Benevolence

by Tombstone5150

A different take on the last Dragonborn's life. How an orphan came to be one of the most powerful beings in existence. Stalked by ill-fate from birth. He struggles to gain the power needed to overcome impossible odds, and find his place in the world. Legend foretold he was destined to save. But not all legends are true, and some prophecies are only meant to give false hope.

1. 1 Benevolence

Just a quick note, this story will go back to the beginning and tell how the Dragonborn came to be what he is now. Before continuing from this point. It was just easier to give everyone an overview of some of the stories aspects.

The premise is: What would you do if you found out that the prophecies weren't telling the real story? How would you go about stopping them? Having to overcome horrendous things set against you by vengeful gods.

The Dragonborn found a way, at great personal cost. Now we join our story, already in progress...

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1. Benevolence

It was a day unlike any to pass before, or ever will again.

The sky cloud over, the strange glowing storm covered the entire planet. Even on the inside of every dwelling, on every continent, and in every province. An otherworldly fog appear to create a low ceiling, that shimmer and glow with a strange light. As if it was a window to the fabled Atherius itself.

The mist swirl, and images started to form on the surface. Showing the entire world, the last Dragonborn's battle against the forces of Alduin. Firstborn of Akatosh, and the Dragon-god of destruction. Who was fated to devour the world at the end of days.

Even the unsighted were gifted visions of the battle being waged in this realm, and the next. The message seemed clear, Akatosh; the Aedric god of time and creation and chief of the divines. Made sure that every sentient creature watched his last born, fight his first. For what prophecy foretold was the very survival of their world.

Although as it often is with unknowable beings, things are not entirely as they would appear...

...and so, the Aedra in Atherius. The people and creatures of Nirn. Even the so-called 'evil' Daedric Princes deep in the planes of Oblivion. Watched their last hope, as he fought his way through Alduin's army of dragons and undead guardians.

Unknown to the mortals, however. It was the Daedra who had a more personal interest in the Dragonborn.

Deep in an unmarked crypt, long forgotten by the ravages of time. The ancient pure-blood vampire Serana Volkihar, was woke from her several thousand year slumber. Unnerved to find herself in her Lord's realm of Coldharbor. A dark and twisted plane of Oblivion, befitting the Daedric Prince of domination.

"I don't understand what happened, did the lack of blood finally consume me?" She whispered to herself as she pushed the black stone door open.

Molag Bal smiled at her from his massive throne. "No child, your physical form is still yet in your prison. But right now our Dragonborn champion fights for you, as well as all of our continued existence. I thought you might wish to see how he fairs. Before we must ask an important favor of you my dear."

He pat the smaller throne next to his own seat of power. As he motioned for a slave to bring them drinks. He wait for Serana to sate her thirst with the fresh blood, before he moved his hand. A black portal opened up at the far end of the room. As images appear on the midnight colored fog.

She watched the images start to move, shifting until the inside of a great castle porch came into focus. A heavily tattoo'd man, dressed in a fur kilt was laughing. While backing away from a dark red dragon, as the massive beast clawed its way deeper into the porch. The dragon snapped its massive jaws, determined to devour the Dragonborn.

Serana wiped a drop of blood from her lips absentmindedly with the tip of her finger. "My Lord, this mortal is your champion? Taunting a dragon, he is either very brave. Or very foolish."

"Both, and neither." Molag Bal watched her from the corner of his eyes. "Besides my child. He is hardly mortal, and that is precisely where the problem lay."

Serana's interest was peaked, as she watched the man speak with the dragon. Now caught in a trap on the great porch. She could see his tattoo's clearly now. They were mostly Daedric runes, and cover scars that were caused by burns. The twisted flesh went down his whole right side. The raised part of the scars, mirrored the flames that must have caused him excruciating pain.

They were both quiet as their Champion had the yellow-clad soldiers release the dragon. Then he climb atop the wyrm and flew off east, toward the rising sun.

Lord Bal spoke softly as they watched him battle his way through the last bastion of Alduin's forces. "My brother first tried to change him to no avail, before bringing the boy to me. But his blood was too powerful for even the both of us to overcome. In the end it took all of us to give him the help he needed."

Serana tore her eyes away from the sight of him fighting an undead dragon priest, next to some kind of portal. "What help could a blessed Dragonborn have need of my Lord?"

Bal smiled at her. "Not just any Dragonborn, but the last son of Akatosh. Yet unlike those that came before him, he was able to see through the lies. His hatred for his father grew, and he needed our help to fight his other side. To keep his dragon nature, from fulfilling the Aedra's vile plans."

Bal waved his hand as their champion jumped into the glowing portal. "We did not tell him of the fate that awaits him. Did not think it fair to reveal the haunting truth to the boy. Akatosh does not forgive disobedience. He will have this world ended, and his revenge at any cost."

The fog flow outward, the images expanding to take up half of the massive room. She could hear clearly now, the sound of the portal's magic and singing? Coming through the fog. Serana sat forward in shock when she saw where the portal had taken him. "Is that Sovengard? How?"

"He is the blood of Akatosh. Which makes him half Aedra, and thanks to my brothers and I. He is now also half Daedra. A true demigod, and beyond a doubt the worst of us." Bal almost sounded sad.

She looked over at her lord to make sure she wasn't hearing things. But a honey-smooth voice from the shadows in the corner of the room made her freeze in place. "Did you not mean, the very best of us brother? Or are you still upset that he broke your shrine?" There was a faint floral scent in the air. The beautiful perfume proceeded the regal form of Azura. The Daedric prince of dawn, dusk, and mother to all roses, stepped forth from the shadow. Her glimmering silver robes flowing behind her, as if there were some unfelt breeze. "If memory serves correctly, it was an accident on his part."

Lord Bal smiled, and actually chuckled. "Yes, sister. It was an accident that happened while doing my bidding no less, and even still he offered to repair it."

Hircine, the Daedric prince of the hunt, and father of man-beasts. Came walking out a second later, with a nod to Serana. "I think what our brother meant, is Dinok has both. The capacity for unquestionable good, or unparalleled darkness. He is that of a hammer, able to create as well as destroy."

Serana thought about what he said for a few seconds, trying to place the meaning of the familiar word. "Dinok... his name is Death?"

Azura gave Serana a nod, and a sad smile. "He has born many names over his few short years on Nirn. But the name to be given by his father, as it were. Is Unahzaal Dinok."

Serana pondered the name, while tapping one nail on her ivory fangs. "Eternal-Death? If he defeats Alduin, he is to become the next world-eater?" She looked around her, at the forlorn faces of the Daedra.

"It is far worse than that, dearest child of night." The voice came from the darkness all around them. The shadows flickered, shifting until the form of Nocturnal stepped into the room. Her regal features twisted into a somber look, as several pitch-black ravens land on her. "He is meant to end the world, all of creation, and then... even time itself." The Prince of darkness and shadow, took her place next to Azura.

"Now you see why we joined forces to help him." Molag Bal told her in a soft voice as he lift her chin up with one of his massive talons. He looked directly in Serana's eyes. "If he does not stand against his father, everything will cease to be."

She blinked, before finding her voice enough to whisper. "He has that much power?" Before they could answer her though, another voice came from everywhere around them.

"Oh, yes child. He does indeed." The raspy voice, preceding a petite older Dunmer woman. Who walked out of the black Oblivion gate, that just appear on the wall to Serana's right. "Powerful enough for my husband to take notice."

"Matron." Bal gave the elderly dark-elf a nod. "Is Sithis to join us as well?"

She frowned for a second, before her face relaxed. "No, he is still angry with me for choosing young Sophie as the Listener, instead of her father." She smirked. "I tried to make him understand that the Dragonborn will never bow to anyone. But at least Dinok allow the child to join my family, without too many conditions."

Nocturnal gave the small Dunmer a half nod, half bow. "The Dread Father never was able to admit when he was outmatched." The raven haired beauty cocked her head, putting one hand on her curvaceous hip as she frowned. "But then the same could be said for the rest of us."

The gray skinned elderly woman laughed. "True, I love my husband dearly. But Sithis has never been willing to admit defeat." She shook her gray-silver locks. "Even when the being in question could destroy the world with a thought, and creation with naught but a whisper."

The sound of their champions voice cut the air of the room, drawing their attention. "I am here to fulfill my destiny as Dragonborn, and come to face Alduin. But I am told I need to seek entry to the Hall of Valor, will you let me pass?"

The figure that stood in front of him was massive. Tsun, shield-thane to the Aedric god Shor, and the Dragonborn barely came up to the sash around his waist. "None may enter without first passing the warriors test." The ethereal figure exclaimed, before unsheathing his great ax. Which was taller than the Dragonborn by almost half.

"I'll not dull my blade on you spirit, I am saving it for when it matters most." The champion declared to Tsun, shortly before the godlike being swung his ax at the smaller man. But the blade stopped just before cleaving his head in half.

Dinok's hand had flashed up and grab the shaft, stopping it short of his silver-white hair. With a grin he pushed the blade aside, causing it to split the stone where it fell. "However, that does not mean I will simply let you win." He ran up the shaft of the ax, kicking Tsun in the face with one bare foot. Then he began to hit Tsun, anywhere he saw an opening. Massive, yes and godlike, maybe. But still apparently slower than the Dragonborn.

To Serana it seemed like over a day had crept by, watching their champion pummel Tsun with his bare hands and feet. Dinok had taken more than a few blows. Almost every part of his body was bruised, and he was cut in too many places to count. The guardian finally relented, once he was down on his back. With his own ax held to his throat. "You have fought well, and with honor. You may cross the bridge warrior."

Dinok reached down with his left hand, pulling the massive form of Tsun up without any effort at all. He hand the guardian back his enormous ax with his right hand, as if it had the weight of a feather. "You are a worthy opponent. When I die, if I am allowed back here. I would welcome a rematch."

He had a cocky smirk on his face when the guardian smiled at him. "It would be an honor, Dragonborn. Now go you and seek the three heroes of old. They shall join you in your fated quest, to strike the wyrm from these lands."

Nocturnal, and Azura shared a small knowing look with each other. When they saw the flushed color of Serana's face, and the panting breaths she was forgetting to hide. As she ran her tongue over her fangs absentmindedly. Azura put a delicate hand on her arm. "Patience child, he must first defeat Alduin. Before you can make plans for your honeymoon."

Serana blushed a deep crimson, looking around at all the smug grins. "Can't a girl appreciate a warrior for his... prowess?"

Nocturnal chuckled. "Oh, absolutely my dear. But you must still be patient. Even if everything unfolds as we wish, it would still be some time. Before you and he could possibly meet. "

"My sister means, it will be some time before the daughter of Coldharbor, meets her Death. As she is foretold to be his salvation." A disgusting mass of tenticles and eyes float through the ceiling. As the Daedric prince of fate and hidden knowledge; Hermaus Mora. Showed up to their little party.

Serana was craning her neck to look up at him. "So he will succeed? Alduin loses?" Her voice had threads of hope in it.

The largest eye blinked slowly at her. "Yes...and..." His silent pause almost mocking her. "...no. To fully understand, you must watch and learn young one."

Serana bit her lip, her sharp ivory fangs digging in to the supple pink flesh. (There is only one 'favor' they could be going to ask. I will have to use my charms to win this champion over, then keep him... 'pliant' to my Lord's wishes. Well at least he's pretty to look at.) She thought to herself as they watched their champion return from Shor's hall.

He and the three ancient spirits stood fast, and challenged Alduin to come out of hiding. They used a shout to clear the mist that doubled as the dragon's soul-snare. When Alduin finally show himself, he was brought down with another shout. His great black wings flailing, as if they could no longer hold him aloft.

Alduin looked at the Dragonborn for a short while, studying the Nord's eyes closely before he spoke. "You have indeed grown strong brother." The great black beast's voice sounded somber, but Serana would swear she saw a smile on the dragons face. "Once again our father's wisdom proves true. He bade me to taunt you to the point of hatred, and it has worked. You have surpassed all who came before you, in your desire to destroy me."

To Serana's ancient eyes, her Champion looked... sad.? Dinok looked down, almost like he was ashamed. "Yes brother, I have mastered weapons that should not even exist. Just to be able to stand against you here." He waved his hand around them at the ethereal plains of Sovengard.

Alduin looked around, as if noticing the beauty of the place for the first time. "Yes, a fitting place for our final battle. Is it not?" There was a flare of light that both the Dragonborn and Dragon-god, looked over at. "Well brother, it seems our destinies are at hand." Alduin spoke with a resigned finality, before lunging at Dinok.

The dragon's teeth were as long as the Nords arm, and just as sharp as the bone white sword the Dragonborn pulled from the scabbard on his back. Serana thought the blade looked like the Akiviri katana her father always carried, except Dinok's was three times longer. Made from some sort of bone, and had an intricate design of silver and gold inlay. That ran the length of the slender blade.

It was a battle for the ages, watched in quiet awe. By beings that were even less mortal, than the very stars themselves.

Thunder echoed throughout Sovengard's ethereal plains, and Serana felt the floor beneath her boots shake. She steadied her goblet, catching it before it fell to the floor. She looked around at the Daedric Princes, but none of them seemed to care.

After what felt to Serana, like weeks had passed during the battle. At long last, their champion managed to land a felling blow on the god of destruction. The force of the strike snapping his blade. Alduin's head lolled to the side, his great red eyes watching his youngest sibling. "I thank you for releasing me brother." His eyes flicked over to something, no one watching could see. "But be wary, there is more than one way to destroy this world." His rumbling voice barely a whisper.

The Dragonborn had tears welling in his eyes, and there was a sad smile on his face. "Aye brother, I truly wish it did not have to come to this."

Alduin smiled, or at least to Serana, it looked like a smile. "Fated brother, 'Dovakiin Los Fin Dovakriid.' (Dragonborn is the dragon-slayer.) You were always meant to be the greatest of us, and my punishment for disobeying father." There was a flash of light again, which they both looked over at sadly. "I go now, I bid you well little brother." Alduin softly spoke, then gently rubbed his bloodied nose on the Dragonborn in resemblance of a hug.

Serana held her breath as she watched ethereal lights start to swirl out of the massive dragon. When they swept up, then toward her champion. She heard him scream as he started backing away in panic. "No,no,no,no, NID!"

The Dragonborn had made it almost to Tsun, before the lights hit him. Flowing around and then into him, as he was lift off the ground. Then a bright ball of light came into view, floating toward him from beyond the dragons stilled form. Now little more than ash and bones.

The heavens trembled as the light spoke. "Foolish child, you have tried to deny your purpose, and only succeeded in corrupting yourself." A bolt of lightning shot from the light, and impact the Dragonborn. Making him go rigid. "You will fulfill your duty as I have command."

The Dragonborn shook his head 'no'. Causing another bolt of lightning to hit him, making Serana flinch and blink her eyes to clear the spots caused by the flash. "After everything you've done? This whole life nothing but misery and pain! Wrought by you! All to make me hate this world enough to destroy it! Well it didn't work father, you failed.!"

Serana turned and looked at her Lord when she heard him mumble. "Cruel as ever, but will it be enough to wake him?" Fearing she would miss this 'awakening'. Serana turned her sun-colored burning eyes, back to the torture of her champion. The whole while her fangs digging into her lip from distress, as her nails dug furrows in the wooden arms of the throne.

"Aah, yes. Your... family." The light chuckled, but it was a cruel sound. "Once you destroy this world, and all those to come after. Then spend a few millennia alone in the void, to atone for your disobedience. I will I consider letting you join those pitiful mortals you called family."

"You fucking bastard!" The Dragonborn screamed. Then Serana thought that the light was getting smaller. Until she noticed that it was actually her champion growing larger. He was no longer hovering. He was now standing, and his muscled form was even taller and wider than Tsun.

A bolt of lightning so bright that Serana had to shield her eyes with her hand, shot into the Dragonborn. "INSOLENCE!" She watched in wonder as an ebony cape unfurled down her champions back. "You will destroy this world UlseGol." The light spoke with absolute confidence.

Her champion stepped forward, sneering at the avatar of Akatosh. "Yes, you have cursed me as 'forever grounded'... flightless, after you tore the sky from me! You took my wings and forced me into this mortal shell. Made me suffer on a whim! Causing me untold misery and pain. An earthbound dragon, cursed to spend eternity doing your bidding."

He stepped closer to the light, which now seemed to vibrate. As his cape flicked outward, expanding into a massive set of wings. They were larger than Alduin's. The right wing was blacker than pitch, and seemed to glow with eerie gold lines that resembled veins. The left wing was pale gold, almost white in color. With black 'veins' running through it. "The benevolent Akatosh, cursed me. Took everything from me, and ruined me. You say I corrupted myself because I asked the Daedra for help. Yet it was the Daedra who gave me wings."

The ball of light was quietly vibrating in rage. The fury emanating from it, almost stifling. Even in Oblivion.

Serana nearly jumped out of her seat when Sanguine, the Daedric Prince of drunken debauchery. Appear in her lap, in his mortal form. He sloshed some of the liquor he was drinking, as he waved his hand at the rest of them. "Aha! Now that was a feat worthy of our newest brother. Wouldn't you say?" He looked around the room at them, then to the side of the chair he had pinned Serana in. "Is that one of the gifts you gave him brother? The ability to piss off the Aedra so bad, they are speechless?"

This time, Serana didn't flinch when Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of madness. Was suddenly leaning on the arm of her chair. The strangely dressed man, smiled. "Nah, our brother had that all along. I just helped with the turning one thing into another thing, with the thing. Though yes, that truly was a feat befitting a prince, or a god."

The honey smooth voice of Azura drew her attention. "Well, he is now both. I simply gave him the push he needed to use his magic more effectively. Along with the gift of foresight." She looked over at the drunken man in Serana's lap. "What about you Sam?"

The drunk laughed, spilling more spirits on Serana. "All I gave him were his tattoo's, and by a Hag-raven's saggy feathered tits. Did it suck to be sober for the four days it took!"

The elderly Dunmer Matron spoke up. "Boethia and Dagon have fashioned clothing and armor befitting his status. While Malacath forged the sword himself, and Vaermina took his dreams from him." She seemed to think on something for a moment. "Although, from what I saw. They were naught but nightmares." She shivered as the horror of Dinok's nightmares ran through her ancient, but once mortal mind.

Nocturnal frowned at the thought of something disturbing enough to rattle the bride of Sithis, lord of death. The Daedric Prince of shadow, shook her ebony locks. "I gave him what I always have, the comfort of darkness."

"The ability to see through lies and smell deceit, was my gift to him." A hissing voice claimed from somewhere above them. As Mephala, the Daedric Prince of plots and betrayal skittered out of a corner. Her half spider, half woman form crawling across the ceiling. To slide down a web behind Serana's chair. "And it has already served him well."

Hiircine laughed. "I gave him, well we gave him." He motioned to Bal as he corrected himself. "The proper form. One befitting our newest brother."

Serana's interest was peaked. "What does he look like when he... changes?"

Bal and Hiircine shared a look before Sam spoke up from her lap. "Why a Dragon of course! Although, he doesn't really stick to that. He uses whatever form will strike the most fear. Brilliant really." He put his finger up to Serana's lips, stopping her from speaking as he pointed at their champion.

"So be It." The voice of Akatosh boomed through the heavens, Nirn, and Oblivion. "I name you, Unahzaal Dinok Tiid. You are now and forevermore damned to walk the plains of time." The ball of light started to flicker as it bobbed away.

Serana watched in awe of her champion, as Tsun himself kneel before him. "Time's Eternal Death. I was told to give you a boon from my Lord Shor. A shout to call heroes of Sovengard in your time of need, but..." The Aedric god now barely half as tall as her champion, shook his head with a chuckle. "We did not see this coming. When you are ready, I will send you back to the land of the living. Where you may begin your... penance."

Dinok smiled at Tsun, and opened his mouth to speak. But before he could, there was a bolt of lightning so bright. Serana had to close her eyes and shield her face with her hands. Swearing to herself that she could feel the searing heat from the bolt, blistering the flawless pale skin.

When she was able to open her eyes again, she saw her champion falling from the heavens. As a constant stream of lightning was forced into him. He looked like a shooting star she had seen when she was just a girl.

The images got closer as he impact the ground, snow and rock flying up from the top of a mountain. He left a crater where he landed, deeper than he is tall. His fur kilt had burned away until there was nothing left but ash on his tattoo'ed and scarred skin. As if he were wearing a pair of ash-gray pants. Splayed out across the snow, was the blackened shape of large wings. As if they were burned to dust by the lightning.

That was all that was shown to the world of mortals, but as I said before. The Daedra had a more personal interest in their newest brother.

When the snow and dirt clear. Serana could see him standing near a massive white dragon. Next to a crying young woman that was glowing with a dim ethereal light. The view was partly obscured by the hale and rainstorm that seemed to be more like buckets of half-frozen water pouring from the blackened sky.

The top of the mountain was covered with dragons, a few of them circling the peak. When he saw the bloody dragon, Dinok roared. The power in his voice shaking the very heavens, and making even the plains of Oblivion tremble from his rage.

As the room shook around her. Serana could see them clearly now, more dragons than she could count. Flew away from the mountain as fast as they could, fleeing the wrath of their new lord.

Dinok stepped over, putting one of his massive hands on the side of the dragons neck. He pulled what looked like a two-handed Akiviri long-blade out of one of the wounds. The sword looked like a mere dagger in his hand, and it shimmer with the light of a magical enchantment. With a hate-filled glare, he whispered and the blade melted into useless slag in his hand from dragon-fire. Then he threw the lump of smoldering steel off the top of the mountain with a flick of his fingers.

His expression softened, as he leaned down to the weeping woman. He gently put his massive hands on her shoulders, to comfort her. "Dearest, sister..." When she looked up, he plant a chaste kiss on her forehead. "Do not despair, all is not lost."

His cape flared out, his massive wings flapping lazily. He lift off the top of the mountain, over forty feet. "Paarthurnax, my friend, my teacher, my brother. I call to you, come back from Atherius. Your time is not yet spent. Slen Tiid Vo!" With his words came ethereal light, like what he absorbed from Alduin. Except flowing from the ground, and then into the still form of the white dragon. Serana sat forward in her seat, watching intently. As the dragons wounds healed, and it took a deep shuddering breath.

The young woman stood, wrapping her arms around the dragons neck. As the rain stopped, and the clouds parted to bring the light of the sun to the peak of the mountain. With a final loving pat on the dragons cheek, she turned to face the Dragonborn. "Brother..." Serana could see tears in her glowing blue eyes, but they seemed to be tears of joy. "I thank you for bringing my oldest friend back to me." When the woman looked up, she gasped. Then quicky kneel before him. "Apologies, Prince of Balance. I was so lost in my grief, I had not noticed. I meant no disrespect."

The Dunmer matron laughed. "Even Kyne knows better than to invoke his wrath."

Serana looked over at her. "Kyne? As in thee Kyne? Aedric Goddess of rain, wind, and sky?"

The old mer's black eyes crinkled up, as she smiled at Serana. "Yes, one of the few Aedra he respects, and doesn't hate."

"Or try to kill." Azura quietly stated, with a hint of sarcasm.

Dinok's wings folded up to resemble a cape again, his large form dropping back to the bloody snow. He reached out and lift her from her kneeling position with one finger under her chin. He gave her an adoringly apologetic look. "Sister, you of all our siblings need never fear me." She gave him a sheepish smile, as she cast her gaze down. Tears starting to sparkle in her glowing eyes. "I have known your kindness since before father took the sky from me, and never once doubted your sincerity or the beauty of your work."

The two ethereal beings turned to look at the three older men in gray robes, that just entered the clearing. "Your master is whole again, and I will repay the Blades for their treachery." Kyne put her hand up, resting it on Dinok's chest. Her sapphire eyes had grown hard, and there was a questioning look on her face. He seemed to know what she wanted without the words needing to be spoken.

He gently stroked the back of his hand down her cheek. Wiping a stray tear from her face with his thumb. "I think not sister, stay with Paarthurnax. It has been too long since you spoke, and I do not wish for you to witness the darker side of me." He looked over at the old men briefly. "The Graybeards have followed your teachings for many years. I am sure that they would relish the chance to meet their patron."

The old men slowly took their hoods down, eyes going wide. As they realized who was standing next to the Dragonborn. They quickly dropped to their knees, bowing their heads to the snowy ground. "Goddess Kynereth! Please forgive us for looking upon your beauty, we meant no transgression." The one in the front spoke with reverence, but no fear.

"Where is Master Borri?" Dinok whispered as he took a half step toward them. The mountain trembled as his eyes hardened, the possible reasons for the man in question's absence. Running through his mind in a mortal heartbeat.

The leader spoke again. "He is recovering from injuries suffered at the hands of the Blades, Dragonborn. He was up here in study when they attacked, there were more than he could defend against. We believe he will heal in time." He aged eyes looked over to his right, as a red dragon land. Serana recognized it as the one who flew her champion to the isolated fortress of Alduin.

The dragon lowered his head to the snow in a bow. "Hail, Dinok Thuri." He kept his head low until he got a response.

Dinok waved his hand for the dragon to rise. "Rise Odahviing, I am more than satisfied with your service." When the dragon lift his head, he continued. "A simple nod will do brother."

Odahviing shook his head, as if disagreeing. "But you are Thur now." He cocked his massive head. "I also see that your power has awakened, allow me to be the first of the Dov to bid you welcome; Prince of Balance." The dragon bow again, making the Grey-beards look up confused.

Dinok waved his hand at Odahviing again. "Thank you, but I have no need of supplicants brother. I do not wish to see you, or any of our kin. Bow before anyone." He looked up at the sky, then back to the dragon. "Tell me brother, how would you feel about serving as my General? I have need of those I can trust by my side."

Odahviing smiled, squinting his eyes in a mock glare. "Would you be asking just so I will fly you everywhere?" The dragon let out what sounded like an indignant huff.

Kyne smiled, and shook her head as Dinok laughed. "Well...I do not know of another that can match your speed." The smirk on his face was unmistakable. "Our first task is to stop by Skuldafn and speak of plans. Then pay a visit to the Blades, and find out why they thought murdering our brother would go unpunished."

Odahviing let out a dark ominous chuckle. "These Blades believe themselves dragon slayers, it is time we teach them the folly of such assumptions." The dragon lowered his head, allowing Dinok to climb atop him. He balanced on his feet, as the dragon shot into the sky with a flurry of snow. Flying around the peak once before heading off toward the east.

Serana looked around the room at the Immortal beings gathered. "So... He is the last Dragonborn meant to end the world, all of time and even creation itself. Champion to the Daedra, and now the Daedric Prince of Balance. Who's apparently so powerful that the Goddess Kyne is afraid to look him in the eyes, and his daughter is the Listener for the Dark Brotherhood?"

She got nods, and smiles from them before she spoke again. "What is it you all expect me to do? What could I possibly have that he wants?" She chewed on her lip for a second, the childish habit never lost from when she was mortal. "He's already got a family, and he's a blessed God-Prince. Am I to be his consort? Just a mistress to warm his bed?" Her frustration evident in her voice.

Bal smiled down at her, turning her back to face him when she looked away in shame. "He has no living family, only the mortal children he has adopted out of kindness."

"And to remind himself why he fought his father." Azura stated softly.

Serana looked down at the floor. "I know I have used my charms to seduce men before my lord, but..."

There was a flare of light from the far wall, as one of the torches sparked and fluttered. Serana looked at the growing flames and started to worry. The Dunmer woman put a gentle hand on the arm that wasn't pinned by the drunken 'Sam'. "Be calm child, state nothing but truth and you will be fine."

There was a gout of flame that leapt out of the torch, arcing over and landing on the floor near them. From the puddle of what looked to Serana like liquid death. Out stepped a Flame Elemental or Flame Atronach, depending on the depth of your education. The living woman of flame and liquid rock, walked over to stand in front of Serana. Which confused Serana, do to the constant 'floating' of all other Elemental's.

She looked like a tall woman, made of blue flame. With a gown of yellow flame, that flow around her stride as if the rules of the world didn't apply to her. The other confusing part, was this Elemental wore a crown. It looked like it was made of blood, and constantly 'dripping' upward. Like an impossibly eternal, and upside-down waterfall of dark-red blood that glow with a golden light.

She stood there with her head cocked. Looking at Serana like she was studying her. It seemed like an age had passed to the worried vampire. Before the Elemental Queen waved her hand, and a smaller Elemental stepped forth from the flames. The younger Atronach walked on two legs, and was blue with a yellow dress as well. There was a small circlet on her brow, that looked like it was made of the same glowing blood as the taller ones crown. She stopped just in front of Serana's chair, giving the ancient vampire a bow.

The two Elemental's looked at Sanguine and Sheogorath. Both getting the hint, and moving to the other side of Bal's throne in the blink of an eye. The smaller and obviously younger Elemental, stepped forward looking at Serana intensely. She turned to the taller one and cupped her flaming hands over her mouth. The whisper was unheard by Serana, but the whole palace shook.

With a nod, the older Elemental stepped forward, putting her hands on the shoulders of the young one. To Serana they looked like mother and daughter. "You are the one foretold to keep Bo's darkness at bay?" The regal Queenly voice coming from the Elemental startled Serana, making her unable to respond. The Elemental frowned at her when she didn't answer.

Bal spoke up. "We had not asked the favor of her yet, Queen of fire."

The Elemental Queen cocked her head as she studied Serana. "Then I will leave you to it, after I have made my point clear." She gave the Daedric princes a nod of respect, then turned her attention back to the worried vampire. "Bo is unlike any being I have encountered in my eighty-six thousand year existence. He saved my life, and gave me my crown. Allowing me to be the first of my kind to bear a child."

Serana looked from the Queen down to her daughter, the fire-princess was watching her intently. She returned her gaze to the child's mother. "If I may ask, how did he save your life, and how did he do... well any of that?"

The Queen smiled at her, the liquid rock that made up her mouth twisting up at the corners. "I was summoned by a very cruel mortal. This Vigilant of Stendar would torture me to death on this plane, then summon me again to continue his... practice." Serana smiled as the princess took her mothers hand to offer her comfort.

The Queen continued with a serene look on her face, as her flaming eyes looked off into the past. "I managed to escape the binding circle he used when the blizzard hit. So I followed the song of the only fire I could find in that cold snow-packed plain. I saw a young man sitting at his camp, cooking his meal. I expected him to attack me, which would have sent me back. I had taken three ice-spikes to my chest, and two to my leg."

Serana's eyes widened slightly, she used ice-spikes in combat and knew how much damage they could do.

The tall Elemental nod to Serana, letting her know that it had indeed been as painful as she thought. Then she continued her story. "At first I thought he was just another mortal, but then I smelled the fire in his blood before I had even reached his camp. His flame was hotter than the fires of the Eternal Forge where I came to be."

She smiled at the memory. "As soon as Bo saw me, he removed his food from the fire and motioned for me to come closer. As he threw all of his wood on the flames, I was suddenly struck with another ice-spike." The Queen shook her head in disbelief at the next part of her story. "The Vigilant had followed my trail, and would have destroyed me. Had Bo not leapt over the fire, taking the next ice-spike in his side. Before he sliced the hands off our attacker. He then forced the wounded Vigilant to his knees, and made him apologize to me."

Serana's dark eyebrow raised in shock at the Queen's words. He was compassionate enough to help an Elemental. But he also made the one hurting her apologize. (Interesting...)

The Queen smirked at the look on Serana's face, then continued her story. "At first I was shocked that he had helped me, and made that cruel man apologize. Then I realized, I should have already been reborn in Oblivion. Except, the places his blood had splashed me, were hotter than the fires of Oblivion itself. And the angrier he grew with the Vigilant, the hotter his blood turned. Until the heat was almost unbearable to me. That's when I noticed the twisted flesh on his side, caused by burns. I had to know what fire could have been hot enough to scar the person who's blood carried his flame."

She looked down at her daughters eyes, sadly for a moment. Then back to Serana. "When he finally grew tired of the Vigilant's claims of righteousness, I saw it. His blood began to glow, and the flames that consumed the Vigilant were even hotter than the fires of creation. They were the very flames of destruction itself." She held her hand out, palm up. As a ball of flame danced above it. "You see, any fire can turn wood to ash, but that is not destruction. Simply changing form, true destruction erases the thing from existence all together. Nothing is left, no trace, not even memory of the object."

The fire-princess cupped her hands over her mouth and whispered to her mother. Once again, the whole palace shook with the power the child held.

The Queen gave her daughter a hug, then looked back to Serana. "I knew I had to know this... whatever he was. So I went to help him by removing the ice-spike still lodged in him. When his blood splashed on me. Wherever it touched, my own flames turned a furious blue. I opened my mouth to try and communicate with him, not knowing if he would even understand my language. But I hoped that this being could at least hear my words, and believe my thanks."

The Elemental paused for a second, cocking her head as her eyes looked off into the past. Her mouth slowly curled into a smirk, and she gave a soft chuckle. "He misunderstood me, and scooped up some of his blood and poured it into my mouth. Instantly my near-fatal wounds healed, and I felt the binding threads to my home fade..." She put her hand up to her mouth, as her eyes went distant. "...and then he kissed me. While whispering to me."

Serana interrupted her with a startled voice. "He trapped you on the mortal plain! Accidentally of course, but such power in his blood!"

The Queen shook her head 'no', still smiling at Serana. "No, young one. By dissolving those binds, I am now free. I can no longer be conjured, and I may come and go as I please." She stated matter-of-factly as Serana's eyes widened. "No one may ever hold control over my life again, he gave me freedom. Though I do still show up if it pertains to him, or if Bo needs me himself."

The princess tugged on her mothers hand, getting her attention. The Queen looked down at her with a loving gaze. "Yes my child." She looked back up to Serana, giving the vampire a smile. When she saw the adoration in her ancient, but younger eyes. "We also come to visit him, so he may see Kulaas Do Yol. The (Princess of Fire) in your tongue. She is, as we see it. Bo's daughter. Born of his blood, for without him I would not have been able to have her."

The Queen was quiet for a while as small blood tears threatened to spill from Serana's eyes. The Elemental gave the vampire a hopeful smile. "I came to tell you these things so you may understand what kind of being he was." Both Elemental's suddenly looked overcome with sadness. "For if he is meant to spend eternity walking the sands of time, it would not be long before his other half shows itself. Maybe centuries, or it could be only months. Until he grows tired of this world, and fulfills his original purpose."

Serana looked up at Molag Bal, the question clearly written upon her face. He smiled at her. "Yes child, we are asking you to be the flame that keeps his darkness at bay. To share his eternal life as a friend, and maybe in time. Even more than that."

The elderly Dunmer matron stepped closer to Serana, her eyes going distant. She opened her mouth, but the voice that came out. Dropped the temperature of the room to well below freezing. "But you must never lie to him child. Be ever truthful, and hold no secrets. Less you doom all of creation."

Serana was about to answer when a small shadow left the corner of the room, and came to stand just by the Elemental's. It looked to Serana like the shadow of one of the cat-people. Khajit they were called, if she remembered right. The shadow looked at her, then leaned out and looked over at Hiircine. With a nod from him, the shadow took form into a young black-furred Khajit girl in her early teens.

The girl jumped up in Serana's lap, startling her. She leaned in and stared into the burning eyes of the ancient vampire. "Bo's a good person... well was a good person. Back when he was still a person anyway. But he has a darkness that rivals the void, and a temper that makes everyone here look like newborn pups. So it's in everyone's best interest, to keep him happy." The little girl leaned closer to Serana, her small white teeth elongating as her eyes turned a beautiful gold. "But you hurt my brother, princess... and there will be no place for you to hide. Where you can escape my wrath, and most especially the wrath of my nephew."

With the last of her words, the little Khajit... now turned black lion. Motioned toward the side of the room. Where a dark purple portal shimmer on the wall. The creature that was on the other side looking directly at Serana, looked like a cross between a dragon and a young man. The hatred contained in it's... well his eyes sent a shiver down the vampire's spine. "He is half dragon, thus not bound by the laws of time." Two long clawed hands gently grasped the sides of Serana's face, forcing her eyes back to the lion. "So I suggest you get that silly idea of tricking him into falling for you. Out of your pretty little head, princess."

The lion jumped off her lap, turning back into a small Khajit girl before her feet touched the floor. "Hurt him... I hurt you. Break his heart..." She smiled at Serana, her eyes flashing gold for a moment. "...and I will tear yours from your chest. Cause him to lose hope and give up on this world..." She waved her hand over at the shimmering portal, where the creature slammed it's hands on the barrier. Causing everyone but Khaari and the Elemental's to jump. "...and know that before it ends. My nephew will rip your soul from you, and do very not-nice things to it."

Hiircine frowned. "Khaari... are all the threats really necessary?"

The little girl smiled at her lord. "I'm just sayin' what needs to be said, is all." She looked around the room at the other princes. "You all know what's at stake here, we can't go lettin' her think this is some trick on my brother." Her dark face suddenly looked sad. "He deserves better than that."

Azura stepped forward a half-step. "Yes he does, you both did. Just as well, he has not forgotten the blood-feud he declared."

Khaari looked up in shock at the words. "Truly? He plans on...? Oh, this is not good."

"Not as bad as you might think, little one." Came from above them all, as Mora voiced his opinion.

Khaari glared up at the Prince of knowledge. "No, it's even worse now. How many died by his hand, when he was mortal and capable of getting wounded? How many?" Her eyes shimmered to gold as her voice deepened. "How many?" Her nails started to grow. "How many did he slaughter in their beds? Was it tens... hundreds? When he would grow tired, and need to rest, eat, sleep..."

Hot tears of frustration slipped down her dark fur, from her eyes. "When the wounds bled, and the battle took it's toll. His rage still burned hotter than the sun, think of what we are faced with now... now that his power is limitless, and even the gods fear him."

"It was three hundred and seventy-two. To be exact." Mora's largest eye blinked at her slowly as he stated the massive number of dead. "But fear not young one. He has grown in the time since you fell. He has more than just grief to drive him now." The eyes looked back to Serana. "And when the Daughter of Darkness meets Time's Eternal Death, there will be an age of peace and prosperity for all whom have eyes to see."

"I pray you are right, for everyone's sake." Khaari looked back toward the black fog that covered the rest of the massive room. "But I guess all we can do now is pray... and hope." Her voice trailed off as the massive red dragon came back into view from over the eastern mountains. "We shall soon see just how 'tempered' his anger is."

Serana pondered the young girls words as Dinok said something to the dragon, that caused the world around her to tremble. He pointed down to his right, and the dragon dropped out of the sky like a stone. Crashing to the ground just outside a walled city, with yellow banners adorned with horse-heads. "Whiterun, the one place he has ever called home." Lord Bal told Serana softly, as if he heard her thoughts.

Her champion... (can I really still call him that? no, I suppose now he is simply the Prince of Balance) stepped off the dragons back. Dropping to the ground without so much as a grunt of effort. He wasn't as tall as he had been before, like he had shrunk himself down to his 'mortal' size while he and the dragon were out of sight. He also had wrapped ragged furs around his waist, to cover himself.

He stepped toward a line of soldiers all dressed in blue. The dragon glaring at each of the men, with smoke slowly rolling out of his nostrils. "What is the meaning of this? You dare to break the treaty and attack Whiterun? This hold is neutral, and as Thane. It is under my protection." Dinok's eyes were hard, glaring at all the soldiers who struggled to keep standing. Even though his words were spoken in a whisper. "Where is your oath-breaking leader? Bring him forward." He growled then, a deep rumble making the palace shake around Serana.

A blond Nord in officers garb stepped forward. "Dragonborn! Galmar is leading us here."

Dinok glared at the man. "Ralof, call off this attack. Or I will lay waste to your army, and all they hold dear."

Ralof visibly flinched, but before he could respond. A much older man in officer's garb stepped forward. "What are you doing here Dragonborn? We watched you die in Sovengard, days ago."

The hate contained in Dinok's eyes made most of the blue-clad soldiers flinch, and even the Daedric Princes had to shift uncomfortably in a poor attempt to shake the oppressive feeling. "Cursed, is not dead. Get your shit straight Galmar." His eyes swept over the men again. "Where is Ulfric? Was he too craven to show, when he sends his army to break the treaty?"

The General stepped forward a half step, lifting his battle ax as he did. Serana heard the sound of bows being drawn behind Dinok. The images spun, to show the wall behind the furious Dragonborn Thane. There were over twenty bows aimed at Galmar. More than enough to get the job done. Dinok smiled as a tall dark haired woman in strange bone armor salute him with a hand over her chest. "My Thane." Her other hand never leaving the massive Dwarven ballista she had aimed at the blue clad soldiers.

He smiled as he gave her a nod. "Lydia, it is good to see you." Dinok looked at the man next to Lydia, who was wearing ornately decorated steel plate. "Jarl Balgruuf, I apologize for the delay. I will take care of this problem shortly."

"Thane, Dragonborn... my friend. Welcome back, it is good to see you." The Jarl laughed, causing a roar of cheers to erupt from beyond the walls. The look on the Jarl's face changed to one of hope. "Since you are here, and the world hasn't ended. I'll assume that the threat has been dealt with? Everything we saw happen in Sovengard, your victory?"

Serana was trying to figure out why the Jarl's words seemed so diplomatic, but then she saw the tightening of Dinok's jaw and realized if this man was a true friend. Then he would understand how hard it was for him to kill one of his kin, Alduin or not.

Dinok gave the people on the wall a nod. "Yes, Aduin has been dethroned as the god of death. He is... no more." There was a brief flash of gold to his right eye. Before he seemed to bite back the emotions threatening to escape. Then a loud chorus of cheers erupted, not just from the defenders of Whiterun. But from every single mortal that had heard his words.

Ralof turned and clapped a hand on his back. "To think that that scrawny half-naked kid standing next to me at the headsman's block, would be the one who saved us all." The blond man had a large smile on his face.

But the smile fell when Dinok turned to face him. There was smoke curling out of the red dragons nose and mouth, but that didn't compare to the look of absolute hatred in Dinok's eyes. "Yes, we are all such good friends." He snapped his eyes over to Galmar. "So why is it that you are here now, attacking my home?"

Dinok waved his hand over toward a large building just past the entrance to the city. Where you could see several people standing guard in front of it. Both heavily armored and lightly armored people stood in front of the building, along with more than twenty Elemental's of different types and a few Dremora. While there were at least seven archers that Serana could see on the second floor. The third floor had eight robed mages, and one slightly different robed mage who stood in the middle holding a staff over her head. All of them were behind a shimmering magical barrier that covered the whole building.

The blue clad soldiers visibly flinched, before Ralof spoke again. "We made sure no one got close to your school, Dragonborn. Besides, it was well protected even before our scouts arrived."

There was a vibration, that Serana felt in her feet. Then there was a rumble that started to shake everything around her. Then the soldiers outside Whiterun all had trouble standing as the fires that were burning on the guard posts started to dim. "Oh shit..." Khaari sighed as it started to grow darker over Whiterun.

Serana looked over at her, then back to the images quickly as she heard a thunderous sound. Dinok had leaned back and shouted at the sky. The act made everyone look worried, but he was smiling? Oh but it was showing way too many teeth, to be any kind of good. "Since we are all such good friends, I will give you one chance. Drop your weapons and provisions. Leave whatever healers you brought along to fix the damage you have caused, and go."

Galmar stepped forward a half-step, but froze when dragons started to appear. The older general took a few steps back as the dragons all land near the road and around the protected school. "Take your army and leave Galmar, for you do not want me to field mine." Dinok hissed at the older man. "Then tell your precious Ulfric, that by right of ancient law. I challenge him to single combat. In two months time, I will meet him at the entrance to the bridge at Windhelm."

Galmar sneered at Dinok. "Fine Dragonborn, then we will see who is the true Nord!" He motioned for Ralof to give the retreat order.

Dinok had already turned his back on the old general. "Galmar? I suggest he use the time to get his affairs in order." Odahviing chuckled, a large blast of smoke coming out of his mouth to cloud the retreating soldiers.

As the blue-clad soldiers all ran as fast as they could (after dropping whatever weapons they were holding). Dinok smiled up at the Jarl on the wall, with a shrug. There was another resounding cheer from behind the walls, as the Dragonborn walked over to the dragons that had just land. One by one they all bow, seven in total. He stopped next to a large pale blue dragon, that looked older than the one that was dead on the mountain. "FaasKriiBah, I wish for you to spread word to our kin. Windhelm is off limits for now. This group leaving is to be left unharmed, but any of these Stormcloak's they find in the wilds are fair game."

The elder dragon chuckled, causing frost to come puffing out of its mouth. "Your orders Thur?"

Dinok turned back to face the retreating soldiers. "Kill them all." Was whispered so softly, Serana had no doubt that had she been standing more than two steps away. It would have went completely unheard. With a loud guffaw of laughter the dragon shot into the sky. It bellowed frost as it circled the city, then headed north out of sight.

As another round of cheers erupted from Whiterun, Serana turned to Lord Bal. "Why would he let those men go, and order the dragons to kill all the others? It doesn't make any sense."

He looked into Serana's eyes sadly. "It is not my story to tell, young one. Just know that once you have seen the depth of his grief, you will realize that it was an act of compassion."

"...and a lesson." Khaari interrupted. "He was always good at teaching them lessons."

Serana was curious as to what the girl meant. "Them who?"

The little girl smiled at the ancient vampire. "Bullies, or anyone who preys on the weak." She cocked her head, then looked back toward the glimmering purple window. After giving her nephew a nod, she continued speaking. "Well... anyone who preys on anyone who can't defend themselves. Basically what the Aedra Stendar is supposed to be doing, but won't for some reason."

"Or can't" Came from above them as Mora's large eye blinked slowly. "He had good intentions, but has been unable to break the spell put on him over eighty mortal years ago."

"Who would...?" Khaari started to say, but Hiircine interrupted her.

"Who set the stage for your death, and the death of everyone else Dinok held dear?" The lord of the hunt, asked her with one eyebrow raised. While waving his hand toward the ceiling.

Khaari spit. "Akatosh! Fucking dirty, double-dealing bastard." She looked around the room at the immortal beings gathered. "There's no way my brother could get his hands on him is there? I mean, no possible way for him to even try... right? Like a trap set up by that manipulating fucker, just to get what he wants. Or anything?"

"Even if there was, Dinok would never fall for such an obvious ploy." Mora told them all with absolute confidence. "He has grown much in the last few years, even before he had our assistance. He would not be so blind as to walk into that kind of trap."

Mephala skittered around to the side of Serana's throne. "No, it will take a much more devious plot. The kind of thing that would make me seem like an inept child. Let us hope he does not fall for it."

Khaari turned and looked Serana over carefully. "That bad huh?"

Bal shifted in his seat. "Yes, but do not fear. If we are correct, it will just show how desperate, and petty. The mighty Akatosh has become."

All the Daedric Prince's laughed loudly at that. While Serana studied the young Khajit, and her nephew. Then turned her eyes back to the Elemental's. "I promise you, that if I do meet him. I will never betray Dinok, nor will I hold any friendship cheap. I give you my word as a Lady, and may his sister..." She motioned to Khaari, before finishing. "...tear my heart from my chest and devour it, if I be false."

Both of the Elemental's and Khaari looked into her ancient burning eyes. Studying her for a few tense seconds, before the 'fire princess' stepped forward. She cupped her hands around her mouth before speaking. "Vahzen." When the word hit Serana, she felt like she had been ripped apart completely then put back together. All in the blink of an eye."

She looked at them, confusion showing on her face. "What was...?" Serana shook her head to try and clear the ringing of her ears. When she felt a soft hand on her arm.

Khaari wait till the vampire got her bearings back. "She sealed your vow with her approval. Not only did she declare it to be truth, but you are now bound to that truth princess." She gave Serana a smile. "Don't worry, we'll all be watching over you as well. He's my brother and I love him, but I also know he ain't exactly easy to get along with." Everyone chuckled at her remark, but the temperature of the room dropped so low. That frost started to form on everything. Khaari looked over at the Dunmer woman.

The Night-Mother stood there quietly, her eyes were black voids and her mouth was open. "You shall soon see what the Prince of Balance is capable of, when he is... upset."

Dinok was talking to the Jarl of Whiterun, and the dark haired woman. "Jarl, Lydia." He gave them both a nod. "I will be back soon, I have business to attend to." His eyes glanced toward the west, where a storm was surrounding a distant mountain.

Lydia spoke up. "My Thane! Do you need assistance? I would gladly travel with you." Her tanned face had a look of hope.

Balgruuf salute him with one fist over his heart. "My friend, I thank you. Whiterun thanks you for all that you have done. If you need anything, you have but to ask."

Dinok smiled at them, but shook his head no. "I do not believe that Lady Dragonheart's husband and child would appreciate me putting her at risk. You have served me well Lydia, but as I told you before. You hold no fealty to me."

Lydia blushed as she smiled. Another roar of cheers went up from beyond the wall. "Then at least return here when your business is complete. We will have dinner, and discuss all that has happened since you left for Sovengard." She suddenly looked overcome with sadness, and put a hand up to stop him from speaking. "Bo, my friend. I know it is no simple or easy thing to kill one of your kin. But stopping the siege of Whiterun with a few words is something that definitely requires a feast." Her smile returned. "Besides, you have yet to meet my son."

"I would love to meet my god-son." Dinok smiled at her, a warm and welcoming look. "Very well, once I have dealt with my duties. I will return." He turned to look over the healers that were arriving from the invading camp. "If you harm one more person, you will come to understand what wrath truly is." The healers visibly gulped, then nodded and continue walking toward the gates.

Dinok stepped over toward the school, he smiled at the people guarding it. "I will return soon, if it is not too late I would like to share this feast with the children."

The shorter different-robed mage waved her hands, dispelling the barrier around the school. She lowered her hood, revealing her jet-black hair and young Dunmer features. "I think the children could be allowed to stay up late, just this once Dragonborn." Her smile beaming at him from the top floor balcony.

He returned her smile as he nod his head to her. "Thank you Arch-mage Breylina. I am in your debt. Actually I am in debt to all of you, and I will never forget this." He told them as he looked the rest of the defenders over. "I thank you all for keeping the children safe during such an underhanded time." Once again the ground rumbled with his words, showing just how much the idea angered him.

One of the heavily armored men stepped away from his post by the front door. The man was balding and wearing steel armor with a wolfs head emblazoned on the chest. "After all you have done for Whiterun, for Skyrim, for us? I think it is we who owe you, my friend."

A woman, clad in ancient Nordic armor walked forward. Sheathing her bow as she stepped up next to the balding Nord. Her stomach was distended, and obviously near the end of her pregnancy. "Skor's right whelp, after all you've done for everyone else. The least we could do was make sure the children were safe from that greedy warmongering asshole."

She wrapped her arm through Skor's, as Dinok smiled at them. "Manage to stop the end of times, and just stopped an attack on Whiterun, and I'm still a whelp to you Aela?" He shook his head as Odahviing stepped over toward him. "Very well, I will return later and we can discuss just what it will take for me to graduate from whelp."

The people defending the school all laughed as he shot into the sky atop Odahviing. "That was a good sign... right?" Serana asked the prince of knowledge hovering above her. "He was laughing and joking with them."

"One brush stroke, does not a painting make." Was Mora's reply as his multiple eyes looked back toward the images.

The images show Dinok riding on Odahviing, as they sped toward a massive storm that was circling a tall mountain in the eastern reach. Serana could see small storms at different spots out to the north of them. "Looks like they pissed off aunty Kyne." Khaari stated mockingly, as she pointed to one of the lightning strikes.

"Well, they murdered her oldest friend and injured one of her most devout followers." Mephala stated from behind the throne. "What's surprising is she took Dinok's words to heart, and didn't follow him."

Serana studied the images closely. "Then what's with all the storms?"

Mora chuckled. "She may not have followed him as he asked. But he never said she couldn't destroy those Blades that were not at their temple." He paused as a particularly large and vicious lightning storm burned a patch of forest just south of Solitude. "By the end of the day, there will be no hunting parties left. And on the morrow, there will not even be memory of the Blades."

Odahviing circled the storm covered mountain once, before Dinok jumped off his back. He didn't even slow his descent with his wings, slamming into the ground in a small canyon at the base of the mountain. As the red dragon land just outside what appear to be a destroyed camp. "Oh no..." Khaari whispered, as she clenched her fists so tight that her nails were drawing blood.

Serana couldn't tear her eyes away from the images. There were piles of bodies, some could be no more than small children. Barely old enough to take their first steps. As the first of many blood-tears started to slide down her cheeks, she heard Hiircine speak. "Karthspire camp, one of our children's largest homes." Even the long-dead heart of the ancient vampire was breaking at the despair in his voice.

'They have indeed fallen far from the path of righteousness. But they shall soon pay for this transgression." The Night Mother said in that cold, other-worldly voice that dropped the temperature of the room.

Hiircine looked over at the Dunmer woman. "Sithis... did you know of this?" He was trying to control his rage, but was losing the battle. "When...? How did we not see this?"

The voice of Sithis spoke through his bride once more. "We were all focused on the Dragonborn, waiting to see if this world would even continue. Our children stood up to the fanatical headmistress of the Blades, knowing what would happen if her plans succeeded." There was a short pause. "But fear not, our newest brother will soon set it right."

Serana watched as Dinok whispered something to the Odahviing, that made the dragon scream burning-frost into the air. Before the dragon took to the stormy skies again, circling the mountain while watching the temple at the peak. As a large black shadow fell across the camp, the entire valley, and most of the mountain. Serana nearly gasped in shock, as the shadow in the shape of massive wings. Wrapped around the camp while Dinok muttered words she couldn't understand. His eyes glowed an almost white color of bright gold, and were slitted like a dragons. Before he suddenly spun around and head up the stairs toward a cave that the vampire assumed led to the temple.

The shadow followed him into the mouth of the cave. The 'wings' that were over a league each, folded up behind him. Forming a dark shape that resembled a cloak, or cape. The last thing she was able to make out before the images followed him into the lightless cave, was the barren grass and mud of the camp. Where just a moment before there were countless bodies and more blood than the vampire had ever seen. Even the crimson river was now a sparkling clear blue.

When he started walking up the steps to the temple, the look on Dinok's face made nearly everyone shift uncomfortably in place. Serana looked over at Khaari, when the small Khajit whispered something too low for her to hear even with her enhanced senses. She saw the dark fur under the girls eyes glisten with shed tears. Out of instinct, she reached out and took the young girls hand in her own. Giving it a gentle squeeze of comfort, as they both watched to see what would happen.

There was more light suddenly, as he walked into a courtyard. Facing a massive carved stone doorway. The doors swung open silently as he approach without so much as a motion from him. After he stepped through, they swung shut and he whispered. Serana couldn't tell what it was he said, but the door turned to solid stone. She felt Khaari squeeze her hand in response to the look on Dinok's face. There were not, nor ever will be. Words strong enough to describe the absolute fury carved into those once handsome features. His golden-slitted eyes were glowing, and his cloak fluttered occasionally. As if his wings were trying to break free of his control.

Both Khaari and Serana turned to look over at Azura, when they heard her speak to the others. "He will need help to keep that temper of his in check."

Hermaus Mora spoke from above them, causing them all to look up. "Our pretentious sister Meridia is already working on it. With Aedric help of course."

Before Serana could ask the question that just popped in her head, Mora spoke directly to her. "With a whisper, he can level a mountain-range. With a normal speaking voice he could kill every mortal in the province. With a shout, he would destroy the continent." The largest eye blinked slowly at the vampire. "If he used the full power of his voice, it would render this entire world. A barren, and lifeless rock." There was a short pause before he spoke again. "Or with a breath, he could create a whole new world. Such is the nature of the beast we have helped to create. Now we only need to help him retain his compassion... his humanity. Less we become victims of engineering our own doom."

She puzzled over her question for a few seconds. "The Aedra are helping?" Serana shifted in her seat. "I mean, they don't want to destroy or stop him?"

He chuckled. "Most of them gave a piece of themselves, their own power. To help Lorkan, or as some call him now Shor. To finish creating the living world. Akatosh has been trying to find a way to permanently destroy it, ever since. But to do so without killing off the rest of his creations. Has been impossible, until now."

They all turned back toward the images, when they heard a bunch of mortals gasp. "Dragonborn! You have returned!" The people were of many different races, and all sitting around a large stone table. In front of a massive carved wall, depicting dragons and something else that wasn't clear enough to make out.

Standing there looking over each face at the table, Dinok's gaze hardened, as the room grew darker. Until the only light, was from the braziers and torches. But even that couldn't penetrate the suffocating darkness by more than a few steps. When the breath of each mortal started to turn to frost in the air, Khaari spoke as she clenched Serana's hand tighter. "Oh, he is pissed!" The Khajit looked over at her nephew, "Riften all over again?"

The half-dragon creature shook his head, before looking down defeatedly. "Worse than Helgen." The deep voice rumbled the entire room.

The little girls eyes went wide. She sighed before Serana tugged on her hand, getting her attention. "What is Helgen? What happened?" The vampire glanced back toward the image of Dinok, as he just glared at all of the people sitting at the table.

"It was a city he burned down." Khaari told the confused vampire. "A city of stone, that he burned down completely. Not enough was left to even make a grave-marker. Because he was angry, and injured... but this..." She waved her free hand at the images. "They killed an entire camp of our friends. People who treated us like family." She looked up at Serana through her ebony lashes, the grief in her eyes almost making the vampire sob. "This will not end well, there can only be blood. And there will be enough of it to drown a herd of mammoth."

It was the trembling of the floor that drew Serana's attention back to the images. It was the clenched jaw, and the look of malice in Dinok's eyes that made her curious. But when the many different flames and torches in the grand hall where she sat, started to dim. That was when she realized that she felt an oppressive... presence. Something so heavy, and dark. That it felt like she was pinned under the very mountain that the temple stood on. Then something 'clicked' and she realized that it was growling.

That he was growling, words too softly for her to hear. But it didn't change the fact, that it made her smile. Thinking of how much suffering these Blades had earned for killing all those people, all those children. Her own expression darkened, as the smile gracing her lips widened to show her fangs glinting softly in the ever darkening room. "Good, they've earned whatever it is that he is going to do." Serana locked eyes with Khaari when the teen turned to look at her. "No one has a right to kill like they did. It would take a true monster to kill children, for any reason."

Khaari gently climbed up in Serana's lap, still holding the ancient vampire's hand. "You really are a good person." The Khajit sniffled out.

Serana held the girl close as they watched to see what punishment the Prince of Balance decided was fitting for their crimes. An old man in tattered robes came marching up to Dinok. "Dragonborn? Well done, we saw your victory over Alduin." The old man held his hands out, like he wanted to hug Dinok. "Dragonbor..."

But Dinok spoke before he could finish. "Delphine." The unbridled rage in his voice, knocked all the mortals to the floor clutching their heads in pain. Some had blood dripping from their eyes and ears. The old man was able to lift one trembling hand and point toward the back of the darkened hall. Without another word, or even a look. Dinok stomped up a set of stairs, and stepped through a large set of carved bronze doors. Leaving shattered stone in his wake, deep imprints of his footfalls pressed more than a hand deep in the ancient carved granite.

Once he was outside, Serana and Khaari gasped at the sight before them. Chained down in a large courtyard, was a small green dragon. That had obviously been tortured... horribly. There were close to twenty people in dark blue armor emblazoned with dragons. But something was off, the mortals weren't moving. As if they were all frozen in time, and the shadow of wings was covering the whole courtyard.

Dinok stepped up to the young dragon, with a soft kiss on her nose as a tear slid down his cheek. He whispered to her, while looking in her eyes. Serana had a small smile grace her lips as the dragon healed. When he let go and stepped back, he gave the dragon a smile. The chains that had bound it were gone. It flexed its wings, and with a gentle rub of its nose on his chest. The dragon took to the sky with a high-pitched screech of relief. Dinok looked up at the furious Odahviing. "Escort her home to her nest."

"Yes my Prince." The red dragon stated with a nod, before the two of them flew off toward the northwest. With a blink, the Nord was gone and in his place was a dragon that took up the entire courtyard. One golden wing, and one blacker than night. Wrapped completely around the courtyard, and the temple. Covering the entire top of the mountain. He growled deeply as he exhaled a sparking breath over the mortals.

His right eye was gold and slitted, and the left one was glowing black with a golden slit. The fury contained in those otherworldly eyes is indescribable. He blinked, and the mortals all started moving. "Delphine you disappoint me. You have killed and tortured under the corrupt idea that you are righteous... tortured my kin. Murdered those I consider family." He glared at the 'Blades' that had all drawn their weapons. "You will spend eternity paying for your crimes. But first... who injured Master Borri?"

A short female with Bosmer features in the back of the formation, standing near the practice dummies spoke up. "If he's that old withered bastard that tried to shout us all off the mountain, I'm the one who put an arrow in him." She said with a sneer.

The grin that spread across Dinok's draconic face was the kind that create nightmares, in even the bravest of souls. "Sister... I changed my mind." Was spoken softly, and time itself trembled.

There was a flash, momentarily lighting up the courtyard. As a tall Ethereal woman was standing next to the dragon, looking similar to the image of Kyne they saw on the mountain. Except she was wearing shining armor, and holding a spear that glow with eldritch magic. The Bosmer drew her bow and nocked an arrow, aiming it at the very angry visage of Kyne. Who only smiled a grim smile at the mortal.

The arrow was released, but Kyne simply snatched it out of the air. She looked into the mortals eyes as she tossed the arrow away. "You murdered my friend, attacked one of my vassals, and now have the audacity to attack me." The Bosmer's eyes went wide, but realization of who she just tried to kill would do no good.

Kyne strode forward, standing more than twice over even the tallest mortal in the courtyard. She leveled the spear at the Bosmer's throat. "You will pay for your arrogance for the rest of time." With a short jab, the elven woman exploded into pieces so small they could not be seen by mortal eyes. Only to be carried away on the wind. Kyne turned and gave Dinok a bow. "I thank you for this brother. If you ever have need of me, do not hesitate to call." Then with another flash, Kyne left the mortals to whatever fate the Prince of Balance decided.

"Now then..." His voice had a calm aspect to it, but the beings siting in Molag Bal's throne room. Knew better than to believe he wasn't about to unleash Oblivion or worse on the mortals. One of his long silver-gold talons tapped against his chin. "What have you to say for yourself?"

A short blond woman in more ornate armor stepped forward. "You know why Paarthurnax had to die. You were supposed to kill them all, and now you've become the very thing you hate!" She motioned the hand that was down at her side as she shook her head. "This is what happens when you defy the gods." With a flick of her hand, her warriors charged with weapons drawn. "For Talos!"

The dragon just smiled at the self proclaimed dragon-slayers. He sat there calmly as the Blades attacked his massive form. After a short while, most of them were trying to back away to catch their breath. But not a single scratch had been made on the Prince of Balance. He chuckled at them, frost mixed with lightning and blue flames. Rolled out of the dragons maw. "You can not kill that which is eternal, Delphine. Much less Death itself."

His malice filled eyes never left the Guild-master, as the rest of the Blades flooded out of the doors into the courtyard. "Understand something, dragonslayer." Her eyes narrowed at the insulting tone he used. "Akatosh wants me to destroy this world, first the dragons, and then mortal kind. All of it, Delphine!" His glowing eyes shifted to the old man in robes. "Do you know what happens if the Dov are no longer, Esbern?"

Esbern's elderly eyes went wide. "Destroy? But you were our last hope, that can't be!"

Dinok chuckled again, the blast of flaming, freezing, sparks. Blew Delphine's hair back. "No. I was his last hope, his last hope to destroy this world. Without killing off the rest of his Aedric children." The massive dragon looked over at his left wing. "What you see now, is only what your limited mind can comprehend as my true form. In defying my father, he named me Time's Eternal Death."

He reached out and plucked the sword from Delphine's hand. Then drew the blade across his forearm, the wound glowed black with a golden edge. The twinkling of stars could be seen in the void of black. "You can no more harm me, than you could cut the sky." As the wound sealed itself, and the sword melted in his hand. He spoke again. "If the Dov leave this world, then magic leaves this world. All magic."

Esbern's eyes went wide. "And Akatosh wished for you to do just that. Take the dragons souls, then once magic was gone. The mortals would be easily destroyed." The old man shook his head. "No healers, during a time of war. Your job would have been done for you, by these greedy fools." He looked up, into Dinok's eyes. "But what of the dragons? Are we to simply let them destroy peoples lives? If they attack a town, should we not fight back?"

Dinok chuckled for a second, but then it broke out into a fit of laughter that shook the entire mountain. "They were only attacking under Alduin's orders from my father." His eyes focused on the Blades as his laughter died out. "But do not worry about such things, none of you lived past my discovery of your crimes against Karthspire camp."

The look on the mortal's faces, would have made Serana laugh. If the reason for that look wasn't one of the saddest things she had ever witnessed. She hugged Khaari tighter as they watched to see what he would do as punishment. Those draconic eyes studied all of the mortals one by one. With a huff of breath, most of the Blades dissapeared from the courtyard.

Serana caught something out of the corner of her eye, forcing her to turn and look. Now sitting in the corner of the massive throne room, were two cages. Each one filled with the same exact souls, that she just watched dissapear from the temple courtyard. One bore Hiircine's sigul, the other bore the black hand of the Dread Father.

The Dunmer wife of Sithis, stepped over toward the cages while cackling darkly. After looking at both sets of doomed souls she turned around with a large grin on her weathered face. "Looks like our brother didn't want us to fight over who got which soul. So he gave all of them to both of us." With a wave of her hand, her husbands cage vanished into the void.

When the souls in Hiircine's cage started clamoring to be set free, Serana had enough. Without even thinking about it, she had stood. Shifting into her true form. Where there used to be a little over five foot tall Atmoran woman. Was now standing a ten foot tall Vampire Lordess, with large bat-like wings and fangs longer than an average mortals hand. She hovered over toward the cages, still holding Khaari's hand. The small Khajit following along next to her with a matching look of hate on her young face. "You will pay for the atrocities you have committed." Her deep vampiric voice growled.

The souls all stopped pleading for help, but one spoke up from the back of the cage. "Why would anyone care what happened to those savages?"

"SAVAGES!" Khaari growled as she shifted form into a black lion, her voice deepening. "Those people were my friends... my family, and all they wanted was to be left alone. To worship their gods and live in peace!" She stepped forward, Serana's tall form following just behind. Never letting go of the young girls hand.

Serana's left hand glow blue, and the soul that had spoken was pulled to the front of the cage. "When I was young, and newly reborn. I drank an entire village dry..." The black hate-filled eyes of the vampire glared into the cage. "... three hundred people dead in a night! But even deep in my blood-lust, I did not dare to harm a child. You murdered them! Children! For what?"

The souls in the cage were quiet. Making Khaari furiously respond. "Answer her!" Her ebony claws raked across the bars, causing sparks to fly.

A very young Nordic looking boy spoke up, his voice almost dripping with regret. "They came and told us that they knew of our plans to kill Paarthurnax, and they would stop us if we tried." Sparkling ethereal tears dripped down his face. "Said that the Dragonborn's last words were of his concern for our Grand-masters greed. That he was worried that she would do just what Akatosh wanted, and kill off the dragons." He put his hands up to hide his face, as he started sobbing loudly. "Delphine ordered us to sneak down the mountain and surround the camp the next night. Most of them were too busy watching the battle playing out on the clouds to even fight back. We were just following orders."

A female Argonian put her hand on the boys back in comfort, before she spoke. "Some of us were injured, so we were sent back to the temple for healing before the camp was cleared." She wrapped her arms around him in a comforting hug as his sobbing became worse. "We did not know about the children until the others returned." She looked up into the black eyes of the Vampire. "By then it was too late."

Serana and Khaari were both shaking in rage. "You are lucky that you have no blood to offer, or I would drain you dry." Serana managed to say through grit teeth, her fangs extending due to the thought of justice.

"Count yourselves as the lucky ones, for when my brother loses his temper. Even the gods fear him, and rightfully so." Khaari stated sadly, before turning on her heel and pulling Serana's taller form back toward the throne. Shifting back to a Khajit as she did.

The Grand-master, Delphine. The old man Esbern, and three others were still standing in the courtyard. "What did you do Dragonborn?" Delphine demanded.

The dragon chuckled, but stopped and glared at her. "You do not get to ask questions of me!" The mortals were all forced to their knees. "I am Death Eternal! I am the Prince of Balance, and you will pay for your crimes for as long as time exists." With a quick breath, the souls of the mortals were ripped from their bodies and inhaled by the dragon. His otherworldly eyes flared brighter for a second, as their soulless bodies crumpled to ash. Only to blow away with the strong wind that suddenly picked up.

Serana felt Khaari squeeze her hand as the vampire growled. "That was too quick of an end to them. They deserved much worse."

The half ling dragon-man on the other side of the portal laughed. "Not quite." He waved his hand, and another portal opened up on the wall. Showing how the ethereal souls of the Blades were going to be spending eternity. They could see the five of them in dragon form. Being tortured by men and elves, as they begged Talos to save them. "The will spend the rest of time, experiencing the glory of what mortals have done to the Dov."

Serana shifted back to her mortal form, and pulled Khaari up on her lap. "Good, they deserve that and more for what they have done." The Khajit gave her a comforting hug as blood-tears slipped down the vampires cheeks. "Murdering children, torturing a young dragon like that..." Serana took a deep shuddering breath. "If they were going to kill it, fine. I don't like it, but I understand. They didn't have to torture the poor thing... heartless bastards."

Khaari's nephew spoke again, a look of intense hate in his eyes. "She was not even old enough to hunt for herself yet. They were using her to bait her mother, and trying out different methods to inflict pain."

They all looked back to the images of the temple, as the whole of time trembled. Dinok had changed back to his 'mortal' form, and whispered. His anger caused the entire temple, and most of the mountain to be obliterated. After the dust clear, he closed his eyes as his cape flicked out. The massive shadow of wings wrapping around the entire valley. When the shadow folded back up into a cape, Serana and Khaari started crying.

But these were tears of joy, for the Prince of Balance had held true to his name. Where there once was a temple built thousands of years ago by the forebears of the Blades. Now was a stronghold, that would stop any attackers except by air. As he walked out through the newly crafted building, everyone smiled at the shrines to the Daedric Prince's. Dinok reached the formerly sealed entryway, where the only visage of him stood. Overlooking the doors was a small statue of his dragon-form, holding a set of scales that were off balance.

Serana looked over at her lord, a question clearly written upon her ageless face. Molag Bal never stopped smiling as he spoke to her. "He does not care for fame. Thus the only reason his statue is there, is to make sure our children are safe." When Serana raised one of her ebony eyebrows in confusion. Bal just smirked as he pointed back to the images. "Watch and you shall understand."

She looked back to see the entrance to the cave as Dinok exit the darkness. Standing in front of him were over a hundred people all clad in animal fur, with bones as decoration. A rather unpleasant looking... woman? That seemed to be a cross between a bird and an ancient person, and obviously a Matriarch of the clan. Stepped through the crowd to stand before him, her two very large guards. Stepping up beside her with a nod to Dinok. Who simply motioned for them to follow him with a large grin on his face.

When the four of them got close enough to the statue, the eyes started glowing. One black and one golden, then the scales started to move. Once the scales settled into balance, the massive Daedric looking doors opened. Getting Dinok a look of wonder from the Matriarch. Dinok nod to her. "Grandmother-Malta, the only... well anything getting through these doors. Will be one of your clan, by blood or oath. If the scales do not permit them, I suggest you kill them on sight, as it means they are plotting against your people."

The Matriarch looked back at the scales with wide eyes, as her long claws flexed rhythmically. Even her guards had a look of shock on their battle-hardened faces. "So you made us a fortress to keep the young ones safe." Her scratchy voice came out as a statement, instead of a question.

Dinok suddenly looked like a small boy that was trying to get his mothers approval, instead of a powerful eternal being. "Yes grandmother, the same lock is also on the gate at the mouth of the river." He reached down and picked up a young boy that had run up. As he swung the child up on his hip, he waved at the door. "Are you all ready to see your new home?"

The child nod his head, while pointing at the dragon statue that seemed to be watching and judging them all. "Ome!" The small boy declared, causing more than a few of the clan (including the Matriarch) to burst out laughing.

After the scales declared the boy to be worthy of entry, the rest of the Reachmen started toward the doors without any hesitation. Dinok stood aside as the rest of them went in to the stronghold, smiling to himself at the looks of wonder on all the people's faces. He hand the child back to his mother when the scales tipped all the way to the other side. Dinok looked at the young Reachwoman that just approached, with hard eyes. "Who are you?"

Malta put one of her long clawed hands on his arm. "She was in the service of the Imperial General, but she proved her worth when we were attacked. Got herself killed protecting the children." The ancient hag looked over at Dinok, her beady eyes narrowing in suspicion. "But you already knew that, didn't you boy?"

The smirk on his face was enough of a giveaway. "Yes, I just wanted to show you what happens if someone is judged unworthy."

Malta stepped toward him. "Boy, you may be eternal and a Demigod. But I will still put you over my knee and blister your backside! Now stop terrorizing your cousins, and open the gate."

He laughed, then gave the young woman a hug. "Sorry for scaring you like that, it was too good to pass up." As the scales swung back into balance. He gave the woman a kiss on the cheek, causing her to blush. "You forgive me?"

The young girl blushed even redder, and was about to stammer out some response. When Malta smacked him on the arm. "Stop teasing her boy! Let the girl go, or I will put you over my knee." She reached up and grabbed his arm, pulling it away from the girls shoulder. "Go on Kareen, don't mind him. He's always been a handful." With a quick nod, the still blushing girl walked through the doors as fast as she could. Only looking back once, making her put her hand to the spot he had kissed. Giggling to herself before the doors closed behind her.

Khaari chuckled, and felt herself being hugged tighter by Serana. "That's my brother, always able to get the girls riled up." Her laughter was soon joined by everyone but the captive souls.

Malta grabbed him by the ear, as her guards tried not to smile. "Still the same flirt as always, boy what am I going to do with you?" She let go of the ear. Then gave him a long look-over, like she was checking him for wounds. "Okay, now that the mortals are out of earshot. How are you really doing grandson?"

He suddenly looked very tired, and defeated. "Worried grandmother, and confused." Dinok shut his eyes as he was engulfed in flames.

Malta let the magic flames die out, looking him over carefully. "Didn't help? You're not tired then. What's bothering you boy? That always worked before."

His eyes went distant as the two large guards shared a concerned look with their Matriarch. "I never expected to be named Eternal Death. I knew father would be pissed, but to make me take Alduin's place? To force me to take his soul... as well as the billions of souls he had devoured." Dinok looked into her eyes, sadly. "I... why didn't they tell me? Surely Herma Mora had to know."

Malta wrapped her long deadly clawed hands around him lovingly. "You know they would never lie to you. They must have good reason."

He hugged her back as glowing tears dripped from his eyes. "You know what kind of monster I am grandmother, how could anyone think giving me this kind of power is a good thing? I'm worried that I will become worse now that I have nothing but time. I mean..." She pushed him back, looking deep into his eyes as he continued. "What am I to do? How do I deal with what I know is coming? Having to watch everyone I care about die, as I just stay the same."

The tallest guard stepped forward, patting Dinok on the back. "What is always the best choice when we do not know something?"

Dinok gave a half-hearted smile to the large man. "We ask." He answered as he tried to dry his tears.

The guard nod to him. "Yes, you will not know why they didn't tell you unless you ask. Also, ask them how they have dealt with the pain of loss over the centuries. They too, understand what it is to lose those we care about." With another loving pat on the back he told Dinok. "You are not alone, those of us that time forgets. Shall always be there should you need us. After all, we are family."

Malta gently grasped his arm with one of her clawed hands. "You may return to us should you wish to escape the cares of the world." She gave him a hug. "You are always welcome here grandson, Daedric Prince or Aedric god. You are family."

Dinok returned the hug, a smile slowly coming to show on his face. "Thank you grandmother." He released her, then motioned to the doors. "Come, let me show you the rest of your new home."

With one last look-over, she gave him a nod of agreement. "Alright, let us see what wonders you have sown." Then she and her two guards followed him through the doors.

"At least he still has them to keep him grounded." Khaari softly stated as she tried to dry her tear stained face.

Everyone turned when raised voices could be heard from the cage. "Well, what did you expect to happen? Did you think they let us alone in the temple above their camp because they were merely afraid of the Dragonborn? Stupid fool, spending eternity being tortured will be worth it. For no other reason than to just to watch you scream in agony for what you did!"

Another voice spoke up. "What would you know, Orc?"

"Yes, I am an Orc, and I may have been raised in a stronghold. But that doesn't change the fact that you murdered children! I may have been doomed for fighting dragons, but they were attacking innocents. You have no excuse." The first voice spoke again, managing to sound righteous despite the circumstances.

"Your kind has no place here Orc, Skyrim is for the Nords!" The other voice yelled, shortly before there was a loud smack and then a thud. As one of them was laid out.

The souls in Hiircine's cage parted, showing an Orc female standing over a Nord male. She leaned down toward him, her dark green eyes blazing with fury. "In case you haven't noticed, shit for brains. We are not in Skyrim anymore." She waved her muscled arm around her at the cage, and massive throne room. "This looks like Oblivion to me, count yourself lucky that I don't have any say. Cause If I had a choice, I would spend my eternity beating you to death. Every single day, and I would do it with a smile on my face."

The man on the floor winced at the murderous tone of her voice, before Hiircine spoke up. "That can be arranged, my dear." The Orc looked up at him, a questioning look in her eyes. Before a grim smile spread across her angry face. Hiircine spoke again. "There is a price for..."

But she cut him off with a growl. "Done!, I don't care what the price is. I was laid up in the infirmary while these fuckers were murdering children. I may be doomed, but if making them pay for what they did is part of that." She smiled at the rest of the souls in the cage, causing them to all back away from her. "Then I can live with that price for eternity."

Khaari laughed. "Oh, I like her." She looked over at her lord, a question in her eyes. With a smirk and nod from him, she got up and walked over to the cage. Serana staying by her side, still holding her hand until she let go when she reached the bars.

A black portal opened up in the far wall of the cage, as Khaari changed into her Lion form. Hiircine spoke to the souls in his charge. "You have a head start, I suggest you use it wisely." The Orc stepped toward Khaari, as the Lion slit her palm open with a talon. "Drink Borghani, and think of the most fearsome creature you have ever seen."

Borghani smiled to herself for a brief instant, before her eyes flicked up to Khaari's face. Then briefly over Serana, and finally to Hiircine. "Ever seen a giantess, er... the Orsimer word is Amazonian, you know, a female giant?"

Serana and Khaari chuckled as Hiircine laughed. "Glorious choice, my newest hunter." He gave her an approving nod. "Now drink, and embrace your new life." She pulled the bleeding lions hand to her tusked mouth, and drank deeply. There were howls coming through the portal as she doubled over.

When she finally stood back up, she had to stoop so she didn't hit her head on the cage. Borghani was now well over twelve foot tall, and looked like a more primitive version of herself. Tusks that were almost a foot long, and horns on her head that rivaled any Daedroth ever born. She flexed her sharply clawed hands, and with a predatory sniff of the air. She took off at a loping run through the portal.

Khaari smiled at the empty cage for a second. "She will do well my lord." Then she took Serana's hand, and they walked back to the smaller throne together. Her wound already healed over.

They all watched Dinok explain the various areas in the stronghold, and his reasons for them. The shrines, training area, barracks, even one area set aside as a nursery and school. After what seemed like minutes, but was actually a few hours. They could hear the heavy thud, and heard Odahviing's voice from outside. The people all walked him out to the courtyard, thanking him for his intervention and love. The small children present all gawking at Odahviing, made the Dragon and his Thur both chuckle.

With one final loving hug from his 'grandmother' Dinok climb atop Odahviing, and they shot into the sky. Circling the fortress once, before heading back toward Whiterun with a wave of goodbye. Molag Bal turned to Serana with a smile. "Well child, I do believe it is time for you to return to your physical body and await your savior."

She nod to him, then stood up. Giving Khaari a farewell hug. "We'll be watching over you, don't worry." The little Khajit told her with a watery smile.

She kneel down so she was eye to eye with the girl. "In case I never see you again..." Serana saw the confused look on Khaari's face and sighed. "...well I gathered that you are no longer counted among the living. I didn't want to assume that we would be able to have tea at weeks end." Getting a smile, and nod from the young girl Serana hugged her again. "Anyway, I thank you for coming here and meeting me. It's good to know that this is a worthy cause."

"Not all hero's wear heavy armor, and carry a great-sword. Screaming about glory as they run headlong into battle." Khaari told her as she returned the hug. "This is for you as well as the rest of the world, Serana."

Serana reluctantly stood, letting her arms fall away from the Khajit's soft fur. She looked over at the Elemental's, giving the young princess of fire a adoring smile. "I thank you as well princess." She bow to the young ones mother. "It was my honor to meet you Queen of fire. I thank you for giving me a chance, I will do my best not to disappoint you." The burning eyes of the vampire looked around the room at the Daedric Princes gathered. "Or any of you. When I meet him, I will conduct myself with all the dignity and nobility I am able."

Khaari laughed, followed shortly by the rest of the room. "Just be yourself, trust me it will make things go a lot smoother."

"My father would never wish to impose any falsehood on you Lady Serana." The half-ling dragon-boy told her, his deep voice vibrating the floor. "He does not abide lies, or liars."

Serana gave him a bow of acknowledgement. "My thanks." She turned and walked back toward the large doors to the palace, Khaari following along with her.

Once outside the little girl held her hand as they walked. "I'll also warn you, he has a sense of humor." Serana looked down at Khaari with a raised eyebrow, before the Khajit laughed at the look on her face. "Trust me, he will pull some amazingly childish pranks. Just to make you laugh, or see you smile." She was quiet for a few steps before adding. "If he doesn't, then it usually means he don't like you much."

Serana chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind." But then she came to a halt as she frowned. "But what do I do if he doesn't like me? Or isn't interested... like that? I already know it would be very bad to try and trick him. What then?"

Khaari stood there gawking at her. "Have you seen yourself? Damn woman! If I was still alive I'd be too busy drooling and staring to even talk!" The Khajit shook her head with a rueful grin. "I would dare say, that my brother is doomed once he lays eyes on you. Add in the fact that you're a good person, and powerful in your own right." She smirked at Serana. "He'll be interested, just be prepared for him to take it slow."

Her dark-furred face suddenly looked like she was about to break down in tears again. "Every time he found someone, they either were trying to use him. Or got killed to make him more angry, because of Akatosh and his grand plan."

Serana let out a guilt ridden sigh. "So best to take it slow so I don't scare him off." She looked up as they approach the portal she had arrived from. "I can do that, it would be nice to not have someone fear me for once." Her glowing vampiric eyes went distant. "To have a real relationship..." Her eyes suddenly went wide. "Your nephew doesn't have a problem with...?"

Khaari sighed, looking down at her feet. "No, but it is a long and very painful story." She looked up into Serana's eyes. "Just know that he is fine with whatever comes of this."

Serana sighed again. "Your brother hasn't had a very easy life, I hope I don't add to his pain."

Khaari smiled. "Nah, you'll do fine." She stared into Serana's eyes, her whole demeanor growing serious. "One last thing. Whatever happens next, don't panic." Khaari smiled at the confused look on the vampires face. "Just remember, it's for a good reason."

Serana moved to ask her what she meant by the cryptic words, but before she could. There was a flash, and Serana found herself in a dark room. Facing three women, who all glow from within. The tallest one stepped forward. "Hold still!" She hissed at the shorter vampire.

Serana recognized the emblem hanging from the chain around her neck. "Meridia!?" She swallowed down her fear for a moment. "My lord will not be pleased if you... purge me."

Meridia chuckled, an ominous sound. Coming from the Daedric Prince known for her absolute hatred for necromancy and undead. "Vampire, if I wanted you dead I would never have agreed to help with any of this. Now hold still." Seeing the confused look on the vampires face, the Daedric Prince sighed. "It's the only way you will survive meeting him."

The shortest of the three beings stepped forward. Lowering her hood as she putting a gentle hand on Serana's arm. "We are not here to hurt you child, this was planned to make sure you live through our brother releasing you from your prison."

Meridia scoffed. "Lady Mara, she doesn't need an explanation. We just need to get it over with."

The other one stepped forward, her shining armor and glowing spear familiar to Serana. Kyne gave Meridia a dirty look. "Yet if we do not allay her fears, she surely won't survive the bonding process."

Serana managed to ask one of the seventeen questions running through her mind. "Bonding process?"

Kyne and Mara gave her smiles. "You would not be able to withstand the heat of his blood without it, young one." Mara told her in a compassionate voice.

Serana relaxed, but just slightly. "Okay, what do I have to do?" She managed to still her trembling hands.

Kyne stepped closer, leveling the spear at her chest. "Hold still, this won't hurt. But it will feel a little... weird." With a small slash, she opened up Serana's chest. Her long dead heart now visible to the ethereal beings. "Ok, we're ready..."

Before she finished, there was another bright flash of flame. The elemental Queen and her daughter stepping through the fire, to stand beside Kyne. With a reverent flourish, the princess took a drop of blood from her mothers crown. "From our flame to yours, we give this power willingly." With a careful motion, she placed the drop gently on Serana's heart.

As the wound in her chest sealed, Serana heard the Queen speak. "With all our love and hope, may you be blessed with peace young one."

Kyne smiled at her. "Now rest Lady Serana."

"Know that a new era is dawning, and you shall be its guardian." Meridia told her sternly, before she dissapear in a flash of pure light.

Mara stepped forward and gave the vampire a hug. "Your task will be difficult, though I have faith that you will not falter. Time for you to sleep child, and dream..." Kyne touched the tip of her spear against Serana's forehead, and with a great flash the vampire knew no more.