I, Draugr Chapter 56

The Ebony Blade draws power from betrayal.

No matter what kind of betrayal it is, it still creates fuel for the blade to store and empower itself from.

Stabbing a close friend or lover in the back. Leaving them to torn apart by a horde of monsters, or even tripping them so they could sacrifice their lives for another.

Breaking a promise. Going against an Oath. Any mere act that counts as a 'Betrayal' fuels the blade, making it stronger. Sharper.

Alas, all this energy would vanish the moment the Ebony Blade moved from one host to the other… But what if the Daedric Artifact would remain in the hands of the same person for thousands upon thousands of years?

Thus, Dinok took on the accursed Blade of Betrayal, and made countless, countless Oaths.

An Oath to always search for her beloved twin sister.

An Oath to always support the World-Eater.

An Oath to slaughter every single living being.

An Oath to care about her mortal body.

Oath after Oath, with her going against them each passing day, creating immense amounts of energy for the Ebony Blade. All that never saw use.

Until Dinok felt that familiar, nostalgic aura. She felt all of Mundus wail at the presence she longed to see so deeply, and her skeletal body moved without hesitation.

The barrier sealing her burst apart like it was never there, and the lone Priest of Arkay within the church could do nothing as he watched that figure draped in a tattered cloak rush out from behind his back, and exit the church with quick, almost desperate strides.

The Priest forgot to be afraid. Forgot to raise any form of alarm. For in that moment, he did not see or feel a terrifying Undead older than Whiterun itself.

All he saw was a girl rushing towards her father.

While far away from Whiterun, upon a ruined battlefield collapsing beneath the sheer weight of Solomon's presence, all the Gods – Divine and Daedric both – found their gaze rest upon the one being that fooled them all.

The one being that left them in the future, while he changed the past to his leisure. Changed things where they could not act, or have agents of their own.

Where their gaze could no longer reach, for even the God of Time had to abide to the linear flow of the River.

And as the Lord of Demons stood there, undoing Reality by simply existing, every single being that gazed at him understood one singular thing…

He shouldn't exist.

Solomon was akin to a Black Hole, devouring everything – physical or not – while his army of trillions of Eldritch Horrors howled and snapped at the army gathered before it, trembling and shivering within their boots.

The hood of the cloaked being lifted, revealing a simple Wooden Mask beneath, which slowly lifted its gaze to rest upon the floating and stunned form of Morokei.

The Dragon Priest shudders, and suddenly moves to flee- Only for a lone finger to flick in his direction.

The Heavens cracked open, and Morokei vanished, utterly erased from existence… Only for a Mask to explode into shards, and for the one wearing it and hiding far outside of Skyrim to stare at its drifting dust in pure horror.

Solomon's gaze lowers, and the army of Undead vanishes. His gaze turns, and his army vanishes into nothing, leaving behind a gaping wound in Time that struggled to heal itself.

That's when the air booms, and a cloaked figure smashes into the ground before him. "Bor… Mah…" A lone, soft and desperate whisper echoes out, a black skeleton stumbling out of the cloud of dust it had created upon landing.

Dinok stumbles forward and crumbles on her skeletal legs, empty eye-sockets flicking up to gaze at Solomon, "Bor… Mah…" She repeats softly, and Solomon gently reaches forward, cradling the skull within hands cloaked in shadows.

"Slen-Tiid-Vo." Time flows backwards, and Dinok quivers. Organs and muscles and bones stitch back upon her body. A long mane of silver hair reappears and cascades down her back, pale and blind eyes gaze at Solomon with adoration and childish love.

Ancient armored robes reappear over her pale, lithe form, with her tattered cloak now repaired and whole.

A lone, fond chuckle drifts out of Solomon, who strokes her head gently, earning a delighted smile from the quiet, blind woman who leans into his touch.

Blind eyes gaze up at him, then her living and pale hands raise the Ebony Blade in her grasp.

Entire Eras of sacrifices, emotional and physical both, would finally come to fruition. Her purpose and self-given task would finally be complete.

Without a word, Solomon reaches for the Ebony Blade… And shatters it with a swift and merciless squeeze of his hand.

Thousands upon thousands of years of gathered energy from uncountable numbers of broken Oaths and vows were released in that very moment.

An ethereal energy different from Magicka that only the Gods can draw upon, using it to bend Reality to their whim. To reach and poison Nirn with their honeyed words aimed towards those with twisted minds that would gladly do their bidding for power.

And Solomon gathered all of that energy… And turned it upon the Gods themselves.

His whole being flowed into it, his hands cupping around a radiant star burning within his grasp.

"From this day forth…"

Hildr shudders as she hears that voice, her lone eye blowing wide open and glistening with tears.

Kara herself recoils back in horror, while Lah sighs deeply and lowers his head.

"The Gods will no longer meddle with Nirn."

The Star shot into the sky, burning itself into the night, becoming the biggest and brightest in the dome of darkness sprinkled with holes in Reality left behind by the creators of Nirn departing from it.

An energy born from betrayal, was used instead for the betterment of Nirn. For all the Races of Mer and Men, so that they could all go forward without having Gods meddle in their lives, bringing forth disasters that only other Gods could fix.

Now, only their voices would reach Nirn. Under the protection of the large, glowing golden Star, no Daedric forces could descend, even on their Summoning Day.

And all they could do – at least the worst of them – was rage. Rage uselessly at the barrier that sealed Nirn away from them. A barrier they could do nothing against, for it still lay within Nirn itself, thus already weakening the amount of power they could use against it.

Meanwhile, the Mad God laughed and mocked his fellow irate Gods, enjoying the delightful show with a nice cup of warm, molten cheese like the fine, refined gentleman he is.

"You refused to assist with its creation, so you do not deserve to partake on it."

Nirn was given back to its true creators. The Divines felt their connection with the World deepen, but also more restricted.

They could send down a sliver of themselves like the Daedric Gods could, leave it in the form of an Artifact to be found by their would be Champion, but they were also restricted.

They could not demand things from people. From their Champions too, even. They were now Watchers, simply allowing the mortal Races to finally live free of fears of Divine Disasters befalling upon them during their lives.

Far too many times has Nirn suffered because of the Gods. Far too many monsters and disasters were made because of them abusing their powers to satisfy their childish desires.

And as all the mortals upon Tamriel gazed up at the night sky, they all stared at the radiant golden Star shining brightly upon them.

For the first time in history, a Star in the night was born through the hands of Mortals. A Mortal Star among Divine ones.

And when all eyes on the battlefield fall down on the one who made all of this possible, they find him gone. His suffocating presence was no longer there, and the world wasn't collapsing anymore due to his existence.

The Elder Scroll high in the sky soon shattered into motes of light, and the Time Wound slammed shut moments later without a sound, leaving behind the dense chill from the ruined lands beyond it.

All that was left was a ruined battlefield, the corpses of fallen warriors, a weeping child, and furious Gods raging against a seal that they could do nothing against.

And those who beheld these sudden events they could only watch unfold were suddenly struck by a sudden and unexplainable sense of loss.

Kara suddenly perks up as Lah starts to move, wings flapping as his form takes into the dark skies lit up by a radiant golden star. "Honey?"

Lah remains quiet for a while, before softly speaking up.

"I believe it is time we get some answers."

~XXX~

For the first time since I've been in this skeletal body, I am actually feeling something.

I am feeling… Full. Like I've had a large meal that stuffed me up and left me thoroughly satisfied. Enough so that I'd want to belch in satisfaction, but I unfortunately cannot.

The sheer influx of Souls and power was so immense I was struggling to put both to use, and I know for a fact Alduin was doing it with far greater ease.

More than half of the Soul Cairn was long gone, having turned into a black void that kept howling and expanding around us. I know that the Ideal Masters are still alive – somewhat – but Alduin has thoroughly fucked them up.

I think he can directly target them through devouring the crystals they use as mediums, and the idiots basically moved them around us to try and kick us out of the Soul Cairn… But they basically sent them to Alduin as free food.

So, the World-Eater chomped on them, and somehow massive damaged the Ideal Masters behind each crystal. The amount of power he must've gained from this is likely immense.

Not that my gains are lacking.

Spell 'Draconian Howl' has been Maxed!

Spell 'Draconian Howl' has Evolved!

[Heaven-Piercer]

A Spell born and modified to shatter and pierce through any obstacle with pure speed and might.

No defense, by physical or magical, can offer much resistance against this Spell.

This Spell requires (0/2) Dragon Souls to Evolve.

Spell 'Conjure War Beasts' has been Maxed!

Spell 'Conjure War Beasts' has Evolved!

[Conjure Daedric Titan]

Modified beasts made to resemble the mighty Dragons that once ruled Tamriel, but coming short of matching the strongest among that Race.

These winged, bipedal giants now roam the Planes of Oblivion, growing in might by consuming their fellow Daedra, and now able to Conjure their own armies of Lesser Daedra.

(Current available minions; Ash Titan, Holy Titan, Pestilence Titan,…)

This Spell cannot Evolve anymore.

Spell 'Terra Santa' has been Maxed!

Spell 'Terra Santa' has Evolved!

[Celestial Paean]

A Holy Spell of colossal scope, bringing prosperity, healing, strength and energy to any within its radius.

This Spell's healing is near instantaneous, requiring instant destruction of one's head to claim a life of those under its effect, lest any damage be instantly undone.

Any land this Spell is cast on is blessed and flourishes, bearing healthier crops at a far faster rate, bringing prosperity to the region.

This Spell cannot Evolve anymore.

One Spell after the other was finished being perfected and upgraded to the best they could be, or just a level before they'll reach their max.

Until, finally… My attention turns to my last Spell Slot. The one I was planning on using to create an Absolute Defense. Something akin to the Spell Shalidor was known for, which he created to replicate a certain overpowered shield.

For a moment, I hesitate… Then I realize I have far too many bullshit powerful Spells, but no defense ones other than Atlas – which I mostly use to beat the fuck out of people – so it is best to remedy that.

Instead of having to rely on a simple Ward and dump colossal quantities of Magicka in it and hope that it sticks.

So, I get to work!

You have created a new Spell!

Spell 'Ward' has been Maxed!

Spell 'Ward' has Evolved!

Spell 'Grand Ward' has been Maxed!

Spell 'Grand Ward' has Evolved!
Spell 'Grand Ward' has been Maxed!

Spell 'Aegis' has Evolved!
[Avalon]

A grand, nigh-unbreakable shield that can take any shape the caster wishes.

Striking it – be it through physical or magical means – will evoke a terrifying backlash that can either be redirected towards another target, or released in a wide area blast.

This Spell requires a Dragon Soul to Evolve.

Now that's perfect!

Enough so that I instantly erect the prysmatic barrier around me just as a colossal explosion slams against and Alduin.

I turn to look at the remnants of a destroyed Crystal, then I turn back towards Alduin, who had just turned to look back at me in turn, baleful red eyes widen in shock.

"Did they just blow up the crystals?" I question, and funnily enough, the World-Eater actually answers me.

"I believe they are trying to flee…?"

"Huh…" I sag my shoulders, then point a finger towards the drifting energies trying to flee from us, "Go, boy! Fetch!"

"I am not your attack dog!" The World-Eater roars furiously… While leaping towards the fleeing energies like an attack dog.

"Good boy." I nod in praise, then shoot a swift glance around. The Soul Cairn was nowhere to be seen, fully collapsed as me and Alduin now drift within the Void… No, I believe this is The Land Between, that which separates the Void from Mundus.

...Pitch black, no sights, no weird monsters I remember reading about. I'd give it a one star out of five.

Still, with Alduin now away from me, I reform Keraunos beneath me and allow myself to fall through it. The usual immense cost of creating a portal between Planes of Reality is nowhere to be felt, making me wonder just how much my reserves have grown.

Still… My System is kinda glitching. I've been able to upgrade the Spells, but it is still struggling when I try to bring up the mental 'interface'.

I did consume all the Souls I devoured, so perhaps it is trying to create a new Evolution for me, or just getting used to my new immense growth in power.

I shrug as I step through the portal, freezing the waters beneath me before I fall into them. Keraunos takes shape once more, and I step on it like those Wuxia sword-chads and use it to fly back to shore, where a very wet group is waiting for me.

"I'm back!" I call out cheerfully, and receive scathing glares in return. Even from Deinmaar, in fact. "Why are you guys wet?"

Aurelia jabs a finger behind me, so I turn around to see where I originally dropped them off. It was the Harkon's castle, so… Huh, it's gone.

Like, rubble to the bottom of the ocean kind of gone.

Alduin tackled me that fucking hard? I knew he was a hater.

"Okay, this time, it really ain't my fault." I called his bitch-ass a chimichanga and he tackles me through an island? Grown ass Dragon.

The glares do not recede, or get better, making me really want to pout.

"What about Alduin, brother?" Deinmaar asks after sighing and using his Fire Magic to swiftly dry up the group.

I shrug, "Left his dumbass stranded in The Land Between. It'll be a while before he gets back." And I doubt he can create portals to get back to Mundus instantly.

Either way, I turn towards the new addition to the group, "Valerica, right?" I question the mature woman, who stiffly nods my way. I nod, then jab a threatening finger towards her, "Behave." I tell her firmly, before flicking said finger towards Serana, "Serana deserves that much, at least."

This time, her nod is less stiff, which is good. I know she can do better, so I'll have some minor faith in her. For a while.

I finally turn my gaze to Aurelia, and notice something missing, "Where's Dawnbreaker?" I question, turning my gaze back to the remnants of the islands and stretching my Mana Sense, but not finding it within the rubble.

Aurelia shakes her head, eyes narrowed in worry, "I don't know… But something was happening before you came back. Something big."

Yeah, I don't like the sound of that.

Keraunos swells in size, and I jab a thumb towards it.

"Hop on, we'll go and see how the situation on the battlefield is."

Hildr better be safe, or Mundus will regret it.

….

The battlefield was quiet on our arrival. Far too damn quiet.

It was devastated beyond belief, with the mountain range looking a giant took a bite out of it and spat out the chewed up remains.

While another side looked like a nuclear bomb went off, and I kinda know who to blame for that molten crater. Mostly because Nereva is standing behind a flushed Hildr and pointing between the redhead and said crater with a mischievous grin.

"What happened here?" I ask Balgruuf while watching Aurelia rush to give Hildr a crushing hug, much to the redhead's lovely embarrassed face.

Balgruuf takes some moments to answer, soldiers walking past us to retrieve the corpses on the battlefield. Over one-hundred dead in total, from what I can see. "The battle was proceeding in our favor, for a while."

The Jarl starts, giving me a strange look that I couldn't quite place, "Me, Ulfric and the Ebony Warrior felled one of the Dragon Priests. Hildr took care of the other, while Lord Ysgramor and Elder Arngeir fought Otar."

I pause at that.

Ysgramor? Arngeir? What the fuck kind of match-up is this? And is that why the mountain range is still shaking every so often?

Still, I guess summoning the Companions and Ysgramor is what Wuuthrad can do. That's one hell of a terrifying power… Calling forth possibly the strongest army in history is an incredible force multiplier.

"Then…" Balgruuf breathes in, and his gaze grows distant, "Another Dragon Priest appeared, with an Elder Scroll."

Fucking Morokei… Why didn't Kara and Lah intervene, though?

"He spoke about… Opening a door across the River of Time to call forth the Dragon Army that resided on Atmora at the time." I believe I remember reading about such a thing back on Earth, but I might be wrong, "He used the Elder Scroll to open this large wound in the air, and… Hundreds of Dragons started flowing out, all looking terrified…"

"Until one of them started begging for the World-Eater to quell someone's anger… Before the Dragon exploded."

I don't miss the way Deinmaar stiffens, so I'll pick at his brain later.

"A robed man walked out from the portal, and the whole world just… It was collapsing." Balgruuf looks thoroughly shaken, like his very world-view was torn apart within moments. Which, it might honestly have. Just what the fuck did I miss? "A woman appeared, and the robed man did… That."

His hand waves towards the sky, and I lift my head to… What the fuck?

Far above us is now a radiant golden star, clearly smashed and left stationary in the night sky, its light putting all the others to shame.

"What about the woman?" Deinmaar asks, and Balgruuf turns, waving towards the temporary camp they had set up to gather the corpses.

And sitting near it, upon a small cracked hill, was a young woman hugging her knees and weeping quietly to herself, her pale skin and hair standing out and nearly glowing.

Deinmaar stills at the sight, "...Dinok?" He whispers, making me freeze.

The woman's head snaps up, pale eyes dripping with tears going wide, as if she heard his voice calling her name.

And then she was on us, and Deinmaar grunts and stumbles back as the very small woman smashes into him in a literal bone-crushing hug. And I mean it, because I can hear Deinmaar's armor creak beneath the hug.

I look at the sight, watching as the small Snow Elf start weeping even harder, and Deinmaar swiftly crouches down to hug her tightly and offer the comfort she clearly required and wanted.

She is the Dragon Priest me and Aurelia saw beneath Whiterun, yet now she is whole… I am so fucking confused.

I have so, so many questions, and more just keep popping up with each passing second.

"Come on…" I motion to Balgruuf, "I'll help you guys get back to Whiterun so fallen can get their proper burial." I let the darkness expand beneath my feet, only to pause when everyone just starts looking at me.

Each soldier, Balgruuf, Ulfric, the Ebony Warrior, Nereva, and even Hildr, who has a strangely complicated look in her eyes.

"What?"

Balgruuf opens his mouth, then closes it. Then he opens it again, "Leonidas…"

The bearded Jarl starts, a strange look on his face.

"The man that came out of the portal… He could do this too."

Okay… What the fuck?!

~XXX~

Kara jumps off Lah's head the moment he lands on the ground, her breathing rapid as she rushed forward.

Her wide eyes flick left and right, exploring the ruins to find her target.

Until she turns her head towards the final steps of Bleak Falls Barrow, leading up to the large entrance… Where he sat.

Solomon.

Kara gulps and breathes in, her steps slowly as she walks towards the steps, staring at the cloaked figure who was staring back at her, a simple Wooden Mask covering his face.

Shaking away any worry or anxiety, Kara smiles, then speaks up, "Hey, Skelly Boy."

The figure stirs, then chuckles softly. But Kara wasn't done as she started walking up the steps, "But… You aren't our Skelly Boy, are you?"

Lah lumbers closer, each step shaking the ancient ruins of Bleak Falls Barrow, his gaze warm and gentle. "From the moment I met Leonidas, I knew that something was just… Out of place."

"Everything just seemed to click into place, so to gather the best of the best around him, and against Alduin."

A low chuckle leaves Lah, "You roused the passion for Magic within me, thus leading to me and Kara meeting."

"You used knowledge of the future to discover Deinmaar, and have him be found by Konahriik the moment he thawed out of the ice in the past."

"And who knows how many other events were manipulated by you so to bring out the best possible outcome."

Vulthuryol angering Kara, thus creating an opening straight to Blackreach that could revitalize Skyrim and the Empire.

Manipulating a group of Were-Crocodiles to go towards Falkreath, thus forcing Hircine to seek protection for his two most beloved children.

Thus leading to Leonidas recruiting the future Archmage of the College.

And killing the Dark Brotherhood in the process, which would have assassinated the Emperor during his trip to Skyrim, thus stopping him from bringing the Civil War to a fitting end and rallying the whole of Skyrim against the Dragons.

And so much more neither Kara or Lah were unaware about.

"You are the Leonidas from a Dragon Break, aren't you?"

Unaware to Lah, this Dragon Break could put even The Warp in the West to shame.

A.N. Interlude chappy with another enormous lore drop, moffokers!

Bet no one saw this coming, eh!?

I hinted at it in ways people didn't really question, which I won't point out.

I love how everyone was 'Solomon is Leonidas from the past!' so confidently, nyehehehe!

Now I'ma leave y'all with this so to focus on Necromancer!

Gotta finish the chappies for it too, after all!

Hope y'all enjoys this, folks!

Toodles!