''I have to disagree. Death is so final, yet life is so full of possibilities'' –Tyrion Lannister
I expected to be in my bed, getting woken up and being told I had school today.
But I didn't. Instead I woke up buried under a bunch of snow.
''The hell?!'' I barely resurfaced and took a deep breath, determined to find out what the hell is going on. I racked my brain.
Okay so I died, I met mini Corrin, Bandits jumped out…
I immediately looked at my stomach, where I remembered the arrow pierced it. But I found nothing. I was confused. Perhaps this was all a dream? The more I ponder about the less likely it becomes. Had it been a dream, shouldn't I not feel pain?
I pinched myself in my arm. Yes, there was pain.
It came crashing onto me.
I died, possibly twice under ten minutes, and now I don't know where the hell I was.
Great.
I looked around, and all I saw was snow, and a stone wall.
''This looks remarkably similar to the throat of the world from Skyrim.'' I thought to myself,
making sure to keep my mind off possibly not going home.
I will find a way home, no matter what.
I slowly stood up, and started moving. It was hard through the snow, and it did not help I kept falling and snow kept hitting my face, but I made it to the edge… and there was no bloody way down.
Oh you got to be shitting me.
Wait… I heard flapping of wings.
And an un-earthly roar.
I turned my head towards the sound and almost shit myself.
Black scales, and the same haunting red eyes everyone sees when they get saved by a certain world eater at the start Skyrim.
Alduin, first born of Akatosh and the world eater.
By now I'm scrambling away, and look everywhere. I'm honestly considering jumping off this damned Mountain.
I heard a loud *thud* and I turned.
Hazel met Crimson once again.
But this time it was not the good, kind Crimson Corrin's held.
Alduin seemed to glare at me with all his might and I was sure he was considering using his Thu'um on me.
''…Hi?''
(Alduin POV)
''…Hi?''
Alduin glared. This was the mortal he was forced into? Out of all the mortals, his father, in all his wisest decisions, decided to place him in a Child?
He was sure this was an attempt to humble him, the World eater himself.
Unfortunately for his father, he won't be humbled that easily.
''Hey, do you know where we are?'' The child's voice snapped him back into reality, and by now he simply just started to ignore the Joor. This was all that damned Dovahkiin's fault. If he didn't follow him to Sovngarde, then he could have feasted on souls all he wanted.
But no, that foolish Joor was determined to try to fight him, even going as far as to possibly kill his dragon priest.
And in the end the World eater was defeat.
Memories of the fight resurfaced, the cheers of the old Nordic fools, and that damned Dovahkiin was cheering along with them while he experienced pain he never did before.
It made Alduin hate the mortal even more.
It was then Alduin was surprised once again. He was at the throat of the world, without that fool, Paarthurnax, or the Dovahkiin. Only his father. His father didn't explain, all he said
was- This is for an old friend, I promise it shall be explained in time
He tried to leave. Truly, but it was like a magical barrier blocking him from leaving.
It was then the child appeared.
Alduin can barely contain his rage, and probably would have continued glaring at the little Joor, but out of his vision, he saw golden light.
Finally, he can have his answers, and hopefully leave and do something better with his time.
Preferably going back to Skyrim and murdering that foolish Dovahkiin.
As his Father's avatar descended he saw out of the corner of his eye that the child looked at his father in what seemed like… hope?
Alduin wasted no time in wondering about the human's emotion and prepared to fly off and demand answers from his father, however, he realized that he was already flying towards them.
With a loud *thud* Akatosh landed, and Alduin resumed his glaring, but this time at his father.
(My/Raiden POV *few minutes before*)
Well… this is awkward. I glance at Alduin again, but he glares at me even harder.
Damnit Aludin, the least you could do is answer my question. By now I'm pacing, just why am I here. The silence is ever growing stronger, probably allowing us to gather our thoughts, but really, I only had one.
Why the fuck is the world eater inside me? Or better yet, if we are not inside me, where the fuck are WE!
''Hey do you know where we are?'' I asked, hoping that he would at least answer my question.
You can guess what happened. I got ignored.
Damnit Alduin.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw a light start shining, and I saw a large, probably bigger than Alduin, dragon appear in a flaming blaze of glory.
Wait… is that Akatosh? I mean, I'm just guessing but he looks hell of a lot like Alduin, and has the same golden scales and aura that I remember from Oblivion.
I hope that he is. Since he is the god of time he should be able to tell me why the hell I'm here, right?
Oh, let's not forget the fact that I'm de-aged. I hope to get that at least fixed.
As Akatosh descended and landed, I once again gave a bad imitation of a bow.
Shit, what should I call him. I mean, simply calling a god his name is disrespectful as fuck, and would probably earn a fire breath shout from Alduin.
Instead of saying anything, I stayed silent. I could almost feel Akatosh gaze on me.
''Rise, Raiden.'' For a second I froze. Not at the fact he knew my name mind you, he is still a god after all and there's a high chance he put me in this situation as well. But at his voice rather. It was almost the epitome of calm. It was the kind of voice that even if you were alone, against millions of people trying to kill you, and with one sentence he could calm you down.
I rose and looked at the chief diety. I heard him speak.
''It is a relief that you safely arrived in this world, it seems Anankos was correct after all.'' There was a slight twinge of sadness in his voice. He shook his head and glanced at Alduin and then me. ''Enough about this. Both of you likely wonder what you all are doing here.''
The world eater and I gave a nod to Akatosh. His gaze turned upon Alduin first. ''I shall start with you, my son, as it is yours that is the easiest to describe.'' He then began the tale.
''After your battle against the Dragonborn, your soul was beginning to make your way into him, to absorb like he did to the rest of you.'' Again, there was a slight twinge to his tone I couldn't describe. ''I acted too late, and as a result bits of your soul was absorbed by the dovahkiin before I intervened. Your soul was split apart.''
I turned to Alduin and saw the look that screamed both anger and another that I couldn't understand. Suprisingly he said nothing. That was terrifying enough to almost make me shit bricks. In the games he was shown as someone who was arrogant, and looked down on everyone, and always had something to say. So the fact that quite possibly he just died because his father was a bit late probably was enough to make his world crumble around him and piss him off beyond imagination.
I could sympathise with him to a certain extent. There is a high chance that he wouldn't be able to return to his world, just like I won't be able to return to mine.
Akatosh continued. ''As a result it was only time before you died.''
I decided to ask a question.
''Uhm, Lord Akatosh?'' My voice was small, but both of them heard it, and turned towards me. Realising I had their attention I had to ask one question I had on my mind. ''You're saying his soul was split apart right?''
Akatosh nodded.
''Then couldn't his soul just regenerate, and then later come back to fulfill the prophecy?'' I asked slightly, remembering a bit of lore from the game. Akatosh nodded.
''Indeed, however, while Alduin's soul wasn't fully absorbed, his soul was still split apart, which would mean that it would take a very long time to regenerate.''
''Tell me father, how long would I have to wait?'' This time it was Alduin who spoke, with a voice of who had nothing to lose.
''A long time, quite possibly an era.'' Both mine and Alduins eyes widened.
''That long!''I asked suprised ''But wouldn't I die by then, and Alduin's soul would just drift away?''
Akatosh shook his head
''While it may take an era in mine and my son's world, it would take less time here, approximately about the time when you are seventy years old.''
''In mental or physical?'' I questioned.
''In physical.'' I sighed and nodded.
Akatosh then turned to me, more than likely to explain my situation, before frowning.
''It seems your waking up.'' My eyes widened. The answers are so close!
''Can't you simplify it?'' I near begged, I needed to know, especially if I have to live in this world.
Akatosh shook his head ''I truly am sorry, however it is to hard to describe. I promise when I can I shall tell you.'' My head drops in sadness, and I could feel tears start to appear in my eyes, but I hold them back.
''However,'' Akatosh's voice snaps me back ''you do not deserve to carry false hope.'' As he continued I could feel my vision slowly going black, but not before hearing these last words that changed my life forever. ''You have died in your own world, as a result you cannot go back.''
Everything went black.
(In the living world, I guess?)
I awoke with a start, my eyes opening. I hastily looked around, and noticed I was on a bed. Memories came back to me in an instant, and my mood turned extremely sour.
''You cannot go back.''
Despite feeling so angry, and trying everything to put the blame on everyone, Alduin, Akatosh or even bloody Anankos, I still felt a bit of gratitude. He said I died, and he, and probably Anankos, gave me a second chance.
I sighed. The least I could try was to steer this fates to revelations. I have plenty of time right? Corrin is still a kid, and Elise is probably still a baby. So maybe, just maybe, I could make everything turn out good.
After all, it's not like Miraak or Mehrunes Dagon want my soul, right?
Right?
My musing was cut short by the door opening, and only now I realised I was all alone in the room.
I saw the same blonde hair and red eyes I saved when I first shown up here.
I gave a half-hearted wave.
''Hey''
She waved back more enthusiastically, but also looked a bit guilty.
She fidgeted slightly, ''Raiden?'' I looked at her.
''Yes Corrin?''
''How are you?'' She asked as walked to the side of the bed I'm currently inhabiting.
I shrug, ''I've been better.'' Corrin nods relieved. Silence insues, and I could see she wants to say something, but for some reason she's not saying it. Finally, the silence is broken.
''Raiden,'' At my name I look up at her ''My brother's and my sister have asked if you could dine with them today?''
Suddenly fear started to creep into my heart.
Oh god help me. I wanted to refuse, but on the other hand if I refused that would be disrespectful as hell.
There's only one real choice is there?
I nodded, ''Of course, I'll be honoured.''
The blinding smile is already worth the terror Camilla is probably going to put me through.
I hope.
*Stares at this chapter* Not my proudest chapter, but I take it.
I'm sorry for being so late, but Skyrim, Oblivion (recently got it, pretty good game despite being old as hell) and Heroes of might and magic VI took up most of my time.
School also starts tomorrow, so updates will vary. But I try to update quicker this time, don't take my word for it though.
Also Alduin is hard as hell to write, I swear to god.
See you guys in the next chapter- Of Black and White wings