DOVAHKIIN
My travels from Whiterun to Skuldafn temple proved to be more than just any experience. Having encountered draugr before I was used to the delayed responses and evil demeanor of my undead enemies. But nothing compared to the battle I had with Nahkriin-the dragon priest.
His life had ceased many years ago. Yet his body preserved over the last century only to serve his dragon masters in death as he did in life. The power he possessed, wielded in his golden staff. His skill of destruction and conjuration magic he used against me to kill me, failed as I eventually prevailed in plummeting my blade deep into his head.
Once I defeated him, I continued moving forward for the portal that would take me to Sovngard. There, I would finally defeat Alduin. But in order to do that I would need the help of the very nords responsible for banishing him in the first place.
SOVNGARDE
As I reached the vast afterworld valley of Sovngard-a home to spirits who passed on Nirn and reached the realm of the unliving. For me to reach such a plane was foreign, yet interesting as the scene of this place was far from overwhelming. If anything, so far it was nothing like I was told by father. And by the many storytellers of my village.
The valley looked to be a fog covered wasteland. Cold and unwelcoming as the wind whipped through the trees and brush nearby. I began walking along the path set before me hoping to find Shor's hall. Instead I found myself crossing paths with a dead man who had also lost his way.
"Can you help me?" He asked me. The fear written all over his face. In the distance I could hear Alduin's roar echo through the air. Again he begged for my help.
"The world eater, he is here! He devours us to strengthen his power! Please, you must help me find Shor's hall before he returns."
"I cannot see the way to this place."
"Please, you must do something. I don't want to be devoured."
I thought a moment and arrived at the idea to use the clear skies shout in order to clear the fog ahead of us. Once cleared, I could lead us to safety before Alduin notices I have arrived.
YOL, ZAH FRUL!
The fog cleared before us in an instant, just long enough for us to run ahead for Shor's hall. We met up with several other spirits along the way. So many faces of dead soldiers and warriors. Stormcloak and Imperial alike. Even Companions!
As we walked through the valley I began to wonder if I would see anyone familiar there. My ancestors, for one. I hoped I would not see my brother there.
"Shor's hall is just up this hill. We aren't far away!"
"Good. Be glad to feast with the heroes sooner than naught."
Just as we were about to reach the entrance to Shor's hall, we were stopped dead in our tracks as we heard the chilling roar of Alduin the world eater. The dark dragon was seen flying just overhead. His wings stretched wide across the skies of Sovngard.
"It's the world eater! HIDE!"
"NO!" I said. "Everyone, follow me! We will reach Shor's hall."
"But how, with the dragon nearby?"
"Are you not nords? Do any of you have any honor about yourselves? How can you stand here and call yourselves Nords, while you cower behind the bushes like scared children in trouble with their parents?"
"You don't understand. Alduin doesn't just devour your soul. He devours the very essence of you. Everything you once were eviscerated in one bite absorbing everything you once were!"
"Be that as it may, we would not be what we are if we lived in fear. We have to stand up to the face of death with courage."
"Truer words could not have been spoken by an honorable man." A voice interrupted.
"Who goes there?!" I commanded.
Before me stood a nord, taller than me by a few inches and just as strong. Behind his back he held a grand axe, dawning iron armor and a war mark on his face. I looked at him closely, trying to figure out who he was as he seemed familiar to me.
"Who are you stranger?" I asked.
"I should be asking you the same thing. What is a mortal doing in the land of the dead?"
"I come here to fight Alduin." I replied.
"By what right do you have to be here?"
"By blood right!" I said. "I am dragonborn."
Everyone standing behind me gasped in shock upon my revelation of my identity.
"Dovahkiin..." They whispered to themselves.
"I come here on behalf of the innocent lives taken by the world eater. It is my destiny to defeat him, and I will let nothing stand in my way in fulfilling that which is mine!"
"I see. I am Tsun. Gatekeeper of the great hall. No one may pass until they have completed the warriors test."
"Fine. What is this test then?"
"You misunderstand me. The test may only be given to those who have passed on. I do not grant passage to the living."
I unsheathed my sword before him standing in defense. "You will grant passage to me." I said intently.
"Hahaha! Do you think your trinket will stand against my weapon mortal? You are as foolish as a child."
"Then you will test me then?"
"I will not." Tsun replied.
"Then you are a coward. Unfit to be gatekeeper of this great land."
*TEN MINUTES LATER*
(THUMP!) my body hit the ground like a ton of rocks. My face bloody and bruised, a knot on my head throbbing and pulsating intensely. Tsun stood over me looking down at me with smug confidence that he beat me.
"Have you had enough mortal?" He asked.
(COUGHS BLOOD, SPITS) "Never!"
He raised his sword above his head once again preparing to kill me. As I knelt on the ground, seemingly at my last breaths, a sudden rush of adrenaline washed over me and I could feel a surge of strength over power me! I could feel the warmth of my blood intensify as it pulsed through me like fire! I could feel all of Akatosh's strength course into my soul as I practically leapt from the ground and clashed my sword against Tsun's!
The battle had taken a turn as I found a new found strength in myself. Now the tables had turned as I was now beating Tsun. My strength seemingly outmatching his!
HRRYYYAAA! I screamed as I swung my sword at him, the blades scraping each other, sparking in the air. He tried to block each blow landed and eventually failed as I knocked his weapon from his hands. Now that he was disarmed I had an even higher advantage, invoking my strength to knock him out with one hit and then to finish...
FUS...RO, DAH!
The famed gatekeeper of Shor's hall was blasted from the peak of the hill where the battle began across the bridge to Shor's hall. It was clear I had won, and so I sheathed my weapon and started walking across the bridge. Behind me were the souls lost in the mist. I kept my promise in leading them to Shor. And as I approached Tsun, there was no denying the power I possessed. It was clear to him as he looked into my eyes the blood of Akatosh flowed through me.
I looked over him, noticing something strange. A small trail of blood leaking from his temple down the side of his face.
"Ah, so YOU CAN bleed!"
"It will not last long mortal." He said assuredly.
I offered my hand to him to help him up. Reluctant at first but accepted it never the less.
"You fought bravely! Not many mortals will ever be able to tell the tale successfully beating Tsun the gatekeeper."
"An honor I shall take to my grave. I did not do it for glory. It served it's purpose."
"Still, you fought honorably...Dovahkiin. As promised I shall grant you passage to Shor's hall."
"Many thanks gatekeeper." I replied, walking inside the great hall.
SHOR'S HALL
The great hall of the heroes was truly a magnificent sight to see. All around stood heroes of old, a great table of vast amounts of food and drink, and roasted beef and pork on every fire.
Across from me stood Erlendr, Nikulas, and Hunroor. Olaf One-Eye the former jarl of Whiterun, and Jurgen windcaller-the founder of the greybeards. Meeting me at the door stood none other than Ysgramor himself. The hero and leader of the Companions! I felt the unnerving urge, compelled to kneel before him out of respect!
"Ysgramor!..." I whispered aloud.
"Stand to your feet warrior. We do not bow in here."
I stood to my feet and looked upon his face. Such blatant admiration I held within my heart for the very man who fought alongside my great grandfather. I never thought it would come a day where I would actually meet him!
"What is your name mortal. You don't exactly belong here with the rest of us. Not yet anyway. What are you doing here?"
"I am Mikel Bjorn of Kynesgrove. Son to Gustav and Gida. Kin to Rolf Bjorn, former Companion."
"Ah, yes! I remember him. Rolf was one of my best warriors in the crusade. We sailed all the way from the Imperial city to Skyrim together. He was a very honorable man, and a great fighter. Why have you come here to the hall of the dead?"
"I am here to defeat Alduin. I am dragonborn." I replied.
"Dragonborn eh? I believe there are some people here looking to speak with you."
"With me Ysgramor?" I asked.
"Aye boy. Gormlaith Golden-Hilt, Hakon, and Feldir the old. The three ancient warriors of the third era await to speak to you."
It was a memorable moment to witness as I approached the ancient nord heroes. All three of them standing and feasting with each other. To my surprise they knew who I was without me even having to tell them.
"So...you're the destined dragonborn eh?" Gormlaith began saying. Her tone seemingly sarcastic.
"Aye, that I am."
"You must be Rolf's boy! We have heard a great deal about you."
"How is that possible? The old man died years before I was born."
"The dead watches over all of their loved ones." A voice replied. I turned around and found my grandfather standing behind me.
He stood over six and a half feet tall, long dark hair and a thick beard. His armor customized to his form as the breastplate had carvings of a large octopus at the front, a deep bronze color to match the design. At first I was uncertain it was him, until I realized the mark along the left side of his face. Father had described this scar to me before. He said that grandfather got it trying to save a fellow companion from a bear.
"Grandfather?" I said.
"Hello my grandson. It is good to finally meet you!"
I was speechless! Overjoyed, but speechless! I embraced him, shook his hand smiling from ear to ear. I never thought in a million years I would have met the very man my father told me stories about.
"How did you know who I was?" I asked.
"The dead can hear the thoughts of their loved ones. Your prayers reach my ears every day. I have been watching over you since you left home dear boy."
"You? I don't understand."
"When Alduin escaped the realm of Oblivion and returned to Nirn, I knew your powers would awaken. The gift of the dragon was already inside of you. But I knew you would need guidance in your plight against the world eater. I was there with you for every battle leading up to this day."
"Many thanks to you grandfather." I said. Gormlaith then interjected herself into the conversation.
"I don't mean to be rude, but do you think we can cut this love fest short? In case you have not noticed, there is a soul eating dragon in our midst!"
"Yes. Lead the way." I replied.
"I will fight along side you son." Rolf added.
He, along with the other nord heroes rallied behind me as we head out the door for Alduin.
DRAGONSLAYER
Gormlaith Golden-Hilt, Hakon One-Eye, and Felldir the Old have come to help me try to defeat Alduin. Together we may be strong enough to dispel the evil mist in which he hides. Once that is gone, he will have no choice but to face us in open battle. Alongside us stood my own grandfather-Rolf Bjorn-who joins us in battle against the world eater. An honor to fight alongside such a great man. My only wish was that father could join us. To see him fight with us would be truly memorable indeed. But no matter. For we have bigger problems to deal with.
At first as we stand in the open field awaiting the arrival of Alduin, so far there was no sign of him anywhere. Not a roar, nor fire breathed.
"That coward hides behind the mist rather than fight us. SHOW YOU FACE WORYM!" Gormlaith challenged.
"We must use our clear sky shouts if we are to clear out this mist. We cannot fight our foe like this!" Suggested Felldir.
"Combine our shouts on my mark!" Ordered Gormlaith.
She gave the signal and together we blasted the mist from around us allowing us the ability to see the skies above. But just as fast as the mist retreated, Alduin summoned the haze one again engulfing us in blindness once again.
VEL...MUL...RIIK!"
"AGAIN!" Commanded Gormlaith.
LOK...VAH, KOOR!
VEL, MUL, RIIK!
"His power is failing. Once more and he will have no other choice but to fight!"
LOK...VAH, KOOR!
Our shouts string as the power of clear skies cleared away the blinding mist which surrounded us.
"Look, over there!" I yelled pointing to the sky. Ahead of us flew Alduin.
"Ready yourselves men. Alduin approaches!"
"Are you ready my boy?" Rolf asked.
"I was born ready!" I replied.
As Alduin approached us, hovering overhead, he looked down at all of us cursing us in his native tongue. A deep seeded hatred bellowed from the depths of his belly, as his chest heaved to breath fire down on all of us!
"DUCK!" Warned Gormlaith. Each of us jumped out of the way of the line of fire.
Two of the others had rolled to one side of the battlefield, while Grandfather and I found ourselves at the other side. Balls of fire began raining from the sky, landing heavily at the ground causing the ground to shake beneath our feet. Grandfather saw the world eater hovering overhead and unsheathed his bow to shoot at the black dragon. meyus mun! He said calling us fools.
"Grandfather, keep him busy! I'm going to get a better shot at him from the peak of that hill over there!"
"Hurry boy!"
I ran to the other side of the field to the closest hill I could find. I climbed as high as I could until I reached the very top. Once there I aimed my arrow for Alduin, a clear shot for the center of his head. As soon as he was in position (WHOOSH!) I released my arrow.
(ROOOOAAAARRRRRR!) The arrow was strong enough to pierce his hide. But not enough that it would kill him.
"That's just gonna piss him off!" Warned Gormlaith.
"Good, that's what I want to do." I replied smiling. I ran to the other side of the hill and shot yet another arrow at him. Then grandfather and the others join in. Felldir summoned his destruction magic to electrocute him. All of us at once throwing everything we had at him, it agitated the world eater just enough that he was forced to ascend to the ground and fight us one on one.
"Here we go!" I warned as I watched him land before us.
ALDUIN: meyus mun! You are all fools to think you could defeat me!"
"The only fool I see here is you world eater. Your reign of terror on this world is over! It's high time you get put down...elder son of Akatosh."
ALDUIN:Hi los ni kovon wah tinvaak faan do Bormah. Hi fen biis dearly voth hin lahney. How dare you speak the name of my father! I shall rejoice as I burn the flesh from your bones."
Just as he was about to snap his mouth at Gormlaith and the others, he was halted in his movements as I shot another arrow at him. This time aimed directly for his eye!
(ROOOAAAAARRRRR!) The world eater hollered in pain. Now his eyes were fixated on me. The hatred burning in his crimson red eyes as he began charging for me. I unsheathed my great sword forged in the city of Whiterun. Prepared and waiting to fulfill the very destiny set before me by the god's. I began running towards my enemy, Felldir, grandfather and the others joined in my defense as together we rushed Alduin for an attack.
All at once we slashed out swords against the hide of the scourge himself. He wailed as our weapons cut his hide. The power of our enchanted weapons was foreign to the dragon, having only known mortal weapons to never pierce dragon scales before. Having made vast progress with our assault on him, I leapt into the air above his head and landed on his back to attack him from behind.
The others continued their assault from the front, shooting him with arrows and cutting him with their swords. But none of them were able to make any real impact.
"Mikel, you have to kill him! KILL HIM NOW!"
I raised my sword above my head, trying to balance myself on his back. And with a fierce war cry I drove my sword deep into the skull of the world eater, finally ending the life of the scourge of the earth!
The minute my blade pierced his skull, the pain was unbearable! He threw me off of his back and writhed, squirmed in immense pain. He screamed out for Akatosh to rescue him, but even his own father ignored his cries.
nid! daar nis kos! Sav zey bormah! !
His body began to expand, inflating as if air was filling into him. Within seconds his entire body exploded, and his skeletal remains melted into nothingness! Every piece of the world eater was reduced to nothing more than mere ash, falling from the sky like the first snow.
Now that Alduin was dead, the darkness that plagued Sovngarde was gone, and a light radiated throughout the valley. All the souls captured by Alduin were released and given the peace they so longed for. Everyone gathered around me, cheering and jeering with glee. All of them shaking my hand and giving me thanks for my deeds. Tsun being the first to deliver his gratitude.
"Well done mortal. A mighty errand indeed! You did well by your kinsman, as well as the rest of the world."
"Many thanks to you gatekeeper. It is surely an honor."
As reward for my efforts, Tsun granted me with the gift of a new shout that would allow me to call upon him in my time of need to fight once again at my side. Once everyone finished thanking me, all but grandfather stood awaiting to thank me properly. He stood there smiling proudly at me, embracing me once again.
"You did well my boy! You do our family proud!"
"Thank you grandfather." I replied.
As I looked at him, the sudden feeling of sadness began to wash over me. I knew It was time for me to go back, though apart of me was not ready to go. But Tsun assured me that once I finished with my counted days on Nirn. I would return to the hall of Valor, and greeted with great honor.
I said my good-bye's to my grandfather, and to the heroes of old. Though I was saddened I was still glad to have met him. He sent me back home with a message for father. "Tell him I am proud of him. Proud of the man he became, and the father he is. And that I love him."
"Will do." I said smiling.
IT IS FINISHED
My return to Nirn, though victorious, was rather bitter sweet as I alerted Paarthurnax to his brother's death. It was my destiny to defeat Alduin, and though Paarthurnax and the others knew that, still he was their brother. Their elder brother. It saddened Paarthurnax to know that Alduin could not see past his hatred of humans. His own desire for power corrupted his mind, and eventually became his own downfall.
"It is my wish that perhaps beyond the void he will learn the error of his ways." He said.
"One may only hope my friend." I replied.
I looked around me at my surroundings and observed the hundreds of dragons gathered 'round. All of them, frost dragons, blood dragons, elder dragons...all of them looking down at me. No telling whether they viewed me as a threat or an equal. But just then I remembered something Paarthurnax told me when we first me. The very thing I learned that made me a true Dov...
"The greeting!" I thought to myself. I then raised my head to the sky, and exhaled a deep shout to my fellow brother.
"YOL...TOOR, SHUL!"
"It is elder tradition" (recanting memory) to greet the elder in the native tongue."
From that day onward, I was no longer just a mortal man. Now recognized by my fellow dovah as kiin, I was henceforth recognized as the dragon in man's skin. I was acknowledged by all, as the Dragonborn!
(Hey Fanfictioners! Thank you so much for reading! Quick F.Y.I, this is not the end of the series. This part only concludes the main questline. I will be writing more regarding the Companion, and Dawngard questline. As always feel free to like, comment, favorite. I appreciate the feedback and the support. Thanks!)