Skyrim: A Tale of Dragons and Heroes

Prologue:

Binyamin sat tensely as Sahrotaar, the dragon he rode upon, flew across the murky waters of Apocrypha, gripping firmly on the beast's spines. He knew that that one slip would send him into the dark green depths, forever swallowed by the abyss. He cast his gaze onward, his eyes focused on a tower, standing above the waters as if it is the only thing of real importance in this reality. It very well may be, for it is the summit of Apocrypha, and it is there that he will battle against Miraak, with the fate of Solstheim decided by the outcome. As the tower comes closer, Sahrotaar spoke as he prepares to land.

"Beware, Miraak is strong. he knew you would come here." he remarked.

"I know," Binyamin responded. "But I must face him all the same. I just hope that I am strong enough."

The serpentine dragon landed atop the tower, allowing the Last Dragonborn to leap off of his neck. He then spotted the masked figure that he had come to know, with two dragons perched from side to side behind him.

"Miraak." Binyamin snarled, his hand on his scimitar.

The First Dragonborn did not regard him at first. he instead turned his attention to the dragon next to him.

"Sahrotaar, are you so easily swayed? no, not yet," He began, then turned to look at Binyamin. "We should greet our guest first."

With that, he began walking towards Binyamin, as if taking a leisurely stroll, before stopping just a few feet away from him.

"And so, the First Dragonborn meets the Last Dragonborn, at the Summit of Apocrypha. No doubt just as Hermaeus Mora had planned. He is a fickle master, you know. But now, I will be free of him. My time in Apocrypha is over." he stated, his voice with condescension.

"Of course, in order for that to happen, you will have to kill me." Binyamin replied, his eyes narrowing.

"Exactly. You are here in your full power, and thus subject to my power." Miraak stated. "You will die, and with the power of your soul, I will return to Solstheim and be master of my own fate again."

"If you truly believe that I will just roll over and die, then you are severely mistaken." Binyamin retorted, drawing his sword. "My shield shall end any strike you may unleash, my blade shall rend you of blood and flesh, and you will be undone by my POWER!"

With that, he bashed his sword against his shield thrice, signifying that he is ready to fight, before shouting in the dragon's tongue:

"Mul, QAH DIIV!"

As soon as those ancient words were uttered, Binyamin's body was engulfed in a fiery blue and orange glow, coalescing together to form an ethereal set of draconic armor.

"I see that you have learned some new things while you were in Solstheim," Miraak said, drawing a sword of his own, as well as a staff. "But it will not be enough. I already know of that power. Mul, QAH DIIV!"

Miraak was then also bathed in the same orange and blue glow, his body covered in it's own draconic armor.

"Kruziikrel, Relonikiv, NOW!" he shouted.

As soon as he uttered their names, the dragons in question flew from their perches and began circling the tower. It was then that Miraak made his first move, summoning forth a mass of tendrils from his staff to ensnare Binyamin. The Last Dragonborn struggled against the tendrils, before hacking them away with his sword. As soon as he cut away the last tendril, Miraak struck him with his blade, cutting into his flesh. Binyamin winced at the pain but also felt slightly lethargic. He realized that the sword must also absorb stamina. Binyamin was able to parry Miraak's next strike, and landed a swift blow on his right arm, slicing through muscle, and biting into bone. Miraak pulled away quickly, grunting in pain as he clutched his arm, dropping the staff. His left land glowed briefly, and in seconds, his wound healed. He reached his hand out and summoned a pair of Seekers to fight for him. Binyamin simply grinned and ran forwards to meet the Seekers before they could attack. He swung his blade into one of the Daedra, slicing it's writhing head from its body. Before it had fallen to the ground, he turned and severed the arms of the other one, rendering it defenseless. The Last Dragonborn slashed at the Seeker, and every hit cut deeper into its muscle and sinew. When he had finished, all that remained of the Daedra was a mass of putrid flesh and bones. Binyamin then turned towards Miraak, and they had begun their fight, Miraak sending a volley of lightning bolts towards Binyamin, forcing him to dodge. As they battled, Binyamin took an opportunity pull his shield back, and charge at Miraak with blinding speed. Miraak, not expecting him to be so fast, and was thus completely unprepared, was hit with so much force that he was sent flying across the floor, smashing head-first into a column of ancient tomes, causing it to crumble and collapse on top of him. Binyamin continued in his charge, reaching the pile of tomes in seconds. He thrusted his blade into the pile, but before the scimitar could touch one of the books, Miraak spoke.

"Fus, ROH DAH!'

Upon saying those words, Binyamin had found himself flung high into the air, his ears ringing from the thunderous wave inflicted upon him. He twirled in the air for a few seconds, before landing dangerously close to the edge of the tower. Binyamin groggily got up to his feet. he drew a sharp breath as he felt a popping sensation in his left shoulder. He realized that several joints in his arm had been dislocated, leaving it hanging limply on his side. He looked up to see Miraak, standing tall from the scattered tomes, despite the blood running down his mask.

"(cough), it seems that you are at a disadvantage. good." he said, his voice full of underlying contempt.

Binyamin only grinned in response, before using casting a grand healing spell. Now, his arm was completely healed, along with any wounds he had suffered. He then proceeded to shower Miraak with a volley of thunderbolts. With Miraak on the defensive, Binyamin stopped his attack to quickly grab his sword. He sprinted towards Miraak, but the First Dragonborn was ready this time. as soon as he was near, Miraak shouted once more.

"Feim, ZE GRON!"

Binyamin soon found his blade cutting through nothing but thin air, and almost tripping as he stopped his forward momentum. He turned to spot Miraak in the center of the platform, in an ethereal form and looking at one of the dragons circling above.

"KRUZIIKREL!" he called out, as if summoning the dragon. the drake in question then landed on the platform. Binyamin raised his shield in preparation but was shocked by what happened next.

"ZII LOS DI DU!" Miraak roared.

Once those words were uttered, the dragon let out a sharp roar of agony, before collapsing to the ground, dead. Upon its death, its body was consumed by fire, and its soul was absorbed into Miraak's person. Miraak let out a deep breath, as if in relief, as all the wounds he had previously suffered had now healed. He turned his head to look at Binyamin, who grimaced with frustration. The Last Dragonborn proceeded to shower Miraak with multiple destruction spells, all of which had the added effect of forcing Miraak to block. As soon as he saw an opening, Binyamin put his plan into action.

"Gol, HAH DOV!" he yelled.

It was directed not towards Miraak, but instead to one of the dragons flying overhead. Upon being struck by the shout, the dragon had landed upon the summits' platform and proceeded to attack Miraak, engulfing him in a stream of fire.

"Relonikiv, are you so easily swayed? to betray me for him?" Miraak questioned, turning to face his former minion.

Sahrotaar then stopped circling above and landed on the platform to join the onslaught, adding his own flame to the attack.

"I always knew you weak minded, Sahrotaar! so easily you betray me, after all these years!" Miraak exclaimed, struggling to keep the flames at bay.

While Miraak was contending with the dragons, Binyamin took the opportunity that was now open to him and ran straight at Miraak, pulling his sword back to drive it deep into Miraak's torso, the end of the blade jutting through his abdomen. This forced Miraak to drop his defenses, screaming from the searing pain of his insides being torn and cut apart. Binyamin used Miraak's body as a shield to protect himself from the flames until the dragons ceased their attacks, seemingly satisfied with what they have done. The Last Dragonborn then drew his sword slowly out of Miraak's body, causing the First Dragonborn to grunt in agony, before kicking him forcefully onto the ground. Miraak landed face down, a pool of his own blood forming around his body. Binyamin walked over to Miraak's body, and kicked it, causing the body to roll over on it back. It remained motionless, without even the slightest twitch. Binyamin glared at the body, waiting for anything to happen, then sighed, put away his sword, and turned away from the body, walking towards Sahrotaar. He was about to climb onto his neck when he heard a shuffling sound. He turned quickly and drew his sword, but he was too late.

"Feim, ZE GRON!" Miraak yelled, shakily getting to his feet.

He was once again in the ethereal state, allowing him the much-needed opportunity to use his next move.

"Relonikiv, ZII LOS DII DU!" Miraak shouted.

Binyamin knew what was going to happen, but was helpless to stop it, and thus was forced to watch as Miraak had stolen the soul from one of his former minions. As soon as the process was finished, Miraak's wound was completely healed and was now back to full power.

"THIS ENDS NOW!" Miraak roared.

With that, he gathered as much magical energy as he could muster, before expelling it forth. Binyamin instinctively raised his shield in defense but was not struck by any attack. He lowered his shield in confusion, which then turned to shock, as the entire platform on Miraak's side was filled with various Lurkers and Seekers, all waiting for their master's command.

"Kill them!" Miraak exclaimed, gesturing towards Binyamin and Sahrotaar. the newly summoned minions obeyed immediately, the Lurkers charging forward, while the Seekers fired several spells at a distance.

"Thuri, let us take to the skies!" Sahrotaar exclaimed.

Binyamin obliged, running towards the serpentine dragon and hopping on his neck. As soon as he was on, Sahrotaar leaped from the platform, before flapping his mighty wings. now that they were airborne, They were able to freely circle about the summit. Sahrotaar assaulted the various Daedra with a series of frost and flame attacks, while Binyamin focused his destruction spells on the main target; Miraak. However, the First Dragonborn was blocking all of the attacks Binyamin was throwing at him. Binyamin frowned when he realized that his assault was not working against him, so he decided to take immediate action.

"Sahrotaar, I'm going to need you to aid me from the air. keep his Miraak's minions at bay, for I will attack him directly." Binyamin stated.

Sahrotaar looked at him for a moment, before he nodded in agreement. He flew over the platform, and as he did so, Binyamin jumped off of his neck, and right behind Miraak. He was barely able to parry Binyamin's strike but was not fast enough to parry the next one, in which Binyamin had landed a blow on Miraak's torso. Miraak backed away, clutching his chest in pain, and proceeded to use his healing spells. Binyamin rushed to attack him once more but found his path barred by a quartet of Lurkers, which surrounded him on all sides. Binyamin let out a deep growl, before slashing the legs of the Lurker in front of him. the Lurker screeched in pain, collapsing on its knees, before Binyamin drove his blade through its head, killing it. He swiftly kicked it off his sword before the other Lurkers attacked, either by swinging madly at him, stomping at him, or grabbing at him with their tendrils. Binyamin hacked and slashed all of his assailants, each receiving devastating injuries but continued attacking. Binyamin managed to slice the legs of a Lurker clean off, causing the Daedra to groan weakly before falling dead. This allowed the Last Dragonborn to break free from the Lurkers and attack Miraak head on. He charged towards Miraak, sword held at the ready to draw more blood.

"Zun, HAAL VIIK!" Miraak shouted.

Binyamin was forced to stop as the shout nearly tumbled him off of his feet. He was worried more, however, of the fact that he had no weapon. He turned around hurriedly to find his sword, only to witness it fall from the edge of the platform, plummeting into the watery abyss below. He turned back, only to receive a powerful thunderbolt directly at his torso, causing him to scream in agony. He placed his hand on his chest and tried to use a healing spell, but was unable to call upon it, as he had used up most of his Magicka. Miraak unleashed another bolt of lightning at Binyamin, and another until he was firing non-stop. Binyamin could only hold up his shield weakly in an attempt to block the attack, with little effect.

"It is over for you, Dragonborn!" Miraak yelled. "soon, your soul will be mine!"

Binyamin grimaced in pain as he felt a massive shock throughout his body, the electricity coursing through his veins. He was saved from any further torment thanks to Sahrotaar's intervention. The serpentine dragon was able to land a painful blow on the First Dragonborn with a blast of fire. Unfortunately, it would be the last thing he would do. upon being struck by the fiery cone, Miraak turned his attention to Sahrotaar.

"Sahrotaar, ZII LOS DII DU!" he shouted.

Sahrotaar was only able to widen his eyes in shock before he felt his very soul ripped out of his body, his skin and flesh burning away. He crashed onto the platform, crushing a cluster of Seekers under his weight, before he had fully succumbed to the shout, leaving behind nothing but bones. Binyamin looked at the barren skeleton that was his ally, before glaring at Miraak in contempt.

'I must end this battle right now. though I am without my sword and my magic, there is one option I have left.' Binyamin though to himself.

With that, he channeled all of his concentration and desire into one form, one that was forged by his great ancestors long ago. Miraak turned away from the fallen dragon with satisfaction, now focusing his attention on finishing off the Last Dragonborn.

"Now, to finally end you once and..." Miraak began, but what he saw when he had turned around had robbed him of the last of his statement.

Binyamin now stood tall, despite his injuries, but it was not that which had caused Miraak's silence. It was his eyes, eyes that were glaring at him with a glowing silver gleam, eyes that seemed ancient, and full of power. He then looked down from those eyes, until they rested upon his right hand, which was now gripping a sword, one that was radiating a pure white light, one that seemed to be composed entirely out of energy. He looked back up at the Last Dragonborn, the shock, and trepidation evident on his form.

"Wh-what is this!?" Miraak exclaimed, fear beginning to take hold of him.

"This, Miraak," Binyamin began, pointing his shining blade at his foe. "is a power that only a true warrior can attain. this is the power attained by the ANSEI!"

Miraak, visibly frightened by the sheer power permeating from Binyamin's form, ordered his minions to attack. As the several remaining Seekers and Lurkers rushed towards the Last Dragonborn, he simply grinned maliciously and raised his sword high above his head, before swinging down on the Lurker closest to him. The end result was the Lurker splitting into two equal pieces, each piece falling to the side. Binyamin then proceeded to bisect the next Daedra near him and continued slicing his way through the mass of minions, slowly reaching Miraak. The First Dragonborn was visibly terrified at this point, and he began initiating his backup plan. As Binyamin was cutting down a trio of Seekers, he spotted Miraak pulling something out from his robes. What he saw in his hand was an Elder Scroll. His eyes widened when he realized where he had gotten it from, and had an idea of what he was about to do with it.

"YOU COWARDLY LITTLE THIEF!" Binyamin roared, quickly making short work of the Daedra barring him from his path.

He could hear Miraak chanting as he held the Elder Scroll towards him. he rushed at him as fast as he could, but it was too late.

"I hereby banish you, Dragonborn, from this world, and all of its timelines, with no hope of ever returning to Nirn!" Miraak exclaimed.

As soon as those words were spoken, a massive void of pure blue had engulfed Binyamin, swallowing him whole and fading from existence. However, Binyamin was able to strike Miraak, landing a lethal blow on his stomach. Miraak screamed as he felt his insides become eviscerated. He held his stomach closed as he applied healing magic to the wound, sealing the cut to prevent bleeding. He then stood up, feeling relief flood throughout his body. He knew, in the end, that he would not win against the Last Dragonborn, for the Elder Scroll had shown him various outcomes of the battle, all ending in his defeat. So, he had studied the Scroll to unlock a way of defeating him, which only revealed the banishment ritual. Miraak sighed, looking towards the spot where Binyamin was last seen. he could sense the rift in space and time that he had created, a time wound.

"At least now...I have defied my fate..." he muttered, exasperated from the collective exhaustion from the battle and the ritual. "I am finally the master of my destiny!"

"I do not think so, my rebellious servant." a voice called out, causing Miraak to tense up.

A tendril shot out from the ground, tearing the Elder Scroll from Miraak's hands. it was then that a massive form appeared, hovering over the platform, a mass of squirming tendrils and eyes, which were all focused on the First Dragonborn.

"Hermaeus Mora..." Miraak whispered, grimacing under his mask.

"For your act of defiance against me, against fate itself, I will Banish you from this world, just as you have banished the Last Dragonborn." Hermaeus decreed, pulling the Elder Scroll open.

"No...No!" Miraak exclaimed, feeling the cosmic energies surround him.

He was not able to say or do anything more, for he was enveloped by the same blue void as well, sucking him away from Apocrypha, and from all of Nirn. Hermaeus Mora rolled the scroll back up, before warping it away with his magic.

"May fate see to it that you die in the next world, Miraak." he said, before leaving the now war-torn Summit of Apocrypha.