old sand coloured dragon lowered his head slightly from his perch atop the word wall. Dull blue eyes gazing towards Koraaviik, a thoughtful glint appeared, maybe a long lost memory resurfacing. Koraaviik stood his ground as Paarthurnax looked at him.

A slow rumble emanated from the dragons chest before he spoke.

"Koraaviik."

He had not expected the old dragon to recognise him, but there were no point in trying to hide. Standing calm but ready, he returned he gesture.

"Paarthurnax."

Said dragon looked at him for a few more seconds before a thought struck him, pulling his head back slightly, he spoke again.

"If you are here...then-"

Koraaviik's eyes widened as he saw the black shape diving towards Paarthurnax, but even if the ancient dragon noticed his changing expression through the mask - he had no time to react or ponder it's meaning. Midwahgein tore onto Paarthurnax from behind, knocking him forwards and tearing part of the wall off with him. Despite being a good distance away he felt the ground shaking and the gust of wind and snow hitting him.

"Gaaar!" A guttural roar of surprise was all Paarthurnax gave as he hid the ground hard. Midwahgein was perched on his back, hind legs firmly gripping his back with her teeth locked around his throat. A perfectly executed ambush.

Paarthurnax lay still, aside from his chest rising and falling with each breath.

The situation was a...a strange one. Usually a priest - or anyone beneath them really, was to address an elder with proper respect. Else you risked challenging them to a fight and suffering whatever outcome might follow, but Paarthurnax was a traitor. An old dragon lying defeated on the ground, Midwahgein ready to tear his throat out should she decide. There where no glorious battle, no challenge for right or territory. Paarthurnax was a traitor to all dragons, and Midwahgein had deemed him worth so little that he was not even offered a chance to fight.

It would seem the time for proper respect had long since passed.

Midwahgein slowly pulled her head back after piecing his scales with a quick bite. Instead she moved one of her wing-claws, pushing down on his neck and pushing the talons down.

Paarthurnax gave a small grunt in pain but otherwise stayed silent, looking to Koraaviik as he was the only one within view.

Midwahgein was the first to speak, a single word, spoken as cold and hard as the rocks beneath them.

"Why?"

Paarthurnax closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before responding.

"I am as our father made me."

Midwahgein hissed, driving a talon deeper into his neck.

"Midwahgein..." he spoke her name slowly, carefully - almost as if pronouncing it wrong would mean his end. "...Are you here to speak, or to kill?" Her response was quick and cold.

"I'm still deciding."

A few deep breaths and he spoke again.

"I presume you are asking why I betrayed Alduin?"

The claw went deeper, a steady trickle of blood dripping onto the snow. "You presume correctly." she snapped her teeth near his face, getting a small, barely noticeable flinch in response.

"Without me, the rebellion would never have succeeded."

A heavy sigh as Koraaviik merely observed the interaction. He was as curious as her, to know why the old dragon had chosen man over his own kind - why he stood idly by as they where hunted down and slaughtered.

"We were following Alduin's word. But I saw another way... A way to free man from his rule...from our rule."

Midwahgein gave a dismissive huff in response. "You wish for me to believe that you betrayed and slaughtered our kind out of the goodness of your heart?"

"Believe what you will... Alduin...Gifted, grasping and troublesome, as is so often the case with firstborn. When he claimed he was a god... I could follow him no longer."

Koraaviik saw a chance to break in and took it. "And now he is back."

"Yes...As are you. But Alduin was never killed..." He finished, clearly reaching for them to speak, to tell of why and how they where here. To change the subject was him to them.

Still, Koraaviik couldn't help but latch onto those words.

But...Alduin never died.

Then... had he ever been gone? They must have beaten him, banished him or otherwise he would not have let history play out as it did.

Koraaviik looked back, piecing together the pieces of the puzzle.

"The wound..." The pulsing nothingness, someone had shattered it...they... Koraaviik took a hand to his head, trying to hold back the sudden river of thought and emotions.

They'd used what they did not understand, torn it, shredded it and left it as a stain of wrongness on this world...why... how?

"You sense it, do you not?"

He blinked forcing his eyes away, looking to Midwahgein only to find her too, drawn to the flowing orb of wrongness. Then their eyes met, and he knew that she sensed it as he did, the confirmation flowing silently across the bond. Midwahgein seemed split on helping him, going towards the pull and holding Paarthurnax down.

"I am as father made me... The same is true for you."

"What... what is it?"

Paarthurnax stayed silent, it was only after a long silence that Midwahgein spoke up, voice low and unfocused. "A time wound."

The term was unfamiliar to him, and yet he knew that it was true.

"Paarthurnax!" A new voice called out over the winds. Koraaviik spun around, raising a burning hand in preparation for a fight. It was an old man, very old. wrinkled skin, a knotted beard and covered by an... almost beautiful, brown grey robe and hood. The robe ruffling in the wind as he stood, proud, determined and...worried. Whoever this man was he knew Paarthurnax.

"Peace Arngeir... Do not interfere."

Koraaviik did not take his eyes of the newcomer, Arngeir as he spoke. "Who is this?"

Arngeir looked from Koraaviik to Paarthurnax, or maybe Midwahgein as she was on top of him, pinning him to the frozen mountain. He looked on edge, but respected the word of Paarthurnax and did not move beyond straightening his pose. The old dragon continued, his words slow, as though he was hesitating. "He is... Arngeir of the Greybeards." Another long pause, so long that Koraaviik was expecting Midwahgein to cut his neck to get him going, but she did not.

"They are an...old order. Studying the ways of the voice."

Koraaviik looked to the ancient dragon and then to the robed figure who he now knew to be one of the Greybeards. The people mentioned in the book, the people who proclaimed mortals to be dragonborn. Mortals who use the voice, independent and undeserving - But the voice was powerful, regardless of the wielder. They at the very least deserved attention, but their lives were worth little to Koraaviik.

Finally he returned his gaze to his bonded. He caught the look in her eyes. A questioning finality in the decision. Paarthurnax was old, frail even, but his voice alone might be enough to beat them back. Should she release her grip, they might not get another chance to take him out. So followed the question - should they kill the treacherous old dragon or not? Koraaviik let the flame fade from his fingers, lowering his arm and turning away from the Greybeard. He walked slowly over to Paarthurnax, their eyes locked as he crouched beside the old dragons head.

It was rude and insulting, having a human crouch to get to your level. Part of Koraaviik wondered if Paarthurnax even remembered the old customs. Four thousand years with no company of his own kind... Koraaviik dismissed the thought with a sneer. Whatever he claimed his reason to be, it was a curse he brought upon himself.

Paarthurnax observed him, eyes unblinking. Koraaviik took a long breath, considering his words. "Alduin is back..." he started, a fact they both knew to be true. Koraaviik looked to Midwahgein who gave a silent nod in return, urging him to continue "We fear he's going to repeat what happened before. We do not wish to see another war - we've already killed one dragon attacking a settlement." He briefly stopped, but Paarthurnax gave no reaction, merely listening to his words with a silent, emotionless stare. Koraaviik blinked before giving him what could be the final words. "You slaughtered man and then, in turn brought your own kind death and ruin... So tell us Paarthurnax, where do you stand?"

Koraaviik was all too keenly aware of Arngeir staring at them from a distance. He didn't know how much the old man understood, but he seemed to grasp the severity of the situation. Be it the words or the claw buried in Paarthurnax's neck.

"Domination is our birth right. The will to power is in our blood... I taught mortals the voice, so that they might break free from the life we had given them, the pain and death we had wrought them." He stopped and, for the first time since Koraaviik had approached he looked away. Dull blue eyes gazing off into a far away place. "We were a few who turned against Alduin, against his tyranny. We aided the humans in his overthrow, but they did not trust us..."

Paarthurnax blinked slowly, a heavy weight following in his words as dam seemed to brake. "...Hakon, Gormlaith, Felldir. They were leaders of the rebellion against Alduin. They were mighty, in their day. Even to attempt to defeat Alduin. I warned them of the dangers of using it, even I could not foresee the consequences - but they would not listen. I was far from here on the day of Alduin's downfall. But all dragons felt the... sundering of Time itself."

"The dangers of using what?" Midwahgein spoke the words slowly, a certain dread in her words that spread to Koraaviik through the bond. He did not know what could bring out such an emotion in her, but if it worried her then it worried him.

Paarthurnax hesitated a long moment before speaking. "The Elder Scroll."

Midwahgein hissed in response, getting a grunt from Paarthurnax as her talon - knowingly or not dug deeper into his neck. Her next words where cold and demanding, leaving no room for argument, as if his torn neck wasn't enough to tell. "Explain"

"The Nords of those days lured Alduin to this mountain, where they fought him. They battled him with voice and blade, they crippled him but it was not enough. In the end it was the Elder Scroll, they used it to... cast him adrift on the currents of time. I do not believe it to have been their intention, they hoped he would be forever lost - but I knew better." He looked to Koraaviik once again, dull blue meeting fiery gold. "Time flows ever onward. One day he would surface. Which is why I have lived here. Four thousand mortal years I have waited. I knew where he would emerge but not when."

A fountain of knowledge, but one that danced around the true question.

Still. Koraaviik thought, he had given them much. Explanations and reasons of the past and present. They knew that he'd betrayed them, but how and why was never considered. A traitor was a traitor back then, it was a war and if you where not an ally, then you where an enemy. An enemy to be hunted and killed along with the rest. But to hear him speak the words he and Midwahgein had so often shared... They may not have agreed on the methods, but Koraaviik couldn't help but wonder if that was true as a thought occurred to him. Unexpected and new, but it helped him settle his decision.

The methods are of no weight beyond the achievement demanded, and killing Alduin was a grand achievement indeed.

The time wound was... another matter entirely. Unforgivable in it's own right, but a matter for later. He turned his gaze to the talon in his neck. A steady trickle of blood forming a pool of red melting snow. What would they gain by killing him? Vengeance for sure, and no small degree of satisfaction at watching the traitor bleed out in the snow but... If Paarthurnax where to live?

Koraaviik huffed, a fountain of knowledge indeed. He would not go so far as to call him an ally, but he could be of some use, if only for his knowledge of Alduin and the battle that transpired so long ago.

Koraaviik looked to Midwahgein and inclined his head. She nodded in agreement and a second later, the talon was withdrawn from the ancient dragons throat.

Midwahgein gave one last snap of her jaw near his head before gracefully jumping off to land besides Koraaviik.

Paarthurnax let out a heavy sigh as he lifted himself up, twisting his neck slightly as the wound continued to bleed. It wouldn't kill him, Koraaviik had seen much worse, but it would hurt for a while.

"You spared me."

"For now." Midwahgein added, before asking a question Koraaviik cursed himself for not seeing. "You say you waited here for his return. To what end? If you did not aim to kill him as he emerged, then why?"

"Because... as Alduin returns, so will another."

"One more cryptic answer and I will decorate this mountain with your insides."

Paarthurnax looked away, hesitating.

"Alduin and Dragonborn return together... Their nature has not yet been revealed, but it is only a matter of time before they follow your path to this mountain."

A bit of life returned to his words as he continued.

"Miraak was the first, but many have followed since. Mortals carrying the blood and soul of a dragon. "

Midwahgein twitched, and he sensed the toil of emotions rolling of her in waves. Denial and hatred, mixed with realisation and acceptance. Koraaviik looked between her and Paarthurnax, as he finally caught on to what had her so shaken. The old dragon was telling the truth.

Midwahgein turned to him, eyes unreadable and tense.

Mortals with the soul and blood of a dragon was heresy of the highest order. Miraak had been killed for it, to even suggest it was not an isolated incident, that there was more to it than a hollow claim from the desperate masses...

Dragons where the children of Akatosh, and - by their very nature, the same would be true for the dragonborn. The soul of a dragon locked within a mortal shell. Doomed to wither and die with the passing of time, absent the great form of the dragons with only a mythical title to claim your true nature... Koraaviik felt... sad at the thought. He'd only flown with Midwahgein a handful of times, but her strength and prowess at all she did had captivated him for as long as he could remember. Wings, scales claws and teeth. To be denied them and all suffer the passage of time as well?

Why would Akatosh put such pain and burden on one of his own?

A question he couldn't even begin to understand, no less answer. It wasn't his place to know, but if there had truly been dragonborn, from their time four thousand years ago to whatever date it was now...

There must be a purpose. Koraaviik turned to Paarthurnax, looking over the old dragon as he tried to form the words. "You... You said their nature had not yet been revealed? What do you mean?"

However before Paarthurnax had a chance to respond Midwahgein's voice cut through the clearing, heavy and hesitant. "Koraaviik... I'm not sure you understand."

He looked to her, blinking in confusion.

"It is not a simple title, it is a name. It does not mean dragonborn."

He stopped and looked to the bloody snow left behind from the old dragons wound. Paarthurnax was looking away, a knowing glint in his eye but also something else...

But if not dragonborn then what?

Dovahkiin. Dov ah kiin.

Dov was dragon kind in it's purest form, a simple and clear reference to all they where, all they would ever be.

Ah meant hunter, a common name for many dragons, which only left...

A sinking feeling hit him, his previous empathy turning to ash in his mind as the full understanding hit him. It was not a helpless dragon trapped in a human shell, it was a hunter.

A born hunter of dragon kind.

Paarthurnax gaze followed him as if aware of his conclusion. The dragonborn is revealed when they kill a dragon... and absorb their soul. They are the only ones who can fully kill a dragon, if Alduin is to fall it will be them who deal the final blow.

But fully killing a dragon...? Myths of Miraak absorbing a dragon soul, so absurd at the time came crashing back into his mind. Permanently killing a dragon, absorbing their soul and erasing all that they where...

He looked to Midwahgein before his gaze settled on the old dragon, cold and hard.

A born hunter of dragon kind, and Paarthurnax spoke of them like they where a saviour for them to welcome with open arms. Koraaviik swallowed, as a fierce loathing twisted around him. Suddenly it was all too clear where his allegiance lay. Blood pounded in his ears as he felt something in his mind snap.

"Koraaviik...?"

He'd betrayed them once before, watched from on high as the humans had hunted them down like beasts for slaughter. And here he was, feeding them nothing but lies. The old worm would rather see the rest of them torn apart than turn his back on his beloved humans.

He had truly forgotten.

"Koraaviik!"

His magic trembled around him, raised wings, wanting to strike

Paarthurnax turned to him. But Koraaviik knew only one thing in the moment. They should've killed him the moment they had him pinned.

Koraaviik felt the air shimmer as his hand twitched. The old dragon looked on in confusion.

Paarthurnax would find no mercy in his eyes this time.

He turned in a single motion, raising his arm towards the ancient dragon as his magic blazed around him. The night lit up as a stream of golden flames flew forth in a roaring inferno.

The flames hit him with a thunderous boom as he was pushed back against the mountain.

The great black cliffs trembled as the old dragon smashed into it, trembled but held. Koraaviik regained a hold on the flames, as they returned to dance around him - an impatient inferno, circling waiting for the next thing to devour.

He observed Paarthurnax for a small moment as the smoke and vapor cleared, the scales on his right side were blackened and the wound on his neck cauterised from the heat. He was still against the mountain, but Koraaviik could see his chest rise and fall. Wounded but alive.

It was not enough.

Something within Koraaviik told him it would never be enough, that the old dragon had betrayed them for the last time, that he deserved nothing less than a painful death. A burning numbness crawled along his arm, but he paid it no mind.

With his power it would be so easy to finish off the old dragon. The traitor was struggling to even stand, it would be a mercy, and the knowledge of that - no the certainty in that realisation burned the last bit of hesitation and doubt from his mind.

He began to raise his hand again.

It was Koraaviik's his duty to end the weakling... it was the way of things, and Paarthurnax should've know this would be his fate - after all he himself had ended so many for the same reason.

But his burning thoughts were cut short.

From his right he saw a blur of something, before it slammed into him.

There was a brief glimpse of snow, a taste of iron and then everything went dark.

I would say I am sorry for the cliff-hanger but... I'm not... ok maybe a little.

Let me know what you think, had a lot of fun writing this - unexpected turns and all.

Next riddle to keep you busy~

This garden is a lonely place

where many came, and yet remain

the plants grow strong on fertile ground

watered by legacies of pain

and should I plow, my plow would break

on cast-off husks of iron grain

now buried where they fell like rain.

What am I?