I, Draugr Chapter 59

Alduin never remembered the past cycles.

Why would he? He exists to end them. To wipe the Dream clean. Have it restart, then be reborn anew to restart the process. Over and over again, ad infinitum.

He never remembered the past cycles, though phantoms linger. A memory, always different yet always sticking to him, like a scar on his mighty form, but one that he could feel yet not see. One that accompanied him through each Cycle.

A damned scream. Furious roar. The dying throes of Gods as they are ripped asunder.

A smile.

A laugh.

A friendly pat on his scales.

...Despite forgetting each Cycle, there was one thing that he just knew well. Each time he was born, brought into existence to cleanse the Dream… He was surrounded by a dull, black void. Emptiness itself. Darkness everywhere he looked.

Cold. Empty. Alone.

He was born in Nothing, because he was going to return everything to Nothing. His whole purpose, shown to him from the moment of birth… Until it wasn't.

This time… This Cycle… The World-Eater was born upon a hill. His gaze took in a vast valley so green that it hurt to stare at.

The bright sun warmed his scales in such a warm way that he had nearly dozed off right then and there.

The rustling of the wind, the chirping of birds despite the presence of such an Alpha Predator among them, the scent of the sea and grass… Alduin had faltered, right then and there.

'Am I supposed to end this beauty?' He had asked himself, before shaking those thoughts away.

He had torn that valley asunder the very next moment, and had swiftly regretted it. He kept going back there each year, on the day of his birth, attracted to that spot for reasons he couldn't tell.

Even as he grew his army, even as he took in his disciple, even as he ruled over Dragonkind and the enslaved Races, even as he dominated all of Tamriel… He still kept going back there.

Until, one day, someone was already there.

After what felt like an eternity, Mundus finally comes into view once more after he was stranded in the Void due to the destruction of the Soul Cairn.

Left alone with his thoughts for who knows how long, the World-Eater fell upon Mundus like an apocalyptic meteorite.

There was no grace. No desire for destruction. Just uncontrollable wrath that Alduin knew not how to release.

The blinding pain from the impact did nothing to quell that infernal heat stoked by that hateful emotion, even as the impact was felt across Tamriel.

Mountain sized tsunamis drowned islands and buried coastal towns and cities. Earthquakes shook the continents for several minutes, opening deep ravines close to the ocean and causing the biggest islands to be torn open to show the bowels of the planet.

The oceans boiled and crashed upon the land. The earth cracked and ruptured. Reality itself wailed as the World-Eater roared, roared, and roared.

"NIL-!"

The Heavens cracked open, like the veil that made up the sky was suddenly yanked back. No stars were visible. No clouds. Just an absolute darkness that devoured all light.

"-DU-!"

Air ceased to exist. The earth ceased to exist. The water ceased to exist. The light went out.

Reality turned away from that side of the world.

"-LEIN!"

If one were to look at Mundus from orbit right now, they'd see a rather horrifying event.

Once the Shout ended, it looked like someone took a bite out of Mundus itself.

From Daggerfall all the way to Alinor. Land, sea, air, skies- They all ceased to exist, devoured into nothingness, leaving behind only a wall of black that just… Stood there.

The water didn't touch it, nor flowed into it. The world didn't try to repair that hideous scar.

And the World-Eater slowly flew out of that Void, panting, struggling for breath, the baleful light in his eyes flickering like a candle.

That was the Shout that made up his existence. The Shout that, at his Prime, could erase the whole Dream. Return it into nothing, so that the Dreamer could return to a restful sleep and restart the damned Cycle anew.

It was akin to dragging an eraser across the universe, forever erasing and removing that area from existence itself.

Weakened and tired, Alduin fell into the waters. He didn't know how much time passed before he washed upon a beach, still weak and tired, still pained from using a Shout that should only be used once.

Even with the enormous amount of power he regained by feasting upon the Soul Cairn, the strain of the World-Eating Shout was still too great upon his body.

After all, this Shout was meant to devour the user too.

His claws dig into the sand, wrenching his body forward. His flickering baleful eyes ignored the presence that appeared beside him moments later, "Here to kick me while I am down, brother?"

Paarthurnax stared down at Alduin. He stared down at his struggling, weakened brother. "May we talk, brother?"

Alduin, the World-Eater, gritted his teeth. He wanted to say no. To ignore the traitor. The one that sided with the other Races, the one that turned his back on Dragonkind. On him.

But… It was Paarthurnax. His brother. The only brother Alduin actually loves.

And Alduin could never say no to him, for it would tear him apart.

"What do you want?" His struggles ceased, and the World-Eater slumped into the sand so to slowly recover, cursing his volatile emotions for having lost control in such a way.

Paarthurnax sat down himself, ancient and weathered scales looking strangely wrong and odd upon an entity that shouldn't age. Alduin looked at the scars, and at the mottled scales, then looked away. The sight left him sick to his stomach.

"I saw Solomon." Paarthurnax declares after a few quiet moments, causing his brother to stir, gaze brightening. "Look up." The World-Eater did so without question, lifting his head to gaze up at the skies.

At first, he saw nothing- Then his gaze landed on that foreign star. A star that wasn't a hole in Reality left behind by departing Gods, but actual Divine Power.

He watched as it created a veil around Mundus, keeping Gods out of it. Their Daedric Artifacts? Gone. Their presence? But a faint whisper.

For the first time since Mundus came to be, the Daedric Princes could no longer partake upon something that they did not help create. "He did that…?"

Leave it to his friend to go against so many Gods so brazenly… Well, there was that one time he was drunk – not really – and nearly convinced Alduin to raid Molag Bal's world and just go crazy.

Had little Dinok not pouted at them so angrily, they might've gone through that crazy plan.

"Little Dinok helped him." Alduin's heart clenched at being reminded of his Dragon Priest. That sweet, innocent child. So eager to learn, and so in tune with the Voice.

Slowly, his enormous form rose up, standing tall and gazing down at Paarthurnax, albeit with no fire within his tired eyes, "Why are you telling me this, brother?"

Paarthurnax smiles, gleaming teeth bared as his lips drew back, "Back then, you were content with just ruling. With avoiding your purpose." The World-Eater turns away, refusing to acknowledge that span of time.

At first, he was gathering an army. Dragons and loyal mortal races, all so they could bring death and empower him further, so that his World-Eating Shout would be unleashed at its most powerful.

But then… Solomon and Dinok came along, and Alduin faltered. He pushed the war back a year. Then another. Then another… Then he forgot about it.

"Back then, my betrayal is what started everything." Paarthurnax moved, entering Alduin's field of view so he could meet and hold his gaze, "Back then, the Gods willed me into action, demanding I set you back on your duties."

Thus, he helped the mortal Races master the Voice. He watched as they created that accursed Dragon Killing Shout and slaughtered his kin, tore their corpses apart and wore them so proudly.

"But now the Gods can influence us no longer, brother." Paarthurnax's voice fell, taking a nearly pleading tone. A tone that tore at Alduin's heart, "Please, brother… Give up on this accursed duty of yours."

Alduin scoffs. There was no fire behind it. "And do what?"

"Live." Claws dig into the sand, "Enjoy the sun on your scales. Enjoy the scent of the sea. The breeze. Anything but that curse placed upon you-"

"It's my purpose! The reason I was BORN!"

"Then defy it, brother! Overcome that nature of yours, as I have!"

"The prophecy dictates-!"

"The prophecy was made by Solomon!"

Alduin reels back at Paarthurnax's outburst, and at the reveal. The prophecy written down a Word Wall within the depths of the Dragon Temple.

One that had appeared out of nowhere, and that everyone thought was mere drivel.

Then the first event happened. Then the second. Then the third. And finally, it heralded Alduin's return.

And now, the World-Eater was back… But the prophecy spoke of no victory or loss. Just that the Wheel turned towards the Dragonborn.

The Wheel.

Heavy and powerful limbs moved, and Paarthurnax watched as Alduin walked away. Slowly, weakly… Alone. "Will you fight against me if it comes to it, Paarthurnax?"

The ancient Dragon, teacher of the Greybeards, fell silent at that question.

His mind goes back to the visit from Lah and his lover. To the message they came to deliver. The message sent to him by Solomon.

'Your Death is the deciding factor, old friend.'

Paarthurnax lifted his gaze, and took note of how Alduin had paused. Baleful red eyes stared back at him, pleading him to give the World-Eater the answer he needs to hear.

"Will you kill me if I do?"

Alduin turns away, "Never, brother… Never."

Paarthurnax watched his brother leave, his back as lonely as always. His gaze flashed across the River of Time, where Eras ago, a similar scene played out due to his betrayal.

At that time, Paarthurnax had quietly watched Alduin leave. Lonely, sad, enraged. He said nothing, and just stood there.

He won't make that same mistake again.

"Will you sit with me and enjoy the Sun, brother?" The World-Eater paused.

Paarthurnax turned and closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth on his scales.

Moments later, another weight settled in the sands beside him.

For the first time in many Eras, the two Dragons stood side by side.

As brothers.

~XXX~

I step back, watching as a giant dome of light blooms to life around the entirety of Whiterun. Radiant lime-green light rains down soon after, blessing the land and the people within its scope.

Strength, healing, prosperity- Celestial Paean is a Spell I would have never been able to create if it wasn't for Arkay.

Hence why I placed the Original Rune upon his temple in Whiterun, as a way to thank him. The Magicka cost was immense, especially once turned into an Array that covers Whiterun and the valley around it.

Plus, with Avalon in the mix, the Magicka cost is even crazier, but it is worth it. It basically turned the city into a magical fortress, and would make the training of the soldiers here much more rewarding.

Obviously, after I gobbled up a good portion of the Soul Cairn, dropping these overpowered Spells cost basically nothing for me. My reserves have grown so much that it is absurd- And Alduin devoured an even bigger share.

He devoured the Ideal Masters and half of the Soul Cairn, while I devoured the rest. I'm sure his strength has gotten truly horrifying now.

Still, setting them up as Arrays would suck up the surroundings Magicka, but that isn't a problem anymore either. Thanks to the Eye of Magnus being freed, Skyrim now has grown rich and dense with Magicka, and it will only get better with each passing week.

Mages from the Empire are flooding towards the College, Farengar has started working on his Golem for extra defenses, miners are descending down to excavate Blackreach- Everything is starting to look up.

"Think these can handle a few Dragon Sages?" I question, gazing at the Astral Projection of the small Dragon lazing on my right shoulder.

Lah lets out a rumbling hum, gaze studying the gleaming dome-like shield around Whiterun, "Quite the fascinating defensive Spell." He muses softly, gaze flicking left and right, "It doesn't seem to suffer from the usual weaknesses of barrier Spells too. Impressive."

I tilt my head at that, "You mean the way one side grows weaker while the other gets struck?" It was a natural weakness of all barrier Spells. When the right side gets struck, the left side gets weaker as the Magicka there moves to assist the right side.

Even if the blow is weak, Magicka gathers towards the struck point, thus expert Mages always send two Spells. One weak to bait the defense Spell, the other strong to strike the weak side.

But Aegis didn't have that weakness. It thrummed with Magicka all over, drawing it in from the surroundings so to always maintain the perfect output on all sides.

Plus, there was the backlash, which is what made it so much better.

"I am sure it can handle the strikes of the weaker Great Sages too." Lah praises, nodding in clear approval of the Spell erected around Whiterun. The good thing is that it'll grow stronger and better the more Magicka returns to Mundus through the Eye, so there's that.

"Weaker Great Sages?"

Lah nods as I turn, starting the walk back home now that my job here was done. I'll erect these same protective Arrays around all the other cities in Skyrim, and Kara will add further defenses of her own at her own time.

The rest is up to the citizens. Arming the walls, preparing artillery, both magical and not, so on and so forth. Though I doubt they'll have trouble with that.

Hell, they are enjoying all this work. These fuckers live and breathe for war, I swear.

I swear to the Gods above, one of the fucking guards on the walls once complained and wondered when the Dragons were coming to attack. The other guards agreed.

"Great Sage is a title, as you already know." Lah starts, "But the true, powerful Great Sages are those that have an additional title after it. One that represents them. Their absolute mastery and dominion over a certain Shout."

My steps slow, "Like you." I point out, remembering how he is usually referred as the Great Sage of Knowledge, and how he once spoke about the Great Sage of Blades.

Lah nods, "Great Sage is a title given to Dragons that have mastered quite a few Shouts. But they obtain an additional title when they have perfected their control over a single Shout."

"I was granted the moniker of 'Knowledge' due to my perfect control over several Shouts, instead of a single one." Which shows how utterly terrifying he is.

When I think of Talent, I think of Lah. He is the best representation of that word. A Dragon so utterly talented, so absurdly intelligent, that he mastered his racial power, and went on to master the powers of the mortal races of Mer and Men.

"Good thing there aren't many of those, then…" I drawl out. The Great Sage of Frost, Great Sage of Force and Great Sage of Blades are the only ones that will side with Alduin.

All three of them are dead, their corpses and Souls hidden away outside of Skyrim for when Alduin regains the strength to bring Dragons as powerful as them back to life.

But there will also likely be new Great Sages, maybe just one or two. Already a normal Great Sage is a literal calamity, but the ones with a moniker sound so, so much worse.

"Say, how's Kara?" The bratty Archmage is still recovering from her hibernation, but she is recovering much faster thanks to the Eye of Magnus.

Plus, her short scuffle with Morokei did worsen her condition already. It took Lah pouting at her to have the idiot stop from erecting a continent-sized array around Skyrim 'just for fun'.

"Sulking." Lah drawls out, sprawling himself across my shoulder, "She found out Yokuda sank while she was asleep. Our honeymoon was there."

"Ah, so that's why you aren't around her. Let me guess… Cuddly?"

"Way too damn much. How does a small woman hug my real body so hard that it hurts…?"

"Didn't she try to rip away some of your scales to make a cloak last week?"

"Please, don't remind me of that…"

I snort and push the door to our home open, causing the ruckus within to come to a halt.

Serana had frozen herself on the ceiling, hissing down at Hildr like an angry cat. My redhead lover instead was standing on two chairs and trying to yank the woman down, babbling out something about magical tests based on Vampire blood.

In the middle of the living room instead was Deinmaar's massive frame, sitting down and arms crossed before his broad chest. His wild, untamed hair… Gathered in two large twin-tails.

Aurelia and Dinok stood behind him, with Aurelia sweetly helping Dinok 'tend' to Deinmaar's hair, with the giant Atmoran flushed deeply in the face and clearly wishing he could Zero Sum himself right now.

And worst of all? Kara was sitting on the couch… Teaching Gretel and Poopdaggah magic, with the two gremlins holding daggers made of fire and stabbing them through the air with psychotic smiles on their faces.

I, very slowly, close the door. Lah takes in a very, very slow breath from his spot on my shoulder.

"So… Quick walk around Whiterun?"

"Around Mundus, preferably."

Is it my fault that everyone around me is getting crazier by the day?

….

Little by little, all the loose hands have been cleared.

No more Dragon Priests to take care off. No more Dragon Mounds to go at, just in case. No approaching dangers that must be cleared.

Now, we've entered the final stage. The preparation for the clash against Alduin's army. A year, maybe two, of time to gather strength and allies.

Nereva is sticking around, and so is the Ebony Warrior. Two fearsome and mighty fighters that can hold the fort while we are away.

The College is thriving with Kara having released her personal books and research, with Savos keeping things disciplined. After Lah glared at everyone and made them understand that 'fucking around and finding out' was not something they wanted to even think about.

Overprotective Dragon husband ain't something anyone may want to deal with.

Dinok is fully on our side, and just swooning after Deinmaar. The big guy is taking her everywhere, because he clearly adores the twins with all his heart and wants to make Dinok happy.

And the girl deserves it, after the immense sacrifice she did.

I drag another line across my notebook. Leaving only one final loose end to take care off. The Forgotten Vale, and the Divine Gear of Auri-El. His bow and shield- Though there might be more, according to Lah.

I lazily tap my fingers on the desk in thought. Getting the Original Runes of Celestial Paean and Avalon was easy, as I can just decide not to sleep for a day or two so to focus on that.

The stronger my Spells become, the more complicated it is to trace them back to their root. Origin Runes are even more bullshit, but those aren't really meant to be used.

My arsenal now doesn't need to be expanded anymore. I have all I need, anything else can just be learned the normal way instead of relying on the System.

Hell, I feel like the System is starting to become obsolete. But it still has its uses, for now. The less I rely on it, the better.

Plus, I already have an idea on what kind of power I'll wield at my peak, or close to it. Fucking Solomon…

Of course my bitch-ass would use Dragon Break bullshit to fuck with past me too!

Whatever Solomon is plotting, I'll likely find out once I take my own trip to the past. Perhaps to change things further, for an even better and greater outcome.

What that exact outcome is besides a perfect win, I do not know. Again, I'll likely find out when I put my hands on the Wooden Mask.

I pause when my chain is suddenly dragged back, and Aurelia drops herself on my lap. A dazzling smile is present on her breathtaking face, and I wrap my arms around her by reflex, pulling her close even as she already melts against me, resting her head on my shoulder.

"Plotting more nefarious schemes, Leo?" She drawls out, her voice so warm and overflowing with sweet love, enough to give even me diabetes. And I am a corpse.

"I don't plot. I just commit." I huff out, earning me a peal of cute giggles from her, "Then I deny everything if caught." Or blame Poopdaggah. The amount of times I sent that motherfucker to prison this past week is insane.

Then I break him out during the night, which I think is what the little gremlin looks forward to. I just gotta stop him from trying to shank the guards.

The other prisoners? Free game. I think that's why they shove him in a solitary cell each time he gets willingly caught.

The guards are making a game out of it too, so it is all in good fun. Keeps them on their toes, plus there aren't that many crimes happening in Whiterun in the first place. Barely one a month, give or take.

"Then what have you been thinking about?" Aurelia questions instead, eyes closed, one of her hands holding mine while the other rested around my shoulders.

I lean back, enjoying her presence, and the view of her. I'll never get tired of staring at her, I swear. Her and Hildr both. "A vacation, sort of." She peeks one eye open at that, "You need to master your Ansei techniques and Thu'um. Hildr needs time to grow into her own power. I need time to learn some other useful stuff. And we all need some time to relax too."

Plus, taking Aurelia away from Skyrim would also help the nation as a whole. Right now, her presence is immense. Any Dragon can tell where she is at all times, so once Alduin starts bringing back entire armies of them, the less patient ones will surely try to challenge her.

If they can't find her? It is unlikely that they'll try to attack Whiterun or Skyrim to draw her out, as it goes against their pride.

Plus, the majority of Dragons will surely be pushed towards finding and growing their own Dragon Priests to further grow the army, hence they won't have time to just fuck around. Alduin runs a tight ship, and what he orders must be done.

And my plan to go to another world… It should work, in theory. When I attacked Miraak, it was also a test to see if I could open a portal in a spot I saw inside a game.

It worked, albeit it took a bit of focus. And it didn't last long, for Hermaeus instantly squashed down the portals the moment he took notice of them.

It is why any future attacks on his Realm to take back Konahriik must be sudden, and we must move before he can instantly shut down the portals. If we can push him back and make sure the general area where Konahriik is imprisoned is one he cannot act in… Well, victory will be ours.

But I'd rather we take time to prepare. Kara has experience with fucking around and annoying Gods, but Hermaues is tricky. My invasion will also push him and Miraak to add extra measures of defense.

Not that it'll remove the stain of the mountain of shit I dropped on those fuckers. Took me a good two hours to gather all that stuff. Had to visit all the stables in Skyrim to get that mountain.

The pure horse breeds of Skyrim release boulders, lemme tell ya. Good thing I can't smell that...

"That does sound lovely." Aurelia hums softly, leaning further against me, "I cannot focus fully on my training when I can feel them. Always beyond the horizon. Watching. Prowling. Eager to pounce, but quelled by Lah's presence. It won't last long."

I turn the chair and spread my other arm, gently rubbing Aurelia's back while catching the giggling Gretel with the other and bringing her up into my lap.

Aurelia's face blooms into a beautiful warm smile, and she leans down to place a kiss on Gretel's forehead, the little gremlin grinning and nestling herself between us.

Her hair was a mess, and I turn my head just as Hildr and Serana step into the room. Their frowns and brushes-wielding hands instantly melt at the sight, "Of course she runs to you." Serana sighs, shoulders drooping.

I snort at the sight, "Trying to tame her hair?" I pat Gretel, who blows a raspberry towards her sister and the Vampire, "Didn't she turn into a giant wolf last time you tried?"

It was… Five days ago? Seeing Poopdaggah ride Gretel in her giant wolf form was strangely hilarious. And terrifying. Traumatized the fuck out of Balgruuf and his wife.

"There's no taming that mess." Serana huffs, pointing a brush towards the red mess that is Gretel's head. Looks like she got zapped by lightning. "And why must you bite me, you little shit?!"

Gretel snaps her jaws, sharp canines glinting, the loud smack of her teeth showing how the divine blessing of Hircine has made her teeth strong enough to tear into iron itself.

Hell, Hildr told me that neither she or Gretel ever lost a tooth since young. They don't have baby teeth and then grow into the older ones, they just grow up with a perfect set of fearsome teeth harder than steel.

"She bites anything that wanders close to her mouth." I inform Serana while moving a finger towards Gretel's mouth. Her eyes instantly snap towards said finger, and her pupils turn into slits before she bites down on the armored finger without care.

I create dense ice around it, let her chomp away at it with sharp focus. Unlike Hildr, she leans further into the animal instincts due to how young she is. It is insanely cute.

"Damn feral brat…" Serana scoffs, though there was no real heat behind it. She and Hildr had started growing closer, probably due to their shared love for Magic and studies.

Hildr snorts, "Careful, she's gonna hound you for that."

I blink at the pun. Aurelia titters softly, "Y-Yeah… Mark her woof." My head snaps towards my silver-haired lover so fast that the frozen bones of my neck definitely cracked, and she burst out laughing at the way my frozen jaw was hanging low.

Oh… My Gods…

I have fallen in love all over again.

A chuckle ripples out of me, even as Hildr stumbles forward when Kara shoves herself into the room, a small Lah flopped on her head, "I have returned, you fuckers!" The short freckled Archmage declares, balled up fists on her hips. "And I have left traumatized idiots in my wake!"

Right… I don't even wanna ask what she did to the new recruits at the College. Anytime someone new but skilled reaches the College and gets drunk on the power and intelligence granted to them by the Eye, Savos informs Kara.

And Kara pays them a visit. She leaves everyone crying and screaming, breaking them down with words alone. Not insults, but questions on magical theory, tearing down their pride until nothing remains.

She takes one look at all of their accomplishments and then perfects them before their eyes in a split second. They are good, but they aren't Kara levels of good.

This dumbass made Magic her bitch, and that's everyone's problem.

"Are Dinok and Deinmaar back?" I question, before stretching my senses. Yeah, they are inside the kitchen, with Dinok trying to climb Deinmaar's back and distract him from the cooking. "Could you call them real quick, Serana?"

The vampire nods and leaves the room, her voice ringing out to call the two ex Dragon Priests to join us. It doesn't take long for the room to be filled by everyone.

They are kind of like my new family. Some new, some old, but… It's nice. Seeing them all together is very pleasing. "So…" I start, leaning forward on my chair even as I hold Aurelia and Gretel, "I've been going over all of our loose ends. We've taken care of everything, aside from Auriel's Bow." I nod towards Lah at that, who nods back.

"But that can be done within minutes anytime we want. Hence, I've turned my thoughts towards our… 'Vacation'." Serana raises a brow at that. She gave up trying to turn down the offer when I threatened throwing Poopdaggah at her. "Now, some already know the destination. Sort-of. It isn't outside of Skyrim, or anywhere on Tamriel… Or Mundus."

Eyes widen, and shapr breaths are taken. "I can open portals. As long as I know and can visualize a spot, I can take us there… Hence, I want to take us to another World. Both as a vacation, and as a training trip."

"The Dragons won't be able to follow us, thus Aurelia can focus on her training and Skyrim won't be bothered by them."

"But this trip is also to find anything we can use to assist Skyrim as a whole. Additional magic, items and technology that can be replicated, so on and so forth."

Kara crosses her arms over her chest, eyes sparkling with excitement, "Sounds like you already have a destination."

Funnily enough, I do. I thought long and hard about any fictional world I know about. Many could prove useful, some are just too annoying, others won't be a vacation and will simply be annoying.

Some will be dangerous even for the likes of Lah.

So I thought about a world that can grant us everything we need, and more.

"I know of a world. One that revolves around Magic itself." Serana, Kara, Lah and Hildr all lean forward at that, "There, there is a type of Magic called Dragon Slayer Magic. It has its flaws, which I will reveal later, but this world is relatively… Tame. Many of us will be akin to Gods there in terms of power. The Dragons there are basically extinct, but even the strongest among them could barely match a Dragon Sage."

"Either way, it is a nice place. One that we can use to relax and train at our leisure." I then tilt my head, "But first, I'd like to try and go there. See if we can open a stable portal there and back." Kara nods, knowing that I'll need her and Lah's help with this, plus a very, very secure room in the College. Preferably in her private quarters.

"How…" Serana starts, gaze complicated, "How do you know of such things?" She tests, expecting a rebuttal or me growing angry at her question.

I shrug, "I'm not from this world myself." Aurelia tenses lightly, and so does Hildr, but that's as far as their reaction goes. Kara and Lah jerk in surprise, and so does Deinmaar. "I cannot reveal more until we leave this world, so you'll have to be patient for a more… Thorough explanation. Sorry." Serana relaxes, wide eyes, but also happy at how forthcoming I was about this.

I've come to have a theory about my old world. I think that, deep down… I am nothing special. I am some form of Dreamer, but… Everyone back on Earth is also one.

We just cannot wield that power in a world without magic and whatnot. Maybe I sent myself here somehow, maybe it was an outside action, but all I know is that it awakened my powers as a Dreamer, and I gave myself the System and this body of mine.

Now, I am limited in these powers, for I am still growing into them. I cannot bend Reality to my whim like a Lucid Dreamer, but perhaps in the future I will be. Who knows.

All I know is that I cannot tell anyone in this room this until we leave Mundus. Until we leave this Universe and go outside the Dream.

Once out, they will become real existences. They won't be figment of a Divine Being's imagination, thus they won't be able to get Zero Sum out of existence, but neither will they be able to ascend to Godhood that way.

This gamble, this trip… It is also so that I can make sure I won't lose my loved ones here. But also have a way to escape, in case we cannot win against Alduin.

I'll put them before Mundus. Always.

"Should we bring the big guy, though?" Kara suddenly asks, jabbing a thumb towards a now very confused Deinmaar, "He might pop a baby in the girl during this vacation. Or several." His face goes dark red, while Dinok starts daydreaming and drooling without shame. Which makes Deinmaar even more embarrassed.

"Like you'll be one to talk." I sniff, coming to the defense of my best buddy. Kara just raises a confused brow my way, "Dragons in that world have ways to take human form."

Kara freezes. Lah whimpers.

"Dragon babies…" The woman whispers, eyes downright manic. I send a mental prayer towards the dismayed Lah just as the freckled Archmage stands, "Oh, we doing this shit now."

I get yanked off my chair like I am a coat to be thrown over one's shoulders, then dragged across the floor towards the portal I keep running between our home and the College.

Maybe I should have kept quiet about that...

Oh well, the chance it might work is very, very small-!

~XXX~

The mountain and valley below collapsed in the wake of his attack, bursting into cubic fragments that would then be pulverized by the shock-wave that swept forth.

Gildarts panted, face slick with blood and sweat. His heart hammered in his ears, his remaining hand opening and shooting to his lower stomach to keep his bowels from further slipping out.

This was it. He knew that blow did nothing other than shatter his fingers and wrist. This was where he died.

Away from home, fighting a beast that should have long been extinct, chasing after it due to a rumor he heard on his younger years.

He should have stayed in Guiltina, tried to fight the other Five Dragon Gods instead of this unknown living, breathing black-scaled calamity.

He falls back on his ass, bleeding from the stump of his right arm, growing weaker with each drop of blood pouring down on the ruined earth below.

Ahead of him, the ruins rupture. The beast stands, naught a scratch on its scales, mad eyes flickering towards him without even a tinge of respect, nor annoyance.

He was an ant. And an ant slammed it into the earth with its last struggle. A struggle that didn't even earn a small amount of respect.

Gildarts made his peace. He doesn't try to flee, or crawl back, or beg. This creature might not be smart, compared to the Dragon Natsu is looking for. Might as well not waste any air on it.

The Dragon draws closer, claws rupturing the earth, breath shaking the air, unblinking gaze on his wounded, torn form. Horrid wounds caused by a single, nearly playful swing of its claw.

The beast takes another step closer, its shadow falling down upon Gildarts- And then they both forget how to breathe.

The very Heavens collapse upon the. A magical pressure so dense, so ungodly massive, crashes down upon them with the weight of a galaxy.

It chokes the air out of their lungs. It makes the air flee. It makes the skies wail and flee, clouds vanishing and fleeing. It makes the earth sink and rupture open down to the bowels.

And then a claw lands in-between Gildarts and Acnologia, and the air comes back, but the pressure remains.

Idly, Gildarts notes that the black Dragon had been slammed into the earth by the pressure, scales cracked from the sheer pressure.

Then his gaze flicks to the owner of that divine presence. A God. A level of power no mortal being could ever hope to achieve, or should ever look towards to.

A royal blue and gold Dragon stood there, glowing golden eyes taking both of them in with disinterest. Upon its head sat a freckled, cute as a button woman, her gleaming eyes dissecting the black Dragon like it wasn't even a threat.

"Huh, first trip to this World, and we found our first Dragon already!" The minute woman huffs out, then grins and points a lone finger towards the still frozen black Dragon. "Hubby, I wanna dissect this overgrown lizard!"

The royal blue Dragon snorts, then flaps one wing. "Fus." A lone word is spoken, and Gildarts watched as the world melts.

Existence bows and complies, then slams into the black Dragon like a tidal wave of nothing yet everything. A formless Push that was physical but also not.

It wasn't telling one to move. It was moving you, pushing you, whether you wanted it or not. It was an outcome set in stone the moment that Word was spoken.

Black scales are pulverized. Flesh is ruptured. Limbs are maimed.

The valley evaporates.

And the last thing Gildarts hears?

"Shit-! Hubby, hold back! Hold back! You nearly killed the guinea pig!"

"...That was a love tap, honey."

What in the absolute fuck did he run into…?

A.N. So, big announcement!

I've thought about it for a while, so I decided that the Multicross won't become a MAJOR part of the fic. One world, maybe two. That's it.

I do not want to have this fic exist more than it should have. The final two arcs have been prepared, and are currently being plotted.

The Multicross is a vacation, and basically a 'training montage' for the group, away from Skyrim.

Maybe I'll write Omakes about dumb trips across the Multiverse later on, but adding more worlds will just ruin this fic, in my opinion.

So far, the first world, as shown here, is Fairty Tail. For obvious reasons. Dragon Slaying Magic, Magic in general, and the magic related technology.

I do not know how long the Multicross will be for? It might even just be Fairy Tail, in fact. Either way, it'll be… For a while, before the Time Trip Arc will begin, which will be the Arc before the Final War Arc.

I hope it doesn't turn you off? The feel of the fic will return to the first few chapters, were Leo was an absolute fucking idiot having the time of his life.

I do hope you enjoy it either way! Your enjoyment is the one thing I care about the most!

So yeah, do let me know!

Toodles!