I, Draugr Chapter 49

Rubble and dust cascade down his muscular, injured form as he stands, a heavy grunt flowing past his bloodied and chapped lips as he does so.

Tilting his head, Deinmaar spits out a glob of blood before rolling his aching shoulders.

Despite the fact that his body was covered in darkening bruises, he couldn't stop the excitement that flowed through his veins. The pure, exhilarating adrenaline.

The satisfaction of a proper contest of might against might.

Far ahead of him, the remains of a crumbled building burst apart, revealing the dust-covered form of Ysgramor, equally covered in bruises but still standing tall and proud.

Though, his large and long beard couldn't hide the massive grin on the ancient Atmoran's face.

"It has been a long time since I've exchanged blows with a proper Atmoran." The First Man chuckles deeply, closing his eyes and breathing in through his nostrils, "It makes me nostalgic."

Standing tall, Deinmaar breathes in, "I've been told about your great achievements." Albeit he found the… Genocide of the Snow Elves extreme, Deinmaar knew that accomplishing such a feat with just an army five-hundred strong was something no one could replicate.

"Great achievements, huh?" The titan of a man sighs out, his eyes opening to show how distant and lost they were.

"My boy…" The First Man starts, turning to fully regard the younger Atmoran before him, "Learn how to control your anger. Never take actions that are fueled by it."

Deinmaar breathes in, feeling his lungs cool down from that breath, "...Do you regret it?"

Ysgramor hums softly, "I regret many things." Turning his head, the giant gazes at another distant battlefield in the now ruined city, "I regret making my brothers and sisters stain their hands and blades in the blood of young and old alike."

"I regret being unable to grant them a warrior's death."

"And I regret…" His gaze, once more, flicks towards a distant battlefield where two terrifying Mages were clashing against one another. "I regret not helping a good brother of mine."

Slumping, Deinmaar lowers his head and chuckles softly, "I guess we are really alike." His brother risked his life to bring him out of that graveyard. He risked everything, all just to open the eyes of a fool stuck in the past.

And yet, until now, there was nothing he could do to offer his brother some form of relief. He couldn't give him back sleep, or the sense of taste, or the sense of touch.

Deinmaar would gladly trade away these things so to give them to Leonidas, but he knew the man would turn such things down.

Shanking his head, Ysgramor stands tall once more, muscular shoulders squaring up and rippling with suppressed strength, "Enough talking, my boy. Let us finish this." He declares as his right hand stretches out, and distant rubble bursts apart as Wuuthrad flies back in the titan's grasp.

Deinmaar breathes in and narrows his eyes, his own massive blade flying back into his grasp with but a tug of his Magicka attached to the Enchantment on the weapon's handle.

Smirking, the First Man rests his massive legendary weapon on his broad shoulders, "Come, my boy." He beckons with one hand, "Grant me a death befitting a warrior."

No more words were wasted as both Atmorans launched themselves at each other with weapons raised and readied to kill.

Ysgramor raises Wuuthrad high above his head and hacks it down like a guillotine blade, the very air condensing and booming around the edge of the war-ax that was swiftly super-heated.

While Deinmaar, instead… Turned his lateral slash into a stab at the very last second.

Both blades strike true, with one sinking deep into Deinmaar's left shoulder, while another pierced straight through Ysgramor stomach.

The titan of a man staggers and chokes out blood, but his eyes gain a gentle light as his grip trembles around Wuuthrad's staff.

Staring down at the young Atmoran before him, Ysgramor saw someone else.

He saw a young boy. His young boy. The young boy he thought he lost at sea during a storm, right after he fled the burning Saarthal.

"Why didn't you finish it…?" Ysgramor asks softly, not showing any of his feeling or inner thoughts.

Deinmaar hisses softly from the pain of having his shoulder cleaved open, but then smiles up at the giant in front of him, "You still have one last regret to take handle, no?"

Slowly, the great blade is wrenched out of Ysgramor's stomach, with the titan barely letting out a grunt of pain as blood overflows out of the gaping wound.

Chuckling, he uses his free hand to pat Deinmaar's good shoulder as he frees Wuuthrad from the other, "You've made me proud, my boy." Slowly, the titan turns and starts moving away as Deinmaar crumbles to his knees.

Panting, the former Dragon Priest perks up when the sound of approaching footsteps registers to his ears. He turns his gaze to the ruined street, and allows himself to smile and relax when he notices Aurelia approach, a tired Hildr slumped over her back and being carried by the pale woman.

Ysgramor regards the new arrivals with a smile, then closes his eyes in mourning, "You have my thanks for granting my people a proper death, young lady."

Aurelia blinks at the titan, her eyes widening when she realizes who might be standing before her before she lightly bows her head, "They were incredible warriors and fought to the very end."

Ysgramor grins and rests Wuuthrad on his shoulder, uncaring of his injury, "Not even a scratch on you… Oh, I am going to tease them so badly in Sovngarde!" Turning around and laughing loudly, the giant starts walking away as he waves his free hand over his shoulder, "It was a pleasure meeting you all, children!"

Aurelia watched the titan leave as she crouches down next to Deinmaar, her Restoration Magic flaring to life and swiftly healing all of his bruises and internal damage with ease.

"He is going where Leonidas is." Hildr tiredly points out, her lone eye droopy, as if she'd fall asleep at any moment.

Deinmaar nods quietly, then moves to stand, "Let us handle the remaining chains first."

That's when a hand comes to rest on top of his head and smash him back down on the ground.

"First you get healed." Aurelia commands, eyes sharp and cold.

Deinmaar shudders and nearly whimpers, then obediently sits down on the ground.

"Y-yes, ma'am…"

~~XXX~~

Something about being so, so damn tired has made me an absolute crash out.

I've always been a bit… crazy, and I've always been willing to fuck around and find out with a Daedric Prince.

But threatening them with they Nymic? Oh boy, that's a new thing even for me.

I want my nappy time, goddamn it!

"You are playing a dangerous game, mortal." The towering avatar of Mehrunes Dagon growls out, embers and flames flowing past his lips to show his anger.

I shrug, "And you can deepthroat my bone, homie." I hold back on snapping Ahzidal's neck, because I know it'll have dangerous consequences, "Also, I am not much of a 'mortal'."

Mehrunes Dagon narrows his eyes and crouches low, his glowing gaze focused sharply on me, "So… You have realized what you are, Dreamer."

So the Daedric Princes have known all this time, huh? Or perhaps they had an inkling.

I've only started piecing things together after Sheogorath attached a piece of his Realm to me.

That's… Something that, normally, isn't possible. Gates to Realms outside of Nirn can be opened, but bringing one such Realm and superimposing it on Nirn? Yeah, that's impossible.

But not for me.

I am… Different. Those laws don't affect me, hence I can forcefully connect two Realms together even when the laws of Nirn are against it.

By being the anchor, I can do such actions that even Daedric Princes can't.

Which makes me believe that the one that sent me here, to Skyrim… Was myself all along.

Can I travel between Realities? Can I connect myself between them? So many questions…

"Then you know of what I am capable off." The Daedric Prince pursues his lips, his face scrunching up in barely restrained fury and indignation.

"I am sure all the other Daedric Princes have their gaze set on us right now." I lift my head to better stare at him, free hand on my hip, "I just need two seconds to scream out your full Nymic for them to hear and memorize."

"Two seconds I can easily buy by abusing the colossal amounts of Magicka around here." The darkness below me bubbles and expands, ready to move the moment the Daedric Prince tries to strike at me.

Here his powers are limited. I am sure he is still bullshit powerful, but he can't manipulate Reality as this isn't his Realm of existence where he is an almighty God.

Mehrunes clenches all of his hands into tight, trembling fists as he glares down at me, "I need assurance."

"Oh?"

"I need assurance that you will not share my Nymic with the other Princes." His gaze flicks towards Ahzidal, then towards the Eye of Magnus. Something clearly happens and changes, as I feel the shivering Ahzidal choke and quiver within my grasp, his eyes becoming lost as he stops his struggles.

"I will not unless you force me, or renege on our deal." I state, turning to stare back at the towering Daedric Prince's Avatar, "I understand the enormity of the disaster it may cause if I do so."

Mehrunes Dagon visibly relaxes at my words, and allows himself to let out a slow breath of clear relief, "Very well then. I will not open try to open anymore Oblivion Gates for as long as you exist." With that, the titanic avatar stands and seems ready to leave.

"Say…" I start, making the Daedric Prince pause and throw me a confused look, "You wanna jump Molag Bal sometimes?"

The Avatar disappears in the blink of an eye.

Pussy.

"Only my boy Sheogorath's got the balls to put that bitch in a choke-hold." I sigh, then turn towards the dangling Ahzidal in my grasp, "Now, what to do with you?"

I consider just shattering him into ice crystals, but I pause when I hear the loud sound of heavy footsteps approaching.

"May I request you release him?" I turn my head to regard the speaker, a towering titan of a man taller than even Deinmaar, covered in bruises and with a gaping stab wound in his stomach.

"Ysgramor, I take?"

The titan chuckles softly and nods, "The one and only." Within one of his hands lay the massive Wuuthrad too, whole and not broken. "You must be Deinmaar's friend."

Slowly, I lay the hollow Ahzidal down, "Looks like you two had fun." Ysgramor chuckle turns into loud, roaring laughter.

"Indeed! He is a proper Atmoran." Stepping close, the titan slams Wuuthrad down right beside me, "Here; I leave this to you. Find someone worthy of wielding it."

"Someone worthy of leading people with it."

I release Ahzidal's throat and step back with a low sigh, my hand grips the handle of the heavy and massive war-ax for a short moment before I lift it up and move to step away, "Your boat still stands. It has been turned into a hall that now houses incredible and proud warriors."

Ysgramor stops momentarily at my words, and his shoulders grow less tense, and more relaxed, "I see… You have my thanks." I nod, then take a few steps away before turning around.

I watch as Ysgramor stops before the kneeling and slumped form of Ahzidal, who just stares at the ground with an empty gaze.

Until a sword is tossed before him, "Pick it up." Ysgramor commands, and Ahzidal trembles.

The shorter old man lifts his gaze and watches as Ysgramor turns around and puts some distance between them, "My lord…"

"Lord?" Ysgramor scoffs, "We are brothers, you fool." The other longsword he had in his hold is raised and pointed at Ahzidal, "Pick up that sword and come at me."

Ahzidal's eyes widen in understanding, "Ysgramor, I'm unworthy of granting you the death you deserve!" Desperate and hysterical, Ahzidal throws the sword on the ground away and all but kowtows towards the giant Atmoran, "Just kill me! For what I've done to you and the others!"

Ysgramor snarls and stomps on the ground, causing a miniature earthquake that has Ahzidal whimper, "You think I give a fuck about dying a proper warrior's death!?"

The titan roars, face scrunched in pure fury, "You think our brothers and sisters cared!?"

"Sovngarde is but a hall! We wild man and women can party even in the wilds as long as we are together, you fool!" The blade in Ysgramor's grasp starts trembling as he keeps it aimed at Ahzidal, "Like we've done countless times, after countless victories! Have you forgotten, Félagi?!"

Ahzidal stirs at being called with his real name, his eyes overflowing with tears clenching shut, his teeth gritting to the point of cracking and his hands balled up into trembling fists.

"I have failed you, brother… Just like you failed me." Ysgramor whispers, booming voice now quiet and comforting, "I could have stopped after I avenged Saarthal and my people… But you kept whispering venomous words in my head, rousing my hate and anger, further fueling that mad revenge of yours…"

"I saw it. I was aware of it. We all were… Yet we never tried to help you."

I watch the scene and sigh softly, then move towards the discarded sword to pick it up. I turn it in my hands, then walk towards Ahzidal and offer it to him.

His trembling eyes follow the blade all the way up to me, "You should do it." I suggest, confusing the deranged old man.

Slowly and with trembling hands, he takes the offered sword, "The Ahzidal I know off is different." I state, releasing the sword and turning around to walk back towards Wuuthrad.

"Your whole life has been wasted away for useless, foolish revenge." I rest a hand against the pole of Wuuthrad, "At least make sure that your death is worth something. If not for yourself, at least for the one you respect the most."

I shouldn't care about the type of ending this deranged man has, but… Deep down, I wish for him to at least have some solace.

Because if I were to lose myself… I'd wish to be granted some solace in my final moments.

I know I've been cutting it close, and I've only been hanging onto a slip of sanity thanks to Aurelia and Hildr and my feelings for them, but I've also allowed myself to get slack.

Because of Deinmaar, Kara and Lah's presence, I've started believing that it'll be fine even if I lose myself, as they can put a stop to me before it gets bad.

It is utterly foolish of me to think like that.

Ysgramor remains quiet as he watches Ahzidal slowly stand, then breathe in. The old man uses his sleeve to wipe at his face before finally meeting the gaze of his lord, "I accept your duel… Brother."

I cross my arms and lean back, and Ysgramor looks towards me, "I'll leave my boy in your care." I pause at that.

Does he mean that Deinmaar is-?!

I don't have time to question his words as the two ancient men launch themselves at each other.

There is no clash, no mighty battle of skill and strength.

Just their blades going through each other's hearts in a decisive strike.

Ahzidal shudders and breathes out, "P-Please…" I hear him wheeze softly, "Don't let them destroy the Towers…"

His form slumps soon after, life having left his eyes, which are soon closed by Ysgramor.

The titan of a man throws me a light, content smile before closing his own eyes… And he died just like that. Standing tall.

What a fucking chad.

"May you find peace in death."

[A Grand Soul (Titan) has been absorbed!]

[A Grand Soul (Enchanter) has been absorbed!]

My first Grand Souls?! And two of them at the same time?!

[Grand Soul]

The powerful, ancient Soul of a living legend who has left their mark in history, or shaped it completely.

These mighty Souls each hold a unique characteristic related to who owned it.

These Souls can either be used to massively empower a fitting Spell, or devoured to gain the knowledge of the Soul's owner.

So they are nearly as insane as Dragon Souls, huh? No wonder it's so hard to find them, as only beings like Kara or around her level may have such Souls.

I guess I can use the Titan one to massively empower my Juggernaut Spell, while for Ahzidal… Is it worth learning how to Enchant? I've been meaning to, but I just gave up on it due to me getting more and more tired, so I focused on what I already had.

But this is Ahzidal's knowledge that I am talking about. There probably is no better Enchanter other than him.

Something to think about later.

I grab Wuuthrad and lift it up, then turn back towards the Eye of Magnus just in time to see the last chain be shattered.

The colossal orb lights up even more just as the sky starts cracking and falling apart. And so does the ruined city.

The Eye of Magnus releases a colossal pulse of Magicka that erases the Pocket Dimension as it expands, and I turn to glance back at the corpses of Ysgramor and Ahzidal just as it sweeps past.

The corpses disappear, but I find myself standing in an empty, destroyed street in a dark and massive cave.

Around me, the ruins of Saarthal stretch forth everywhere underground, while the glowing and free Eye of Magnus pulses and thrums with constant waves of Magicka that sweep in all directions, possibly around Nirn too.

"Leo!" I perk up and turn, then relax when I see Aurelia and Deinmaar approach, a tired Hildr slumped over Aurelia's back.

Deinmaar is holding the upper parts of his armor under one of his arms, and he does look quite a bit disheveled, but Aurelia probably healed him.

Aurelia instead just looks a bit tired and wary, but no worse for wear, "Glad to see you are all good."

I turn to Hildr and gently cup her cheek in one hand as she smiles sweetly at me, "You shouldn't have pushed yourself so much…"

Her smile doesn't falter as she pushes her cheek deeper into my palm, "It's to make you sleep. Worth it." Gods, I adore her so much…

"Well, I guess our job here is done, then?" I state, tilting my head to stare at the woman standing behind the trio, making them all jump and turn to face her.

Vaermina's avatar smiles at us, her eyes two empty voids. Her appearance is that of an old lady now, hunched over in her black robes and leaning on a staff, "Indeed. You've kept up your end of the deal."

Despite the growing exhilaration within me, I still remain tense, "There's no hidden poison in this reward, is there?"

Vaermina laughs softly, "Please, I'd rather not have to deal with Sheogorath more than I have to." The old lady slowly steps closer, "I promise upon my name that your rewards are free of any binding contracts and schemes."

I mull over it for a bit, before just throwing caution out of the window, "Fuck it. Hit me with it." Vaermina chuckles, then points a finger towards me.

And suddenly, my mental exhaustion somehow feels physical too. My 'eyelids' feel heavy. As heavy as a mountain.

I have no chance to resist. Months of exhaustion hit me in the face with the most vicious haymaker in existence.

And everything goes dark.

….

Aurelia felt like crying at the scene before her, as Deinmaar slowly helps Leonidas' slumped form down on the ground of the ancient ruins.

"He will be asleep for a while. Days, even." Vaermina informs them gently, "Just patiently wait for him to get his rest."

Aurelia sniffs, crouching down so Hildr could sit down beside the finally sleeping man, both of their eyes moist with tears.

"Thank you." Aurelia states towards the Prince's elderly Avatar, who just smiled and shook her head.

"It is I who should thank you." The Goddess states, her void-like gaze flicking upward, towards the pulsing giant orb that is the Eye of Magnus. "Now, state your rewards."

Hildr chews on her lower lip, then reaches towards Aurelia to grab her hand and pull her closer, "Could we possibly enter his Dreams?"

Vaermina blinks at the request, clear surprise on her Avatar's aged face, "You'd use your reward for that?" She asked, glancing at both Aurelia and Hildr.

The two smiled warmly at each other, then nodded at the Daedric Prince, fully determined.

"Very well then, do lay down." Vaermina instructs with a nod, "You will wake up after a full night's sleep, so make that time count." Both ladies nod and move to lay down beside Leonidas' slumped form.

Deinmaar smiled down at them, "I'll take care of things on this side." He reassures them just as the Goddess waves her hand and puts them to sleep.

"What about you, then?" Deinmaar perks up, his smile not faltering one bit.

"I am looking for someone." He states softly and directly.

Vaermina nods, "And I may know where that someone is."

Hope fills Deinmaar's chest, only for the Goddess to squash it, "But you lack the strength to save her now… For she is a prisoner of Hermaeus Mora within his Realm."

A bony finger reaches forward and taps Deinmaar on his forehead, and his gaze grows lost.

For but a moment, he looked within the depths of Apochrypha.

And there, at the peak of its highest pillar, was a pale white-haired woman bound in glowing purple chains.

Her eyes were closed, and her face seemed stained with tears as she lay there limply.

Deinmaar nearly shattered his teeth from how hard he was gritting them, his heart burning at the sight of the woman he yearns and loves deeply being bound in chains.

"Why does he have her…?" Deinmaar growls out, restraining himself from shouting at the Daedric Prince before him.

"You know well why, boy." The Goddess chides, "She was a student of Solomon…"

"The knowledge she holds, which has been passed down from her teacher, is something that Hermaeus Mora yearns and thirsts for."

Deinmaar scowls, before releasing a long breath and slumping down, "Thank you, Lady Vaermina."

The elderly lady bows her head, then turns away, "I shall take my leave now." The Atmoran nods and leans back as the Prince's avatar vanishes just like that.

His mind wanders back to that accursed sight, and his hands clench into trembling fists.

Only for his focus to snap someplace else as his sharp instincts and senses detect something off. "I know you are there." He states, standing tall and protectively over his three slumbering friends.

His gaze turns down the ruined road, where space seems to shimmer momentarily, before finally revealing three figures.

The leading figure in golden and red robes, an Altmer, raises his hands in a calming gesture, "Peace, we mean you no harm."

Deinmaar sniffs, his greatsword flying withing his grasp the very next moment, "The Psijic Order, I presume?"

The trio pauses, clear surprise on their faces, "...Were you expecting us?" The leading Altmer questions, apprehension visible on his face.

Deinmaar nods his head towards his slumbering brother, "My brother predicted you'd come for the Eye of Magnus." The trio tenses up even further, "Leave, and I will act as if I've seen nothing."

The leading Altmer chews on his lower lip momentarily, "Apologies, but that cannot be done-" His words choke when Deinmaar stomps forward, his very presence instantly suffocating them, "W-We don't need to resort to violence! The Eye! It is too dangerous to-"

"I don't care." Deinmaar shuts the Altmer in golden robes down with a sharp stare, "I trust my brother unconditionally, so whatever he does with this Artifact, I shall follow."

Quaranir shares a look with his two companions, their gazes tense and nervous, but also determined. Resigned, Quaranir releases a deep sigh as he calls upon his Magicka, "My apologies for this-"

The ceiling of the cave is suddenly torn apart, causing the light of the sun to rain down and light up the scorched ruins of Saarthal.

Quaranir tenses, but he was too late to act.

A minute woman appears between his two companions and snaps her fingers, causing them to explode and vanish without a trace.

"Man, Skelly-boy must be an Oracle!" Kara exclaims, a relaxed and chilling smile on her face as she reaches forward to poke Quaranir. "Piss off, mate."

The Altmer vanishes just like that, and Deinmaar blinks and tilts his head, "Was it necessary to kill them?" He questions as the flapping of wings rings out, with Lah's massive form slowly descending from the opening in the cave's ceiling.

"Best to send a message, can't risk them coming back over and over again after all." Kara points out, before glancing at the sleeping at the sleeping trio behind Deinmaar. Her expression softens and grows warm at the sight, "I'm glad to see that he is finally resting…"

Lah stomps closer, his gaze focused on the floating Eye of Magnus, "I can feel the changes happening already… The crippling effect on all Mages should vanish within a few years, at most."

Kara grins at the news, then falters momentarily, "Yeah, but…"

"Where the fuck are we gonna hide that damn thing…?"

….

They awoke with a start, right next to each other.

Hildr was the first to shoot up to her feet, her lone eye wide as she swiftly gazed around, taking in the sight of the massive lake in front of her surrounded by a forest.

Aurelia sits up next and blinks a few times, then perks up when Hildr points at the other side of the lake, "There's a house there. Maybe Leo is there?"

They both sit up and start moving around the lake, with Hildr inspecting every little thing she sees, "I don't recognize these trees… Or the birds."

Aurelia nods in agreement as she listens to the bird cries, "Yes, their cries sound different… Could this be Leo's homeland?"

Hildr hums, the narrows her lone eye, "Now that you mention it… Isn't this place familiar? He spoke about it to us, when we were on the wall that night." Aurelia pauses, then takes in the scenery once more.

"His vacation home…" She mumbles aloud, having been told about such a place the night she and Leo confessed each other's feelings.

A home he used to go to when he was young, each summer. He used to spend hours fishing in the lake, or swimming in it. He loved the peace and quiet of it.

When they reached the strange but large house, Hildr took the lead in knocking first, but a loud splashing sound made them share a look.

So instead they walked around the house and to the back, where stairs lead to a wooden bridge built upon the waters of the lake.

"'Relia… Look." Hildr points towards some discarded clothes on the bridge.

A very familiar mask and set of armored robes.

Aurelia instantly became flustered, her pale face going as red as a tomato.

And that's when the water by the bridge splashed once more as a figure lifted himself out of the water, "Fuck yeah, I at least can feel stuff in my dreams!" The man sighs happily as he stands tall on the wooden bridge.

His hands dragged along his face, then brushed his shoulder-length bright golden hair back, while droplets of water dripped down his muscular and bare chest.

The man turned, a satisfied grin on his face, revealing nearly glowing purple eyes- That instantly snapped wide open when he caught sight of Hildr and Aurelia.

Aurelia had by now covered her burning face with her hands, but kept her fingers open so to shamelessly stare with quivering eyes at the man before her.

Hildr instead was also blushing darkly, but had a wide and lecherous grin on her face that showed off her fangs.

Leonidas blinks a few times, looks down at his state of undress… Then shamelessly grins and strikes a pose in front of the ladies.

Aurelia screams and flips around.

Hildr instead? She pounces.

Leonidas is the one to scream then.

A.N. Soo… Do y'all want lewds next chapter? I might write the lewds, but I won't post them on , so y'all will have to wait for the QQ/FF release for them.

Or, I could just write diabetes inducing sweetness.

Also, next chapter will finally have Serana appear!

I've also revealed how the Multicross travels will happen, which will happen in maybe a dozen or so chapters, give or take.

Either way, hope y'all enjoyed this chappy!

Toodles!