I, Draugr Chapter 53

Morokei had lived for many, many years. He had lost track of how many Eras he outlived.

He was there when the Snow Elves forced the First Man to flee his city.

He was there when the Atmoran came back and purged the continent of that Race, forcing them to become slaves to the Dwemers.

And he was there, when the Dragons moved in, and slowly claimed the whole of Tamriel under their rule, their might undisputed.

And through that long, long life… Morokei had seen the birth and fall of those blessed by the very World. Blessed by Nirn itself.

Their existence brought balance to the World-Eater's presence. The very Antithesis of such a being.

A response to his continued, unstoppable existence.

The First Man, with the mightiest body in history, and a Voice that could rupture the earth itself.

The man who followed him, taking then name of Ahzidal, who had reached heights in the art of Enchanting that should not be touched upon by others.

And then… He had seen the rise of monsters that could put them to shame, and the being who taught them.

The Snow Elf who was taken in as the Dragon Priest of the World-Eater himself, and was taught the Thu'um from the one being that knew it better than anyone else.

And her twin sister, who was born with a connection to Magicka unlike anything Morokei had ever witnessed before. It was akin to witnessing a living version of the Staff of Magnus.

Then, finally… The one being Morokei could never understand. The one being he felt wasn't a Response to the World-Eater… But was, instead, the Answer.

Solomon, also known and feared as the Lord of Demons due to the horrid creatures he could conjure. Being of unfathomable power, undying no matter the injury, and relentless until their target is death.

He had seen a great many Great Sages fall beneath their onslaught, cowed into submission without Solomon having to participate in the battle.

And he had seen that very being fight the World-Eater to a standstill, their aftershocks of their apocalyptic battle having left cracks in Reality for centuries.

Reality itself fled in the wake of their battle, with the Realms of the Daedric Princes and the planes of Oblivion itself having been left wounded and nearly crippled by their fight.

A fight that ended in a draw, but where the Lord of Demons admitted he could have easily felled the World-Eater had he wanted to.

Morokei had been a witness to such events. He simply stood on the sidelines all of his life, simply watching and watching.

The Dragons offered him power. Made him feel… Useful. They looked at his many centuries of life, the knowledge and wisdom accrued over it, and saw Power in it.

So he was made a Dragon Priest, his master one of the oldest Great Sages. He was taught the Dragon Tongue, and he learned Magic by himself, something he could easily after having witnessed many Mages at work.

From a passive man, he became a terrifying strategist. He was cunning, sharp, and helped make the expansion and rule of the Dragons over Tamriel reach near perfection.

More Dragon Priests were recruited under his watchful eyes, and the strength of the Dragon Council kept rising higher and higher.

Finally, he felt like his life had meaning. That he had achieved his purpose.

...Only for everything he had worked hard for to come crashing down.

The Dragon War. The Dragonrend Shout. Deinmaar's and Konahriik's betrayals.

Loss after loss, until the Dragons were cowed after the World-Eater was sealed through the use of an Elder Scrolls.

Thus, awaiting his arrival, Morokei decided to seal himself away within the ruins of the capital to await his return, while plotting a nigh-perfect plan for their rise back to the highest peaks of power.

And now, he just needs to obtain the pieces of the puzzle left to complete his plan.

But of course, not all plans can succeed without facing some obstacles on the way.

The whole of Blackreach wailed beneath the Magical might of the Second Archmage of the College of Winterhold. A radiant golden sun blooms to life with a flick of her wrist, turning into a beam that lit up the paradise beneath the earth.

Morokei blocks the Holy Magic with a massive ten-layered Ward powered by the Staff of Magnus, leeching the very Magicka from the beam of light to empower and fix the defensive countermeasure.

His head tilts, watching as the beam splits off into countless smaller ones that bounce from the Ward and shoot into different directions- Before curving perfectly and aiming for his unguarded back.

His free hand waves through the air, conjuring a tidal wave of waters that surge towards the ceiling of Blackreach, swallowing the dozens of arching beams while crashing down with loud splashes, sending droplets of water flying in every direction.

Only for said droplets to freeze mid-air, then fly through the air with ear-piercing noises, like a storm of needles ready to skewer whatever was on their path.

Kara didn't even blink their way, nor did she bother raise a defense. Instead, her lips part- "Diin." And a lone Word cracks forth, freezing the whole of Blackreach around them.

Morokei floats back, patting off the frost from his dusty robe, unable to help the nod of appraisal as he stares at the surrounding frozen landscape. Such widespread control over the Thu'um spoke of many years of training.

Decades, even. He always deeply respected those that put passion and hard-work in mastering a specific art.

Kara's hands suddenly wave through the air, leaving behind countless phantoms. When her palms clap together, those phantoms split away from her body, creating dozens upon dozens of illusions of herself that float through the air.

And then each phantom started Chanting.

The main Kara cups her hands together as if in a prayer, the tips of her fingers resting against each other as she pulls the palms apart, keeping the hands together in what looks like a sphere.

A feral grin spreads across her face as a small ball of wind forms between her cupped hands, "Ven-Mul-Riik."

Her Draconic Chant is followed by a chorus of countless others.

"Air – Wind – Breeze – Gust – Gale – Storm – Vortex – Tempest – Hurricane!"

"Lah – Su – Wuld – Kest – Nah – Bah – Strun – Vaaz – Gaar!"

Morokei flew back, body trembling as he witnessed the small woman become a Magicka Singularity.

Streams of that ethereal energy became visible, gushing towards her in colossal quantities that could birth Master Class Spells in the dozens.

Yet, Chant by Chant, that power just kept flowing in, and that small woman was easily containing it without breaking a sweat or even visibly struggling at all.

Seeing that, he couldn't afford to hold back. Thus, he grasped the Staff of Magnus and waved it through the air, seemingly drawing a complex pattern that lingered and changed color with more strokes added to it.

Even Kara, with her composure, couldn't help but falter slightly at the sight of what Morokei was doing.

Soon enough, within just mere seconds, a colossal brilliant orange-red run was carved in the air. The Fire Origin Rune, the root of all Original Runes from the Flame Element.

Kara watched as the Water Origin Rune followed next, then the Earth Origin Rune, then the Ice, the Lightning and the Wind. All six Origin Runes, building blocks of Elemental Magicka itself willingly bending to one's will.

Her gaze fell to the Staff of Magnus as she finally understood its real power. Devouring Magicka was likely just its base power… But controlling the Origin Runes is its main capability.

Unleashing one on Tamriel could spell doom for the whole continent. Origin Runes are uncontrollable hazards.

An endless storm. A burning sun. An endless tsunami. An earthquake with no end. A lightning bolt that expands forth endlessly.

They were literal calamities, not meant to be wielded by Mages. Even touching upon Original Runes may be excessive, for layering them together can bring disastrous consequences.

And now, all six of them were drawn into existence by Morokei, and each of them bowed under the rule of the Staff within his grasp.

With a wave of it, the six Origin Runes circled around her form, creating a form of prison within their brilliant forms.

"I understand the need for all those Chants." Morokei suddenly speaks, floating high above the battlefield, "Your Magicka reserves… They are small, aren't they?"

Kara blinks… Then smirks viciously, "I was born with Magicka Deficiency Disease! Even a ten year old kid has more Magicka than me!"

The answer made Morokei still momentarily, for he knows well what that disease means.

It wasn't harmful, but it was a birth defect that many children of powerful Mages suffer. It is known to happen when a powerful Mage impregnates or is impregnated by someone with little to no Magicka within their body.

The sheer difference between them causes a problem to arise within the child, who is born with incredibly small Magicka reserves… Which will never, ever grow bigger.

And to make it worse, said reserves could take days, if not entire weeks to recharge, even with their small size.

Yet, the small woman before him was unleashing such catastrophic power with such a birth defect.

She wasn't a monster birthed by the World… She is someone who became a monster out of sheer spite.

"Truly, you are someone deserving all of my respect." The ancient Dragon Priest bows deeply, free hand on his chest.

Kara sniffs, "I would say the same to you… If you were actually here, that is." She scoffs out, eyes narrowing into a glare.

"Ah." Morokei straightens himself, "It appears you have noticed. My utmost apologies for this rather uncouth trickery."

The freckled woman clicks her tongue, "That's the power of your Mask, isn't it?" She questions, still holding the contained Spell between her palms, "Your reactions are delayed. Not enough to matter, but it feels like your attention is… Split. As if you aren't fully here." Her gaze glides up and down what most definitely is not Morokei's real form, but a perfect copy.

"A perfect replica of yourself, which even replicates the weapon you are holding. I presume it comes at quite the cost."

Morokei nods without shame, "If this copy were to be destroyed, my Mask would follow shortly after." He reveals without care, completely open about the capabilities of his possessions. Not out of arrogance, but out of respect for the woman before him. "I simply came here to gauge your capabilities, Miss."

Kara grits her teeth, "I did wonder why you chose to enter Blackreach through here instead of through the exit Leonidas used." Her posture grows more tense, "You already got your hands on the Elder Scrolls, didn't you?"

The ancient Dragon Priest raises the Staff of Magnus, and the Origin Runes flare to life, "Indeed. Now, I will be most disappointed if you die from this, Miss." Chains of elemental Magicka shoot out of the Origin Runes, piercing into the ground and ceiling while starting to glow with greater intensity. "I do hope we get to exchange blows once more in the future."

The minute Archmage snarls, her cupped hands tensing, "Oh fuck that shit!" Her fingers curl, and her nails dig into the Spell in her grasp… Before pulling her hands apart, and tearing the Spell asunder.

All that accumulated energy expanded forth like a balloon inflating far too much, far too fast.

And Kara proceeded to put all of that immense, volatile energy to use with a Shout.

"FUS! RO! DAH!"

A dome of pure white expands forth, atomizing anything unfortunate enough to be within its reach.

Which was dozens upon dozens of kilometers.

That immense explosion was felt across Skyrim as a powerful earthquake that shook the land for several long seconds before the aftershocks were quelled.

But deep beneath Skyrim, Kara scoffed as she floated above an immense perfectly spherical crater, which was also carved into the ceiling.

"Tch… The fucker got away." Even with the immense range of her Spell Detonation, Morokei's clone managed to escape from that sure-kill blow in a way that Kara couldn't grasp.

He had likely used the power of the Staff of Magnus to banish that copy of himself into Oblivion, using it to hide from her until he was assured that she wasn't sticking around for another confrontation.

Or likely moving to another area before banishing himself back to Tamriel, and away from her.

Her glare turned towards the distance, ignoring the devastation she unleashed on her surroundings.

"What the fuck are you planning with that damn Elder Scroll?"

~XXX~

Whiterun was changing. Very fast too.

With the Civil War effectively over, the Empire was sending a great deal of support towards the main target of the Dragons.

The Hold was expanding, receiving the majority of the focus after all of the remaining Jarls decided that it was best to prepare Whiterun in case of refugees from the other Holds, who may be targeted by the Dragons due to how separated they are.

So Whiterun is being prepared to welcome any refugees that escape from those very likely attacks.

The surroundings below the small hill Whiterun is built on are already filled with buildings and roads, dozens of them- Maybe even in the high hundred by now.

When motivated, these people build fast. They wake up early in the morning and start working immediately, plus I've seen that they hired some Alteration Mages to assist in preparing the foundation of the homes faster.

The Alteration Mages put in the foundation and the rough outline of the building, while the workers put everything together. I swear I've seen five fuckers complain about building a two story home taking too damn long… And they did it within half an hour.

And two of them were drunk. The sun wasn't up yet. Fucking Nords, I swear…

The Merchant Guild was also supporting Skyrim, giving them discounts for supplies like wood and other things that were needed.

Though since Balgruuf started sending out parties of Dragon Gear armored soldiers to clear out the roads of bandits, they've been able to set up a camp in the remains of Riverwood so to start gathering wood in massive quantities.

Plus, soon enough the Emperor will send miners to support Winterhold in mining Blackreach. By boat, by carriage- They'll come in the hundreds, even mentioning abandoning old mines in the Empire territory just so to focus fully on Blackreach.

Through that, they'll be able to stack up on resources for gear laughably fast, thus further reinforcing each Hold and Whiterun.

Sadly enough, material wealth couldn't make up for lost lives. It will take many years for the Empire and Skyrim to recover both from the Great War, and from the Civil War.

Their economy at least won't be lacking, and I'll keep a watchful eye on everything to make sure no one decides to get greedy. Because like hell I'll let some greedy fat cunt ruin all of this.

Balgruuf even brought up the fact that a great deal of Thalmor agents are walking around Skyrim, mainly around the areas near Solitude and the mountains there, due to how their Embassy was slaughtered by Vampires.

So obviously they set up another, much bigger force in the mountains. In the thousands, even.

It would be quite the loss if that new Embassy were to become a smoldering crater. It is about time I strike at them with a crippling blow that damages them more than the Empire, so that they don't get any bright ideas.

I briefly considered letting them waste time, pitting them against Harkon's Vampires and keep wasting bodies against him and his lot, but I decided against it in the end.

For one, I'd rather not keep Serana waiting. While she is docile now and just recovering, it may all change once she is fully recovered and able to protect herself out there.

Not against the likes of Harkon, but it is unlikely that he may find her easily if Serana wishes to lay low and travel around.

Plus, I'd rather not push back the whole 'save her mother' mission, mostly because there is a certain Dragon I want to drag out of the Soul Cairn too.

And because it would feel like a shitty move. Not that Serana seems to have a deep attachment to her mother, which I believe is caused by her Eras of starvation and isolation. I think she just wants to have some choice words with her mother and get it off her chest, then move on.

I snap out of my thoughts as another series of roaring cheers echoes out from the large training area behind Jorrvaskr, where they were currently doing what Nords and hot-blooded men do. Beating the shit out of each other and smile about it.

Giving them access to Anodyne Scrolls was a mistake. They are abusing them so to hit each other even harder.

I swear to Akatosh that I saw Farkas uppercut an Imperial man a dozen meters in the air. I can already see that the unsealing of the Eye of Magnus is already massively empowering their bodies.

Aela said that she had noticed such changes in the recent days, and they all just keep growing stronger. Hildr confirmed through her senses that everyone was basically drinking in the surrounding Magicka as if they were starved plants.

She even theorized that moving the Eye of Magnus here would make their growth even faster, and their surging strength will stabilize faster than before. Something to keep in mind.

Still, the recent events are making the Companions quite happy. They used to be Mercenaries for hire, simply taking out threats left and right for the Jarls or other civilians.

In the past, they even used to take part in wars, though I believe Kodlak was the one to put an end to it, hating to see brothers and sisters pitted against each other for people who didn't care about them, even though they would be given a death they'd gladly welcome. Especially if it comes from someone they highly respect as a fellow warrior.

So because of that change, the Companions were kinda struggling in recent years. Skyrim is mostly safe, with Giants tending to themselves and rarely going out of their way to antagonize others unless their pets or goods are touched.

The more frequent problems are the Trolls. Absolute crackheads, those guys. They breed and multiply like rabbits, and have absolutely no sense of self-preservation.

They'd see a heavily armed city filled with thousands of people and go 'Yeah, I can take 'em.'

And aside from these idiots, there's the usual bandits and the Falmer for areas near mountains. The attack on Winterhold from Vulthuryol likely cleared all of Blackreach from the Falmer, but there are definitely plenty of remnants in random tunnels scattered around and beneath Skyrim.

Those things are like cockroaches, after all.

The training yard behind behind Jorrvaskr was full of activity, with the great hall welcoming all the warriors that poured into Skyrim after learning of the Dragon Invasion.

Many are here to become part of history, part of the final passage of the Prophecy, while quite a few more are here either to help, or for the love of the game.

But just as many warriors have gathered in Skyrim, the Argonians are all rushing back to Black Marsh, having been called back by the Hist just like during the Oblivion Crisis.

Alduin has set camp there with the forces he has, and the Argonians are rushing back to fight and protect their homeland. The Hist will surely drug them up like they did in the Oblivion Crisis, where the Argonians ended up invading Oblivion instead of the other way around.

But that likely won't help much against the Dragons, especially since the effects of the Eye of Magnus will take more time to reach Black Marsh and the Races living there. The closer to it they are, the greater the effect.

Hence, through all of this, the Companions were enjoying the new meat that delivered itself to their jaws. And were currently beating up the majority… Who took it all happily.

Though some were putting up quite a fight… And I am quite surprised to see the man doing the beating here.

Vilkas was currently sparring with a Breton. Tall and well built, upper body covered in countless scars but also covered in bulging muscles. He was old, likely over the fifties, yet he was nimble and powerful.

His upper body was bare, while the lower body was clad in armor. Ebony armor.

This guy is the Ebony Warrior from the game. The man who came to challenge the Dragonborn so to get the final battle and death he desired. And deserved.

Yet, here he is now. Putting his life on the line to battle the Dragons. Mad respect for this legend.

He was also putting Vilkas into the ground, but Vilkas is eating all that up with a huge, bloody grin. He got german-suplexed five times and walked each one off with a laugh. What the fuck do these people eat?

Hell, the goddamn ground he got smashed into each time is cracked. Vilkas ain't even bruised. What the fuck?!

Still, the fight that holds everyone's full attention is the one with Aurelia. And yes, she has trashed her opponent yet, and is actually struggling.

Her opponent is a lean, tall and admittedly beautiful Dunmer woman with radiant red hair, a kind and playful smile on her lips. Her weapon was a thin blade, akin to a rapier but also not. It was close to a katana, just far more thin, and made out of Ebony.

She wielded it with ease, held in her right hand, while her left would often launch a Spell or two, flicking them with laughable ease and speed, speaking of many years of experience.

Aurelia instead was battling her with a greatsword she had borrowed from the Companions, alternating between a single or double-handed style depending on the moment.

The two were a blur of motion, clashing with incredible power and speed, sending rattling and echoing rings of steel clashing against steel. Aurelia held the power advantage, but the Dunmer woman was clearly far more experienced and insanely fast to boot.

"That woman is insane…" Hildr whispers, watching the fight while leaning against my left side, her lone eye wide open, "I can barely keep track of her movements. Spellblades really are deadly, huh?"

I hum, watching the battle intently. Aurelia wasn't nervous, instead she was smiling happily as she clashed with the woman over and over. It was good for her, since recently she has only been fighting against Dragons.

She also misses Deinmaar because the guy was physically stronger than her, and she could afford to go all out without fear. Here she wasn't, because the after-shocks could likely tear Jorrvaskr apart.

Yes, she is that strong. Without using Reinforcement.

It feels like a byproduct of having so much Magicka in one's body… Is that why the Flesh Spells were made? To go over that issue? Something to ask Kara.

A loud cheer brings me out of my thoughts, making me focus back on the fight between the two ladies, which just reached the end, with the Dunmer woman claiming victory as the tip of her blade rests against Aurelia's throat.

A part of me nearly intervened and smashed the Dunmer woman across Skyrim, but I held back that overprotective side of me. Mostly because I know that Aurelia would be fine, and because she was smiling.

And a sweaty, smiling Aurelia was sexy as hell. Ten outta ten.

"That was incredible!" Aurelia exclaims, happily chatting with the Dunmer woman who just defeated her, showing just how much of a good sport she is as the two approach me and Hildr's spot. "Leo, did you see that?! She's so cool!"

...Is my Aurelia a battle-maniac? If so, why is that sexy too? Well, Hildr going all nerdy is also very sexy, for some reason, so whatever.

"Yup." I pop the 'P', crossing my arms over my chest, "I totally saw you try really hard to not turn the surroundings into powder." Aurelia puffs up her cheeks at me, giving me one of her cute annoyed glares overflowing with affection.

Then she regains her composure and turns to the smiling Dunmer woman, "Oh, I didn't ask for your name! I'm Aurelia!" She introduces herself, offering a hand to the slightly shorter and more thin woman.

The smile on her dark face grows, and her eyes glow with kindness and warmth, "It's nice to meet the Dragonborn. You can call me Nereva."

I snort.

All three ladies turn towards me.

I turn my head away and keep snorting, and I even raise a hand to cover my face despite the fact that it does nothing to muffle the sound of my laughter.

"Leo?" Aurelia asks, and I crack out a disbelieving laugh.

"S-Seriously?" I ask, my voice cracking from laughter as I turn to look at the confused Dunmer woman, "You didn't even fuckin' try to change it. Was there no better option than Nereva?"

I mean, I knew they were still alive, but for them to suddenly appear in Skyrim… I guess they wanted to meet a fellow main character of the prophecy, huh?

Nereva blinks, then she blows a playful raspberry at me, "What? It's a cute name!"

"It doesn't even hide who you are!"

"Tell that to all the people I've introduced myself to and they just never make the connection."

I'm going to strangle someone.

"Was it people on Akavir?"

"Nope. Some were Imperials."

Forget strangling. I want to murder someone.

"Uhm…" Hildr speaks up, looking between me and Nereva with an amused look in her lone eye, "You two know each other?"

I nod, "I know her. Kinda."

Nereva shakes her head, "First time meeting this bag of bones." Then she blinks and looks at me up and down, "Oh, did you meet Ol' Sheo too? Fun dude, that one. Good taste in cheese too." I like her already.

I sigh and palm my face, "Ladies, meet the Nerevarine. Yes, that one." Aurelia and Hildr blink, then gasp loudly and gape at Nereva, who grins like an idiot and makes two victory signs with her hands while looking at Aurelia.

"Fellow member of the Prophecy right here!" The woman laughs, "With the Dragonborn, I've basically met all fellow protagonists of the Prophecy!" Nereva states, before pausing, "Well, aside from Talin. I don't know if the guy is even still alive…"

Ah, the Eternal Champion, protagonist of The Elder Scrolls Arena. The majority of prophecy protagonists were all born in the Third Era, with only Aurelia being born in the Fourth Era.

"W-Wait, hold up!" Said Dragonborn was all flushed and startled, clearly unable to wrap her head around who stood before her, "Y-You're alive!? B-But it's been so long!"

Nereva laughs softly, "Due to my curse, I am effectively immortal. I do not age, nor die of old age." Then she tilts her head, "Though I do die if I am killed." She pauses after those words left her mouth, "That sounds so stupid now that I think about it."

I try – and horribly fail – to hold back a snort. Nereva just blows another raspberry at me, showing that she is very whimsical for someone her age.

Is that why Sheogorath is such a fuckin' lovable idiot? It is, ain't it?

Aurelia seems to have reached that same conclusion, seeing the existential crisis taking place in her hollow gaze, "Will I turn out like this in the future?"

Nereva shrugs, "The Agent isn't that weird. Last time I checked, the guy was tending to a huge farm."

"Tell me where so I can go throw hands with that bitch." That whole cluster-fuck that is the Warp in the West… How the fuck does that shit even happen!?

I can understand the game, as you are given different choices to pick from… But to somehow cause a Dragon Break so to let ALL of them happen?!

Dude's indecision managed to warp Reality itself, goddamn…

Hildr slaps me over the head before Nereva can give me the location of the fucker, and I'd pout if I could, "Stop trying to find victims for your idiocy." She scolds me, amusement in her voice.

I just huff, then gaze at the amused Nereva, "How are you even here, by the way? Shouldn't you be in Akavir?"

The Dunmer woman blinks and tilts her head at me, "Ol' Sheggy did say you know a lot of stuff, huh…" She muses, then shrugs, uncaring of where my knowledge comes from, "It was him who told me about this happening. Thought I'd offer my help."

That's… Quite the boon for our side, I'll have to admit. She is likely an Endgame Nerevarine in terms of power, and that is surely massive.

Having her to hold the forth in Whiterun and assist them in battle? That's going to reassure me that they are in good hands.

"Though I am restricted on how much help I can offer." Nereva finally sighs out, placing her hands on her hips, "If Alduin shows his ugly mug, I cannot fight him. It is best we don't risk a Dragon Break, after all."

Yeah, shattering Reality and causing some unknown disaster would be very bad. It could ruin all of our current efforts, and maybe even aid Alduin in the process.

"What's a Dragon Break?" Aurelia suddenly asks, and I remember I never mentioned such things before. Mainly because I truly believed they didn't exist here, while forgetting completely that it was the very reason the Warp in the West happened.

"How to explain that…" I sigh, crossing my arms and leaning my head back in thought, "Time is linear, flowing a set path like a river. But sometimes, branching paths appear. Those branching paths are where specific events occur differently. Parallel Realities, to be exact."

"The event I mentioned before – The Warp in the West – is where eight different paths created eight different Dragon Breaks, which caused a fracture in Reality that caused all eight choices to happen. At the same time."

Nereva speaks soon after me, "They tend to be very common, but don't have such enormous effect as The Warp in the West." She points out, making me nod in agreement.

"For example; Hevnoraak, Potema, even Harkon- All of these guys should have been Dragon Breaks, branching timelines where we could have gone to handle them at our leisure." Aurelia's and Hildr's eyes blow wide open at my words, "But I believe my presence here, together with Aurelia's and Alduin's, have caused these Dragon Breaks to just move forward on their own."

I know not if they merged back into the linear flow of time, or they are still Dragon Breaks. Harkon might be, as he waits for the resolution of the Dragon War so to have everyone weakened, making them easy picking for him and his lot.

Wait, no… These events are happening due to my meddling, aren't they?

Hevnoraak unsealing just when I get in contact with Vulthuryol, who is tied to him.

Potema's ritual just so happening to start when I tell Aurelia about it, thus leading to my Undead-hating lover to go pay her and her Necromancers a visit.

And Harkon… Perhaps the Thalmors did something to draw his ire? It wouldn't be beyond them. Perhaps they saw his castle in the waters and thought it would fit their status? Or something along those lines.

So they were Dragon Breaks, but I just didn't notice due to how they happened. Son of a bitch…

"Still, I am glad to have you around to help, Nereva." I open up to the Dunmer woman, who perks up and smiles happily at me, "I can relax knowing that Whiterun is under your protection." And the Ebony Warrior is also here.

He might not be a match for the same one in the game, who took on the Endgame Dragonborn, but I am sure he is still a terrifying powerhouse in his own right.

"This is the final part of the Prophecy. I can't just sit on my pretty butt and do nothing." The woman shrugs, light smile on her face, "Even if the help I can give is limited, it'll still be better than do nothing."

I nod at Nereva, who just earned a great deal of my respect. She is quite the fun and open woman too, likely a quality one earns from living a long life after having done some unimaginable shit.

Like bringing down three Gods, for one.

"Then maybe we can go and deal with the Vampires." I muse aloud – plus I want to check on what the fuck that earthquake from a bit ago was – and share a look with Aurelia, "Balgruuf might move against the Dragon Priests tonight, so it is best we hurry."

He asked me not to join the battle, but I'll make sure to be around just in case.

"Actually…" Hildr suddenly speaks up, her lone eye narrowed in thought, "Mind if I hang around?" She asks, flicking her gaze between me and Aurelia.

I tilt my head at that, "'Course you can. You want to join the battle, I presume?" She makes a so-so gesture at my question.

"That too, but I actually want to catch some pointers from Nereva here." The Dunmer woman perks up, glowing eyes lighting up even more.

"You want to be a Spellblade!?" The massive grin on the woman's face spelled horrid training for Hildr, something said woman did not notice as she nods.

"I'm decent with a sword, but not that good, and I'd like to have a closer quarter alternative." Especially due to Rahgot's Mask and the power it wielded. With that, mixed with Reinforcement, she will be able to hold her own in close quarters combat.

Nereva nods, "Then we can start now. Just quick tips and a few spars." Then the Dunmer turns to gaze at me, her smile gentle, "I'll look after her during the battle, don't worry."

Damn, she was able to sense my unease? She's sharp.

"Not fully the reason I am worried, actually." I point out, making all three ladies gaze at me with confusion, "Uh… Where's Gretel?"

Aurelia pales in terror.

Hildr palms her face.

Nereva just tilts her head, "Who's Gretel?"

An explosion rings out in the distance, which rattles our surroundings.

I jab my thumb over my shoulder.

"That's Gretel."

...Is that a werewolf howl I just heard?

~XXX~

"Morokei was here?!" I nearly shout as I stare at the downed, pouting Kara who was throwing a fuss on the grass in the courtyard of the College.

"A bitch-ass clone of his was." The freckled woman grumbles, glaring bloody murder at the sky, "Came to gauge my power while his real self stole the Elder Scroll in Blackreach."

I pause, "...That earthquake was you, wasn't it?"

She turns away and starts whistling.

Serana sighs from where she was and gives me a flat stare, "She came back boasting about 'Did ya feel that earthquake, girl?! That was me, ya hear?!'" The Vampire puffs up her rather massive chest as she mimics Kara's idiotic tone of voice when she boasts rather perfectly.

And said woman ends up taking offense to that, "I don't sound like that, ya big tidded witch!"

Serana just glances down at her massive chest, then looks back up with an amused raise of her brows, as if she should be offended about having her assets called out.

"You do." Lah whispers from his spot, and Kara screams, sitting up to throw her husband a betrayed look.

The strongest Great Sage turns to promptly face the wall. Kara just growls viciously, "I'm throwing Poopdaggah at you later. Just you wait."

…

...Oh fuck, I forgot Poopdaggah in Whiterun…

Eh, it'll be fine.

"So the fucker has an Elder Scroll…" I sigh, palming my skull while I run through my thoughts. What does he need it for? Remove it from the board? Or what? "How strong do you think he is, Kara?"

The minute Archmage frowns momentarily, "Without the Staff of Magnus I could kill him with ease, but you guys would still struggle." I thought as much. His position in the Dragon Council is clearly due to a reason.

"And with the Staff?"

This time, Kara chews on her lower lip for a few seconds before sighing heavily through her nostrils, "I might be able to defeat him, but the collateral damage would likely ruin Skyrim forever." Her gaze flicks towards Lah, who gently wraps his tail around his lover, "Lah would be the only one that could eliminate him with ease. Staff or no Staff."

That just goes to show how horrifying the Staff of Magnus is. "What can it even do?"

The freckled woman stands up and dusts off her skirt, and I am glad to see she isn't injured after her battle with Morokei. It was just an exchange of a few Spells, but the aftershocks of one of them made the whole of Skyrim shake.

"Absorb and perfectly control Magicka while also enormously empowering Spells, robbing Magicka from Spells, and controlling Origin Runes- Something even I and Lah cannot do." And that's what she witnessed. There might be more, and Morokei didn't show off more on purpose.

Like how he just gauged Kara's capabilities through a few Spells. He is cunning, and might be working on ways to remove Kara off the board.

"He might try something during the battle tonight. With the Elder Scrolls." I state, but focus my gaze mainly on Lah, "Can you keep an eye on it, Lah? If what he plans to do with the Elder Scroll is too dangerous…"

The Dragon nods, "I will erase him, even if I despise joining this meaningless conflict." And he is only doing so because of Kara. I'd ask Kara, but Lah is the only being in existence right now that has the excessive firepower to likely get through an Elder Scroll and the Staff of Magnus put together.

And I need him to shut that shit down if it gets too dangerous.

"Thanks." I nod in thanks towards the beautiful Great Sage, before turning to Serana, "So… Ready to go and deal with your dad and rescue your mom?" Her eyes light up, and she swiftly straightens herself.

"Truly? I do not mind waiting more." The Vampire beauty openly reveals, her gaze thankful and kind, "Especially until such a situation is resolved." She adds, motioning towards Kara and the whole problem Morokei raised.

"That's alright, it shouldn't take too long." I wave off her worries reassuringly, before I pause as a thought strikes me.

Right, there is something I forgot to ask a certain Great Sage, "Say, Lah." I call out, earning the full attention of the powerful and wise Dragon, "There's actually a Dragon stuck in the Soul Cairn. He was tricked by the Ideal Masters to protect Serana's mother until death, but she is immortal due to being a Vampire."

Lah perks up at that, "I know of few Dragons that would hold some manner of interest in the Soul Cairn. Might you know of his name?"

I nod, "Durnehviir."

And the Great Sage of Knowledge stands up, eyes wide, "The Undying Great Sage!?"

...Durnehviir is a Great Sage? Fucking hell.

"Damn… Getting to your mom might have just become impossible." I sigh, turning towards Serana, whose shoulders slump.

But that's when Lah speaks up, "No, this is a fortune, instead." He reassures, voice jovial, "Durnehviir is a good friend of mine. Just mention my name, and that you are there to free him from his captivity. He will listen."

"Never-fuckin'-mind, we got this in the bag." Serana lets out a disbelieving but relieved laugh at that.

"My hair might go white if I keep hanging around you people… And I am a Vampire."

"And I still haven't started bullying you yet." I add, earning a shudder from the beautiful Vampire woman.

"Please don't." She begs. I ignore her. I think I just heard her sob.

I am going to sleep like an angel once everything is dealt with.

Shaking away her terror, Serana approaches me and Aurelia, "How do we do this, then?" She questions, and I… Genuinely pause.

I could drop the mother of all Draconian Howls on the castle and just be done with it all, but I can't risk destroying the portal to the Soul Cairn too. Securing it is the priority.

"I have an idea." Surprisingly, the one to speak up is Aurelia. Her arms are crossed, and there's a rather heavy frown on her face, "I believe that you want to at least talk to your father, right?" My lover questions, bringing the beautiful Vampire to a momentary pause.

Her teeth nibble on her lower black lip for a few moments before she nods, "I'd like to hold hopes that he has changed, no matter how slim. It has been two whole Eras, after all."

I can't blame her for holding such hopes, and I don't even want to dissuade her from this.

Aurelia catches my gaze, and she nods firmly, "I'll come with you." She offers, surprising Serana, "We'll use the Elder Scroll as bait."

I perk up at that, "Ah…" Me and Serana understand the plan at the same time, "You want to see if Harkon reacts more to Serana's presence, or at the sight of the Elder Scroll." Aurelia nods, and the Vampire goth gulps, then her gaze grows firm.

"I'm in." Aurelia smile. It was warm and kind, but also sad. One that Serana returns, her eyes drooping lightly, "I'll be prepared for the worst, but hoping for the best."

And that, right there, is how Serana started making Aurelia accept her.

The small amount of tension I had been feeling about all of this faded at this sight.

I do hope they can become friends.

"Alrighty! Let's go fuck up Serana's daddy! And insult Molag Bal until he cries!"

The only person to cheer with me was Kara, the other two ladies just sighed in defeat.

"Bah, at least Mommy Meridia sides with me."

The sword strapped across Aurelia's back glows brightly, "No, I do not." And then it dulls, leaving a severely disturbed Serana in the process of trying to process what happened.

But I am not done yet! There is still hope!

So I fish Remy out of my robes, "What about my boy Hircine?" Remy straight up dies in my grasp.

I stare at the twitching dead rat while Kara and Lah try and fail to hide their amused snorts.

I breathe in, toss the dead rat away, then breathe out.

"I'm going to Zero Sum this fucking Continent-"

"Leo no!"

Being tackled by a Great Sage was not among my list of to-do things.

Thus, I added it.

And scratched it off.

….

Aurelia had swiftly learned that Leonidas never hid things from her.

No matter how absurd something was, or nearly impossible to understand, he would always explain everything.

The reason behind certain actions of his, the meaning behind some of his strange words he'd babble out often, or events she had never heard off.

After a while, Aurelia had grown to absolutely adore that part of Leonidas, and she realized she could spend entire hours listening to him talk and she wouldn't be bored one bit.

So, she was a bit surprised when he didn't fully explain his reasoning for saving Serana, and wanting to help her out.

A part of her felt a bit jealous, but then she always remembered that moment where he reassured her and held her close. It always makes her melt, with her worries melting away with ease.

Hence, she decided not to press for answers. For the usual explanation he always gives her. For it meant he wanted her to discover things about Serana by herself.

It was then that she remembered some words he spoke on their first meeting; "I didn't ask to wake up like this."

Serana could be the same. She might not have wanted her Vampiric powers. They might have been forced on her… And she might hate them even more after the Two Eras of starvation and isolation she was subjected to.

It was why Aurelia felt she should give the woman a chance. Same for herself. Because not all Undead were evil.

The man she loved was proof of that, after all.

"I don't hate you, in case you are wondering." She speaks up, breaking the quiet lingering between her and Serana, with the only audible sound behind of the gentle waves hitting the small boat she was rowing.

Serana turns around, having been gazing at the distant castle for a while with a longing look in her eyes. Beneath the dark sky, her eyes were glowing a bright gold, and Aurelia found herself admitting that the woman was an incredible beauty once more.

The Vampire woman simply stares at Aurelia for several quiet seconds before lightly tilting her head, "I've grown used to attracting the ire from the followers of Arkay – Or Meridia – just by existing."

Aurelia hums softly at that, "You shouldn't have to." She whispers, yet it was loud enough for Serana to hear, going by the minor widening of her eyes, "You didn't ask to be this way."

Aurelia doesn't miss the shudder that goes through the woman before her, whose gaze falls and grows distant, "Yeah… I most certainly did not."

The grip on the paddle grows tight enough to make the wood crack, "I've come to understand that. And accept it." A light laugh flows past her lips, "After all, I – a Paladin of Arkay – fell in love with an Undead. How absurd is that?"

Serana's lips twitch, "Absurd enough that I'd hear about such a story within a theater. Or a book."

Aurelia snorts, a laugh bubbling out of her once more, "That book would surely be full of smut, I assure you."

The two women shared a good laugh at that, "How would that even work?!" Serana asks, holding her belly from the laughter shaking her body.

Aurelia's nearly had to stop rowing to get her own laughter under control, "I don't know, but I've seen plenty of impossible things."

"Like?"

"An Undead walking in and out of Lord Arkay's church. Without problem."

Serana gapes at that, laughter all but forgotten, "How!?" Then she pauses, and thinks back on the things she saw that dumbass of a skeleton do, "Actually, never mind. I've seen Meridia tolerate his existence. For some reason."

The Dragonborn's lips twitch, "You know… I got Dawnbreaker after Leo annoyed Meridia into giving it to me."

The Vampire's beauty face grows serious as she leans forward, "I need the full story, please."

And so, Aurelia shared the idiotic and impossible things Leonidas did, and walked off without issue.

Like getting Blessed by Arkay, and being the only Undead capable of using Holy Magic.

Or acting all buddy-buddy with Hircine.

Or how the Daedric Princes were trying really, really hard to stop him and Sheogorath from ever meeting.

About how said Mad God took out his anger on Molag Bal on multiple occasions, according to Hircine.

That one nearly made Serana fall off the boat from laughter, and the Vampire woman wondered how she – an Undead – was left out of breath from laughing when she doesn't even need to breathe.

By the time she recovered, they had reached the shores of the castle on the island, and both women disembarked from the small boat with smiles on their faces.

"Hey, Aurelia." Serana speaks up, drawing the attention of the pale woman, "Thanks for that. I needed that laughter."

Aurelia's gaze soften, and she reaches out to gently pat Serana's shoulder, "Anytime." She comforts, before helping the Vampire woman fix the massive scroll over her back, then the hidden blade strapped to her side.

She couldn't risk the Vampires getting violent the moment they noticed Dawnbreaker of all Daedric Artifacts strapped to her back. With it hidden and its Holy Aura suppressed, she could waltz in with it without problem.

"Alright, let's get this show on the road…" Serana shakes her shoulders, takes in a deep breath, then looks behind her. She stared at the waters they came from, then stared at the unsettling darkness lingering beneath, just waiting to explode forth.

The island was already surrounded by that terrible darkness, and the Vampires hadn't even noticed.

Taking the lead, Serana walks forward, stepping past the beach to walk on the long bridge leading to the castle gates.

Flanking the bridge were at least a dozen statues, each a gargoyle resting until called. Aurelia didn't even glance at them, knowing that they weren't a threat even in great numbers to her current self.

Once closer to the gates, a rough voice calls out, "Halt! Who goes-" Then said voice chokes up, a gasp reaching Aurelia's ears, "Lady Serana?! Lady Serana is back! Open the Gates!"

A click of metal is soon followed by the large gate bars being lifted, allowing entrance towards the large castle doors.

Serana's lips twitch at the sight, "Two Eras have gone by, yet my father still keeps you to guard the gates?" Aurelia eyes the pale Vampire standing by the lever that opened the gates.

Not one of notable power, and seemed more akin to a Thrall than a Vampire meant to act as a guard.

The doors open with ease as Serana walks in, a potent stench of blood reaching Aurelia's nostrils the moment those large doors cracked opened a bit.

Beyond them lay a long and dark hall, no torches to light it, and no one to welcome them. It allowed Serana to glance back at Aurelia with a sad gaze, "The sight… Won't be pretty." She warns, and Aurelia prepares herself for what was ahead.

Yet, they were intercepted on their way to the hall ahead of them by a figure that stepped out of the darkness, eyes glowing a bright hateful red, "Who dares trespass-!" Like before, this proper Vampire choked on his words the moment Serana met his gaze.

The Dunmer Vampire swiftly lowers his head, "My word, Lady Serana! I cannot believe my eyes!" Without waiting for a response or confirmation, the Vampire moved to hurry towards the hall, where he looked down upon it with a near fanatical gaze, "My Lord! Everyone!"

"Lady Serana has returned!"

Said Vampire's face twitched with barely disguised distaste and scorn before she pressed forward, flanked closely by a stony faced Aurelia.

And the Dragonborn soon found it quite hard to maintain her composure when she reached the large hall. Large tables filled it, with dozens of Vampires partaking upon copious amounts of blood.

Undead Hounds walked around like guard dogs, while their masters drank blood from large ornate cups like it was wine, and refilling them from the large bowls set on the tables.

Alongside it was meat. Human meat, or meat of other species. Skulls filled with blood and floating chunks of meat, organs- Aurelia's hands creak as she clenches them into fists.

At the other end of the large hall reeking of blood lay a large throne, upon which lounged a handsome man with a refined beard and eyes, clad in dark red and gold robes, a long crimson cape hanging off his shoulders.

The man's eyes glowed with a brilliant golden light, a smirk growing on his lips as Serana walks down the steps under the watchful eye of the many Vampires within it, "Ah, my long lost daughter finally returns!"

Aurelia's gaze zeroes in on the man, who she now knows is Harkon himself, Serana's father. He was tall, and radiated an imposing presence that was foul beyond measure.

But it didn't even make her falter even as she and Serana approached the man, who decided to speak once more, "I trust you have my Elder Scroll?"

Serana falters for but a moment before resuming her steps. Her action either went unnoticed by Harkon, or the Vampire decided to ignore it, "After all these years, that's the first thing you ask me? What a caring parent."

Aurelia watches how Serana's sarcastic comment brings a hint of displeasure upon Harkon's arrogant visage, who swiftly smooths it out and replaces it with a warm look that was so fake it made Aurelia nearly sneer.

Yet, she just felt sad, for she saw the way Serana's eyes lost their light with each passing second, her hopes dashed with each word her father so callously spoke.

"Of course I am delighted to see you, my daughter." Harkon sighs out, gaze 'fond' and 'gentle'… While it openly leered greedily at the golden seal of the Elder Scroll on his daughter's back, "Must I say these words out loud?"

He then shrugs, lips spreading in a callous smile, "Ah, if only your traitor mother were here… I'd have her watch this reunion. Before putting her head on a spike, of course."

Serana stills… Then she breathes in, before breathing out. Her gaze, overflowing with sadness and resignation, finally falls back on Harkon, "I had hoped you changed…"

"But I shouldn't have expected that from someone who drank the blood of his daughter and wife right after they were raped by Molag Bal just so to gain access to immortality and power."

Shaking her head, Serana turns to start walking away, instantly earning the ire of Harkon, "And where do you think you're going-"

"You can punch him now, Aurelia."

Any further words that were about to flow out of Harkon's mouth were shoved back down his throat by a gauntlet clad fist connecting against his face.

The sheer force behind it rattled the whole hall, and sent the ancient Vampire flying like a cannonball straight through his throne, then through the many walls right behind it.

Aurelia lets out a long, satisfied sigh as she sags her shoulders, "Man, that was satisfying…" Beside her, Serana whistles and nods.

"Minor complaint…" The Vampire raises a hand, a kind smile on her face, "You should have punched him harder."

Aurelia hums softly and tilts her head, "I'll hit him between the legs next time."

"Ooh, I love the way you think."

The Vampires pounced into action.

Aurelia reaches forward to grasp nothing but air, "Duck down, please." Serana does so without batting an eye.

"Revak." Aurelia spins in a perfect circle, and the whole castle explodes in a shower of radiant Holy light, a glowing golden Dragon Blade firmly set in her grasp.

With that simple and swift attack, she had swiftly obliterated all the vampires, their Undead minions and Thralls. And removed the castle too. "I hope you weren't too attached to this place."

Serana shrugs, still squatted low, "Too dark and moody for my liking." Her lips then twitch, "I prefer the breeze that comes in now that it is more… Open."

The two ladies remained quiet for a moment, before they shared a snort.

Of course, that's when Harkon finally returned. A blood-red Sun blooms in the distance, with Aurelia having punched the man straight out of the castle and into the frigid waters.

And now, he rose back up, his form inhuman and twisted, radiating a bloody stench that was suffocating, and a vile aura that made Aurelia snarl in disgust.

"Damn, you punched that bitch straight into Phase Two." Leonidas' sudden voice startles both women, who squeak and jump away from each other, their heads turning to gaze at the robed Undead sitting on a chair between them.

Leonidas raises a thumbs up towards Serana while gazing at the distant Harkon, "The portal left behind by your mother has been secured. All we need is to finish this boss battle."

Serana sags in relief at that, "Will you be alright? He is a Vampire Lord, after all." She warns, though seeing how relaxed both Aurelia and Leonidas were did soothe her quite a bit.

The robed Undead waves off her worries with a chuckle, "Oh don't worry and just enjoy the show!" Leonidas clapped excitedly, like a kid being given candy, "Now, watch the arrival of the first ever I.C.B.D.!"

Aurelia and Serana share a confused look, "I.C.B.D.?"

Leonidas nods excitedly as the sky cracks open.

"Inter-Continental Ballistic Deinmaar."

A meteorite fell from the skies, burning brilliantly as it fell down with a rumble that shook the very air.

Harkon furious gaze froze, then shot skyward. But it was too late.

A scorching hot greatsword hacked down, straight on his skull. Every ounce of kinetic force gathered by that fall, that speed, coupled with the immense physical might Deinmaar boasts…

Harkon fell so hard and fast that the sea split open for a few long moments.

When Deinmaar's massive form landed before them, his whole armor was was glowing with heat, warping the air around the towering Atmoran… Who ignored it with ease, "Brother!"

Leonidas threw his hands in the air, and went to hug his best friend "Buddy! You fucked him up!"

Said hug never happened, for Deinmaar lifted Leonidas off the ground by his skull, "Was there a need to launch me at that filthy creature, Brother? I just got back."

"Hey, watch your words. That's Serana's father."

Deinmaar blinks, lowers Leonidas, and turns his head towards the Vampire lady beside Aurelia, "Apologies, milady. I did not know."

Serana just shrugs, "No problem, he is an ass anyway."

Deinmaar nods, lifts Leonidas, and glares at his brother, "I am glad to see you awake and fine, brother… But truly? Dropping me from orbit?"

Leonidas crosses his arms and huffs out, "Kara was the one to push you inside the portal I left behind!"

"Because you threatened her with Poopdaggah."

"...I'ma shove that fucker in her bed next time she sleeps, I swear to Akatosh-"

"Uhm…" Aurelia cuts in, making both guys turn to look at her, "Aren't we forgetting something?"

Silence was her answer.

"Harkon?"

More silence.

Serana speaks up, "I mean… He might be dead after that blow-"

Leonidas groans, "And you just jinxed us."

As if on cue, a bloody pillar pierces into the sky from the ocean, bathing the surrounding in a deep, twisted red.

"And here comes Phase Three." Leonidas sighs, before dropping his arms, "Whatever, let me at him."

Deinmaar obeys and puts Leonidas down.

"I'ma go drop some unthinkable slurs on Molag Bal's head-" And both Deinmaar and Aurelia dragged the idiot back.

"Leo, we really don't need another Daedric Prince mad at you."

That's when Serana stepped in, face glowing and all smiles.

"No no, let him go ahead and do that!"

"Serana, no!"

Sometimes Aurelia really felt like she was the only fucking adult in this damn place!

A.N. Next few chapters should be easy and fast to write, as I already have them all planned out!

I think you all are going to love them! More epic battles, more crazy Nords, and more Ysgramor too!

You'll see what I mean by that next chappy!

Hope y'all enjoyed it!

Toodles!