I, Draugr Chapter 50

I nearly crumbled when I felt Hildr's arms wrap around me.

I felt it.

I could feel it.

I could feel her arms around me. I could smell her perfume. I could feel her warmth. Her softness.

I could feel her in my arms, and feels hers hug me tightly, hands trembling, lips pressed against mine as tears flowed down her cheeks.

My arms wrap around her smaller frame tightly, and I hold her like my life depends on it, craving every last minute thing my nerves register.

Scent, taste, touch- All of it and more.

Hildr breaks the kiss overflowing with so much feelings after a few seconds and sniffles softly, hiding her whimper by pushing her face into the crook of my neck.

"Thank you." I whisper in her ear, a smile on my lips that I can actually feel.

As Hildr's hug grows tighter, I flick my gaze up towards Aurelia, still bashful and covering her face due to my current nudity.

She tries and fails to avoid my gaze, my eyes narrowing and my smile growing… Well, very fucking hungry.

"Oh boy…" Hildr notices my gazes and releases me, "You might wanna run, girl!"

Aurelia squeaks, face as red as a tomato, but it was too late. My hand grip her lovely hips, her eyes blow wide open as I pull her close, and then she all but melts when I kiss her, nearly crumbling to her knees.

And I don't kiss her normally, no. I've been hungry for some of her for a long, long fucking time.

So I went in deep. Hungry. Making her understand just how much I yearn for her, and how much passion and love I have for her.

One of her trembling hands comes to rest on the back of my head, her tongue trying and failing to keep up with mine as she quivers and melts in my hands.

By the time I break the kiss, I left the very innocent but breathtaking woman with a dreamy and lost look in her eyes.

I turn to Hildr, and raise an eyebrow when I take notice that she was enjoying the show, her gaze quite heated. "What? I swing both ways." Fair enough.

...Now I kinda want to see her and Aurelia make-out.

Being able to be horny again is very, very dangerous. Even if this is my Dream.

I release the still stunned Aurelia and will some pants to appear on me so to be less nude, my gaze softening and my shoulders sagging. "Did you really ask Vaermina to hop into my Dreams?"

Hildr shrugs, "There was nothing either of us really wanted, so why not." Her lone eye then looks me up and down very slowly, "Definitely worth it. Right, 'Relia?"

"Uuhh…" That was the intelligent noise the still flushed lady lets out, earning a snort from me and the redhead.

Shaking her head out of pure amusement, Hildr moves and throws her arms around me, planting her lips against my cheek as she hums happily, "I'm so fucking happy you are getting some proper rest…"

I chuckle and lift her up with one arm, using the other to pull the stiff Aurelia close, "Yeah… I know this is a Dream, but… It is nice to feel things again, even if it'll be for just a moment."

It's… Hard to get used to feeling so many things once more. Touch, scent, flavor… It is all so overpowering. Well, lust too, which is currently like a blazing inferno because how can I not want to plow these two beauties silly?

"What are you thinking about?" Hildr asks, making sure to press close against me. It is the little gestures that she does that show me her love.

The way she makes sure I can breathe in her scent, feel her touch, feel her warmth… She is dangerously becoming very, very addictive. And I love it.

"Just… About the events in Saarthal." I sigh out, bringing both of the ladies to the end of the bridge on the water.

We sat down, feet dipping in the cool water, fishes that shouldn't be in a lake swimming below us just because I want them there.

And as we sat them there, I told them about my experience with Ahzidal, our fight, what I gleamed from it, and I mostly kept out the majority of my deal with Mehrunes Dagon so to not embarrass the fucker too much.

In turn, they told me about theirs. About how they fought the Five-Hundred Atmoran Companions, about how Hildr used a simple Spell so to circumvent the insanity-inducing hunger of her transformed state, and about how the Atmorans clung to life through sheer Will alone.

And the aftermath of the battle between Deinmaar and Ysgramor. Apparently the earthquakes I kept feeling and the ones who split the city in half were those two.

My buddy physical might is downright insane…

"It all felt… Scripted." Aurelia states quietly, leaning against my left shoulder and holding my left hand in both of hers, her dreamy gaze still there, "We were all sent where we'd shine best. Like… We had a purpose. Something to do."

Hildr nods, "We helped the Companions move on through a worthy battle."

"Deinmaar gave Ysgramor a battle that should go down in history."

"And you…"

I hum softly, leaning back with my hands, staring up at the sky. With a thought, orange light washed down on us as morning became afternoon.

The forest parted, and the setting sun became visible. All with a thought from me.

"I wonder if he played us. Played me." What would Sheogorath say? "One cannot plan around an insane fool, I guess."

Ahzidal, you twisted fuck… Any outcome would have satisfied you, huh?

Had he won, he would have unleashed Oblivion to erase the Mer Races from existence.

Had he lost, he'd still have granted his closest people a worthy death, and crippled those he hated for entire Eras.

Or was none of this planned? Was it coincidence?

Yet it all felt scripted. Fast. Meant to happen faster than anyone could realize what was truly going on and… Try to change things.

Did you not want someone to try and talk you out of those crazy plans of yours, Ahzidal?

Did you just yearn for an ignoble death as the best outcome?

I know that the 'script' we were sticking to derailed due to Ysgramor, and his decision to 'battle' Ahzidal at the very end, so that they both could enter Sovngarde together.

I sigh and slump my shoulders.

What a masterful play. Truly what you'd expect from an insane man who can change his mind within seconds.

Was it all planned? All a coincidence? I can't fucking tell. At all.

Either way, the best possible outcome out of that ordeal was achieved in just half an hour, all because – by chance, apparently – we were all placed where we'd shine best from the very start.

It was like someone challenging me at chess, and giving me the side that is three moves away from getting a perfect checkmate no matter how I move the pieces.

We were put on the spot, forced to defend ourselves or fight back in order to destroy the chains, and not given any time to think...

Doesn't matter. We got the Eye and fixed the crippling effect its seal caused, so there's that.

"What do we do now?" Aurelia asks, her half-lidded eyes staring at my face like a love-struck teenager, making the raging fire in my chest just burn so much hotter.

"Now? Now we just… Lean back, and relax." I chuckle out, causing both ladies to yelp as I let my back fall on the wooden bridge, bringing them down with me. "My head is clear now. Clear of that panic, that dark fog, and not tired."

"And I… I've realized I can't do everything for Skyrim. We can't do everything for Skyrim."

Leaning on my chest, Hildr looks up with her lone eye, a soft smile on her face, "What do you mean?"

I run my hand through her hair as I answer, "We can handle the bigger, more powerful threats like Dragon Sages and Great Sages, or the more powerful Dragon Priests… But we shouldn't handle every single battle."

"Skyrim needs to fight too. They are warriors, and they'll welcome this challenge with open arms and smiles on their faces… So we can't treat them like babies and do everything for them to protect them, lest we just offend them."

"I think that's why Kara hasn't gone off to erase each Dragon Priest off the face of Nirn with Lah… Because she knows this. She'll only act when she needs to act. When a threat equal or close to her level of strength presents itself."

And I think she never brought this up with me because she knows that with my tired mind, I'd have likely fought back against such a thing.

"But… Will it really be alright?" Aurelia softly asks, leaning on the other side of my chest and joining Hildr in looking up at me, making for a most alluring and unforgettable sight. "I don't want to say that they are weak… But…"

I smile and pat her head in comfort, making her sigh in such an adorable way as she leans into my touch. "They are weak now, but now that the Eye is free…"

"They'll grow stronger, and stronger and stronger again… Until even Dragon Sages will struggle against them."

These are people who, for countless generations, lived in the land where the Eye of Magnus resided. I dare not speculate, but there must be a form of blessing that should impart them.

They'll become titans wielding pure physical might. They'll return to the monsters that managed to bring down the Dragons of the past through pure hate.

If they can do it once, I have faith that they can do it once more.

"Plus… The final passage of the prophecy is underway. Any hot-blooded bastard out there will soon start pouring into Skyrim so to become part of History."

The Empire will help despite needing time to recover, and I am sure the Thalmor will either plot or try to stir shit in their favor… Until I decide to pay their country a visit and leave it a wasteland so to gobble up on a few tens of thousands of Souls and massive increase my strength once more.

My thoughts are interrupted by a gentle pinch on my side, making me blink and give Hildr my full attention as she mounts me and sits on my chest, "We should be relaxing. Forget about the world, and the prophecy."

"Just focus on us."

I smile, and one of my hand gently grips her lovely hips.

Her lone sparkling green eye overflows with adoration and so much love, her smile growing as she sees my hesitation. "We don't know when we'll get another chance like this, so…"

One of her fingers slowly trails down my bare chest, leaving behind a lingering warmth that is overwhelming for my touch-starved nerves.

"...Let's make sure that you'll have something unforgettable to keep you motivated, yeah?" Her purr is like pure electricity flowing through my veins, making goosebumps rise all over my skin.

Her lips part like a wolf baring its teeth, sharp canines visible as she licks her lips with visible hunger within her eyes.

Until a palm mushes against her face, "H-Hildr! S-Such things must be done after marriage so to p-procreate and-and-and-!" Aurelia's panicked, adorable rambling come to an end when Hildr cups her face and looks into her eyes.

And then kisses her.

I blink, whistle, and lean back as Hildr makes out with Aurelia with a passion that is just… Very, very hot.

And Aurelia? She melts against Hildr too, and is soon left a panting and whimpering, dazed mess by the time the tongue-filled kiss is broken.

Licking her lips, Hildr hums softly, "Yeah… Like hell I'm letting you two go." She states, before yelping when I flip us around, pinning her back on the wooden planks of the bridge.

Her confident gaze falters, and she soon flushes shyly.

And with my eyes filled with both a bashful and shy Hildr and Aurelia…

Yeah, like hell I could hold back.

~~XXX~~

"You're leaving?" Kara asks, blinking in surprise at the towering Atmoran that had just lifted a large bag over his armored shoulders.

Deinmaar nods, light smile on his face, "Just for a bit. There is something I wish to check, and that I've put back for far too long." He states, his gaze tranquil and focused, no longer lost and depressed like it used to be.

Kara sags her shoulders, gentle smile on her face as she stares up at the giant, "When can I expect you back, then?"

"Before brother wakes up, hopefully." Deinmaar muses softly, gazing towards the right wing of the College, where Leonidas' sleeping form had been securely placed until he had his proper, much deserved rest. "If not, I should still be back before he decides to handle those Vampires he spoke off."

Kara nods, then jabs a thumb behind her, "Want my hubby to give you a quick lift?" She offers, drawing the attention of the royal blue Dragon intently studying the colossal orb floating above the College.

"I'll be alright. A good walk will do me good." Deinmaar chuckles, and Kara resists the cheeky desire to point out that he has to walk, for there are no horses that can hold his weight and size.

With a hum, the curly haired woman twirls her hand, conjuring a slip of paper with a glowing golden Original Rune on it, "Here. Use this in case some emergency happens that you can't handle by yourself. Me and Lah will come running the moment you activate it."

Deinmaar takes the slip of paper with a grateful smile and stores it within the chestplate of his dragon-bone armor before straightening himself, "I'll leave everything in your good hands, then."

"I tend to fuck shit up a lot, so… Don't trust me to handle things properly." Kara proudly reveals, not noticing the way Lah nods profusely behind her.

Deinmaar decides not to point that out and just sighs with an amused smile on his face, "Just… Take care."

Kara snorts and watches the giant depart with a smile on her face, and watches him go until his form disappears past the broken bridges leading to the College. "Man, it's nice to see him like that. And all it took was getting his shit kicked in by fucking Ysgramor himself. Boys, I swear..."

Lah chuckles softly as he lumbers behind the minute woman, "That is the Deinmaar I know off. I am glad to see him back too."

Kara hums, then turns to stare at the empty courtyard. Despite the giant artifact hanging above the College, no student or teacher hung around to study it.

Because the crippling effects caused by its seal were already starting to lift… And now, each teacher and student were achieving breakthrough after breakthrough in things that had originally stumped them for months, years or even decades.

Kara wasn't affected by the crippling effect of the seal, but she was awake to see it slowly take effect over countless generations of Mages since the First Era.

So she had already figured out that the crippling effect only started effecting each new generation. She also had a theory that the effect was stronger towards long-lived Mer Races due to how slowly they reproduce, but she brushed it aside after realizing that it was likely accurate.

"The recovery won't happen through each new child being born. It works differently from how the crippling effect took place." Lah nods, returning his gaze to the glowing Artifact above.

"The closer they are to this Artifact, the faster they recover. Even my own theory was wrong." Lah had suspected that the recovery would slowly take place over the matter of months, maybe a year or few…

But each student and teacher beneath the Eye had started improving at a terrifying pace. Even Kara herself found that her mind was… Sharper, in terms of understanding the deeper mysteries of Magicka.

And she wasn't lacking in that department, as she knows very well she is among one of the greatest magical minds ever born.

"Moving the College is starting to sound more enticing…" Kara muses softly, chewing on her lower lip in thought.

Bringing the College and the Eye closer to Whiterun would assist the whole of Skyrim in recovering much, much faster.

She'd be able to recruit more Mages with greater ease, and build groups of Healers and Battle Mages faster than she had originally thought.

She and Lah couldn't handle every threat to Skyrim lest they earn the ire of the people, so she could at least offer them teachings that they could master at a rapid pace with the help of the Eye.

"I believe it is best we further study the Eye for a moment." Lah offers softly, "I'd rather not risk this boost to intelligence bringing some form of insanity as a side-effects."

Kara flinches lightly and clicks her tongue. Yeah, she'd have to make sure the students and teachers remembered to eat, sleep and take breaks lest they die over their now much easier studies.

She'll probably have to move the Eye away after a few hours each day, lest its effects become dangerously addictive.

"Yeah, we best be careful. Same with the book." Kara drawls out, grasping the book with a patchwork cover attached to her side through magic.

The Ohgma Infinium, which she and Lah had retrieved swiftly after their trip to the frozen Atmora. It was easy to break the ancient box it was sealed into with their magical might and cunning, plus they hadn't encountered the lunatic Leonidas had told her would likely be there.

The was a camp there, right by the ancient box holding the book, but whoever was using it had left not too long before their visit, likely to gather supplies.

"I can feel Tentacle Freak's gaze on me each time I hold the damn thing." Kara scoffs, so attuned with the planes of Oblivion and Nirn and with Divine beings that she could tell when one had its gaze on her.

"It is likely rigged." Lah offers, giving the book a spare glance before focusing fully on the giant Eye floating above. "Perhaps what Leonidas theorized might be true."

Kara nods in agreement, "Yeah… I'd rather not risk this book going blank once I read it once. I can wait until I break whatever bindings are placed on this thing before reading it." Twirling the book, she turns a mischievous grin towards her lover, "Not like it's the first time we stole shit from a God, am I right?"

Lah chuckles deeply, "Good old times." Their moment was broken by the sound of frantic footsteps approaching.

A panic-stricken Savos Aren rushes out of the open doors of the main building of the College, making Kara raise a curious brow, "What has got your panties in a twist, kid?"

Panting and gasping from breath, the paled Dunmer gulps loudly, "The seal…" He rasps out, eyes glowing with horror, "The seal in Labyrinthian has been broken…"

Kara narrows her gaze, "The Dragon Priest there is called Morokei?" She asks, mainly towards her relaxed and calm lover.

Lah nods, "Indeed. A fearsome but cunning Mage. Were it not for Deinmaar's lover, he'd have been the one to inherit the name Konahriik."

Slowly, Lah chuckles, golden eyes shining with mirth, "How predictable of him… To start moving the moment the beast falls into slumbers."

Savos Aren and Kara furrow their brows at the Dragon's words, before they realize the deeper meaning of them, "You mean… He started acting because Leo is sleeping?"

"Indeed." Lah confirms, baring his jaws towards his wife, "It means that even with that powerful artifact within his hands… Morokei still does not foresee a perfect victory if he and Leonidas were to come to blows."

Kara's eyebrows shot up at her husband's words, for they were enormous praise.

After all, Morokei was a monster in the same league as her, or around that level. He was just… Far more dangerous due to his cunning mind.

He was the man that, even after all the betrayals and everything Konahriik and Deinmaar did to make sure the Resistance had a near one-sided victory, still managed to nearly turn the Dragon War around.

He made sure the Resistance paid a bloody price for that victory. One that Kara theorizes the world still hasn't recovered from.

But how does he not foresee a victory against Leonidas?

Is he afraid that the idiot will just walk through all of his plans and traps and whatnot without problem…?

"Slumbering beasts awaken when the unknown variable is momentarily out of action…" Lah muses softly, golden eyes glinting sharply, "It appears Skyrim must weather one last storm before they may enjoy a momentary quiet."

Recovering from his horror and worry, Savos Aren gulps heavily and straightens himself, "But… How does Morokei know that Leonidas is unable to take action?"

Kara furrows her own eyebrows at that. Her senses spread, but she doesn't find any form of Magic or scrying runes set up in either the College or the whole of Winterhold.

Lah chuckles, "The Masks, obviously." Kara's eyes blow wide open, and she acts instantly, disappearing from her spot and appearing within the room Leonidas and his two paramours were sleeping.

Two ancient masks fly into her hands the moment she appears, a glowering glare in her eyes as her Magicka pours in. "Oh, you twisted bastard…" Scrying Runes, hidden deep within the intricate patchwork that are the Draconic Enchantments placed upon these artifacts.

Morokei had been spying on them this whole time.

Kara scoffs, a bad taste in her mouth as she erases the Runes with a flicker of her Magicka. A rather useless action now that the enemy knew all of their plans.

Luckily, there isn't much he can do with it, for he knows very well that if he dares covet Auriel's Bow he'll enrage Lah, something no sane individual would dare.

The rest of the plans they discussed were vague, with Leonidas not sharing a direct location for any of the things he spoke off.

Kara chews on one of her nails in thought, glowering frown on her pretty face. Would there be something that Morokei would covet within among the things Leonidas mentioned?

Kara swiftly focused on just one thing. One very powerful tool that could prove disastrous.

An Elder Scroll.

"Cunning bastard…" Kara huffs out, returning the cleansed Masks to their rightful place with a wave of her hand. She'd have to check Deinmaar's once he returns too.

Her gaze trails towards the robed figure sleeping motionless on the large bed, flanked by his lover.

A gentle smile spreads across her face at the sight.

She'll let Morokei scheme and plot all he wants, for she knows the truth that the Dragon Priest likely will refuse to accept.

He lost the moment he needed Leonidas to become unavailable so to start acting.

~~XXX~~

Skyrim was changing. Some Mages deeply attuned to Magicka could feel it, others just had a keen sense that told them something was different.

The dried remnants of the Gildergreen within Whiterun started blooming by themselves, recovering at a rapid pace without any assistance being given.

The air felt more fresh. Invigorating. Crops started blooming as if assistance by Magic itself.

Sick people suddenly rose full of energy, and the elderly stood and walked around as if back to their youth.

Warriors pushed themselves beyond their breaking limits and kept going, finding themselves growing stronger at an insane pace.

Farengar found his studies becoming easier. His mind and the countless problems filling it was slowly being untangled, allowing him to do his duties far better than before, something he relished in.

And within the monastery atop High Hrothgar, several elders raised their heads towards the sky above. They could feel it, and hear it.

A storm was coming. One that could make or break Skyrim. One that could cripple its war preparations… Or grant them what they needed to truly stand and protect themselves.

The Greybeards could feel it. The mourning of the Sky. The sadness it radiated.

Arngeir sighs deeply as he stands, the cold winds of the mountain brushing past his elderly face as he gazes into the distance.

He knows what this all means, and it saddens him greatly.

A great master of the Thu'um will soon be unleashed upon Skyrim.

His calm gaze turns skyward for but a moment… Before he smiles and brushes the snow off his dark robes.

Quietly and slowly, a thin old man started the grueling descent down High Hrothgar to fulfill a much needed purpose.

Meanwhile, a sealed evil stirred deep within an ancient, forgotten crypt in the mountains north-west of Skyrim.

The clicking of a staff is the only noise that fills the ancient hall of a throne room ravaged by battle and time, with the once mighty throne turned replaced by sarcophagus wrapped in thick, rumbling chains.

"Even a rabid dog has its uses…" A raspy voice speaks up, the wielder of the glowing ethereal staff that drew in Magicka from the surroundings taking slow steps towards the coffin. "Sickness is always a weapon one can use..."

Behind the figure and hidden within the darkness lay other figures, all clad in ancient robes and dragonscale armor.

All wearing Masks.

Vokun and Volsung remained back, bowed deeply on one knee, heads lowered as Morokei advances towards the sealed, chained sarcophagus.

"To remove a rival." A flick of the staff, and one chain wrapped around the upright prison shattered.

"To cause havoc during war." Another chain shatters with a tap of the staff.

"To waste enemy resources." A low exhale, and the final chain shatters, clattering heavily on the ground.

Morokei's Mask glows brightly, warding off the darkness as the sarcophagus slowly creaks open.

"Or all of the above. At the same time."

The sarcophagus bursts open, a figure cloaked in baleful green flames stomping out of it with a wrath and madness that would make the Mad Star proud.

Chains rattle and stop the figure, a skull wrapped in bright green flames that released the howls of demented Souls stopping just before Morokei's Mask, with the Dragon Priest not even flinching.

The giant skeleton of Otar the Mad glowers down at his former master, a lone chain wrapped around his skull and between his open jaws.

"A rabid dog has its uses." Morokei repeats, reaching up to pat the trembling skull of the mad giant, "I hope your wrath has become fine fuel for your Voice, Otar the Sky-Breaker."

Baleful green flames swell, and the bound giant pulls at his chains as he roars.

The entire mountain chain quivers. The earth rumbles and the Heavens quake as clouds start to gather and spin.

Chuckling, Morokei undoes the chains and steps aside, releasing the mad dog under his control as Vokun and Volsung quietly quiver beneath the immense pressure released by the giant.

"Now, we just need one last piece…" The cunning strategist muses as he slowly starts to walk away, "Vokun, Volsung… Make yourselves useful, and assist Otar until I come back."

The roar was felt across the entirety of Skyrim, and all the way to the lands of the Empire.

In the wilderness of Skyrim, in a small camp set along the road, a Breton man clad in Ebony Armor stops the sharpening of his blade to raise his head towards the sky.

A Dunmer woman disembarking from a ship in Windhelm's port pauses for but a moment before her gaze regains focus.

And beneath Whiterun, a black skull tilts lightly, their grip over the Ebony Blade growing tighter until cracks cover the Daedric Artifact.

Paarthurnax's eyes slowly close as he witnesses everything, a deep sigh leaving his jaws as he slumps, "Why must we wage war? Why must we battle? Why must blood be spilled?"

Once more Dragons and Man would battle. Once more the Thu'um must be used as a weapon of war.

Turning, the ancient Dragons gives his full attention towards an ancient wound left in time. Formed when Alduin was sealed away with the usage of an Elder Scroll, this Time Wound could be used by some to witness that final battle before the World Eater was sealed away.

But for Dragons, being deeply attuned with Time itself as they its children, they could use such Wounds to peer into the River of Time and gaze backward.

It was why Paarthurnax had made this spot his home, for there was no better place to contemplate his failure than the exact spot where he could witness them ad infinitum.

And so, like he has done tens of thousands of time, Paarthurnax dives backward in Time to witness the very moment he became aware of his purpose.

The very moment he knew that he must aid the mortal Races, and not stand beside his brother.

The landscape changes within moments, and like always, Paarthurnax finds himself standing before the shoulders of his past self, but a ghostly spectator of events that cannot be changed.

"You are leaving." Paarthurnax turns, his gaze falling on the towering form of the World Eater sitting before a small hill. Those glowing red eyes, once filled with arrogance… Were now filled with sadness. Disappointment.

Emotions Paarthurnax had not known Alduin could feel. But what did he know? Had he ever tried to talk to his brother? Had he ever tried being a brother, instead of a soldier? A warrior that does one's bidding?

No… Paarthurnax never did. One of his many, many regrets.

His gaze, slowly, turns to the cloaked figure standing atop the hill, the source of Alduin's sadness. The only mortal who could claim to be Alduin's friend.

The billowing darkness of that long cloak swells and dances beneath the gentle light of the setting sun, the face beneath hidden by a simple, innocuous Wooden Mask. "I am. I've finished what I came here to accomplish, and overstayed my welcome too."

The man's voice was ethereal. A thousand voices in one. Young and old. Male and female. It was like talking with a million beings at the same time, all housed within the same vessel.

Solomon turns to stare at the setting sun, "War will come, Alduin." The Lord of Demons states gently, a hundred voices echoing his soft whisper.

Alduin growls, claws flexing into the tender earth below, "It will be squashed. No one can stand against me." The World Eater arrogantly states, earning a chuckle from the masked Sorcerer. "No one but you, my friend."

Solomon's chuckle slowly ends, "I do have a very talented student, you know?" He reminds the World Eater, who clicks his tongue like a child. "She may defeat you."

"She won't." Alduin stresses out.

"Maybe not." Solomon shrugs, "But Humans are cunning and treacherous, my friend. Your arrogance is easily used against you."

Alduin growls, "Why are you telling me this, Solomon?" The Dragon presses, a hint of pleading within his tone, "Why must you leave?"

Paarthurnax stared at his brother sadly. His brother was lost. He was sad. He was feeling things he never did before, and he clearly hated these new feelings.

"…I am a very treacherous bastard myself, my friend." Solomon reveals, turning to fully face the setting sun, hands crossed behind his back. "I plotted, calculated, studied, and double-checked everything. And that is why I am here. Why I came here."

"I walked back against the River of Time." Solomon chuckles as the shadows swell, his laugh backed by thousands of demented Souls that make up his existence. "I left the Gods in the future, all for this."

"All for a treacherous plot that they cannot witness. One that they cannot stop."

Solomon turns, "I will deprive you of your purpose, World Eater."

Alduin stills, and the younger form of Paarthurnax balks in horror at the spoken words, "That is preposterous!" The World Eater rages, "That is going against Fate! Against the very reason I exist! I was born, to Destroy! It is why I came to be-!"

"Oh fuck that!" Solomon shouts is echoed by millions of raging voices, the shadows swelling and devouring the valley, "Your purpose?! The reason you were born!? Fate!? Fuck all of that!"

Alduin trembles and steps back, shocked and silent at his friend's outburst, "No child should be born, just so that they can be hated."

It was there, that young Paarthurnax started to understand.

"If you truly accepted this purpose, and you were Fate's bitch, then you'd have already torn this World asunder and reset the Cycle, Alduin." The World Eater avoids his friend's gaze, knowing that he was right.

"But I know I cannot change your mind through words or power alone." The Sorcerer from the future states softly, a hundred mournful voices backing his words, "Yet know this, my friend…"

"I will tear Fate asunder."

That declaration echoed across the River of Time, yet there were no Gods to hold witness to it.

"There will come a day when Dragon will be loved. When they and mortals will coexist."

"And there will come a day where you can be yourself, free of the chains Fate has wrapped around you."

The World Eater shuts his eyes and clenches his jaws shut, his head bowing low. "Don't go…"

Solomon steps forward, a lone head stretching to rest upon Alduin's head.

"We'll meet again." He assures, "I'll be a little younger, less wise, more reckless."

"You won't recognize me. And I won't recognize you as my friend."

"But know that everything I've done up until now is for you."

And young Paarthurnax understood what he had to do on that very day.

If a mortal was working so hard to make sure Dragons prospered and could coexist with the mortal Races… Then why couldn't a Dragon do the same?

Solomon pulls back and starts walking away. Alduin started to move, but forced himself to stop.

His jaws opened and closed, his eyes grew panicked and fearful.

The World Eater wanted to beg. He wanted to rage. He wanted his friend to stay back.

...But he held hope. Hope that this friend of his could achieve the impossible.

"Why are you doing this?" The one to ask such a question was the younger Paarthurnax.

And a chuckle was his answer. A happy, joyful chuckle. One not backed by other devoured Souls.

But one that just had Solomon's oh so familiar voice, and his happiness.

"What can I say…" The robed man starts, reaching up to remove his simple Wooden Mask. "I'm just a sucker for Happy Endings."

The Mask comes off, and the Lord of Demons disappears, as if he was never there, returned to either his proper timeline, or another random date in the future.

And Paarthurnax steps out of the Time Tear himself, a low sigh leaving his jaws. "A sucker for Happy Endings, huh?"

Slowly, the ancient Dragon gazes up at the sky, gaze more tranquil than before.

"I guess we are one and the same, then."

~~XXX~~

Kara had to wonder what Leonidas did to his girls within his dream to leave them staring into the void for nearly three whole days in a row.

Aurelia was a constant flushed mess, and she would sometimes giggle to herself and hide beneath the covers of the bed like a bashful teenager.

Hildr… Hildr was drooling. Constantly. As if she was a wolf staring at a juicy steak, with even Gretel struggling to make her older sister focus for even a few seconds.

Whatever that man did to the ladies clearly had changed their lives… For about three days.

For the next four days? Kara watched the two women wrap chains around the sleeping skeleton, and wrap more around his bed.

Then board up the windows. Fill the ground with traps.

Then board up the doors. Then the corridor. And the stairs.

By the seventh day of Leonidas being asleep, Kara was still very confused about these extreme containment methods being taken.

So, she did the reasonable things… And just asked the ladies.

Aurelia's still-flushed face was all smiles. A smile filled with pure dread. "When Leo wakes up, he'll be well-rested." She had said before dragging the massive chains meant to hold down cargo ships at the port towards Leonidas' room.

Kara was left confused… For about five seconds. Then she and Lah frantically started helping the two girls in sealing the sleeping catastrophe lest he be unleashed on Nirn at full power once more.

And now, he'll be able to rest. Meaning Leonidas will always be at his worst.

Gretel watched the chaos alongside Poopdaggah, sitting by the bed covered in massive chains.

And it was because of that, that she was the first to see it happen.

She saw Leonidas' head turn, his purple flames for eyes focus on her… And then the chains turned into frozen powder.

"Between Heaven and Earth…" The man announced to the horrified room while somehow standing up as he struck a T-Pose, his upper body lifting off the bed by itself, "I alone am…"

He struck a pose, head tilted, gaze lofty, as if he had ascended to Godhood, "...The silliest one."

Silence.

And then- "Woe, Poopdaggah be upon ye'!" Leonidas throws Poopdaggah towards Kara, making the woman screech in fear and disgust.

Said Riekling flew across the room with a fart and a cry of "Bomboclat!" like usual as he latched onto the Second Archmage, who tried to fend off the howling creature.

Aurelia and Hildr stood by the doors, flushed and trembling as Leo descended from the bed like a God stepping within the mortal realm, his arms spread aside as he chanted "Hallelujah… Hallelujah…" Beneath his breath.

"L-Leo… Dear…" Aurelia starts, voice trembling, gaze shy and bashful, but also determined to save people from the unspeakable horrors Leonidas will inflict upon them. "J-Just… Behave, okay?"

This was the same as telling a human being to stop breathing air.

"Aurelia, my beloved…" Leonidas sighs, his voice overflowing with charm and love, instantly making the silver-haired beauty melt.

"Aurelia, don't fall for his charm!" Hildr shouts, but it was too late. The Dragonborn fell before she could put up a proper battle.

Hildr wouldn't fall so easily, though!

So, Leonidas… Turns towards Gretel, "You know, your big sis kept begging me to give her lots of 'puppies'!"

Hildr wails in utter horror, shame and embarrassment while Gretel crumbles to the floor in a fit of wheezing laughter at the reveal of what Hildr's cries of pleasure were.

And like so, Leonidas steps outside the College and takes in a deep breath.

Lah watched him from the side… And decided not to even try, as he could still hear his wife screaming from within the building, followed by the sound of glass shattering and a screaming Riekling getting launched across the Ocean.

So, the almighty Great Sage of Knowledge… Tries and fails to whistle as Leonidas strolls and skips happily towards Winterhold.

And soon, chaos fell upon that poor city.

Seven people went missing, five more were lost at sea, two were left comatose after getting choke-slammed through a table, the floor, and into the wine-cellar below the inn by a so called 'Wombo-combo' from Leonidas and Poopdaggah.

Savos Aren was found crucified within his chambers inside the College, muttering something about 'Masks' and 'Undead' being his greatest trauma.

Poopdaggah was somehow elected as the new Jarl of Winterhold during the whole chaos.

During his starting speech he let out a low, whistling fart that lasted one minute and forty-seven seconds. That was his whole speech.

It received a standing ovation that lasted two hours. Many were left crying. Rumor say it was because of the fart, but it was soon shot down as heresy against the great Poopdaggah.

According to eye-witnesses, Jarl Poopdaggah declared death to all Thalmors and free worship of Talos.

And during the celebrations, Jarl Poopdaggah and his best friend Leonidas disappeared, riding off into the snow.

Thus, we move to a certain crypt.

Sealed away within her cramped prison, Serana stirred. Her throat was parched, each gulp feeling like she was swallowing scorching sand.

She could hear voices. After so long. How long has it even been?

She tried to keep count, once upon a time. Counting seconds, then minutes and hours, then days and months… And then the hunger got worse and she lost count.

She didn't try to pick it back up.

"-must be here-"

"-Lord Harkon will be pleased-"

Harkon? Her father?

Was he looking for her?

"-do about the girl?"

"-cares? Just grab the Scroll-"

"-was told she was a beauty…"

"-want to enjoy her before leaving?"

Serana tried to sneer. She failed, for she was too weak. Of course they were here for the damnable thing on her back.

Of course her father only cared about that. She had hoped… But what did she expect, from the man who ignored the survival of his family after the most horrifying moment of their life, and instead was elated due to the power he earned for it.

It was beyond foolish of her to think he'd change. That he'd start to care.

The voices became clearer as her prison shuddered and seemed to rise.

"-do we open it now? It doesn't react to our blood-"

"-must be some trick-"

"-can't we break in-"

"-too dangerous-"

"-daggah."

"-fair, fair- What the fuck is that-"

Serana stirs when loud, horrid blood-curling screams reach her ears as some kind of creature slaughtered and tore apart her father's servant.

The sheer terror within their voices made her wonder what kind of horror her mother had sealed her away with to make sure she isn't freed… But she was too tired and hungry to care.

That is, until she started feeling cold. Her, a Vampire, feeling cold.

Thick, glowing frost lit up the darkness of her prison, coating the enchanted stone walls completely until they cracked, then shattered loudly.

Light flooded her eyes, making Serana flinch, then grunt as she stumbled forward, falling into a pair of arms that easily catches her.

Slowly, she blinks her eyes open and-

"Hey, you. You're finally awake."

...Why was an Undead holding her?

And why was there a Riekling drenched in blood looking at her over his shoulder?

A.N. And so, Serana is finally here, ready to be bullied and suffer under Leonidas' presence.

Not really, she'll absolutely adore his antics.

Also yes, I decided not to write the smut scene in the end, might write it when the chapter becomes public though, who knows!

Either way, hope y'all enjoyed this chappy!

Toodles!