[A/N: And the third part of our story begins! The last and final part. For everyone who is reading and been reading since the beginning. I wanna give a big shout out to how much your advice, critique, and encouragement have helped me in the past few months. I've seen my writing improve, and for that, I can't thank you all enough.]

Chapter 26: Ancestor Moths

Morthal's morning sun split through the mists. Shimmering each droplet of moisture. Warming Mimzi's reborn skin. Every sense she had taken for granted was fondly enjoyed. Even if less than desirable. The hunger for cooked meat and sweet breads was a welcoming need compared to her lust for blood. She'd rest her fingers to her neck when Serana and Falion walked ahead, appreciating her steady pulse. Mimzi set her eyes to Serana then. She took her promise as an oath. Followed through even against Mimzi's own violence. A gesture unheard in Mimzi's lifetime. Especially for her own benefit. Serana displayed unwavering loyalty. The strongest friendship Mimzi had ever had. Her heart was beating in her chest again. And it was Serana's doing.

However, her train of thought was cut short as Falion opened the doors to his home and squalled like a morning crow, "Lorkhan's heart, what happened to my house?!"

Serana cringed backwards and startled at Mimzi, who had the same guilt as when she was caught swiping a sweet roll from the Windpeak as a whippersnapper. Falion's glower kept wrinkling the more damage he noticed. He sputtered in deflation, racking up the septims lost in his head.

He whipped his glare back at Mimzi, "Did you do all of this?! What- how- why-! Looks like a troll got in here!"

"I'm... really sorry," embarrassingly said Mimzi.

"We'll clean it," spoke up Serana, "I don't know what to say... even I'm a little spooked…"

Mimzi tried to amend, "What she said! We can clean this. Um. Some of it looks expensive. I can't pay you now... but... I'll pay for all of this. Somehow. Sorry."

Falion pressed his lips and exhaled forcefully, "Fine. You two best get to work. You came to my house, broke in, destroyed my things, and then you nearly killed me! This is the least you can do!"

They tried to salvage as much of the ingredients and tomes they could, but much of it was torn to shreds. The destruction was the product of a state Mimzi curdled to remember. Yet it came back, vividly in flickers like a living nightmare. The untethered despair, the unbearable pain. The strongest yearning for something that repulsed her now. Trying to remember the exact craving for blood was troubling. As if it hid behind a layer of smoke. Now, a fillet of seared fish, freshly baked bread and a cold mug of mead was the only famish she had. It was a haunting reminder as she tried to reassemble the bookshelves and end tables back together.

Serana swept over the mess with a broom, sweeping the debris out the doors. Falion tried to rearrange his tomes back to order, and Mimzi pounded screws back into legs of the table. She plopped it back upright. A morning spent of cleaning and repair.

Mimzi asked to Falion, "Good enough?"

"No." He grumbled, folding his arms as he dejectedly looked to the remains of his home. "I had to discard half of my stock because of you… but… I suppose this is as good as it's going to get."

"I'm sorry," said Serana, "I'm sorry for the chaos we brought. We can't thank you enough for what you've done for us. I just wish there was some way we could repay you."

"There is…" Falion turned his stern attention to the women, "Firstly, you can begin telling me what in Stendarr's horn is going on. Why do you two have an Elder Scroll? That's not just some household volume you have lugging around, do you two know that? I know you two are up to something, so explain yourselves."

Mimzi and Serana shared worried glances before Serana finally sighed and divulged, "You ever hear of the… Tyranny of the Sun?"

Falion flabbergasted at this, "No… what is that?"

"It's a prophecy… a bad one. I look like it but I'm not a human. I think you know what I am."

"You're a vampire…" Falion stated dryly, "Of course, I knew after our rustle with your friend, here. Your 'illusion' spell will be waring off soon. Not many vampires can conjure it… only…"

"Ancient vampires. I'm not just an ancient vampire, I'm a Daughter of Coldharbour."

"Troll's blood," gasped Falion, his scowl lessening, "You were turned by Molag Bal, himself?"

Serana unfolded the plight of the Volkihar piece by piece. Withholding what wasn't needed to share, but laying out the synapses of danger. The gravity of what would come to pass if Harkon wasn't stopped. Slowly Falion's dry expression began to flex. His eyes flickering to the information as she ironed the facts clearly. Falion stayed an ajar glower. "That is... Wow. You found time among all this madness to turn into a vampire? You do know cure disease potions and priests exist, right?" He asked directly to Mimzi.

"I had to become a vampire to enter the Soul Cairn. Don't ask why. All you gotta know is it was needed," she responded sternly, leaving Falion flummoxed further than he already was. She added, "But clearly, I'd rather die than be a bloodsucker. That's why we found you."

Serana said, "That's all we can share. Anymore we could risk everything if a vampire was to find and interrogate you. All you have to know is we are the good guys. You helped us, tremendously. Now we can continue our mission because of you. So, thanks."

Falion was pallor, digesting the grim truth of it. He looked up to the women, his scowl replaced by a worried stare. "You two are trying to stop this?"

"Yes," said Mimzi and Serana simultaneously.

"Then…" Falion clutched lightly at his chest, "I'd be glad to help anyway I can to get you both on the road with suitable supplies for your journey. If the fate of the world lies with both of you, I'll be damned if I let you leave without proper reserves."

Serana and Mimzi looked to each other in seldom surprise as Falion grabbed a knapsack and filled with cheeses, apples, pumpernickel and dried meats. He handed it to Mimzi, who pulled it over her shoulder and took a small purse of cure disease potions. Serana praised, "Thank you… this is amazing."

"Any way I can help. A world without the sun… I curdle at the thought of it. If you two are the only ones who work to end it, then my last parting advice would be… Never expect safety in the shadows. If they can hunt you like snakes in the darkness, then you must do the same to them. Be the reason they fear the dark. Both of you."

Serana and Mimzi took in Falion's advice dourly, .

"You two should get going. Agni will be home soon, and I'd rather her not see you again. No offence," informed Falion to Mimzi.

She sombrely replied, "No… you're right…" Her eyes glossed at the last memories of her overtop that child— the dread of how close she came in feeding on her. "I'm sorry… for everything…"

"Don't be. Not the first time I've been chased by a blood-crazed vampire, likely won't be the last. You weren't the monster, and you're certainly not anymore. If you're ever in Morthal again and in need of some arcane arts, let me know…"

Serana stayed out to the dock as Mimzi hesitated in closing Falion's door. "Thank you. Just… thank you."

"There's no need," digressed Falion, "Move along, now. You two are on a timeline. Best get to it."

Mimzi and Serana shared a deep exhale leaving Falion's. They walked back to the skirts of town, where Sunshine was left to rest. The sun hued off the frost and snow a rich orange. Fluttering whinnies came galloping. Sunshine was happily coming to meet her owner again. As if she didn't recognize her when she was a vampire.

Mimzi made a hearty cackle. She wrapped her arms around the filly's head. Sunshine huffed into her chest— bobbing her muzzle against Mimzi's face in wet kisses. Serana stayed behind with a smile to see the horse so happy to see Mimzi again. As if Sunshine knew Mimzi's trial was finally over.

Mimzi plucked an apple for Sunshine, then buckled their belongings to the horse's saddle. Serana stated sullenly, "A horse knows her rider. She didn't recognize you before."

Mimzi's smile faded slightly. "I didn't even recognize myself."

"I did. You were always Mimzi. You were struggling, but you were still you. I'm just happy you are who you want to be."

"Because of you…" Mimzi's words tapered with her voice, "… you kept your promise. You did something for me that… no one has ever gone to such lengths to do for me. You saved me, Serana."

Before Serana could utter a humble reply, Mimzi strode to her with a tight embrace. Firm and shaken. As if Serana was the first sign of a saving grace after the abyss Mimzi had scarcely climbed out of. The touch startled Serana, who spaced her arms at first. The more she felt the hug and the reason behind it, her hands rested to Mimzi's back and warmed into it. Serana rested her cheek over the top of Mimzi's head.

"You saved me." Serana whispered. When the two released, they each had their own sniffles and wet eyes to shamefully hide.

"Okay." Mimzi tittered, "No more of the sappy stuff. We gotta get back to Fort Dawnguard."

"Agreed," Serana muttered as she stifled her shaky voice, "We've got a big fat scroll to load off," she pulled down her hood and grumbled to herself. "Going to be riding towards the sun. I'm already saying a silent prayer for my skin."

Mimzi giddily climbed aboard Sunshine with misty eyes. "Look towards the sun… the shadows are behind me."

Mimzi promptly thrashed the reins for the filly to sprint into the marshlands. They journeyed southeast, towards the Rift. Days melded into each like pages of a good book. Sharing each other's company without the oppression of Mimzi's vampirism was finally allowing easy spirits. The hours upon hours of riding would be droll, normally. Now, Mimzi happily basked in the sun with the wind flowing through her auburn locks. The sun that would once singe her skin. Take away her faith. Now the sun welcomed her home with forgiveness. Just as a mother. She took it as a kiss on her forehead from Mara. The sweetest gift she was ever given by the Divines was not her Dragon Blood. Not her unfathomable luck or even her own life. It was a second chance.

Dayspring Canyon was host to ringing chainmail. Mimzi and Serana arrived to soldiers they were at the very least expecting. "Are those… Stormcloaks?"

She pulled on Sunshine's reins and Serana quickly casted her illusion spell. She asked to Mimzi, "Stormcloaks? What's a Stormcloak?"

"Rebels," sighed Mimzi, "They seem to be making themselves at home here."

Mimzi walked up the pathways hotly, glancing confused glares at the Stormcloak soldiers that seemed to be patrolling the fort entrance.

"Hey!" One Stormcloak called, "You must be Mimzi. Isran told us to look out for you. You got business with Dexion, then? Just make sure you let him know as you approach him. Don't startle the poor man."

"What is this? Did I miss something? You no longer answer to Ulfric?"

"Yeah, you missed a war. We still owe our fealty to Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak, the True High King. But given the Dawnguard's help in aiding the city from the vampire attack in Windhelm a week ago, we've been assigned to lend our swords for the Dawnguard. Until you sort out the vampire menace, that is."

Mimzi glanced a look of surprise to Serana, who shrugged in response. Mimzi continued, "What vampire attack?"

"The vampire attack. You didn't hear about it? It was a bloody battle. During a blizzard, no less. We reigned victorious! The vampires scuttled back into the shadows with their tails between their legs. The Dawnguard and the Companions aided our resolve, even after the gate was blown to pieces. As a thanks from Ulfric, he sent a brigade of us to the Fort to fight vampires."

"Whoa, back up! Did you say the Companions?"

"Yeah. Did you hear the part about vampires blowing up the gates?

"What Companions? Who was all there?" She pressed, stepping forward.

"Uhh. The Harbinger, Skjor. The Circle. I don't know their names. There was this strong lass with red hair. There were also a pair of twins. One was an oak of a man. The other a grumpy, smaller version of the other one. They all…"

"Twins?" She breathed in sharp, "Like two? Two brothers? There was two of them?!"

"Yes… two. That's why they're twins. You alright?"

The relief stained a smile to her face. "They're okay? Did they come back with you all?"

"No. They ventured with Isran and his trusted warriors to Riften. Talk of a possible vampire threat happening there soon. I'm guessing the Companions are friends of yours?"

"You could say that." Serana interjected with a suggestive smile at Mimzi's jittering shoulders. Hearing that Vilkas was alive with his brother again, with the Companions again, was a weight lifted off her back. She didn't realize how easy air came to her after the worry was gone.

Mimzi looked up to Serana as the soldier went back to his duties. Serana met her smile with a teasing smirk, "Your cheeks hurting, yet?"

"Shut up," she jibbed back. "They're okay. All of them… even…"

"Vilkas? Yeah, I heard. Aela and Farkas knew what they were doing."

"Yeah… I know," she sighed. "Still… I can't believe they fought in a vampire attack in Windhelm. Now Riften is in trouble, too? Gods, the vampires are strutting around like they already won."

"So, let's prove them wrong," instilled Serana, "Come on. Once we get the location of the bow, we can end this ridiculous prophecy once and for all."

When they got inside, it was a game of eye and spy for Dexion. Mimzi impatiently bellowed, "Dexion! Come out, come out, wherever you are! We have a scroll, and we don't have all day, you old coot!"

Serana exasperated, "Mimzi…"

A body slowly revealed passed the wall of a hallway, catching the pairs attention. However, Mimzi and Serana's glee of success met its bitter end. He came from the shadows, but his eyes wrapped in linen, and a mournful sigh escaping his lips.

Mimzi's eyes wilted. "No…"

"Yes." Dexion spoke, "I'm afraid this 'old coot' can hear far better than he can see, unfortunately."

Serana stepped closer, "You're blind?!"

"Unfortunately, yes. I fear my reading of the scroll in Forebear's Holdout took a far greater toll on me than I first believed. It began slow at first, I could see very clearly. Then as the days passed, my vision hazed. I awoke this morning completely in darkness. Light hitting my eyes burns like a torch. I conceal my sight to protect myself from the pain. But I'm afraid I cannot read the scroll."

Mimzi threw her knapsack to the floor. "Damn it!"

Serana shook her head in denial. "There has to be something we can do. Please. Please, we didn't get this far only to fail. This can't be the way this all ends."

"We were so close," hissed Mimzi.

"I'm afraid getting another Moth Priest to Skyrim will be a challenge. As far as my colleagues know, I am missing. They wouldn't dare send another priest with the threat of him disappearing into the wilds. I shudder if they did, as the vampires would likely secure the next much faster that I. But… there is perhaps one way to read the scrolls."

Mimzi looked up from her hands in a startled gawk. Serana leaned her head to one side and rasped, "How?"

Dexion asked of them, "The question remains, how much you two are willing to risk finding Auriel's bow?"

Mimzi and Serana furrowed at the question. Mimzi said, "Considering I became a vampire briefly to end this stupid prophecy, I would say pretty much anything."

"What do we have to do?" Serana asked.

Dexion elucidated, "Scattered across Tamriel are secluded locations known as Ancestor Glades. There's one in Skyrim, in the Pine Forest. Performing the Ritual of the Ancestor Moth within one of these glades should provide the enlightenment you'll need to read the scrolls, yourselves."

Mimzi raised, "You want us to read the scrolls ourselves?! Isn't that like- well, look at you. You're trained in all things Elder Scroll, and you still ended up gorked. Now you think we can read one?"

Serana asked, "What is this 'ritual'?"

Dexion continued, "It involves carefully removing the bark from a Canticle Tree. This will in turn attract ancestor moths to you. Once enough are following, they will provide the second sight needed to read the scrolls. The third sight will be your doing. You must be in a pure state of mind to read the scrolls, and the calmer you feel, the more coherent the scrolls will speak. This can also save you from blindness or madness. I'm sure I don't need to warn you that you'll be taking a great risk reading these scrolls. I cannot guarantee no harm would fall to you."

He turned his head to Mimzi, who startled and glanced up to Serana, then Dexion. "Whoa… you want me to read these scrolls?! Why is it always me?"

"You have read a scroll before and amazingly enough, haven't fallen to blindness or madness," observed Dexion.

"The latter is up for debate." Serana jibbed.

"You proved resilience to the scroll's effects, so clearly, you are the better choice among the two of you."

"You said you'd do anything, remember?" Serana softly placed her hand to her shoulder.

Mimzi pinched the bridge of her nose and impatiently groaned, "Fine- fine! Just tell me what I gotta do. Do I read them in a specific order? You want me to dance around with moths and touch my nose— tap my head or what?"

"That all sounds quite fun, but no," amused Dexion, "It is best you read the scrolls from the first discovered to the last. The last that you hold will be the last to foretell the location of the bow. You will take the bark with a draw knife, and once you have the bark, the moths will do the rest. The moths are connected to the scrolls and their power. You'll hear a faint trilling as the moths surround you. It's through this ancestral chorus that the moths tap into a form of primal augur. They become a conduit to help you in deciphering the scrolls. Once that step is done, it is up to you to find the state of inner peace to read them. I would suggest a happy memory, or several. The glade is a peaceful place, you'll surely have no qualms in calming yourself to read the scrolls there. Only the most resilient of priests can do it this way. It takes years of practice to interpret the harmony."

Mimzi's mouth went ajar. "Then what makes you think I can do it?!"

"Well." Dexion perked a smile, "You've come this far, you've found the scrolls. Believe it or not, the scrolls have a mind of their own. They would not have let you find them if they didn't mean for you to seek out your mission. Because of this, I strongly believe you were meant to hear the ancestral chorus."

"Only one way to find out," claimed Serana.

Mimzi sighed and shook her head. "Fine, let's just get this over with. Where's the glade?"

Dexion pried out a map from his satchel and held out his hand to the two. Serana lightly took it from his hands. He said, "This map should have it marked. Unless that's my recipe for Horker Stew. Each Moth Priest carries a map marked with the Ancestor Glades. I suppose I won't be needing it anymore…"

"Is there anything we can do for you? I mean..." Mimzi asked as she stared at the cloth along his eyes.

"No. I fear it'll have to run its course. And there is always the chance I may never recover…"

"I'm sorry… are you going to be okay?"

Dexion waved his hand and consoled, "I will be in time. It has not sunk in yet; I feel I should be alone when it does. I am safe, and I have helped as much as I can in this matter. My mission is complete. Now it is up to you two to end this before the vampires do. Good luck to you both. I hope you find the answers you seek."

As Dexion walked back through the hall, Mimzi urgently strode to the armour supplies and began pulling out Dawnguard's armour, boots and a shield. She found a light set and put it on.

"No way I'm going back out there wearing commoner clothes," Mimzi said, "Guess this Companion is wearing the Dawnguard colours for the time being."

Mimzi and Serana rode on Sunshine through the Falkreath trails. She heeded on her reins for the horse to slow, and they trotted against the cobblestone paths. Mimzi inspected the map and knew they were getting close to Ancestor Glade and would soon need to dismount the horse. As they trotted peacefully, Mimzi broke the silence, "I never really got to thank you."

Serana broke from her dozing state. "What? What do you mean?"

"For curing me," replied Mimzi, "You did something for me I don't know how to repay, and… I am willing to do just about anything to repay it."

"You're already repaying it," chimed Serana, "You're helping me put an end to this prophecy, that's more than a repayment. That's everything. It was the least I could do. I've got your back, remember? That's what a shield-sister does."

"You're not really my shield-sister, that was just something I said to get you to trust me."

Serana sighed, "Right. Well… I did it. You help me, I help you."

"You remind me of someone I never thought I'd ever get the chance to be with again. And I found her in you. Thank you… not just for curing me but thank you."

She asked dolefully, "… who?"

"Her name was Luna," explained Mimzi, "She was my best friend when I was a kid. My sister. I lost her and… ever since I've known you, you've reminded me of her. In just small things you do. You and her almost have the same laugh, the same annoying optimism, the same kindness. It made me really angry at first— how much you reminded me of her. But I'm done being angry about it. I think I just need to admit you're my best friend, and the similarities between you and Luna— it isn't a coincidence, at all."

There was rejecting silence, or so Mimzi thought. No body language to be read with Serana behind her. "You… going to respond? Or do I sound like a milkdrinker?"

"I spent a lot of time alone as a kid," divulged Serana suddenly, "Being thrown in the middle of my parents… it was lonely— I was lonely. But it gave me such an imagination. I'd pretend I had a sister. She'd play with me all day, share my toys and always let me take the one I wanted. She was mouthy; she loved bickering at my parents when they made me sad. She defended me. She was loud and maybe a little obnoxious, but I loved her for it. She was everything I wasn't. She made me courageous. With her, I was never lonely. The fights of mother and father were dulled when she was around. She may have been a pigment of my imagination; but when I met you… you reminded me of her. I mean, you are her. I don't think that's a coincidence, either."

Mimzi smiled cheek to cheek. The vampire she loathed trailing her around for weeks had suddenly become something far different. Something not at all what she was expecting. She wasn't just a vampire to Mimzi any longer.

"You're my sister."

"I think it was meant to be."

"Makes sense," said Mimzi, "Only family could be so annoying." Serana chuckled aloud with Mimzi tittering in her throat.

They rode up to an inclining cliff edge that adjoined with the mountain side. Mimzi slowed Sunshine and got off with Serana following. She looked down to the map and flummoxed, "Map says it should be through here, but all I see is a mountain."

Serana scoured up the high reaching hill side. "It's up there. We're going to have to climb, it seems."

"You've got to be kidding me. With these huge scrolls?!" Mimzi gasped, already struggling with the one on her back.

"Oh, shut up," laughed Serana, "I've got two, you've only got one. If I can do it, so can you. Let's go. The sooner we do this, the sooner we find the Bow."

Mimzi groaned aloud as the two women began to climb the incline, desperately seeking a cave to the higher reaches of the Jerall Mountain's side.

After hours and both pooled in exhaustion, they still couldn't find the entrance into a cavern. The Elder Scrolls weighted them down. They didn't dare speak, not that they could if they would. Every inhale in higher altitude stung their throats. Every conscious decision in that time was managing up the rock formations and taking breath. The steep incline began to lean and curve into a slope. Mimzi climbed first, and she joyed at the sights of an open fissure in the mountain side. She took in enough air to call down to Serana, "Found it!"

Serana exasperated, "Oh, finally."

Mimzi climbed the rest of the way and held her hand out for Serana to clasp. Serana sighed and said, "According to the map, this is it. Let's see where it leads."

As they entered, Serana summoned a mage light spell, illuminating the darkness. It revealed an open system, riddled in rooting limbs and vines. A tree trunk lay fallen across a fall into a shallow pond. It led across to another adjoining tunnel. Serana scoffed at the shrubby moss and dead vegetation. "Doesn't look very special, does it? This had better not be a wasted trip, or I'm going to have some words with Dexion when we get back."

Mimzi and Serana delved deeper into the caves, and entering further, they could hear the rippling of waterfalls. They both glanced to each other as the sounds grew louder, nearly filling the caves. Coming into the illuminating light of another entrance, Mimzi lost her breath. She beheld the spectacle of Ancestor Glade like entering another world. Untouched by man, not scorned by pillage. Serana thudded behind her, and she too stared up at the forest valley in humility. They beheld the vast cave, but it wasn't a cave, at all. Not any cave either had seen. Rich in lush and towering pine trees spreading across every stone. The path descended down into a shallow pond of pure waters. There were ruined stone of what could have been man-made craft many years ago. The chamber carried open paths up hills and over slopes. Trees blooming in coral flowers. Streams generously veined through and along the paths, leading into narrowed openings of trickling water. Mimzi and Serana slowly walked down the steps to the bottom of the chamber. Geysers bubbled springs, warming the cavern like an inn. To the centre of the haven was a canticle tree with blooming pink petals.

There was a strange stone circle upright holding a floating tool— the draw knife. It was hovering with ancient, aural magic that didn't make a sound, just shimmered a dull glow.

"This… is incredible," swooned Serana, "What a beautiful place."

The air was warm, far warmer than outside. As they waded through the shallow waters, the water was lukewarm, not frigid cold. The air was thick in moisture creating a slight glare of mist. Far above the reaching ceilings of the chamber was a small opening with the rays of the sun peering in, creating swirls of rainbows. Among these vistas and along tree branches, flower stems, rocky knolls and high above to the ceiling were fluttering moths in swarms.

"This is it." Mimzi said in a drowned voice— still admiring the view, "This is what Dexion said, it's a peaceful place. Well, I'm pretty at peace right now."

"We still have a few more steps before you read the scrolls," divulged Serana, "Go get the draw knife, and take some bark from the tree. Then… the moths do the next step."

Mimzi ambled to the circle with the hovering draw knife and gingerly clasped it from its spell-encasing. It flexed from the circled and returned as a gravity-obeying object. She took off her boots and hiked her pants to her knees. She removed her cuirass and weaponry— then handed her Elder Scroll to Serana. Mimzi went to the canticle tree in only a sleeveless tunic and leather pants. She pried a piece of bark from the trunk. She dropped the draw knife and gently held the piece of bark to her chest. She waded into the water with the bark in hand, splashing through the tepid pond. She looked up to the ceilings and stunned as the moths began to flutter down to her delicately. Their wings were dark grey and a reddish brown, with designs of eyes along the tips. They were large but could fit in someones hand. They had long antennas with tuffs of fluff and glinting eyes. Mimzi shivered in disgust as she could feel moths climb along her arms, and flutter against her ears. She jigged and jumped, tensing into herself with every tickle of their legs. She began to swat at them, falling crutch to her own repulsion.

"Mimzi!" Serana gasped, "You have to let them come to you. Don't hit them!"

Mimzi irked, "They're huge! Shor's bones, they're everywhere!"

"They are trying to help you see, Mimzi," soothed Serana, "They aren't just insects… they are so much more than that. Let them come to you."

Mimzi breathed deeply and allowed the moths to land on her fingers and shoulders. It was an unbearable struggle for the first few moments. To her surprise, this irking subsided naturally. Slowly, more moths began to flutter to her in swarms. They circled her in clouds, putting her in the centre of their dance. Mimzi looked up in scarce breath to see the widespread populace.

Serana awed, "Wow…"

So faintly it could barely be heard, Mimzi focused to the trilling they sang. It rang in her ears softly and complimented the constant trickling of water from the falls. A calm washed over, putting her in a trance. Serana balked, "Whoa!"

"What?" Mimzi tore her attention from the moths and to Serana's amazed gawk.

"You're… shimmering…" She pointed to Mimzi. Her skin was sparkling like the midnight stars. A glowing aura off her now luminescent skin. Mimzi made a dazed grin.

"I'm glowing! Serana, I'm glowing!"

Serana smirked and crossed her arms, "I think that's what we were waiting for. Ready for the last step?"

"Ready as I'll ever be."

She came over to the centre before the canticle tree and knelt down before the scrolls. She took a few deep breaths as the moths continued their dance.

"Alright," spoke Serana calmly, "Remember what Dexion said, you need to ground yourself in a memory, or several. A happy memory."

"My life isn't exactly brimming in happy memories," murmured Mimzi with her eyes closed.

"Everyone has a happy memory. At least one."

Mimzi exhaled sharply and tried to recount a moment of joy. A shred of joy. The first that came to her was recent. She reminisced her time with Serana on Sunshine's back. Suddenly the music at the Burning of King Olaf Festival was almost distinctive. She could see herself and Serana in laughter as they danced, their dresses flowing to the strum of music. A small smile creased to her face and her memories shifted to Vilkas's silver eyes. His steady guide in Fort Dawnguard- when she shot her first bullseye. Her initiation at Jorrvaskr was joined with all the Circle, and Kodlak, a smile of pride gleaming his face. The short moment of Delphine's arms around her after the fight before Sky Haven Temple. Her memories went back farther, and she could almost feel Luna's small hands in hers as they ran along the shoreline of Dawnstar. Then her memories took a life of their own. Reminding her of things she never knew had happened. She was small, so small she shouldn't remember. Just an infant child, she could see a woman with long, flowing blonde hair— young and fair, scooping her up in her arms in the walls of Whiffet Hall. A kiss upon her forehead. The embrace was the canopy of safety. A feeling Mimzi knew but couldn't recall where the feeling first seeded. She could almost hear the woman speak.

"Mother Mara will always guide you, Mimzi."

Suddenly Mimzi shot open her eyes. Serana gasped when her blue eyes did not meet her once again. They glowed bright yellow— hazelnut gold. Mimzi muttered softly, "I'm ready." The moths had given her the sight, they had touched an untapped memory.

Mimzi's sights were on the three Elder Scrolls. She picked up the first Elder Scroll, the scroll Serana had to her back in Dimhollow Crypt. Serana worryingly stared to her friend, who made one final glance to Serana before opening the scroll. Mimzi squinted her eyes, battling her own fear of blindness or worse. She pulled down the scroll from the golden encasing. As her eyes met the page, they strained to the ancient characters on the gilded parchment. Serana gasped as Mimzi's eyes reflected the same characters on the page. Her vision hazed then went white.

Mimzi drolly muttered as she held her hand out, "Give me the next one…"

Serana handed her the next scroll, the Dragon scroll they retrieved in Winterhold. A whopping headache followed when she opened it, and sights behind her eyes flickered in depictions of a trail in Skyrim.

Mimzi slurred with her eyes wide and white, her demeanour turning lethargic. "Another…" She held her hand out for the last scroll found in the Soul Cairn. Serana reluctantly handed it to her, fearing for Mimzi's worsening state. It took her to a vastly moving trail— a map. Trees moved and rocks cracked as she was journeyed through the border of the Reach, west of Haafingar. Up on a rocky trail was the reveal of a cave. From within the far reaches of this cave was a valley with an ancient, Elven temple. She could see the Bow— Auriel's Bow— within the confines of the temple, floating over a basin. The fibre of the bow glowed gold like the sun, finely carved and etched in lost craftsmanship. The map burned brighter. Her heart thumped louder. Her whole body engulfed in a fever with droplets of sweat. Her breath dissipated, and within a moment, her vision went black.

Serana squalled, "Mimzi!"

She had collapsed, dropping the Elder Scroll to the ground. Serana crawled to her and scooped her head up. "Mimzi! Wake up!"

Suddenly she shot up, her eyes fading from white to sea blue. She blinked hard in a struggle for breath. Her heart beat was settling from speed. , Mimzi muttered lowly, "I know where it is… Serana… I know where the bow is."

"You saw it?"

"Where's the map?" Mimzi reanimated and scrambled for her bag. "I need the map!"

Serana rustled for it, letting Mimzi snatch it away. She flattened it over the stone floor. "Give… give me your dagger!"

"What are you doing?"

"Now!"

Serana pulled the dagger from her boot sheath. Mimzi promptly sliced the tip of her finger and used her blood to paint over the parchment— dragging a way to a desolate spot in the Reach. She held her finger down to one spot, leaving a blot of blood.

"It's there…" Mimzi hushed, "It's right there."

"By the blood…" Serana's voice pattered as she looked up to Mimzi, "You did it!"

"We did it. It's almost over…"

They slowly erupted into excited giggles. Serana gasped, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah…" Mimzi wheezed a soft laugh, "Yeah… I got a headache, but yeah. I'm great!"

The small bit of happiness was cut short. A crumble of earth and snap of brush startled up the pathway. Footsteps trying so hard to stay muffled were aptly heard by Serana. Mimzi and Serana shot confused glares to the sound. Only for the worst confirmation.

A group of darkly shawled intruders, all bearing the all too familiar scarlet eyes under their hoods. Mimzi darted up and grabbed for her weapons. She pulled her arrow following a set.

A vampire demanded, "Get the map! Secure it now!"

Mimzi stuffed the map into her satchel, as Serana warded her from strikes of lightning. They encroached the distance for projectile defence. Mimzi growled and drew her silver sword. Her strike was blocked by a Volkihar blade. Mimzi thrashed against it and the vampire staggered. She parried a hit then slashed their hilt, flinging it from their clasp. She dived the blade into their stomach. In a blink she ripped it out, only sending it through another belly.

Serana's ward was shattered by lightning. The caster had a frostbite spider scuttling with it. She flung an ice spike into the frostbite spiders head— toppling it over. Then another into its master's gullet. A short snap of battle, confirming lowly bloodsuckers from Volkihar's cannon fodder. Given the throes they had already faced together, it barely perched a sweat on their brows. Mimzi sheathed her sword and strode to the bodies of the vampires.

Mimzi hissed, "They were following us."

"Yeah… but for how long?"

"I don't know… and don't care. I'm more concerned your Pa thought this rabble were the grand assemblage to bring us down. Maybe it's good he's still underestimating us. Arrogant fud."

"Let's go before more show up. If these fledglings found us, they'll surely be more."